Well it is Decemeber. Somehow my time for posting new posts disappeared. Hmmmmm, I guess it takes a lot of time to be a full time blogger... or even a part time blogger for that matter. So the media center has been painted. The decorated pumpkins have moved in and out, and now since the final order is in it is time to turn my attention to the new project. A TV studio. So how many of you have one of these in your schools?
I think it will be fun and will be a way to engage our reluctant students. However, I think it will be a lot of work to get it up and running. Oh well. I hope though that it doesn't ge tin the way of my reading though. It seems like there is less and less time for that lately.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Another YA title: The Burn Journals
Well we are entering into a routine at the middle school, and I have finally learned where everything is kept. My media center walls were even painted last night--- but the "accent" walls are pepto bismal pink--- Yuck. It gives me an upset stomach just thinking about the color. Nut the good news is that we will get rid of the accent colors.
We will have reading quotes... that will be nice. So what else is new in the Middle School Media Center? I have reaffirmed that my students really have no clue about all of the information they are being bombarded with. They were under the impression it was just all out there for free and that there was no money involved. They were AMAZED to discover that those advertisements on webpages make money for somebody. Really what else could they have been doing there.... amusing people? Anyway my vote is for a media literacy rotation in the 6th grade.... not a foreign language!
Ok so what have I been reading lately? I just finished The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon. It was non-fiction and really quite a compelling read. It chronicles his suicide attempt by trying to set himself on fire and his 8 month recovery. It also provides tremendous insight into the musings of a 14 year old boys mind. It is not for the faint of heart as the language is realistic particularly for someone undergoing such a painful physical experience. But I think it belongs on library shelves particualry 8-12 grades. I won't give it to a 6th grader... but it is a great book.
That reminds me, I'll have to Blog about my first experience with a parent challenge. Actually it went well. Very Well.
We will have reading quotes... that will be nice. So what else is new in the Middle School Media Center? I have reaffirmed that my students really have no clue about all of the information they are being bombarded with. They were under the impression it was just all out there for free and that there was no money involved. They were AMAZED to discover that those advertisements on webpages make money for somebody. Really what else could they have been doing there.... amusing people? Anyway my vote is for a media literacy rotation in the 6th grade.... not a foreign language!
Ok so what have I been reading lately? I just finished The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon. It was non-fiction and really quite a compelling read. It chronicles his suicide attempt by trying to set himself on fire and his 8 month recovery. It also provides tremendous insight into the musings of a 14 year old boys mind. It is not for the faint of heart as the language is realistic particularly for someone undergoing such a painful physical experience. But I think it belongs on library shelves particualry 8-12 grades. I won't give it to a 6th grader... but it is a great book.
That reminds me, I'll have to Blog about my first experience with a parent challenge. Actually it went well. Very Well.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A New Author to Love
Sara Lewis! I love her writing. Of course I have only read one book-- The Answer is Yes but I can tell already she will be one of those authors that I will want to read all of her works. My book club met today and we had the fantastic pleasure of having a phone call from Sara during our meeting. She was delightful on the phone.
She answered our many and varied questions about the book. No it is not autobiographical, and she is not adopted. Her characters are realistic and charming, and the powerful positive message within the book has touched me. It reminds me of a pasta place I used to visit with my husband in Virgina. "Pete's Positive Pasta and Pizzeria" It was a cheery place with huge servings and friendly staff. I mean we all have a choice to greet each day and be the better for it or not. We can choose to miserable or not.
Anyway the book is great. It follows the main character Jenny who is at a crossroads in her life, and by circumstance, or perhaps by being quiet enough to allow the natural rhythm of life to occur she finds her inner self. Along the way she meets delightful characters all rich in their own way. The book reads beautifully. It is as if she Jenny is a friend just chatting with you on the phone. I am going to go check out her other books as soon as possible. Also her website is great and the blog too. Check them out.
http://intuitivewriting.blogspot.com/
And... she has 3 other novels waiting to be published, so come on you people in the industry... We need Sara Lewis' books!
She answered our many and varied questions about the book. No it is not autobiographical, and she is not adopted. Her characters are realistic and charming, and the powerful positive message within the book has touched me. It reminds me of a pasta place I used to visit with my husband in Virgina. "Pete's Positive Pasta and Pizzeria" It was a cheery place with huge servings and friendly staff. I mean we all have a choice to greet each day and be the better for it or not. We can choose to miserable or not.
