Kisses or Disses

ALA Awards Announced!

2012-01-23T11:45:00.002-05:00

Guess what book received the Newbery Award for 2012? Yes, my current "Oh my gosh, this book is great - Dead End in Norvelt". I'm telling you - don't miss this one. I'll order more.

Another favorite of many of you - The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen- received the Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Click here to see the complete list of this year's award winners.

Scott O'Dell Award

2012-01-17T12:54:00.000-05:00

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

In 1982, Scott O'Dell established The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The annual award of $5,000 goes to an author for a meritorious book published in the previous year for children or young adults. Scott O'Dell established this award to encourage other writers--particularly new authors--to focus on historical fiction. He hoped in this way to increase the interest of young readers in the historical background that has helped to shape their country and their world.

If you read my previous post, I told you this was one not to miss. I love when I am right.

Potpourri

2012-01-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

Potpourri - noun \ˌpō-pu̇-ˈrē\ 2. : a miscellaneous collection (Merriam-Webster online)

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane is the story of 8th grade Molly. Her father has recently died in an auto accident, her mother is going through the motions of living, and she is just trying to figure out things and cope day to day. To overcome some of her problems, she decides to join the baseball team - the boys baseball team since baseball helps her feel connected to her dad. She only hopes the knuckleball she can throw will help her earn the position. Realistic and memorable.

Legend by Marie Lu is the first novel for this art director of a video game company. (I can visualize the characters and settings in a game.) Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, Day is from the slums and is the most wanted criminal in the Republic. June is a member of the elite, a military prodigy,with nothing but a bright future ahead of her. However, when June's brother is murdered, Day's and June's paths cross when Day becomes the prime suspect. June sets out to apprehend him and bring him to justice. But all is not what it seems. If you like dystopian novels, this is for you. Action, thriller with a sprinkle of romance.

Jack Gantos' Dead End in Norvelt made me laugh out loud. Really. I know many of you (OK, most of you) avoid historical fiction like the plague. Even though this is historical fiction/non-fiction - because the character's name is Jack Gantos - don't miss this one. Jack does some pretty dumb things and suffers an summer of grounding for his actions. One thing that gets him out of the house/yard is helping an elderly lady write the obituaries for the local paper. His summer is filled with death, gore, fire, Hell's Angels, and nosebleeds. If you think your hometown is weird, you have never been to Norvelt. Don't miss this one!

2011 Favorite Books

2012-01-12T11:11:00.003-05:00

Here is a quick review of your favorite books from September 2011 to December 2011. No surprise - Hunger Games trilogy was at the top of the list!

Ranger's Apprentice

2011-12-29T15:44:00.002-05:00

If you have a Kindle, you can download John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice for free. Here is the link to Scribd.

How great is that?

Hunger Games. . . again!

2011-09-29T13:34:00.003-04:00

THANKS to Mrs. Cole for the CNN link about the upcoming Hunger Games movie.

Read the article and opinion of the movie, and the book(s), here. Oh, and check out the characters and see if they fit your mind's pictures of Katniss and Gale.

10 Free Online Image Editing Tools

2011-07-21T08:23:00.001-04:00

10 Free Online Image Editing Tools

Great tips and tools for teachers from Richard Byrne.

Almost Summer Break

2011-06-07T09:07:00.004-04:00

Another debut novel! Memento Nora by Angie Smibert, a contributing author to Odyssey ( a science fiction magazine for the YA crowd) is another novel about a dystopian society. OK, that sounded a bit like a whine. . .it isn't. Is this the nail-biting, suspense, action packed adventure of The Hunger Games? No, but it does have the very controlling society that speaks to how we as members of society are subtly manipulated and controlled. TFC is the Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic where citizens can go to forget their troubles or nightmares. Nora and her mother are at TFC after a bomb attack where Nora and her mother are eye-witnesses. It is Nora's first visit to TFC and all she has to do is swallow the little white pill. But then she sees a guy with the word Memento written on his cast and he quickly shows her the pill on his tongue. Now, she is faced with a choice. What will she choose? Find out what happens to Nora and the guy, Micah.

PS The sequel is being written.

Check out the website!

Gearing up for Summer!

2011-06-02T09:11:00.005-04:00

Memorial Day weekend provided a three day weekend which gave me some time to relax, enjoy the family, and read. So I did.

Day One: Marie Lamba's first book What I meant. . . is the story of fifteen year old Sangeet Jumnal. Sangeet is a good daughter, a good student, a good friend, and a good sister. Her aunt (who she refers to as "evil") seems to be causing her parents to think she is bulimic, her school work to suffer, her friend thinks she is annoying, and her sister thinks she is a thief. Life is not going well at all. And, the boy she thinks she loves is a bit aloof. Find out what happens with Sangeet and her trials. It is funny, sad, and heart warming.

Day Two: Another first novel - How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen is another novel that is funny, sad, and heart warming. Lamar has asthma and loves to bowl. His nickname for himself is "King of Strikers" because he is really, really good. His older brother, Xavier, is a basketball star; everyone is sure he will be pro when he's finished with high school. Typical older brother, X, as he is referred to, puts down Lamar every opportunity he gets. So there is sibling rivalry, friend/girlfriend issues, peer pressure, and self-respect all tied into this one book.

Day Three: "You are indestructible." Three words, innocently written on a cast. Jacob was whispered those three words by his foster parent right before they hit the tree head on. They should have both been killed, and now Jacob is indestructible. However, when the words allow the person to really be indestructible, what happens? Does the Grim Reaper just say, "Oh, that's OK. Later, dude." Or does the Grim Reaper wait and wreak havoc just a bit later? Good mystery, with decisions of good and evil, and life and death on practically every page of Thirteen Days to Midnight.

Day Four: (I took a personal day.) True (. . . sort of) is Katherine Hannigan's first novel since Ida B. This is a captivating look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered. Delly Pattison has been told she is trouble since she was six and left the chickens out of the cage at the county fair. Delly also makes up words (which surprisingly make a lot of sense) like surpresent -a present that is a surprise. She is sure she is going to receive a surpresent the day the Boyds come to town. And, Ferris Boyd is like no one Delly has ever met. This is is another novel that is funny, sad, and heart warming.

