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Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 18:02:02 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #878
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Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 01:02:13 -0000
From: David Burt -- Filtering Facts <dburt@afo.net>
Subject: All Good Things, Even Filtering Facts
A Good bye Message From Filtering Facts President David Burt
http://www.filteringfacts.org/goodbye.htm
November 5th, 1999
What a ride it has been, these last 28 months doing Filtering Facts. We
have made incredible progress in our fight to protect children in public
libraries from Internet pornography and pedophiles. The level of public
involvement and awareness has never been higher, and every week I read
about new victories where libraries are putting filters on computers.
It is a very busy time to be an Internet child protection activist.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the time necessary to play such an active
role in the struggle. I can no longer keep up with the now daily phone
calls from parents fighting the American Library Association, maintain
Filtering Facts, work a full time job, and be a
20-hours-a-week-stay-at-home Dad for our 18-month-old daughter while my
wife works half time. I just don't have the energy anymore to do Filtering
Facts while chasing a rambunctious toddler around the house, even with a
cordless phone.
Filtering Facts began in July 1997 as a reaction to the American Library
Association's policy on filtering software. My first efforts at activism
were a web site consisting of about 10 pages of my diatribes against the
ALA. From this modest beginning grew a resource that would network hundreds
of activists around the nation, testify in federal court and before
government agencies, conduct important research, and make over 200 press
contacts, including a debate on national television.
The e-mail messages I began sending in March of 1998 to about 25 fellow
activists eventually grew in a weekly newsletter that would keep hundreds
of activists informed of the latest developments in the battle to save
America's libraries. I am so relieved that Kathy Valente of Citizens for
Community Values will be continuing this important resource. The role I
have played in raising awareness among activists about the library porn
problem, and giving activists the ammunition they needed is the
accomplishment of which I am the most proud.
I have so much enjoyed many of the fine people I have worked with these
last 2 years: Jan LaRue, Bob Knight, Crystal Roberts, and Chuck Donovan at
the Family Research Council, Buddy Smith and Rusty Benson at the American
Family Association, Karen Jo Gounoud at Family Friendly Libraries, Kathy
Valente and Phil Burress at Citizens for Community Values, Bruce Taylor,
Carol Clancy and Bob Flores at the National Law Center, Bruce Watson, Donna
Rice-Hughes, Monique Nelson, and Shyla Welch at Enough is Enough, Cornelia
Koehl at the Dr. Laura Show, Michelle Yezerski at Citizens for the
Protection of Children, Sandy Zappa and Cynthia Walker at K.I.D.S, Margaret
Tweet at Save Our Kids, Andrea Vangor at Washington Together Against
Pornography, to name just a few of the hundreds of activists It has been my
pleasure to work with.
I will miss you all, and I know that many of you will be continuing this
fight to the end, andI know we will win. We have come so far these last two
years in raising public awareness of the dangers posed to children in
libraries, winning back parental rights in libraries, and exposing the
radical nature of the American Library Association.
I will still be reachable by e-mail at dburt@afo.net, and all the
information on the website will stay there for at least a year. I will also
still be monitoring events and sending really good stuff to Kathy, and our
big report of library incident reports will be released next month.
It has been a pleasure.
David Burt, President Filtering Facts
And a few of the nice messages I've gotten from some of you, available at
http://www.filteringfacts.org/thanks.htm If you want yours included, send
me a message!
"You have been amazing these past few years and your efforts will be sorely
missed."
Donna Rice-Hughes, Enough is Enough
"We'll all miss you. You've done great work for this past couple years and
you've made a big difference that will help us a lot in the next couple
years. Thanks."
Bruce Taylor, National Law Center
"We'll miss your work, David! But you're right, we're going to win, and
that's in large part due to your efforts. You've been a real inspiration
to
watch. "
Cathy Cleaver, former legal director, Family Research Council.
"David, thanks for all you have done. We pray that someone will pick up
what
you have started. You have really helped and CCV will do all it can to keep
the battle going. Thanks."
Phil Burress, Citizens for Community Values
"Thanks for your years of tireless, skillful, enduring work to make the
Internet, libraries and schools safe for children and families. You have
been
a tireless pioneer, and all of us with young ones at home will greatly miss
your efforts on our behalf. Your friends and admirers at the ACLJ."
Colby May, Director, ACLJ Off. of Gov't Affairs
"David, we will miss your excellent reports. Enjoy fatherhood!"
Robert Knight, Cultural Studies Director, Family Research Council
"Thanks for your pioneering leadership on this issue. Your commitment to
providing objective information on this controversial subject has made it
possible to see the progress we have seen over the past few months. I
suspect that the little ripple you started is on its way to becoming a
tidal wave for reform.
