Creating a Website for your Media Center

In one of my Library Media Technology courses, a classmate and I had to create a website for our imaginary media center. This was SO MUCH FUN, and an example of the type of helpful, interactive website your school can have. Keep in mind, this is two years old and there are much easier (and prettier) options for free web-building. Additionally, a Twitter and/or Facebook page for the media center are great ways to keep daily events posted.


https://sites.google.com/site/villagecharterhighmediacenter/

The Mysterious Old Secret in the Childhood Library Books

I just came across an article in School Library Journal about the link between literacy and imagination. It is a nice essay that ponders the current availability of reading materials and how the experience is different for person to person, culture to culture. It spurred me to recall if I remembered learning to read - when the connection between jumbled letters and the revelation of understanding happened. I cannot. I only remember always, always reading. 


When I was 8 years old, my family made the 130-mile move across Georgia from the metropolis of Columbus to Milledgeville. This was a devastating event, as summer had just begun and the new neighborhood had nary a potential playmate in sight (my dad was a prison warden, and the house was on State property, next to the town's legendary Mental Institutions).


That summer, my mom took us regularly to the city library, where I quickly discovered new friends: Nancy Drew, Joe and Frank Hardy, the Happy Hollister siblings, the Bobbsey Twins and, best of all, Trixie Belden. After dealing with my daily and very boring duties of snapping beans, helping mom can produce, household chores and tending to my younger sister (ack...such treasured memories, now!), I looked forward to spending free time with these upbeat sleuths and their interesting lives and adventures. Trixie was my favorite. She was closer to my age and we seemed to share the same spunk, curiosity and interest - except her new neighbor was a millionaire girl of the same age with horses and free vacation opportunities. But I digress - this is all fresh on my mind because I have recently reunited with some of these old summer pals. And boy, oh, boy, what a surprise. Nostalgia aside, I am aghast at some of the sexist and racist overtones (most prevalent in the original Bobbsey Twins - copyright 1904), not to mention just bad writing in some of the latter Nancy Drew stories. Some of these I could not even finish. However, the gal that still rings true to my heart, then and now, dear old BFF Trixie Belden is still tops. In rereading the adventures of these somewhat outdated kids, I am still struck by the repeated themes that reflect values and preferences I hold true today: the importance of friends and family, the love of productive work and good times, information-reasoning-deducting, a good pair of dungarees, and most importantly, the explorer's dream: a sack lunch of thick ham sandwiches and a thermos of lemonade. 

Here is my girl, Trixie, on the left in the Kindle edition (updated look, a little too glamorous, in my opinion), and one of my cherished collector volumes on the left.

As an educator and librarian, this is just further proof of the influence of early reading in our lives. The imagination that is spurred by context of the written word can make lifelong impressions. As much as I love sharing treasured books with the young readers in my life, it is also important to seek out what they like. Why do they like it? How do they relate their life to the story? Does the book spur ideas for what they would like to learn, to do, to be?

The Day Encyclopedia Britannica Made Me Wail

The moment is etched in my memory for good. March 13, 2012. I was washing dishes while making dinner (cuban black bean soup) when the radio news host nonchalantly said something like, "Today, Encyclopedia Britannica announced they would discontinue production of the printed editions, and move forward with the digital format." I froze, I had a huge flashback, and then I wailed. I will do it again: AWWWWWW!!! 


Yes, I am a trained media specialist. Yes, I love technology and online databases. Yes, I understand economics, profit and the bottom line. But I love printed books. Old ones, used ones, borrowed ones, new ones. And this just seems like the death of Book Beast. That flashback I had was this: In 1983, my wonderful mom purchased a set of World Book Encyclopedias from a neighborhood friend (remember those days? neighbors selling encyclopedias?). Ever the book-fanatic, I was so excited when they arrived. I helped mom unpack the box. While she decided the best place to put them on display, I opened the first volume, relishing the crackly burst of the brand-new spine, the soapy, woody smell of shiny paper, and the tons of knowledge inside. That is what ran through my head when I heard the announcement. It made me sad to think there could be a day centuries from now where a young girl like me would not know that experience. I doubt we will see the death of bound books in our lifetime, if ever. That tactile satisfaction, the comfort of the heft, the smell...these are all part of the reading experience.


For now, World Book and other, more subject-specific publishers will still be producing print versions. For those of use who want to research current information from Encyclopedia Britannica, we must be connected. And honestly, it is a wonderful resource, free to Georgia residents via Galileo.


