5 Tips to Help Reluctant Readers Fall in Love With Books

Tips to help reluctant readers fall in love with books

1.       Listen to audiobooks.

2.      Choose visually appealing books.

3.      Take turns reading.

4.      Choose books with white space (that means avoid densely packed/wordy pages). Your child wants to feel successful turning each page. Slow page-turns can make reading feel weighty.

5.      Help your child choose books with subjects that are fun and interesting to them.

THE TRUTH ABOUT 5th GRADE (HarperCollins), written by award-winning author Kim Tomsic and award-winning cartoonist, Mark Parisi, is ideal for 2^nd-5^th grade readers who love humor, sloths, wild science, and a funny touch of poetry. This laugh-out-loud story is written as "he-said/she-said" diary entries by two BFFs with different perspectives about the "truth" about fifth grade. For avid readers, reluctant readers, and for fans of Invisible Emmie and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Critical praise:

"The truth is: readers are going to LOVE this HILARIOUS he-said/she-said diary!” — Sarah Mlynowski, author of the NYT Bestselling Whatever After series

 

"The book includes plenty of humor, such as a memory of a ladybug flying up Alex’s nose... The illustrations are appealing and break up the text, making it accessible to reluctant readers. ... “Lively, fun, and deeply relatable."  — Kirkus Reviews

 

"As the besties struggle to get on the same page, [Alex and Charli] navigate friendship rivalries, pranks, and violations of privacy via fast-paced chapters that highlight their differences—and similarities—and offer laugh-out-loud moments."  — Publishers Weekly

“This illustrated diary-style novel delves into the changes and frustrations fifth grade can bring … [It’s a] comical tale of fifth grade that fans of Diary of Wimpy Kid and similar books will enjoy.” — School Library Journal

Book of the Week for Middle Grade Readers Counting Down to Christmas

As the days tick down to Christmas Eve and the house turns cozy with fluffy throw blankets and the scent of oatmeal cookies baking in the oven, it’s a great time to click off the TV and plop a book into the hands of young readers everywhere. So here’s a book that keeps the pages turning—especially for the 3^rd through 6^th grader:

TRACY TAM SANTA COMMAND by Krystalyn Drown turns everything you thought you knew about Christmas on its head—the reluctant reader will enjoy nail-bitter page turns, while the reluctant believer gets an exciting Chirstmas escapade.

Tracy Tam may believe in Santa, but she’s a reluctant believer in his magic. She’s certain everything has a scientific explanation—even Christmas, so on December 24^th she sets out to gather evidence, samples and data to prove the science behind Christmas. If she’s successful, she’ll use the evidence to present at the state Science Fair competition and hopefully win the cash prize. And Tracy desperately wants that prize money, so she can give it to her aunt to pay for her cousin Pim’s expensive operation. Tracy will do anything to help Pim, including hiding in Santa sleigh and hitching a ride back to Santa’s workshop. But the workers at Santa Command will do anything to protect the secret of Christmas magic.  

And so here’s where everything —as promised—is turned on its head—but I won’t ruin the discovery of those secrets here. What I will tell you is the story is packed with fun surprises and zany flips that turn expectations into wonder. Young readers will have a fun adventure reading this story as they wait for their own visit from Santa. Tracy Tam keeps readers as well as everyone at Santa Command on their toes..

Available at and Indie Bookstore here: click here

Available from Amazon or Kindle here: click here

Available from my local bookstore Boulder Books: click here 

Available from my local Barnes & Noble: click here

·         Age Range: 9 and up 

·         Grade Level: 3 and up

·         Series: Tracy Tam

·         Paperback: 300 pages

·         Publisher: Month9Books, LLC (October 21, 2014)

·         Language: English

·         ISBN-10: 1939765803

·         ISBN-13: 978-1939765802

Middle Grade or YA Critique with Tricia Lawrence from Erin Murphy Literary Agency #KidLitForHaiti

TRICIA LAWRENCE

KID LIT FOR HAITI:  Tricia is offering a critique of the first fifteen pages of a novel (middle grade or young adult).