All the best."
Steve Watters, Focus on the Family
"What are we going to do without you? Seriously, you have single-handedly
had an immense impact on this issue. You have brought credibility to the
pro-filtering position - through your professional standing, the
thoroughness of your research, and your clear gifts in speaking succinctly
to the point at issue. It takes a lot of guts for a professional to speak
out against the ordained wisdom of a profession, and particularly when the
opposition is so relentless. You have my unbounded admiration for your
willingness to take on the powers of the ALA in such a public way."
Bruce Watson, Director, Enough is Enough
"I'm so sad to see you go (although I understand your need to move on)!
Your work has been invaluable to the work that we do. Your research was
always excellent and your willingness to offer additional time and
assistance was always very appreciated. Your commitment to your work was
an example to us all. I wish you all the best as you devote your time to
those matters that undoubtedly deserve your highest attention!"
Crystal Roberts, Legal Policy Analyst, Family Research Council
"David, it is with sadness that I see you "retire". Your work has
been the
nuclear bomb of this library porn issue. Without it, many would have never
even known just how radical the ALA's position is. The debate would have
continued to be at the local level, with many thinking that "it's just our
library." You've opened up this debate to the national level."
Kathy Valente, Citizens for Community Values
" We at the California office of Enough Is Enough have so appreciated your
hard
work towards the cause of protecting children. You are awesome. We will
miss you tremendously. You have made a difference in this battle and we
will forever be grateful."
Monique Nelson, Enough is Enough.
"I wanted so much to tell you thank you from the bottom of my heart. You,
more than anyone, are responsible for so much support, so much help and
information during our battle. You have fought the "good fight" and
others,
with your information, are able to "continue the battle." It was a
pleasure
working with you on this issue. Thanks so much."
Sandy Zappa, KIDS
"You have really given everything you have for these last two years, and I
know the libraries here would not have done a thing without the information
from you about the possibilities of protecting children. Thank you very
much, (as if
thanks were enough.)"
Margaret Tweet, Save Our Kids
"You certainly have been David in this "David and Goliath" fight
for
decency and safety in our culture. Thank you so much for bravely using
your position as an insider to inform and educate us about the "state of
the library." The time you spent as an activist has made all the
difference to many families and cities. It has encouraged and motivated
all of us to stand for truth and plain common sense. You have made this
nation a safer place for your daughter, as well as ours. That's what
good dad's do. May God bless you and your whole family."
Penny Lancaster, Activist, Spokane, WA
"You have blazed the trail and provided plenty of information for anyone
who cares to use it. Best regards."
Andrea Vangor, Washington Together Against Pornography
David Burt,
Retired Activist and Full-Time Dad
dburt@afo.net
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 13:26:54 -0500 (EST)
From: Shannen McMahon <shanm@monroe.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Thanksgiving Stories
Hi! I need some Thanksgiving stories for Preschool children who are
physically and/or mentally handicapped. Props, cut-and-tell, or
draw-and-tell stories really seem to hold their attention. Thanks so much
in advance. Shannen McMahon, Monroe County Library System, MI.
PS. I wouldn't mind Christmas stories either, if you happen to have some!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 13:15:03 -0500 (EST)
From: David Serchay <a013213t@bc.seflin.org>
Subject: Re: stumper - British sci fi
I don't know it, but if you don't get any responses here, I suggests
posting in the rec.arts.sf.written newsgroup.
David
David Serchay
a013213t@bc.seflin.org
On Tue, 9 Nov 1999, PATRICIA JAMES wrote:
> We're trying to help a patron recall an adult sci-fi title he read in the
> early '80s, although it could have been published considerably earlier.
> The story goes like this. A Jewish inventor or scientist invents or
> discovers a time-travel machine. He can time-travel to any period, but
> only once and he will not be able to return. The man is dealing with his
> own spirituality and demons and determines that he most wants to return to
> the time prior to Christ's crucifixion so that he may meet and talk with
> Jesus. What he learns is that there was a child named Jesus but there was
> no saviour as had been taught. The child he finds is a Downs Syndrome
> child. What he does determine is that the world does indeed NEED a
> saviour and he decides that with his intellect and knowledge of the state
> of the present world, that he will be the Jesus the world needs. The man
> ultimately is crucified. A very intriguing plot, eh? Thank you all for
> any leads or suggested titles.
