tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31857901383748651872024-03-21T21:05:31.016-07:00Kristen's Book LooksBooks and events for kids and teens at Allerton LibraryKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-22063770603590346322013-04-25T13:41:00.001-07:002013-04-25T13:41:58.054-07:00GoodbyeThis is my last post here - I've accepted a job offer in Colorado and I'll be moving there soon. Friday April 26 will be my last day here at Allerton Library. If you want to keep informed about the books I've been reading, please feel free to friend me on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a>. You can see my profile <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2127831-kristen">here</a>.<br />
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Thank you and good luck to everyone I've worked with and helped over the years here in Monticello!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-80636843567480813342013-04-11T08:20:00.000-07:002013-04-11T08:20:49.999-07:00We're Back: Bigger and Better Than Ever!After a vacation and a couple of days spent training on the new circulation system we are once again up, running, and ready to rock and roll! Our new online catalog can be found here:<br />
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<a href="http://allp.illshareit.com/">allp.illshareit.com</a><br />
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PLEASE use this link instead of the link on our website for all your library requests. I think you'll find that our new online catalog is easier to use and has a better selection than our old one.<br />
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We will be open for our normal hours from now until Maintenance Day on May 15, so if you have any questions about the new system, please call us or stop by. Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-21890616223991890992013-03-28T15:34:00.005-07:002013-03-28T15:34:45.976-07:00I've Finished the 2014 Caudill List!I just finished the last few pages of <u>Boys Without Names</u> (not one of my favorites). Overall I liked this list better than some other years. As I mentioned before, I thought it was nice that at least half the titles didn't have horribly upsetting or depressing stories. I particularly liked <u>Wonder</u>, <u>Close to Famous</u>, <u>Okay for Now</u>, and <u>Candy Bomber</u>. I found <u>Words in the Dust</u>, <u>Bamboo People</u>, <u>The Hunt for the Seventh</u>, and <u>Boys Without Names</u> hard to get through. I outright sobbed through the whole second half of <u>Ways to Live Forever</u>, but I laughed out loud while reading <u>Close to Famous</u>. I wish more Rebecca Caudill books were laugh-out-loud types... sigh. Maybe next year.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-66867910121717668512013-03-21T15:38:00.003-07:002013-03-21T15:38:56.227-07:00I've Been Invited......to serve on the Rebecca Caudill Evaluator's Committee!<br />
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I can tell this is going to be a great experience, and I'm honored to have been chosen. Soon I'll get a list of books to start reading and evaluating. I can't wait to get started!<br />
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I've also put together an early literacy calendar, a great idea I got from Amy Koester, another children's librarian who writes the blog <a href="http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/">The Show Me Librarian</a>. You can see her original post <a href="http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-we-offer-early-literacy-calendar.html">here</a>. There are print copies available in the children's section of the library, but you can see mine <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2WvBK1Gm1GqNVJTR2V3aENON2c/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>.<br />
