Literature & Language Arts

Book reviews, lists of great reads, award-winning books, popular authors, and more.

About Alice Provensen

Brief biography of author Alice Provensen with list of books.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Absolute Shakepeare

This site attempts: "To be a complete annotated guide to the scholarly Shakespeare resources available on Internet." Included are an "Other" Sites page with more general, less "scholarly" sites and a listing of Shakespeare Festivals.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

Alex Awards

Adult books that will appeal to teen readers. Includes related ALA and YALSA links.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Oct 2006

Alice B. McGinty

Website focuses on Illinois author, Alice McGinty. Provides a list of her books and a biography.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

All About Avi - The Writer

Avi's books include fantasy, adventure, modern look at Shakespeare, history. This site includes information for teacher guides, and also biographical studies.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

American Authors On the Web

This site provides links to websites about American authors. Authors are listed by the date their date of birth.

created: 14 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 14 Aug 2003

An American Literature Survey Site

Full text online of some classic works of American literature.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

An Online Library of Literature

Selected classics of mostly American and British literature

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Authors Up Close

Personal glimpses into the lives and work of the best children's book creators.

created: 15 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 15 Aug 2003

British and Irish Authors on the Web

Provides links to many sites about British and Irish authors.

created: 14 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 14 Aug 2003

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site

This is a collection of reviews of great books for kids, ideas of ways to use them in the classroom and collections of books and activities about particular subjects, curriculum areas, themes and professional topics.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Carol Madden Adorjan Official Web Page

Official site of children's author Carol Madden Adorjan. A former teacher and winner of the Josephine Lusk Fiction Award, Carol Madden now writes children's books. This site has a list of her books as well as pictures and a biography.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 20 Aug 2003

Carolyn Crimi

Website for Illinois children's author, Carolyn Crimi. Includes a biography as well as a list of her writings.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Full text of all of Shakespeare's plays. Includes a link to other Shakespeare resources.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Cornelia Maude Spelman

Website about Illinois author, Cornelia Maude Spelman. Gives information about her books as well as a biography of the author.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Dave Pilkey's Extra Crunchy Website Fun

Website about Dave Pilkey and his books.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Deborah Hopkinson

Deborah Hopkinson's picture books celebrate women and their accomplishments. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, illustrated by James Ransome, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Golden Kite Award-winning A Band of Angels celebrates the accomplishments of Ella Sheppard and the Jubilee Singers. Spring means the start of baseball season! Deborah's new picture book, Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings, is based on the life of Alta Weiss, an Ohio baseball player in the early 20th century.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

English Literature on the Web

Provides many links to websites covering all time periods of English Literature

created: 14 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 14 Aug 2003

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Includes writings, biography, essays, sound clips, and scrapbook.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 11 Aug 2003

Favorite Teenage Angstbooks

Here you'll learn about books for teens that focus on the joys and struggles of being a teen. Includes reviews of books and links to topics of interest to teens.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Fractured Fairy Tales

Fractured fairy tales are fun for children who enjoy fairy tales. These stories are twists on the originals. Site includes some young adult titles.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Goosebumps

Official site for the series by R.L. Stine. Includes creepy games and a complete booklist. Be sure to have your sound turned on.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Haemi Balgassi

A very creative site. There are links for writing books and stories, links for Korean cooking, links for parenting and education, also there are links for virtual pets and also a link on how to acquire the author to visit your school.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Illinois Authors

These children's authors live in, have lived in, or written about Illinois. This list includes illustrators.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Illinois Chapter -- Society of Children\'s Book Writers and Illustrators

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is the only global organization for writers and illustrators of children's literature. The state website also includes information on local networks for writers and illustrators, as well as local and regional programs.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

Into the Wardrobe

A compilation of links and information about the works of CS Lewis, this site celebrates the author of the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Jamie Gilson Homepage

Website for Illinois author, Jamie Gilson. Includes a list of her books, a section on where she gets her ideas and how to contact the author.

created: 17 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 17 Aug 2003

Jane Kurtz

Jane has published seventeen books: nonfiction books, professional books for teachers, picture books, and novels that draw on her own childhood memories of growing up in Ethiopia, on living through the Red River flood of 1997, on her great grandmother's adventures traveling the Oregon Trail, and on the minor crises of her children's lives--from a friendship gone sour from the grouchiness of a rainy day.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Jim Aylesworth

Website for Illinois author, Jim Aylesworth. Includes a booklist, biography, and how to contact the author.

created: 17 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 17 Aug 2003

John Steinbeck

Website for the National Steinbeck Center which celebrates the life and works of John Steinbeck. Includes a biography, list of works and movies and information about visiting the Center.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Judy Blume's Home Base

Site gives information on all her books, information on writing papers, her inspirations on characters for her books, a kid's page on "did you know/"questions about Judy Blume's characters.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 21 Aug 2003

