It's Monday! What are you reading?

The news has been heart-rending this week, so I'm sure it wasn't a coincidence that my eye was drawn to this book pairing in the pile I brought home to process for the library:

Peter H. Reynolds' Say Something is a heartfelt plea for all of us to say what we need to in order to make the world a better place for all.  I love that he covers all sorts of ways to speak our mind--through words, art, even our sense of style.  He specifically asks us to stand up for others who are being bullied, and speak out for peace in our world.  The characters are as diverse as the words for "peace".  Could there be a better time to be reading this to our children?

Stand Up, Stand Out!  25 Rebel Heroes Who Stood Up for Their Beliefs-- and How They Can Inspire You is also a book for our times.  Kay Woodward's twenty-five short biographies of famous and not-so-famous people who bucked the systems throughout history make for a great continuing read-aloud.  She includes a "what would they do?" for each profile, offering a present-day dilemma with a solution based on the subject's character traits.  

Reynolds' book is great for any age; I would recommend Woodward's biographies for third grade on up.

As promised last week, here's a picture of some of the books I'm aiming to read this summer.  Some are for adults, some YA, some middle grade, and some for professional development.  You'll notice there's quite a few titles addressing race relations.  Since I was born into white privilege, I know that for right now, it is time for me to listen rather than speak; reading these books will be my "listening", in order to act with knowledge and care for those who are hurt by systemic racism.  

Parents, if you are looking for age-appropriate resources to discuss this heavy topic with children, here are some helpful links:

Beyond the Golden Rule from Teaching Tolerance

How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids from Common Sense Media

It's Monday, and I've got a lot of reading to get to this summer.  What's in your reading pile?

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Okay, you Bluebonnet readers going into third through fifth grade at Sommer--I hope you get your hands on a copy of Nightbooks by J.A. White this summer.  I finally finished it today, and LOVED the twist near the end--didn't see it coming!  I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say you might want to brush up on your fairy tales before reading Nightbooks.  

So what's next on my reading list?  I think I'll read a grownup book--I've had lots of recommendations for The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, a historical fiction novel about the "Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky".  

A kid equivalent of this book would be one of my favorite picture books, gifted to me when I graduated with my library degree:  That Book Woman, by Heather Henson.

I think I may pull it off my shelf and have a quick read before jumping into my novel!

It's Monday, and I'm reading librarian-related stories this week.  What's in your summer reading pile?  I'll share mine next week!

It's Wednesday! What's happening in the Sommer Library?

A big THANK YOU to everyone who dropped off your library and classroom books during supply pick up these last three days!  It was so great to see your smiles and dogs (and even a hamster!) as you drove by.  If you didn't drop off your books, no worries; you can return them when we return to school.

This week's library slide deck is all about summer reading!  Click on the picture below for Ms Margocs' summer reading lesson:

And here's the link to our district's brand new summer reading website! (Click on the picture!)

You can download the district Beach Blanket Bingo reading sheet from either the presentation or the website!  Remember, even reading four or five books during the summer can help beat the summer slide.

Important news about reading programs:  

• If you participated in the Six Flags Read to Succeed program, your parents should get an email telling you how to download your ticket at home.  Check your spam folder!
• If you participated in the Schlitterbahn Waves of Pages program, follow the directions from the email your teachers sent to request a ticket.

This is the last Sommer Library update of the year!  Tomorrow is the official last day of school...and these are Ms Margocs' last few official days of being your Sommer Librarian.  I have been offered a position at my neighborhood campus, where my own children went to school, and I will be starting there in the fall.  I LOVE my Sommer community, and it was a very hard decision to leave a campus that has taught me to be a librarian, supporting and applauding me every step of the way.  These past seven years at Sommer have been the best experience I've had as an educator!  I am sure that your next librarian will be fabulous, and the library will continue to be a place you love to visit at Sommer.  I will be just an email away if you need anything library-related until we find out who that person will be, or if you just want to say hello.

Have a safe, healthy, and happy summer, Stallions--and keep on reading!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I am doing my best to get a headstart on the 20-21 Bluebonnet Award Nominees this year!  I started reading Nightbooks by J.A. White.  Folks, it is scary!

Alex was just going to the basement to burn his handwritten stories...until the elevator got stuck on the 4th floor.  And he just had to step into the apartment where his favorite movie was playing, his favorite pie was sitting right there on the table...until the door closed behind him.  The movie, the pie, AND the door all disappear, and Alex now finds himself trapped by a witch.  But he's not the only kid there...And I'll be reading more to find out if the children make it out alive!

I wanted to squeeze in a picture book, too, so I read If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen, another Bluebonnet Nominee:

Fans of Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series may recognize the artwork by Van Dusen, who is both author and artist.  I loved the retro-yet-futuristic illustrations and ideas for an up-to-date school--especially the classrooms' glass ceilings that open to let in fresh air, and the really cool gym with a swim moat and trampoline basketball court.  I might have liked PE more if those had been in my schools!

It's Monday, and I'm reading Bluebonnet Award Nominee books!  What's in your reading pile today, this last Monday before summer break?

