News from Orca Book Publishers

News from Orca Book Publishers
November 2010

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

Good things in small packages...

Now available: the next three titles in the Rapid Reads series of accessible short novels for adult readers.

With new titles from Gail Bowen, William Kowalski and Lou Allin, there is something for everyone. These short novels are ideal as a quick read but are also perfect for adult literacy and those striving to improve their reading. Reading guides for the first four books are available here.

Booklist has said of the series: "With rare voices and taut suspense, these titles provide accessible choices for struggling and strong readers alike."

And CM Magazine said: "Witty, gritty, and contemporary...Highly recommended."

Like sites? We've got sites...

The Orca machine shop has been busy banging together some great new websites for recent books. Have a wander around the cyber pod:

The Sea Wolves. This companion site to the beautiful book by Ian McAllister and Nicholas Read is a wonderful homage to these unique wolves that live in the Great Bear Rainforest. (Also check out www.salmonbears.com, the site that bears it all.)
The Salt Trilogy. Check out this dystopian site that lets you in on the nefarious actions of Company and Hari's race to save his father. The second installment of this trilogy by Maurice Gee, Gool, has just been released. Teachers' guides available soon.
Richard Was a Picker. Help Richard find a tissue. Print out the BoogerBoy comic. Say no more.
Imagining Ontario. Check out this amazing site for the book Great Lakes & Rugged Ground - Imagining Ontario by Sarah Harvey and Leslie Buffam and illustrated by Kasia Charko. A look at Ontario's history, a timeline, projects and more. Perfect for the classroom. Fire up that Smart Board!

Tidal Wave o' Books...
The fall new releases are washing into the warehouse.
It's a pretty exciting season, including:

The Ways I Will Love You. A beautiful new board book from Rachel Boehm and Mary Jane Gerber;
Pierre's Friends, the second installment of the pampered poodle's adventures from Andrea Beck;
Liars and Fools, new juvenile fiction from Robin Stevenson;
Death Benefits, a remarkable new teen novel from Sarah N. Harvey;
Written in Blood, a thrilling teen western from John Wilson;
The Book of Trees, a novel of searching for peace in the Promised Land by Leanne Lieberman.

And so much more.

Full Fall Catalog here.

Reluctant Readers Webinar...

Orca Book Publishers recently sponsored a webinar with Booklist magazine titled: Reaching Reluctant Readers - Using High Interest Fiction to Engage and Inspire.

With an all-star panel of teachers and librarians (oh, and me, for balance) we heard about what reluctant readers really want, how to engage them, projects for the classroom and lots of books that are appealing. There were 2500 sign-ups for the webinar! A popular topic.

The panel was:

· Carolyn Salonen, Program, Curriculum, and Instruction Consultant, Waterloo Region District School Board, Ontario;

· Rebecca English, Educator, Godwin Heights High School, Wyoming, Michigan;

· Amy J. Cheney, Librarian, Alameda County Library, Juvenile Hall, San Leandro, California;

· Andrew Wooldridge, Publisher, Orca Book Publishers.

You can view the entire presentation here.

Quick Picks...

Four recent titles have been nominated to the American Library Association's YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list.

The final list will be voted on at ALA Midwinter in San Diego in January.

Knifepoint (Orca Soundings) by Alex Van Tol;
Picture This (Orca Soundings) by Norah McClintock;
Blob (Orca Currents) by Frieda Wishinsky;
Scab (Lorimer Sidestreets) by Robert Rayner.

Full nomination list here.

New Soundings...
The new Orca Soundings novels are in and the first reviews are showing up.
Masked, by Norah McClintock was reviewed in CM Magazine, which said:"McClintock is a master of mystery and crime...Readers will be drawn into the lives of the characters and gripped with the electric plot and unexpected twists...Masked is exceptional in its ability to capture a dramatic and tragically life-changing story for so many characters in little more than 100 pages. Highly Recommended."

And Booklist magazine said of Knifepoint by Alex Van Tol: "The suspense is palpable. Both reluctant and avid readers who enjoy nail-biting tension will race through to find out whether or not Jill reaches safety."

Other new Soundings available:

Cellular by Ellen Schwartz
Sea Change by Diane Tullson

Full Soundings info here.

Amelia Bloomer...

Fearless Female Journalists, a recent title in the Women's Hall of Fame series from Second Story Press, has been nominated to the Amelia Bloomer list. This list is an annual book list of the best feminist books for young readers, from birth through age 18.
The committee is part of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association.

Find more info about the Amelia Bloomer list here.

School and Library catalog...
The 2010-2011 School and Library catalog has been mailed.
With new titles and new collections, this is the best and most complete catalog yet. If you have not seen one, please drop us a line and we will send one out ASAP.

Some highlights:

Audio books available in the Orca Soundings series;
New digital collections;
French translations;
and much more.

The catalog is available for download here.

BTW, this year's catalog is printed on post-consumer waste paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

One Tree at a Time...

Orca Book Publishers is committed to environmentally sustainable publishing. The majority of Orca titles are printed on post-consumer waste paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which saves trees, water and electricity.

Now you know.

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.