"I like this library! You all have the best books!"

One of our daily customers exclaimed this morning, "I like this library! You all have the best books!" This young lady regularly asks us, "Do you have any new books?" or "What book would you recommend." Carts and carts of new books are available for students to browse and check out. The media center has been a popular place this week!

Yesterday, the 2009 Newbery Award winner and Honor books were announced. I'm THRILLED with this year's selections! They're kid-friendly and exciting and I know our students are eager to read them. The Newbery winner, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, is a supernatural tale about a boy who has been raised by ghosts. Listening to the author read from his book is mesmerizing! We have three copies of the book and students in the DRMS Newbery Club will be entered into a drawing on Friday to be one of the first to check them out.

So much to read; so little time . . . . . . .
-Ms. Z

Passing books

I've worked with several classes over the last week, many of whom did book passes. A book pass is an instructional strategy that allows students time with many books over a short period of time. Last Friday, 6th grade science students did a Children's literature book pass and recorded examples of literary elements, vocabulary and illustrations used in Children's literature. These students will be creating their own children's book on a space topic, so looking at a collection of kid's books gave them many ideas and sparked their creativity.

Yesterday, I worked with a 6th grade Special Programs class who passed around Poetry books to inspire them as they begin writing their own poetry. They were amazed at the variety of topics poems can be about - - - some were funny; some were serious; some were very, very short (one student found a poem that was only 3-lines long!); some poems were written in creative ways on the page. Students enjoyed the book Food Fight by Michael J. Rosen, which contained a variety of food-related poems and colorful illustrations to match.

Today, the 6th grade science students returned for a space book pass. They gathered information directly related to their space topic and now have a strong collection of facts to use in the children's book they'll be writing. I'm excited to see how they take their science knowledge and create a story out of it.

Until next week . . . .

-Ms. Z

381

We're back after the holiday break . . . . and with a flurry of activity. Classes of students have been through for circulation to return, renew and check out new books this week. On Monday and Tuesday alone, we circulated 381 items!

The library media staff arrived Monday morning to find holiday displays awaiting us. New winter-themed displays were quickly put up. Students have flocked to the stacks all week and we're happy to welcome them back!

-Ms. Z

BoB update

Battle of the Books practice is well underway. We currently have over twenty 6th, 7th and 8th students who regularly attend weekly after school practices. Students are required to read BoB books, write practice questions for each book they read and share the plot and characters with their fellow teammates. The most popular titles amongst our students so far are The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. Students will be reading through their holiday break in order to prepare for the BoB test on January 15. Students who make the team must have a strong knowledge of BoB books, have a good attendance record at practices and be good representatives from DRMS.

To read along with our students, check out the titles on this year's list and post your comments about what you're reading.

-Ms. Z

Knowing your readers . . . even teachers!

I love when people share their excitement about a book they've just read. It doesn't matter if it's a student or a teacher or even what genre it is. When someone tells me about a book they love, it makes me want to jump into the story with them. I just finished reading the book Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I was immediately drawn into the story, especially after the character, Stargirl was introduced. I still think of her as a real person and gained many insights into life from reading about her.

Now, there are certain books that I read that I immediately think of someone else who would enjoy it. Sometimes, it's a student; sometimes a teacher. Such was the case for Stargirl. About halfway through, I discovered this would be a perfect "Elaine book" (she's one of our 6th grade teachers). This teacher always gets excited when I've discovered a book I know she'll enjoy. My track record so far has been 100%, meaning, every book I've recommended she read, she ends up loving it as much as I think she will.

What an amazing role to play in someone's life. To know your patrons well enought to be able to point them to literature that is the perfect fit for them. This is such a rewarding part of being a media specialist. :-)

-Ms. Z

P.S. Several other "Elaine books" include Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne and Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass. Read one of these great titles and post your thoughts.

Catching up . . .

Time has passed, but not without the hustle and bustle of students and teachers using the media center. Today, 6th grade students participated in a wax museum. Students portrayed various historical figures as classes of students toured the "museum" to hear about people's lives and find out interesting facts.

Earlier in the week, students searched for facts on winter holiday traditions from around the world. Students searched for facts in books and used the Holiday and Christmas pathfinders we created to help direct them to great online resources.

New library books have been ordered and should arrive right around the holidays. Students will be able to check out these new treasures sometime in January. Be on the look-out for information about an all-day book showcase in early 2009 featuring these new arrivals.

-Ms. Z

We're home again!

After almost a 2-week absence of media services, WE'RE BACK and loving it! The media staff has worked tremendously hard moving out of our "home" and then, once carpeting was installed, putting everything back together again. Sometimes pictures speak louder than words, so here are a few taken over the past 2 weeks:

Today, we had a normal, busy day of circulation and assisting students and teachers. It feels great to be back in the shiny and sparkly media center!

-Ms. Z