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In the library, there is a poster that reads, "Passport to the World-READ". Books are a great way to explore the world but sometimes you actually need to get out there and experience what you are reading about.
One of the real joys of working in the library is the ability to research, watch for, and find new things all of the time. For a person like me, a collector of ideas, according to the Gallop Pole all teachers took this fall, there is nothing more interesting. I tend to have someone mention an idea, and I am off and running researching "Is it out there.." "Does it exist..." . So yesterday, a teacher mentioned traveling, and wishing there was a site out there that allowed you to find inexpensive destinations, without having to enter a destination or dates of travel. You know, that was a great idea...and off I went, digging into websites to see what I could find. I found an article online that referenced two really great sites that do just that...allow you to enter your departure location without having to enter destination or dates. They are www.skyscanner.com and www.kayak.com/explore/. Both sites are great ways to find some great destinations to travel to for great prices. Where is your favorite place? Mine: I have been blessed to have traveled to 14 different countries outside of the United States. I really love the experiences of traveling, eating the food, talking to locals, and learning their histories. A favorite place is hard to pinpoint, but here are my top 5 places in no particular order: Prague, Edinburgh, Vancouver Island, Custer South Dakota, Ireland (anywhere :-) ). What is your favorite place you have traveled or the place you most want to go? I know I have talked about Junior Library Guild before, and how much fun it is to get new books each month. This month was no exception. When I get new books in the library, I love taking the time to read through the descriptions so I am somewhat familiar with the new titles. Then those I want to read get added to my "Shelfari". This month, I can't wait to have some time to start in on some of these amazing reads. I am so excited about them, I decided to do a blog book talk for you so you can judge for yourself. Take a look! Full Ride by Margaret Haddix Becca thought her life was over when her father was sent to prison for embezzlement. It didn’t help that he used her as his excuse: “How else is a guy like me supposed to send his daughter to college?” After the trial, she and her mother fled town, started over in a new place, and vowed to never let anyone know who they really are. Now, four years later, Becca is starting her senior year of high school, and thinks she might be ready to shed some of the secrecy. It seems like she might have to do that to apply for college and college scholarships and financial aid. But what if she and her mother were escaping more than just shame when they ran away? And what if Becca has already revealed enough of the truth to put them both in danger? The Unbound by Victoria Schwab The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson Game Changers Play Makers by Mike Lupica Still living large off their incredible football championship win just weeks before, Ben McBain and his crew must now prepare for basketball season. Ben is known as the best point guard throughout the league. And now that Shawn O'Brien has joined their team, they are a shoo-in to win it all. But there is a new kid in town, Chase Braggs, a point guard like Ben who seems to be better, stronger, and faster. Refusing to let his team down, Ben hits the courts hard to practice. Ben's rivalry with Chase seems to take the fun out of playing ball with his best friends. Will Ben be able to pull it together for his team and for himself? The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods Violet gets tired of not being viewed as part of her family simply due to the fact that they look different. I liked how this book dismissed looks as defining a family unit immediately. Violet's father died before she was born and she had yet to meet that side of the family. When she has the opportunity to meet people she has never met before, Violet approaches it as a challenge. The more Violet becomes involved in both sides of her family, the more she feels completed. The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen by Nicholas Christopher Nicolo Zen is all alone in 1700s Venice, save for his clarinet, which a mysterious magician had enchanted, allowing its first player to perform expertly. Soon Nicolo is a famous virtuoso, wealthy beyond his dreams, but he can't stop wondering if he earned the success himself -- or what might happen if the spell were removed. And throughout it all, he continues to think about the girl he met in Venice, what she might be doing and if she's safe from harm. With a guest appearance by composer Vivaldi, and brimming with fascinating period details, this is a compelling coming-of-age story full of universal themes and a love story that will conjure memories of Romeo and Juliet, perfect for teens who love stories set in other times, but without a paranormal storyline. (from http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/16464-the-true-adventures-of-nicolo-zen) Caminar by Skila Brown Carlos knows that when the soldiers arrive with warnings about the Communist rebels, it is time to be a man and defend the village, keep everyone safe. But Mama tells him not yet — he’s still her quiet moonfaced boy. The soldiers laugh at the villagers, and before they move on, a neighbor is found dangling from a tree, a sign on his neck:Communist. Mama tells Carlos to run and hide, then try to find her. . . . Numb and alone, he must join a band of guerillas as they trek to the top of the mountain where Carlos’s abuela lives. Will he be in time, and brave enough, to warn them about the soldiers? What will he do then? A novel in verse inspired by actual events during Guatemala’s civil war, Caminar is the moving story of a boy who loses nearly everything before discovering who he really is. (From https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18166935-caminar) Muckers by Sandra Neil Wallace Fake ID by Lamar Giles
Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight… My name isn’t really Nick Pearson. I shouldn’t tell you where I’m from or why my family moved to Stepton, Virginia. I shouldn’t tell you who I really am, or my hair, eye, and skin color. And I definitely shouldn’t tell you about my friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy he was about to uncover when he died—right after I moved to town. About how I had to choose between solving his murder with his hot sister, Reya, and “staying low-key” like the Program has taught me. About how moving to Stepon changed my life forever. But I’m going to. Hidden Girl by Shyma Hall An inspiring and compelling memoir from a young woman who lost her childhood to slavery—and built a new life grounded in determination and justice. Shyima Hall was born in Egypt on September 29, 1989, the seventh child of desperately poor parents. When she was eight, her parents sold her into slavery. Shyima then moved two hours away to Egypt’s capitol city of Cairo to live with a wealthy family and serve them eighteen hours a day, seven days a week. When she was ten, her captors moved to Orange County, California, and smuggled Shyima with them. Two years later, an anonymous call from a neighbor brought about the end of Shyima’s servitude—but her journey to true freedom was far from over. A volunteer at her local police department since she was a teenager, Shyima is passionate about helping to rescue others who are in bondage. Now a US citizen, she regularly speaks out about human trafficking and intends to one day become an immigration officer. In Hidden Girl, Shyima candidly reveals how she overcame her harrowing circumstances and brings vital awareness to a timely and relevant topic. (Amazon Review) If you love a free book you are going to LOVE this post. There are three blogs I am going to reference today. I am sure there are many more out there. Each of them offer reviews and links to free or very inexpensive e-books. Pixel of Ink, One Hundred Free Books, and BookBub. Go and browse their sites and download some of the amazing free books that are out there. You can narrow your browsing to Young Adult literature to find content that is of interest to you!
The YALSA top 10 were announced in October. You can see them on the home page of this blog. These books are all in the library. I am challenging all students to a 60 day challenge, beginning November 15th, ending January 15th. If you are participating in the challenge, you must read a book, one of the top 10 or have another book approved and write a book review using the format below. Post your review on this blog. You must do a review for every book you read. The person who reads the most books by January 15th will receive a box of books or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. For more information, stop in the library.
Format for book reviews:1st paragraph Introduction Begin with an attention getting lead drawing the reader in. Consider using a quote from the book, a description of a character, a shocking statement, or general to specific topic. Use interesting sentences, to give the book’s title, author, & book genre. Remember to include information about the author. Finally, write a thesis statement summarizing what the entire book was about. 2nd paragraph Synopsis of Book A synopsis is a quick overview of the book’s plot, setting, and main characters. Be sure not to give too much away! You should consider specific characters or situations in the book that made it entertaining, thought provoking, or fun. What made the book worth remembering and sharing? Are there elements of writing style that the reader might like to know about (flashbacks, flash-forwards, realistic dialogues, imagery, so on). What were some of the major conflicts in the novel? 3rd paragraph Closing You should include your personal viewpoint of how you felt about the book and why. Give positives (or negatives) with specific examples of why you felt that way. What would your recommendation or opinion be as to whether that reader will or will not like the book and is it worth the time to read. The conclusion should have a strong ending that refers back to the lead and gives the reader something to remember. In November, we are working at doubling our Facebook "likes".
1. Get a friend (someone new) to "like" our our Facebook Library web page. 2. Come in and tell me who you added to our membership. 3. Get a free hot beverage from "The Nest". Congratulations to our four winners: Ivo, Sonia, Katie, and Karina on winning some free books in October
Those of you who are reading the different series in the library, stay tuned. New books are arriving daily to complete those series. They are all around the room, on top of the shelves and on the little blue tables. For example: Beautiful Redemption arrived yesterday to complete the Beautiful Creatures series. But really, there are so many more I couldn't possibly list them all. Stop in. See what's here.
Sometimes it takes a little bit to get me onto the newest things. However, O'Neill High School LIbrary is now on twitter. Follow me....
Question: What and When Is Teen Read Week?
Answer: Teen Read Week is a literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. It’s an annual event, which is held the third week in October (October 13-19, 2013). Across the United States, public and school libraries, schools and bookstores take part in Teen Read Week. The focus of Teen Read Week is on encouraging teens to regularly read books just for fun so that recreational reading becomes a habit. For example, in 2013, the theme is "Seek the Unknown @your library" and teens are encouraged to read a variety of materials, including graphic novels, movies, books and more. At O'Neill Public Schools, we are celebrating by having another book give away. This time, any students who "share" something from the O'Neill Library Facebook Page (and have "liked" them), will be entered in the drawing. One catch however, is that you must come post here, with the time and date you shared, along with naming your favorite book or author! See you @ your library! |
AuthorMrs. Braun has been in education for 20 years working as a school counselor. This year the role of high school librarian is new. Archives
November 2014
CategoriesMrs. Troester's Book Review Guidelines
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