http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/index.cfm
ALA Banned Books Resource Guide helps educators promote banned books. The website offers display ideas, activity ideas, and yearly lists of banned books. This semester we discussed how important it is to have Intellectual Freedom, and this website will give you the tools you need to help ensure your students have Intellectual Freedom.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Valuable Website
http://guysread.com/
I love this website. It is so necessary to have a resource like this at hand when selecting books or making suggestions to male students. The website discusses the problem with guys not reading well or enough. According to the website if guys are given resources they are interested in they will read more. This opinion is right in line with our texts.
This website is so cool. There are templates for spine labels, book labels, name labels, and bookmarks that can be used in the media center or at home. You can even order Guys Read t-shirs and caps. You can find information on the website on how to start your own Guys Read chapter. Guys Read is a great resource for media specialists, guys, and teachers.
I love this website. It is so necessary to have a resource like this at hand when selecting books or making suggestions to male students. The website discusses the problem with guys not reading well or enough. According to the website if guys are given resources they are interested in they will read more. This opinion is right in line with our texts.
This website is so cool. There are templates for spine labels, book labels, name labels, and bookmarks that can be used in the media center or at home. You can even order Guys Read t-shirs and caps. You can find information on the website on how to start your own Guys Read chapter. Guys Read is a great resource for media specialists, guys, and teachers.
Pura Belpre Award
I'm in the middle of reading Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez, which is a Pura Belpre Award winning book. The novel is about a Mexican family working in the United States. The father and uncle are are not citizens and risk being sent back to Mexico.
I wanted to research the Pura Belpre Award for other book selections.
Pura Belpre was the first Latin librarian at the New York Public Library. The award was created in 1996 and is given annually to a Latin/Latino illustrator and writer that has produced a work that represents Latino experiences. This award is supported by Association of Library Service to Children, American Library Association, and National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.
To find the current and past award winners and more information about the Pura Belpre Award visit the website at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/index.cfm
I wanted to research the Pura Belpre Award for other book selections.
Pura Belpre was the first Latin librarian at the New York Public Library. The award was created in 1996 and is given annually to a Latin/Latino illustrator and writer that has produced a work that represents Latino experiences. This award is supported by Association of Library Service to Children, American Library Association, and National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.
To find the current and past award winners and more information about the Pura Belpre Award visit the website at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/index.cfm
Realistic Fiction
Spinnelli, Jerry. (2000). Stargirl. U.S.A.: Random House.
This was such a cute little book! Stargirl only has 186 pages so it's a quick read for reluctant readers. My favorite excerpt from the book is: "In that moonlit hour, I acquired a sense of the otherness of things. I liked the feeling the moonlight gave me, as if it wasn't the opposite of day, but its underside, its private side, when the fabulous purred on my snow-white sheet like some dark cat come in from the desert."(page 12) This is a great book for a book club. Stargirl is all about how ridiculous people behave when faced with someone who dares to be different. The author provides discussion questions for readers. This book could be used for middle school up through high school and beyond. Even adults need to be more accepting of people who they may consider different. A sequel is available entitled Love, Stargirl.
This was such a cute little book! Stargirl only has 186 pages so it's a quick read for reluctant readers. My favorite excerpt from the book is: "In that moonlit hour, I acquired a sense of the otherness of things. I liked the feeling the moonlight gave me, as if it wasn't the opposite of day, but its underside, its private side, when the fabulous purred on my snow-white sheet like some dark cat come in from the desert."(page 12) This is a great book for a book club. Stargirl is all about how ridiculous people behave when faced with someone who dares to be different. The author provides discussion questions for readers. This book could be used for middle school up through high school and beyond. Even adults need to be more accepting of people who they may consider different. A sequel is available entitled Love, Stargirl.
Fantastic Fiction
Kimmel, E. C.. (1998). In the Stone Circle. U.S.A.:Scholastic.
This novel is part ghost story and part historical novel. The main character Cristyn experiences unexplained episodes while staying in a very old home in Wales. Cristyn even sees a ghost who looks a lot like her mother who died when Cristyn was 3. This novel covers the supernatural as well as day to day life within a family. I would recommend this book to students who are struggling through divorce or just having a hard time getting along with their family. Overall a good book that is interesting and a quick read. Age group 5th through 8th grade. Book is geared more toward girls than boys.
This novel is part ghost story and part historical novel. The main character Cristyn experiences unexplained episodes while staying in a very old home in Wales. Cristyn even sees a ghost who looks a lot like her mother who died when Cristyn was 3. This novel covers the supernatural as well as day to day life within a family. I would recommend this book to students who are struggling through divorce or just having a hard time getting along with their family. Overall a good book that is interesting and a quick read. Age group 5th through 8th grade. Book is geared more toward girls than boys.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Article link
I wanted to share a link to an article that I found while researching reluctant readers.
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/annette_mackay.html
This article really touched me. The author is homeschool mom of two boys. I think she is an inspiration to any teacher who deals with students who are reluctant or poor readers.
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/annette_mackay.html
This article really touched me. The author is homeschool mom of two boys. I think she is an inspiration to any teacher who deals with students who are reluctant or poor readers.
