New Arrivals

A new shipment of library books came into the library this week!  I felt as giddy as a kid on Christmas as I unpacked the two giant boxes of gorgeous books and placed them on the shelves for the students to enjoy.  Of course the first thing I said to the 4th graders that came just as I was finishing up was "We just received over 70 new books!"  They were ecstatic and anxious to see what they were.  Within the hour, 5 brand new books went home with delighted kids eager to explore their pages. A few days before the new books arrived a 1st grader asked me, "Do you have any cool books?" Well, I certainly think all the books in the library are cool, but apparently he does not necessarily agree. However, with just a little digging I was able to get to the source of what "cool" was and he ended up happily taking home a leveled reader on Prince Caspian from the Narnia Chronicles. As I unpacked the boxes of new books I could not help wondering which ones my little 1st grade friend would classify as "cool." I'm guessing the books on Ninjas and Military Fighter Planes make the list.  What do you think? Here is a just a sampling of the new books ready to be checked out.  The publisher's descriptions are underneath to give a little taste of what each book is about: 355.548 MAT Mattern, Joanne, 1963-. Ninjas : masters of stealth and secrecy. New York : Children's Press, 2005. Presents a brief introduction to ninjas, including their history, mythology, beliefs, weapons, and traditions. 362.196 WAT Watters, Debbie, 1961-. Where's Mom's hair? : a family journey through cancer. Toronto : Second Story Press, c2005. In a way that provides clear and non-frightening answers, this personal journey highlights the kinds of questions children have when a loved one gets cancer. 385 DUN Dunn, Joeming W. Building the transcontinental railroad. Edina, Minn. : Magic Wagon, c2009. In graphic novel format, this book offers an account of the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. 597.6798 WAL Walker, Sally M. Seahorse reef : a story of the south Pacific. 1st ed. Norwalk, CT : Soundprints, 2000. Describes a sea horse living in the coral reefs of the central Philippines, its habitat, life cycle, food, and how it protects itself from predators. 597.8 GIL Gilpin, Daniel. Tree frogs, mud puppies, & other amphibians. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, 2006. Introduces the species of amphibians including information on physical characteristics, habitats, and life cycles. 597.965 KLE Klein, Adam G., 1976-. Yellow-bellied sea snakes. Anniversary ed. Edina, Minn. : Abdo Pub., c2006. Presents an introduction to yellow-bellied sea snakes, in simple text with illustrations, and includes information on their size, color, habitat, food, and life cycle. 599.8 DEL De la Bédoyere, Camilla. 100 things you should know about monkeys & apes. 2009 ed. Broomall, Pa. : Mason Crest Publishers, 2009, c2008. Presents one hundred details about primates, including information about different species, how they communicate and move, their intelligence and family life. 616.9 OLL Ollhoff, Jim, 1959-. What are germs? Edina, MN : Abdo Pub. Co., c2010. This book describes scientists' discoveries of microbes (germs), including how they spread; how some of them cause diseases, and how medicines are used to control these diseases. 623.746 BUR Burgan, Michael. The world's fastest military airplanes. Mankato, Minn. : Capstone Books, c2001. Explains how jet planes operate and some of the uses that the military makes of them. 636.9359 LEA Leavitt, Amie Jane. Care for a pet chinchilla. Hockessin, Del. : Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2010. Provides advice on having a chinchilla as a pet, discussing its behavior, housing, life cycle, selection, feeding, and handling. 796.334 HUR Hurley, Michael, 1979-. Great World Cup moments. Chicago : Heinemann Library, c2010. Recounts some of the greatest moments in World Cup history and profiles the soccer stars and teams that made them possible. 956.014 MAC Macdonald, Fiona, 1958-. You wouldn't want to be a crusader! : a war you'd rather not fight. Brigton, BNI : Book House ;, 2005. Cartoons and facts combine to describe the experiences of European knights fighting in the Crusades. 973.0496 BOL Bolden, Tonya. Tell all the children our story : memories and mementos of being young and Black in America. New York : Abrams, 2001. Photographs, illustrations, and text describe the experiences of African-American children growing up in the United States from the first African-American baby born in the Jamestown colony through the children growing up in the dawn of the twenty-first century. B GOO Haugen, Brenda. Jane Goodall : legendary primatologist. Minneapolis, Minn. : Compass Point Books, c2006. Studies the life of Jane Goodall, whose research and dedication has ensured the survival and well-being of chimpanzees in Africa. FIC WIL Wilson, Nathan D. The Chestnut King. 1st ed. New York : Random House, c2010. Twelve-year-old Henry York, finally reunited with his family, works with them and the Chestnut King, the long-deposed and mythic leader of the faeren people, to destroy Nimiane and her forces of evil. FIC CRO Crowne, Alyssa. Pink princess rules the school. New York : Scholastic, 2009. Juliet Henry is planning a party for her seventh birthday, and she wants to invite only girls and have everything pink, from the food to the outfits. But the boys in her class don't want to be left out of the fun. Will they spoil the pink princess party? HAPPY READING!