Anyway the book is great. It follows the main character Jenny who is at a crossroads in her life, and by circumstance, or perhaps by being quiet enough to allow the natural rhythm of life to occur she finds her inner self. Along the way she meets delightful characters all rich in their own way. The book reads beautifully. It is as if she Jenny is a friend just chatting with you on the phone. I am going to go check out her other books as soon as possible. Also her website is great and the blog too. Check them out.
http://intuitivewriting.blogspot.com/
And... she has 3 other novels waiting to be published, so come on you people in the industry... We need Sara Lewis' books!
AAAARGHGHH!
Technology! I love it and I curse it. At least if you set down a piece of paper you have written on it doesn't just evaporate into the netherworld. Anyway, I just hit the wrong button, and my last blog entry disappeared.... where did it go? I imagine it there are many words and letters jumbled around in cyberspace lost.
Anyway I was blogging that I didn't have as much time to blog now that school has started again. Figures, but I love to write so I suppose I will just have to make time. My students are blogging on the blog I set up fro the media center. BUT... the comments are so inane! "6th grade is so coooooll!" or "i just love it here i think...." AARRGH. I know the younger generation is all hip with the online speak, but come on. You have to capitalize the pronoun I. I find it impossible to hit the approve button for these posts with terrible grammar. So----- I edit them. I do. I go in and add capitalization and periods. I leave the other errors that don't bug me so much.
And then I have this moral dilemma. What do you think? Should I edit the posts? I don't want garbled gook to be out their for a world audience. They will think our students are pathetic.
I would love to hear some feedback on this issue. So let me know what you think.
Anyway I was blogging that I didn't have as much time to blog now that school has started again. Figures, but I love to write so I suppose I will just have to make time. My students are blogging on the blog I set up fro the media center. BUT... the comments are so inane! "6th grade is so coooooll!" or "i just love it here i think...." AARRGH. I know the younger generation is all hip with the online speak, but come on. You have to capitalize the pronoun I. I find it impossible to hit the approve button for these posts with terrible grammar. So----- I edit them. I do. I go in and add capitalization and periods. I leave the other errors that don't bug me so much.
And then I have this moral dilemma. What do you think? Should I edit the posts? I don't want garbled gook to be out their for a world audience. They will think our students are pathetic.
I would love to hear some feedback on this issue. So let me know what you think.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
First Days Again!
Let's just say--- I love Middle School! Teachers are truly meant for one level or another-- and now having taught from pres-school through college, I know without a doubt that I love middle schoolers. They are caught up in so many changes from goofy to surly often with mood swings from moment to moment. I even got non-reading 8th grade boys excited about reading William Sleator's The Beasties. The were unable to resist the lure of people who walked around with ears missing, noses bitten off, and strange other injuries that no one talks about. I gotta love Sleator for reluctant readers--- he really draws them in.
Of course would I choose to go through middle school again as a student--- NO WAY! Man they are vicious to one another. I remember very little about my own middle school years except perhaps for the few close friends I had. One of whom I still keep in touch with-- here's a shout out to ya' Paula!
Anyway-- I haven't had much time to read this week-- Go figure-- New school for me, the kids, and the husband too. It is busy here- but new on my bookshelf is The Alchemist's Daughter by Katherine MacMahon, an adult book for a change. I have a feeling I am going to enjoy it quite a bit. It mixes my love of history with science all blended nicely with a page turning plot. I'll write more about it and the goings on at the middle school soon.
Of course would I choose to go through middle school again as a student--- NO WAY! Man they are vicious to one another. I remember very little about my own middle school years except perhaps for the few close friends I had. One of whom I still keep in touch with-- here's a shout out to ya' Paula!
Anyway-- I haven't had much time to read this week-- Go figure-- New school for me, the kids, and the husband too. It is busy here- but new on my bookshelf is The Alchemist's Daughter by Katherine MacMahon, an adult book for a change. I have a feeling I am going to enjoy it quite a bit. It mixes my love of history with science all blended nicely with a page turning plot. I'll write more about it and the goings on at the middle school soon.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The Fiction Section
I was helping a fellow librarian today who was moving back into the library after a "redo". New shelves furniture, carpet--- the works. I unpacked the fiction section and it was like visiting a bunch of old frineds. How often do you get to actually touch and look at every book in the entire fiction section? There were old friends--- Austen, and Tolkien, mixed in with newer titles--
I had fun reliving titles that I recognized from libraries in the past Son of The Mob and Olives Ocean, Boston Jane, Stormbreaker, . It got me thinking about some of the titles I had seen in my elementary school, middle school, and now in this high school. Some stories are good books and a good book and can work at every level. If an author is lucky enough or talented enough to write such a story then it will have staying power.