Mystery
Cooney, Caroline B. (1990). The Face on the Milk Carton. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
I initially chose this book because it is on my son's summer reading list. He decided he would read it too. The main plot of the novel is kidnapping. The main character Janie sees herself as a child on the side of a milk carton. Janie experiences many emotions throughout the book, one of which is love. This book is appropriate for middle school students. There are brief sexual comments and interactions, but nothing too serious. I think girls will be drawn to this book more than boys because it is from a girls perspective. I liked this book. It's an easy read and should be great for AR testing.
I initially chose this book because it is on my son's summer reading list. He decided he would read it too. The main plot of the novel is kidnapping. The main character Janie sees herself as a child on the side of a milk carton. Janie experiences many emotions throughout the book, one of which is love. This book is appropriate for middle school students. There are brief sexual comments and interactions, but nothing too serious. I think girls will be drawn to this book more than boys because it is from a girls perspective. I liked this book. It's an easy read and should be great for AR testing.
Historical Fiction
Cushman, Karen. (1995). The Midwife's Apprentice. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
John Newberry Medal
This novel was also a quick read, but the book was brimming with historical information and insight. The main character is a homeless girl called "Brat". "Brat" is a completely different person at the end of the book. She finds herself and her purpose in life. This book is definitely about perseverance and overcoming the hardships of life. This novel would be a great addition to a history lesson about the middle ages in England. Students who intend to pursuit a medical career may also be interested in reading this novel.
John Newberry Medal
This novel was also a quick read, but the book was brimming with historical information and insight. The main character is a homeless girl called "Brat". "Brat" is a completely different person at the end of the book. She finds herself and her purpose in life. This book is definitely about perseverance and overcoming the hardships of life. This novel would be a great addition to a history lesson about the middle ages in England. Students who intend to pursuit a medical career may also be interested in reading this novel.
Realistic Fiction
Johnson, Angela. (2003). The First Part Last. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Two time Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Angela Johnson did a beautiful job in this fictional account of a young man who become a father too soon. The book is laid out in "then" and "now" chapters. Each chapter gives just a little more insight into the main character Bobby during the time before his daughter Feather was bore (then) and the time after Feather was born (now). Teens who love MTV's Sixteen and Pregnant will enjoy reading this novel. It's also a quick read which is great for reluctant readers. Great selection for young adults!
Two time Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Angela Johnson did a beautiful job in this fictional account of a young man who become a father too soon. The book is laid out in "then" and "now" chapters. Each chapter gives just a little more insight into the main character Bobby during the time before his daughter Feather was bore (then) and the time after Feather was born (now). Teens who love MTV's Sixteen and Pregnant will enjoy reading this novel. It's also a quick read which is great for reluctant readers. Great selection for young adults!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Reluctant Readers
If you have a chance check out the article "12 Ways to Motivate Reluctant Readers" by Laura Candler. This article gives great ideas on how to help students enjoy reading more. You can find this article at http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/681.
I really liked the simple suggestions that Candler gives to teachers to help increase reading in the classroom.
I really liked the simple suggestions that Candler gives to teachers to help increase reading in the classroom.
Informational Book
Sheff, Nic. Tweak (Growing up on methamphetamines). New York, New York:Atheneum Books.
I could not put this book down! I have always had an interest in the reasons and struggles of addiction. I have watched many documentaries about addiction, but none compare to the raw and honest memoir of Nic Sheff. Sheff's addiction began at the age of 11. This memoir shows the unimaginable horrors of addiction. This book would be great for anyone who has struggled with addiction or someone who just wants to understand addiction better. Reading Tweak could possibly prevent a person from ever trying drugs because it is so graphic in its horrors of drug use. Sheff has some serious self image problems that he fights with during his pre-teen and teen years. Tweak has some very graphic sex scenes, but it is considered a young adult book. Please review before selecting this book for students under the 11th grade level.
I could not put this book down! I have always had an interest in the reasons and struggles of addiction. I have watched many documentaries about addiction, but none compare to the raw and honest memoir of Nic Sheff. Sheff's addiction began at the age of 11. This memoir shows the unimaginable horrors of addiction. This book would be great for anyone who has struggled with addiction or someone who just wants to understand addiction better. Reading Tweak could possibly prevent a person from ever trying drugs because it is so graphic in its horrors of drug use. Sheff has some serious self image problems that he fights with during his pre-teen and teen years. Tweak has some very graphic sex scenes, but it is considered a young adult book. Please review before selecting this book for students under the 11th grade level.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Research is Powerful
I just completed a little research on the Georgia Library Media Association. What a great resource for media specialists in Georgia. I learned about some new awards that are available for media specialists such as the Intellectual Freedom of Information Award and the Library Media Specialist of the Year Award. I also learned about a great reading program called the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. Students participating in the reading bowl read the selected books and test their knowledge against other students in the bowl. GLMA is certainly a benefit to any library media specialist. Oh I almost forgot, check out the GLMA blog it offers great information for teachers, media specialists, students, and parents.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Summer reading and researching
I am looking forward to learning more about young adult literature in EDIT 6262. My son is 12 years old so I already know a little because he loves to read. I love to read all kinds of books. There are a lot of classics that I missed when I was growing up so I am always reading something that may seem a little too young for me. I am also interested in the research part of the classwork this summer. It's always nice to know easier ways to find good information. HUGE time saver. : )
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