Sponsored by DC.
New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson and artist Leila del Duca reimagine Wonder Woman’s origins in this powerful tale about fighting injustice and finding home. Princess Diana’s 16th birthday celebrations are cut short when rafts carrying refugees break through the barrier that separates Themyscira from the outside world. Diana defies the Amazons and rescues the refugees, then gets swept away by the stormy sea. Away from the Amazons, Diana becomes a refugee in an unfamiliar land. She is now part of a world filled with danger and injustice. Diana must find her strength and make a difference.
Welcome to Check Your Shelf. Let’s all take some time to figure out how we’re going to use our libraries and our resources to push back against systemic racism.
Libraries & Librarians
News Updates
- The Black Caucus of the American Library Association made this statement in response to the murder of George Floyd. And here’s an expanding list of other libraries and library organizations that have made statements as well.
- Hennepin County is working on getting an estimate for the damage done to its libraries during the protests.
- All branches of the Chicago Public Library will open on June 8th.
- Publishers have charged the Internet Archive with copyright infringement.
- New Zealand libraries get a $60 million funding boost to protect library jobs in the wake of COVID-19.
Cool Library Updates
- This library created eReading rooms for their patrons, complete with reading materials selected by library employees. This is really cool!
Worth Reading
- A look at how different libraries are tackling their reopening plans.
- Science-based reopening plans for libraries in plain English.
- Addressing eContent issues in times of crisis.
- Tips for recording digital book talks.
- Visiting the Galapagos’ traveling libraries.
Book Adaptations in the News
- Just Mercy will be available for free streaming on all digital platforms through the month of June.
- Manny Jacinto joins the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers.
- Before I Fall will be available on Netflix beginning June 8th.
- New Line acquires rights to Sarah Knight’s best-selling The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck. What this particular adaptation will look like is still unknown, but I’m definitely intrigued!
- Amazon puts itself into the mix after CBS dropped the upcoming Lincoln Lawyer series.
Books & Authors in the News
- Kwame Alexander, Jason Reynolds, and Jacqueline Woodson have organized a Kid Lit Rally for Black Lives.
Numbers & Trends
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week, and that’s including the fact that most libraries and bookstores are either closed or only offering limited services right now.
- However, anti-racism books have been outselling even The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in recent days.
Award News
- The winners for the Lambda Literary Awards, Nebula Awards, Horn Book Awards, and the Best Translated Book Awards have all been announced.
- The finalists for the 2020 Locus Awards have been announced.
- Bryan Washington, author of Lot, wins the £30,000 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize.
Pop Cultured
- Looks like we’re getting a sequel to Labyrinth.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
- How bookstores are showing support for the ongoing protests.
- The Royal Shakespeare Company postpones/cancels all planned 2020 performances.
- A prayer book inscribed by Mary, Queen of Scots is expected to sell for up to $434,000.
- 6 steps to becoming a better reader.
- How to recover from reader’s block.
- Top 5 books for properly packing books in a move. (Hint: USE SMALL BOXES!!)
On the Riot
- Website-building resources for school librarians.
- How to responsibly recycle eReaders.
Stay safe this weekend, everyone.
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.