More YA for Readers Seeking the Truth
Looking for one more readalike for Lois Lowry’s The Giver (Houghton Mifflin,1993)? Take a look at Gated, from Amy Christine Parker. In the Community, life seems perfect. Lyla Hamilton believes she is one of the chosen. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited her family to join the Community and escape the evil in the world. They’ve thrived under his strict, charismatic leadership. Now 17, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned. Pioneer has visions of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must prepare to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the Silo, the underground shelter where the Community will wait out the apocalypse. The paperback edition recently released, and the sequel, Astray, is set to pub later this month.
You can read an excerpt of the new book here; and even better, be one of 30 lucky winners, chosen at random, who will get galley copies of Gated [Do you mean Astray?]. Just send an email with Gated Giveaway in the subject line with your U.S. or Canadian mailing address (no P.O. boxes, please); winners will be notified by August 15.
Kids in Need Foundation Announces 2014 Teacher Grants Program
The Kids In Need Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers, is joining forces with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores to launch the 2014 teacher grants program to helps educators fund special classroom projects for students. Hundreds of grants ranging from $100 to $500 will be awarded to preK-12 teachers nationwide. The teacher grants are funded by retail and education credit union sponsors, including the Fred Meyer Fund, Via Credit Union, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, BIC Consumer Products USA, and Command™ Brand Products from 3M.
To apply, visit the Kids in Need Foundation website from now through September 30. Grant awards are based on the creativity of the projects being proposed, and there are many creative teacher librarians out there, so apply now.
Feeding the Teen Chef Fire
Addicted to The Food Network? Lots of teen are too, especially with the addition of the “Teen Chef Challenge” this season. While your library probably has lots of cookbooks, usually among the most highly circulated items on your shelves, how does your collection for teens look?
Capstone wants to help you fluff up your teen cookbook collection. Custom Confections is the follow-up to the deliciously fun Dessert Designer, the cookbook for decorating sweet treats. Teens can learn how to bake up surprises in cupcakes and cookies, or leave the oven off and whip up some delightful no-bake treats. The forty simple recipes are sure to inspire kids (and kids at heart) to create delicious desserts to decorate and devour. Want to grab a copy of Custom Confections? Five winners will be chosen at random—just visit the giveaway website to register.
YALSA Reveals Recipients of 2014 Teen Read Week Activity Grants
Nine libraries and one high school, representing eight states and one district, will be receiving $1,000 each to be put toward 2014 Teen Read Week activities. Winners of the grants were selected based on the overall impact, need, and cohesiveness of the literacy-based program ideas exemplified in their applications. Presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Teen Read Week will take place from October 12-18 with the theme of Turn Dreams into Reality @ your library.
The winners are:
Covina (CA) Public Library
Lemont (IL) Public Library District
Eastern Senior High School, Washington DC
New Port Richey (FL) Public Library
Onondaga (NY) Free Library
Coffeyville (KN) Public Library
Richmond (VA) Public Library
Johnsburg (IL) Public Library
Louisville (OH) Public Library
Keene (NH) Public Library
The grant is funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation which has provided youth literacy grants to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations for many years. Visit the Dollar General website for more information about its youth literacy grants .