W.H. Beck: A Virtual Author Visit

A class of fifth grade students skyped this past week with W.H. Beck, author of Malcolm at Midnight. Check out our experiences at my school’s LMTC blog.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA

Jen and Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts started a weekly meme about what people are reading and reviewing in children’s and young adult literature. It’s a great way to see what others are reading.

Recent Reading Adventures

Middle Grade Fiction

The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz – Alex Knight has always known he was meant to be a villain. He was raised in Cloak’s headquarters after all. Yet when he makes the ‘mistake’ of saving the life of one of the heroic Junior Rangers, he finds himself wondering what Cloak is really about. I enjoyed this read and can’t wait to share it with students after break.

May B. by Caroline Rose Starr – May’s voice made this a powerful historical fiction read. May’s troubles are told in verse as she is taken from her home to work in a soddy for a man and his troubled city wife. Events lead to May trying to survive on her own in a place where no one will be looking for her until nearly Christmas.

The Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers – This is a contemporary realistic account of Isadora’s life. While grounded over the summer, Isadora decides to write an encyclopedia of her life. Changing friendships, first real crushes, mistakes in the name of adventure and her life with an older autistic brother all take their turn in this irreverent, heartfelt guide. References to other entries makes this read more interactive.

The Demigod Diaries by Rick (and Haley) Riordan – I liked the short stories in this volume, from what happens on Percy and Annabeth’s one month anniversary to Leo nearly blowing up a good chunk of Camp Half Blood. I enjoyed Luke Castellan’s diary excerpt more than I expected. What I found the most intriguing though was the short story Haley Riordan wrote about a demigod that had served Kronos.

Graphic Novels

Wrinkle in Time adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson – I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this adaptation. I learned things I didn’t realize before on reading the original many times over. I liked how Meg’s feistiness carried over. Did everything look the way I imagined it to ever since my first read in fifth grade? No, but that never happens with movies either. Also, Calvin O’Keefe rocks.

Reviews>

I made two Smore reviews this week, one on Snowy Day Reads and one on Villains and Heroes.

Upcoming Reading Adventures:

My to read stacks are everywhere and at risk of falling over. One of the books I want to read over break is Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky.

Introducing Copyright: An Information Teachable Moment

One of the key information literacy concepts that is covered in the fifth grade research projects that the tech integrator, the classroom teachers and I coordinate is copyright. I want to help students realize that copyright applies to more than just words on a page (or screen)  In the case of words, I want them to realize that copying someone else’s words verbatim is not ok nor is making insubstantial changes to the text.

That’s where my flute comes in.

 

At the start of our first research lesson, I bring out my flute and a sheet of paper where I’ve scratched out a few measures of music. I ask the students if I can share a few measures of a song I wrote. I show the rough written music to a few tables so they can vouch that the music wasn’t printed off a computer or photocopied. Then I start to play. Surprised expressions appear, hands are raised and normally at least one kid blurts out where they’ve heard that song.

What happened?

Those few handwritten measures I play are the opening notes of a popular science fiction movie theme. I stop playing. I ask the students if I could sell that song. Many will chime in saying no or telling me that is stealing. I protest it is in my writing, but they are quick to tell me it’s not mine. 

I tell them I’ll change the song a bit. I play part of the song from before and then launch into a few measures of a different song from that same popular science fiction movie. When I ask if I could sell that song or charge money for a performance of it, they still tell me no because I’m still taking someone else’s work. It’s just from two different places in the same body of work.

The flute playing may seem a bit random, but it sticks with students. At least one of the fifth grade classes later told their music teacher all about copyright and what I played when she was introducing them to orchestra instruments. The playing made a great discussion starter for giving credit, ownership, etc.

What do you do to teach students about copyright?

 

 

 

Spooktacular Reads

Click to see more Spooktacular Reads

Powtoon Genre Intros

Several fifth grade classes at my school are doing mystery and science fiction genre studies this quarter. When asked to do book talks earlier this week for two of these classes I wanted to incorporate some sort of introduction to show some of the different types of books found in these two genres. PowToon came to mind as a tool to use. I’d used PowToon for a short clip for the library website before, but I wanted to see what else I could make.

Powtoon allows for the creation of short cartoon-style videos that can be exported to Youtube or embedded. There are a small number of different styles that can be selected. There are backgrounds, props, and characters. Music can be added to PowToon creations, which gave me the opportunity to try out Soundzabound as well (In Wisconsin, Soundzabound is part of Badgerlink).