Action-Adventure

2011-05-16T11:31:00.003-04:00

The Doomsday Box: A Shadow Project Adventure by Herbie Brennan is a Junior Library Guild selection. Somehow the books from JLG either become award winners or are just really good reads. The jury is out on whether this will be an award winner, but my verdict is in - it is a good read!

Four teenage spies - Opal, Danny, Michael, and Fuchsia - are members of the Shadow Project. These teens have supernatural abilities which are desperately needed to stop an undercover agent, Cobra. Agent Cobra has time-traveled to the Middle Ages and returned with a small box containing vials. When the box is opened, a deadly plague is unleashed in the world today that could lead to millions of people dying. The Shadow Project members are needed to go back in time, meet up with Agent Cobra, and stop him from unleashing this horror on the world. And, so they are headed to Moscow. . . in 1962.

If you like Alex Rider, you will enjoy this. If you like spies, you will enjoy this. You can even learn a bit of history in this book too.

Another Good One

2011-03-30T20:02:00.002-04:00

It seems lately so many of the books I've been reading are fantasy or futuristic rather depressing science fiction, like Incarceron or The Maze Runner/The Scorch Trials. Although those novel really do pull you in and stimulate "What if. . .?" thinking. Then, a new Wendelin Van Draanen book arrived. Being in the middle of three rather ho-hum books, I started it during lunch the other day. This book is not a depressing futuristic science fiction; it is just the opposite.

The Running Dream is the story of Jessica Carlisle. She defines herself by her running. She loves it. She breathes it. She lives it. Hours after breaking the record for the 400 meter race, a runaway truck plows into their bus and causes a horrific tragedy. One track member is dead, and Jessica has lost her leg. How will Jessica deal with this? How will her friends handle her disability? Will she be able to walk again? Is it possible to even think of running again?

To discover the answers to those questions, read The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen.

Van Draanen is a runner herself and with her husband has founded Exercise the Right to Read. The campaign is designed to get kids reading and running and help school libraries. You can also check out her website.

Katniss is Cast

2011-03-19T11:01:00.003-04:00

It is official. Jennifer Lawrence has been cast as Katniss Everdeen. Suzanne Collins said, "Jennifer's just an incredible actress. So powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, unforgiving and brave. I never thought we'd find somebody this perfect for the role. And I can't wait for everyone to see her play it."(Source: MTV.)

Now, if they can only get Jack Nicholson to play Haymitch

Incarceron Update

2011-01-25T10:20:00.003-05:00

The sequel to Incarceron, Sapphique, is now in the library. I finished it last night. It is fast paced, packed with twists and turns in the plot, political intrigue, magic, strange characters - you know, all the characteristics of great fantasy. Finn, Claudia, and Jared are dealing with the dangers in the outside world; Attia and Keiro are dealing with the dangers of Incarceron.

If you love fantasy, read the series. And, if you love this actor - Taylor Lautner - you may be interested to know that he will star in the movie Incarceron. Read the book first - it is always better than the movie.

2010-12-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

This and That

2010-10-24T09:48:00.002-04:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the favorite book of teens according to AASL (American Association of School Librarians). This is no surprise to me since we have twelve copies of the book and all of them are checked out AND there is a hold list. As you may or not know, the movie for Hunger Games is in the works. Mr. Warfel was a bit annoyed with me when I told him my choice of actors for Haymitch. He said all he could see in his mind's eye was Jack Nicholson, but I think he is perfect for the role! Who would you choose?

Over the last two weeks, I immersed myself in the Harry Potter videos - one through six. It was so interesting seeing the growth of Harry and pals through each video, as both the fictional characters and real life actors. The first installment of Deathly Hallows is released next month in case you are interested. Mrs. Owens reminded me that a few years ago I said "Eh...Harry Potter" (I was angry with Harry for being so angry. Yes, I get too involved in characters. Forgive me. I am a librarian.) Well, I just reread The Deathly Hallows because I couldn't remember if Snape was a good guy or not. I wasn't disappointed and I take back what I said about Harry Potter.

I will not, however, change my mind about Twilight, the books or the movies.

Another Great Fantasy!

2010-09-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

This is fabulous fantasy! Incarceron is a prison. Those imprisoned cannot escape since it has been sealed for centuries. Prisoners do live in cells, in metal forests, decaying cities, and strange wildernesses. Legends say only one has ever escaped this place. Finn is convinced he is from the Outside - that unknown realm that seems to be only a dream.

Claudia is from the Outside; she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. Through a strange series of events, Finn and Claudia communicate through a crystal key. Can she help Finn escape the prison? Is she really Outside? Do they have the strength, courage and conviction to accomplish this feat?

PS The sequel will be released in late December.

Adoration of Jenna Fox

2010-09-27T10:01:00.004-04:00

Great read!

New Professional Books

2010-09-21T09:06:00.003-04:00

This is different than my usual posts since it is exclusively for the teachers. So, here is a list and summary of new professional books available in the library for your perusal.

On Excellence in Teaching, edited by Robert Marzano. This book contains three chapters - Theories of Excellence, Systemic Excellence, Classroom Excellence - from renownded education leaders in the world. Chapters are filled with ideas and practical advice to improve instruction.

Cemeteries: Alive with Learning by Barbara Kissling. Ideas on how a cemetary can provide intersting learning experiences.

Visual Impact, Visual Teaching: Using Images to Strengthen Learning by Timothy Gangwer.Practical advice on how to stimulate students' interest and participation by using visual strategies and activites. All subject areas can benefit from this guide.

Primary Source: Teaching the Web 2.0 Way K-12 by Mary Johnson. Extensive listing of popular Web 2.0 tools, primary sources, and a guid eon how to get started.

Nonfiction Mentor Texts: Teaching Information Writing Through Children's Literature, K-8 by Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli. Use this book to help your students become more effective writers of nonfiction. A helpful list is included, as well as insturction on how to select appropriate texts to use.

