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You are out partying with your librarian friends. Suddenly you realize that your gathering requires a suitable soundtrack. A library-themed soundtrack. Indeed, without the proper music, the event will be a disaster!
It could happen. The worst case scenario is sobering: everyone ends up hopping around to the They Might be Giants’ album “Flood” until the police show up and ticket you with a noise violation.*
Using a combination of technology and powerful query-typing skills, I have SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. Introducing Dancing on the Reference Desk, a free playlist dedicated to libraries, librarians, and their interests.
Including such timeless classics as Ch-Check it Out by the Beastie Boys, and Lady Writer by Dire Straits make sure your next librarian rave is a success with this excellent compilation.
Note: I’m not associated with Spotify, but I do think they are pretty awesome. If you end up using this soundtrack let me know. I would love to attend some rocking librarian parties vicariously.
Credits: I dictated this entire blog post to my iPhone via Dragon Dictate while spooning nutrient-rich goop into the baby’s mouth. Special thanks to Jenny Klumpp who provided numerous excellent suggestions.
* This actually happened. I was in grad school hopping around with my fellow nerds, watching the Muppet Show and listening to TMBG. We chipped in to pay the ticket. This was in my experience hands-down the Dorkiest. Police Intervention. Ever.
You know the stereotype of what a librarian looks like–wire-rimmed glasses, hair pulled back tight, finger up to the lips shushing people? It’s just not the way librarians are. Doubt me? Go check out This Is What A Librarian Looks Like–a blog where librarians from around the world post images of themselves. I love poring through the many different images of librarians. (You *know* I love librarians–the ones who help get our books into readers’ hands!)
Just email Cynthia Lord privately with your name, your email address, and the name of your school (and whether it’s in East or West Maine), and she’ll enter you in the drawing. There will be no cost for you–you just have to make sure that the students, if they’re grades 4-8, have read one of her books. Check out all the details on her post. Sound good? Contact Cynthia to enter!!
0 Comments on Maine Librarians! A chance at a free author visit from Cynthia Lord as of 1/1/1900
A weeklong feature for those bookish types considering a career in the library sciences, or just curious about what it means to be a librarian.
If you're a librarian or someone with another kind of bookish job, and you're interested in being interviewed -- please email me!
Today's interviewee is Jo, an Assistant Department Head in the Adult Department at a public library who's had her MLS for 5 years. She also blogs at Fluidity of Time!
First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?
Let’s see …. This is actually the hardest question, because I don’t usually talk a lot about myself. I’ve been a Librarian for 5 years now, working at my local public library (which is great, because I have a really short commute). I’ve always been a book addict (that’s my term for it, at least), so working in a library is a great thing, and also a bad thing, because my stack of books to be read is always growing. Outside of my life at the library, I’ve got a great husband, and a couple of bunnies – and a piano that I’m meaning to start sitting at again (I’ve taken lessons since I was 5, stopped when I was in grad school, and now need to get myself back on track again).
Did you always want to be a librarian? What first drew you to the career? What other options did you consider?
When I was in high school, I worked in my school library (working off my scholarship), but I never thought about being a Librarian. Instead, I was putting all my effort towards law school, so I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, took the LSAT, and then paused to really think about law school. Instead of going to law school, I started working at a law firm --- and soon discovered that as much as I liked my job, I wasn’t sure if law school was for me. I spent about 10 years in law firms (and working for about 2 years part-time at my library) until one day, the idea of library school was suggested to me. I had no idea there was “library school”, but when I really thought about it, the idea of becoming a librarian really appealed to me. My current law firm job made me feel like I never helped anyone – and being a librarian, depending on where you’re working and what kind of library, is all about helping people in some way. So, it really all started to click for me. And, I admit – the lure of being surrounded by books had appeal, as well.
How is the current economic market and the transition to digital media affecting traditional libraries? I’ve heard that it’s a difficult field to enter right now, because of a lack of available positions – would you encourage people to pursue it, or possibly take a different path?