The free version of Powtoon allows for 20 videos to be exported to Youtube. Eventually free videos will be limited to 45 seconds, but right now there is not a limit.

Click on the pictures below to see the genre intro movies.

Which Way to Narnia? A Library Sign

Today I finally created my library’s version of a library wayfinding sign a la M*A*S*H sign. I’ve wanted to make one of these ever since spotting a number of them on school library blogs well over a year ago.

I used construction paper and a silver permanent marker to create setting arrows pointing roughly to the sections of the fiction collection where the books with those settings can be found. I then taped them to an electric pole. The library mascot (equipped for several different genres) overlooks it all. We started with only 8 settings on the sign. I hope to add more soon.

One teacher instantly pegged my favorite reading genre by looking at my settings. Can you guess which it is?

A New Library Adventure

Tomorrow is the first day with students at my new school. This year I will be the LMTC director at an intermediate school with just over 550 fifth and 6th graders. Fifth grade is run more like an elementary school, so I will see those classes for bimonthly library lessons. Sixth grade operates more like a middle school. I’m excited for all the great middle grade literature I’ll get to share and to try out different resources for the staff and students. This district started some integrated research projects between the library and the classroom a few years ago in fourth grade. Last year fifth grade started this process and it will be new to sixth grade this year. This will be a good challenge to work out with the classroom teachers and the technology integrator in my building.

August was a whirlwind getting started at my new building, moving, and family health issues. On a positive note, I was able to join in on the district Tech Academy. There were two sessions with Naomi Harms and I was able to get the skeleton of my library website created. New teacher training brought in a flood of information, but most importantly it brought in names to contact when needed. Orders have been followed up on and created. I cannot wait for the first batch of books to come, many of which I learned of through my Nerdy Book Club friends. I have trials for Trueflix and a demo of FreedomFlix out to staff. A rep from Mackin came in to talk about VIA and how it works.

One of the amazing things about new teacher training is that the district has the new staff at each building meet with their building librarian to go over the resources available at the library. What an amazing opportunity to share what’s available and build connections. I hope this trend continues next year.

I commissioned my friend Anna Landin to create a library mascot that I could use for my library’s website and wayfinding signs. I love how it turned out and now the little robot is scattered all over the space. She does excellent work and is pretty reasonable if you ever need artwork! Origami Yoda’s poster had to go up as well as the Lost Hero one. That made the library more homey for me. A theater type curtain was already up on a wall from a previous display. A little rearranging made that a great border for a buzzboard of upcoming books for the library.

I condensed the reference section so the audiobooks got a little more breathing room. That let me move the graphic novels and comics to a new spot where they will have plenty of room to grow. I’m looking forward to expanding our collection on that front! A long term goal is to slide the the rest of the nonfiction over to fill the gap where the graphic novels used to be. That should leave a few shelves to use either as a new book display or maybe a staff/student picks section.

Take a virtual tour of the library.

Here’s a smore page about the library and its purpose.

This is a PowToon video about check out at the library.

I’ll admit I’m nervous about tomorrow, but I’m looking ahead to Dot Day connections, learning, sharing books with students and more. When things get harried, I’ll have to take a page from Pete the Cat and remember “It’s all good.”

P.S. School has a spotlight display for different students each week. I was very excited to see Son of Poseidon on some of the spotlight shelves this week.

Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy

Click the picture below to read my review of Small Medium at Large.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading from Picture Books to YA? August Catch Up Edition

Jen and Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts started a weekly meme about what people are reading and reviewing in children’s and young adult literature. It’s a great way to see what others are reading.

My post this week is late because of some ongoing family health issues. I didn’t want to wait to share these books though!

Reading Adventure Highlights

I love using Netgalley to experience new books that would be great in the library or to promote to others. Many of the titles I’ve read during the last few weeks came from that site.

Middle Grade Fiction:

The No-Dogs Allowed Rule by Kashmira Sheth (Netgalley)- Ishan is determined to get a dog. Just because his mother has a rule against getting dogs doesn’t mean that he can’t convince her otherwise. He’ll treat to a special breakfast, help around the house, try to recruit his brother’s help, walk the neighbor’s dog and more. Nothing ever quite goes the way Ishan expects and lands him in increasing amounts of trouble. This book that’d be great for third or fourth grade was released earlier this month.

