Laura Dooley-Taylor

Aug 22, 2024 | slj.com | Laura Dooley-Taylor

Gr 5 Up–Tarot reader Madame Petrova’s prediction frightens a family so terribly that they choose to exile twins Silke and Janis, separating them at birth to avoid realization of the prophecy. After the deaths of the sibling’s parents, greedy cousins take the kids in and hope to profit on their misfortune. Silke and Janis escape, embarking on a whirlwind quest to unravel the curse that brings them right to the enigmatic Madame Petrova herself.

Aug 21, 2024 | slj.com | Amanda MacGregor |Laura Dooley-Taylor |J. Caleb Mozzocco

Decodables, or simple books that build students’ phonic knowledge in a sequential and systematic way, are becoming more popular as a growing number of schools have embraced the “science of reading” in teaching children fundamental literacy skills. Because of their inherent language constraints, many of the decodables being published today lack what children would consider an engaging and coherent storyline. But this is an area where New Jersey-based publisher ReadBright excels.

Jul 31, 2024 | slj.com | Laura Dooley-Taylor |Chance Lee Joyner |Molly Dettmann |Kate Newcombe

This month's starred titles include a first day of school story by June Sobel, biographies on Mae Jemison and Roberto Clemente, and a new picture book from Kyle Lukoff. From the top: Sobel's First Day, Hooray! illus. by Nabila Adani;  Oso's My Hair Is a Book. illus. by London Ladd;  White's Brave Like Fireweed. illus. by Jesse White Back-to-SchoolSOBEL, June. First Day, Hooray! illus. by Nabila Adani. HarperCollins/Clarion. Picture BooksHRAB, Naseem. How to Staycation Like a Snail. illus.

Jul 15, 2024 | slj.com | Laura Dooley-Taylor |Chance Lee Joyner |Molly Dettmann |Kate Newcombe

As educators realize how including RPGs in libraries and other school spaces can create educational opportunitiesas well as foster social-emotional learning skills, here are some books and graphic novels that feature the popular RPG Dungeons & Dragons. Middle GradeRoll for Initiative by Jaime Formato. Running Pr. ISBN 9780762481064.

Jul 15, 2024 | slj.com | Laura Dooley-Taylor

CLARKSON, Giselle.The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions. Gecko. Gr 3-7–An amusing approach to a traditional field guide, displaying intricate illustrations. Clarkson’s environmental book is well suited for developing naturalists as well as curious observers. FADEEVA, Olga.Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us. tr. from Russian by Lena Traer. Eerdmans.