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A lot of people don't realize that getting kids ready to read is pretty easy - something as simple as singing a song or playing a game of I Spy helps develop some of the <a href="http://dallaslibrary2.org/ecrr/skills.php">six pre-literacy skills</a> experts agree will help kids prepare for learning how to read once they reach school. For more information on activities you can do with toddlers and preschoolers, please visit the Kent District Library's fabulous page <a href="http://www.kdl.org/kids/go/pgr_five_practices">here</a>.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-25411357974908116212013-03-14T10:07:00.004-07:002013-03-14T10:07:56.807-07:00Books and Angry Birds!Come to the Angry Birds Party this Saturday at 11 a.m.! It's for kids of all ages and we're going to re-enact the Angry Birds game in real life. First, kids will divide into teams and build structures from boxes for the pigs (green plastic balls) to hide in. Then, they will use beach towels to launch the birds (red plastic balls) at the buildings to try and knock the pigs to the floor. Snacks and drinks will be served. Please sign up if you are interested!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZmXYuKFqOLjVu0Q62eqAv6zt7ajyTzPLub-4gd2R28mP5sDNnKxvff-fM7fH52hvlRH2O_jFjQyQlZP9IxNVSZnbAn4pmwc-IX0qlPeq-_Gv4rdrLOQm-0pdJ__5f5rIv_7Ne4bkdCU/s1600/monsters+love+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZmXYuKFqOLjVu0Q62eqAv6zt7ajyTzPLub-4gd2R28mP5sDNnKxvff-fM7fH52hvlRH2O_jFjQyQlZP9IxNVSZnbAn4pmwc-IX0qlPeq-_Gv4rdrLOQm-0pdJ__5f5rIv_7Ne4bkdCU/s200/monsters+love+colors.jpg" width="200" /></a>I recently read a new picture book I really liked called <u>Monsters Love Colors</u> by Mike Austin. I used it with my Baby Lap Time group, but it's a great, versatile book that can be used with a wide age range. The concept and basic story is simple enough for two-year-olds, but the dialogue on each page and the small jokes in the illustrations would be enjoyed by kindergarteners or first graders. I also liked that Austin incorporated rhyming words, but I wondered if kids might be confused by the abstract concept of how rhyming words can also be colors: he says that blue is the color of "scribble, and dribble, and nibble, nibble, nibble!" Still, overall that's a small quibble, and I did like the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9hE62ZNouVvkRwHRROdQOk00oEHid0dFM3_l4_no18YXkN5fF2Sz7L8pwaJaXPyXDsy-X2FrW_ZLrvN7rSqcrQtHTBQptDccVk7SnoV8r4zOi1iPYUveIYgJ3YS5FjjlnYWPaAeOmoI/s1600/close+to+famous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9hE62ZNouVvkRwHRROdQOk00oEHid0dFM3_l4_no18YXkN5fF2Sz7L8pwaJaXPyXDsy-X2FrW_ZLrvN7rSqcrQtHTBQptDccVk7SnoV8r4zOi1iPYUveIYgJ3YS5FjjlnYWPaAeOmoI/s200/close+to+famous.jpg" width="135" /></a>I also read a great middle-grade novel recently that's on the 2014 Rebecca Caudill list called <u>Close to Famous</u> by Joan Bauer. I liked this book as much as I liked Wonder, so that's really saying something. Here's my Goodreads review:<br />
<table border="0" class="table stacked" id="books"><tbody id="booksBody">
<tr class="bookalike review" id="review_549312945"><td class="field shelves"><br /></td><td class="field review"><div class="value">
<i><span id="freeTextreview549312945">I really, really enjoyed
this story about a girl with a great memory and an incredible talent for
baking who also struggles with an near-inability to read (her
difficulty stems from dyslexia or something similar). She and her mom
have fallen on hard times since her father was killed in Iraq, but find
some good friends in a small West Virginia town. This book touches some
deep emotional issues but never gets bogged down with them, and has a
lot that kids can take from it. Recommended for fans of Cynthia Lord and
Barbara O'Connor, and especially for older fans of Sarah Weeks's
chapter book <u>Pie</u>.</span></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-30301120178498962782013-03-07T15:56:00.002-08:002013-03-07T15:56:37.947-08:002014 Monarchs and Bluestems<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HagzL8sqSy8GygLIXqFb5iX7J38P3UMtBY21PHXySDLU4IpIlBgOHsN-P7vihZVaXYVqabWpckk9aOMiXTTeL5M2eeNNnMxDC57D4LvCx6gmK1IxTdhQzH78F-ZXTmfK-dubil-JfRA/s1600/one.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HagzL8sqSy8GygLIXqFb5iX7J38P3UMtBY21PHXySDLU4IpIlBgOHsN-P7vihZVaXYVqabWpckk9aOMiXTTeL5M2eeNNnMxDC57D4LvCx6gmK1IxTdhQzH78F-ZXTmfK-dubil-JfRA/s200/one.JPG" width="200" /></a>So I've finally gotten my act together and set up displays for the 2014 Monarch books and the 2014 Bluestem books. I saw some great selections on those lists! I've only read 6 of the 20 on the Monarch list so far but I've liked all of them: <u>The Trouble With Chickens</u>, <u>I Want My Hat Back</u>, <u>11 Experiments That Failed</u>, <u>One</u>, <u>Swirl By Swirl</u>, and <u>Balloons Over Broadway</u>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VSw4x8OrifKMDNdpeB8bBOwriPDkUd8z0bYuO2OQ9Jlukp6Sp5TViE95MEHpMqX8VLgu-avJ5RYfqsmJnrNaEjAkDuRACMUiMPO0eLX3eev0bjr5-IUXyhhbJuotaKBc0Qpx_cS5Cuk/s1600/clementine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VSw4x8OrifKMDNdpeB8bBOwriPDkUd8z0bYuO2OQ9Jlukp6Sp5TViE95MEHpMqX8VLgu-avJ5RYfqsmJnrNaEjAkDuRACMUiMPO0eLX3eev0bjr5-IUXyhhbJuotaKBc0Qpx_cS5Cuk/s200/clementine.jpg" width="153" /></a><br />
