Nancy Pearl, a public librarian, author, frequent guest on National Public Radio, and action figure model, has published a new book in her Book Lust series which offers books for “every mood, moment, and reason.” Her new volume is Book Crush: For Kids and Teens; Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest.
Among my favorite essays titles? “Noodlehead Stories” (for Youngest Readers), “The Witch Trials–Salem and Beyond” (for ages 8-12), and a whole chapter devoted to “Tam Lin,” the Scottish ballad, in the Teen Readers section.
Most importantly, she passed my litmus test for any bibliography of children’s literature: she included Arthur Ransome’s Swallows & Amazons series (in “The Kids Next Door,” p. 157). While I–and the members of The Arthur Ransome Society–may think he deserves a whole chapter unto himself, many bibliographers overlook him entirely. So three cheers (hip hip hooray!) for Nancy!
]]>