I'll be Home for Christmas...

I just love the holiday season.  In a couple of days, I will be home for two weeks! Yipppee!
Time to relax, spend time with friends and family, and catch up on my reading.  To start the holiday right, I will be visiting Powells! The Sprague Library Staff along with a couple of other librarians will spend the day shopping for books for the library. Loaded with lists, we will be like children in a candy store.  Here are a few titles I plan to pick up and a few on my waiting list:

Fallen By Lauren Kate

Blue Plate Special By Michelle D. Kwasney
Boyology: A Teen Girl's Crash Course in All Things Boy By Sarah O'Leary Burningham, Keri Smith
Gone by Lisa McMann, the final book in the Wake, Fade Trilogy but we have to wait until Feb. 2010!
E Is for Ethics: How to Talk to Kids About Morals, Values, and What Matters Most By Ian James Corlett
Thirst No. 2: Phantom, Evil Thirst, Creatures of Forever By Christopher Pike

Exciting Hunger Games News!

For all of us impatiently waiting for the third book in the Hunger Games Trilogy, a release date has just been announced.  We will be able to see what happens next on August 24, 2010!  A title has not yet been released.

So Many Books!

I am a book junkie.  I can't seem to read enough.  For every one book I read, I have about five more waiting. I am working on a huge book order.  I attended a wonderful workshop on Best Books for 2009.  I read a ton of book reviews.  I took numerous student recommendations.  I look forward to these new books!

Gordon Korman, POP.  I am very excited about this as it deals with football and alzheimers.
Chris Crutcher, Angry Management
Polly Horvath: Northward to the Moon (2010)
Michelle Zink: Prophecy of the Sisters
Kirsten Cronn-Mills: The Sky Always Hears Me: And the Hills Don't Mind
Jennifer Brown: Hate List

What are You Allergic To?

So I went to the doctor today.  I was poked 32 times with various samples of allergens.  I sat for 20 minutes only to find out that I am officially allergic to...COCKROACHES! My doctor assured me that I probably won't be bothered much around Oregon, but I could have problems if I move to the deep South! Why am I sharing this?  Well, just in case you wondered what I was doing this morning instead of working in the library.  Now it is on to the ENT docs to figure out my nasal issues...more to follow!  I got in immediately so I will be gone again tomorrow.
On Wednesday, the big Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled to arrive.  That is always fun! We are hoping to sell $3000 so we can make 50% back in book profit.  It's only going to be here a very short time so keep your fingers crossed.  Better yet, come on it and BUY some great books for Christmas gifts!
The Sprague Book Club is now reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Chbosky.  It is very controversial.  It will be fun to discuss what the fuss is all about.  Kinda like the F-Bomb?
I spoke with the Librarian at Crossler, and she gave me the ordering information for some really cool A-Frame displays for books.  I can't wait to order a couple for our library.  I am working on getting more comfy chairs. 
One more thing, I look forward to an all day YA book presentation in Portland on Thursday as well as my author class tomorrow night.  I can't wait to share my new lists!

TGIF!

Step aside Grisham, today there is something meatier.  I ran across this little article in American Libraries Direct, an e-newsletter of  The American Library Association published on Nov. 11, 2009.
Here is the gist:
"Jackson Pearce, author of As You Wish (HarperTeen, 2009), writes: “There’s been a lot of talk about why authors should or shouldn’t use mature language, themes, or concepts in YA literature. So I did a video!” In this direct talk to parents (3:00), Pearce advocates for “books that allow teens to speak in a realistic manner.” Parents can use this as an opportunity to talk to their teens about appropriate speech, or they can opt to go “la-la-la-la-la”..."
Of course I couldn't resist sharing.  As a high school Library Teacher not a day goes by when I don't hear the F-Bomb or other choice words.  I may not like it, but its reality.  If a young adult author is going to stay true to the characters, he or she should have "permission" to use what my mother calls "Curse Words" when necessary. 
Your thoughts?  Please share! :)
I will let you ponder that over the weekend while I finish my Grisham novel and get back on track next week!