Image courtesy of http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-stops-the-presses/

Laurel Snyder - Local Author Alert!

By an unexpected series of very fortunate events (thank you very much, Lemony Snicket), I have made the acquaintance of local Atlanta-literary-firecracker-supermom-author, Laurel Snyder. I would encourage any school library to arrange an author visit with Laurel. If she is unable to make it in person, she is a mad "Skyper" and can arrange a video-visit. Let's take a moment to showcase a few of her works: 

Inside the Slidy Diner


Kids will looooooove the awesomely icky-ness encountered at the Slidy Diner. Laurel's fluid prose and fun words work magically with the detailed illustrations. Great as a group read-aloud and definitely one kids will enjoy perusing on their own.

Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher


Following Baxter in his desire to become kosher is a great selection for exploring Jewish tradition. While educational, it is also clever and funny. Baxter's story is at home in any library collection and a great learning tool for those of any faith.

Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains


I would have devoured this book in third grade and know there are many other young readers and adults who will do the same. Enter the land of Bewilderness ("nowhere near France or Topeka") as Lucy, the milkmaid, and her pal Wynston, the prince, set off on an adventure. Laurel has created a sweet, funny story that may work as stepping stone into the fantasy genre.

Bigger than a Bread Box


As of today, this is Laurel's most recent publication...and probably my favorite so far! Geared more for middle school readers, Rebecca is suddenly faced with the separation of her parents and a subsequent move and new school. These issues are not dealt with easily and Rebecca manages them as a "normal" girl would (no super-heroics...which is what I appreciated about it most). Magical elements enter when Rebecca discovers a wish-granting bread box. With this added twist, Laurel still manages to keep the story grounded in realism.  










Laurel is a force of energy, dedicated to education, reading, and her craft - I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.


Check out her fabulous website here.

Programs to Promote Reading

I recently came across an article titled Independent Reading and School Achievement (Cullinan, 2000). As a volunteer at a neighborhood middle school with a fledgling library program, I have been trying to refresh myself on ideas to promote reading among students. While many of these approaches are old stand-bys and no-brainers, our days are consumed with such a barrage of technology and the pressure of goals and exceptional performance, that we may forget ground rules that should be integral to the media center.


Per Cullinan (2000), independent reading is voluntary  - such as that for leisure or pleasure -  or that which is not required. Because literacy is related to school achievement, we must concentrate on ways to promote it:


Pre-School and Kindergarten

• The younger the child, the better. And don't just read. Interact: point, ask questions, label objects, discuss print. Let the child construct his or her meaning. 
• Encourage students' parents to "table talk" (or car, bath, bed-talk). In this, they will answer the child's questions, give them focused attention, and listen to their words. Children learn new vocabulary, clarify misunderstandings, and expand surface-level understandings 
• Common factors of successful programs for preschool children include active parent involvement, access to books and libraries, models in the use of books, and efforts to make people feel at ease in libraries.

Elementary: Grades 1-5

• Beginning readers or struggling readers should receive the support and modeling necessary to learn to read.
• Students who know how to read should continue to have models who read to them.
• Recruit advanced readers to help others. Student-based tutoring programs may not only help the students being taught but might also help those doing the teaching.
• Encourage browsing of new titles or relevant books by displaying to show the cover/front instead of the spine. Picture books, short chapter books, humorous stories, informational books, and magazines should also be showcased.
• All students are provided with adequate time for sustained silent reading and choice of what to read.

Middle and High School: Grades 6-12

• Encourage active parental involvement in student learning 
• Develop partnerships among community institutions 
• Promote collaboration among school librarians and teachers 
• The freedom of middle school and young adult students makes it imperative to give adequate time for independent, self-chosen reading, to demonstrate the value and pleasure of reading and writing
• Hone technology skills to perpetuate the search for information (my updated 2012 version of Cullinan's conclusion to "provide technology for information searching").

For further reading and details on research conclusions, see article in its whole here: http://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/slmrcontents/volume32000/independent#programs




References:


Cullinan, B. E. (2000). Independent reading and school achievement {computer file}. School Library Media Research, 3

Newberys vs GA Peach Awards

This was an exciting week for all of us kid lit enthusiasts: The 2012 Newbery winner and honor books were announced on Monday. Big congrats to the champ, Dead End in Norvelt (Jack Gantos) and runners-up Inside Out & Back Again (Thanhha Lai) and Breaking Stalin's Nose (Eugene Yelchin). I look forward to adding these newly famed tomes to my Newbery Ketchup! goal -- only four more months. And this can be difficult. Especially when I am distracted by many other great reads that catch my eye in passing or by other recommendations or award categories. Which brings me to the Georgia Peach Awards. 


