News from Orca Book Publishers

News from Orca Book Publishers
April 2010

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

Good things in small packages...

Now available: the first four titles in the Rapid Reads series of short novels for adult readers. In our increasingly fast-paced world we believe there is a need for well-written, well-told novels that can be read in one sitting. Rapid Reads features great writing and great storytelling in a small package.

With titles from Gail Bowen, Zoe Whittall, William Kowalski and Medora Sale, there is something for everyone. These short novels are ideal as a quick read but also perfect for adult literacy and those striving to improve their reading. Discussion guides will be available soon.

CM said of The Spider Bites: "Well-written and exciting...sure to find a market."

Free books...

Want to give us a piece of your mind? Want free stuff?

We are interested in how you use our books for Reluctant Readers (Orca Soundings, Orca Currents, Orca Sports) in the classroom and library.

What interesting project have you developed?
How do you engage readers?
What works?
What is missing from our website and from our comprehensive resource guides? Audio files? Readers theater?
What else do you want - besides world peace?

We will choose five random responses to receive $100 worth of free books. Please email your responses to andrew@orcabook.com.

Thanks for sharing!

Sister Wife...

Sister Wife, a teen novel by Shelley Hrdlitschka, has been getting noticed. The novel is now included on the International Reading Association's "Young Adult Choices" list, which collects the best books as selected by 4,500 students in grades 7 to 12 from different regions of the United States.
Sister Wife has also made the Voice of Youth Advocates "Top Shelf Fiction" list and is an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.

School Library Journal said of Sister Wife: "The characters...are all believable individuals engaged in their own struggles...gives depth and nuance to an experience that is portrayed without subtlety in the popular press."

The worms crawl in...

The Mealworm Diaries by Anna Kerz has been seeing some great attention recently.
First it was nominated for the the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award in the Young Adult/Middle Reader category. And the book has been nominated for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Award.
The Mealworm Diaries is a story of loss, grief and an annoying classmate, and has been very well-reviewed.

Quill & Quire said: "Aaron's ADHD-type behavioral problems are described with such accuracy that he jumps right off the page...There is real, raw talent here, evident in the character of Aaron, and in the depiction of classroom life."

Got nominations?

Gotcha!, another teen novel by Shelley Hrdlitschka, has been nominated for the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards.
The award promotes reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in children's literature and to honor authors whose work has been recognized by the children of Pennsylvania.

Check out www.psla.org.

Food Fight...

Want to toss some food around? Learn about the food supply system? Read a great graphic novel?
Food Fight, the latest installment in the Graphic Guide Adventure series is here. Also live is a new dedicated website with games, resources and information about your food and how it reaches your plate.
In the next few days we will be offering a free downloadable version of this new graphic novel so check on the site. Food Fight is the fifth book in this bestselling series.

School Library Journal said of Media Meltdown: "An excellent choice for developing media literacy...The design and layout are colorful and fast paced. The text is well written and paired with useful imagery."

Salmon Bears...

The bears are stirring in their dens and a new book is out. The Salmon Bears - Giants of the Great Bear Rainforest has just been released. Filled with facts and stunning photographs of these majestic animals, including the incredible Spirit Bear, this book is perfect for all ages. Renowned bear expert Ian McAllister has teamed with journalist Nicholas Read to create an accessible book about the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the most important ecological treasures on the planet.

Visit www.salmonbears.com, the books dedicated website, to learn more about the bears and what you can do to help preserve them. Lots of good information for readers and educators.

And look for The Sea Wolves, a stunning book about the unique wolves that live in the Great Bear Rainforest, coming in Fall 2010.

Grandparents galore...

Silas' Seven Grandparents is a new picturebook from Anita Horrocks and Helen Flook. This charming story about a boy and his blended family which includes seven grandparents has been well-received.

Booklist said: "The deftly drawn water-based ink illustrations reflect the story's upbeat tone and portray the widely diverse grandparents in ways that make them distinctive. A refreshing alternative to the many overly sentimental picture books about children and their grandparents."

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.