Good Girl Read!

2010-09-14T10:24:00.000-04:00

Mockingjay

2010-08-30T12:50:00.005-04:00

It seemed to be forever for this book to be released. To prepare, I reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire to have the story and characters fresh in my mind. I am so very glad I did as I gained a new perspective and appreciation for characters and circumstances.

This book begins with Katniss visiting District 12. And...we're off.

Careful reading is required to savor every word, every action, every thought and every deed of Katniss'. I will not include any spoilers. That just ruins the whole experience. Be careful when exploring other sites because not everyone that posts comments remembers you might want to find out for yourself.

Fantastic. Fabulous. I laughed. I cried. I LOVED IT!

Probable New Series: Number Six

2010-06-30T08:52:00.005-04:00

Teri Hall's The Line is her first book and the last page had me thinking, "OK, now that you've told me that...where is the next chapter." Sigh.

Rachel is the main character in The Line. Her mother and her live on estate with Ms. Moore. The estate is in a relatively isolated area which borders the line. The line is an invisible barrier to Away. The government created the National Border Defense System to keep invaders out; it also kept citizens out (and in) when it was activated. Many scary stories are told about what is living in Away, but Rachel doesn't quiet believe them, and when she hears a cry for help from Away - a young man's voice - she is even more curious. Now, she discovers her country's true history and the parts her parents played during the War.

Is this a grab you right away book? Nope. Is this a nail-biting, action-packed, cliff-hanger? Nope. Is it worth reading? Yes, because it makes you think about freedoms we take for granted and the dangers of being unaware, uninformed and complacent.

Four and Five: Discoveries and Decisions

2010-06-26T12:25:00.004-04:00

Sherri L. Smith's Flygirl is the story of Ida Mae Jones. Ever since her father went to Chicago to aeronautics school and returned home with his own plane, all Ida Mae has wanted to do is fly. There are a few problems with this given it is the 1940's. First, most females don't fly airplanes. Second, Ida Mae is an African American. As far as her mother sees it, that is "two strikes against her" even if her skin color is much lighter than most. When the U.S. Army forms a group of women pilots - WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots - Ida Mae sees an opportunity. However, to be a WASP (It seems as though the W could have stood for white too) Ida Mae pretends to be someone she isn't and along the way discovers who she really is.

Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings takes place in Maryland, along the Chesapeake Bay. Brady, and his best friends J.T. and Digger, are in middle school and love to go fishing, crabbing, boating and swimming. The crabbing industry is suffering and times are lean for many families. But the land is valuable since the area is beautiful; rich families buy and build and move into their very exclusive homes built on the land that Brady, T.J. and Digger used to call their own. They bring their fancy cars, their motor boats, and even a kayak. However, one day tragedy strikes one family - the DiAngelos - when their kayak overturns in the bay. The tragedy is difficult for Brady to deal with, and when he discovers the truth, he must make a decision that could impact the lives of many.

Both books make you think and examine your own actions. I love when literature does that.

Two and Three: Mythology

2010-06-13T06:31:00.005-04:00

Stephanie Spinner's novels Quiver and Quicksilver have sat unnoticed in the literature circle section. What a shame. Quick reads. Lots of the mythology characters. Short, unique perspectives on some myths.

Quiver is the story of Atalanta, famous for her archery skills and fleet feet. Artemis rescued her when she was an infant (her dad put her out in the wilderness to die). Atalanta is now sixteen and her dad, a king, summons her. Not one to change or show remorse, her dad now orders her to marry and provide an heir to the kingdom. Atalanta has no intentions of getting married since she is devoted to Artemis. After careful deliberation, she agrees to the order with this condition - the man must beat her in a race. If he loses, he dies.

Hermes, the god of music, thieves, and personal messenger of Zeus, tells these five stories from his point of view in Quicksilver. The stories include his visit to Hades to rescue Persephone; how he helps Perseus; Paris and the Golden Apple; the Trojan War - caused by the Golden Apple fiasco; and Calypso and Odysseus.

Summer Vacation! Book One.

2010-06-10T08:05:00.004-04:00

Considering my profession requires keeping current on new literature for middle school students, I really look forward to summer when I can read even more! Oh, the joy of having a profession you truly love.

Last night I finished Bounce by Natasha Friend (author of Perfect). Evyn and her brother, Mackey, live with only their dad for as long as Evyn can remember. Her mother died when she was only one from an automobile accident. They have their family quirks - who doesn't - but all in all, Birdie (that is what they call him) is a great father. He is patient, hard working, kind, and supportive. During a special dinner, he has an announcement to make and informs them that he is getting married. Now, Evyn had met the woman - once - and really didn't pay too much attention - but married?!?! AND - they were moving to Boston to live in her house with her five - count them - five children! So, they bounce off to Boston leaving behind Evyn's friends, her school, and the only home she has ever known!

Told in first person, this is a funny, yet very insightful and real depiction of what it might be like to experience a situation like this. Put it on your list. You will not be sorry. I think the characters are worthy of a sequel.

Another Web 2.0 Tool

2010-05-19T09:47:00.003-04:00

I love playing with all of the Web 2.0 applications out there. So much fun! This one is called PicLits and you can select pictures and use the words in drag-n-drop feature or freestyle to create a saying, a poem, whatever you like. Only thing I don't like about it is you are pretty much stuck with the font and the font color - which may or may not work for your image.

PicLits

Give it a try!

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

The Last Survivor Series

2010-05-06T11:59:00.004-04:00

Fun Generator!

2010-04-23T11:51:00.004-04:00

Remember Mrs. Farrell? She sent me this link that allows you to create a Wimpy You! I created this one of me. Check out the link and watch the trailer of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and click on the link to Wimp Yourself!

WimpYourself

Have some fun with this. Oh, and if you haven't read the books - give them a try.