I can only speak for my own experience in a public library, but librarianship now and what it was even 10 years ago are very different. There’s more technology now, whether it’s in how we process our materials, to how we serve our patrons. We do offer downloadable materials at our library, and I think t
2 Comments on Ask A Librarian: Jo from Fluidity of Time, last added: 10/26/2011
A while back, I mentioned that I'm considering the possibility of becoming a librarian, but that I realized I didn't actually know that much about what the library sciences entailed. Thankfully, several knowledgeable ladies stepped up and agreed to answer a few questions! This week (while I'm getting caught up on all the schoolwork I missed), I thought I would share what they had to say. I'm sure I'm not the only book blogger considering this path!
Today's interviewee is Sara Slack, general assistant at an award-winning university library, owner of her own publishing house, and blogger at my affiliate Inspired Quill!
First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I'm currently a 22-year-old English Masters Student here in the UK. My hobbies range from reading (such a surprise!), to woodworking and participating within the theatre. My love of literature (or 'lol', as I like to call it), has always been a passion.You can usually find me either with friends, at the gym, or working away in front of my laptop on Inspired Quill. (I also hold the belief that 'to-do' lists breed when you're not looking).
Did you always want to work in a library and run a publishing house? What first drew you to these careers? What other options did you consider?
Not at all! Up until fairly recently, I wanted to become a University Lecturer or teacher. Before that, I wanted to be a lawyer. I also considered going to stage or film school as an actress, but that obviously never materialised. I knew from last year that I wanted to work in publishing, but it was getting an Entrepreneur grant from my University which really cemented the fact that I wanted to run my own company. I saw a huge gap in the market for a people-orientated, quality driven publisher...so I sort of dived in head first! The library job was a bit of luck, really. It was on campus and I'd been applying for the same job for about two years...(talk about competative!) Finally they caved and let me have it!
What does being a general assistant at a university library entail? How is working in a university library different from a public library or elementary/high school library?
At the moment, I simply work with moving the books around, restocking the shelves and making sure things are neat and tidy. I didn't realise so much work went into it! At the end of September, I'm being trained to be more of a 'people-person' on the information desk, which I'm really looking forward to. That sort of work entails dealing with queries...and resetting the alarm when people forget to swipe their books. In terms of the difference...I guess it's more to do with the information you have to deal with. Service desk operators don't just have to know where each section of books are. They also have to be very up to speed with all of the computer systems...including the catalogue, and academic
2 Comments on Ask A Librarian: Sara Slack from Inspired Quill, last added: 10/25/2011
Okay, I'm officially in love with this feature! For someone who still isn't quite sure what she wants to do, this is very enlightening. :) Sara's career sounds fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!
Today’s wonderful guest post is by Stephanie Wilkes, a YA librarian with a passion for teens, good books, pizza, video games and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Stephanie Wilkes is the Young Adult Coordinator at Ouachita Parish Public Library in Louisiana. I love Stephanie’s recounting of her book club, and her idea about reaching the parents of teen readers. You can find Stephanie on Twitter at @stephaniewilkes
Last night I met with my Adult Book Club. Now, as a young adult librarian, when it is my turn to select our monthly book, I ALWAYS pick a YA book…to get them out of their comfort zone. Over the years, we’ve read The Hunger Games, Shiver, and Bloody Jack. This month, I chose Hate List by Jennifer Brown. I never anticipated that the discussion would be as beautiful as it was, but when everyone left the room and I was alone in my office, I had tears in my eyes. For the first time, I had connected with adults about the truth in young adult fiction.
One of the first responses I received when asking if they liked the book was that they didn’t understand why the books were so dark and they were concerned that it glamorized certain behaviors with teens. After this summer’s debate with Meghan Cox Gurdon and the outpouring of YA writers to support these types of materials, we had a serious discussion about the history of young adult literature and where we are today. Obviously, sharing my passion about young adult books is something I do on a daily basis, but I even surprised myself about how knowledgeable I felt when discussing ‘problem’ novels.
