CLCD NEWS Volume 2, Issue 9 September 2003    September is widely known as back to school month even though some of you may have returned in August. In the spirit of returning to school, we have created a "pop" quiz for you. Question 1: What children's book was the number one best seller this summer? Question 2: What children's book is most likely to be the center of discussion among your students this fall? Question 3: What series of children's books will probably continue to top the list of the ten most challenged books?    If you answered "Harry Potter" to all three of these questions, you may go to the head of the class. But "Harry Potter" is not the only book or series to be challenged. Each year hundreds of books come under scrutiny in our public libraries, elementary, middle school and high school libraries; and librarians rely on reviews and book recognitions to defend their purchases.    The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) is the number one choice for handling these issues. There are more than 140,000 reviews from twenty-five sources. For example, we have Booklist, The Bulletin, CCBC Choices, Kirkus, and Kliatt reviews for the past ten years and we just added 2,000 more entries to our awards, prizes and best books lists which already exceed 200,000 entries. See below for ways to access these books of distinction, so you can quickly determine the importance of a title for your collection. Make sure your subscription to the CLCD is current. It is the most efficient and reliable tool available to help you with your professional needs. Search Tip of the Month    The search screen has been modified to allow you to easily search for series, best books and awards and prizes. Just select that field under the Search Specific fields and put your text in the and click search. For example, click series and enter " Ready-to-Read (with or without the hyphens) and you will see all of the books in that series. You can sort your results and print lists.    We have other refinements that will be announced this fall, so please keep those suggestions and inquires coming. They really do help us make the CLCD database meet your needs. At Our Website    This month we are featuring several authors and illustrators-Andrew Clements, James Cross Giblin, Steve Jenkins, Lonie Norrington, Beth Norling, James Ransome, Eric Rohmann, Cynthia Leitch Smith among others. In addition we have compiled books on a subject that is much in the news these days-The Middle East. In a both serious and on the light side we have also pulled together a selection of fiction and nonfiction books about dinosaurs. Kids just can't seem to get enough of these fascinating creatures. Last month Mars was the closest to earth it has been in 60,000 years, there are a few books about the red planet that may answer some of the questions from curious kids. Spreading The News    Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A new feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, updated by mid-month, is your most complete source of information about children's books. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the book in hand, and the best tool for leading you to the best books. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD, go to www.childrenslit.com.    Your inquiry about CLCD has generated this email. Our newsletter is issued monthly. Please be assured that we do not sell or rent our lists. If you do not wish to receive our monthly updates, please contact unsubscribe@childrenslit.com. The CLCD Company, LLC Click here to go back to the newsletter index.