Monday...Again...Weird Week

Monday, Monday...
Welcome to a very interesting week.  After a wet and wildly windy weekend, Monday arrived calmly.  The sunrise this morning was absolutly gorgeous.  Oranges and pinks and clouds like cotton candy.  What a view!  The start of today was promising...

Work began slowly.  I had a variety of quick tasks to complete.  Funny how on some days the tasks complete themselves.  One of the things on my to-do list was to check on the delivery of books that we have been waiting for.  Well, I walked into the office and there was the box! So Nineteen Minutes and Hitler's Canary have arrived at long last!  Then another order arrived...all of our mending tape! I also had a bonus delivery. I recieved a box of books from Junior Library Guild!  It felt just like Christmas!

I also have my PO number for Borders so that we (the library staff!) can go shopping!  I already have an order of YRCA books waiting for me.  I also want to take the book club kids shopping!  Speaking of he book club, we had about 10 students come to our first meeting.  What an amazing group of YA readers!  They know their stuff!  We agreed to read Hunger Games.  We are meeting again tomorrow to discuss the quick read.   I wonder what they will pick up next????

On Thursday is another webcast.  I love to tune in and get booklists of the hottest books.  This one is from School Library Journal and focuses on "Christian Lit." for teens.  This is an area that intrigues me so I am going to tune in and see what it's all about.  Perhaps I can find some new books!

So now my problem only continues to worsen!  How do I find the time to read everything out there?  I haven't even read the Dan Brown novel that I bought a couple of months ago when it came out.  I haven't even purchased Grisham.  Horrible!  I know, I know!

Any suggestions??????
And Mrs. W. thinks I have time to write my own novel!  Shsseessh! :)  At least Grisham made me feel better when he said that the first short story out of the seven in his new book has been kicked around for 20 years!  There is hope for me yet!

Come on Baby, Let the Good Times Roll...

Today I have song tunes running through my head.  Ms. A. came by and mentioned how she was making posters of song quotes for her room.  That got me thinking of all my favorite tunes.  Here is my current favorite:

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go
          -John Michael Montgomery

When I arrived at work today, I had a huge present waiting for me.  Mrs. M gave me an awesome painting of a kitty that she created.  I can't even begin to describe it so you need to stop by the library and take a look! Mrs. W received one too.  It is wonderful to work with such creative talent!  THANK YOU!!

Tomorrow is the first meeting of the Sprague Book Club.  Mrs. M and I created a fun little literary quiz and have some snacks ready.  I really hope a nice group shows up!  I have been working on a huge book order, and I want some input from students on what is HOT! and what is NOT!  I also want to take a trip to Borders and let the students buy books for the library.

I am working my way through a truck load of books by Mr. L.  He has an amazing collection that he is sharing with me.  If I don't have one of the books in the library, then I read through the book, check the reviews, see if it is in other libraries, and then decide whether or not to add it to my library order.  Each day, he brings in more so I need to keep busy reading.  It is like getting Christmas presents every day!

Did I mention that I love my job?
.

TGIF!

Nothing new as I am home again.  Hopefully all will be well by Monday.
Tonight is the homecoming parade and game.  My son was at football practice and saw the Sprague Manga Club marching in the parade.  Yeah!  I am so proud of them for showing up. Too bad I was not able to be there and take pictures!  We need some great pictures for the yearbook so we don't end up with pictures of all the same people not even in manga activities like in last year's book! :(
Next week will be busy with Health classes in the lab.  The library will be closed after school for a staff meeting on Thursday as teachers and counselors meet to discuss our Freshman class and how to best serve them.  I will be gone to a TurnItIn training to help curb plagiarism and to strengthen students' writing.
I look forward to shopping at Borders for some new books.  I am also preparing a large order from Baker & Taylor.  If you have any ideas for new books, please don't hesitate to post!