When You Wish Upon a Rat by Maureen McCarthy (Netgalley) – Ruth Craze’s feeling a lot of family frustration. Her brother seems to get all the attention, she feels her home is an embarrassment, she’s estranged from all her friends and nothing is right after the death of her beloved aunt. Howard, an outsider boy from school, suggests Ruth go search for where she lost Rodney the Rat, a gift from her aunt that her brother knocked out of the car window. Rodney provides Ruth with three chances to change her family according to her wishes. This book was originally published in Australia. Watch for this book on September 1.

The Wednesdays by Julie Borbeau (Netgalley) – Max cannot leave Wednesday alone. Shops and school close. Windows are shuttered. Doors are not answered. This is what happens every Wednesday in Max’s village, but Max cannot leave Wednesday alone. While everyone else is trying to prevent the freak accidents and trickery that Wednesday inevitably brings, Max is determined learn more about the mysterious creatures known as Wednesdays that cause the chaos. But Max’s lack of caution has brought complications upon himself, complications that lead to him being labeled Next. Accidents begin to follow him and not just on Wednesday. This book was released earlier this month. It has a creepy air that makes me think fans of Juniper Berry would enjoy it.

Unlocking the Spell by ED Baker (Netgalley) – I’ve long been a fan of ED Baker’s light-hearted fantasies with their twists on common fairy tales. Unlocking the Spell is the sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess. Annie, the princess on whom magic cannot work, sets out to find the dwarf who turned Prince Beldegard into a bear so the prince can marry her sister Gwen (and maybe then Annie can catch a break from having to hang around whenever her sister wants to see what Beldegard really looks like). To Annie’s annoyance, Gwen sneaks out of the castle to join Annie, Liam and Beldegard in their search. Snow White, the Three Pigs and the Three Bears all show up in this comical story though many of them have a very different back story in Baker’s work. Watch for this title on October 2. This would be a fun book to pair with Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales.

The Secret of the Fortune Wookie by Tom Angleberger – With Dwight at another school, the kids at McQuarrie Middle School no longer have access to the wisdom of Origami Yoda to solve their daily woes. Who will they turn to advice? Sara creates the Fortune Wookie to answer their questions, but it isn’t the same. For one thing, the Fortune Wookie needs Han Foldo to translate his answers. For the second, the Fortune Wookie can only be used in the library after the principal cracks down on origami. (The scene where the librarian saves the library from the origami restriction rocks). Is the Fortune Wookie up to the task of guiding the students? Tommy isn’t sure so he starts a new case file. The only bad thing about reading this book the month it came out is now having to wait to discover what happens next (With an ending like it had, there had better be a fourth book coming!)

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen – I am so glad I finally read this book. Sage, orphan rapscallion has his services purchased away from the orphanage he’s called home. He is one of several boys recruited for a man named Conner’s plan. The boys will be trained in reading, courtly manners, horseback riding and swordplay. For what purpose are they being trained in such things? In a few weeks Conner will take one of the boys to court to persuade the regents that the boy is none other than the long assumed dead Prince Joren. For Conner knows what the people do not at this time – that the rest of the royal family has been murdered. Sage is appalled by Conner’s plan. He has no desire to be king but it isn’t hard to guess what will happen to the boys Conner doesn’t choose. This is a masterfully written book. I love how Sage’s character is developed throughout his first story. Nielsen did an excellent job of weaving in the details.

Young Adult Fiction:

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan (Netgalley) – I found this first book in the Lynburn Legacy to be engrossing. There are secrets in the quiet English village Kami Glass calls home. One secret is something Kami had no qualms about sharing when she was little – she hears a voice in her head. This voice belongs to Jared, a boy she’s been able to talk since she was a baby but never met. When she was little, people smiled when she spoke of him, thinking he was an imaginary friend. People react differently to a teenager with the same story so she does her best to hide it.

