Book Links Connecting Books, Libraries and Classrooms A Publication of the American Library Associat

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Book LinksConnecting Books, Libraries and
ClassroomsA Publication of the American Library
Association
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Book Links Mission Statement
Book Links Connecting Books, Libraries and
Classrooms is a magazine designed for teachers,
librarians, library media specialists,
booksellers, parents and other adults interested
in connecting children with books. In response
to the use of childrens trade books in the
classroom, the curriculum role of the school
library media center, the increased programming
in public libraries, and the heavy reliance of
child-care centers on childrens literature, Book
Links publishes bibliographies, essays linking
books on a similar theme, retrospective reviews,
and other features targeted at those educating
young people. (from the Table of Contents)
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• Book Links is a magazine that is based around a
  different theme each month.
• Themes Include
• History
• Fine Arts
• Geography
• Multicultural Literature
• Social Studies
• And more!

Each issue features books for grades from
Preschool for High School that relate to the
monthly theme. For example, in a recent issue
themed Focus on Language Arts (May 2004), there
were articles about Alphabet Books for preschool
through middle school, Superheroes in Picture
Books for preschool through upper elementary
school, and Autobiographies of Childrens Book
Creators for preschool through high school.
Many articles have bibliographies of 10 or more
selections.
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• Book Links also regularly includes the following
  features
• Classroom Connections thematic bibliographies
• Book Strategies articles on teaching a
  particular book in the classroom
• Poetry Place articles about poetry
• Points of View essays by authors and
  illustrators
• Talking With interviews with authors and
  illustrators
• In the Trenches practical ideas and techniques
  for connecting books and readers
• Special Feature articles on awards, special
  book lists, and more
• Visual Learning articles on picture book
  illustration
• Paperback Picks articles about new paperback
  titles
• Audio Connections articles about audiobooks
• Digital Connections articles about Web sites,
  online resources and more (this is also a
  feature on the magazines website)
• (retrieved Sep 23, 2004 from Book Links Search
  site https//cs.ala.org/booklinks/search.cfm)

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Another interesting feature. The magazine
also includes a list of books from past issues
that relate to the discussions and topics in the
current issue. For example, under the current
issues Alphabet Books In the Classroom heading
there is a listing of many books that have been
featured in past issues of Book Links that would
relate to this topic as well.
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Due to its thematic organization, Book Links is a
great tool for assisting teachers with curricular
units. When a Language Arts teacher comes to the
Media Center looking for books to enrich her
classroom, the Library Media Specialist has a
variety of suggestions at her fingertips. Book
Links can also help Library Media Specialists
develop collections with greater depth in subject
areas that are stressed in the curriculum. Finally
, Book Links provides great ideas for featuring
books of a certain theme within the library
across all grade levels.
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To Subscribe to Book Links

• Send 28.95 for a one year subscription to
• Book Links
• P O Box 615
• Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7566
• Subscription requests can also be submitted via
  email blnk_at_kable.com

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To find out more

• Go to the Book Links website
• www.ala.org/BookLinks
• The site provides an index of back issues as well
  as the full text of many past articles.
• You can also contact the Editor, Laura Tillotson,
  at ltillotson_at_ala.org and Associate Editor Diane
  Foote at dfoote_at_ala.org .
• Back issues can also be ordered by sending 6.00
  for each issue to
• Book Links Magazine
• American Library Association
• 50 E. Huron
• Chicago, IL 60611

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Information for this presentation came from these
sources

• (2004, May). Book Links. 13 (5).
• (n.d.). retrieved Sep 23, 2004 from the Book
  Links website http//www.ala.org/ala/Productsand
  Publications/periodicals/booklinks/booklinks.htm