As an educator, this is one of my favorite go-to reading lists, as the winners/honors are actually chosen by young adults (grades 9-12) in Georgia. A committee of school media specialists and librarians nominate 20 books, but then high school students actually cast their votes for those that get top marks. Although the Newbery and Caldecott Awards may be arguably the most prestigious, the voting system makes one stop and think a bit. Per the ALA website, the committee that chooses the books for these awards is composed of 15 people, all members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Each year, ALSC members elect 8 members to the committee and then the ALSC president chooses the other 7. And then they read, read, read and narrow down the discussions (all top secret), and THEN these 15 lucky people decide which books are the greatest of the year. Did I mention 15 people? Is my tongue in cheek? Maybe a little. Would I love to be on this elite committee? Well, of course! Nevertheless, one may argue that the winners of the Newbery and Caldecott awards are very skewed, with the electoral college consisting of a very tiny, although likely very "qualified" group of folks. So, when you look at a system like the Georgia Peach Book Awards, which not only considers, but depends on the opinion of the intended audience, doesn't it seem to hold more validity?


See the Georgia Peach Award website for details on the upcoming nominees and how to get your high school students involved!

Video Story Projects

During grad school, my video recording/editing class required a news-type submission on any topic of choice. After some thought, the idea emerged to take a fairy tale and consider how a roving reporter in Fantasyland might cover the news. The Three Bears was my first idea, and I ran with it. The bears were victims of a home invasion, so a perfect news segment. Not only was it a lot of fun, it was obvious this is a wonderful idea to use for students of all levels, and the media center is the place to start! Learning to record and edit video on a particular book, story or character will encompass a myriad of standards from technology to reading to writing, teaching those critical technology lessons while preserving literary knowledge.


Catch this late-breaking news-segment on The Three Bears to get ideas for your students!

Comics, Graphic Novels and Manga

As a librarian and educator, I know that comic books, graphic novels and manga can be gateways to literature and learning for slow, reluctant, and ESOL readers. I also know that although they are classified under the Dewey Decimal Classification number 741.5, it is useful to create a dedicated spot in the library media center for these materials. Showcasing the items in their own location creates an easily accessible area for existing and potential readers.

The labeling of the the types of materials found under 741.5 is an ongoing debate between fans, authors and illustrators. Just Google "the difference between comics, graphic novels and manga". The resulting opinions are more than I thought. Debates go on endlessly regarding plot arcs, length, chapters, volumes and series to discern differences. Overall, though most agree that "Comic" is the original term from which all other names (be they revered or despised). 

From my experience in libraries, the terms in the title post are regarded as follows:

• Comic Book: Magazine-like bound series material

• Graphic Novel: More sturdily bound than a comic book due to length. Usually a contained story, but can also be series

• Manga: Japanese-created comics and novels, very popular in Western culture.

I suggest a couple of sources for reviewing or choosing relevant materials:

• Good Comics for Kids - School Library Journal's collaborative blog on suggested materials for students
• No Flying, No Tights - A graphic novel review website

And if you are just a self-proclaimed history of comic nerd, see this blog by an aspiring comics librarian: 741.5 and then some.

Writeboard - Great Collaborative Tool

While volunteering at my neighborhood middle school, we have been using a great new tool to schedule timeslots and meetings. Well, it is new to me at least. Writeboard is an easy-to-use web-based text document that only requires a link and a password. I have used Google Docs in the past as a collaboration tool, but many people have complained of issues. I am not sure if this is a user-based problem, but so far, none of my volunteer team has had any problem with Writeboard. Simple, quick, and straightforward.