>
> Pat James
> Childrens Services
> Frederick County Public Libraries
> pj0002@mail.pratt.lib.md.us
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 14:09:32 -0500
From: bvetter@hampton.lib.nh.us
Subject: 2 Stumpers
Yaccers,
I have two stumpers for the collective wise ones;
1. A group of teens or pre-teens are together for the summer.
Some of these kids put on a production of _Anything Goes._ One
of the boys is exploring the possibility that he might be gay. My
patron read this book about 25 years ago. It was part of a book -of-
the- month-type club that she belonged to and had a yellow cover.
2. A British fantasy. The main character was a girl who had two
older sisters, both named Priscilla. The main character could see
into another dimension whenever she put on a pair of glasses. The
glasses may have had rose-colored lenses. Read about 30 years
ago.
Please respond to me directly. I will post the answer(s).
TIA,
Beverly
bvetter@hampton.lib.nh.us
Beverly Vetter,M.L.I.S., Children's Librarian
Lane Memorial Library
2 Academy Ave.
Hampton, NH 03842
603-926-4729
bvetter@hampton.lib.nh.us
FAX (603)926-1348
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 15:20:21 -0500
From: CHAT_JL@CLAMS.LIB.MA.US
Subject: YA Novel "Stumper"
I'm trying to remember the name and author of a YA novel that came out a few
years ago. It was set in Australia and involved a domineering father
who ruled his family in the outback and a stranger wanders in and
starts to upset the balance of things. I think the stranger gets killed
in the end.
You can mail me directly with the answer if you wish.
Josh Lachman
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 12:34:42 -0800
From: Jan Wall <janw@norby.latah.lib.id.us>
Subject: Stumper: Pumpkin in compost
Hi to all -
I have a stumper that sounds so familiar... It's a "life-story" of a
jack-o-lantern, but at the end, as the pumpkin is on the compost heap, it
becomes a house for a mouse.
The pictures are detailed and realistic, and the most vivid memory the
patron has is the last spread, with the mouse happily running into the
pumpkin which is beginning to sag.
We know it's NOT Pumpkin, Pumpkin (Titherington), It's Pumpkin Time (Hall),
Mousekin's Golden House (Miller), Pumpkin People (Cavagnaro), or Apples and
Pumpkins (Rockwell.) (Our other pumpkin books are either checked out or at
branches.)
TIA for any ideas.
Jan Wall
Youth Services Librarian
Latah County Library District
110 South Jefferson Street
Moscow ID 83843
fax: 208-882-5098
janw@norby.latah.lib.id.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 15:59:08 -0500
From: Knott County Public Library <kclib@tgtel.com>
Subject: Creepy Crawlies Ideas
Help! My colleague and I are taking a children's literature class and
our group is doing a presentation on bugs and creepy crawlies. We
desperately need ideas: fingerplays, songs, flannelboard ideas,
books--anything we can use to extend this idea to a one hour
presentation.
Thank you!
Audrey Slone
Knott County Library
Hindman, Kentucky
kclib@tgtel.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 16:48:25 -0600
From: Sally Goodroe <sgoodroe@stic.lib.tx.us>
Subject: Re: National Children's Book Week
Dear PUBYAC:
Our Children's Librarians have come up with some great ideas for NCBW
programs - one even has a different program celebrating books each day
of the week. It culminates a program that we offer every year called
Children's Choice, where kids vote for their favorite author and can
enter an art contest to design the logo for next year's Children's
Choice programs. Each kid who votes gets a plastic bag with the logo
designed by last year's winner. The second place winner is on a
bookmark for National Children's Book Week. For info about these
programs, you can check out our web page at
www.hcpl.lib.tx.us
and click on links to Children's Choice and National Children's Book
Week.
- --Sally
Sally Goodroe, Children's Specialist
Harris County Public Library, Houston
8080 El Rio Street, Houston, TX 77054
713-749-9031 FAX 713-749-9090
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 18:00:54 -0500 (EST)
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From: Shannon Van Hemert <shannonv@jefferson.lib.co.us>
To: "'pubyac@nysernet.org'" <pubyac@nysernet.org>
Subject: BIB: If you liked Harry Potter, then try....
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The following long bibliography is one we've cut and pasted from a variety
of postings that came across PUBYAC in the last 6 months or so. We added
some annotations. You may or may not agree on whether some titles are
really "like" HP, but you could delete what you don't like. Like I
say,
this is just compiled from various posts that have come through, although
we added some annotations.
