Meet one of our authors!

This is one of our books written and illustrated by Deven Wallace!

Writing project in the library

After reading Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk to my students, I made a display like the one mentioned in the book and invited studets to "Meet the Author" and write their own books to share in the library.  Kids are amazing!!!!

Amazing Faces by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet

I can't help myself, but I love poetry!  Amazing Faces is a fabulous collection of poetry that offers many different styles about many different people.  Just read it for the pleasure found in the lilting verse, and enjoy the beautiful illustrations by Chris Soentpiet.  (grades 2 and up)

Hopkins, L. B. (2010). Amazing faces. (C. Soentpiet, illustrator). New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.

Balarama: A Royal Elephant by Ted and Betsy Lewin

Fans of nonfiction are going to enjoy this book.  Ted and Betsy Lewin travel to India to see the elephants.  They are immediately intrigued by the Dasara, a centuries-old festival celebrated in the fall, and Drona, the royal elephant who leads the procession.  When they return to next year to see the parade, they are saddened to learn that Drona has died.  However, they now have the opportunity to see Balarama, the new royal elephant, lead his first procession.  Balarama is huge and majestic, but will he be able to lead the procession and not get distracted by the crowds of cheering spectators?  Read to find out more.  (grades 4-6).

Lewin, T. and B. (2009). Balarama: A royal elephant. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.

Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Louisa is a great biography that can be read quickly.  Yona McDonough tells the life story of the author of the classic book Little Women, Louisa May Alcott.  It provides insight into Louisa's stories as much of them were inspired by true life events.  It also tells about the struggles faced by women of the time period and the adversity and challenges her family faced to make ends meet.  The illustrations are done beautifully by Bethanne Anderson. (grades 4-6)

McDonough, Y. Z. (2009). Louisa: The life of Louisa May Alcott. (B. Anderson, illustrator). New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Imogene's Last Stand by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Imogene Tripp is a true history buff.  So she is thrilled when she discovers Liddleville's Historical Society housed in an old house.  She and her father clean up the place and invite the towns people to visit, but no one seems to be interested.  Then Imogene gets a notice that the Historical Society is scheduled to be torn down to make room for a shoelace factory.  Imogene cannot allow this to happen and makes her stand.  Who says a little girl can't make a difference?  With great illustrations by Nancy Carpenter and smatterings of historical quotes, Candace Fleming's story is sure to be a hit. (grades 2-5)

Fleming, C. (2009). Imogene's last stand. (N. Carpenter, illustrator). New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

The Books of Elsewhere volume 1: The Shadows by Jacqueline West

If you enjoyed the magical world of Harry Potter and Narnia, you will definitely enjoy Jacqueline West's first book The Shadows, which is volume one of what promises to be an exciting series.  Olive Dunwoody, whose family moves around quite a bit, has finally found a home where she feels she belongs.  It is a huge, old house with lots of dusty rooms to explore, and there are no kids around to judge her and make her feel like an outsider (well, it is summer, after all).  She meets some mysterious talking cats, and there is a sinister presence in the house that stays just out of sight.  It's almost like the house is keeping a secret.  Olive soon launches on a mission to solve the mystery and finds herself in quite a predicament.  Full of mystery, magic, and suspense, this is a thrilling read. Poly Bernatene masterfully illustrates this story. (grades 4-7)

West, J. (2010). The book of elsewhere: The shadows. (P. Bernatene, illustrator).
     New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this is a book that boys will enjoy.  The main character, Tommy, is trying to discover whether or not Dwight's Origami Yoda is magical.  Dwight, a strange kid, has created a Yoda through origami and has been using it to give advice and predict the future (sort of).  As Tommy investigates the matter, he learns about friendship and discovers the answer to a very important question: Does the girl of his dreams like him? (grades 4-6)

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books.

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy by Dori Hillestad Butler

Are you a dog lover? Do you enjoy a good mystery?  If so, then you will love Dori Hillestad Butler's book The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy. King is a goldern retriever who has lost his family and ends up in the pound.  He is adopted by Connor and his mom, and they call him Buddy.  King enjoyed solving mysteries with his original human, Kayla. So when Connor goes missing while they are out for a walk, King (aka Buddy) begins working the case.  You will enjoy this story of a dedicated dog who is a bit distracted by smells, food, and fun (but what dog isn't). The book is adorably illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau. (grades 2-5).

Butler, D. H. (2010). The Buddy files: The case of the lost boy. (J. Tugeau, illustrator). Chicago: Albert
      Whitman & Company.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise is an historical fiction story that takes place during the Great Depression in Key West, Florida.  Turtle's mom sends her to live with her aunt in Key West for a while where she learns about a family she did know she had.  She has some interesting adventures and even gets caught in a hurricane while on a treasure hunt.  Turtle learns the importance of family in this delightful tale smattered with historical facts about Key West and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.  The author includes facts and photos at the end explaining the facts behind the fiction.  Not only is the book nominated for the 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award, but it is also a Newbery Honor Book. (grades 3-6).

Holm, J. L. (2010). Turtle in paradise. New York: Random House.

Embrace Technology

"The Internet is marvelous, but to claim, as some now do, that it's making libraries obsolete is as silly as saying shoes have made feet unnecessary."