Flu, Influenza, H1N1, Sick is Sick No Matter the Name

 Been home battling illness for two days and a third tomorrow.  Cross your fingers, knock on wood, whatever it takes to ensure this is it for the year!
So let's catch up!
Attended my first Authors! Authors! Authors! class on Tuesday night.  Met Sharon Creech.  I enjoyed the background information she shared about her books, but I did not like the reader's theatre presentation.  She had people from the audience read parts of her books.  I have read the books so I didn't need to hear them.  I can to listen to her.  The best part?  I had her sign her newest book, The Unfinished Angel.
Even though I am home, I work on my laptop in my PJs on the couch with my feet up.  I keep up on all the school emails, schedule computer labs, research new books, watch new book trailers, etc. Today I attended a YABookBuzz webinar on new books to look for in the winter and spring.  I am most excited about a new graphic novel from Jane Yolen, her first.  It is called Foiled and is due in May 2010. A few other books to be on the lookout for:
The Caretaker Trilogy Book 3: Timelock by David Klass
"In its own Al Gore Meets Grand Theft Auto way, [the Caretaker Trilogy] delivers a heartfelt and intelligent ecological warning." —The New York Times Book Review
 The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen, author of The Compound
The Miles Between by Mary Pearson, author of The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Survivor Thursday

If yesterday was spot-on, today was simply "A Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" even at Sprague.  I definately feel like a survivor.  Just lots of little things all piling up making me question my librarian status.  Funny thing is I was actually rejuvenated at a library meeting after school!  I love it when meetings are worthwhile.
So let's put the day behind us and plan for tomorrow...
I was surfing through my library websites when I came across a few up and coming titles that look interesting.  I read about the National Book Award Nominee Stitches. It is a graphic novel written for adults, but it has crossed over to the YA scene.  The buzz questions is: Should it have been nominated in a YA catagory?  Was it nominated at the YA level because graphic novels have a better shot of winning at the lower level?  Hmmm...gotta get my hands on it.  I love controversy!
Another book I want to read is coming soon, Hush, Hush.  Looks creepy and luscious and scary and page-turning and controversial. See the trailer and judge for yourself!  It is definately on my to-buy list.
I posted the beginning of Viola.  I want to read that one too.
Then there is the huge list I have been gathering from the conference presentations, my own browsing, Mr. L's daily deluge of amazing books, and recommendations.
If only I could have a full-time job doing nothing but reading.  Even then there would not be enough hours in a day.  Maybe I need to take a speed reading class!
Any suggestions???

PSAT Wednesday

I love Ms. W.  She is always raising the bar.  Since she added color to her blog posts, I guess I had better keep up with her and do the same.  Today was a "Red Letter Day!"
PSAT testing! All of our sophomores across the district were required to take the test.  A few juniors signed up as well.  While they were testing in room across the school, I did a HAPPY Dance because the library was FREE!  The schedule was shortened to a half-day, and if you weren't taking the test, you were cycling through a shortened version of Periods 1-4.  The BEST part of the day was when Mr. C. and Ms. S. brought their 60 humanities students to the library for period 2.  I enjoyed watching them team teach covering topics from Mrs. O'Leary's cow to Jesus!  What a ride!
After the students left the building, the teachers had a short inservice on Cornell Notes...similar to double column note-taking.  Mr. Scholl handed out thumb drives to all the Crystal Apple Nominees. He welcomed a new English teacher and said good-bye to Mrs. S. who will be leaving Sprague to work at the disrict level.  I will miss her.  She is not only nice, but she is ultra organized!  She always has the answers! :)  The English dept. said their good-byes after school at the French Press.  I was unable to attend because I had to rescue my son and take him to the orthodontist.  He did something and tweaked the contraption in his mouth so wires were sticking out!  Sigh...It is always something.  To make up for missing a yummy white chocolate mocha, we had our next best...sweet tea from McDonald's!  At $1 for a big ol' cup, I will take tea with my sugar water any day!
The freshman health classes are starting their big diversity project.  Mrs. M and I have been scrambling over the last couple of days to find enough fiction books with "diverse" characters.  That is quite a challenge when you have four class of 30 plus students all at once!  We had to borrow from other schools, but we did it!
I love it when they come in the the library for three days and complete a project with me using all of the libary's online resources. I wish that I could work with EVERY class that visited the lab.  It would be so much more productive.  In the meantime, I will happily take one class at a time.
One more exciting bit of news, I have been approved to go to a Best Books for Young Adults workshop in November with Mrs. M.  We have gone together in the past, and we always have a BLAST!  We learn some great ideas and come home with a wish list for new books a mile long! 

I'm B..A...C...K...!