As we discussed the book, one of the attendees mentioned that she read the book with her daughter, as the book was on her daughter’s required reading for her high school over the summer. She mentioned that she and her daughter were able to sit down and discuss some of themes in the book together and how enjoyable it was to talk to her daughter, refreshing to hear her voice an opinion of her own, and how it brought the two closer together. Why did it bring them closer together? Not because of the discussion of school violence but because of the discussion of the relationship between Valerie, the main character, and her boyfriend Nick. She stated that she sat and talked about destructive behavior in relationships and about how it can be hard for girls AND guys to see that the decisions they are making have a domino effect on others. I was floored. Every discussion I have with teens about this book is about the shooting…we never discuss Valerie and Nick’s relationship.
Which brings me to my musing and my new idea… After much thought, I have decided that while doing the daily duties of a young adult librarian brings teens closer to books, maybe I should change focus for a short time and target the PARENTS. This seems crazy bu
3 Comments on Guest Post: On Reaching the Parents of Teen Readers, last added: 9/1/2011
Amen, sister. This is so true it makes me want to swear. I won’t.
As a father of two young women I find there is no more powerful way to reach my children and provide an opportunity for us to understand each other better than by reading and discussing the same books.
This is how I ended up getting caught reading Twilight at soccer practice a few years ago.
Another advantage is that I can get my kids to do their chores, pay them allowance, and then get free books when they spend their money on their reading habits. Okay, technically the books belong to them, but I get to borrow any ones I want.
Cheryl Rainfield said, on 9/1/2011 8:10:00 AM
Matthew, I love how you put that! (laughing) I agree with you both–this is a fantastic idea Stephanie had. And discussion with parents (and having them read) can only help. I love that you read with your girls! And talk to them about it. Good for you!
Stephanie Wilkes said, on 9/1/2011 9:16:00 AM
Matthew – I TOTALLY AGREE!!! You want to come to Louisiana to promote this book club with me?
I think that it’s really hard for parents to talk to teens about today’s issues. Before, it was only about sex and maybe smoking or drugs but today, there are a variety of different issues about which parents have NO CLUE how to talk to their teens.
I am so happy to hear of an active parent who is participating in their child’s reading life! And even more kudos to you for being a DAD who is involved!
Imagine the reaction of a class of 30 fifth and sixth graders as I pass a roll of toilet paper around the room and tell them "Take what you need."
Some of them won't even take the roll, others want to exactly what they are going to use the toilet paper for. I just tell them to take as much as they need. Some take 1, some take 10... I myself took 4. Once everyone has their ration of TP, I hold mine up and tell them that for every square they took, they have to tell the class a book they read this summer or a book they are looking forward to reading this year. After sighs of relief and giggles, they are ready to talk about books! I shared my reading squares:
1. Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, I read this book over the summer.
2. Bigger than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder, I read this book over the summer.
3. I am looking forward to reading Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger
and
4. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
1 of my students read the entire Hunger Games trilogy this summer and she has a bad case of Katniss Fever. To my shock and horror, a third grader shared that she had read Breaking Dawn this summer. Really? You go, girl! Most of the boys were looking forward to Darth Paper, The new Super Diaper Baby and the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
This was a very fun way to get kids talking about books! If you give it a try, stop back and let me know how it went! If you have other great ideas for starting the school year, post a link to them in the comments!
One of my very favorite references to toilet paper in tv history. Can you name the show?
5 Comments on I Don't Have a Square to Spare!, last added: 8/23/2011
Well this one will after 12:30 today. It will be on my left foot and it will look like this:
It will have 4 birds, one for each member of my family. It will be on my left foot- my husband broke his left foot this summer. The dandelion is for wishing, dreaming and change. This summer with Greg off his feet, I have been put to many tests. I realized that I am stronger than I ever thought I was. This tattoo will always remind me of this life changing summer.
UPDATE: And here it is (painful, but so worth it)...
Thanks to Bob at Crossroads Tattoo in Coralville, Iowa
4 Comments on Do Librarians Have Tattoos?, last added: 8/4/2011
Wow! Love it! And yes, librarians do have tattoos! A couple of years ago, the Texas Library Association put together a whole calendar of tattoed librarians! http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=8225957
Wow! Beautiful beautiful tat! I have one on my left ankle - it's kind of like a vine, floral thingy that goes around the ankle, now I'm tempted to get another one simply because of this beauty that I see here. Congratulations! =)
Oh I am such a big fan of project run way but last thursday, dragity struck! I FORGOT TO WATCH IT!!! I was so sad! But im making sure im watching it next week!
