I'm so far behind writing reviews, but I just finished how i became a ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story by Tim Tingle today. It's leaping above the other titles while it's fresh on my mind.
Tim Tingle is known for his storytelling, and this book weaves together his skills and a terrible part of US history. It's a difficult subject matter - Native Americans being uprooted because others want their land. Living in Oklahoma I thought I knew about the Trail of Tears, but reading about it in this novel has deepened my understanding of the plight these Native Americans endured.
The book starts with this opener - "Maybe you have never read a book written by a ghost before." This alone will grab the reader's attention. I kept wanting to read more to find out about Issac, his family, and other Choctaws. Sadly, this part of history is not fully explained, and, while reading, you'll discover just how much Native Americans went through as they were forced to leave their homes and move to Indian Territory. I also appreciated learning more about the Choctaw people, their customs, and even some of their language.
This is historical fiction, which tends to not be as popular with teens, but I believe Tim Tingle's writing style might just grab and hold onto a few. I would also recommend it to fellow educators to read aloud to students and open up the conversation about the Trail of Tears. I would also highly recommend one of his other books, Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom. This title was on the Children's Sequoyah List a few years ago when I was in an elementary library. Love this book! Pair these two up and you've got great resources to highlight the gentle, preserving spirit of the Choctaw Nation.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
a matter of days by Amber Kizer
This was the first book I read on the Sequoyah List 2016. It came highly recommended to me from my assistant. We had no idea it was going to be on the new list. I had ordered it based on reviews from School Library Journal, and I'm so happy I did. When the box arrived, she scooped it up to take home and read that night. Don't you just love getting a new book order!
This one is going to be hit with middle schoolers. It's the kind of book you enjoy talking about with others who've also read it. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoyed reading Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Both have a catastrophic event, and you can't help but look at your own surroundings differently. What if this really did happen? Would you survive?
Have I hooked you yet? Here are some more highlights of a matter of days by Amber Kizer, just in case you need a little more to take the plunge -
The story starts on day 56 of the killer BluStar pandemic. Nadia and her younger brother, Rabbit, are now orphans and must make their way across the country to their grandfather relying on survival skills taught by their father. This is a suspensful journey as these two make their way through the apocalyptic world, encountering many obstacles along the way, in the hopes of finally finding refuge. Will they make it? Is their grandfather even alive? Definitely worth reading!
This one is going to be hit with middle schoolers. It's the kind of book you enjoy talking about with others who've also read it. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoyed reading Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Both have a catastrophic event, and you can't help but look at your own surroundings differently. What if this really did happen? Would you survive?
Have I hooked you yet? Here are some more highlights of a matter of days by Amber Kizer, just in case you need a little more to take the plunge -
The story starts on day 56 of the killer BluStar pandemic. Nadia and her younger brother, Rabbit, are now orphans and must make their way across the country to their grandfather relying on survival skills taught by their father. This is a suspensful journey as these two make their way through the apocalyptic world, encountering many obstacles along the way, in the hopes of finally finding refuge. Will they make it? Is their grandfather even alive? Definitely worth reading!
Sequoyah Intermediate Book List 2016
Hopefully all Oklahoma students know about Sequoyah Book Lists. Each year a group of librarians, teachers, parents, and students select 15-18 new books to feature. Students are encouraged to read at least three titles from a selected list, and, if they do, they get to vote and help select the winning books for that year. What makes the Sequoyah Book Award special is the fact only children are allowed to vote - no adults. They truly have the power to determine which author will receive this award. Sequoyah, whom the award is named after, is credited as the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet, so it's a great tribute from the state of Oklahoma. Now we used to just have two lists - one for elementary and one for secondary. This was changed two years ago when the committee decided to split the secondary to make one for intermediate and another for high school.
It was so much easier to read the elementary list each summer! I could breeze through the list and was prepared to recommend titles to my students. This didn't happen last year. I made the move to middle school, and let me just say - you cannot breeze through these titles. However, I'm bound and determined to give these middle schoolers the same service! I decided I would read ALL the novels on the Sequoyah Intermediate list this summer. Here's a link to Sequoyah Intermediate Book List 2016,so you'll know what I'm talking about. So far, so good....
I have quite a few to review, so I'm giving you a heads up. My plan is to tag them as both a review and Sequoyah. Hopefully this will help me, you, and others find what they need quickly.
It was so much easier to read the elementary list each summer! I could breeze through the list and was prepared to recommend titles to my students. This didn't happen last year. I made the move to middle school, and let me just say - you cannot breeze through these titles. However, I'm bound and determined to give these middle schoolers the same service! I decided I would read ALL the novels on the Sequoyah Intermediate list this summer. Here's a link to Sequoyah Intermediate Book List 2016,so you'll know what I'm talking about. So far, so good....
I have quite a few to review, so I'm giving you a heads up. My plan is to tag them as both a review and Sequoyah. Hopefully this will help me, you, and others find what they need quickly.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Book Club!
I've been thinking about this all day - wouldn't it be fun to start a book club! I read so many books, but let's face it - not the grown-up kind. While I will sing the praises of reading children and young adult books, I need to stretch. Plus, it's always a great idea to get together with friends - on a regular basis - that's the important part!