So the downside of keeping a blog is that when things get hairy, writing the blog post is the first thing that goes!  So as you can see I have been busy!
The 2009 Oregon Association of School Libraries Conference at the Salem Conference Center has finally come and gone.  As the conference chair, I have been running mock 3 with my hair on fire! Here is a basic rundown of the cool events! It was all about Graphic Novels!  Authors Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim were amazing! Britt White from NYC came.  She is a Youth Services Librarian in charge of purchasing GN and Manga for New York.  She is a part of http://www.getgraphic.org/ that posts lists of GN as well as lesson plans.  She was the keynote. It was because of her that many of the conference participants came with doubts and left craving to read a graphic novel and use them in their classrooms!  YIPPPEE!!  We also had Gail Carson Levine.  She was a hoot!  Another role model for me when I reach 60!
Daletta Gonzales and I ROCKED!  We did an awesome three-hour presentation on the Best K-8 books for 2009.  We used book trailers and U-Tube videos to enhance our presentation.  Love the Skippyjon Jones Webisodes...see sample above!  We had enough books to give one away to every participant in our session! We had over 85 people.
The highlight of the conference for me was the Sprague Manga Club members who came on Friday and Saturday in cosplay!  They were a tremendous help.  Several people commented on how fun it was to have them there to greet and help out where needed!  Way to go!!!  I am proud of you!  Thanks!
As for Sprague Library News...
The Spanish workbooks are finally here!  Yeah!
Mrs. W. is really sick. She never misses a day, but she had to go home today.  I hope she gets well soon!  We miss her!  I also must add that she had a GREAT turnout to her Saturday NaNoWriMo session at the conference.  There were many positive comments about her and the information she presented.
Mrs. M has been a wonderful addition to our library.  However, it pains me that several students have been taking advantage of her.  She brings candy for our aides, and students have been taking it, eating it, and leaving the mess behind!  GRrrr..I had to send out the message today to remind teachers to talk to their students about appropriate library behaviors!
The basic gist is to "Treat others how you want to be treated and CLEAN UP after yourself!"

TGIF!

What a long week!  My son woke up this morning feeling sick.  My hubby called and asked if I could come home and take over because he had a meeting at work.  So I left school at 10:30 a.m. Poor little guy spent the day on the couch with flushed checks and an upset stomach.
Before I went home, I met with my advisory students.  They worked on goals for the year. They complained about having to set goals in each classroom.  That surprised me.  I haven't read the results, but I really hope they took this seriously.  I had the chance to meet with about 1/2 of the group one-on-one to look at their grades on InTouch so far. A few are already falling behind.  Although they are sophomores, they still have not learned to get their assingments from their teachers when they are sick and to actually make up the work in a timely fashion.  I am frustrated about how to get them to keep track of their assignments and follow through.  At least, those with the low grades seemed genuinely concerned and appear to want to bring the grades up.  I had a chance to chat with a new student.
Mrs. W's cancer board is awesome.  I can't wait to see it when it is all done. She is so creative, and her boards always look professional.  I hope a lot of students and staff participate by posting a ribbon representing a friend or family member dealing with cancer.
One last note, Spanish workbooks are finally on their way!  YIPPEEE!

Banned Books Week-Celebrating the Freedom to Read!

This week has been interesting.  We put up a couple of displays about books that have been banned or censored at some point. I handed out pins that say "I read banned books." I love the conversations this starts between students.  Some get angry when they see their favorites on the banned book wall or behind the glass displays.  Some ask the big "WHY?" question.  Most just discuss the books or want to read them!  Today we had an incident that was the icing on the cake.  I can sum up the entire Banned Book Week in two words: Naked Boobs.
Now for the rest of the story...
My library aides placed a few books in a display case.  They cut out letters and taped them on the glass.  The result read: Banned Books.  Some very creative souls rearranged the letters to spell Naked Boobs.  Considering that many of the books are banned due to the mention of sex and body parts, I think the little pranksters hit the nail on the head with their new little message!
Needless to say, the signage has been corrected.