You may know Meg as DotMeg or even as Meg Canada. She’s got a new mini-gig which she’s blogging about thanks, in part, to the support (though not financial) of her employer Hennepin County Library. Read more about her in her Mover and Shaker profile. Also check out this beautiful space (the St. Paul location is just as lovely but not as classic). [thanks joe!]
0 Comments on Meet Meg, our new coworking librarian as of 1/1/1900
By Sydney Beveridge, Susan Weber and Andrew A. Beveridge, Social Explorer
The U.S. Census first collected data on librarians in 1880, a year after the founding of the American Library Association. They only counted 636 librarians nationwide. Indeed, one respondent reported on his census form that he was the “Librarian of Congress.” The U.S. Census, which became organized as a permanent Bureau in 1902, can be used to track the growth of the library profession. The number of librarians grew over the next hundred years, peaking at 307,273 in 1990. Then, the profession began to shrink, and as of 2009, it had dropped by nearly a third to 212,742. The data enable us to measure the growth, the gender split in this profession known to be mostly female, and to explore other divides in income and education, as they changed over time.
We examined a number of socioeconomic trends over the duration, and focused in on 1950 the first year that detailed wage data were recorded, 1990 at the peak of the profession and 2009 the most currently available data.1 We looked at data within the profession and made comparisons across the work world.
For the first 110 years of data, the number of librarians increased, especially after World War II. In 1990, the trend reversed. Over the past 20 years, the number of librarians has dropped by 31 percent, though the decline has slowed.
Considering the nation today, the states with the largest librarian populations are: Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Texas and California. Meanwhile, the states with the highest concentrations of librarians (or librarians per capita) are: Vermont, D.C., Rhode Island, Alabama, New Hampshire. Table 1 in the appendix gives the count and proportion of librarians by state in 2009.
Median Earnings
The Census Bureau has kept records of librarian wages since 1940. Median2 Librarian wages (whether full-time or part-time) increased until 1980, though they were a lower percentage of the median wages of all workers. Indeed, between 1970 and 1980 librarian wages declined nearly $4,000—more than twice the drop of median wages across all professions. (This wage drop was in the context of the Oil Embargo in the mid-1970s, and the economic fall-out that that caused.) In 1990 Librarian median wages declined further and were the same as those for all workers, but by 2009 they had gained in relative terms, and reached their peak of $40,000. (All these figures are adjusted for inflation.) By 2009 the typical librarian earned over one-third more than a typical US worker. According to the Census results, Librarians have enjoyed consistently high employment rates. For instance in 2009, the unemployment rate among librarians was just two percent–one-fifth the national rate.
A Feminine Profession
Today, 83 percent of librarians are women, but in the 1880s men had the edge, making up 52 percent of the 636 librarians enumerated. In 1930, male librarians were truly rare, making up just 8 percent of the librarian population.
0 Comments on Librarians in the U.S. from 1880-2009 as of 1/1/1900
Last Tuesday the Children’s Book Council held a 90-minute Children’s Author Speed Dating event at BookExpo America. This was a chance for librarians and booksellers to meet each other and almost 2 dozen teen and children’s authors. As an elementary school librarian (K-4), this was the perfect event for me to get started at BEA. And it was very much like a short first date with each author, complete with some awkward pauses and some great conversations cut short by that cursed buzzer. I loved it.
Nineteen authors were given three and a half minutes to pitch their upcoming books and themselves to a roundtable of excited book lovers. When the buzzer sounded the authors moved on to the next table, leaving each group with a taste of their process, their new work, and their personalities. But for me, that short little “date” was enough time to become enamored of some new books and some new authors. They were all just so lovely.
No one sits still for photos while speed dating, so I apologize to the authors in advance for any mortifying poses I captured. They don’t deserve such cruelty. From left to right, starting with the top row: James Dashner, Jane Hampton Cook, David A. Adler, Lisa Greenwald, Linda Urban, Laini Taylor, Susan Stockdale, Ashley Spires, Clete Barrett Smith, Maria Rutkoski, Jennifer Roy, Kate McMullan, Tahereh Mafi, Carrie Jones, Jeff Hirsch, and Laura Lee Gulledge.