Here - check it out with a document I created:

http://123.writeboard.com/i3sxvemytx8o2n6y 

password: testing123

Take a look at the website and consider using for your next collaborative task!
http://writeboard.com/

The Thirteenth Tale (audio format)

Author: Diane Setterfield 
Narrators: Bianca Amato & Jill Tanner
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio, New York, 2006
ISBN: 978-0-7435-6417-5
Interest Level: Young Adult to Adult
Genre:  Fiction
Plot Summary: Aging, reclusive author Vida Winter, having given out multiple versions of her life story over the years, decides to finally set the record straight and engages Margaret Lea, a London bookseller's daughter, to write her biography, drawing the young woman into a tale of a governess, a ghost, a willful woman, feral twins, and a gothic mansion. 
Themes/Tags: authors, hermits, twins, mystery, betrayal, England, gothic
Awards and Reviews: book reviews only: Alex Award 2007, Wilson's Senior High School 10/01/07, Library Journal 08/01/06, Publishers Weekly 06/26/06, Kirkus Review starred 07/15/06, Booklist 09/01/06

Library Journal (August 1, 2006) A ruined mansion in the English countryside, secret illegitimate children, a madwoman hidden in the attic, ghostly twin sisters-yep, it's a gothic novel, and it doesn't pretend to be anything fancier. But this one grabs the reader with its damp, icy fingers and doesn't let go until the last shocking secret has been revealed. Margaret Lea, an antiquarian bookseller and sometime biographer of obscure writers, receives a letter from Vida Winter, "the world's most famous living author." Vida has always invented pasts for herself in interviews, but now, on her deathbed, she at last has decided to tell the truth and has chosen Margaret to write her story. Now living at Vida's (spooky) country estate, Margaret finds herself spellbound by the tale of Vida's childhood some 70 years earlier...but is it really the truth? And will Vida live to finish the story? Setterfield's first novel is equally suited to a rainy afternoon on the couch or a summer day on the beach. For all public libraries. 
Extensions: After reading the Thirteenth Tale, discuss the elements of gothic literature.  Prepare a Power Point presentation with the history of the Gothic including the characteristics of Gothic literature (dark settings, strong imagery, damsels in distress, deep villains, dark themes about human nature, hidden secrets, etc.) Student will enjoy learning where things like vampires, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc come from. Have students will identify Gothic elements in some of their favorite movies and stories, brainstorming in class and the teacher will write ideas on the board. Direct students to looking at specific elements that create the mood and tone. Assess on students' abilty to identify various images and elements of discussed topics and classroom participation. (adapted from a lesson plan found on http://www.associatedcontent.com)

GPS ELA11LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions. The student
a. Initiates new topics in addition to responding to adult-initiated topics . b. Asks relevant questions. c. Responds to questions with appropriate information. d. Actively solicits another person’s comments or opinion. e. Offers own opinion forcefully without domineering. f. Volunteers contributions and responds when directly solicited by teacher or discussion leader. g. Gives reasons in support of opinions expressed. h. Clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so; asks classmates for similar expansions. i. Employ group decision-making techniques such as brainstorming or a problem-solving sequence (i.e., recognizes problem, defines problem, identifies possible solutions, selects optimal solution, implements solution, evaluates solution).j. Divides labor so as to achieve the overall group goal efficiently.
Terri's Review: ►►►► 4 Bean and Cheese Nachos (out of 5)  A book for booklovers, especially those drawn to British mysteries, historical British literature, dark secrets, betrayals, lies, dysfunctional families, old rambling gothic mansions, and of course tea and cake.  The two narrators bring realistic, consistent and believable voices to the two main characters.  The book begins with mousy Margaret Lea, the classic spinster gal, who lives with her parents and helps run her father's rare bookstore.  She is recruited by England's best-selling, yet reclusive author, Miss Winter, who is dying.  The frail Mrs. Winter needs Margaret to write the story that has never been told (a.k.a The Thirteenth Tale). Mrs. Winter has been living under a false name for most of her life, and in a cathartic attempt to relieve her bitter soul, she must divulge her family secrets.  What ensues is a gothic tale including allusions to incest (mature YA readers only), betrayal, lies, and half-truths, which sends Margaret out on some detective work of her own, because Mrs. Winter, for all her intent, can be vague and misleading with the details.  This is a book that's hard to put down, especially if it's a cold rainy day, so fire up the teapot.