Shannon VanHemert
Head, Children's Services
Columbine Public Library
7705 W. Bowles Ave.
Littleton, CO 80123
Alexander, Lloyd. Chronicles of Prydain series. A young pigkeeper has
adventures far beyond his station: battling the Horned King, destroying
the Black Cauldron and rescuing the Princess Eilonwy. Gr. 5-8
Asimov, Janet. Norby Series. Jeff Wells and his robot friend Norby find
themselves magically transported to distant planets where they become
involved in mysterious and sometimes menacing situations.
Avi. Bright Shadow. Having used four of the five wishes she is granted to
make on behalf of the hapless citizens of her country, Morwenna flees the
kingdom to decide what to do with her last wish.
. Poppy series. Poppy, the deer mouse, urges her family
to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but
Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. Sequels: Poppy and Rye,
Ragweed.
Baehr, Patricia. The Search for Happily Ever After. Ketti finds herself
transported through a
wormhole to a land of fairy tale characters where she helps Cinderella's
rat achieve "happily ever
after" . Gr. 3-6.
Barron, T.A. The Lost Years of Merlin. A young boy washes ashore on the
coast of Wales with no memory of who he is. Through a series of
adventures he discovers his true identity. Sequel: The Seven Songs of
Merlin.
. Heartlight. Kate and her grandfather use one of his inventions
to travel faster than the speed of light on a mission to save the sun from
a premature death.
Baum, Frank. The Wizard of Oz series. After a cyclone transports her to
Oz, Dorothy must seek out the Wizard to help her get back home again.
Sequels: The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in
Oz, and many more.
Beagle, Peter. The Last Unicorn. A bumbling magician, a feisty old
woman, and a young girl
investigate why the unicorns are missing.
Bellairs, John. The Dark Secret of Weatherend. Fourteen year old Anthony
Mundy and the town
librarian try to prevent an evil wizard from turning the world into an icy
wasteland. Gr. 5-8. Prequel: The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn. Sequels:
The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb, The Mansion in the Mist.
. Doom of the Haunted Opera. Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita
Pottinger are faced with a dilemma when their discovery of an unpublished
opera score unleashes a wicked sorcerer who plans to rule the world by
bringing back the dead.
. Revenge of the Wizard's Ghost. While thirteen-year-old Johnny
Dixon lies dying, possessed by an evil spirit, his friends, an elderly
professor and a schoolmate try to find some way to free him. Sequel:
Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull.
. House With a Clock in its Walls. A boy goes to live with his
magician uncle in a mansion that has a clock hidden in its walls that is
ticking off the minutes until doomsday.
Boston, Lucy. The Children of Green Knowe. At his great-grandmother's
house, Green Knowe, Tolly finds he has lots of other children to play
with, who had lived in the house a century before.
Cameron, Eleanor. The Mushroom Planet series. A mystery man inspires two
boys to build a space ship which takes them to the planet of Basidium to
help the Mushroom people. Gr. 3-6.
Carey, Peter. The Big Bazoohly. When his family runs low on money during
a trip to Toronto, nine-year-old Sam allows himself to be "borrowed"
and
entered into a contest to find the Perfect Kiddo, hoping to win $10,000.
Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. A little girl falls down a rabbit
hole and discovers a hidden world of nonsensical characters. Sequel:
Through the Looking Glass.
Charnas, Suzy McKee. The Bronze King. When Valentine starts noticing odd
things are vanishing from NYC, she unknowingly summons a wizard from
Sorcery Hall. He enlists her help in fighting against the dreaded Monster
of Darkness. Gr. 5-8. Sequels: The Silver Glove, The Golden Thread.
Chetwin, Grace. The Riddle and the Rune. Gom sets forth forth to seek
his destiny, discovering he has new powers and a gift for making friends
such as the magnificent horse, Stormfleet, who accompanies him through
many adventures. Gr. 5-8.
Chew, Ruth. Do It Yourself Magic. A magic double-headed hammer, which
enables Rachel and Scott to make objects larger or smaller, helps them
prevent a burglary and takes them inside a medieval castle. Gr. 3-5.
Clements, Andrew. Frindle. When he decides to turn his teacher's love of
the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word that
sets in motion a chain of events that moves quickly beyond his control.
Gr. 5-7.
. The Landry News. A fifth grader starts a newspaper with an
editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to really begin
teaching again, but he is later threatened with disciplinary action as a
result. Gr. 5-7.
Conover, Chris. The Wizard's Daughter. A farmer's son, enslaved by an
evil wizard, is helped by the wizard's beautiful daughter in freeing the
whole land from the wizard's spell. Gr. 2-5.