So here's my game plan:
Step 1 - I need willing participants. They need to be as excited with this idea as I am. Karen, my dearest friend since elementary, will be my first candidate. She loves to read and likes to try new adventures too. I figure she'll have some ideas for others to ask as well. Next up would be my next door neighbor, Julie. Again, she loves to read, and I think she'll enjoy the chance to get together with others for book discussions. I have other people in mind, but as of now I'm leaving it open for suggestions from these two friends. Now for the ideal number of participants. Maybe 4 - 6? 4 might be too low because you want a good discussion, so that leaves 5 or 6. I wouldn't go higher than 6 because it might get too crazy. Just to keep this flowing - I'm going with 6 people.
Step 2 - With 6 in the group, the planning becomes a breeze. We could meet every other month - the odd ones, so we don't have to worry about busy December.
Step 3 - We would need to take turns hosting - to be fair. Since there are 6 in the group, here's what I'm thinking: one person hosts, one's in charge of dessert, two bring appetizers/snacks, and finally the last person tries to figure out an activity. All of these should hopefully relate to the book. For example - if we were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, then the dessert could be Lane Cake featured in the book, a snack could be praline pecans, and the craft could be making a paper bird using old book pages. Fun, right?!?
Step 4 - Create a Pinterest board to share with book ideas, along with recipes and activities/crafts.
Step 5 - We'll have to figure out how to select the book. Do we let the next hostess select, or do we post ideas and then vote? Either way, we need to know at each get together so we have plenty of time to read and prepare for the next one.
Step 6 - Contact Karen and Julie. Let's get this ball rolling!
Here's to the beginning a great Book Club!
So here's my game plan:
Step 1 - I need willing participants. They need to be as excited with this idea as I am. Karen, my dearest friend since elementary, will be my first candidate. She loves to read and likes to try new adventures too. I figure she'll have some ideas for others to ask as well. Next up would be my next door neighbor, Julie. Again, she loves to read, and I think she'll enjoy the chance to get together with others for book discussions. I have other people in mind, but as of now I'm leaving it open for suggestions from these two friends. Now for the ideal number of participants. Maybe 4 - 6? 4 might be too low because you want a good discussion, so that leaves 5 or 6. I wouldn't go higher than 6 because it might get too crazy. Just to keep this flowing - I'm going with 6 people.
Step 2 - With 6 in the group, the planning becomes a breeze. We could meet every other month - the odd ones, so we don't have to worry about busy December.
Step 3 - We would need to take turns hosting - to be fair. Since there are 6 in the group, here's what I'm thinking: one person hosts, one's in charge of dessert, two bring appetizers/snacks, and finally the last person tries to figure out an activity. All of these should hopefully relate to the book. For example - if we were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, then the dessert could be Lane Cake featured in the book, a snack could be praline pecans, and the craft could be making a paper bird using old book pages. Fun, right?!?
Step 4 - Create a Pinterest board to share with book ideas, along with recipes and activities/crafts.
Step 5 - We'll have to figure out how to select the book. Do we let the next hostess select, or do we post ideas and then vote? Either way, we need to know at each get together so we have plenty of time to read and prepare for the next one.
Step 6 - Contact Karen and Julie. Let's get this ball rolling!
Here's to the beginning a great Book Club!
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Brief Introduction
Hello to those who have found or stumbled upon my blog. My name is Kristi, and I love being a school librarian - even with all of the challenges facing the education world today.
I just finished my 11th year as a LMS, and taught self-contained elementary classes (4th & 5th grades) for seven years. This means I have a grand total of 18 years in the biz! I've seen and experienced the many ups and downs through the years, and it's never a dull moment. I still believe in the importance of learning - not just 21st century learning standards for the students, but for me too!
This past year I switched it up and moved to a middle school. I can honestly say it was scary, but I'm so glad I did. Middle school has given me the challenge I was looking for, plus I love the kids. I do know I'm in somewhat of an awesome little bubble - it's an academic magnet school. Families in the district want to be a part of our school. The administration is supportive. Standards are high and the staff and students take pride in our accomplishments. What more can you ask for? It's the perfect setting for a school librarian ready to take it to the next level. This is what my blog will be about - transforming the library learning space into one fueled by active learning projects. A place where students ask questions, take risks, and discover answers to real world issues. I'm flipping lessons and providing a Maker Space. How exciting is that?
I just finished my 11th year as a LMS, and taught self-contained elementary classes (4th & 5th grades) for seven years. This means I have a grand total of 18 years in the biz! I've seen and experienced the many ups and downs through the years, and it's never a dull moment. I still believe in the importance of learning - not just 21st century learning standards for the students, but for me too!
This past year I switched it up and moved to a middle school. I can honestly say it was scary, but I'm so glad I did. Middle school has given me the challenge I was looking for, plus I love the kids. I do know I'm in somewhat of an awesome little bubble - it's an academic magnet school. Families in the district want to be a part of our school. The administration is supportive. Standards are high and the staff and students take pride in our accomplishments. What more can you ask for? It's the perfect setting for a school librarian ready to take it to the next level. This is what my blog will be about - transforming the library learning space into one fueled by active learning projects. A place where students ask questions, take risks, and discover answers to real world issues. I'm flipping lessons and providing a Maker Space. How exciting is that?
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