Fifth Annual New York Comic Con and comic book memories

On Sunday I attended the New York Anime/Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Center for the first time. I had a great time strolling Illustrator Alley, shopping the vendors (got my Bazinga and Flash t-shirts), and attending several of the Professional Panels while admiring all of the great costumes and superheros walking the floor and hanging from the ceiling!

I even purchased a one year subscription of unlimited online comics as a birthday present for my daughter at the Marvel booth. This reminded me of how publishers of all genres are changing with the times. Apparently, comic books are no exception.

It wasn't until rummaging through some boxes of old comic books at a vendor table that my childhood memories of comic books came rushing back. My earliest memory of comic books is being at our family's lake house.We didn't have a television there. We were lucky to be able to afford the one television at home. As you can imagine we did lots of other things like fish, hike, and ride bikes. But, on rainy days I remember my parents taking my brothers and I to a bookstore that sold comic books. We were each allowed to pick out several comic books since they were probably an inexpensive way of keeping the three of us from killing each other until the rain subsided. I was always an avid reader so I'm pretty sure I had a book with me. My brothers...not so much. I don't remember being allowed to buy comic books like Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica when we were at home, so when I think of comics books, rainy days at the lake house are what I remember. Thank you Comic Con for helping me relive that memory on Sunday.

What's your earliest memory of comic books?

Teen Read Week 2010- October 17-23

According to ala.org:

Join the more than 5,000 librarians and educators who will celebrate Teen Read Week™, October 17-23. This year's theme is Books with Beat @ your library®," which encourages teens to read poetry, audiobooks, books about music, and more. Libraries across the world celebrate Teen Read Week with a variety of special events and programs aimed at encouraging teens to read for pleasure and to visit their libraries for free reading materials.

Go to http://www.enslow.com/ to see some of your favorite Enslow Publishers' books!

Happy Birthday Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Millions of fans today see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the flaming red No. 8 car and think that with his name and family tradition, he was born to win races and accept the cheers of the crowd. But it was not easy. He had to grow up in the shadows of both his famous father and his grandfather, Ralph. Dale Jr. had to race cars knowing the fans would always compare him to those two other racing Earnhardts. In 1998 and 1999 he took home the Busch Grand National Series title, becoming the first driver to win such a championship after both his father and grandfather had won it before him. After his dramatic and emotional victory at the Daytona 500 in 2004—the race that took his father's life just three years earlier—Dale Jr. has emerged as one of NASCAR's best drivers. Exciting new title for reluctant readers!

It's Earth Science Week!

From October 10 to October 16, it's Earth Science week. This year's theme is "Exploring Energy."

Organized by the American Geological Institute, this event is designed to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for Earth Sciences.

Today would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday

There are a lot of web sites dedicated to this famous singer and musician, as well as a movie Nowhere Boy, being released in the U.S. on Friday, Oct. 8.

"How different might music, and perhaps the world, be if a crazed fan had not prematurely ended Lennon's life? All one can do is imagine." These two sentences are from Jeff Burlingame's biography John Lennon: "Imagine."

Today is the birthday of R. L. Stine

A firsthand interview and family photos can be found here, along with an examination of the life and work of this best-selling author.

Did Leif Eriksson who traveled to Canada, beat Christopher Columbus by nearly 400 years?

October 9 every year is Leif Eriksson Day. This day was created in 1964 and chosen for its connection to the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States (the ship arrived in NY harbor on October 9 1825), but ironically not for any event in the life of the Eriksson.

There are many fascinating things to find out about the Viking explorer: Leif Eriksson was a Norse explorer who was probably the first European to land in North America. According to stories from the time, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which has been tentatively identified as L'Anse aux Meadows, a Norse site on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada.

Find out more in Enslow Publishers' titles here.

Freedom of the press

Should news providers be allowed to publish stories that may prove embarassing to the United States government? This was the question the United States Supreme Court had to consider in the case of New York Times v. United States in 1971.

The debate about freedom of the press is discussed in a thought-provoking overview entitled New York Times v. United States, a library-bound book for middle school readers.

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Perhaps you've heard the kids talking about firefighters with their fire engines visiting their schools this week. Courtesy of our new Fire Dog Heroes book, here's the history behind this special week...

On October 9, 1911, Fire Prevention Day was proclaimed. This day was chosen because it was the fortieth anniversary of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of buildings. In 1992, Fire Prevention Day was extended to an entire week. Fire Prevention week is celebrated during the week that includes the date of October 9th.

The high price of gold

"Did you know that the rising price of gold has caused outlaw mining companies and miners to explore abandoned mines? Outlaw miners will break through concrete seals on closed shafts to try to mine any remaining gold. In June 2009 there were reports that sixty-one miners died from a fire in an abandoned mine. Additional accidents have reportly killed an estimated twenty illegal miners in 2009."

This quote was taken from True Underground Rescue Stories.

Today Brian Johnson from AC/DC is celebrating a birthday

Having joined AC/DC after the sudden death of Bon Scott, the lead singer, Brian Johnson has been with the band ever since. Their first album with Johnson as lead singer was Back in Black.