It's Wednesday! What's happening in the Sommer Library?

Ms Margocs is popping into online class meetings this week to talk about about three things:  MackinVia, poop, and next week's summer reading lesson!  (I know you want to know more about that second thing, but let's go in order.)

First--MackinVIA is one of our ebook platforms, and has a LOT of reading material--over eight thousand titles covering all grade levels!  

There are audiobooks, too, for those who like to read with their ears.  I know our students usually prefer print books, but since we don't have access to the library right now, this is a good substitute.  You can get to MackinVIA through our research resources as well as the library slide deck.  Instructions for logging on are on the last slide of the deck as well.  Your log in is good now and all summer long!

 

Now on to that second thing...Ms Margocs is treating everyone to a read-aloud this week!

  

Our older students always ask for more Book Nook time, even though they can barely fit on the bleachers anymore, so this week they get to hear the same book as K-2.  What Do They Do With All That Poo? is a nonfiction book by Jane Kurtz and illustrated by Allison Black.  It describes the hows and whys of animal poop, as well as the ways people are using it--compost, fertilizer, deer repellant, even to make paper--which Ms Margocs shows an example of, thanks to Mrs. Monkman, one of our second grade teachers with connections to the San Diego Zoo.  Who would have thought a book about poop could be so interesting?

The third item on the list is summer reading!  With only seven days of school left, it's time to start thinking about the where, when, what, and how you will keep reading during the break to beat the "summer slide".  Be sure to check out next week's slide deck for lots of links to resources that will help you meet your summer reading goals.

Important note about book returns:

By now, you will have heard from the school and your teachers about the supply pick up and book return schedule next week.  If you are coming by the school to get your things, please bring your library and book club books.  We will be the second stop after you get your things--just have your books ready to hand through the window, or where we can get to them in the back seat of your car.  Thanks for helping us maintain our library collection during these unusual circumstances!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I was invited to visit with Mr. Vasek's second grade class (virtually, of course) last week.  Mr. Vasek asked for a read-aloud, and I gave the students two choices:  Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott (to tie into the beautiful full Flower Moon) or Lemony Snicket's The Dark.  The students voted for the latter.

I first reviewed The Dark back in April 2013.  At that time, it coincided with an adult book about a spiritual journey.  This time, I thought it might just relate to any fears the children might be having during this shelter-in-place.  The students enjoyed the story, but I don't think the lesson translated well via a virtual meeting.  The wisdom I glean from The Dark is about naming and confronting your fears, then realizing the value in them; my favorite line in this book is "...without the dark, everything would be light, and you would never know if you needed a lightbulb."  You don't have to took far these days to find an article about how life during COVID-19 is making us recognize what we really need and treasure.

I'm still working on The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix, and should be finishing that up in a couple of days.  I think Nightbooks by J.A. White will be my next kidlit read.

It's Monday--what are you reading now, and what will you read when you're done with it?

It's Wednesday! What's happening in the Sommer Library?

Hello, Stallion Readers!  Our slide decks are full of things to do this week!

Kindergarten through second grade--please watch the Armadillo book review and vote for your favorite before Friday!  That's when I have to turn in our results to our district Armadillo committee.  They will announce the district winner next week!  After that, head on over to the second slide to find Star Wars and Mother's Day craft ideas. 

Third and fourth graders--you've got not one, not two, but THREE read-alouds in your slides this week!  Ms Margocs decided to give you a taste of three 20-21 Bluebonnet Award Nominees.  Remember to print out your signature page for NEXT year's grade level and get an early start!  We have most of the Bluebonnet Nominees in ebook and audiobook formats now in our MackinVIA accounts.  If you have trouble logging into MackinVIA, just contact Ms Margocs.

We will have book collections at the student supply pick-up during the last week of school.  Stay tuned for more information, and gather up your library books to get them ready for return. 

Fifth grade Book Lunch Bunch has a Google Meet today at 10:45a--come ready to discuss what you're reading.

Just two more Wednesday check-ins until summer break, Stallions!  Are you planning your summer reading yet?  We'll have lots of resources for you just before we wrap up the school year.  Take care, and keep reading!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I got started on another 2020-2021 Bluebonnet Award Nominee this past week:

The Strangers, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is a story told through the perspectives of each of the three main characters--Finn, Emma, and Chess Greystone--in alternating chapters.  We are presented with a mystery within the first few pages:  three siblings have been kidnapped in Arizona, and they just happen to have the same exact first and middle names AND birthdates of the Greystone children.  Almost as soon as the news is aired, Mrs. Greystone disappears, leaving her children in the care of a near-stranger and her aloof teenage daughter.

Finn, Emma, and Chess soon discover that the talents and passions their mother nurtured in them may be the very skills needed to figure out just what is going on.  Can their caretaker and her daughter be trusted?  Are they in danger of being kidnapped themselves?  Check out The Strangers to enjoy this family/mystery/supernatural story!

May the fourth be with you this Star Wars Day Monday, Stallion Readers!

From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries. Be sure to check your library deck today for a fun origami tutorial from Tom Angleberger!