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I've read 7 of the 20 on the Bluestem list, and I was THRILLED to see <u>Clementine</u> on it! <u>Clementine</u> was a Monarch book a few years ago but I'm glad it's back in the limelight. I also liked <u>Pie</u>, <u>Wonder</u>, and of course <u>Number the Stars</u> quite a bit. I liked (but am slightly less enthusiastic about) <u>Edgar Allan's Official Crime Investigation Notebook</u>, <u>Because of Winn-Dixie</u>, and <u>Knights of the Kitchen Table</u>.<br />
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What did you think of the lists? Does anything stand out for you?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-3753600298562870182013-02-21T10:12:00.001-08:002013-02-21T10:12:29.956-08:00Rebecca Caudill Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fsob-qq6nonzxlulvAJTJyJBjV6gARmHBDa3O-HC4E3AATShZuu69LPUCMpd6bWR6ymj9PdzDFQowYsI22d7EvhGsksSnPPhvIYQjrwdBGFk3moD057Ui8aFn8vA7wxzyyZrLtBT97U/s1600/wonder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fsob-qq6nonzxlulvAJTJyJBjV6gARmHBDa3O-HC4E3AATShZuu69LPUCMpd6bWR6ymj9PdzDFQowYsI22d7EvhGsksSnPPhvIYQjrwdBGFk3moD057Ui8aFn8vA7wxzyyZrLtBT97U/s200/wonder.jpg" width="131" /></a>So far I've read 12 of the 2014 Rebecca Caudills and I'm pleased to say that I've really been enjoying them so far! My favorites are <u>Wonder</u> and <u>Okay for Now</u>, but I also really liked <u>Candy Bomber</u>, <u>A Tale Dark & Grimm</u>, <u>Blizzard of Glass</u>, <u>The Running Dream</u>, and <u>The Lions of Little Rock</u>. As far as the others go (<u>I, Emma Freke</u>, <u>How They Croaked</u>, <u>The Outcasts</u>, <u>The Apothecary</u>, and <u>Breaking Stalin's Nose</u>) I thought they were fine, and only had a few minor issues with them.<br />
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I'm a little apprehensive about some of the titles; <u>Ghetto Cowboy</u>, <u>Boys Without Names</u>, <u>Words in the Dust</u>, and <u>Bamboo People</u> all sound like they might be extremely depressing. But I like knowing that this year at least the kids will be able to read 10 of 20 books without running into one of the super-sad ones.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-2414316842245675652013-02-14T08:38:00.001-08:002013-02-14T08:38:53.183-08:00New Picture Books<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnSYFPULowQc0vYX3P7qtS-ubQF3eV0GhlM5SqRV7iqryQ08-ZBPBxsEhlJAxkjLYsqSiXJ3t2bZiPdMYJpWMy4ZVSWNYYEoN82E9hREP0up2Y9ffKVfDMLgLhsjizmOIhNGlWtOwxy4/s1600/goldilocks+variations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnSYFPULowQc0vYX3P7qtS-ubQF3eV0GhlM5SqRV7iqryQ08-ZBPBxsEhlJAxkjLYsqSiXJ3t2bZiPdMYJpWMy4ZVSWNYYEoN82E9hREP0up2Y9ffKVfDMLgLhsjizmOIhNGlWtOwxy4/s200/goldilocks+variations.jpg" width="200" /></a> I was totally charmed by a new picture book that recently arrived at the library called <u>The Goldilocks Variations</u>
by Allan Ahlberg. It's simultaneously kid-friendly and
grownup-friendly, with rich language, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor,
and lots of interactive pull tabs and similar items to offset the long
length of the book. I absolutely loved reading it and I think this is a
