An End to Summer Reading

Tomorrow is the day that ends all summer reading.  It's time to report back to school and to all the everyday routine of an elementary school.  When I sat down to write this post, I was really down on all the books that I haven't read and the fact of returning to school.   Now that I'm making my list, I see that I have read some really good books (and a really bad one) this summer.  I'm also excited to return to school to see what everyone else has read.
So here's the list....
The Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins (Upper Elementary +)
The Other Bolynne Girl by Philippa Gregory (Adult Historical Fiction)
*Readicide by Kelly Gallagher (Professional)
*Write Like This by Kelly Gallagher (Professional)
*Pathways to the Common Core by L. Calkins, M. Ehrenworth, & C. Lehman (Professional)
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watoson (Adult Fiction) ~ This is a reread.
Slammed by Colleen Hoover (Young Adult)

I also read a really terrible current "best seller."  I will only admit to reading it because I wanted to have an opinion.   I'm in disbelief that so many people think it is wonderful.  Yes, it stinks! but of course I'm happy that people are reading.

*didn't read from page one forward - dipped in and out so far

so what does the pledge mean?

I have a new favorite book!

I Pledge Allegiance by Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson ~ Illustrated by Chris Raschka

I was looking for a book with a patriotic feel to read next week before September 11th, Patriot Day.  Here it is!  This one is a must read for all children (and adults).  Martin and Sampson breaks down the pledge in simple language.  Combined with the simple illustrations by Raschka, the book conveys the powerful meaning of our Pledge of Allegiance.

This book is a must for the classroom library and the family library at home.

check it out on amazon~ I Pledge of Allegiance

Summer Reading... Outside the List

I must confess... Summer is winding down and I have not nearly read the titles that I wanted to read.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  I have never made a "Summer Reading List" before.

The Vampire Chronicles... I inhaled the first one and moved on to the 2nd then to the third.  In the third, I lost interest and I think it is waiting patiently under my night stand.  I saw it peeking out this morning when I crawled out of the bed.  I was moving pretty slow because I wanted to read Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer yesterday.  (I usually avoid the movie until I've read the book.)  I enjoyed reading Mickey's adventure and managed not to hit the buy button on my kindle for another one last night.

Here's a few from the list that wasn't on the "reading list."
The Lincoln Lawyer  - M. Connelly
The Gunslinger - S. King
Ava's Man - R. Bragg
All Over But the Shoutin' - R. Bragg
The Valley of the Horses - J. M. Auel
The Clan of the Cave Bear - J. M. Auel
(quite a variety)

That leaves me wondering - do I stick to what I planned in May or just read what I feel like?  Of course, it's summer.  I 'm going to read what I want.

Ha ha... so do you think the students enjoy reading outside the reading list too?

A Boy at War

If you looking for a good read for the Memorial Day weekend or you're interested in the events that took place at Pearl Harbor, try A Boy at War by Harry Mazer.  It's perfect for a quick read or for someone who doesn't like a long novel.   Harry Mazer shows you the attack on Pearl Harbor through the eyes of a 14 year old boy.  (No,  you don't have to be in jr. high to enjoy it.)  When you finish reading it you'll have more questions about the families that were stationed there and the locals. 

 "A Boy at War" on amazon.com

 

I bet you don't stop there.... I bet you move on to A Boy No More and then to Heroes Don't Run: A Novel of the Pacific War.

Harry Mazer's Page on amazon.com

Sunshine and Summertime!

I've made it through my first year as an Elementary School Librarian!

Summertime is always good for massive reading.  Before I packed up and wrapped up the last shelf in the library, I browsed our fiction shelves for some of my summer reads.  I picked several that I have been wanting to read for awhile.  I also picked some newer titles that I know that have potential to be popular next year.  Here's a short list of them...

Heart of a Samurai - Margi Preus
Elijah of Buxton - Christopher Paul Curtis
Ninth Ward - Jewell Parker Rhodes
90 Miles to Havana - Enrique Flores -Galbis
My Louisiana Sky - Kimberly Holt
Bud Not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis
Hattie Big Sky - Kirby Larson
and the list goes on.

For fun reading, I'm going to read Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.  Somehow or another I missed them when everyone was reading them years ago.  I've got a beach trip coming up and I'm sure I can take care of them while I'm there.  No.  I am not going to start them yet... I can be strong.   I'm going to save them for the week on the beach...I'm sitting here looking at them.  I shouldn't have taken the shrink wrap off the box.  Maybe I'll just read the first chapter of Interview with the Vampire.  (Famous last words of an addicted reader.)