Well school starts for me on Monday--- hmmmm I am still in denial---- and I wonder how much time I will have to blog. Guess time will tell. Is anyone out there reading anyway? Otherwise it is me just writing away. Sort of like those journals I still have tucked away that I wrote in Middle School. Ah well--- it is the writing experience I enjoy. Perhaps it will get me back n the writing/publishing track.
I had fun reliving titles that I recognized from libraries in the past Son of The Mob and Olives Ocean, Boston Jane, Stormbreaker, . It got me thinking about some of the titles I had seen in my elementary school, middle school, and now in this high school. Some stories are good books and a good book and can work at every level. If an author is lucky enough or talented enough to write such a story then it will have staying power.
Well school starts for me on Monday--- hmmmm I am still in denial---- and I wonder how much time I will have to blog. Guess time will tell. Is anyone out there reading anyway? Otherwise it is me just writing away. Sort of like those journals I still have tucked away that I wrote in Middle School. Ah well--- it is the writing experience I enjoy. Perhaps it will get me back n the writing/publishing track.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Middle School vs High School books?
What makes a book appropriate for HS versus MS? As I am currently switching levels I am reading books that were purchased but not yet put on the shelf to determine if they belong in the MS library. Now I think of myself as pretty liberal, but I still believe that a book for Middle Schoolers is devoid of casual sexual content. I don't believe middle schoolers should find novels in their school libraries that portray the norm as every 16 year old losing their viriginty even if they are using condoms.
Anyway while the above scenario is found in Paranoid Park --- the book is primarily about a skateboarder boy who accidentally is involved in a gruesome killing and decides not to tell anyone. Will students find it a good read---I am sure reluctant readers-- particularly boys would find it hard to put down. But at least for my middle school boys, they will need to wait a few years until high school for this one. There are other books that will fill the void until then.
Anyway while the above scenario is found in Paranoid Park --- the book is primarily about a skateboarder boy who accidentally is involved in a gruesome killing and decides not to tell anyone. Will students find it a good read---I am sure reluctant readers-- particularly boys would find it hard to put down. But at least for my middle school boys, they will need to wait a few years until high school for this one. There are other books that will fill the void until then.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Heat and King Arthur
Wow... it is hot. The only thing to do is stay inside and read... Or bake. I don't know why I tend to fire up the oven when it is 100 degress outside. Anyway, the bread dough rises nicely and quickly outside on the porch. I tried a new recipe--- Jalapeno Bread. It was good and spicy--- While the boys eat it just as is, I think it would make for a good grilled cheese sandwich.
So the book I finished yesterday was The Book of Mordred by Vivian Vande Velde. I like her books and think they are great for the MS or HS student. This was no exception. It follows Kiera a child who has magical abilities and thus is a target for those who wish to use her powers. Kiera's is stolen away as a child and who comes to her mother's rescue to help find the child--- a young Mordred. THis sets in motion a relationship that will continue through the years. THere are battle scenes, magic, suspense, as well as a bit of mystery thrown in with the adventure. At 342 pages it is not for your reluctant readers, but those who devour Arthurian legends will find this a welcome addition to the genre.
So what's next.... Paranoid Park-- Very interesting. Stay cool!
So the book I finished yesterday was The Book of Mordred by Vivian Vande Velde. I like her books and think they are great for the MS or HS student. This was no exception. It follows Kiera a child who has magical abilities and thus is a target for those who wish to use her powers. Kiera's is stolen away as a child and who comes to her mother's rescue to help find the child--- a young Mordred. THis sets in motion a relationship that will continue through the years. THere are battle scenes, magic, suspense, as well as a bit of mystery thrown in with the adventure. At 342 pages it is not for your reluctant readers, but those who devour Arthurian legends will find this a welcome addition to the genre.
So what's next.... Paranoid Park-- Very interesting. Stay cool!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Books and the Beach
Ahhhh-- vacation. It was truly wonderful to be barefoot with sandy toes and books for a whole week. Very few distractions -- perhaps a dip in the wonderfully warm aqua water off of Ocracoke--- interrupted my reading. I truly was barefoot with books this week. So what did I read?