Cooper, Susan. The Dark is Rising series. Three children set out to find
King Arthur's grail, touching off a struggle between the forces of good
and evil, the Light and the Dark. Gr. 5-8
. The Boggart. 12-year-old Emily returns home from a visit to a
castle in Scotland that her family has just inherited, only to find that
she has accidentally brought home with her a boggart, a mysterious and
invisible spirit with a fondness for practical jokes. Sequel: The Boggart
and the Monster. Gr. 4-6.
Coville, Bruce. The Dragonslayers. A brave squire, an earnest page and a
strong-willed princess set out to slay the dragon created to carry out a
witch's revenge. Gr. 4-6.
. Into the Land of the Unicorns. Having jumped into the fantasy
land of Luster, Cara joins Lightfoot the unicorn in the search for Queen
Arabella Skydancer. Gr. 4-6
. Jennifer Murdley's Toad. When an extraordinary-looking fifth
grader purchases a talking toad, she embarks on a series of extraordinary
adventures. Gr. 4-6
. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Small for his age, but
artistically talented, 12-year-old Jeremy unknowingly buys a dragon egg.
Gr. 4-6
Dahl, Roald. Matilda. Brilliant first-grader Matilda triumphs over her
book-hating parents and Miss Trunchbull, the odious school principal. Gr.
3-7
. James and the Giant Peach. When James escapes from his horrid
aunts inside a giant peach many magical adventures abound. Gr. 3-6
. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Each of five children lucky
enough to find a ticket to Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory tries
to take advantage of the situation in his own way. Gr. 3-6
. The Witches. A boy and his grandmother thwart the plans
of England's witches to turn all children into mice. Gr. 4-6.
Dickinson, Peter. Merlin Dreams. As the enchanted wizard Merlin lies
trapped under a great stone, he dream nine fantastic dreams of blood,
magic and fabulous creatures.
Doyle, Debra. Knight's Wyrd. Will sets out on a series of dangerous
adventures after a wizard
predicts that he will meet his death before a year has passed. Gr. 6-9.
Duane, Diane. So You Want to be a Wizard. Thirteen year old Nita finds
the help she needs in a
library book on wizardry and is guided into another dimension where she
earns her degree in
wizardry. Gr. 5-8. Sequels: Deep Wizardry, High Wizardry, A Wizard
Abroad.
Durrell, Gerald. Talking Parcel. A group of kids find a parcel which
contains a parrot. This leads
them to the land of mythical animals. Gr. 4-6.
Eager, Edward. Half Magic. Jane, Mark, Katharine and Martha find a coin
that grants half of every wish they make. Gr. 3-6.
.Knight's Castle. Four children find their way into a
mixed-up medieval world where they become knights and battle giants. Gr.
4-6.
.Magic by the Lake. On vacation, siblings find themselves
with a lake full of magic which they must tame and learn how to handle in
order to find a treasure. Gr.. 3-6.
.Magic or Not? Did the four friends' wishes come true
because of magic, or was it only coincidence? Gr. 4-6. Sequel: The Well
Wishers.
.Seven Day Magic. The main characters in Susan's library
book turn out to be Susan,
herself, and the friends who share her seven magic adventures. Gr. 4-6.
.The Time Garden. Four cousins discover a magic thyme garden
from which they embark on a number of adventures in time. Gr. 4-6.
Eckert, Allan. The Dark Green Tunnel. Three children find an entrance to
another world which is
peopled with centaurs, gnomes, a wizard, and a wicked king. Gr. 5-7.
Ende, Michael. The Neverending Story. Bastian travels through the
aptly-named realm of Fantastica to complete a noble quest. Gr. 5 - up.
Furlong, Monica. Wise Child. Abandoned by her parents, nine-year-old
Wise Child goes to live with the witch-woman Juniper, who begins to train
her in the ways of herbs and magic. Gr. 5-8.
Gardiner, John. Stone Fox. Little Willie hopes to pay the back taxes on
his grandfather's farm with the award money from a dog sled race. Gr. 3-5.
Gray, Nicolas Stuart. Grimbold's Other World. An orphaned boy found in a
hen's nest meets a
clever cat with entre into the Night world. Together they help the
creatures from the magical world when they get entangled with our world.
Gr. 5-7.
Ibbotson, Eva. The Secret of Platform 13. Odge, a young hag, accompanies
an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a
magical tunnel to rescue their King's son. Gr. 4-7.
.Which Witch? The Great Wizard of Arriman announces a
competition among the witches of Todcaster to see who will be his bride.
Gr. 4-7.
