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Reader. Librarian. YA/MG Reviewer. Coffee Drinker. Mom.
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Recently I was honored to present at the 34th Annual Sharjah International Book Fair in Sharjah UAE. This was the second annual American Library Association (ALA) Library Conference. It was a an incredible experience.
My presentation was on my starting to integrate Digital Literacy into the library curriculum. It's truly a work in progress and I'll update as I learn more!
Slides
Fair Pictures
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| Showing the route from DC to Dubai UAE |
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| Fair welcome |
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| Students were everywhere at the fair! |
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| Loved the variety in book covers |
Presentation tweets
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| Answering questions about access |
Had a great time learning with other school librarians at the fair! Thank you to ALA for such a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity.
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| Samples and prizing are provided by Random House Children’s Books |
#
VoyagersHQ - check out the site!
All right science fiction fans, there's a new series that already has two books out for you!
Part sci-fi, part eco-mystery, all action-adventure.
As the young heroes in VOYAGERS journey into outer space to save planet Earth, you are invited to become part of the story by joining the crew through the multi-platform, VOYAGERS HQ.
The HQ extends the adventure beyond the page, unlocking games and activities on your device!
Each book has clues and codes that lead to world extensions to be explored, played, and shared. Your online profile tracks your progress through the VOYAGERS universe, and gives you rewards, ranking and virtual currency for each product code redeemed.
You can create your own custom VOYAGERS character, follow the team and experience this space adventure through the eyes of your own virtual droid.
Book 1 - Project Alpha by DJ MacHale
SynopsisEarth is in danger! Without a renewable source of clean energy, our planet will be toast in less than a year. There are 6 essential elements that, when properly combined, create a new power source. But the elements are scattered throughout the galaxy. And only a spaceship piloted by children can reach it and return to Earth safely. First the ideal team of four 12-year-olds must be chosen, and then the first element must be retrieved. There is not a mistake to be made, or a moment to lose. The source is out there. Voyagers is blasting off in 3, 2,1! |
| Credit: Gayle Goodrich |
About the AuthorD.J. MacHale is the author of the bestselling book series Pendragon, Morpheus Road, the SYLO Chronicles. He has written, directed and produced numerous award-winning television series and movies for young people including Are You Afraid of the Dark?; Flight 29 Down and Tower of Terror. D.J. lives with his family in Southern California.
Website: DJ MacHale BooksTwitter: @DJMacHaleFacebook: Author DJ MacHaleBook 2 - Game of Flames by Robin Wasserman
SynopsisThe Alpha team has been chosen and they've already snagged the first element on planet J-16. The second is hidden on Meta-Prime, a planet filled with metal mazes, catapults of fire, and warring alien robots. But what our Voyagers don't know is that there is another ship, the Omega team, following hot on their trail...
About the Author |
| Credit: Sonya Sones |
Robin Wasserman is the author of several acclaimed books for children and young adults, including The Waking Dark, The Book of Blood and Shadow, Hacking Harvard, the Cold Awakening Trilogy, and the Chasing Yesterday Trilogy. A former children's book editor, she lives and writes (and frequently procrastinates) in Brooklyn, New York.
Website: Robin WassermanTwitter: @RobinWassermanFacebook: Robin Wasserman
The Giveaway
Get both books in the series AND a special prize pack: A branded iphone 6 case with a home GadgetGrip button! Open to US addresses only. Giveaway closes Wednesday November 18, 2015, 11:59 pm.
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Taking the atelier apart in preparation for the renovation. Sinks have been removed!
Fall of 2014, I moved to The Stanley Clark School in South Bend. It's a small private school serving students from PreK-8. I would oversee 4 small libraries: Main (all ages but mostly 1-4), Fannin (PreK-K,) The Tigers Den (5-8 fiction only) and The HPL (professional library). The one thing I knew going in was the main library and the Fannin Hall library would be combining into a remodeled space.
Here is what the space, known as the atelier, looked like:
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| Downstairs - kdg lunchroom |
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| Stairs |
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| Upstairs - 4/5 Lunchroom |
Here's the original Main Library:
Here's the original Fannin Hall - I don't have many pictures inside. It was so small, we would sit in the hall and rotate inside!
So we will see how we will combine the two libraries and also include space for making and legos. Stay tuned!