Exciting Reads

2010-04-09T08:11:00.005-04:00

Number 8 by Anna Fienberg

Jackson has a few quirks - OK - a LOT of quirks. Like he doesn't like odd numbers, particularly the number 7, he counts his blinks and his steps - you get the picture. His mother and he have just moved to the suburbs in a nice quiet neighborhood to hide out from her former boss after she unintentionally witnessed criminal activity. Now, Jackson has a new school, new kids, new teachers, and then he meets Esmerelda. Told in alternating chapters by Jackson and Esmerelda, this exciting mystery will have you biting your nails and tuning in your ipod to a rock station to listen to all the songs mentioned in this mystery.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Thomas is put in the box. He remembers his first name, he has some memories but nothing tangible to attach to it - like knowing how to ride a bike, but not remembering how you learned to ride the bike. Those memories are gone. For two years, once a month a new boy has arrived in the Glade, an expanse of land with towering walls surrounding the whole area. During the day, there are a few openings in the walls, but at night the walls go shut to keep out the Grievers. Why is he here? What is this Maze the boys keep talking about? How will he fit in? How do they get out? Why does he feel like he knows something important about the Maze?

But then the very next day, a girl - the first girl ever - arrives! And she delivers a frightening message. Read this exciting, fast-paced, science fiction adventure to find out.

Sequel to Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

2010-02-21T08:48:00.005-05:00

If you've read any of my postings, you know I am a big fan of Jordan Sonnenblick - the person and his writing. His newest book, After Ever After, has confirmed it.

This is Jeffrey's story. Now he is the eighth grader, suffering from late effects from his treatments. He walks with a limp, he has trouble focusing, and math just does not compute for him. His best friend, Tad, also a survivor, may not be strong enough to walk, but has strength of character and observation. Steven has taken off to Africa to find himself through drumming, leaving Jeffrey without his main go-to guy.

Jeffrey learns that he needs to start depending on himself, but it sure isn't easy with a gorgeous new girl in school, Tad challenging him in so many ways, and a state mandated math test he is sure he will fail.

You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be sorry if you do not read this one!

TV vs. Books

2010-01-25T09:27:00.005-05:00

I must confess that I've not been reading as much as I usually do. After three years, we broke down and bought a television and entered the present by also getting satellite TV. I felt like I entered a whole new world - the History Channel, Discovery, Food Network - WOW! I scanned, watched the Guide, flipped, and experienced this new world.

And, after a month of this, I've discovered that most channels show the same old shows over and over again. All of this money to watch the same shows...again and again. So, what with the football games on yesterday (my team was eliminated earlier) I. Picked. Up. A. Book.

Oh, the feel of the pages, the immersion into the story and characters...so good! The book I picked up was Six Innings: A Game in the Life by James Preller, one of the PA Young Readers' Choice books. It should come as no surprise that the book is a baseball book.

The book takes place during the little league championship game. IF you love baseball, like I do, this is a great read as it includes the thoughts of the players, the strategies of baseball, and friendship of the boys playing the game. It is funny and exciting, and isn't one of those preachy books about "baseball as life". But you'll get the message.

Two Suggestions

2009-12-10T07:53:00.000-05:00

It seems I have two or three books going at a time right now. When the books are of similar story lines or the same genre, characters and plots do get a bit jumbled in my brain. However, the two most recent completions (say that fast five times) are very different.

Bystander by James Preller starts with the new kid in town, Eric, shooting hoops on the playground. He sees this boy, about his age, running towards him. This boy's gait is off, he keeps looking over his shoulder, checking on who might be behind him. He stops to catch his breath, and quickly takes off again. What Eric picked up from this short interaction is this kid is scared. Very, very scared. And then Eric meets Griffin and his cronies.

Neptune's Children by Bonnie Dobkin is an exciting sci-fi adventure. The story begins with a plague - a man-made plague - designed to destroy entire countries. When the canisters are precisely detonated, anyone over the age of fifteen is struck. What the designers of the plague failed to plan for was mutations, and so they become victims of their own planned disaster. Everyone that remains is fourteen and younger. This is story of a group of kids who had been on vacation with their families in a theme park - Isles of Wonder. How will they survive without rules, adult guidance, or even food?

Margaret Peterson Haddix

2009-12-03T08:26:00.001-05:00

I just finished the second book in The Missing series by Haddix, of Shadow Children series fame. Found, the first book, is a great science fiction read. Jonah is a regular middle school kid who likes to shoot hoops, hang with his friends, avoid his younger sister - he could be you. His parents, who love him dearly, told him as soon as he was old enough to understand, that he is adopted. One day while hanging with his friend Chip he received mail in a plain white envelope with this message inside: You are one of the missing. Missing? He's lived in his house for as long as he can remember. What he doesn't know is that thirteen years ago a plane appeared at an airport that wasn't scheduled to land, hadn't reported engine trouble...it just wasn't. However, he was on that plane along with thirty-five other babies. No pilots, no navigators, no flight attendants - just the babies. Jonah, Chip, and his sister Katherine set out to discover what the note means and a drawn into the mystery surrounding their arrival thirteen years ago.

On to book number two - Sent. Without giving away too much of the first book, Jonah, Chip, and Katherine find themselves in the fifteenth century in the Tower of London. This book is suspenseful, mysterious, and as thrilling as the first one. I am ready for the third one...whenever that may be.

NOTE: Found is one of the books in the PA Young Readers choices. Read any three - and they are all good - and you can vote for your favorite one. The author will receive an award from PSLA (PA School Librarians Association). Authors really like this kind of thing...honestly.

Yummy, Yummy!

2009-10-30T10:11:00.000-04:00

I thought since the holidays are fast approaching I'd focus on some great cookbooks we have in the library. Check one out. Try a new recipe and impress the folks!

