Best Tools

 Abbreviated

Title

Title of Journal or Web Site

Description and Website Address

ALA

American Library Association Best Books Lists and Notable Books lists

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awards.html

Spandel

An Annotated Bibliography for Use with the 6 Trait Analytic Model of Writing

http://www.nwrel.org/ - This book lists picture books that help in teaching the writing process. Purchased from Northwest Regional Labs in Portland.

BL

Book Links; Connecting Books, Libraries and Classrooms.

http://www.ala.org/BookLinks/index.html – a magazine designed for teachers, librarians, library media specialists, booksellers, parents and others interested in connecting children with high quality books.

BKL

Booklist

http://www.ala.org/booklist.html

A review in Booklist constitutes a recommendation for purchase. Each issues covers five areas: forthcoming titles, adult books, books for youth, non-print and reference books. Outstanding titles are starred and adult books suitable for younger readers are labeled YA. Includes Dewey numbers, LC subject headings, and card numbers. Essential source for all libraries.

BCCR

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/puboff/bccb/

Highly regarded children's review source, this monthly periodical includes annotations, grade level, range of quality, books of quality and not-recommended titles.

BTSB

Bound to Stay Bound

http://www.btsb.com/

Top site for elementary ordering. Librarian login required to access book lists, on-line ordering. Review sources listed for titles.

CITC

California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse

http://clearinghouse.k12.ca.us/ - videotape review source – materials that meet California's Instructional Learning Objectives.

C-Span

C-Span Booknotes

http://www.booknotes.org/Program/?ProgramID=1126 First chapters of books featured on C-Span's Booknotes programs. Great books for high school readers and adults.

CLWS

Children's Literature Web Guide

http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html This is one of the best sites on the web for children's and young adult literature. Lists award-winning books, Best Book Lists from the major library associations, and many other excellent books.

EG

Evergreen Book Award

http://www.wlma.org/assoc/evergr.htm

The Evergreen Young Adult Book Award is sponsored by WASHYARG, Washington Young Adult Review Group. Voters for this award must be in grades 7 - 12. Ballots for those reading 3 or more titles are to be turned in to librarians March 1-15.

HB

Horn Book Magazine

http://www.hbook.com/

The Horn Book Magazine offers in-depth reviews of the newest books available for children and young adults, lively and provocative articles and columns concerning all aspects of books for young people, and up-to-date information about the field of children's books. Online Guide requires paid subscription and login, but other sections accessible.

Kirkus

Kirkus Reviews

Adults, Children & Young Adult books. Pointers note books of “unusually high quality.” Reviews are discerning and critical. Kirkus Reviews,

200 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1543

Kliatt

Kliatt

http://hometown.aol.com/kliatt/

Insightful reviews of paperbacks, hardcover fiction, audio books and educational software help you select the best materials for secondary students and teachers. Recommends over 1500 items every year.

L&L

Learning and Leading with Technology

http://www.iste.org/L&L/index.html – materials and ideas for integrating technology into the curriculum including software reviews.

LMC

Library Media Connection

http://www.linworth.com/lmc.html

Provides essential advice for school librarians with ideas, and independent critical reviews on fiction, non-fiction, professional reading, software, CD-ROMs, videos, and online resources.

MMS

Multimedia Schools

http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/ A practical, how-to magazine sharply focused on the needs of school practitioners. Articles, reviews, and columns address issues associated with using electronic information resources in k-12 schools. Software and book reviews available on the website.

NYT

New York Times Book Review

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/review/ - Reviews good books, and those making the news, scholarly works, literary fiction, bad books by famous authors, good ones by first-time novelists, children's books, pop culture. High school level.

Nobel

Nobel Prize for Literature Winners

http://www.nobel.se/

This site is useful for high school libraries that maintain a collection of the Nobel winners in literature for their contemporary literature classes.

PubWk

Publisher's Weekly

http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Regular issues in specific subject areas (children's books, religion, etc.) are useful for subject area concentrations. Useful for high school level.

Pulitzer

Pulitzer Prize for Literature Winners

http://www.pulitzer.org

A good site for high school libraries that maintain a collection of the Pulitzer Prize winners in literature for their contemporary literature classes.

SAS

Sasquatch Book Award (gr. 4-6)

http://www.wlma.org/assoc/sasquatch.htm - Children's choice awards from Washington State elementary/middle students

SLJ

School Library Journal

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Concisely- written and evaluative reviews. Feature articles, checklist of inexpensive pamphlets, posters, and other useful information for school librarians. No reviews online, just in print version.

SBF

Science Books and Films

http://www.sbfonline.com/

Indispensable tool for science book selection. Each issue contains children's books, young adult books, and general audience books. The annual best books and best AV lists also useful.

TL

Teacher Librarian

http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/

Promotes excellence in library services for children and young adults, through articles exploring current issues such as collaboration, leadership, technology, advocacy, information literacy, and management.

VL

Video Librarian

http://www.videolibrarian.com/

The electronic addendum to the print magazine Video Librarian , which is the “most comprehensive video review magazine in the world.”

YRC

Young Reader's Choice Award

http://pnla.org/yrca/ - Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Library Association. Students in grades 4-8 and 9-12 vote annually.

VOYA

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

http://www.voya.com/

A bimonthly journal addressing librarians, educators, and other professionals who work with young adults. The only magazine devoted exclusively to the informational needs of teenagers.

WCCPBA

Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Awards (gr. K-3)

http://www.wlma.org/assoc/wccpb.htm

This list of good books is selected and voted on by primary and elementary children in Washington state. Sponsored by the Washington Library Media Association.