Various authors. Fable Comics. Macmillan (First Second Books). 2015. 128 pg. 978-1626721074. $19.99 From the publisher:
From classics like “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Grasshopper and the Ants” to obscure gems like “The Frogs Who Desired a King,” Fable Comics has something to offer every reader. Twenty-eight fables from different cultures and traditions are wonderfully adapted and illustrated in comics format by twenty-six different cartoonists. Edited by New York Times bestselling Fairy Tale Comics’ Chris Duffy, this jacketed hardcover is a beautiful gift and an instant classic.
What a great way to study fables in the classroom. These interpretatins are not only graphic but may provide a twist teachrs and students hadn't expected! Read on as Ulises Farinas answers 5 Questions on The Great Weasel War - his interpretation of The Mice and the Weasel.
1. When researching The Mice and The Weasel - I came across several versions. Which did you use and how did you choose it?We didn't stick to any single version, we tried to distill the moral into a fun new concept, while still maintaining the essence of the original fable.
2. Greatness carries its own penalties is one moral of this fable. Agree or disagree? How did you translate this to your version?
When the moral is placed within the context of war, its warning is much more against foolhardy endeavors than greatness in itself. Recognizing your own limitations and preparing properly is something too many people fail to do when confronting their obstacles. When they are defeated, only then it is obvious which mistakes they've maken.
3. Am I detecting a sense of the absurd/humor in your version?
Of course, War is absurd, it is a hysteria that overwhelms people and rids them of their common sense. The original fable had them wearing ornate head-dresses, on mice. I think the absurdity is intended in the original fable as well.
4. I see you are working with Freitas on this story and also on a recently released Godzilla title. How do you two know each other and what’s your working process?
Erick Freitas and I work together on all our titles that we write. Usually we go over an idea together on the phone, afterwards he or I write an outline of what should happen, and Erick writes a script based on that. Then we go back and forth finessing it til it's where we want it.
We've known each other since we were 11 years old.
5. So, what’s next for you?
Erick and I are currently writing Judge Dredd for IDW, and our anthology series Amazing Forest is being published by IDW as well.
You will find many of your favorite authors and illustrators in Fable Comics:
Fable Comics is:
James Kochalka and ‘The Fox and the Grapes’
Tom Gauld and ‘The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse’
George O’Connor and the ‘Hermes’ fables
Sophie Goldstein and ‘Leopard Drums Up Dinner’
Charise Harper and ‘The Belly and the Body Members’
R. Sikoryak and ‘Lion + Mouse’
Jennifer L. Meyer and ‘Fox and Crow’
Eleanor Davis and ‘The Old Man and Death’
Jaime Hernandez and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’
Simone Lia and ‘The Crow and the Pitcher’
Graham Chaffee and ‘The Dog and His Reflection’
Maris Wicks and ‘The Dolphins, The Whales, and The Sprat’
Vera Brosgol and ‘The Hare and the Pig’
Kenny Widjaja and ‘The Demon, The Thief, and the Hermit’
Corinne Mucha and ‘The Elephant in Favor’
Liniers and ‘The Mouse Council’
Mark Newgarten and ‘Man and Wart’
Israel Sanchez and ‘The Milkmaid and Her Pail’
Ulises Farinas and ‘The Great Weasel War’
R.O. Blechman and ‘The Sun and the Wind’
Graham Annable and ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’
John Kerschbaum and ‘The Grasshopper and the Ants’
Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline and ‘The Thief and the Watchdog’
Gregory Benton and ‘The Hen and the Mountain Turtle’
Roger Langridge and ‘Demades and His Fable’
Batty About Books
presents
Shadowshaper
Join us as we read and discuss Shadowshaper. My (@thebrainlair) comments are in blue and Maria's (@mariaselke, Maria's Melange) are in purple.ScheduleCover AppealToday - pgs. 1 - 140Saturday, August 8th - pgs. 141 - end.
First Half Discussion - I decided to look mostly at the characters in this first half. These are the things that stuck out for me as I was reading.
Sierra Santiago
Love Older’s description of his main character - her wild fro, combat boots, and sense of style. Sierra’s style extends to her murals, which I wish I could see. I can picture the huge, shiny dragon climbing the side of the Tower. Sierra alternates between knowing who she is and questioning how others see her.
“Sierra felt an invisible thread of possibility hanging between them...” 67
I identify strongly with Sierra. Even though we are culturally different. Even though her artistic skills are something I will never have. There’s something about her struggle to become herself that rings true to my own memories of adolescence.
