News from Orca Book Publishers

News from Orca Book Publishers
February 2010

News and notes...
(Click on the covers for more info).

YALSA Quick Picks...

Three Orca titles have been selected for the American Library Association's YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list.

Taken by Norah McClintock;
Jacked, an Orca Soundings novel by Carrie Mac;
Five Minutes More by Darlene Ryan.

The list was voted on at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Boston in January.

More info here.

2010 Rainbow Project...

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association have released the 2010 Rainbow Project bibliography of recommended titles for youth from birth to age 18 that contain significant and authentic gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (GLBTQ) content.

Inferno, a teen novel by Robin Stevenson, was one of 46 recomended titles.

Booklist said of Inferno: "Stevenson creates a compelling portrait of autonomy vs. conformity...Dante's sexuality is refreshingly not a problem, just a fact of life. Readers will recognize themselves and many of their peers in Stevenson's complex, likeable characters."

eARC...

No, that's not the sound of a hair ball. It is our newest attempt to save a tree (and promote a book). We send a lot of review copies out with every new release. Now we are trying something new-electronic Advance Reading Copies. Want one?
This season we are offering two new titles electronically for you to read, and rate. Click here to download either of these books - Plastic, an Orca Soundings novel by Sarah Harvey or Reckless, an Orca Currents title by Lesley Choyce.

Go on, save a tree, you know you wanna. Click here to download copies of both titles.

Got Boing-Boing?

The most recent entry in the Graphic Guide Adventure series - Media Meltdown - had the honor of being Boing-Boinged recently. Sounds painful, you think? Not really, and most people love it. Boing Boing is one of the most influential sites on the web about new media and technology, and blogger and guru Cory Doctrow mentioned Media Meltdown, saying "Media Meltdown is a good mix of instructional and narrative comic, using the medium's strengths to illustrate how media is made, and giving kids the tools they need to research media-making for themselves...a great starting-point."

And check out the companion website for the book here. Lots of info for kids and teachers.

We are very excited to announce the launch of a new imprint and a new line of easy-read novels for adults. In our increasingly fast-paced world there is a market for well-written, well-told novels that can be read in one sitting. Rapid Reads will also appeal to those struggling with literacy challenges and will feature titles from best-selling authors - great writing, great storytelling in a small package.

Four titles will be available shortly from Gail Bowen, William Kowalski, Zoe Whittall and Medora Sale.

Read sample chapters here.

New Packaging...

Following the success of our packaged collections for the Soundings, Currents and Sports series, we have developed new display packaging for the classroom and for retail.

Including an attractive shelf display and Resource Guide (if ordered) this packaging will make these popular titles even more accessible to your struggling readers or those looking for a quick read.

More info here.

Is there an echo in here?

Also available: new packaging for the Orca Echoes series and a new Orca Echoes Resource Guide.

The Orca Echoes are lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages seven and nine. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility and character building programs and are all at a grade two reading level..
The Orca Echoes Resource Guide helps teachers open the door for meaningful classroom discussion. Professionally written guides with curriculum connections, writing exercises, discussion questions and activities are provided for each title in the Orca Echoes series. With additional information on teaching ideas, reading levels, literature circles and assessment, the Orca Echoes Resource Guide is a valuable tool for teachers using Orca Echoes in the classroom.

Guided Reading levels available. Call for details.

Thanks for reading!
Remember customer service? We do too. If you have a question about a title, want us to customize a collection for your school or library, are interested in what we can can do for your store, or just want to chat and exchange gossip, give us a call. Our toll-free customer service line is manned (personed?) from 8:30 to 4:30 PST.
Really - call us. We're waiting.