I met Tricia Lawrence at an SCBWI conference J and was truly impressed with her both personally and professionally. In panels and workshops, Tricia spoke with knowledge and excitement about the publishing industry. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I am certain she works hard for her clients. I was most impressed when I listened to her provide critiques at the first-pages breakout session. Her feedback to participants was spot-on, but her input was delivered with a gracious touch. She always found something positive to say, while also providing the necessary criticism and fix-suggestions.

Tricia is the "Pacific Northwest branch" of EMLA—born and raised in Oregon, and now lives in Seattle. After 19 years of working as a developmental and production-based editor (from children’s books to college textbooks, but mostly college textbooks), she joined the EMLA team in March 2011 as a social media strategist.

As associate agent, Tricia represents picture books/chapter books that look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page, and middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction that offers strong worldbuilding, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won't let go.

Tricia loves hiking, camping out in the woods, and collecting rocks. She loves BBC America and anything British. She has way too many books and not enough bookshelves. You can find Tricia's writing about blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, and other social media topics (for authors and the publishing industry at large) 

If you’d like to know more about Tricia, visit my interview here.

Details on critique:  You’re bidding on a FIFTEEN PAGE manuscript critique (middle grade or young adult manuscripts only) from Tricia Lawrence to be exchanged via email. If you win, please format your manuscript in Times Roman, double spaced, one inch margins. 

How do I bid?

Place your bid in the comment section by increasing the previous bid by a minimum of $10 increments. Remember--all proceeds go to a 501 c 3 charity and benefit students in Haiti. Please include information about how I may contact you if you are the winning bidder; you can ask me question at  ktomsic@gmail.com . 

When does the Auction for a critique with Tricia Lawrence close?

**This Particular Auction will close on December 15, 2014**

Official UPDATE: Auction items close on their respective date at 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST)

here's the math time for U.S. residents (you can simply Google the time comparison if you live somewhere else in the world) :

 Pacific Time is one hour behind mountain time; central time is one hour ahead of mountain time; eastern time is two hours ahead of mountain time so:

11:59 om MST = 10:59 pm Pacific Time or 12:59 am Central Standard Time or 1:59 am Eastern Time

What are other items on the Kid Lit for Hait (#KidLitForHaiti) Auction?

To Visit a full list of all the auction items featured on Kid Lit for Haiti: PLEASE CLICK HERE

What happens if I win?

I will contact the winning bidder (as long as you remembered to provide your contact information!). You will make your donation at this donation link and then you will email a copy of your receipt to me at ktomsic@gmail.com Then I will put you in two in touch 

How do I know when new auction items are posted to this blog:

You can receive emails when new auction items are listed. Simply enter your email address in the upper left corner of this blog where it says "Follow by email". You will only receive an email when a new post is created on this blog.

Critique on the First Fifteen Pages of Your YA or Middle Grade Manuscript with Denise Vega #KidLitFotHaiti Auction

KID LIT FOR HAITI: Denise is giving a critique of the first fifteen pages of your middle grade of YA manuscript

Denise Vega

Denise Vega earned her undergraduate degree at UCLA and graduate degree at Harvard (I love bragging on behalf of Denise, since she never brags herself). She served as the RMC SCBWI Co-Regional Advisor for a decade where she not only organized our group of writers and illustrators (and avoided cheese at all costs), but she also taught many writing workshops.

I first purchased a Denise Vega book out of sheer love for Denise; now I purchase Denise Vega books out of sheer love for her writing! Her debut novel  CLICK HERE (To FindOut How I Survived Seventh Grade)  was a bestselling title in the Scholastic Book Club and won the Colorado book award for YA literature—but of course it did—she is a master of creating compelling characters—real and flawed people whom you want to follow—and she knows the art of creating the page turn.  Read her books! Then you’ll know a critique from Denise Vega can help your story come alive!