Robbie
What to think? On the one hand, he appears to be new to the scene, “..who had shown up midyear” (9) and introduced himself to Sierra at the party but later her brother, who’s always traveling, says he always thought Robbie was weird and Robbie himself mentions working with Papa Acevedo since he was twelve. He knows about the Shadowshapers but disappears twice when Sierra needs him. Is that significant or a red herring?
Yes! I want to like Robbie. I want to cheer for him. I do like the mystery of his true motivations, though. I want to know what the resolution for this character will be. I missed the bit about him showing up mid-year, myself. That makes it even stranger that he’s claiming to have worked with Papa for so long… hmmm…
Abuelo Lazaro and Professor Wick
Hmm are they friends or enemies? Wick’s notes states he loves the power of the culture behind the shadowshapers but he also seems to want to help by getting Lucera to return. Something profound has happened to Lazaro and his moments of lucidity hold powerful clues. I expected Sierra to pay more attention to him. I have my doubts about Wick’s power because that seems too easy but I will wait to discuss them after the second half so I don’t spoil much. What really happened between Lazaro and Lucera? How does one have a disagreement with a spirit?
The bits with Wick toward the end of this section were the exact spot when my interest in the overall storyline became to intensify. I liked the characters from the start - but trying to figure out what’s going on with Wick and the creepy shadows makes me want to dive back into the book and find out what happens next.
I’m also getting more suspicious about Abuelo’s health problems. I’m wondering now if it wasn’t entirely natural..
Other characters
I want to know about Sierra’s godfather, Neville. He seemed like a cool guy who knows what’s going on. He also helped her get into Columbia’s library. What does her mother know and why doesn’t she want to speak of it? Was Lazaro hesitant to pass his gift to her because she was female? Is that why she pretends not to know anything? What role will Manny play as the story moves forward? He knows something. What families were torn apart? (75)
where lonely women go to dance
come to the crossroads, to the crossroads come
where the powers converge and become one
I’m just going to leave that right there for now.
Yes! The fact that the rest of the family clearly has information that they aren’t sharing with Sierra is intriguing. What, exactly, are they hiding? I will admit to being a bit angry with the family once I realized that BOTH of her brothers had information and NO ONE told Sierra anything. I was also quite amused with Neville’s antics in getting her into the library. I liked how he was willing to play off of the assumptions people make of him. People want to assume he’s a danger? Fine… he’ll use that. But just how dangerous is he really?
Shadowshaper/Sorrows
The magic is interesting. Throughout this first half, Robbie and Sierra seem to attract random shadows but Robbie mentioned using specific ones for murals. I wonder how he called them? The name Sorrows doesn’t seem Golden to me.
Agreed! That difference in terminology (Golden vs. Sorrows) is so odd. What, exactly, is going on here? Is Wick combining the spirits from different cultures? It sounded like his “Sorrows” were from a research trip that was earlier than the one he did in this city.
Overall
When I first read this part, I was confused and I felt the story was jumbled but going back to re-read, I was able to pick up so much more. I was able to get more into the story and can’t wait to read the second half as I have many questions about Shadowshaping and Robbie and how it all fits together.
Come over to our Batty About Books Facebook page and tell us what you thought of the first half of Shadowshaper. What stood out for you?
Maria has a fascinating look at the book through the windows and mirrors frame of diversity. Please stop by Maria's Melange and read her thoughts.
Affiliate Link: Shadowshaper (Amazon)
Batty About Books
presents
Shadowshaper
Join us as we read and discuss Shadowshaper over the next two weeks.
ScheduleToday, July 25th - Cover AppealSaturday, August 1st - pgs. 1 - 140Saturday, August 8th - pgs. 141 - end.Be sure to check out our
Batty About Books facebook page or tweet with the hashtags
#BattyAboutBooks and #Shadowshaper as you talk about the book.
Cover Appeal - I did a quick inventory with my 19-year-old daughter, Jessica, about the cover and here are her thoughts:
- I love it.
- It's eye-catching,
- Her hair looks like mine.
- The colors draw you in and make you want to know what they mean.
- She looks scared - her eyes are very expressive.
- She looks like she is staring something or someone down.
- I like her skin color - is she mixed race? (my daughter is, btw)
Like Jessica, I was drawn to this cover. I like how the city is superimposed on the main character and that she is a beautiful young lady who looks powerful but afraid. Not so much that she's afraid of someone but of her own strength instead.
