Austin had a door decorating contest for Valentine's Day. Cartoon Love was the theme. For the library, that made me think of graphic novels. We have lots of learners who love graphic novels. I really appreciate the learners who wrote of their love on hearts and allowed me to take their picture so I could create a cartoon picture using the Show Me app. Some reasons that readers said they love graphic novels: they are fun, easy to read, adventurous, so visual, and interesting. Come and check them out in the library!
At the end of every January, the American Library Association announces their newest book awards. In children's literature, the Newbery and Caldecott winners are the most exciting. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo won the Newbery Award (the award for the most distinguished children's book of the year). This is especially exciting in Texas because this book has already been chosen to be on the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet List. This quirky chapter book takes the reader on an adventure with Flora, a girl seeking more out of life, and Ulysses, a squirrel who has had a traumatic experience and can now understand humans. Kate DiCamillo also won the Newbery Award in 2004 with The Tale of Desperaux. Locomotive by Brian Floca won the Caldecott Award (the award for the most distinguished picture book of the year). Brian Floca wrote and illustrated this informational picture book about the introduction of the locomotive in the United States. The text and illustrations work so well together to inform the reader about how trains worked, people riding them and how they connected across the country. The invention of the locomotive provided a form of transportation that vastly altered the speed of travel and began a new way of life in our country. One of the many things I love about being a librarian is getting to read reviews of new books and deciding which ones will appeal to our readers. It is always exciting when the boxes of new books arrive. Taking each new book out of the box is thrilling! We have over a 100 new books in the library. Be sure to stop by and take a look at the New Books display. I am sure that you will find a book that is just right for you! Kids were so excited about the arrival of the latest book in the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. As of today (Thursday), we had sold 89 copies in the Book Fair. Greg is such a silly character, but he is easy to relate to because I think we all kind of feel like Greg sometimes! The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is not super challenging literature, but the books make you laugh. Reading these books can be a great escape. I hope that if you are a Greg Heffley fan, you get to read this book soon. Click on the image below to watch the book trailer or see a short interview with Jeff Kinney: I read this book last weekend and fell in love! This is a historical fiction book about a girl whose all black school is closing in order for students to integrate into the local white school. Kizzy Ann's teacher has told the students to write letters to the teacher at their new school so this teacher will know them when they arrive. Through these letters and a journal, Kizzy Ann tells her story. Life, family, her dog, friends and her feelings encompass the many journal entries as Kizzy Ann expresses herself so honestly and earnestly. Although I read this book, I felt as if I were listening to Kizzy Ann's actual voice telling me her story. (If your teacher ever talks about "voice" in writing, this book is a great example of a character with strong voice.) If you liked Glory Be, you will enjoy Kizzy Ann Stamps! I am so fortunate! I have the best 3rd, 4th & 5th grade cluster group ever! We had an amazing time working with paint today. Spoon painting is something most people have never even heard of, but our artists were creating and using all different techniques. Learners also tried their hands at Q-Tip (or dot) painting. Lots of different styles emerged. I can't wait to see how we progress and what our end products will look like. I look forward to the journey ahead! I am super excited to begin the 40 Book Challenge along with 4th & 5th grade learners! I want to share what I have read and am hoping to receive lots of recommendations. I have met Donalyn Miller a.k.a. "Book Whisperer" and admire her passion of children's literature and her commitment to reading current children's literature. Mrs. Burton sent me the requirement for the 40 Book Challenge last month. I have been reading lots of books, so now I will be adding book covers to my link! |
AuthorMrs. McConnell - Librarian Archives
February 2014
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