book that kindergarteners and first graders will ask for over and over.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2hsPRqqysAVQ_esWE79D25-WFK3wDbiP43q36m7dJjthOolbuanxaf-fW3vAhAs-jyZySOuSf9dBDaWSKenzduLaGrq34RjAGWVqN8SW4T_oEIhhyphenhyphenr7SO0iVKE6BIf1tPMzQ_dgNKzA/s1600/up-tall-and-high.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2hsPRqqysAVQ_esWE79D25-WFK3wDbiP43q36m7dJjthOolbuanxaf-fW3vAhAs-jyZySOuSf9dBDaWSKenzduLaGrq34RjAGWVqN8SW4T_oEIhhyphenhyphenr7SO0iVKE6BIf1tPMzQ_dgNKzA/s200/up-tall-and-high.jpg" width="157" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIkUj_l3qDM7mktJGuNSTwYyGy1fZwZZOChLhdFBAlBpYQ9RA_U_dZqr9KPXK1wy2v0WlJ72bOjSu2XNVfiz_3e7zvGp7fOWdjp4coIHrCLdyfqErQJPK6sbWVQE99yq3uVXZRtShDPk/s1600/dog+in+charge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIkUj_l3qDM7mktJGuNSTwYyGy1fZwZZOChLhdFBAlBpYQ9RA_U_dZqr9KPXK1wy2v0WlJ72bOjSu2XNVfiz_3e7zvGp7fOWdjp4coIHrCLdyfqErQJPK6sbWVQE99yq3uVXZRtShDPk/s200/dog+in+charge.jpg" width="200" /></a>We also got this year's <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward">Geisel Award</a> winner for the best book for beginning readers. It is Ethan Long's book <u>Up! Tall! And High!</u> I really enjoyed reading this simple book as well. The vocabulary is tailored for kids who are just starting out, with most of the story told using sight words. The illustrations are exemplary, bursting with life and humor. It's on par with Mo Willems's work, and for me that is high praise.<br />
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I also found a new book to read during storytimes, called <u>Dog In Charge</u> by K.L. Going. It made me laugh out loud right from the first page, and it presents a problem that will be familiar to kids: will Dog get blamed for the cats' mischief? The text begs to be read aloud, as it features lots of sound effects, familiar refrains, and an easy, natural-sounding rhythm. I can't wait to try it out.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-17632819359110251382013-02-07T15:49:00.002-08:002013-02-07T15:49:45.975-08:00More Notable Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94jWlNOhyDin7Ana4_whcbz0J6Iu0tRU8EelzInjHQHuvEA8QlG7gGrKnXJ5DrCeN_T9Blh5VN47LDRctHTgwa6qL13pCiUozQBczrIF5aEaJq9fDFGQrdnuu2eD0g0mK3XGqeU3XLK0/s1600/bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94jWlNOhyDin7Ana4_whcbz0J6Iu0tRU8EelzInjHQHuvEA8QlG7gGrKnXJ5DrCeN_T9Blh5VN47LDRctHTgwa6qL13pCiUozQBczrIF5aEaJq9fDFGQrdnuu2eD0g0mK3XGqeU3XLK0/s200/bomb.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
Last week I neglected to mention the Siebert Medal winner <u>Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon</u> by Steve Sheinkin. That's because I had just started reading it at the time, but now that I've finished it I have to let everyone know about my TOTAL ENTHUSIASM for this book.<br />
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Here's my Goodreads review: <i><span id="freeTextreview464584276">This is an amazing book for
teens about the Manhattan Project. The author did a fantastic job of
picking out the most interesting and humanizing stories surrounding the
development of the atomic bomb. The science and politics were all very
complex, but Sheinkin made them accessible enough for young teens to
understand. And it's all woven together really well - the book reads
like a novel, and I was even more amazed and impressed with it every
time I reminded myself that this all REALLY HAPPENED! Recommended for
anyone with any kind of interest in history.</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeTextreview464584276"> </span><span id="freeTextreview464584276"> </span></i><br />
<span id="freeTextreview464584276">Also, last week I neglected to mention in my post that the 2014 Rebecca Caudill list is out! Take a look <a href="http://www.rcyrba.org/pdf/2014%20Master%20List.pdf">here</a>. I was very pleased to see that three nonfiction books made it on the list! I've only read one of them so far, <u>Blizzard of Glass</u>,</span><span id="freeTextreview464584276"> but if that is any indication of the quality of the others I think I'll have a wonderful time discovering the other two. I also really, really liked both <u>Wonder</u> and <u>Okay for Now</u>. There are 13 books on the list that I haven't read yet though, so I guess I better get busy!</span>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-75691349301201651802013-01-31T15:35:00.000-08:002013-01-31T15:35:34.631-08:00Award Winners!I was so excited on Monday morning when I heard about this year's <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia">ALA Youth Book & Media Awards</a>! Lots of amazing books won awards and honors, including (to my absolute delight) <u>The One and Only Ivan</u> by Katharine Applegate, which won the <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal">Newbery</a>. Jon Klassen's picture book <u>This Is Not My Hat</u> won the <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal">Caldecott</a> for its illustrations (which I also thought were very clever and well-executed).<br />