Jacques, Brian. Redwall Series. A series of adventures in which a cast
of heroic animal characters encounter danger, hairbreadth escapes, mystery
and despicable villains. Sequels: The Bellmaker, The Great Redwall Feast,
Legend of Luke, The Long Patrol, Mariel of Redwall, Marlfox, martin the
Warrior, Mattimeo, Mossflower, Outcast of Redwall, Pearls of Lutra,
Redwall Winter's Tale, Salamandastron. Gr. 5-9
Jones, Diana Wynne. Archer's Goon. Howard and his sister are determined
to find how their father's writings have kept the mysterious and powerful
Archer from leaving their town to rule the world. Gr. 6-9.
. Castle in the Air. A carpet merchant's daydreams about a
princess, a genie, and a villain become reality after he flies off on a
shabby magic carpet. Gr. 6-9.
. Charmed Life. After the young Chants are adopted by the
mysterious Chrestomanci,
one of them uses witchcraft to change places with a twentieth-century
girl. Gr. 5-8.
. The Dark Lord of Derkholm. An unconventional wizard and his
magical family become involved in a plan to stop the devastating tours of
their world arranged by tyrannical Mr. Chesney. Gr. 6-9.
. Howl's Moving Castle. In the land of Ingary, such things
as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven league boots are everyday things.
Nothing is quite what it seems to be. Gr. 7-12.
. The Lives of Christopher Chant. Christopher discovers that
his dreams are so realistic that he can actually visit other worlds and
bring things back from them for his beloved, yet mysterious, uncle. Gr.
5-9.
. The Magicians of Caprona. When an evil enchantress tries
to destroy Caprona two
young children and the wizard Chrestomanci join forces to defeat her. Gr.
5-7.
. The Ogre Downstairs. Amazing things happen when Johnny and
Malcolm use the
chemistry sets given to them by the "Ogre", their new stepfather. Gr.
5-7.
. A Tale of Time City. Eleven year old Vivian is kidnapped by
time travelers who mistake her for the Time Lady - sweeping her from 1939
London to Time City. Gr. 6-9.
. Witch Week. Magical chaos fills class 6B when a group of
witch orphans begin playing magic tricks. Gr. 5-7
Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. Milo journeys through a land
where he discovers the importance of words, and number provide a cure for
his boredom. Gr. 4-7
Kay, N.M. The Ordinary Princess. At her christening, a princess is given
the gift of 'ordinariness' by a fairy. The consequences of that eventually
take her to a nearby palace where, having run away to become the
fourteenth assistant kitchenmaid, she meets the prince for her. Gr. 4-6.
Kellogg, Marjorie. Book of Earth. Score's power is fading; to prevent
his death he and his friends
have to return to Earth to find the amulet that controls his fate. Gr. 6
and up. Sequel: Book of Water.
King-Smith, Dick. Martin's Mice. A farm cat who doesn't want to catch
mice keeps a family of them in the barn; but then he is given away to a
townswoman and acquires a new perspective. Gr. 4-6.
LeGuin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea. A boy grows to manhood while
attempting to subdue the evil he unleashed on the world as an apprentice
to the Master Wizard. Gr. 6 and up. Sequels: The Tombs of Atuan, The
Farthest Shore, Tehanu. Gr. 8 - up.
L'Engle, Madeline. Time Fantasy series. Members of the Wallace family
travel through space and time to battle against cruelty, injustice and
intolerance in classic struggles between good and evil. Sequels: A Wrinkle
in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters. Gr.
4-8.
Levine, Gail. Princess Tales Series. In this series of princess stories
there are fairies, curses and princes. Gr. 4-6. Stories: Ella Enchanted,
The Fairy's Mistake, Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, The Princess
Test.
Lewis, C.S. Chronicles of Narnia Series. Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund
enter the magical world of Narnia through a mirrored wardrobe and find a
magical world of fauns, witches, nymphs, dwarves and talking animals. They
fight many battles and eventually become rulers of the land. Gr. 4-8.
Sequels: The Lion the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian, The Voyage
of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The
Magician's Nephew, The Last Battle.
MacDonald, Betty. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. A grandmotherly person who
lives in an upside-down house, and was once married to a pirate who left
buried treasure in the yard, she is loved by parents for her magical cures
for tattletales, selfishness and other problems. Gr. 3-6. Sequels: Mrs.
Piggle-Wiggle's Magic, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm, Hello, Mrs. Piggle
Wiggle.
Mahy, Margaret. The Pirate's Mixed Up Voyage. Captain Wafer and the crew
of the Sinful Sausage set sail for the Thousand Islands to kidnap a famous
inventor, only to be thwarted by a witch, a firedrake, and the dastardly
Dr. Silkweed. Gr. 3-6.
