LIS 721 01: Library Materials - Children

Collection development assignment : due Jan 25, 2021

The purpose of this exercise is to identify and use a range of review journals to support collection
development. You can base your selections on the library selected for the Observation Report or the
library in your community or in which you work.

Process:

1. Select one or more of the major review journals for children's literature (links to the digital versions
available through the Rebecca Crown Library are included in the slide overview for this week or you can
use the print version if you have access to it).

2. Identify ten items that were published in 2020 that you would add to a children's collection. Try as far
as possible to vary the genre, format, and target age of the materials you select, e.g. fiction for grades 4-
6, a transitional reader in graphic novel for K-2, format, an informational book, and so on. N.B. The age
range for materials covered in this course is 0 to 12 years.

3. For each item, include the full citation provided in the selected review [E.g. MERRITT, Kory. No Place
for Monsters. illus. by Kory Merritt. 384p. HMH. Oct. 2020. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780358128533.] and a brief
(one or two sentences) rationale as to why you selected that item. Include the total for the items
selected at the end of the list. Do not exceed $500.

4. List the review journals consulted and an include a brief reflection on the ease/difficulty of use and
any distinguishing features or other challenges encountered.

Reply:

Lisa Butler
Jan 25, 2021 at 3:58pm

1. KELLY, Erin Entrada. We Dream of Space. 400p. HarperCollins/Green willow. May 2020. Tr
$16.99. ISBN 9780062747303.

Gr 4-6 (novel): The novel is set against the Challenger launch in 1986 and features tween experiences
while discussing prevalent issues like gender inequality. The Thomas siblings navigate difficult situations
that are likely to feel familiar to many.

2. SUMNER, Jamie. Tune It Out. 288p. S. & S./Atheneum. Sept. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN
9781534457003.

Gr 5 Up (Novel): This novel highlight’s invisible disabilities, homelessness, and poverty.

3. TIMBERLAKE, Amy. Skunk and Badger. illus. by Jon Klassen. 136p. (Skunk and Badger: Bk. 1).
Algonquin. Sept. 2020. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781643750057.
Gr 2-5 (chapter book): Ideal for read-alouds. Covers myriad topics including homelessness, racism,
prejudice, friendships, and communication.

4. MESSINGER, Jonathan. The Fuzzy Apocalypse. illus. by Aleksei Bitskoff. 128p. (Alien Adventures
of Finn Caspian: Bk. 1). HarperCollins/Harper. Sept. 2020. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062932150; pap.
$5.99. ISBN 9780062932143.

Gr 1-3 (chapter book) Early chapter book, sci-fi, and part of series.

5. COLE, Henry. One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey. illus. by Henry Cole. 48p. Scholastic. Apr.
2020. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781338359978.

Gr 1-3 (picture book): A wordless picture book that take the reader through one boy’s life.

6. SOONTORIWAT, Christina. All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer
Team. 288p. Candlewick. Oct. 2020. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781536209457.

Gr 4-7 (non-fiction): Soccer is the second favorite sport in town and this non-fiction title tells the story of
12 young soccer players and their coach who were trapped inside a cave for two weeks.

7. HCHIN, Jason. Your Place in the Universe. illus. by Jason Chin. 40p. Holiday House/Neal Porter
Bks. Sept. 2020. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780823446230.

PreS-Gr 4 (non-fiction): Size and distance throughout the universe are compared, and the text
incorporates basic astronomical information.

8. JOHNSON, Varian. illus. by Shannon Wright. 256p. Scholastic/Graphix. Oct. 2020. pap. $12.99.
ISBN 9781338236132.

Gr 3-7 (graphic novel): Bold artwork accompanies authentic characters in this pitch-perfect look at
sibling rivalry and adolescent self-discovery during the dreaded middle school years.

9. SMITH, Brian "Smitty." Pea, Bee, & Jay: Stuck Together. by Brian "Smitty" Smith. 64p. (Pea, Bee,
& Jay). HarperAlley. Sept. 2020. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9780062981172.

Gr 2-4 (graphic novel): “A rebellious pea rolls away,” the best hook for a book I have every read. Also is a
gentle tale of friendship.

10. GRUENER, Ruth. Out of Hiding: A Holocaust Survivor's Journey to America. 208p. Scholastic. Oct.
2020. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781338627459.

Gr 3-7 (memoir): This is a Holocaust memoir for middle grade readers who have read Anne Frank.

Total: $178.86

Reply:

• Lisa Butler
Lisa Butler
Feb 1, 2021 at 7:07pm

I consulted the review journal School Library Journal (SLJ), specifically the article titled Best Books 2020
found in the December 2020 issue. I liked the article since it boiled down all of the books reviewed that
year to just a few in each category. However, the article itself did not include all of the pricing
information and I did end up having to search through previous issues of SLJ to find the needed
information. One piece that I did not encounter and did not think about looking for or at was audio
books, e-books, and other formats. I only focused on traditional formats since in my library the other
formats have a separate line in the budget.