Grandmother,Have the Angels Come (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009)

Build a Burrito A Counting Book in English and Spanish (Cartwheel Books, 2008)

CLICK HERE (To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade) Little Brown & Co 2006)

Fact of Life #31 (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2008)

AccessDenied (Little Brown & Co.2010)

Rock On  (Little Brown & Co.2012)

And coming soon:

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed (Knopf/Random House, Spring, 2017)

And…(we’ll let you know!)

Details on critique:  You’re bidding on  a critique of the first fifteen pages of your middle grade or young adult manuscript given to you via email from Denise Vega. Please format your manuscript in Times Roman, double spaced, one inch margins. This critique will happen via email.

How do I bid?

Place your bid in the comment section by increasing the previous bid by a minimum of $10 increments. Please include information about how I may contact you if you are the winning bidder; you can ask me question in the comment section or  at  ktomsic@gmail.com . 

When does the auction for a fifteen page Ya/mg critique from Denise Vega close?

**This Auction will close on December 15, 2014** Last bid will be accepted at 11:59 Mountain Standard Time. 11:59 PM mountain time = 10:59 PM Pacific Time= 12:59am next day Central Time=1:59am next day Eastern Time

What are other items on the Kid Lit for Hait (#KidLitForHaiti) Auction?
To Visit a full list of all the auction items featured on Kid Lit for Haiti: PLEASE CLICK HERE

What happens if I win?

I will contact the winning bidder (please! provide your contact information!). You will make your donation at this donation link and then you will email a copy of your receipt to me at ktomsic@gmail.com Then I will put you in two in touch.

How do I know when new auction items are posted to this blog:

You can receive emails when new auction items are listed. Simply enter your email address in the upper left corner of this blog where it says "Follow by email". You will only receive an email when a new post is created on this blog.

Want to know more about Denise? Visit her FAQ link  click here 

Critique from SIX Superstars! #KidLitForHaiti

Elaine, Penny, Will, Sally, Kim (sadly, Jerilyn is not in this photo)

KID LIT FOR HAITI:  This auction is for a critique of the first ten pages of your manuscript (PB, MG, or YA) from both of my critiquing groups. That means you will receive feedback from a total of six people!

This auction: is for a pass to my critiquing partners—feedback from me and five others. Each of us come armed with a super-power—creativity, voice, plot, structure, grammar—you’ll get it all! You will submit the first ten pages of your manuscript (or one picture book manuscript). You’ll submit via email in Times Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, one inch margins. After you submit you will receive your six critiques within a month— six critiques! Get the feedback you need to gain insight in your work and take your craft to the next level. 

Who are my fabulous critiquing partners?

Elaine Pease is the award-winning author of four books. Her website can be found at www.peasepodbooks.com One of my favorite titles by Elaine is Tallie's’sChristmas Lights Surpise, A HolidayWhodunit! It’s a picture book with a clever mystery to solve! Elaine spends weeks on the road making school visits—she really has her finger on the pulse of what’s going on in classrooms. Her award-winning historical fiction middle grade GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK is currently a finalist in the Youth One Book, One Denver 2015 program (and if you're familar with GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK and would like to vote for it click here ).

Will Limón  has been published by Harper Collins. He is the founder of Will Limón's Plot Chart as well as the workshop Will Limón's Making Scenes Come Alive. If your plot or scene has a hole, Will can certainly identify and point it; he’ll steer you in the right direction. Will’s writing has received recognition—not only is he published in the adult market, his YA work-in-progess received honorable mention (2^nd place) in a regional SCBWI scholarship award.  (P.S.  In addition to Will’s ingenuity and understanding of scene construction, Will is my go-to guy for grammar advice!).

Sally Spear is probably the most creative person I know—I swear wizards speak to her! Sally is the master of the picture book, but when we bring YA and Middle Grade novels to the critiquing group, Sally provides incredible feedback and insight from a completely unique angle. She has the keen ability to spot voice drops and narrator intrusion. My manuscripts always launch in a better direction after critiques from Sally.   