McCaffrey, Anne. Harper-Hall trilogy. Forbidden by her father to indulge
in music in any way, Menolly of the planet Pern runs away, taking refuge
with the mythical fire lizards, and they, along with her music open up a
whole new world for her. Gr. 6-up.
McGowen, Tom. The Magical Fellowship. In 3000 BC, Lithim, an apprentice
magician, and his father set out to unite the warring races of wizards,
humans, little people and dragons to prevent disaster from creatures
beyond the sky. Gr. 4-8.
McGraw, Eloise. The Moorchild. A changeling learns her true identity and
tries to find the human child whose place she has been given. Gr. 4-8.
McKillip, Patricia. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. A sorceress raises an
abandoned baby, only to
discover that his real father is the greatest enemy of the man she loves.
Gr. 6-9.
McKinley, Robin. The Blue Sword. Harry is kidnapped by the King of the
Damarians, and comes
reluctantly to realize that they possess the same mysterious powers. Gr.
6-12.
. The Hero and the Crown. Aerlin, with the help of the wizard
Luth and a magic blue
sword, wins the birthright due her as the daughter of a King and a witch.
Gr. 6-12.
McMullan, Kate. Dragon Slayers Academy series. Wiglaf, a student at the
Dragon Slayers Academy, and his friends have many adventures while
learning how to become dragon slayers extroardinaire. Gr. 4-7.
Morris, Gerald. The Squire's Tale. Fourteen-year-old Terence, living in
medieval England, discovers an important secret about his true identity
while on a long quest as the squire to young Gawain of Orkney. Gr. 5-9.
Murphy, Jill. The Worst Witch series. Mildred is the worst pupil in Miss
Cackle's Academy for Witches, which is a grim and forbidding place. The
teacher, Miss Hardbroom, would like to get rid of her altogether, but
somehow Mildred always manages to save the day. Gr. 2-4. Sequels: The
Worst Witch Strikes Again, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst
Witch at Sea.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. The Witch series. Lynn is convinced that her
neighbor, Mrs. Tuggle, is a witch; but when she and her best friend,
Mouse, try to convince people, no one will listen. Gr. 5-7. Sequels:
Witch's Sister, Witch Water, The Witch Herself, The Witch's Eye, Witch
Weed, The Witch Returns.
Nesbit, E. Five Children and It. While digging in a sandpit, the
children discover a Psammead - a creature with mysterious powers who leads
the children into adventure and excitement. Gr. 5-7. Sequels: The
Phoenix and the Carpet, The Story of the Amulet.
Nix, Garth. Sabriel. Sabriel, daughter of the necromancer Abhorson, must
journey into the mysterious and magical Old Kingdom to rescue her father
from the land of the dead. Gr. 5-9.
Nodelman, Perry. The Same Place But Different. Young John Nesbitt enters
the world of the Strangers in order to rescue his baby sister whom the
fairies have replaced with a changeling. Gr. 4-8.
Orr, Wendy. A Light In Space. A fascinating story of a twelve-year-old
boy and magic on another planet. Gr. 4-6.
O'Shea, Pat. The Hounds of the Morrigan. The ancient book Pidge found
brings the evil Queen
Morrigan and her two witchlike assistants to his door, threatening the
future of the world. Gr. 6-9.
Pierce, Tamora. The Circle of Magic series. Four young outcasts discover
their magic powers.
While still learning how to control them they must battle deadly threats.
Gr. 5-9.
________. The Immortals series. Dain accepts her gift of wild magic and
learns how valuable her
powers will be to the kingdom's future. Gr. 6-10.
________. The Lioness series. Alanna decides to ignore her magical
powers and disguises herself as a boy in order to train as a knight. Gr.
6-10.
Pope, Elizabeth. The Perilous Gard. In 1558 a young girl imprisoned in a
remote castle becomes involved in a series of events that lead to an
underground labyrinth where live the last practitioners of Druid magic.
Gr. 5-9.
Prelutsky, Jack. Monday's Troll. A collection of poems about witches,
ogres, wizards, giants, trolls, a yeti, and grubby goblins. Gr. 3-5.
Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. Accompanied by her animal-like
daemon, Lyra tries to
prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from being the
subject of experiments. Gr. 6-10. Sequel: The Subtle Knife.
Quindlen, Anna. Happily Ever After. When a girl who loves to read fairy
tales is transported back into medieval times, she discovers the being a
princess living in a castle is less fun than she thought it would be. Gr.
2-4.
Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. The death of an eccentric millionaire
brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the
circumstances of his death before they can receive their inheritances.