Everything gets stirred up when the Lynburns return to Sorry-in-the-Vale after leaving a generation earlier. The family owns a huge home and most of the town. Kami’s determined to learn more about them and takes Ash Lynburn on as the photographer for her new school newspaper to try and get the inside scoop on the family as no one will say much about them. Ash seems nice enough, but he’s definitely not fond of it when other students mistake his wild cousin for his brother–a cousin named Jared. Kami shakes off the familiarity of the name, telling herself this guy has nothing to do with her Jared, but a chance encounter in the library proves the opposite to be true. Kami must come to grips with the flesh and blood form of her friend, one who is being less than forthcoming about his past, present and family. Magic, danger and murder make this an entertaining read and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel. Unspoken will be published on September 11.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Netgalley) – Caelena is released from her sentence serving in a mine prison, but it is not freedom to which she is released. Instead, she is to be part of a contest to determine who will be the king’s champion. All the candidates are criminals and those who do not die in the challenges set before them will return to their sentences if they are not the victor at the end of the contest. Caelena, an accomplished assassin, was chosen by Prince Dorian as his candidate. She must train hard to try to regain the endurance and health she lost in the mines. This story is filled with competing motivations, intrigue, action, dances and deceptions. My favorite part of the book is Chaol, the captain of the guard. Throne of Glass was published this month. There are several prequel novellas available (but only through Kindle at this time).

Beta by Rachel Cohn (Netgalley) – Elysia is a clone. Specifically, she is a beta of a teenage clone. There are only two such clones so far on Demesne, a paradise-like island for the important and wealthy. Elysia is purchased by the wife of Demesne’s governor and brought to the family home as a surrogate daughter of sorts. She comfort’s the governor’s young daughter, helps the governor’s son train for the military governor and is a show off piece for the governor’s wife. But there is a much darker side to Demesne than its glittering exterior would indicate…

Clones are the ones who work on Demesne, serving in all manner of occupations. Clones are soulless, created after the deaths of their human models. Clones do not experience emotion. They do not experience the same senses as humans. Yet Elysia discovers she has a sense of taste. More troubling are the flashes of memory she has of the human girl she was based on. These differences threaten Elysia’s existence for she cannot let it be known that she is a Defect. This dystopian story could appeal to high school readers. Beta is scheduled to be released on October 12.

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu (Netgalley) – Destructive human emotions are controlled within the Community through embedded computer chips and ports installed at the back of people’s heads. The Link network transfers information to everyone and regulates life. Anyone acting anomalously in The Community is to be reported immediately so he or she can be repaired. If the anomalous behavior is severe enough, the person will be deactivated. Zoel knows she should report herself for the glitches she experiences, but she can’t bring herself to do so. Not only are there times when she’s disconnected from the Link, times when emotion washes through her, she has discovered an uncontrollable talent that she unleashes in times of duress – telekinesis. Zoe struggles to hide her increasingly different behavior after an episode on the Surface that introduces her to the Resistance. This book will be a good fit for readers who enjoyed The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Glitch was released this month.

Foxfire by Karen Kincy (Netgalley) – Tavian is returning to his homeland to visit his adoptive grandparents. It is, however, information about his biological family that Tavian desperately needs. Half human and half kitsune, Tavian’s magic is threatening to destroy him. Finding the mother who abandoned him in the snow years earlier may be his only hope. Foxfire is scheduled to be released on October 8. It is the third book in a series started with the book Other.

The Curiosities by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton & Brenna Yovanoff (Netgalley) – This is a wonderful short story anthology not only because of the quality of the often dark and magical stories, but because of its process. The stories were written for The Merry Sisters of Fate where they posted weekly stories. Inside this volume, the authors offer comments on the different stories, pictures of their writing tendencies, what writing the short stories helped them with, etc. Pay attention to the opening lines and endings in this book. Some of my favorite stories in this book include: A Murder of Gods and Date with a Dragon Slayer. This book comes out October 1.

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton – This companion to Blood Magic occurs several years later. Josephine Darly did more than decimate Silla’s family. She left behind a daughter, Mab Prowd. Mab, unlike Nick and Silla, has been raised to know and embrace her magic. Mab has recently become the Deacon, the one in charge of the farm that is a refuge for those in need who use blood magic. The former Deacon made Mab promise to destroy the roses next to the house after his death. Mab tries something a bit different and ends up launching a series of events that will change the life of Will Sanger forever. Will, a high school teen who loves soccer, is fighting for equilibrium mere months after the death of his brother Aaron. Will no longer knows who he is or what he wants. He knows he doesn’t want to go into the military like the rest of his family nor does he know how to handle the return of his remaining brother from active duty. Bruised and sore after a run in with Mab’s magical construction, Will finds he cannot ignore the changes overtaking him. This book comes out on August 28.