What kind of battle did she start? Does she do graffiti? I can't wait to learn more!
Happy Reading!
Affiliate Link:
Shadowshaper (Amazon)
Mata, Julie.
Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man.
Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 288p. $16.99. 9781423194606.
from
Goodreads:
After her huge success with her first feature-length movie, seventh-grader Kate Walden is eager to start on her next film, a sci-fi romance called Bride of Slug Man. When a new kid comes to town from New York City, Kate thinks she might have a new found film buddy-someone to share her interest with. And it doesn't hurt that he's pretty cute. But it turns out that Tristan is making his own movie, and now the classmates Kate thought were eager to join her cast and crew are divided.
With rumors spreading in school and between sets, Kate finds herself juggling more than just call times and rewrites. And judging from the whispers Kate hears about Tristan Kingsley,she suspects that he isn't interested in having a fellow film-buff friend; he just wants to prove himself as the best filmmaker in school by winning the Big Picture Film Festival. Kate vows to enter too, and tries to focus on just making the best movie she can.
But between the cutthroat popularity contest, a bully situation that goes from bad to worse, and several on-set mishaps, Kate is going to need all the movie magic she can get to make sure Bride of Slug Man hits the big-screen
Read on to find out what Julie Mata has learned about director's tips and how she incorporated those into the Kate Walden series.Movie Magic
in
Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man
By Julie Mata
In the movie Super 8, there’s a moment when a band of kids is shooting a movie scene at a train depot late at night. Suddenly, a real train hurtles out of the darkness toward them. The director, a kid named Charles, shouts “Production Value!” and feverishly tries to film while the train is passing by. This scene makes me laugh because it’s so true. Directors will do almost anything to add extra sizzle—also known as production value—to their movies.
In Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man, twelve-year-old Kate is dying to make a science fiction movie but her best friend longs to star in a romance. In Kate’s mind, flying saucers and aliens add sizzle. Romance does not. Throughout the story, she bounces between wanting to keep her friends happy and trying to make the epic sci-fi flick of her dreams.
One of the great parts of writing about a character who makes movies is that I get to research all kinds of fun filmmaking facts. To get ideas for a flying saucer, I laughed through the epically bungling movie Plan Nine from Outer Space, which won director Ed Wood the dubious title of Worst Ever Movie Director. Ed didn’t have a budget for fancy special effects so he tied fishing line to a toy UFO and dangled it in front of the camera. In an homage to Wood, and because it’s exactly what a twelve-year-old would do (sorry, Ed), Kate gets her UFO shots the same way.
Kate even uses a technique called forced perspective to make her flying saucer look life size. It’s all about putting small objects close to the camera lens to make them look huge, and placing people far off in the distance to make them look small. Kate feels pretty pro when she learns that Steven Spielberg used the same technique in Close Encounters of the Third Kind to make a model ship tanker look real. (And I felt pretty pro writing about it.)
Of course, some of the lessons Kate learns can’t be found in a moviemaking how-to manual. She learns the hard way that you don’t have to be a big-time Hollywood director to end up with a big-time Hollywood ego. She also struggles with bullies, friendship dramas, and wardrobe malfunctions while trying to finish her movie.
Writing about Kate has allowed me to combine two of my passions—moviemaking and writing. I’m no Spielberg but I did write and direct a short film once called
Bus Driver. You can check it out on YouTube but be warned, it doesn’t have cool flying saucers or alien creatures from Mars. I guess I was out-sizzled by my own MC.
About the Author
Julie Mata grew up outside Chicago and currently lives in Wisconsin, where she owns a video production business with her husband.. She loves movies and once wrote and directed her own short film. She also loves traveling, gardening, and reading a really good book. Her first book was Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens. For more information, including a downloadable curriculum guide and a filmmaking tip of the month, visit her website: juliemata.com.
Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man - Book Trailer
You can receive a copy of BOTH Kate Walden Directs:
Night of the Zombie Chickens and Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man! US Only. One entry per person/email. Ends 6/4/15 11:59 pm.
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Stops on the Blog Tour
Monday, May 18 | GreenBeanTeenQueen | |
Wed. May 20 | Once Upon a Story | |
Thurs, May 21 | Read Now, Sleep Later | |
Fri, May 22 | Curling Up with a Good Book | |
Tues, May 26 | The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia | |
Wed, May 27 | BookHounds YA | |
Thurs, May 28 | The Brain Lair | |
Fri, May 29 | Kid Lit Frenzy | |
Woot! Today is Free Comic Book Day! Use FreeComicBookDay.com's
store locator to find a store near you!