Gr. 4-6.
Regan, Dian. Princess Nevermore. When a Mandrian princess makes a wish
in a wizard's circle, she winds up on Earth alone and without the means or
desire to return home. Gr. 4-8.
Richler, M. Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. Unjustly imprisoned by
the Hooded Fang and other big people, Jacob awaits the aid of Child Power
to free him and 200 other children. Gr. 2-4. Sequels: Jacob Two-Two and
the Dinosaur, Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case.
San Souci, Robert D. Young Merlin. The story of the life of Merlin from
his miraculous birth through the age of 17, before he met King Arthur. Gr.
4-8.
Sciezka, Jon. The Time Warp Trio Series. Joe's uncle gives him a book
for his birthday that is really a time machine. It envelops Joe and his
friends in a green fog, twists them out of shape, and lands them in any
time they ask for. Gr. 3-6. Sequels: Knights of the Kitchen Table, The
Not-So-Jolly Roger, The Good the Bad and the Goofy, Your Mother Was a
Neanderthal, 2095, Tut Tut, Summer Reading is Killing Me.
Seabrooke, Brenda. The Dragon that Ate Summer. While recuperating from a
skateboard accident, Alistair finds an unusual pet in Mr. Hobson's petunia
garden. Gr. 3-5
Somtow, S.P. The Wizard's Apprentice. A wizard recruits a rich teenager
from Los Angeles to be his next apprentice. Gr. 7-10.
Steig, William. Dominic. Dominic the dog finds many exciting adventures
and great danger fighting the Doomsday Gang when he decides to go and see
the world. Gr. 4-6.
Strickland, Brad. The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder. When Fergie
falls under the spell of an evil sorcerer, Johnny Dixon and Professor
Childermass risk their own lives to save him. Gr. 4-6.
Thesman, Jean. The Other Ones. High school sophomore Bridget Raynes has
to decide whether to accept her powers of witchcraft, or abandon them and
try to fit in as an ordinary teenager. Gr. 4-8.
Tolkien, J. R. The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who lives
comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the wizard Gandalf comes to take him
on an adventure from which he may never return. Gr. 6-up.
Travers, P.L. Mary Poppins. The wind brings a magical nanny to two
English children, and she introduces them to many interesting people and
places. Gr. 4-6.
Ure, Jean. The Wizard in the Woods. Ben-Mussy, a second-class junior
wizard, bungles a spell during his junior wizard exams and finds himself
in Penny Woods where he meets Joel and Gemma and their adventures begin.
Gr. 4-6.
Winthrop, Elizabeth. The Castle in the Attic. William is given a toy
medieval castle as a gift, and is magically transported to another world
of wizards and dragons. Here he must fight a battle between good and
evil. Gr. 4-6. Sequel: The Battle for the Castle.
Wrede, Patricia. The Enchanted Forest series. Princess Cimorene would
rather be eaten by a
dragon than marry a dull prince like a proper princess - so she volunteers
to be captured by the
powerful dragon Kazul. Gr. 6-9. Sequels: Dealing with Dragons, Searching
for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, Talking to Dragons.
________. Mairelon the Magician. A young pickpocket in Regency London
travels across England with a magician who is trying to clear his name.
Gr. 10 and up. Sequel: Magician's Ward.
Yolen, Jane. Wizard's Hall. A young apprentice wizard saves the wizard's
training hall by trusting and believing in himself. Gr. 3-6.
Zambreno, Mary Frances. Journeyman Wizard. Jermyn goes to Land's End to
study wizardry under the famous spellmaker Lady Jean and experiences
magical mayhem and mystery. Gr. 6-10. Sequel: A Plague of Sorcerers.
Compiled by various children's librarians who post to PUBYAC.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 15:00:54 -0800
From: "Elizabeth J. Davis" <elizabethd@lincc.lib.or.us>
Subject: Children's writing contest
Hi all!
I have a question I hope someone out there can help with. I have a
patron who is a teacher (English I think). At one time she had her
students enter a national writing contest by some publisher. The
publisher has since stopped giving the contest. She came to me with the
hope that I would know of another one for her classes to participate
in. I have searched the local newpaper archives, Infotrac, and of
course the Internet, but everything I find is either over with, for kids
in other grades, or for kids in a particular school district (in another
state of course!)
So... I am looking for a national children's writing contest for
children in grades 4-8.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Please e-mail me with any responses: elizabethd@lincc.lib.or.us
Thanks,
Elizabeth Davis
Children's Librarian
Clackamas County Library
Portland, Oregon 97266
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End of pubyac V1 #878
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