We didn’t leave with any whole books, but I left with bookmarks and samples, a list of ARCs and galleys to track down at the Expo (I scored 6 of the 19), and several more titles to add to my book order for next year. Plus I was inspired to connect with some of the authors further, through their Twitter accounts and maybe even a visit to my school (budget willing). As exhausting as those 390-second bursts could be, this was by far my favorite part of the Expo. I would recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone who wants to connect with authors beyond a quick fangirl moment (“I loved your last book!”) in the autograph line.
Here is the complete list of authors we “dated”, with their websites and Twitter handles where available:
David A. Adler, Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra (Holiday House): www.davidaadler.com
Jane Hampton Cook, What Does the President Look Like? (Kane Miller): www.janecook.com
Award-winning librarian Nancy Pearl (pictured, via) has joined Publishers Weekly. Pearl’s new library-themed column, “Check It Out,” will feature her responses to questions, comments, and observations from librarians, publishers, readers, and others.
The column will run on a monthly basis in Publishers Weekly‘s print periodicals. It will be introduced in both the May 30th print issue and online.
Pearl had this statement in the release: “[I'm] looking forward to hearing from readers across the street and around the world on book- and library-related topics large and small. In my radio work and public presentations, my favorite part is always taking questions from the audience. With my ‘Check It Out’ column there are two things you can count on: I have lots of opinions, and I will always be honest in my responses.”
At the recent conference for the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, I did a session on book trailers for use in the library. As part of that session, I asked librarians to participate in making a video. Those interested in become a YouTube star answered this simple question:
What do you do when you get lost?
For Dr. Suess’s birthday, I did three school visits this week. The schools were vastly different: two were rural districts and one was probably one of the oldest buildings in the state; the other was urban and brand-new, complete with every bell and whistle, rug and computer you could want.
Yet, three things were constant: First, the library media specialist was a VIP in the success of the school. It was obvious that these librarians cared, not just because they brought me in to speak (though, caring enough to bring in authors is special), but because they knew all the kids AND their taste in reading.
For the second and third things in common consider this: when I visit a school, I ask two questions. While I’m waiting for everyone to get into the auditorium or room, I talk to kids–hey, that’s what I’m there for, to interact with kids. “So,” I ask, “what have you been reading lately? Or what’s your favorite book you’ve read this year?”
And I ask the librarian, “What’s your circulation like? How many books do you check out each day/week/month? (Whichever stat they want to give me.)”
From those two questions, I can predict with almost 100% accuracy school with good reading scores and those on 2nd- or 3rd-year improvement (A term from the No Child Left Behind legislation, which loosely means their test scores are way below par).
Schools with high test scores
Kids are excited to tell me about the books they’ve been reading. Across a class, there are a number of titles, most of which I recognize, but often some I haven’t read or even heard of. The librarian reports checking out at least 1 book/child/week and usually the stats are far above that. (Ex. 500 books/week for a school with 500 students.)
Schools with low test scores
Kids often give excuses for not knowing the last book they read: I don’t like reading; I don’t remember, I just took the test and then forgot it; I don’t read. When titles are mentioned, it’s the one title that the teacher is currently reading aloud. The librarian reports few check-outs, usually citing the difficulty of keeping everything shelved.
For example, I went to one middle school of 500 students. The school had no library media specialist (mistake #1); the library aide reported that sometimes they checked out 25-30 books/day, but she liked it a lot better when they only checked out 15 because it was an easier day. What? A school of 500 students and they only checked out a max of 100-150 books/week and usually less than 100. Totally crazy!
Guess what? That school was on 2nd-year school improvement and was heading for a third year, with no help in sight (WHERE are you Library Media Specialist?)