If you are looking for some graphic novels to buy, here are the Top Ten Graphic Novels checked out by The Stanley Clark School students (summaries from Goodreads):
Bake Sale by Sara VaronCupcake’s life is pretty good. He’s got his bakery, and his band, and his best friend, Eggplant. His days are full of cooking, socializing, and playing music. But lately, Cupcake has been struggling in the kitchen. He’s sure the solution to all his problems is out there somewhere. But maybe that solution is hiding closer to home.
Cardboard by Doug TenNapelWhen cardboard creatures come magically to life, a boy must save his town from disaster.Smile by Raina TelgemeierFrom the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.
The Amulet Series by Kazu KibiushiGraphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.
The Bone Series by Jeff SmithAfter being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.
El Deafo by CeCe Bell2015 Newbery Honor.
Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Bad Island by Doug TenNapelSomething on this island is up to no good . . .
Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy GownleyJimmy Gownley's graphic novel memoir about the "dumb" idea that changed his life forever!
Naruto series by Masashi KishimotoNaruto is a ninja-in-training with a need for attention, a knack for mischief and, sealed within him, a strange, formidable power. (technically manga but they love it.)
Trickster: Native American Tales edited by Matt DembickiMeet the Trickster, a crafty creature or being who disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself in the process. Whether a coyote or rabbit, raccoon or raven, Tricksters use cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief.
Today is also Independent Bookstore day! So find your local independent bookseller here and go shopping!
Celebrate kids comics with Q&As with fantastic children’s cartoonists for Children’s Book Week! Join us as great authors talk about their own creative work and the graphic novel industry throughout April and May. Comics for kids are reaching a time of unprecedented acceptance in the American literary scene, and it’s now true that there are comics for everyone. All interviews are conducted by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado (Dragons Beware!).
RAFAEL/JORGE: Hi, Joey, thanks for answering our questions. We're both fans of Mermin the Merman from Mer, which incidentally, is a fun thing to say. Mermin the Merman from Mer. Mermin the Merman from Mer. Okay, and now for the questions...
QUESTION: We like this quote of yours from an FCBD Interview, "Each book I do is a reaction to the one before it. They use things I’ve learned from the previous experience, building on positives and negatives that I see when analyzing the book I just completed." What did you learn from "The Ride Home" that informed the Mermin series? And what are you learning from Mermin, that's informing your next work?
Joey Weiser: The Ride Home was pretty straight-forward, following a single character from point A to B to C. With my next book, Cavemen in Space, I played around with having a big cast of characters and watching their storylines intersect. Mermin is a little of both: There is one central character, but the supporting characters have large roles, especially as the series progresses.
The biggest difference in Mermin might be that it’s a series. I’m enjoying being able to spend a lot of time developing the characters over multiple volumes, and learning a lot from that experience, but I’m also looking forward to returning to a single-volume graphic novel after I come to a stopping point with Mermin. I think I’ll try to put as much character development, action, and fun into my next book as I can!
QUESTION (FROM JORGE): You went to Savannah College of Art & Design. My nephew is going to start going there this Fall. What advice do you have for young artists going to art school? What should they be focus on while at school so they can make a living working in the arts once they graduate?
Joey Weiser: I think that a lot of people know that both your professors and your fellow students are great resources to learn from and grow while in college. However, I think it should be stressed that it’s up to YOU to push yourself as hard as you can, make the decisions to take the hard classes that may seem like a pain but will ultimately help you the most, and do the absolute best on your work that you can.
QUESTION:What comic would you recommend to a kid starting to read graphic novels today?
Joey Weiser: The first book that comes to mind is Jeff Smith’s Bone. It’s absolutely one of my favorite comics of all time, great for kids, and made me the cartoonist I am today.
QUESTION: What are you working on now?
Joey Weiser: I am finishing up my next Mermin graphic novel, Mermin Book 4: Into Atlantis. After the events of the last book, we get to explore Atlantis, the other undersea kingdom besides Mer! Look for it this Fall!
Besides that I do fairly regular work for SpongeBob Comics, and other things here and there. I’m also in the middle of a giant sketch project, Daily Dragon Ball, where I am drawing just about every character from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball in order of appearance. You can follow that at http://dailydragonball.tumblr.com/
QUESTION: What's on your nightstand?