Currently in Progress:

Brother from a Box by Evan Kuhlman – In this middle grade read, Matt Rambeau is curious about the big box that shows up at his home. This box makes Matt a big brother for the first time. Inside the box is a robot–I mean a ‘bionically modified lifeform’ that Matt names Norman. Not everything about having a sophisticated machine for a brother is easy–not at home or at school–but this is a story that makes me smile.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading from Picture Books to YA

Jen and Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts started a weekly meme about what people are reading and reviewing in children’s and young adult literature. It’s a great way to see what others are reading.

This is my post history-cation edition! What’s a historycation? Read to find out.

Reading Adventures of the Last Two Weeks

Picture Book:

Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler (read through Netgalley) – Another fun title for early elementary. Some interesting rules and football related terms are tossed into this one.

Nonfiction Picture Books:

The House that George Built by Suzanne Slade – This picture book depicts the role George Washington had in the construction of the White House. This book could be read in two ways. For a younger group or introduction, the cumulative story based on This is the House That Jack Built could be read. For an older group, the informational part of the story could be read. I picked this book up at Mount Vernon.

Big George by Anne F. Rockwell – An interesting picture biography of George Washington, his childhood and how he grew up. I liked how it looked at Washington’s character.

Fiction:

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead (Read through Netgalley)- I loved this story and can’t wait to get it for my library at school. Georges (his parents named him for Georges Seurat) has to move from his house to an apartment because times are tough for his parents. At the new apartment, he and his dad find a note for a Spy Club in the laundry. When his date leaves a question about the time of the meeting, Georges is surprised when there is an answer. Georges grudgingly goes to the meeting and meets Safer and his sister Candy. Sworn to secrecy about the club, Georges has to learn how to observe, how to watch the entrances and more as they keep track of the mysterious Mr. X. This book comes out in August.

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale (Read through Netgalley) – I was thrilled to discover Shannon Hale had written a sequel to Princess Academy. Miri and several other Mount Eskel girls travel to Asland to be the princess’s ladies. Miri is to attend the academy at Queen’s Castle. Peder also heads to capital to apprentice to a carver. Miri soon learns there is much unrest among the people and is given the task of figuring out which side is most likely to come out on top so Mount Eskel can safely pick a side. I loved this chance to meet these characters once more and see how they grew. This book comes out in August.

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander – A reread of my tattered, beloved copy. I enjoyed revisiting Taran and company.

One Year in Coal Harbor by Polly Horvath (Read through Netgalley) – Primrose’s attempts at matchmaking made me laugh. One of the things I liked best about this book was her friendship with Ked, a new foster boy that Evie and Bert take in.

Graphic Novels:

One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale (Read through Netgalley) – This is the first in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series. It’s a funny offbeat graphic novel that tells of Nathan Hale’s failed attempt at espionage and other aspects of the Revolutionary War. History is told to a hangsman and a Provost as Hale tries to postpone his execution.

Big Bad Ironclad by Nathan Hale – The second in the Hazardous Tales series arrived while I was on vacation. It was such fun to see this series in print. Big Bad Ironcald is illustrated with a highlight color of blue. It tells about Will Cushing, who had a wild career with the Navy in the Civil War. He is kicked out of the naval academy, then given a low ranking officer role when the Civil War begins. Cushing’s career is almost like that of someone is special ops. Now I have to wait until next year for another volume in this series.

Broxo by Zack Giallongo (Read through Netgalley) – This is a fantasy graphic novel that I think is most suitable for middle school. Strange, perilous creatures and a murky past propel this read forward as a princess arrives looking for the Peryton clan.

Currently in Progress:

I’m in the middle of Kashmira Sheth’s The No-Dogs-Allowed Rule which comes out on September 1 (The copy I am reading is through Netgalley). This book strikes me as one that’d be great to share with third grade. It’s set in Oshkosh, WI.

Reviews: This week I reflected on 31 books that shaped me as a reader. If you want, you can guess why I picked 31 as the number.

This Week’s Reading Adventures

I would like to finish The No-Dogs-Allowed Rule. I have a brand new book by Jeff Shaara to read about the Battle of Shiloh. I used to adore his historical fiction so I am looking forward to this read. I also want to start another galley that I have, maybe Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan or 3 Below by Patrick Carman.