Start asking the Questions when you visit schools and report back. If a school checks out at least 1 book/child/week–are the reading scores for that school good? And the opposite, if few books are checked out, are the scores
Let's hear it for librarians! Yes, April 11 - 17 is National Library Week and my prompt to cheer it up for the people and places so integral to our communities. I've asked some author and illustrator friends to share a few words, memories, stories to rally us all to talk-up librarians and I'll be running these pieces all week-long. You'll hear from Laurie Halse Anderson -- the official spokesperson for the American Association of School Librarians' School Library Month 2010 celebration, Christine Brodien-Jones, Deborah Heiligman, Mark Stamaty, Adrienne Sylver and more. Enjoy -- and please share your stories with us, too.
Laurie Halse Anderson, author of INDEPENDENT DAMES, CHAINS, SPEAK, WINTERGIRLS and many other acclaimed books for children and teens, talks of the importance of libraries: "School libraries [and I might add her words work for public libraries as well] are not luxuries, they are the foundations of our culture....Let's fight to make sure that every school in America has an amazing library staffed with an incredible librarian." She shares that math scores are up across the country, but reading scores are not."We haven't asked parents to volunteer to teach our algebra classes... we haven't fired math teachers and let kids to figure it out on the Internet, but we've closed libraries and fired librarians, who are the central figure of literacy in any school."
Here's a short video of Laurie explaining to students at her local high school why every school MUST have a library and a qualified librarian. Big thanks to this independent dame...
Last year, during this celebratory week, 4 authors -- Amy Hest, Carolyn MacCullough, G. Neri and Mitali Perkins -- offered their memories, stories, celebrations. They're so telling and varied and interesting that I want to share them with you again. After all, this stuff never gets old.
"I will never forget the day I got my first library card -- it was green -- and the thrill of signing my name -- oh, so carefully -- at that tall (and scary) desk as the librarian looked on, and my mother. Doors were opening ..."
Carolyn MacCullough, author of Once A Witch (September 2009):"My first job that came with a real paycheck was in the town library. I was a shelver. For four hours a day, three times a week, I made an endless loop of the shelves where I tucked books back into their proper home. If I could empty a cart in less than fifteen minutes, I let myself have five minutes to duck down in some semi lit corner and dive deep into whatever book I was reading at the time. Surrounded by the smell of ink, and the rustle of thousands and thousands of pages, it was then that I decided librarians were some of the luckiest people on earth."
1 Comments on Celebrate National Library Week, Day 4: Amy Hest, Carolyn MacCullough, G. Neri and Mitali Perkins talk it up, last added: 4/15/2010
Lovely Girl came racing up the sidewalk after school the other day, just bursting to tell me about...her library book. (Yep. Her library book. We here at Chez Wheedleton are Unapologetic Book Fiends.)
Specifically, she was bursting to tell me about choosing her library book: See, she was perusing the shelves, just meandering, until a book, any book at all, caught her eye.
And then, she saw it.
Was it a title she'd been eagerly looking for?
Not this time.
Was it the fantastic illustration on the cover?
Nope.
Was it the shiny gold lettering on the spine?
Sort of.
This is the title as she saw it that day, sitting innocently on her school library bookshelf:
Lovely Girl snatched that book up without even cracking it open. She couldn't get to the check out desk fast enough. In fact, she didn't even notice that the book is by an author she loves until she got home and pulled it out of her backpack to show it to me.
Librarians, booksellers, and teachers who spread the love of reading are among the heroes of specfic writers and fans, and in 2011, The Spectacle is pleased to bring you interviews with a few of these special folks.
Our first hero is Chadwick Gillenwater — how’s that for a superhero name? But he’s got an alter ego, too: Professor Watermelon. (Read on for more.) In addition to being a writer himself, Chadwick is a school librarian, creative writing teacher, and instructor of writing teachers. Welcome, Chadwick!
Spec: What age readers are you serving as a librarian, and what fantasy titles are hot in your library now?
CG: My library serves kindergarten through 8th grade. My students love the Fablehaven series and The Lightning Thief series. Harry Potter remains popular, along with the Eragon books.
Spec: How much interest do your readers show in sci-fi vs. fantasy?
CG: To be honest, I think my library lacks in regards to middle-grade science fiction. I would be interested in recommendations from some of your readers in the comments.
Most of my students enjoy realistic fiction and magic realism. That could be because I seem to push those genres, since that is what I like, wink wink.