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I had been really hoping that John Green's amazing book <u>The Fault In Our Stars</u> would win the Printz, or at least a Printz Honor, but it didn't... although, the audio version did snag an <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/odysseyaward">Odyssey Award</a>, so I'll be listening to that as soon as I'm done with <u>Locked in Time</u> by Lois Duncan.<br />
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As usual, there were several books that won honors or awards that I'm not yet familiar with, so I'll be looking forward to reading this year's Printz winner, <u>In Darkness</u> by Nick Lake, as well as the Newbery honor book <u>Three Times Lucky</u> by Sheila Turnage.<br />
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Did you follow the awards? What did you think of the books that were chosen?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-27150572918067758632013-01-24T15:37:00.002-08:002013-01-24T15:37:51.950-08:00Library Program FunAlice B. McGinty's visit was fantastic! We had a great turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves. We sang, we acted, we did a craft, and we fed Cookie the (very happy) guinea pig. Thanks to Alice and to the Monticello Rotary Club for making the whole event possible.<br />
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A great program like that makes me really energized, so we're jumping right into the next one, coming up on February 16. It'll be a Disney party, at 11 a.m. for kids ages 3+. At the party, kids will be able to assemble a prototype for Phineas & Ferb's next invention, race Cars, make princess jewelry with beads, and draw pictures like Rapunzel. There will also be snacks & drinks. Those who are interested should sign up by Feb. 14, because I would much rather have too many princess beads than NOT ENOUGH princess beads. :-PKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-82119319400463439302013-01-17T14:54:00.006-08:002013-01-17T14:54:53.605-08:00Reminder: Meet Alice B. McGinty!She's coming here this Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. She's going to have a fabulous program for kids in grades K-5, featuring interactive reading, a craft, and Cookie the real live guinea pig and star of Alice's book <u>Eliza's Kindergarten Pet</u>! You'll also have a chance to buy signed books. Please register if you're interested!<br />
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That's all for now - my desk is a huge disaster area and I'd like to get it cleaned up before I leave tonight. :)Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-41172867911673039802013-01-10T15:37:00.000-08:002013-01-10T15:37:31.234-08:00Starting My Year Right<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1-1LHfTdHKHavzs_TvIkle-BQ16xnfGvi20n76s-5gKrIP3LiKROEoGAf8oCZHrauN0DF3Syp35BLm8QzSkryuIspLA1So1HchN4Sh_8TEE8DigpJ2xeHV_61QfM_nZAVSxIrzzVDsQ/s1600/temple+grandin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1-1LHfTdHKHavzs_TvIkle-BQ16xnfGvi20n76s-5gKrIP3LiKROEoGAf8oCZHrauN0DF3Syp35BLm8QzSkryuIspLA1So1HchN4Sh_8TEE8DigpJ2xeHV_61QfM_nZAVSxIrzzVDsQ/s200/temple+grandin.jpg" width="140" /></a>2013 is only 10 days old and already I've read three fantastic children's/teen books! I'm making an effort to read more children's and teen's nonfiction, so I recently picked up <u>Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World</u> by Sy Montgomery. It's a great biography for young teens about Temple, who overcame her early difficulties stemming from autism and grew up to make a huge difference in the lives of millions of animals by changing the way ranches and factory farms work. The author makes Temple's life very engaging even for people who might not think they're interested in autism or animals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22RVXkAoFmuwNR-AZLxX76IoUMYGpw6f49OuJs9VteetAnizDIQP25aweFwaISP5lGvFXn5P8oTycfXcPnPIYy8UhC2pmATbXJ5fDGKxxTlC5LpJbyrfc2lEGJwhcIr_IOiS3mm26zDU/s1600/seraphina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22RVXkAoFmuwNR-AZLxX76IoUMYGpw6f49OuJs9VteetAnizDIQP25aweFwaISP5lGvFXn5P8oTycfXcPnPIYy8UhC2pmATbXJ5fDGKxxTlC5LpJbyrfc2lEGJwhcIr_IOiS3mm26zDU/s200/seraphina.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