Formed in 1973, AC/DC is still one of the most popular bands to perform today. Interested in reading more about AC/DC? This title is available in both library and paperback versions.

Justin Timberlake Discusses "The Social Network"

Singer Justin Timberlake, the subject of an Enslow Publishers biography, recently spoke about his experience acting in the new movie The Social Network. His comments, during the New York Press Day for the film, note Timberlake's preparation for his role, his working relationship with The Social Network's director David Fincher, and the actor's surprising perspective on the social networking phenomenon.

The movie offers teachers and librarians a strong opportunity to encourage students to read about Timberlake's life and career. Author Tony Napoli's 48-page biography provides a reliable, interesting "way in" for young readers to learn more about the entertainer's background. Enslow also provides a free, downloadable teacher's guide for the Timberlake book. You'll find it, along with other contemporary biographies in Enslow's "Hot Celebrity Biographies" series, at http://www.enslowclassroom.com/. The site features Enslow paperback books suitable for use as classroom supplemental materials, classroom libraries, or recreational reading.

The paperback edition of Justin Timberlake: Breakout Music Superstar costs $7.95; the book is also available in a library-bound version.

Anniversary of the death of Janis Joplin

Forty years ago today Janis Joplin died of an accidental heroin overdose in Los Angeles. Another one of those singers whose talent was never fully realized, her addictions to alcohol and drugs were her downfall.

During her short and eventful life, her powerful and soulful voice paved the way for other female rockers.

Yesterday Yosemite National Park celebrated its 120th birthday

On October 1, 1890, the United States Congress designated Yosemite National Park. Each year around 4 million people from around the world visit this park.

My family visited this park several years ago. While my two brothers and brother-in-law climbed Half Dome, my sister, mother, niece, nephew and I drove around to the different meadows and lakes, and hiked to Sentinel Dome to get an amazing view of the entire valley with all of the different peaks and waterfalls. We hiked through Hetch Hetchy and drove to Glacier Point on our way out of the park. Talk about an amazing experience!

Posted by Pam

Former President Jimmy Carter is celebrating a birthday today

In 2002, Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong dedication to world peace, human rights, and democracy. In the years since Carter’s presidency, he has become an extraordinary role model of service to humanity. Readers of Barbara Kramer’s inspiring biography cannot help but admire this idealistic, selfless man who has harnessed his considerable ambition and power for just one goal: to make the world a better place.

On this day in 1908

Henry Ford introduced the Model T to the market. Each car cost $825. Back then, that was a lot of money for something that had people nervous about whether it would be a worthwhile purchase.

Missing hiker found after 6 days!

Edward Rosenthal, a real estate broker survived six days without food or water in Joshua Tree National Park in California. He thought for sure he was never going to be found, so wrote all over his hat his wishes for his family and friends when he passed on, making sure that Persian food was to be served at his funeral.

Rosenthal was found thanks to the relentless of the search team, which included many Search and Rescue Dog Heroes.

It's funny, because as I was reading this story, I was handed our brand new True Rescue Stories books that just came in. This is the type of story that can be found in True Wilderness Rescue Stories. These thrilling stories are 48 pages long and even include tips on how to survive!

Have you ever had an encounter like Rosenthal's, or known someone who has?

For those James Dean fans out there ....

On this day in 1955, literally 55 years ago, James Dean died in a car accident at the age of 24.

This complicated young actor made three classic films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

In James Dean, Karen Clemens Warrick explores his often unguarded life, giving insight into his personality and turbulent emotions and offering explanations about what made his few film performances unforgettable.

Today is Hilary Duff's birthday

Known for both her singing and acting, did you know that Hilary Duff also works with charities? She is involved with Blessings in a Backpack, a group that provides backpacks (with food inside) for students to eat over the weekend. Since many students across the country participate in local school lunch programs, they do get lunch during the school week, however they may not have enough food at home to eat over the weekend. Students take the filled backpacks home and then return the empty backpacks on Monday to be filled again for the following weekend.

Another one of her favorite charities is Kids With a Cause. This group encourages children to help children. It teaches the principles and practices of philanthropy to children and teens in the entertainment industry.

She also works with charities that help animals. She and her sister, Haylie, like to encourage people to adopt pets at local animal shelters.

Interested in learning more about Hilary Duff? Available in both library and paperback versions, this biography is great for grades 6 and up.

Halloween Event Supports San Francisco Schools

Among this year's more creative school fundraising events is the "San Francisco Halloween Run and Walk for Schools." Participants can choose either a 5K and one mile option that covers a relatively flat course. It sounds like a healthy, spirited way to support local schools.

The event reminds us that Halloween is nearly a month away. Many instructors create special lesson plans, intending to use the holiday as a teaching and learning opportunity. Enslow Publishers’ new Haunted House Adventure Crafts provides hands-on activities that are especially useful for group work. The book, best suited for grades K-3, offers fun activities, clear directions, and a child-friendly look.

The 32-page title is available in paperback for $6.95; a library-bound version is also available. Walk or run to Enslow Classroom for more information about Haunted House Adventure Crafts and all the books in Enslow Publishers' "Fun Adventure Crafts" series!