TitleTales

ALA Notable Children’s Recordings—Contenders for 2010: by Trisha Rigsby

A/V post—09/11/09
Right before ALA in July, the titles under consideration by the 2010 Notable Children’s Recordings Committee were announced. A mix of fiction and nonfiction audiobooks, read alongs and music are being evaluated for the honor. Contenders were discussed at ALA and the final selections will be announced at Midwinter. I made a list of our available titles from those being considered. I’m happy to see Marcelo in the Real World among the contenders. I think Lincoln Hoppe’s narration of Francisco X. Stork’s marvelous book about a boy with Asperger’s syndrome is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed The Gooney Bird Collection and The Red Blazer Girls. I found Chasing Lincoln’s Killer even more thrilling in audio with Will Patton’s strong performance, and I think it’s an excellent way to interest reluctant readers in nonfiction material. Jim Gill’s A Soup Opera shows children that operas are actually stories in an entertaining book and CD combination.

Spanish Language Graphic Novels: by Heather Ji

Graphic Novels post—09/11/09
As graphic novels continue to grow in popularity, you might have patrons interested in Spanish language graphic novels, such as students studying the language who are looking for a fun way to practice their skills, or a Spanish–speaking population wanting to read in their native language. Some of our popular translated series include Astro Boy, Babymouse and Baby–Sitters Club for younger readers; Fruits Basket, Ah, Mi Diosa! (Oh My Goddess!), Naruto and Bleach for teens and Black Jack, Samurai Deeper Kyo and InuYasha for older teens and adults. Mafalda is a comic strip by the Argentine artist Quino that originally appeared in South American newspapers, and its combination of humor and political commentary seen from a young girl’s point of view can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The translation of Cancer Vixen, the wickedly funny true story of a cartoonist’s battle with breast cancer, is a great stand–alone title for adult patrons. And though its raunchy language and nudity may not work for most libraries, adult readers familiar with Mexican humor and slang will appreciate graphic novels featuring Trino’s character Don Taquero, the infamous taco–stand operator.

Highly Anticipated Titles: by Kathryn Lynip

Adult post—09/11/09
While waiting for the George R.R. Martin’s Dance with Dragons to come out (and, yes, the publication date has been moved once again—and now the publisher has not even attempted giving a new date), I have had a chance to pick up other highly anticipated titles. These are a few on my personal list. I have been fortunate to preview both Catching Fire and Fire, and they were every bit as good as the first books by Suzanne Collins and Kristin Cashore. I also am waiting for the second title in debut author Redick’s Red Wolf Conspiracy series, Rats in the Ruling Sea. This fantasy series primarily takes place on an enormous boat that is supposed to be on a peace mission but has instead been taken over by a conspiracy of assassins. The political intrigue is reminiscent of a Song of Ice and Fire (although not yet up to that caliber, in my opinion). Further along the fantasy vein is the 12th Robert Jordan title The Gathering Storm, which was completed posthumously by Brandon Sanderson. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is being adapted to graphic novel format, and the next edition Sense and Sensibility with Sea Monsterswill likely draw attention. I am also excited about new titles from Connie Willis, Jeanette Walls and Barbara Kingsolver.

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