Spec: As a librarian, what do you wish you had more of?
CG: TIME! I have a hard time keeping up with my reading. There are so many books on my “to read” list! I also need more parents volunteers to shelve books. Actually, I am pretty happy, really!
Spec: As a writer, your work often involves fantasy elements — Why? What do you like about the genre?
CG: I like this genre for the same reasons I like to teach it. I seem to have a better outlet for my wild imagination. My favorite genre is magic realism. I’m able to keep my story grounded in the “real” world but give it the magical twist to keep it different and interesting. This is also my favorite genre to read.
Spec: Why do you think fantasy is a good or common entry point for young authors? CG: Children love to create new worlds when they write. They like to draw the maps of these worlds and the different kinds of people and creatures that live there. With fantasy, children are allowed to create their own rules. This is important in a child’s life, since their “real” world is ruled by adults.
I often ask students to use their “Third Eye” when writing. With their Third Eye, a chicken egg can become larger than a house. Maybe the egg becomes a planet or a mode of transportation. Can you imagine a chicken egg spaceship? What is steering this ship? Where are they going? What do they want more than anything in the universe? They can find all of this information by using their Third Eye!
Spec: What’s been one of your favorite reads lately?
CG: I’m reading SLOB by Ellen Potter right now. It’s realistic fiction written through the perspective of an overweight middle-school boy. I find myself rolling with laughter but turning the page to something that simply makes me want to cry.
Spec: What’s the most rewarding thing about working with young readers?
CG: I am very grateful for the opportunity to inspire children to discover their love of reading. This love will last them their whole life. I remember the adults that inspired me, and I’m happy to pay it back!
Tomorrow: More from Chadwick’s alter ego, Professor Watermelon, about teaching writing, and teaching teachers how to teach writing.
Nice to meet you and love the name, Professor Watermelon.
Two authors that write great MG SF are Bruce Coville and Daniel Pinkwater. My kids also love the Animorphs series, kind of a cross between SF and Fantasy.
Sherrie Petersen said, on 1/17/2011 9:40:00 AM
I always love to hear from a librarian The kids at my school also love Fablehaven, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. They also enjoy Alex Rider, Benjamin Bartholomew Piff and the enduring Roald Dahl books.
Natalie Aguirre said, on 1/17/2011 11:13:00 AM
Thanks for the great interview. It’s so interesting to see what kids are interested in reading. How do you mostly find out about new books and decide on which ones to buy? Do you have any favorite book blogs you read?
Prof. Watermelon said, on 1/18/2011 11:54:00 AM
I love Bruce Coville, and so do my students! Thanks for reminding us of the GREAT COVILLE!
Prof. Watermelon said, on 1/18/2011 11:56:00 AM
Roald Dahl will forever live on! You are certainly right! I also like the Benjamin Bartholomew Piff story! Great suggestion!
More of our interview with writer, librarian, and writing teacher Chadwick Gillenwater, a.k.a.Professor Watermelon. (Read part 1 here.)
Spec: Who is Professor Watermelon? CG: Professor Watermelon is a character I created to teach creative writing to children. Many children feel stifled by the rules of writing (grammar, spelling, style, etc.). From the get-go I want my students to see that I am ready to have fun with writing. My character shows that I am not taking writing too seriously. I am not there to cross out and scribble over their writing with red ink. I am there to show them how writing is an outlet for creative self expression — just like drawing, painting, and building things with popsicle sticks.
Spec: Does Professor Watermelon have any supernatural abilities or unusual traits? CG: Of course! He is in close connection with many magical people and creatures from this world and beyond. During every creative writing class, we receive a letter and artifact from one of these friends. We call this the MuseBox. These artifacts often become the jumping off point for many stories the students create. For example, we may receive a letter and a jar of honey from Herbert the Fly. Even though Herbert is a fly, he makes the tastiest honey on this planet. Herbert may ask the creative writers if their character can do something that is extraordinary to his or her species.
Professor Watermelon is also connected to the people and creatures that live inside the moon. There is a special bakery inside the moon called the Lunar Spooner. This is where Moonbean the Clown bakes Imagination Pies. Creative writers often get these as snacks. They magically cure writer’s block!