THe first on the list was to finish Fake ID by Walter Sorrels-- a YA pick that is a page turner but not realistic at all. Will kids like it-- yeah probably, but I felt the writing was similar to the action movies like Die Hard.... what inplausible dangerous scene can we add for our heroine to deal with now? Gun toting thugs who make her dig her own grave? Mad dashes through rickety houses where the bad guys don't know where to step? A 16 year old girl must find her mother and her own identity before it is too late. I wouldn't buy this one for your shelves.
For an adult read I read Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish. This is chik lit with a capital C. Annie is dead and has arranged before her death of terminal cancer a traveling funeral for her friends. SHe attends via her ashes contained in red high top tennis shoes, but is sprinkled at various stops along the way. There are many tears, laughter, and amazing episodes en route--- with the messages pounded home that life is a gift to be embraced. It is a lovely message and I felt like a part of the traveling entourage, but the "message" got a bit repetitive. Overall it was a good read and now I am on the search for a pair of red high top shoes for myself as a reminder to embrace the goodness and miraculous in the everyday.
Did I read other books--- yes-- but they can wait for another post! Keep reading--
THe first on the list was to finish Fake ID by Walter Sorrels-- a YA pick that is a page turner but not realistic at all. Will kids like it-- yeah probably, but I felt the writing was similar to the action movies like Die Hard.... what inplausible dangerous scene can we add for our heroine to deal with now? Gun toting thugs who make her dig her own grave? Mad dashes through rickety houses where the bad guys don't know where to step? A 16 year old girl must find her mother and her own identity before it is too late. I wouldn't buy this one for your shelves.
For an adult read I read Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish. This is chik lit with a capital C. Annie is dead and has arranged before her death of terminal cancer a traveling funeral for her friends. SHe attends via her ashes contained in red high top tennis shoes, but is sprinkled at various stops along the way. There are many tears, laughter, and amazing episodes en route--- with the messages pounded home that life is a gift to be embraced. It is a lovely message and I felt like a part of the traveling entourage, but the "message" got a bit repetitive. Overall it was a good read and now I am on the search for a pair of red high top shoes for myself as a reminder to embrace the goodness and miraculous in the everyday.
Did I read other books--- yes-- but they can wait for another post! Keep reading--
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thanks-- JK Rowling
Ahhh--- I am done. I need not worry about spoilers anymore, and you need not worry about finding any spoilers here. I read in the car back from Vermont and for the next day and 1/2. I thought it was great and wrapped up the series well. I will miss the series-- the complex characters, the excitement of good versus evil, Harry and his friends. Will JK write again? A new series perhaps? I hope so. I can hardly imagine her not writing after such a prolific series.
Anyway--- today I prepare for the beach. I am looking forward to reading Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral while I am there. An adult book for a change. I will truly be barefoot with a book and sand between my toes. Perhaps there will be posts from the beach--- perhaps not. Afterall that is what vacations are for!
Anyway--- today I prepare for the beach. I am looking forward to reading Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral while I am there. An adult book for a change. I will truly be barefoot with a book and sand between my toes. Perhaps there will be posts from the beach--- perhaps not. Afterall that is what vacations are for!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Mud, Boys, and Books!
I am back after a trip up to Vermont to retrieve J from a 4 week camp in the Green Mountains. What have I learned from this experience? (Actually I knew it already but had forgotten it in the past few quiet weeks when boys were traveling) Boys love mud! and when electronics are not present they will turn to and enjoy books some of the time... I had to forgo my barefeet as it was just to ooky for me. J read and read and read he quickly devoured the books I had sent and borrowed all he could from tentmates and staffmen.
I also got a chance to read on the trip up and back. I finished Skin which was awful... I am not even going to put it on the Middle School Blog--- it had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I also read another Black Eyed Susan Nominee--- Crooked River--- it was a refreshing genre I had never read before--- A historical Courtroom drama. I wonder though whether it will catch the interest of the intended audience of 6-9 grade?
And of course.... Harry! I am 1/3 of the way through and I love it. It was great to see it all around the camp. Staffman snuck off to read a chapter or two--- over 48 copies were delivered in Saturdays mail to the staff and kids-- others had theirs delivered as it was mid-season. It is wonderful to have a book make such a splash on so many. What will be the next "harry" we all will be so wild about? Hmmmmmmm...... it makes one think!