The Good Thief

Author: Hannah Tinti - great website...I want to be her friend!
Publisher: Dial Press, New York, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-385-33745-8
Interest Level: Young adult to Adult
Genre:  Fiction, although assigned Dewey 813.6 (American Fiction, 2001-) 
Plot Summary: Young Ren, an orphan in nineteenth-century New England, is rescued from the orphanage by Benjamin Nab, who claims to be Ren's brother; but as time goes on Ren begins to question who he can and cannot trust.
Themes/Tags: orphans, New England, historical fiction, trust
Awards and Reviews: Alex Award 01/26/09, Wilson's Fiction 03/01/09, Booklist starred 06/01/08, Publishers Weekly 05/05/08, Kirkus Review starred 06/01/08, New York Times 09/28/08 
Booklist starred (June 1, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 19) Ren doesn’t know how he lost his hand, who his parents are, or how he arrived at St. Anthony’s, a prisonlike orphanage. Certain that no one will ever adopt him, he takes secret revenge on those who beat and torment him by stealing. Then Benjamin Nab appears, claiming Ren as his long-lost younger brother. Off they go, and Ren, a marvelously plucky narrator, is ecstatic. But his savior turns out to be a con man given to diabolical and grotesque endeavors. It’s a ghoulish and violent world right out of the most nihilistic fairy tales, with shades of Dickens and Deadwood. Set in a decimated nineteenth-century New England town ruled by the owner of a mousetrap factory, Tinti’s shivery tale features an otherworldly cast of characters. Each is caught in a snare of some sort and must figure out how to get free. Tinti revealed her macabre sensibility in her story collection, Animal Crackers (2004). In her highly original debut novel, she renders the horrors and wonders she concocts utterly believable and rich in implication as she creates a darkly comedic and bewitching, sinister yet life-affirming tale about the eternal battle between good and evil
Extensions: Include The Good Thief on the assigned reading list.  Students will compose a chart to identify elements of diction, imagery, figurative language, point of view, symbolism, plots and main ideas contained in the text.  Prompt class discussions on these elements in the book: Which characters has unique ways of speaking, and what tone did they convey?  Describe the imagery of some of the locations in North Umbrage and what tone do they convey?  In retrospect, think from the point of view of Mrs. Sands and Benjamin that drive their actions.  Do you see any symbolism in the mousetrap factory?  Think of some of the subplots and how they relate to the overall main idea of the story:  the "evil" twins, the ugly mousetrap girls, the doctor who studied corpses, Tom's former life as a teacher.  Assess on analyzation efforts, supporting information and classroom participation. 
GPS ELAALRL1 The student demonstrates comprehension by identifying evidence (i.e., examples of diction, imagery, point of view, figurative language, symbolism, plot events and main ideas) in a variety of texts representative of different genres (i.e., poetry, prose [short story, novel, essay, editorial, biography], and drama) and using this evidence as the basis for interpretation. The student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of the structures and elements of American fiction and provides evidence from the text to support understanding; the student: a. Locates and analyzes such elements in fiction as language and style, character development, point of view, irony, and structures (i.e., chronological, in medias res, flashback, frame narrative, epistolary narrative) in works of American fiction from different time periods. b. Identifies and analyzes patterns of imagery or symbolism. c. Relates identified elements in fiction to theme or underlying meaning. d. Analyzes, evaluates, and applies knowledge of the ways authors use techniques and elements in fiction for rhetorical and aesthetic purposes. e. Analyzes the influence of mythic, traditional, or classical literature on American literature. f. Traces the history of the development of American fiction..
Terri's Review: ►►►►► 5 Bean and Cheese Nachos (out of 5)  This simple, yet magnificent tale is an instant classic that will be on required reading lists for years.  Tinti creates an almost Grimm-ish atmosphere, in this darkly moving story set in 19th century New England.  Our protagonist is, of course, the archetypal orphan boy - sensitive, worried, bright -- and missing his left hand.  Ren is soon rescued by a smooth-talking rogue, Benjamin Nab, who claims to be Ren's older brother.  This swaggering con-man takes Ren under his wing, and along with Tom, Benjamin's sidekick, they teach him the ropes in pickpocketing, medicine shows and graverobbing.  Before long, Ren realizes Benjamin cannot really be his brother, but now he's the only sort of family he has.  Once they settle into Mrs. Sands' boarding house, Ren gets a taste of a real home and a motherly figure, despite her eccentricities.  And the eccentric characters abound in this novel which takes plot turns and scenes you never see coming.  Exquisite and highly original, this first-time novel of Tinti's is at heart a simple display of fantastic storytelling, and reveals the true nature of love, friendship, and family despite physical and personality flaws.  An excellent choice for any library collection young adult and above.  The story does contain a few gruesome scenes of shootouts and corpse-stealing, but nothing young adults have not heard before.

Alex Awards

One of my main sources for leisure reading suggestions are books that have been nominated for an Alex Award. If you are not familiar, the award is given to 10 books each year that are written for adults, but hold appeal for young adult readers (12-18 yrs). These books are great choices for picks in a media center serving students in this age range. Check out their site to see the history of nominations:


http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/alexawards/alexawards.cfm

My next posts will highlight a couple of Alex Award books I have enjoyed.