Spec: We might need a few of those for a giveaway! What’s the most rewarding thing about working with young writers?
CG: I have the opportunity to inspire a child to find the joy in writing every single day. I get to show them that even adults have the ability to act silly. And I love that I get to use my own imagination.
Spec: When teaching teachers how to teach writing, what are your top tips for doing it right?
CG: If you’re a writer, you know it’s important to write with your writer’s hat on and edit with your editor’s hat on. If you try to wear both at the same time, you will have a tendency not to believe in your writing. Your editor’s voice will keep your imagination from flowing, and you will most likely not finish the project.
If you’re a writing teacher, please separate writing time from editing time – maybe move them to completely separate days. Also, if you have not found the joy in writing yourself, how can you inspire a child to find that joy? It works the same for reading. I have parents ask me all the time how they can motivate their child to read at home. I ask them, “Do you read at home?” They often say that they are not much of a reader. BINGO! We must model the behavior if we want to teach it.
Spec: What writing project are you working on now?
CG: I’m working on a middle grade novel in which Professor Watermelon is one of the characters. The setting is Seattle; Lillyville, TN; and the moon! The protagonist is an eleven-year-old boy who lives in a cemetery with his pet crow. That’s all I’m saying right now, heehee.
Good luck with that moon story, and thanks for stopping by, Chadwick! Please give our regards to the Professor!
Filed unde
2 Comments on Interview with a Hero: Professor Watermelon (part 2), last added: 1/18/2011
I am so lucky to be in a profession where I can make a difference in the life of a child. I get bogged down with the chaos of it all sometimes, the paperwork, the overhead light bulbs and jammed printers...the behind the scenes things get in the way too often. So, today, I got a love note that snapped me back into reality. I walked into my office and found this. It's a good day to be a librarian!Thank you, Amelia. : )
Librarians need Love 2!
0 Comments on Librarians Need Love Too! as of 2/14/2011 12:35:00 PM
Today is the perfect day to grab a book, find a comfy spot to sit, and get reading. Why? Because today is Read Across America Day. And though the day falls (purposely) on the birth of that master of rhymes and silliness, Theodor S. Geisel - better known as Dr. Seuss - the celebration is not limited to the kiddos among us. Everyone is invited, whether you're tall, or small, or somewhere in-between.
Just finding out about this now? No worries. Celebration of Read Across America Day offers the ultimate in flexibility:
For the Minimalist - Those who don't like a lot of fuss when they celebrate will love observing Read Across America Day. All you have to do is read. Anywhere. Anytime. And whatever book or magazine or poetry or other reading material you'd like. And if you have a kiddo to read to, or read with - all the better.
For the Middle-of-the-Roader -Those who like a just a little pizazz in their celebratory behavior will find Read Across America Day fits them as well. Wear one of those tall, red-and-white Cat in the Hat hats while you're reading, and while you're out and about today. Or, if your taste in headgear is slightly more subdued, you could go with something like my chapeau of choice:
For the Ultimate Partier - Those who like a whole lotta stuff goin' on when they celebrate - you know who you are: game and activity lovers, glitter fiends, streamer folks, balloon aficionados, crayon-and-marker wielders, poster painters, etc. - visit any of the following sites for some great ideas for celebrating Read Across America Day (especially if the partiers you're planning for are kids, or if you're a teacher):
1 Comments on You Mean I Get to Read, and Celebrate Silliness, and Have Cake...All on the Same Day?, last added: 3/2/2011
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Award-winning librarian Nancy Pearl (pictured, 
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0 Comments on <em>Celebrate National Library week! I love librarians... don){kind=small}
as of 1/1/1900
The kids at my school also love Fablehaven, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. They also enjoy Alex Rider, Benjamin Bartholomew Piff and the enduring Roald Dahl books.
Awesome interview! Thanks for the insight, Jo! I am getting my MLS online right now and work at my local library in adult services. I love adult.
Wow --- I really ramble on, don't I? I suppose I wanted to be thorough.
Casey, I wish I could have done more online -- it would have been nice to stay home, instead of driving back and forth. Yay for Adult Services!!