Penny Berman is both a kid lit writer as well as a screenwriter. She studied screenwriting at UCLA and currently has a project receiving a lot of interest in Hollywood (where everything is currently hush-hush, but I can brag that BIG names are involved). Penny is also in the final draft of one of the coolest middle grade novels you’ll ever read.  If you want your manuscript to scream with voice Voice VOICE, then Penny is your go-to gal.

Jerilyn Patterson is another master of voice and also an expert at turning a scene. And that’s not just my opinion, Jerilyn won recognition by being the first place winner of The Vicki Ferguson Memorial Scholarship where she entered the first ten pages of her manuscript and won free tuition to a regional SCBWI conference. Jerilyn is so amazing at writing and critiquing because she spends a lot of time studying craft—one of her favorite books is called SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack Bickham. She will use her creative skills and wealth of knowledge to provide you with the best feedback possible.

And Me (Kim Tomsic) I’ll critique my butt-off for you!

How do I bid?

Place your bid in the comment section by increasing the previous bid. Please include information about how I may contact you if you are the winning bidder; I can be reached for questions in the comment section here or at  ktomsic@gmail.com .

When does this auction close?

**This Auction will close on December 16, 2014** Bidding closes at 11:59pm MST This auction item has closed. Thank you!!

Whatother items are available in the Kid Lit For Haiti auction?

Click here to find out

What happens if I win?

I will contact the winning bidder (remember to provide your contact information!). You will make your donation at this donation link and then you will email a copy of your receipt to ktomsic@gmail.com . Then we will begin the process !

How do I know when new auction items are posted to this blog:

You can receive emails when new auction items are listed. Simply enter your email address in the upper left corner of this blog where it says "Follow by email". You will only receive an email when a new post is created on this blog.

Top Ten with Literary Agent Terrie Wolf

TOP TEN: Info/Advice/& Fun Facts with Terrie Wolf of AKA LITERARY LLC
The Colorado/Wyoming region of the SCBWI is proud to announce Terrie Wolf as a faculty member for the September 2014 LETTERS AND LINES CONFERENCE.
Who is Terrie Wolf? Before becoming a literary agent, Terrie was an editor as well as a member of the international media. She studied English Literature at Cambridge University, Creative Writing at NYU and Journalism at CU-Denver. Terrie founded Wolf Literary Services, and in 2009 she co-founded AKA Literary.

 The Letters and Lines Conference is said to be one of the most intimate ways a writer can connect with leaders in the publishing industry. To launch participants’ conference-connect experience, Terrie has generously agreed to answer the following ten questions:

1.       SUCCESS STORY (the crème brulee):  Hi, Terrie! Thank you in advance for serving on the faculty at the upcoming RMC SCBWI conference, and for taking the time to answer my questions. Before we get into the meat and potatoes (craft), I’d like to start with dessert (contract).  Please tell us about one of your conference success stories.

Thank you very much for including me. After several years in the conference and workshop “trenches” I’m pleased to tell you I signed a conference participant. I was thrilled by a proposal provided by Kathy Borrus at Writer’s Digest West Conference last September. If you like to shop or travel you might recognize her name as Kathy is the author of Five Hundred Buildings of Paris, One Thousand Buildings of Paris, and The Fearless Shopper. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Washington Flyer, and Art Business News among others. So, here we are, ready to work on this adult piece when she mentioned an idea she had for a children’s series of books.  To say I was floored would be an understatement. Ask me at the conference and I’ll fill you in! You’ll love her.

2.      PUBLISHING PATH: I read that before you were an agent, you were an editor with Hobson’s Press and also an award-winning member of the media with NBC and CBS. How and why did you decide to become an agent?

My father always said that if I was stranded on a desert island, I’d be just fine as long as I had a fishing pole, books to read and a phone so I could tell everyone I knew about the books I read and the fish I caught. A series of events that included big trucks, freak southern gales and patio umbrellas all taught me about  resilience and allowed me (forced me) to return to Colorado full time. The outlook may have seemed a little desolate in the beginning but gave me the opportunity to slowly find my way back to wellness. A few years ago I met an author whose work was witty and fresh. It reignited my passion. The author asked me to act as her agent because she said I talked about her work more than she did. That was the beginning. She was right and I still proudly represent her. She tweets @CJDunham1. Get to know her! 