WebQuests

"What are WebQuests?", some of you may ask. According to WebQuest.Org, "A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web." A WebQuest can range from a very simple document to a detailed website. All you need are hyperlinks! WebQuest.Org points out important attributes of a WebQuest:

A real Webquest...

• is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version of things that adults do as citizens or workers.
• requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis, analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
• makes good use of the web. A WebQuest that isn't based on real resources from the web is probably just a traditional lesson in disguise. (Of course, books and other media can be used within a WebQuest, but if the web isn't at the heart of the lesson, it's not a WebQuest.)
• isn't a research report or a step-by-step science or math procedure. Having learners simply distilling web sites and making a presentation about them isn't enough.
• isn't just a series of web-based experiences. Having learners go look at this page, then go play this game, then go here and turn your name into hieroglyphs doesn't require higher level thinking skills and so, by definition, isn't a WebQuest. 

 At the time of this post, WebQuest.Org offers a 2-year subscription to it's WebQuest creation tool, QuestGarden, at $20 for 2 years. Not too bad, but this penny-pincher has not yet joined. The presentation is nice and clean. Here is a link to a QuestGarden lesson.  

Recently, I collaborated with a fellow media specialist and the 3rd grade teachers at her school. I created a WebQuest for a Science lesson on Endangered Species of Georgia. I opted to utilize a free website-creator, Weebly. If you have not experienced Weebly, check it out. Actually, that is a good idea for my next post, thank you very much!

The main thing to remember about WebQuests is to check your links before using, as they can expire or move. Or you may even find something better. A few of these links were advanced for some of the students, but with the help of the media specialist and teacher being nearby, the lesson was a great success and my WebQuest enjoyed by all:

http://endangeredspeciesgeorgia.weebly.com/

Interesting Interview with Author Brian Selznick

I recently heard a great interview with the award-winning author and children's book illustrator, Brian Selznick. Mr. Selznick's new book, Wonderstruck, debuted earlier this month to raving editorial reviews, and high ratings on user-rated websites. Using the illustration/text format he used in The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the new novel follows two youngsters whose paths eventually cross, and who share a trait: they are both deaf.

Catch up with the interview here (read, stream, or podcast):


http://www.npr.org/2011/09/13/140403979/wonderstruck-a-novel-approach-to-picture-books

Search Engines

A tech-geek friend was visiting recently and needed to use my computer. I noticed he immediately snubbed my Google default search option and chose to use Dogpile instead. I asked what he preferred about that search engine, and he muttered something about it being more comprehensive. I decided to research further and discovered Dogpile is a metasearch engine - one that searches several engines or databases to provide more results. Hmmm, ok. So, what else is out there? Lots! If you get a chance, take a look at this website, which has compiled a list of many search engines categorized for different purposes. Providing many options that specialize in everything from books, games, multimedia, blogs, and open source, this is an information-seeker's dream for streamlining searches. This would be a great media lesson for older students in honing those 21st-Century Skills!

Check it out:


http://www.thesearchenginelist.com/

Good Masters, Sweet Ladies!

Author: Laura Amy Schlitz                    

   

Illustrator: Robert Byrd

Publisher: Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA, 2007

ISBN: 978-0-7636-4332-4                                   

Grade Level: 5-8

Genre: Nonfiction

Plot Summary:  Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-85).;Hugo, the Lord's nephew -- Taggot, the blacksmith's daughter -- Will, the plowboy -- Alice, the shepherdess -- Thomas, the doctor's son -- Constance, the pilgrim -- Mogg, the villein's daughter -- Otho, the miller's son -- Jack, the half-wit -- Simon, the knight's son -- Edgar, the falconer's son -- Isobel, the Lord's daughter -- Barbary, the mud slinger -- Jacob Ben Salomon, the moneylender's son, and Petronella, the merchant's daughter -- Lowdy, the varlet's child -- Pask, the runaway -- Piers, the glassblower's apprentice -- Mariot and Maud, the glassblower's daughters -- Nelly, the sniggler -- Drogo, the tanner's apprentice -- Giles, the beggar. A collection of short one-person plays featuring characters, between ten and fifteen years old, who live in or near a thirteenth-century English manor.