I also got a chance to read on the trip up and back. I finished Skin which was awful... I am not even going to put it on the Middle School Blog--- it had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I also read another Black Eyed Susan Nominee--- Crooked River--- it was a refreshing genre I had never read before--- A historical Courtroom drama. I wonder though whether it will catch the interest of the intended audience of 6-9 grade?
And of course.... Harry! I am 1/3 of the way through and I love it. It was great to see it all around the camp. Staffman snuck off to read a chapter or two--- over 48 copies were delivered in Saturdays mail to the staff and kids-- others had theirs delivered as it was mid-season. It is wonderful to have a book make such a splash on so many. What will be the next "harry" we all will be so wild about? Hmmmmmmm...... it makes one think!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Northward
I'll be away from the computer for a few days so 23 Things and Blog postings will be on hold until next week. Hopefully when I return I will have Harry Potter in hand. It has been a dilemma as to how to deal with accessing Potter while on the road--- I could not find a presence on the web for any bookstores in the area I am headed to--- with 10 hours in the car on Sunday, I will need Harry Potter for my sanity. I know there is a Walmart presence, so hopefully all will be well.
I just hope I can read in the car. Funny--- wasn't a problem as a kid. Best Wishes go out to ME and her husband J for a speedy and recovery. Live each moment, and cherish the unexpected delights in everyday living---
I just hope I can read in the car. Funny--- wasn't a problem as a kid. Best Wishes go out to ME and her husband J for a speedy and recovery. Live each moment, and cherish the unexpected delights in everyday living---
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Zucchini Bread gone Bad!
Arrgh! There is only one thing to do with the surplus of zucchini's these days... turn them into chocolate cake. Unfortunately something went awry with the recipe and there was cake batter oozing all over the oven, down onto the heating element creating a smoky smelly mess.
What is person to do? Give up, grab a glass of pinot, and a book of course. Currently I am reading Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos. It's YA and seems to throw in the F bomb whenever appropriate-- when the storyline would suffice without it. Does just adding the "F" bomb make it edgy and desirable for kids to read... so far I would say no.
Anyway--- you can see I have added my avatar with the help from the tech savy kid -- from now on referred to as JD. If only my cyberspace self can do the dieting and exercise necessary to maintain that look. JD however assures me I will need a different avatar for the school blog. I can't be running around the media center in short shorts--- barefoot sure but with longer pants! If anyone knows where I can find a barefoot avatar with longer leggings, please let me know.
What is person to do? Give up, grab a glass of pinot, and a book of course. Currently I am reading Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos. It's YA and seems to throw in the F bomb whenever appropriate-- when the storyline would suffice without it. Does just adding the "F" bomb make it edgy and desirable for kids to read... so far I would say no.
Anyway--- you can see I have added my avatar with the help from the tech savy kid -- from now on referred to as JD. If only my cyberspace self can do the dieting and exercise necessary to maintain that look. JD however assures me I will need a different avatar for the school blog. I can't be running around the media center in short shorts--- barefoot sure but with longer pants! If anyone knows where I can find a barefoot avatar with longer leggings, please let me know.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Blogs and Such
I just finished the book Uglies by Scott Westerfield and will probably start something new today. It is almost too hot to be barefoot outside, so I have spent the morning trying to learn more about how to manage my Blog --- the school one. I am learning the difference between pages and posts and such. This personal blog is much simpler. Though I am beginning to see the advantage to this whole social networking and tagging thing. It makes great sense particularly in education. I added someone to my del.icio.us network because he ha these great school library links. I will be able to benefit from all of his time spent searching.
I know in order to make blogs and such useable with kids--- I need to have some understanding of what it is all about. But I think it would be super cool if kids actually use it to start talking about books! Wouldn't it?
I know in order to make blogs and such useable with kids--- I need to have some understanding of what it is all about. But I think it would be super cool if kids actually use it to start talking about books! Wouldn't it?
Friday, July 13, 2007
Introductions and Barefoot Beginnings
Welcome to the online meanderings and postings of a barefoot librarian who is jumping into the Library2.0 feet first. There's no testing the waters-- I"m jumping in and creating several blogs. This one is my personal meanderings and musings-- Time will tell as to the direction and form it takes.
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