The Top Five Library Books Last Week

Sometimes it is really hard to write this blog. I feel like I should be posting at least three times a week if not more. But you and I both know, I don't usually make my three times a week goal :(  Anyway, I have been thinking all day, "what to write, what to write, what to write...." Sorry, I just had to share the inner thoughts of this librarian. At last a few minutes ago it hit me! I always write about books that I like or have noticed. But what about the books the children, our library patrons, have proven they like. Destiny Quest keeps a top five of the week. It is always on the computer when the students use the system to look up books. But you at home can't see it. So, I thought I'd share and try to keep you up to date on the Children's favorite books.

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyers: I have noticed this book is being checked out more often. While it is reserved for 5th grade and up it has been on the top five for quite some time. I don't think it's popularity is fading anytime soon. 
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kiney: Again, not really a huge surprise here. We have two copies of this book and it is hardly ever on the shelf. I have read the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid but not the subsequent volumes. I definitely see the appeal of these books. 
3. The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: This is a new book and a few of the older girls have noticed it and checked it out. It is historical fiction so of course I have been very interested in checking it out. It is the story of a lace maker's granddaughter and her relationship with Marie Antoinette's daughter, Princes Therese. 
4. Who Was Walt Disney by Whitney Stewart: Perhaps this book is in the top five because the 5th graders had their biography reports. It is unusual to see any biography in the top five and we have a few in the top ten this week. If I expect to see any the book would most likely come from the "Who Was" Series. This popular series is illustrated and for 3rd through 5th graders. 
5. Star Wars: the Wind Raiders of Taloraan script by John Ostrander: We have a few of these Star Wars comic books and wow are they popular. I cannot keep them on the shelf. The second one is checked in it is checked right back out. 

Thats All Folk!

I am always looking for ways to introduce classics to our children. In an age where pop culture rules it is sometimes difficult to get the children excited about books that come from a different time and place. Case in point: Shakespeare. When I was younger the word scared me. I will never forget my freshman year of high school when we had to read Romeo and Juliet. I could not wrap my head around the language. I am ashamed to say I developed a mild hatred for William Shakespeare and a slightly deeper hatred for teachers who assigned such drudgery.

This is not a story that ends wonderfully. As an adult I still dislike Shakespeare. That is not to say I don't value the importance of reading his works and dissecting them. Instead, I am annoyed at my own inability to grasp the words and rhythm that are so important. I can't help but think that perhaps if I had been introduced to Shakespeare in a different way I would have developed a love or at the very least a better understanding of his works.

Yet, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have recently come across a very interesting collection of books that introduces Shakespeare to young readers. If you have read my previous post you will know that I am indeed a fan  of graphic novels. It does not matter to me if they are original works or based on classic stories I appreciate their ability to speak to children of this age. So YES, I ordered a set of four books from the series Graphic Shakespeare. These books are great because they still use Shakespeare's language but they also include explanations of the dialogue. Of course they also draw the children into the story because they are illustrated. I hope the children enjoy them and begin to appreciate Shakespeare in a new way because honestly, once you get past the language the stories written by Shakespeare are truly exciting!

We now have: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and Macbeth as part of our collection.

Sometimes its all about the art!

This Falcon was always an avid reader but I do realize not everybody can find a book they really get into. Sometimes it is hard to read chapter after to chapter, especially if the book is assigned and not one of your choosing. Yet who out there has no problem opening a Superman comic or Pokemon? You are guaranteed an adventure with great characters and cool artwork. Well here is a tip for you! Publishers, authors and artists alike have all gotten the memo......Some people would rather read a comic than read a novel. Their solution? Graphic novels that are based on hot topics and classic works of fiction. How cool is that?!?!?

While our library is small we do have some graphic novels that just might get you reading. Many of you love reading Greek mythology. I do too! One of the newest additions to the library is Greek Myths by Rob Shone. This graphic novel has exciting stories like Icarus, Hercules and Jason and the Argonauts.

How about all you aspiring poets out there! Have you ever read Edgar Allan Poe? He certainly isn't your average poet. For those of you who love to be scared no one tops Poe. He is a Halloween favorite and classic author. Our graphic novel titled The Best of Poe not only teaches you a little about this master of murder and mystery but does it in a way that really draws in the reader through art. This book includes the short stories The Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

For students interested in history the SP library has two really cool graphic novels. The first is a greatly celebrated work called Maus II: A Survivor's Tale. Taken from the stories told by the artist, Art Spiegelman's father, Maus draws you into the world of Poland during WWII and takes a good look at life in a concentration camp. I recommend this book for all Jr. High students. The art is raw and real and easy to relate too. The Jewish people are represented by mice and the Nazis are cats.

Our second book takes you on a journey to the Jim Crow south, providing a real look at segregation. Also a book for Jr. High students this important story about Leroy "Satchel" Paige is set in the deep south at a time in our history where African Americans and Whites did not mix no matter if it was to sit next to each other or play baseball together.

Of course we also have fun lighthearted graphic novels.There is a fun series of Indiana Jones Adventures, an illustrated version of Artemis Fowl and the Bone Series. And remember Superman and Pokemon? Well we have those too!