Themes/Tags:  Middle Ages, children's literature, historical fiction, poetry, England

Reviews and Awards:  Wilson's Children 01/01/09, Wilson's Junior High School 11/01/08, Newbery Medal/Honor 01/14/08, School Library Journal starred 08/01/07, Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/08, Booklist starred 08/01/07, Horn Book starred 04/01/08, Book Links starred 01/01/08

Extensions: It's obvious, but impossible NOT to use this book in a performance capacity.  Using the media center, dedicate a month to study of the middle ages.  Along with books and other media on display, culminate the end of the month with a performance of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!  Those who do not have speaking parts will assist with backdrops, audio (music), and video.

GPS: ELA6R3 The student reads aloud, accurately (in the range of 95%), familiar material in a variety of genres, in a way that makes meaning clear to listeners.

ELA6RC4 The student establishes a context for information acquired by reading across subject areas. 

Terri's Review ►►►►► 5 Bean & Cheese Nachos (out of 5)

Due to the response from a couple of fellow media specialists, I had already prejudged this book to be a head-scratching doozy.  Imagine my surprise... I LOVED it! I also love that it was written by a bona-fide media specialist! I enjoyed it was written as a series of monologues.  Each character portrays a person of various status or trade in this fictional midieval village.  Some of the monologues are written as poetry, others as lyrical prose.  The stories are those of hard times and social status -- or lack of.  Interspersed throughout the pages are footnotes on odd words and background information on unusual practices.  Several "history" pages are interspersed to give greater detail on topics such as the role of the miller or the Crusades.  Very interesting and very well-written, I will leave you with this catchy excerpt from "Otho, The Millers Son":

Oh, God makes the water, and the water makes the river,

And the river turns the mill wheel

and the wheel goes on forever.

There's no use in looking back,

for here's the truth I've found:

It's hunger, want, and wickedness

that makes the world go 'round.

Newbery Ketchup!

Catch-up, actually. Ketchup just sounded cute, and I am hungry. I digress....for a while, I've had a goal to read all the Newbery books - both winners and honors. As time marches on, a deadline for this project is needed. A year seems more than reasonable. So perhaps a nice, neat date like June 1, 2012. Yes, I like it!

What is the story behind the Newbery? ("One R! One R!", as Dr. Nancy Brown would tell her GSU grad students) Per the American Library Association's website:

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. On June 22, 1921, Frederic G. Melcher proposed the award to the American Library Association meeting of the Children's Librarians' Section and suggested that it be named for the eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery. The idea was enthusiastically accepted by the children's librarians, and Melcher's official proposal was approved by the ALA Executive Board in 1922. In Melcher's formal agreement with the board, the purpose of the Newbery Medal was stated as follows: "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."

The Newbery Award thus became the first children's book award in the world. Its terms, as well as its long history, continue to make it the best known and most discussed children's book award in this country.

I have read a number of books on the list already - whether recently or in the past. Favorites - some of which I have already mentioned in this blog - include:

 

• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis  2008 Honor 

• Whittington  by  Alan Armstrong, illustrated by S.D. Schindler  2006 Honor

• Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell  1961 Winner

While I try to recognize the value of each story, I can't imagine one person enjoying every single book. That is the beauty of reading...so much material for all different personalities to enjoy. So I will also recognize some of my not-so-favorites:

• The Underneath  by Kathi Appelt, illus. by David Small 2009 Honor

• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson 1957 Honor

The books above were certainly well-written, but as an animal lover, they were emotionally challenging. That said, I have no regrets on reading them and see their value to a library collection. It is good to be challenged.

What are some of your favorite Newberys? Some you are still scratching your about? Any oversights?

Time to get started. Here is my first batch, courtesy of Atlanta's Buckhead Library:

And for the record, a shot of the Buckhead Library. Architecture fans: talk amongst yourselves!

 

READ.GOV

A couple of years ago, I visited the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. I was traveling by train from Atlanta to Salt Lake City and had a layover of several hours at Union Station. This gorgeous station is in the heart of our nation's capital, so the Library of Congress (LOC) was just a short walk away. Due to time limitations, I was only able to do a quick self-guided tour, but enjoyed every moment. While it is a spectacular place, even more impressive (and easily accessible) is the LOC website. A veritible abyss of information, the site offers historical photographs, audio recordings, film clips, manuscripts, maps and so much more. Today I would like to invite you to visit one of my favorite offerings:


http://www.read.gov/

Categories for online reading include classic options for kids, teens, adults and educators/parents. The children's books are especially gorgeous. Books of a time gone by, but preserved for us to share with kids today!