Kate Chopin: A Woman Ahead of Her Time

The life and times of Kate Chopin

created: 14 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 19 Aug 2003

Katherine Paterson, Official Website

Explore the work of the author of Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and Lyddie.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Laurie's Bookshelf ~ Laurie Halse Anderson

Official site of author Laurie Halse Anderson. Writer of award winning books such as Fever 1793, Speak, and the Wild at Heart animal mysteries series. This site has information on the author's works with reading and teaching guides, plus weblinks and book recommendations from the author herself.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Learn About Ann McGovern

Great site for the author of Lady in the Box and If You Grew up in Colonial Times.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Learning About Jim Murphy

Biography and bibliography of the author of The Great Fire and A Young Patriot.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Learning about Walter Dean Myers

Site contains biography, biblographies, awards and reviews of Walter Dean Myers's work.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

Leslea Kids.com

Biography, FAQ's and more from the author of Heather Has Two Mommies, Cats, Cats, Cats and Fat Chance.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

LitLine:A Website for the Independent Literary Community

This brief biographical site features information on Illinois author Leone Castell Anderson, writer of the young adult historical fiction novels set during the Illinois Black Hawk War: "Sean's War" and "Sean's Quest."

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Lois Duncan

Biography of young adult author, Lois Duncan, with a list of all her books.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Lyon's Den

Mary E. Lyons began sharing the lost stories of southerners, women, and African Americans with young people in 1980. Now a full-time writer, her books are a way to continue what she began as a teacher. Her latest interest is writing books that bring Irish and Irish-American history to life for young readers. Lyons won the National Endowment for the Humanities Teacher-Scholar Award in 1991.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 19 Aug 2003

Marc Brown

The companion site the the Arthur television series includes information on author/illustrator Marc Brown and the popular characters in his book series.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Nancy Keane's Children's Literature Webpage

Nancy Keane provides hundreds of links for suggested reading in all topics including read-a-likes, popular themes in young adult literature, authors and awards.

created: 14 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 19 Aug 2003

PAL: Perspectives in American Literature

Over 350 American authors identified by era in which they wrote. Focuses on major works with brief statement of why they are significant authors. Includes related links.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Peggy Sharp

Peggy Sharp reviews her favorite new books, and offers ideas for using them with students.

created: 23 Feb 2005 by jmoskal ::: updated: 23 Feb 2005

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor grew up in Joliet, IL. She won the Newbery Medal in 1993 for "Shiloh". This website has a good list of her books as well as a picture and biography.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Poet's Corner

Resource site on poets with biographies, activities, poems, and timeline. Includes a link on "How to Write a Term Paper".

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Quentin Blake, The Official Website

good resources for teachers and great bios of books for the children. The characters bring creativity to children to expand their minds. There are funny recipes and "101" poems to remember.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Random House

Information about the latest capers of Junie B. Jones. Get info about the character, the author and find out about the classroom club.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Raymond Bial

A site regarding the life of America. There are many books depicting various parts of the country.Most of the books are photoessays designed for children and adults.There is a link on how to invite the author to your school.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

Reading Rants

Booklists for teens ready for something more than Judy Blume and Brian Jacques.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Roald Dahl Fans

Written by a fan of Dahl, this site provides a biography of the author, ideas for teachers, a time line and photo gallery. Notable is Howard's tour of Dahl's home in Great Missenden, England.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

Robert Munsch.com

Activites, info and more - read about or listen to the author's stoies online.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Speakers Bureau

The Illinois Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators maintains this online directory of over 50 authors and illustrators. Each person listed is identified by genres.

created: 09 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 09 Aug 2003

teenreads.com

This site provides a wide range or current and not so current reviews for young adults. It also has great interviews with current authors and online book clubs teens can join.

created: 14 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 14 Aug 2003

The Children's Literature Web Guide

One of the most complete web sites dedicated to Internet information on children's literature. Includes links to international book awards as well as hundreds of links on what's good to read.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

The Nobel Prize in Literature

Official site for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Provides information about the selection process and past winners.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 08 Jun 2007

The World of Beverly Cleary

A very compact site with games for children of all ages, teaching guides,a map associated with the books, and a good book list with information on the characters and how they came about.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003

This Day in Literary History

Interesting descriptions of what happened on this day in history.

created: 06 Aug 2003 by dharmon ::: updated: 06 Aug 2003

Welcome to Jan Brett's Home Page

This site provides information on Jan Brett, her latest books, with activities pages. Print your own cards and envelopes based on Jan Brett's illustrations.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Welcome to Redwall Abbey

Official web site for the Redwall Series. Filled with illustrations, information about the books and a biography of the author.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 07 Aug 2003

Will Hobbs, Official Website

Will Hobbs writes exciting outdoor adventure stories, picture books, and award-winning young adult novels.

created: 07 Aug 2003 by lwardcallaghan ::: updated: 22 Aug 2003