In 2001, special effects really rocked the movies in films such as “Shrek” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Amazon.com became a popular place to purchase movies and such in 2002, and continues its popularity today. 2003 was a big year for literature as the “Harry Potter” series was accused of being satanic, yet defended by its fans. Also, it was estimated that approximately one-third of all books purchased in the U.S. was romance novels. Interesting, I think. In 2004, it was estimated that 95% of U.S. public libraries offered Internet access. I wonder where that number is today. … Continue reading →

1991 brought on the start of the grunge music scene, as well as Oscars for Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster for “The Silence of the Lambs.” EuroDisney opened in Paris in 1992, bringing the fun of a Disney park to Europe. And lucky for those of us with Families.com, the first blogs were created in 1997. 1991 Medal Winner: “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli Honor Book “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi 1992 Medal Winner: “Shiloh” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Honor Books “Nothing But The Truth: a Documentary Novel” by Avi “The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the … Continue reading →

The 1980’s had a huge boom of video games. Just with the releases of Donkey Kong and Pac Man in 1981 and 1982, respectively, the video game came alive. However, did you also know that Centipede, released in 1981, was the first arcade video game designed by a woman? Cool, right? In 1982, Thomas Keneally’s novel, “Schindler’s List” has its beginning as “Schindler’s Ark.” The term cyberspace was coined in William Gibon’s novel “Neuromancer” in 1984. In 1990, Michael Chrichton’s gargantuan novel “Jurassic Park” was released. 1981 Medal Winner: “Jacob Have I Loved” by Katherine Paterson Honor Books “The Fledgling” … Continue reading →

You might be amazed to discover that e-mail first appeared in the 1970’s. That’s “write!” Electronic mail made its debut in 1971 — the same year that the cell phone was invented. In 1973, my dad’s favorite movie “The Sting” — starring a dashing Robert Redford and handsome Paul Newman — won the Oscar for Best Picture. A literature leap comes about in 1974, with Stephen King’s “Carrie” becoming a thrilling hit. The movie was released in 1976 and starred Sissy Spacek as the title character. 1971 Medal Winner: “Summer of the Swans” by Betsy Byars Honor Books “Knee Knock … Continue reading →

Television had a big year in 1963, among the news coverage of President Kennedy’s assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” and the first live televised murder of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald. Although much of this was unpleasant, media had its good turns in the 1960’s. In 1966, Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” explores the narrative style in a non-fiction book. The movie based on the research for this book, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is wonderful, by the way. 1961 Medal Winner: “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell Honor Books “America Moves Forward: … Continue reading →

Newbery Medal Winners: 1951-1960 In 1951, color television sets went on sale for the first time. Imagine what a big step that was for media then. 3-D movies were introduced in 1952 and today we can get movies in our homes on discs. Isn’t that incredible? The Grammy Awards debuted in 1959, giving awards for music from 1958. Literature had leaps and bounds in the 1950’s. Ray Bradbury’s novel about fascism and censorship — “Fahrenheit 451” — became a huge smash. In 1957, ALbert Camus won the Nobel Prize in Literature and the 1958 novel “Exodus” took a look at … Continue reading →

Several technological breakthroughs were made in the 1940s, including two-way AM police radios and the discovery of microwave transmission. Many media stepping stones were reached, as well. The first television commercial was broadcast in New York in 1941 and touch-tone dialing was tried in Baltimore. Radio allows Americans to hear many somber events, including the broadcast of the Pearl Harbor attack and Franklin Roosevelt’s funeral. Jukeboxes went into mass production in 1946 and the presidential State of the Union address is televised for the first time in 1947. As for literature, Pocket Books began the first mass distribution system for … Continue reading →

During the 1930’s, the Great Depression affected all of America. As a result of the collapse of the American stock market, one third of the population of America was unemployed. Since television was not introduced to the public at the 1939 World’s Fair, many children still turned to books for entertainment. More great books were obviously penned during this time of hardship in America. 1931 Medal Winner: “The Cat Who Went to Heaven” by Elizabeth Coatsworth Honor Books “Floating Island” by Anne Parrish “The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of A Pagan Princess” by Alida Malkus “Queer Person” by … Continue reading →