And because you are interested (right?!), here are a few amateur shots from my trip!  

You should know this one!

Finally here! Hooray!

The exhibition featured Herbert Block's editorial cartoons.

View from LOC steps.

In the "lobby".

Breathtaking! Too bad my photography skills are not!

Beauty everywhere.

The entrance in the background.

Bad-hair-day at LOC. I've been sleeping on a train folks (thus, NOT sleeping)!

I liked these guys.

Amtrak: fun, adventurous, and not very glamorous. This is it. You just walk on!

An Old Classic is the New Favorite!

This summer, while keeping the kids of some friends, I decided to use an old classic for the much revered potty-reading duties:

 

The Terrible Thing that Happened at Our House (author: Marge Blaine, illustrator: John C. Wallner) is the story of what happens to a "normal" family when mom decides to go back to work. Ok, so they are privileged kids who had a stay-at-home mom, but most kids these days can relate to the situation. Suddenly both parents are very busy, game night is no more, and now the kids must eat in the dreaded lunchroom! With great illustrations and funny lines, this story provides insight into working out problems with your family, talking and connecting. Even with a copyright date of 1975, its is a timeless tale and I encourage you to find a copy!

George Washington Carver

Author: 
Tonya Bolden                                               

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York , 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9366-2 

Interest Level: Grades 3-6


Genre:  Noniction, Dewey 630.92


Plot Summary: Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40). A biography of American botanical researcher and agronomy educator, George Washington Carver, whose work to promote alternative crops in the post-war South played a major role in revolutionizing Southern agriculture.


Themes/Tags: biography, George Washington Carver, agriculture, Alabama

Awards and Reviews: Wilson's Children 01/01/09, School Library Journal starred 04/01/08, Booklist starred 02/01/08, Book Links starred 03/01/08, Kirkus Review starred 12/15/07, Horn Book 10/01/08, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 03/01/08, Library Media Connection 08/01/08
Library Media Connection (August/September 2008) A fresh biography from Tonya Bolden, this title retraces the turbulent life and celebrated accomplishments of the famed "Peanut Man" through chronological photographs, original works of art, and thought-provoking text. Bolden takes the reader back to George Washington Carver's birthplace and leads him through his life from enslavement as a child, on his quest for new knowledge and becoming a successful environmentalist, to being honored for his contributions in agriculture by way of a museum erected in his name. Her use of historical photographs, artifacts, and drawings depicting Carver's love of nature and his scientific explorations is reminiscent of walking through a museum with the book as the tour guide. Although suited for older readers, this selection would be a valuable addition to any biography collection. Recommended. Suzanne Buza-Snead, Librarian, Maverick Elementary, San Antonio, Texasu

Extensions: Introduce students to George Washington Carver as presented in this particular text.  Then, using additional online media center resources, have teams of two students write their own short biography of Carver.  Using Bolden's text as an example, have student's create their own collage-type presentation using printed photographs, magazine and other mixed media provided by the librarian or students (fabric, sticks, soynuts, etc).  The biographical text will be displayed among the collage in a format suitable to the students.  The final projects will be displayed on the media center showcase table at the end of the month.

GPS SS5H3: The student will describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century. b. Describe the impact on American life of the Wright brothers (flight), George Washington Carver (science), Alexander Graham Bell (communication), and Thomas Edison (electricity).


Terri's Review: ►►►►► 5 Bean and Cheese Nachos (out of 5)  True story:  I picked this book up and did not put it down until I finished.  Wow, what a wonderfully written, presented, informative addition to any library collection!  I personally did not know much about GWC, other than he was a scientist who did wonders with peanuts.  There was so much more to this genius of a man from such humble beginnings, who made great strides at such a turbulent time in American history.  Wonderful colors, photographs and drawings accompany the tale of Carver from his birth, to his early knack for horticulture, to art, to science, ultimately being recognized by Congress at the height of racial tension for his accomplishments.  He was always a bit dismayed to be the "peanut man", because his true and most interesting passion by far was sustainability.  He was actually one of the grandfathers of "green".  In another year and time, I could imagine him on a commune wearing hemp shirts and sporting dreadlocks.  He was the ultimate conservationist, and thought that everything we needed from clothes to medicine were attainable from nature.  Interestingly, he received some flack from his peers for his lack of involvement in the African-American movement at the time.  An absolute must-have for any library collection.