Great Grilled Cheese: 50 Innovative Recipes for Stovetop, Grill and Sandwich Maker by Laura Werlin. I never met a cheese I didn't like and put it in a sandwich - divine!
Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Megan and Jill Clark. Recipes for breakfast, snacks, dessert, soups, salad, your family, and just for one.
The Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook by Judy Krizmanic. Easy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack-time made from ingredients found in the local grocery store. The granola recipe looks quite tasty!
The Tailgating Cookbook: Recipes for the Big Game by Bob Sloan. Going to Penn State? Tailgating? Check out this book and make everyone's mouth water with your delectable delights!
The Young Chef's Mexican (French, Chinese, Italian) Cookbook(s): Step by Step Fun Recipes for Young Chefs. Great pictures and yummy recipes are included on each page of this series. In the Mexican book, the salsa pico do gallo looked particularly tasty.

And, last but certainly not least, the grand dame of cooking - Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share. I am sorry to say this is not a scratch and sniff book. How do Macadamia-Maple Sticky Bars sound? Or Peppermint Meringue Sandwiches with Chocolate Filling? Or Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies? Or...

Cool Generator!

2009-10-16T11:37:00.001-04:00

Check out this easy to use cartoon creator from ToonDoo ! Try it.

Catching Fire Book Trailer

2009-10-03T16:21:00.000-04:00

Lions, Cyclops, and Goats..oh my!

2009-10-01T10:38:00.000-04:00

After hearing rave reviews of this series - picture Mrs. Owens doing cartwheels - I had to read this one. It has everything a great read needs - a hero, villains (plenty of them in here), adventure, suspense, humor,and action ...oh and throw in a sword fight or two too. I finished this one last weekend and am now half way through the second one.

Don't miss this rollicking modern day mythology laden adventure!

In the series:

The Lightning Thief
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Last Olympian

Update: I have finished The Sea of Monsters - another exciting fantastic adventure filled with Mythology references. Now, on to the next one!
Update #2: Finished The Titan's Curse but I can't proceed because I only brought two home...sigh
Update #3: I have finished the series. It is quite good, a bit repetitive with the series recap information in each book. You know why authors do this - someone hasn't read the series inorder, they need to recap and fill in all the blanks - just skip over that since you really don't have to retain any of this. BUT, if you like this, try more detailed stories, like Edith Hamilton, Olivia Coolidge, or even Homer's writings.

If you liked Harry Potter, try this series. They are similar, but this series has more humor.

8th Grade Book Talks

2009-09-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Amazon.com Widgets

Oh, so Good - Wendy Mass!

2009-05-11T11:28:00.000-04:00

If you have not read anything by the author Wendy Mass - take the time and check one out. She is the author of Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, Every Soul a Star, 11 Birthdays, A Mango Shaped Space, and Leap Day. I've read those that are red and have not regretted one minute of the time expended.

The book I have read most recently is Every Soul a Star which is written from the point of view of three very distinctly different teenagers. Ally, short for Alpha, lives with her parents and brother on a very isolated campground named Moon Shadow. The campground is so named because a total eclipse of the sun will be occurring and the campground is at the perfect spot. Ally is an admitted, and proud of it, astronomy fan. Bree's family is moving to the campground because her parents are scientists. To say that Bree is unhappy is putting it mildly. She is into malls, fashion, and her friends. Jack is helping his science teacher on the eclipse tour... so he doesn't have to go to summer school. The scientific talk is way out of his league and comfort level; so is being on a bus with a bunch of strangers to go to a campground. Now, bring these three teens together as they prepare to witness this amazing event and discover their place in the universe.

That is the plot. However, that is only part of the story. There is plenty of scientific information written in an easy to understand way. Information about stars, galaxies, telescopes, space junk, eclipses, planets, even the SETI organization should peak your interest.

Check out these outer space sites:

Readers in the Library! Will you be next?

2009-04-16T12:37:00.000-04:00

Another Spirited Adventure

2009-04-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

I've looked at this title for at least a year and never took the time to read it. Then, last month the third title in the series arrived - Starclimber - and it looked so intriguing, I just had to read it. Well, you know how that goes. You just cannot possibly read the last book in the series first. How would you do that? Read them backwards to get to the first one last? That didn't work in the logical area of my brain. So, I began at the beginning.

Matt is a cabin boy aboard the airship Aurora, which sails passengers across the seas. He loves being in the air, feeling much more at home than on the ground. His captain is an honorable man, his crew mates are supportive and helpful, and he has a good friend in Baz. The adventure begins when Matt notices a seemingly unmanned balloon headed toward the airship. When the Aurora hooks up with the balloon, the pilot is unconcious, near death, but shares with Matt that he has seen beautiful, winged creatures flying. However, the old man dies before Matt has a chance to discover exactly what creatures he was referring to. It is now a year later, and the rest of the story starts. Matt has never forgotten the balloonist's words of the beautiful creatures, and only when he meets the balloonist's granddaughter, does he begin to believe the creatures could be real.

This book is filled with interesting characters, dangerous situations, and swashbuckling adventures in the skies. Now, on to the sequels...

Sequels: Skybreaker (2) and Starclimber (3)

UPDATE: I finished the sequels mentioned above and they are great reads too. It seems that fantasies are becoming my favorites...never thought I'd write that.

Kenneth Oppel has also written the Silverwing Trilogy.

Spring Break!

2009-04-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

Stop in at the library and check out a book or two for the break. There are a lot of new books, both fiction and non-fiction. You might want to check out a cookbook to make a healthy snack, or maybe even dinner. Check out the Lacrosse for Dummies book or the David Beckham soccer book. Read The Hunger Games if it is still on the shelves - it goes out as soon as it come in! How about an art book or a field guide to see the kinds of birds, or trees, or flowers?

There really is so much to see at your library!

A bit Depressing, but Good

2009-03-24T08:02:00.000-04:00

In the mood for a historical adventure, filled with rich details about what life would be like in a Communist state? Read Anne Fine's The Road of Bones. This novel is a tale of survival by a young teen that is marked as "an enemy of the state" for a few muttered words. Yuri is on the run, leaving his family, to avoid the beating and eventual imprisonment for his crime that is not really a crime as we know it.

Terry Trueman's Hurricane: A Novel is based on Hurricane Mitch, one of the worst storms to ever hit the Caribbean. Jose is fourteen and lives in a small village with his parents, brothers, and sisters. Life is good for his family and him, as he goes to the International School and is learning to speak English, he plays soccer with his friends, and his village is filled with friendly, kind neighbors. But then, one night the hurricane arrives and life changes in a few short hours.