Joey Weiser: I’ve just begun reading Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, a biography/photo book of the man behind the special effects for classic Japanese monster movies and television like Godzilla and Ultraman. I love that stuff!
Wait - there's more! Check out this schedule!
Aguirre, Jorge. Dragon's Beware. First Second Books (Macmillan), May 2015. $14.99. 160p. 9781596438781.
Amazon
| Indiebound
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Cover Appeal: CHARGE! All the kids will want this. All of them.
From the publisher:
Scrappy Claudette sets out once again with her pal Marie and her little brother Gaston to right wrongs and fight evil. And this time, it's personal. Claudette is out to get the dragon who ate her father's legs...and his legendary sword. But as usual, nothing is as simple as it seems, and Claudette is going to need Marie and Gaston's help more than ever. Funny, fast, high-energy storytelling in an inventive and perilous fantasy landscape makes Dragons Beware! a fantastic follow-up to 2012's middle-grade hit Giants Beware!
Are you ready for Claudette! Well, she's back!
Check out how some kids are helping Claudette come up with the BEST BATTLE CRY! Dragon's Beware!!
Are you psyched yet? Hop on over to the Dragon's Beware site to see some additional videos and some inside pages! May 12th can't get here soon enough!
I have read my share of window books.
And your share.
And your share.
And your share.
I have read so many window books,
I'm afraid to read a mirror book.
For fear I may no longer recognize myself,
and the mirror shatters.
Sigh.
Will I Ever
Tire
of being upset
when
The worker half my age
calls me
Honey?
No.
Isn't it Better
Than
Ma'am?
No.
What if they said "thankyousomuchforvisitingourestablishment,werecognizewewouldnothaveajobherewithoutyourcontinuedpatronage, Honey, Ma'am."
No.
No, honey.
No, ma,am.
When the kid graduated from 5th grade they sang
We The Children by Parachute Express. It is a weird song meant to make parents feel sentimental. As we listened to it on our drive home, a few lines really stood out for me:
Every act of kindness has a way of being passed along
we are all a deep reflection of the lessons we've been shown
...
we the children are golden
and we the children are light
we dance on the top of the mountain
we shine like stars in the night...
And for reasons known only to my neurologist, I started thinking about all the librarians I know. How they are out there shining like stars in the night. How they define what it means to be a school librarian - which has no definition because school librarian work to reflect what their schools need. So your school librarian may not do the things that his or her school librarian does. And that's ok. We are all reflections of the lessons we've been shown. Whether that's a lesson from my friend Sherry and your librarian is out there moving and shaking and post-it noting window displays, or playing guitar like my friend Andy, or maybe your librarian is hosting a podcast like Matthew, or giving you the lowdown like Kurt, or is your librarian showing you the hidden gems of picture book design like Travis? Do you have the kind of librarian that has made all the books easily accessible and gone Dewey-free like Shannon? Maybe your school librarian also teaches English classes like Megan? Is your librarian doing Maker Mondays like Stacey? Providing an advisory resource like Jen?
Some of my librarian friends head committees and some travel around helping other teachers and librarians. They are book experts,, technology experts, student experts.
And these things I mention are only a very small fraction of what they do every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY.
They are the children. They are the light. They are the librarians.
Genre: Science Fiction, Graphic Novel
Cover Appeal: Bug on a skeleton? All the middle school kids will want this!
(from the publisher)Nestled in the grass under the big palm tree by the edge of the desert there is an entire civilization—a civilization of beetles. In this bug's paradise, beetles write books, run restaurants, and even do scientific research. One such scientist is Lucy, who leads a team of researchers out into the desert. Their mission is to discover something about the greater world...but what lies in wait for them is going to change everything Lucy thought she knew.
Beetles are not the only living creatures in the world.
Character Name: Bugs
Species: Atemeles pubicollis Length: 4 - 5 mmColor: golden brown.Habitat: ant colonies Superpower: Olfactory deception
No one likes a freeloader, but you have to admire the evolutionary adaptations of the rove beetle Atemeles pubicollis. This small beetle has cracked the top secret communication codes of various ant species and uses the information to infiltrate their nests.
