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Over two decades ago, Neil Gaiman introduced another bespectacled teen boy with a magical destiny, Tim Hunter ; an unassuming English kid with glasses obtains a pet owl, and takes up his preordained destiny to enter a secret world of magic hidden in plain sight—brought to you by one of the world's most successful fantasy authors. That thumbnail summary of course describes Harry Potter , J.K. Rowling 's hit series first published in 1997, which is still a massive pop-culture phenomenon today. The Books of Magic , though largely forgotten, the series foretold much of pop-culture's current (and seemingly insatiable) appetite for the superhero and fantasy genres. Harry Potter's Forgotten Predecessor by Noah Berlatsky via The Atlantic A quartet of fallen mystics dubbed the "TrenchCoat Brigade" is introduced in this first collection of the adventures of Timothy Hunter. John Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Dr. Occult, and Mister E take Hunter on...

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."   The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America . This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. And what about the little ones? With a little help, they can enjoy National Reading Month too. Research findings outlined in a recent report of the National Early Literacy Panel highlight the fact that literacy skills begin to develop at birth. The panel identified a number of early skills that are related to—and may even help predict— a child’s later success with reading and writing.  So, even young children who are not yet reading can join in the celebration of National Reading Month . While each child’s developmental journey has its own pace. This Article Section describes how you can help foster these important ski...