If you have read Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear, don't miss the sequel Ghost of Spirit Bear. Cole and Peter are leaving the island and going home and to the high school where it all started. Neither is sure they can handle the gangs, the taunts, and violence every day at their urban school. Has their time on the island been successful? How do they handle the new bullies that are just like Cole once was? Can they make changes?

New Professional Books

2009-03-23T12:54:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't stopped in the library for awhile, the professional collection is now in the front of the library where the reference collection used to be. Here is a selection of some new titles:

More Tools for Teaching Content Literacy by Janet Allen - very nice flip chart similar to her previous book Tools for Teaching Content Literacy.
Reading Power: Teaching Students to Think While They Read by Adrienne Gear - includes effective strategies to help students be thoughtful readers.
Nonfiction Reading Power: Teaching Student sHow to Think While They Read all Kinds of Information bu Adrienne Gear - provides lesson and ideas for the five strategies to assist students with informational text.
3-Minute Motivators: More than 100 Simple Ways to Reach, Teach, and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined by Kathy Paterson - includes ideas on how to refocus a group, get moving, brainstorm, etc.
Teaching Grammar in Context by Constance Weaver - "a rationale and practical ideas for teaching grammar in the context of writing".
Getting it Right: Fresh Approaches to Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Correctness by Michael Smith and Jeffrey Wilhelm - detailed advice and lessons for providing new, engaging methods to teach grammar in students' own writing.
Strategies that Work: Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and Engagement by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis - "20 completely new comprehension lessons" as well as application of comprehension strategies across the curriculum.
Nonfiction Craft Lessons: Teaching Information Writing K-8 by Joann Portalupi and Ralph Fletcher - lesson guides include discussion, how to teach it, and resource material to help students improve their nonfiction writing.
Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts, 4-12 by Kelly Gallagher - teach your students to be able to tackle challenging texts following the strategies in this book.
Craft Lessons: Teaching Writing K-8 by Ralph Fletcher and Joann Portalupi - 95 practical lessons on topics including character, ending, stronger verbs, and much more.
If This is Social Studies, Why Isn't It Boring by Stephanie Steffey and Wendy Hood - 23 teachers explain what has worked for their students using a holistic approach.
Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary Grades 4-12 by Janet Allen - "recent research and key content-area teaching strategies show teachers how to help students understand academic vocabulary found in textbooks, tests, articles...".
Do I Really Have to Teach Reading? Content Comprehension, Grades 6-12 by Cris Tovani - to help your students understand complex concepts, the answer is yes. Use this book to guide you as you teach your students reading comprehension strategies.
Raising a Digital Child: A Digital Citizenship Handbook for Parents by Mike Ribble - this book is a guide to help parents with raising ethical, responsible users of today's technology.
Readicide: How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher - "specific steps are provided to stop the downward spiral in reading". Stop the loss of another generation of readers.
Choice Words: How our Language Affects Children's Learning by Peter Johnston - examples of "apparently ordinary words, phrases, and uses of language that are pivotal in the classroom...demonstrates how the things we say (and don't say) have surprising consequesnces for what children learn."

Off the Hook - Twilight Update

2009-03-14T15:18:00.000-04:00

Well, I finished the series...on Friday the 13th, no less. Ironic, maybe? As I said before, the story was good, and I guess I am not sorry that I spent the time reading the books. But NO one should have to read that many sentences about him tracing her jawline with his finger and blowing his cool breath in her hair. (I am rolling my eyes here.)

If you want to continue reading about an annoying heroine and a romantic hero- read Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. It is not quite as many pages as the whole Twilight series. And you might learn some Civil War history in the process.

OK - I am Hooked

2009-03-01T14:42:00.000-05:00

I avoided reading the Twilight series for...ever. Honestly, most romances are not my thing. Then, throw in a love story with a vampire and, well that to me is just too much. However, since we cannot keep the books on the shelves, there must be something to it. So, I caved.

I finished Twilight, New Moon and am ready to start Eclipse. The story is good, unbelievable, but good. The ending of New Moon made me laugh out loud. Really. Bella is with Edward (a vampire) talking to Jacob (a werewolf), Victoria (a bad vampire) is still loose, she was in Italy with a coven of the creepiest vampires on the planet - and yet, she is afraid to face her dad's wrath about having a motorcycle. Wow, the power of parents!

Girls - PLEASE know that 99.9% of guys are NOT like Edward. He is fiction. He is 108 years old. He should have it right.

Just Have to Read!

2009-02-18T08:40:00.000-05:00

My good friend, a school librarian in New Hampshire, emailed and asked if I had read The Hunger Games since it was very popular in her middle school. Since I was already ordering titles from the survey on the library home page (THANK YOU!), I ordered a copy. It arrived yesterday; I finished it this morning. All I can say is September is too long to wait for the sequel.

Image Generator

2009-02-08T14:33:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Jarrett and Mrs. Butler brought their classes to library last week. Here is one picture from that visit modified using an image generator called Celebrity Pics. Check out Dumpr.

Created with dumpr.net - photo fun

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3 is Here!

2009-01-28T07:50:00.000-05:00

You asked for it and you got it - three copies of #3 of the Wimpy Kids books. However, here are three more of the new arrivals:

Deep Down Popular by Phoebe Stone - Sixth grader Conrad Parker is popular; Jessie Ferguson isn't. Jessie has loved Conrad for as long as she can remember, just like all of the other girls. Conrad really hasn't paid any notice to Jessie until his leg is hurt and his popularity suffers. The two of them start spending time together, first for a school assignment, and then just because.
Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech - Jack (from Love that Dog) continues writing poetry from what he is learning in school. Written in verse, this quick read will clearly explain alliteration, onomatopoeia, and hopefully push you to further explore the poetry of T.S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams, or Nikki Grimes.
Runner by Carl Deuker - This book is edgier than the two mentioned previously. Chance is a senior, his dad is an unemployed alcoholic, his mom is gone, and his home is an old sailboat. The job he has does not pay much and when the opportunity to substancially increase his pay is presented, he takes it. But, could there be something shady about running, picking up the hidden packages, and delivering them?