Ants communicate with each other using odors. Their eyes aren’t so hot, but they have great sniffers, capable of detecting the difference between family and foes. At least, most of the time they can. The problem with relying on a highly specific code for communication is that if someone else cracks the code, they can really take advantage of the system. Over evolutionary time, Atemeles has evolved the ability to mimic not one, but two of the chemical cues used by certain ants. It can release odors from its appeasement gland to calm guard ants. Most ants are pretty aggressive, so the beetle’s appeasement gland makes it possible for it to approach the colony. Once it has made nice with the guard, it releases another odor that smells just like a baby ant. Since the ant can’t see very well, it trusts its sense of smell and carries the beetle into the colony. Once in, Atemeles can much away on baby ants and enjoy the full protection of the colony.
In addition to being a master of olfactory disguise, Atemeles and other rove beetles are pretty good at origami. Kinda, sorta. Most beetles have long wing covers (called elytra) that extend the length of their bodies and cover their abdomens. A rove beetle has very short elytra. This makes if possible to have a much more maneuverable abdomen (good for waving deceptive odors in the face of ants), but it means you have less space to pack your wings. To that end, rove beetles have become quite good at folding their long wings under their little elytra. You can watch the process in slow motion in these videos (provided as supplementary material for an article in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
In Last of the Sandwalkers, our beetle heroes learn the hard way that even though the beetle Atemeles smells fishy to them, ants have a hard time sniffing out the truth.
About the AuthorJay Hosler is a biology professor at Juniata College, and a cartoonist. He enjoys telling stories about science and the natural world, and his first graphic novel (Clan Apis) won a Xeric Award and was selected for YALSA's 2002 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults. His latest book, Evolution: The Story of Life on Earth, was a 2011 Junior Library Guild selection, a nominee for YALSA's 2012 Great Graphic Novels for Teens, and has been included in the Texas Library Association's Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List. He lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife and his two little nerdlings.
DON'T MISS ANY STOPS ON THE BLOG TOUR! EACH STOP REVEALS A DIFFERENT BEETLE!
Always Remember by Train
Every single time this song come on, I remember my mom. And it feels like someone is reaching inside my chest and squeezing my heart. I miss her so much. It's hard to believe that she's gone. I wish I had spent more time with her. Every.Single.Time.I.Hear.It. You would think I would remove it from my iTunes.
I don't because I loved her. I want to remember her. I still love her. And I will always remember.
"Always Remember"
Always remember I'm by your side
Such a shame that you had to go
So much more that I'd like to know
So many things you forgot to show me how to do
When times are hard I forget you're gone
I go to call you before it dawns on me
That you won't be there now
But I still have these words that you gave me
Always remember I'm by your side
Always remember I'm by your side
I got two kids of my own now
They grow up so fast
And how I wish you did not miss that part of who I am
But I keep doing all that I can do
And I will smile when they ask about you
And I will sing to them every day
With the voice and the words that you used to say
Will change the world one day
Always remember I'm by your side
Always remember I'm by your side
And while they grow up you will show up
In things they do and say
Like a reflection to a connection
Of who they'll be one day
They will learn to get their wings
And fly through the changes life will bring
So on
And it will go on
And you will go on
And they will sing with the voice that you gave them
Always remember I'm by your side
Always remember I'm by your side
I'm by your side
The kid and I spent two days in Mall of America. If you know anything about me, you know I don't like shopping - it involves people and interacting with them.
Anyway.
We had an awesome time! Hanging out with this almost grown-up, chit-chatting, and discussing the people. It's hard to believe she's nearly done with her first year of college.
Of course, this means that I will need to grow-up soon.
Sigh.
Last week the kid and I were taking a road trip to the Mall of America, about an 8hr drive for us. She was driving and blasting her hardcore rap and reminiscing about how she used to listen to the clean version of these songs.
I immediately started to cry.
Not really. But I did remember how much time we spent in the car as I would chauffeur her to school. Pre-car for her, of course. We talked about a lot of things and listened to all types of music. We negotiated the radio - sometimes using bribery or trickery. Or at least I did.
But despite her penchant for rap music and her love of problem novels, she has grown into a well-rounded young lady. Or maybe due to it.
One thing I'm loving about independent schools is the belief in professional development. Today I attended the winter meeting at Roycemore, a PK-12 school in Evanston, Il. Our division heads and our tech person also attended. We drove in together (about 2.5 hrs) and had some great conversations including a fun stop at Starbucks. After a general session, the meeting broke into affinity groups. I had the opportunity to meet with other independent school librarians.