3.      YOUR NEXT CLIENT: In addition to other genres, I understand you represent YA, Middle Grade, and Picture Book writers…excellent!  We all know agents are looking for great and compelling writing, and the word on the street is you pick story over genre. Please give us more insight into your preferences.

There’s so much that goes into this process. I like to know what my editors are interested in finding but I also ask readers what they would like to see. It’s really important to write the story as it is meant to be written rather than for a trend or market. Good stories just have a way of finding good homes.

4.      Sometimes the Internet gets buzzing with a lot of misinformation of where an agent is or isn’t. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT  2012-2014

I took much of 2012 - 2013 and 2014 away from work due to illness, the Black Forest Fire and the 2013 floods. I ran into the big three: my mother’s death, my father’s illness, and I have been stalked daily since April 2013. It’s just part of the drill, part of what helps me decide what I want to do. Usually what I want to do is fall back and read.

Wow! That’s a lot to shoulder. I’m sorry for your difficulties, and I admire your bravery and determination. I’m glad to know your father is doing well again, and your experiences are a testament to how books are friends to people during difficult times—a point that moves me to the joyful side of life—READING: I’m sure you would agree that in order to become great writers, we must first read, read, and read! Writers should also know when shopping for an agent, they should read the agent’s client’s books to help further reveal if the agent is the right fit. Terrie, are you an editorial agent and if yes, tell us more?

I am an editorial agent, and proud of it. You won’t see many of our works for some time due to the publishing schedule. Learn what you can from every single book you pick up.

·         I encourage you to visit our website as a way to familiarize yourself with our clients and their writing The new and improved website should be up no later than Monday, September 22, 2014. It’s been such a wonderful journey!

·         Upcoming Fact: our Kenley Conrad’s HOLLY HEARTS HOLLYWOOD will be released Tuesday, September 23, 2014 via Swoon an imprint of Month9 Books.

     

5.      FAVORITE BOOKS: What were some of your favorite books as a child, and what are your current kid lit favorites (other than the ones you represent J)?

I read everything from Louis L ‘Amour to Zane Grey, Sports Afield and Boys’ Life. I still adore The Velveteen Rabbit, Little House on the Prairie, and Black Beauty.

Current favorites:

-         Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, 2013)

-         The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (HC, 2012)

-         Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross (Egmont, 2012)

-         Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Chronicle Books, 2011)

-          And the list goes on and on!

Helen Lester’s TACKY THE PENGUIN and A PORCUPINE NAMED FLUFFY still make me giggle. I still love Jerdine Nolan’s HARVEY POTTER’S BALLOON FARM, Robert Munsch’s I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER, and ROTTERS by Daniel Kraus are all favorites at this very moment. Ask me in ten minutes as my list will change.  

6.      What’s on your wish list of future projects to represent?

Three words: unforgettable, empowering and unexpected. If I can find works that make me laugh out loud, that’s even better.

7.      What can you tell us about the state of the publishing industry?

It has yet to bore me.

8.     How does the answer above influence you as an agent?

I am easily distracted.

9.      Like I said, a special benefit of the Letters and Lines Conference is attendees walk away knowing the faculty on a more personal level. One fun fact about Terrie is that she knows sign language and has served as an interpreter for the Deaf and Blind School in Colorado Springs (cool!!). What’s another fun fact you’re willing to reveal?

I have a piano in my office.

10.  THE MEAT AND POTATOES: What’s the final word of advice that you would like writers to walk away with?

Be the writer your characters know you are. Be kind, be loving and allow everyone around you to see your need for a place like this one.

Thank you Terrie Wolf! I look forward to meeting you in September.

The pleasure is mine, really.