New Non-Fiction

2009-01-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

Here are new nonfiction series available:

Essential Science series - All About Gases; Keeping Warm; Light & Seeing; Solids & Liquids; Forces & Friction; Changing Sounds; Circuits & Conductors; Earth, Moon & Sun
Fundamental Physics series - Light and Color; Solar System and Beyond; Sound and Vibration; Forces and Motion; Electricity and Magnetism; Energy and Matter
Can you Feel the Force? Putting the Fizz back into Physics
UXL Space Exploration Reference Library - includes almanac, biographies and primary sources
Discovering Space series - Far Planets; Comets and Asteroids; Sun; Moon; Near Planets
Earth and Space series - Space Objects; Jupiter; Neptune, and Other Outer Planets; Mercury, Mars, and Other Inner Planets; Beyond the Solar System; Earth and Its Moon
Humans in Space series - Race into Space; Return to the Moon; Exploring Planet Mars; Flight into Orbit
Issues that Concern You series - Student Drug Testing; Drunk Driving; Obesity; Gun Violence; Medical Marijuana
Incarceration Issues series -Alternatives to Prison; History of Incarceration; Incarceration Around the World; Inequities of the Justice System; Political Prisoners; Prison Conditions; Prisoner Rehabilitation; Prisoners on Death Row; Social, Monetary and Moral Cost of Prisons; Women in Prisons; Youth in Prisons
Black History series - Slave Rebellions; From Ragtime to Hip-Hop: A Century of Black American Music; Separate but Equal: Desegrgation of America’s Schools
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Football Game I’ll Never Forget: 100 NFL Stars’ Stories
The Complete Book of Soccer and David Beckham’s Soccer Skills

Student Review

2009-01-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

Here is Em W.'s thirty second Movie Maker production to promote The Book Thief.

Interesting Reads

2009-01-27T14:03:00.000-05:00

Check out the NEW books on the library tables, both fiction and non-fiction. Here are three for you to consider:

The Seance by Iain Lawrence (author of The Convicts, Cannibals, and Castaways, among others) This novel takes place in the Roaring Twenties, an interesting era. Scooter King’s mother conducts seances and he is her trusted assistant working behind the scenes to ensure that his mother’s contact with the spirit world is successful. Considering all of the fraud behind those that conduct seances, Harry Houdini is in town to expose the phonies. Harry Houdini will also be performing his magical act of escaping the Burmese Torture Tank. However, before Scooter even has the opportunity to see the act, he discovers a dead body in the water tank. No one is persumed innocent, no one is entirely honest, and Scooter needs to act quickly or he may be the next dead body.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (author of Coraline) - OK, this one is strange, but oh so good. The story starts with the murder of a family - mother, father, daughter. The murderer is looking for the toddler son, except the son has wandered off to the graveyard. The spirits in the graveyard agree to take care of the boy and name him “Nobody”, with ghostly parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, and a guardian who belongs to neither the living or spirit world. This book is filled with exciting adventure, dangerous situations, and even fantastically humorous moments.

NEWS! The Graveyard Book has been awarded the Newbery Medal.

Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve - This is the story of Camelot told by Gwyna, who is rescued by Myrddin (usually known as Merlin the Magician). Myrddin uses Gwyna’s excellent swimming skills to have her present to Arthur the sword from the Lady in the Lake. Myrddin then spins his tales about Arthur’s greatness to all. Gwyna is transformed into a boy warrior, Myrddin’s servant, and she is present as she witnesses what really occured in the time of Arthur. Intrigue. Murder. Deceit.

8th Grade Only - Law and Disorder Literature Circles

2009-01-27T14:01:00.001-05:00

8th Grade Only - Stirring Up Justice Literature Circles

2009-01-27T13:59:00.001-05:00

Some to Consider

2009-01-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko (author of Al Capone Does My Shirts)

Kristen in in 7th grade and everything she know is changing - drastically. Her parents aren’t getting along and Kristen and her friends aren’t getting along. When school starts friendships are terribly strained. A new student, Walk, is in 7th grade and his goal is to survive this private, very expensive school his mother has sent him to. Told in alternating chapters by Kristen and Walk, experience their frustrations with friends, family, race, weight, and school.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer

Miranda is a junior in high school and is given assignment after assignment focusing on the moon and the warnings that a meteor is heading directly toward it. After witnessing the collision of the meteor, life changes rapidly for the entire world. This book is her journal entries of how her family and she strive to survive in terrible times.
This book inspires me to investigate meteors, the moon, survival, tsumanis, earthquakes, volcanoes, flu epidemics, West Nile Virus….need I say any more about “terrible times”?

Try the guys version - The Dead and The Gone - told from the point of view of a young man in New York City with an entirely different experience of the same catastrophic event.

Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss

Noticing a swollen lymph node one morning, Izzy tells her mom and goes off to school. She is called out of class to go to the doctor and her life changes in an few short hours. The doctor tells her she has cancer, she is sent to the hospital, and quickly admitted. Izzy tells her story of dealing with cancer treatment in an authentic voice filled with humor and pain.

Professional Resources

2009-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Teachers:

For your summer perusal, consider the following:

For the Love Of Books: A Guide to Help Teachers Connect Middle Grade Readers with Literature by Jane Vossler.

Young adolescent novels are organized by theme complete with taching ideas. Themes include novels about family relations, survival, other cultures, and speaking out.

The World’s Best Thin Books: What to Read When you Book Report is Due Tomorrow by Joni Richards Bodart.

This publication includes descriptions or over 90 titles less than 200 pages. Also included are inclusion of curricular areas and readablility indexes.

Reading Reasons: Motivational Mini-Lessons for Middle and High School by Kelly Gallagher.

You can hear the complaints now, “Why should I read?” Use this book that contains forty mini-lessons to answer the real life applications of why they should read.

Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story by Mary L. Warner.

The books presents the results of “a survey of more than 1,400 teens” as well as thoughts from YA authors. Over 120 meanigful novels recommended by teens and authors arranged by chapters on such topics as real-life experiences, facing life and death, discrimination, allegory, and parables.

Reading Doesn’t Matter Anymore: Shattering the Myths of Literacy by David Booth.

Twelve steps to assist both parents and teachers with helping children read all genres and formats. These new formats include the internet, graphic novels, and manuals.

Nonfiction Matters: Reading, Writing, and Research in Grades 3-8 by Stephanie Harvey.

This book shows “how students can read expository text, engage in research, and write authentic nonfiction that is captivating, visual, and full of voice.” Projects described lead students through the proper research process that helps students become independent thinkers and creative problem solvers.

Getting it Right: Fresh Approaches to Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Correctness by Michael W. Smith and Jeffrey D. Wilhelm.

Teaching grammar the old-fashioned way just doesn’t work. This book offers a new perspective on teaching grammar and usage.

Eyewitness to the Past: Strategies for Teaching American History in Grade 5-12by Joan Brodsky Schur.

History comes alive for students when using primary documents to imagine the past. Included are interactive strategies to help students complete written and oral projects such as staging congressional hearings, scrapbooks, newspapers, or debates.

Managing the Diverse Classroom: How to Build on Students’ Cultural Strengths by Carrie Rothstein-Fisch and Elise Trumbull.

A simple framework is presented to help teachers understand cultural differences of the classrooms. Strategies include communication with families, homework attendance, and assessment.

Radical Reads: 101 YA Novels on the Edge by Joni Richards Bodart.

The books included in the guide are “engaging, tough, and well-written” with high interest to teens looking for those stories with which they can identify. Titles are arranged by alphabetical order and include subject areas, characters, major themes and ideas, strengths, and reviews.

Bringing the Outside in: Visual Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers by Sara B. Kajder.

Using those skills students already possess outside of school - texting, blogging, gaming - guidance is offered on how to help kids connect their skills with electronic medium and the curriculum. Help your students redefine literate for today’s world.

Girlz Read!

2009-01-27T08:59:00.000-05:00

Hello. Just to let you know of a few more new books we received this week of particular interest to girls -

Babysitting Basics - whole series of books on how to be the best babysitter ever. You can learn how to have fun, earn some bucks, establish rules, and keep the kids safe while in your care.
People in the News - of great interest - Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. Enough said.
Edward Bloor’s Taken - the year is 2035 and kidnapping is a major industry. Children are taken from homes, cash settlements are made quickly with the kidnappers, and children are usually returned home. Charity knows what is expected of her in the event she is kidnapped - Do not panic. Do not try to escape. - except this kidnapping is different. Nothing occurs as it is supposed to and the hours are rapidly diminishing for her release. What do the kidnappers really want?
Justina Chen Headley’s Girl Overboard - Syrah loves to snowboard and feels at peace on the mountain. It would seem that her life would be perfect as she is the daughter of a billionare and has all the material possessions anyone could ever want. Things just aren’t perfect since her half-siblings can’t stand her, her friendships are being ruined, and her boyfriend apparently is only interested in her because of her father. When Syrah is injured and needs to have rehab, she makes a new friend who helps her find and accept herself. After reading this, you might want to give back to the community or try something new.

GREAT WEBSITE - ReaderGirlz

http://www.readergirlz.com/issue.html

Here you will find suggestions of great books to read, a discussion blog, author chats, a “while you read playlist”, contests, ways and reasons to celebrate being a girl as well as ways to inspire other girls to read and contribute! This is an award winning site!

Jordan Sonnenblick's Books

2009-01-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Notes from the Midnight Driver. Zen and the Art of Faking It.

I am going to go out on a limb here and just say it: I love Jordan’s books — each and every one of them for basically the same reasons — the characters and the humor. I love Drums for Steven, Notes for crotchety old Sol, and Zen for completely unique San. Each story’s plot involves serious issues which could be overwhelming or depressing, but are neither since Jordan amuses while delivering the message.

Check out Jordan's website!

Some New Titles

2009-01-26T14:59:00.000-05:00

Check out some new non-fiction books.

Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. (510 McK)
- Love the title! Written by Danica McKellar of TV shows The Wonder Years and The West Wing, she is also a noted mathematician. So much so, that there is a “groundbreaking mathematical physics theorem” which even includes her name. Chapters include the following: “What Every Savvy Shopper Should Know” - decimals, “Does She Ever Get Off the Phone?” - ratios, and my personal favorite, “You Can Never Have Too Many Shoes” - lowest common multiple.
What Color is Your Parachute? For Teens. (331.7 Bol)
- This book might help you decide what you would like to do with your life. Unless you are independently wealthy, chances are you are going to have to work for a living. This is the book for you if you’d like to find out about yourself and the working world.
Like a Pro: 101 Simple Way to Do Really Important Stuff. (646.7 Bec)
- This is the book you can use to amaze your friends, astonish your teachers, and wow your family. This book includes advice on how to boost your brain power, make the perfect snowman, make recycled paper, and take fantastic photos among lots of other things.

Hello World!

2009-01-26T14:56:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Kisses or Disses. On this blogsite you will find new books available in the library and summaries of books I’ve read that you may want to read. Please feel free to leave comments. Remember that your comments are on the school webpage too.

Students have asked me what my favorite book is. I guess my all time favorite book - just because I love the message, the art, and the memories associated with the book, is The Little Engine that Could. I love the message of perseverance and persistence.

I think for middle school students it is easiest to list authors. Don’t miss Lois Lowry, Laurie Halse Anderson, Sonya Sones, David Lubar, Robert Cormier, Gordon Korman, Chris Crutcher, Walter Dean Myers, Sarah Dessen, and Sharon Creech to name a few.

So, welcome to Kisses or Disses and continue reading because “A day without reading is like a day without sunshine.” (That’s my quote.)

Mrs. Arnold