We started with a session with Veronda Pictchford from RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) who described their partnership with Baker and Taylor and other library groups to create a fantastic, affordable ebook program (eRead Illinois) that's responsive to its members' needs. I was completely jealous. If your school is in Illinois and you are looking for an inexpensive way to bring ebooks to your school, check them out. I'm jealous!
We also talked about collaboration, design thinking, and makerspaces. Is anyone out there using design thinking? If so, how?
Usually meetings are a waste of time but this one really had me thinking!
Today is my 48th birthday. I am in disbelief. How did this happen? I'm joking. I know it is because I was granted another year. A chance to look back and then decide my way forward. I have been, and still am being, blessed. I am at my fourth school. Each move was into a job that was not on my radar. Each place brought a unique set of colleagues and parents into my life. It has been awesome. I hope it continues to be so! For at least 48 more years!
I'm participating in Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the month of March!
Not much to say. It's a lot of paperwork. Even as a continuing student (daughter, not me). It is a lot. I love that my daughter goes to Yale. And that they have a generous financial aid program. But, man. This is a lot of time and paperwork.
No way around, but through.
I'm participating in Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the month of March!
I love audiobooks. I also love ebooks - especially for the convenience of carrying my library around with me. I have a 25-30 min drive each way daily and every other month I have to drive 3 hours each way for a board meeting.
I've listened to audiobooks that have been so good, I don't want to get out of the car. But also some that have been not so great. My favorites are the Harry Potter series read by Jim Dale but I also can't hear him read anything else! I listened to all of the 39 Clues series but didn't find them as fascinating when I tried to read them. The Help was another favorite.
I have all the Rick Riordan books as ebooks as well as The Queen's Thief and The Seven Realms series. I'm a huge fan of fantasy books and they are so long - Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson clocks in at 1,088 pages! Try lugging that around!
One other good thing about audiobooks and ebooks? I don't have to find a spot for them on my completely double-filled 8 bookshelves!
I'm participating in Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the month of March!
Our school had its annual auction fundraiser last night at it was a blast! This was my first one and I was nervous because I don't like doing things or hanging out with a bunch of people...(mostly joking). And I was going to have to be charming, because parents!
But it was so fun. I had great table buddies. My work husband stopped by to make sure I was ok and probably to make sure I showed up! It was amazing to see the beautiful pieces the students contributed to be auctioned off. I was sadly outbid on a coffee basket! Many teachers contributed their time and mine, along with my assistant, is a 6 hour evening in the library doing a sort of mix between night at the museum and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library. I was afraid no one would bid on it and was pleasantly surprised when more than one person wanted it.
Must stay open to new things!
I'm participating in Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the month of March!
Rutkoski, Marie.
The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, 1). MacTeen Books (Macmillan Children's Publishing), 2014. 384 pgs. $9.99. 978-1-25005-697-9.
Affiliate Links: (Amazon | Indiebound)As part of the celebration for the release of Winner's Crime (
Amazon |
Indiebound) the second book in Marie Rutkoski's Winner's Trilogy, bloggers
around the globe are answering the question: What's Your Winner's Curse?
The Winner's Curse is an economic term that means you've gotten what you wanted --
but at too high a price!
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| Blog Tour Schedule |
The weekend of February 20th I was scheduled to take the day off and drive to New Haven (12 hours away) and visit my daughter in college. Her tap dance company was putting on a show, The Tapper Games, so it was a chance to see her in action as well as see her beautiful face in person! At the last minute, I decided it would be better to fly, since there were winter weather warnings across the Eastern and Midwestern US. I left early to drive to Chicago, normally a 2 hour drive, but not early enough. I ended up in Chicago 10 minutes too late to board my plane since I need to check a bag!! I only needed to check a bag because I had a huge suitcase full of snacks for the kid! There were no ohter flights to New Haven on that Friday!!! The airline could get me to Philadelphia but I was on my own after that. I decided to go, in the hopes that other flights would be delayed and I would magically be able to make my trip. No such luck. I ended up renting a car to drive to New Haven from Philadelphia, normally a 3 hour drive that took 5 hours!!! And it cost me an extra $400. I ended up getting to New Haven so late we just stayed in the hotel! I could have just gotten a room or stayed with a friend in Chicago untl the next day! Also, my flight back was delayed by 3 hours!! I did enjoy the tap show though!
Giveaway
You can win either a copy of The Winner's Curse or a copy of The Winner's Crime. Entries accepted March 5, 2015 until March 11, 2015, 11:59pm. US Only please. One entry per household.
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