Writers who would like to query Terrie Wolf should email the query and the first ten pages of the manuscript (or full manuscript for picture books) in the body of the email (no attachements, please!) to  aka@akaliterary.com. The AKA Literary website is being updated (due to be ready next week!), and Terrie will soon provide that address link so you can learn more. In the mean time, follow her on Twitter at @AKA_Terrie. Bonus piece of advice: it’s Terrie, not Terry. It’s Ms., not Mr. J

Latest News in Children's Book Publishing

March 2013

Book Expo America (BEA) Announces 2013

BEA has announced the books to be featured on the convention's three "buzz" book panels for adult, young adult, and middle grade books. Convention will take place at the end of May 2013.  During the Children’s Book and Author Breakfast, Octavia Spencer will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Rick Riordan, Mary Pope Osborn, and Veronica Roth will also be at this event.

Children's Book & Author Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:30 am
Special Events Hall

Octavia Spencer Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 15, 2013)	Mary Pope Osborne Magic Tricks from the Tree House Random House Books for Young Readers (July 23, 2013) - - - - - - - - - Magic Tree House #50: Hurry Up, Houdini! Random House Books for Young Readers (July 23, 2013)	Rick Riordan The Heroes of Olympus, Book Four: The House of Hades Disney-Hyperion (October 8, 2013)	Veronica Roth Divergent: Book III Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books (Fall 2013)

BUZZ BOOKS!!

Adult
All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior (Ecco, January 2014)
Knocking on Heavens Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death by Katy Butler (Scribner, September)
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink (Crown, August)
The Affairs of Others: A Novel by Amy Grace Loyd (Picador, August)
Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields by Wendy Lower (HMH, October)
The Facades by Eric Lundgren (Overlook, September)

Young Adult
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (St. Martin's Griffin, September)
Tandem by Anna Jarzab (Delacorte, October)
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill (Hyperion, September)
Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta (HMH Children's, October)
If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan (Algonquin Books for Young Readers, August)

Middle Grade
A Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline   Carlson (HarperCollins, September)
Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Dial, September)
The Fantastic Family Whipple by Matthew Ward (Razorbill, August)
Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith (Quirk, November)
The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick (Algonquin Books for Young Readers, August)

Awards

Finalists announced for the 2013 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.  The winner will be announced on March 19, and the 33rd Annual PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction Ceremony & Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is awarded annually by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation to the authors of the year's best works of fiction by living American citizens.^[1] The winner receives US $15,000 and each of four runners-up receives US $5000.The finalists are:

Amelia Gray, Threats (Farrar, Straus)
Laird Hunt, Kind One (Coffee House Press)
T. Geronimo Johnson, Hold it 'Til It Hurts (Coffee House Press)
Thomas Mallon, Watergate (Pantheon)
Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Everything Begins & Ends at the Kentucky Club (Cinco Puntos Press)

Barnes & Noble also announced the winners of their annual Discover Awards:

Fiction: Amanda Coplin, The Orchardist (Harper)
Nonfiction: Cheryl Strayed, Wild (Knopf)

People

Simon and Schuster UK Children's has appointed Elv Moody as the new editorial director for children's fiction, starting in early June. She is currently editorial director at Puffin UK.

At HMH Children's, Mary Wilcox has been promoted to the newly-created position of vp, editor in chief.  In addition,  Adah Nuchi has been promoted to associate editor.

News from Writers House:

Writers House announced that Geri Thoma and Lisa DiMona have joined the agency. “Thoma, who joins on March 18, was previously partner at Markson Thoma, while DiMona, who will start on April 8, was founder and sole proprietor of Lark Productions, a literary agency and book development company established in 1998. "We are delighted that Geri and Lisa are joining our growing team of agents. Their expertise in nonfiction will complement our list and enlarge the scope of the agency," said Writers House chairman Amy Berkower in a statement. In addition, Stephen Barr was recently promoted to senior agent, while Brianne Johnson moves up to agent”.

Business:

The Wallstreet Journal reveals that Len Riggio plans to buy Barnes and Noble.  Per the Journal, Riggo, "notified the board...he plans to propose to purchase all of the assets of the retail business"--comprising the BN superstores, and the BN.com web site. "Riggio plans to make the proposal in order to facilitate the company's evaluation of its previously announced review of strategic options for the separation of its investment in Nook Media."