Sprague Book Club Reading List for 2009-2010

Oct:  Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
Nov:  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith
Dec:  Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
Jan:  Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland
Feb:  Zoo Keepers Wife by Diane Ackerman
March:  Sudden Country by Karen Fisher
April:  Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman
May:  Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Time to Catch-Up

So in less than a week's time, I have fallen behind in keeping this blog going.  It is time to catch up! So last week I was feeling blue.  This week is better except for the post-nasel drip!  When I returned to work on Friday, I managed to clean my desk off. That is a major chore because it is always a mess. The weekend flew by.  I worked on exhibits and my presentation for the OASL conference that is fast approaching.
Now it is Tuesday, and my desk is still clean!  I filed old magazines.  I organized several binders of information. One each for my library aides, advisory, the budget, library meetings, leadership notes, and one for just general stuff.  Now if I can keep those straight.
The textbooks that we ordered are slowly rolling in.  Physcial Science is in.  Prentice Hall Gold, Algebra I, and literature sets are in the mail.  We sent surplus automotive books to McNary. Follett came and purchased surplus French books.  Mrs. W is happy to get a few boxes out of her way! Yippee!  Today I ordered books for social studies.  Mrs. W and I discussed a system for keeping track of all the textbook orders and better communication strategies for who was responsible for what. 
I submitted an article for the Torch.  I made sure to include information from Mrs. W about NaNoWriMo.  Last year we submitted an article, and it didn't make it in so I definately want to make sure that it gets promoted this year!  Maybe I should take the challenge and write a novel???
The Sprague Book Club meet after school  today. A group of teachers met and ate a delicious dinner.  Everyone brought potential books to read.  Then we chose the list of books to read for the year. I had to leave early so I can't wait to see the list!  Stay tuned...

Thursday Blahs...

Stayed home sick but monitored emails all day so I felt like I was at work!
Went to the doctor for allergy testing and was really careful not to take any of the medications listed on the paperwork.  However, when I got to the doctor, I not only had left my wallet at home, but I didn't get to test because I took Tylenol PM!  It has Benadryl in it. It was not on the list, and the doctor was ticked and chewed out her staff because they didn't send me the new and updated list!  I felt really bad.  So now I have to wait until NOVEMBER!  I have already been waiting since June...sigh.  My head CT showed some kind of cyst 3 cm long in my left nasel cavity!  So now I also have to go to the ENT and have it surgically removed!  Yikes! 
In the meantime, I still have a sore throat, headache, and various other uncomfortable symptoms too graphic to meantion here! :O
Enough whining.  At least it is warm and sunny outside, and I got to sit by the big windows in my house all day and soak in the rays!  I even snuck a Cherry Pepsi, but don't tell Mrs. W!!!  I can't wait to get back to the library to see if she had Cold Stone last night in the name of collecting money for charity! 
Tomorrow is FRIDAY!  Yipppee!!
Don't forget Survivor tonight!  My money  is on Mike!

Middle of the week slump...

We are making progress on getting the textbooks ordered that are desperately needed! Hopefully they will be here within a couple of weeks. Yikes, that feels like forever. I wish there was a way to speed up the process. I finally got the green light to order the PermaBound and Baker & Taylor lit. books for English classrooms. Yipppee!
I will be equally glad when we get all the workbook issues squared away!  BTW: It is a complete violation of copyright to copy entire workbooks and give them to students!  They are conumables.  This means they were ment to be purchased, used, and recycled.  That is how publishing companies make money.  We may not like it.  We may have a hundred ways to get around it.  That does not mean we can do what we want and violate the law!  Think and keep things on the level!
I completed another round of booktalks today and generated a little excitement. I love the beginning of the year when the students are so eager to get books to read! Mr. L. lent me his copy of Lobotomy. I saw this book at Borders and was telling him about it. It is true story of what happened to a man who was given a lobotomy at the age of 12 when his parents didn't know what else to do with him. Scary! I will keep you posted as I read along.
I left early today for a meeting with the other high school librarians. That was a lot of fun. It is nice to know that everyone has the same issues. Huge classes, not enough books, technology issues, etc. It is good to share success stories and help each other out. We talked a lot about how to get students and teachers to use all the online reference materials available. We need to move away from simply Googling everything.
I need to WHINE...and Yes, you can serve the cheese to go along with it. I feel gross...sore throat, flushed cheeks, groggy, and tirred of making multiple trips to the restroom. I have been told that a funky bug is going around. Working with so many people in a warm space with little ventalation makes a lovely breeding ground for all types of fun things. So I am taking it easy and praying that this too shall pass. Keep me in your thoughts, use tissues, cover your mouth when you cough, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!
Thanks for letting me complain...
One last thing...If anyone out there is reading this, I could really use a few boxes of tissues in the library to help with the sneezes, coughs, and runny noses! Thank you!!!