One more on the planned summer list -- Stephen King's On Writing.

Look Out Modern World!

I am super excited!  I just received my wireless handheld scanner for the library and the news that we are ready for automation!  I can't wait to get started on the transition to the modern world!

A Visit from St. Nicholas

            We’ve been reading Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas this week.  There was a little background information in the front of the version we were reading and that led to a little “googling.”  (isbn 978-14027-5484 – ordered from Amazon.com)

There are some that dispute that Moore is actually the author…. We’ll leave that for another day.  Did you know that the original title is A Visit from S. Nicholas?  And it is 188 years old?   The story is that Moore wrote it while going out to pick up a forgotten turkey and he recited it at supper for his children.  It was later published in a newspaper without his name.  He claimed it later. 

             Now for the big question…. Does Santa Claus actually smoke a pipe?  Well according to Moore.  Santa stood right there in his parlor and took a puff or two.  He actually claimed that the smoke “encircled his head like a wreath.”  I’m curious if these lines are more likely to be left out these days.  Tom Browning has a beautiful picture of St Nick with a nice pipe with a little twirl of smoke. 

What do you think?  Should these lines be left out?  Or would that be censorship?  Hmmm…. Tricky little question.

You can find the poem and information about Moore on the following link.  It also has an original draft of the poem.  

http://www.clementcmoore.com/

Holiday Reading with the Olympians

I’ve made my holiday reading plans.  I’m going to try to knock out Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.  Yes, I know I’m way behind the times.  Everybody has already read them and seen the movie.  If you’re a fan of Riordan and his characters, check out his website ~ www.rickriordan.com.

Maybe I'll have time to add a couple of more titles before we go back to school.

The Book Tank

Had to share this...

My assistant principal, Wendy, passed a huge tank to me to use in the library.  I think in the past it must have been used for some kind of reptiles.  Of course, that is not an option for me.  I'm planning on using it for a themed terrarium.  Meanwhile, I stuck a few books on that topic in it until after the holidays.  I overheard one of my 1st graders exclaim, "It's a book tank!"  Then followed a whole discussion among themselves on the book tank versus a fish tank.
I can't wait to fill it with plants and tuck little storybook characters in among them.

have kindle... will travel

sunglasses, check

chocolate, check

cash, not much, but check

books... no... not this time.... I have a kindle!

Tomorrow I'm headed off to National Writing Project's Annual Meeting in Orlando.  I'm so excited! It's my first time to travel with my new kindle.  I can reread favorites or professional stuffy stuff or just for fun paper backs.... all in a nice little techy package that is less than 9 ounces.  

just reading

When I opened up my computer to write this little blurb, I thought would start with a peek into a conversation.  Then I realized that wouldn’t work.  It won’t work because no one was talking.  We were reading.  The students were reading.  All of them were reading…. well, maybe some were just looking at pictures.   Now this is not a special population of students.  It’s just another group of 6^th graders who had many other ideas about what they would rather be doing.  But for this one point in time, we read together. 

Hmmm…… how does a rowdy bunch of 6^th graders settle in for a 20 minute “SSR” time?  Is it timers? PBS tickets? Candy? Threats?

No, I just sat down and read.

Drowning in Cards

Mrs. Birdwell stamps every book and every card as we step forward to her desk with our precious choices.  She smiles as she passes the book back to me.  Did I ever wonder what she did with those cards? Of course not, I couldn’t wait to read about little sure shot. 

Cards, cards, cards, what to do with all these cards?  Please hurry up paperwork!  I’m drowning in cards.    Somewhere between here and the school board is the paperwork for purchasing the lifesaving Destiny.  When the last book is bar-coded every last book is entered, I think I’m going to build a bonfire with all the cards!  Maybe we’ll roast marshmallows and sell hot chocolate for a fundraiser.

What would Mrs. Birdwell think of Destiny and other library automation programs?  In 1979, I’m sure she would have never believed it.   It’s possible that she would have thought it was crazy since she had the latest model of the date stamp and ink pad.  She might have even been using one of those new fangled self-inking stamps.

Welcome to my little pocket garden.

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.  I've seen claims that this "proverb" is from China and Persia.  Either way, I like it.  I love books and I love flowers... so it's perfect.  I think of my library as a garden.  The shelves of books remind me of rows of vegetables or flowers.  Each book ready to be picked and enjoyed.