"Children's literature is the most important literature of all because it has the capacity to change people, to open their eyes; it's part of the growing process." Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and his book, The Graveyard Book, is one that I frequently recommend to students in the library. It was by far the best book I read in 2010 topping even my first reading of The Hunger Games!
While listening to NPR this evening, I discovered a segment called "NPR's Back-Seat Book Club" and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book was being discussed. A natural choice with Halloween on Monday. He had so many interesting things to say that I won't repeat here because I encourage you to click on this link to read the NPR story and listen to the interview.
After listening, you will want to definitely want to check out the book. Enjoy!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Award Book Programs
Our library launched the Abraham Lincoln Award books along with the State of Illinois' Read for a Lifetime reading programs two weeks ago. With the help of the high school English teachers (I would have little success without their support), students have been signing up to read books off these two lists. The Abe has 34 students and five teachers signed up and the Read for a Lifetime has 25 students and five teachers. We purchased one set of the Abe books and received the LBSS grant for a complete second set. All but 12 of those books are checked out and at least one of every title is gone. The Read for a Lifetime books are not moving quite as quickly mostly because the titles are not as well known and I haven't been pushing them as much. 
Last year the program lost some steam as time went, so this year I have and will implement some strategies to continue marketing and encouraging students to keep reading. Next week I will book talk and use video book talks to promote the lists, especially the Read for a Lifetime. I have created a book club that will discuss four of the award books, two from Abe and two from Read for a Lifetime. The book club will meet once a month to discuss a different book from the lists. The student library assistants have agreed to help with the book club discussions which will hopefully encourage other students to participate. I have also asked the English teachers to create shelf talkers with their comments on books they like to inspire the kids to read those specific books on the lists. Finally, like last year, I will have a big voting party in February where the students who have met the required number of books read will come to vote for their favorite. The party includes food and punch made by the foods classes and drawings for prizes. We had a great time with the party last year. I am curious to know what other schools are doing to promote the Abe and Read for a Lifetime programs.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A Moment of Clarity
My mind has been at a loss of words for my fingers to type until today. Our school lost a student to a tragic car accident and it has been a difficult time for all of us. Last night a celebration of life service was held and I was filled with inspiration to write.
The young man was well liked and made an impact on lots of people. That was clear to me as the gymnasium was full when I arrived and it continued to fill. Students, teachers, community members and family filled the bleachers, seats on the floor, the balcony, the space on the wall and space in and just out of the doors. It was an amazing showing of support for a good family.
The service proceeded as many do with pictures, music, and stories. But the crowd there to honor a life was silent as the young man's mother took the floor. She spoke of and thanked everyone who knew her son, and taught us a lesson to hold those close to us and love each other. She thanked everyone from friends and family for raising her son. She said she and her husband started the job of raising him and everyone else continued that job.
It was a terrific moment of clarity as I sat there thinking about how many people we touch in a day, week, year, life. Most of the time we don't ever think about the impact we make both positive and negative on others, nor do we acknowledge the impact others have on us until, many times, it is too late.
So, we are back to school today hopefully with a renewed mission to do what we do here and in all schools across the nation. We are back at it to learn to hone the skills in which each of us is blessed and learn to use them to better ourselves, help others, and make a positive impact on this world.
The young man was well liked and made an impact on lots of people. That was clear to me as the gymnasium was full when I arrived and it continued to fill. Students, teachers, community members and family filled the bleachers, seats on the floor, the balcony, the space on the wall and space in and just out of the doors. It was an amazing showing of support for a good family.
The service proceeded as many do with pictures, music, and stories. But the crowd there to honor a life was silent as the young man's mother took the floor. She spoke of and thanked everyone who knew her son, and taught us a lesson to hold those close to us and love each other. She thanked everyone from friends and family for raising her son. She said she and her husband started the job of raising him and everyone else continued that job.
It was a terrific moment of clarity as I sat there thinking about how many people we touch in a day, week, year, life. Most of the time we don't ever think about the impact we make both positive and negative on others, nor do we acknowledge the impact others have on us until, many times, it is too late.
So, we are back to school today hopefully with a renewed mission to do what we do here and in all schools across the nation. We are back at it to learn to hone the skills in which each of us is blessed and learn to use them to better ourselves, help others, and make a positive impact on this world.
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