Borders :: Odd and the Frost Giants

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A TRAILER FOR GAIMAN'S NEW BOOK!

Borders :: Odd and the Frost Giants

A Very Satisfying Day!

Today was one of those days when I didn't have anything scheduled on my agenda.  I was able to stay in the library all day and get things accomplished. Although we worked hard, Mrs. W. and I agreed that we always leave feeling like we didn't accomplish anything.  For everything I check off my list, I think I add three more things! :)
So here is what I did...
Finished checking all the web addresses and passwords for all the programs provided to Sprague's staff and students. I created and sent out a beautiful bookmark listing all the necessary info.  AWESOME!
I sent back three sets of Accounting "workpapers" that we will not be using due to the new textbook adoption.  It took some digging and phone calls to figure out what gets returned where and whether or not we can return it all. I shipped everything to purchasing to work their magic. It will be nice to have that credit because we need to order more textsbooks and items due to the huge increase in our population this year.  525 Freshman...WOW!
I am in the process of collecting all the "JUNK" laying around to send to surplus.  Funny how everyone comes to the library for DVD players, carts with plug-ins, extension cords, power stips, speakers, computer equipment, thousands of types of cables, etc.  They love to take whatever they can get their hands giving little or no thought who it belongs to or whether or not it is locked up for a reason.  Scary the carnage left behind! The workroom has become a drop off for all sorts of interesting things...a huge plotter?, an old copy machine, overhead projectors, TVs, VCRs, fans, etc. So I am going to collect it all and send it to surplus on October 2.  Stay tuned for how that goes!
Funny note:  I sent out a surplus collection notice and recieved an email back asking for a DVD player with a remote!  I really wish I had a magic wand to fulfill everyone's wishes.
The last thing I did today was order new power strips for the AV carts.  I am learning so much about small equipment repair.  Librarians really are Jacks of all Trades!
More book talks tomorrow!

Monday...Monday

So I left the blog for a couple of days, and I am back again.  I even remembered how to log in!  What an accomplishment. :)
Today I was BUSY!  I gave book talks to Ms. P's classes - 2 sets of juniors and 1 fresman group. I have a couple of classes left to go this week.  I love to talk books. However, it is a challenge to keep reading new books to present.  No matter how many books I read, there are always hundreds more that I haven't!  Sometimes what appeals to me, doesn't appeal to the students. I get frustrated when I book talk a book, and everyone wants to check it out, but I only have a couple of copies! 
I have started a list of books that the students have requested that the library doesn't have.  I wish we had a Barnes & Noble as Borders just doesn't have all that we want!  I also love all the authors that present in the B&N stores.  Scott Westerfeld presents on Oct.10.  I will miss him because I will be at the OASL conference.
What is OASL? Oregon Association of School Libraries.  I am the conference chair for this year's conference in Salem on Oct. 9-10.  The theme is Get Graphic!  I hope to have my manga club students volunteer at the conference in their cosplay outfits.  Awesome!
My next hurdle is to revamp the Sprague Library Website.  I also need to update all of the usernames and passwords so students can access all that is available from home.  Stay tuned to see how that goes!

Here I go...

Ok.  It's about time that I join the blogging rat race.  I am excited, yet already exhausted because I know that I will have to update this page regularly to keep potential readers interested.  I can't imagine anyone has the time or the interest in reading what I have to say, but just in case...
Let's be honest.  I am required as a teacher to create a blog, so this is what you get.  I am easily entertained and effervescent.  I was once called a hyperbole by an 8th grade English class. I write like I talk so bear with me! If you read nothing else, just look at the list of books that I am reading or have read.  This will give you an idea of what to read as you begin your own reading journey.