--Mark Herring, American Libraries, 2001

"Does the internet replace the library? Does a calculator replace math class? Learning how to use the tool is more important than having the tool."

--Dave Peters

Librarians need to embrace new technology.  Here is an interesting article about eReaders VS. libraries:

http://portland.thephoenix.com/arts/124475-will-kindles-kill-libraries/

The Hallelujah Flight by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Holyfield

Another Texas Bluebonnet Award 2011-2012 Nominee, The Hallelujah Flight by Phil Bildner is a great book to introduce historical fiction to younger readers.  The story is based on historical information about James Banning, the first African American to complete a transcontinental flight.  Lovely illustrations by John Holyfield enhance the story. (grades 2-5)

Bildner, P. (2010). The hallelujah flight. (J. Holyfield, illustrator). New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Seve, illustrated by Peter de Seve

The Duchess of Whimsy: An Absolutely Delicious Fairy Tale by Randall De Seve is a delightful tale.  Nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award 2011-2012, children will love the fanciful story and the beautiful illustrations by illustrator Peter de Seve.  This book has rich vocabulary which lends itself to being read aloud to children and discussed in the classroom.  It is pleasing to the ear and the eye. (grades 2-5)

de Seve, Randall. (2009). The Duchess of Whimsy: An absolutely delicious fairy tale. (P. de Seve, 
     illstrator).  New York: Philmel Books.

Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit by Joan Carris

Here is another 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee you will enjoy.  This book is especially appealing to you animal lovers.  Joan Carris tells a precious tale about a family of animals helping their owner run a boarding house for animals.  Things get wild when Grampa has to take in some wild animals to help the local shelter.  Ernest, the trustworthy pig, helps Grampa do chores and care for the wild animals while also trying to train the young Scottish terrier pup, Sir Walter.  Adventure springs up when the pup goes missing along with the two red fox kits, and then the release of the Canada goose stirs emotions.  It is a heartwarming tale perfect for a first chapter book, and the author's notes offers some factual information about the wild animals in the story.  Animal lovers, enjoy! (grades 2-4)

Carris, J. (2009). Wild times at the Bed and Biscuit. (N. Jones, illustrator). Somerville, MA: Candlewick
     Press.

The Witch's Guide to Cooking With Children by Keith McGowan

Keith McGowan has written an interesting retelling of the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel.  The witch has disguised her cottage to fit in with modern times, and she has worked out new ingenious ways to capture children.  She touts it as a business to help parents with unruly children.  You might want to read the classic tale again to refresh your memory on some of the details.  You could read both stories and have students compare and contrast the tales.  McGowan's book is one of the 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominees. (grades 3-5)

McGowan, K. (2009). The witch's guide to cooking with children. (Y. Tanaka, illustrator). New York:
     Henry Holt and Company.

Books at Kohl's

Kohl's has Cliffard the Big Red Dog books and the stuffed animals to go with them, $5 each.  These are great for your library, for your own kids, and also make great babyshower gifts.

Goodreads

Just got an account on goodreads.com.  It is a reader's social networking site.  You post books you've read and rate them, and you can post what you are currently reading.  Friend all your buddies so they can see your recommendations and recommend good reads for you.  Have fun!

Dream Job

I was hired in my dream job today. (Actually, I was transferred within the school district.)  I am officially the new school librarian at T. W. Ogg Elementary.  I started last summer working toward my masters in school library and information science when a missed opportunity served as a wakeup call.  Librarians stay in their positions for a long time, so I was totally unprepared last year when an opening came available.  That spurred me into action, and I went back to school while continuing to work as a teacher full time and take care of my busy family.  With budget cuts in education, librarian positions within my school district were on shaky ground; but we made it.  Now I get to work in my own library while finishing up my coursework.

I started this blog as part of my coursework.  I don't know if anyone reads it, but I felt it was appropriate to post this information where I started.  Hopefully, I'll be better about updating with adventures from my new job as librarian.

I do want to share this bit of advice: if you are thinking about going back to school to further your career or change careers, do it now (or as soon as possible).  You never know when the opportunity of a lifetime will present itself, and rarely does it present itself twice.  If I believed in luck, I would say I am lucky; but I know that I am blessed.  May blessings be bestowed on you as well.

National Society of Leadership and Success

This semester in grad school, I was invited to join University of Houston-Clear Lake's chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success.  I have been working to complete the requirements for induction these last two months.  At first, I was just interested because this is an honor society (and I'm very competitive academically), and I thought it would look good on my resume.  Of course it will look good, but I have discovered other benefits, as well.  I have joined a success networking team which helps me form goals and then encourages me to accomplish them.  The society has encouraged me to volunteer in the community more.  Also, I have found wisdom from watching speaker broadcasts.

The most enlightening of these broadcasts so far has been by Tom Krieglstein.  He spoke about utilizing social networking sites to create a positive digital footprint that could help you in your career.  I have always been warned about posting on such sites, which is good advice since many people post some extremely embarrassing information and photos.  But if you are careful about your profile and postings, you can actually develop a digital footprint or indentity that could help you in your career or job search.  That is a revolutionary idea to me!  He also encouraged listeners to start a blog.  Since I already had this because of one of my technology classes, I decided to use it.  Just another small step into the 21st century!