I also finally read <u>Seraphina</u> by Rachel Hartman and, although I felt like the story got off to a slow start, I ended up really liking it. It contains some great characters and worldbuilding; her portrayal of dragons is really unique. The plot is complex and interesting as well. People who like Tamora Pierce's work should really give <u>Seraphina</u> a try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZDGx01uXP_JYiKrts-NrLvykVtfMnhzYA9cqimmzsbSxthgGev8wNF6S7iMMpb81mXXCNYmHZ-EDngWnybl9LMFMwsW_C4dsYFx-qVyHAlQgQ8nn7vbNVMx-LA0LHDE6k3GoOCIIN8g/s1600/starry+river+of+the+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZDGx01uXP_JYiKrts-NrLvykVtfMnhzYA9cqimmzsbSxthgGev8wNF6S7iMMpb81mXXCNYmHZ-EDngWnybl9LMFMwsW_C4dsYFx-qVyHAlQgQ8nn7vbNVMx-LA0LHDE6k3GoOCIIN8g/s200/starry+river+of+the+sky.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
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And finally, today I just finished Grace Lin's book <u>Starry River of the Sky</u>, which is a companion novel to her Newbery Honor-winning <u>Where the Mountain Meets the Moon</u> (<u>Mountain</u> was also a Rebecca Caudill book in 2012). <u>Starry River of the Sky</u> is also completely Newbery-worthy and left me reeling with very powerful emotions at the end - but in a good way, I promise! Her writing is absolutely gorgeous with its use of imagery and metaphor, and I love how she ties Chinese mythology to her books. This is a must-read for anyone who likes middle-grade fantasy.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-21431192919722653362013-01-03T15:54:00.000-08:002013-01-03T15:54:19.013-08:00Best of 2012 (My Humble Opinion)I have 12 children's/teen books that can go on record as my favorites to be published in 2012! Those are, in order from most to least recently published:<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Ask the Passengers</u> by A.S. King </li>
<li><u>Ungifted</u> by Gordon Korman </li>
<li><u>Liar & Spy</u> by Rebecca Stead </li>
<li><u>About Average</u> by Andrew Clements </li>
<li><u>Fake Mustache</u> by Tom Angleberger </li>
<li><u>Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip</u> by Jordan Sonnenblick </li>
<li><u>Partials</u> by Dan Wells</li>
<li><u>Wonder</u> by R.J. Palacio</li>
<li><u>Code Name Verity</u> by Elizabeth Wein</li>
<li><u>The Mighty Miss Malone</u> by Christopher Paul Curtis</li>
<li><u>The Fault in Our Stars</u> by John Green</li>
</ul>
These books made it to my "favorites" list based on how much I personally enjoyed reading them, not necessarily on the basis of literary merit. However, based on what other teachers and children's librarians are saying, many of them do have strong literary merit as well and are likely being considered for the Newbery or Printz prizes.<br />
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What did you think of this year's crop of books? Do you agree or disagree with any on my list?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-5734805723916385482012-12-27T15:44:00.000-08:002012-12-27T15:44:14.299-08:00Upcoming Author Visit!Since 2012 isn't quite over, I'll hold off on a "best of 2012" post and talk instead about an upcoming author visit at the library. Alice B. McGinty, resident of Urbana and author of <u>Darwin</u>, <u>Eliza's Kindergarten Pet</u>, <u>Thank You World</u>, and <u>Ten Little Lambs</u> is coming to Allerton Library on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. When she visits, kids will get a chance to learn the "story behind the story" for her books, meet Cookie the guinea pig (star of <u>Eliza's Kindergarten Pet</u>), do a craft, and buy signed books. The presentation, and Alice's books, are great for kids in grades K-5. I especially recommend <u>Darwin</u> for older elementary-aged students. I am really excited about this upcoming visit and I hope lots of kids will jump at the opportunity to meet an author! You can see Alice's website <a href="http://alicebmcginty.com/">here</a>.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-21420097572381431512012-12-13T15:20:00.000-08:002012-12-13T15:20:12.827-08:00New Children's Music & More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt7cmFGlI58D_W6H0c9rSdEEcWqbK_NQIZocMSIYCC-RVD2FYRQMKhyUdD8zVn2wC0-Ksybnc91AgTbK8wdpnTbVoTF7OCfuGIL2kDU4hryNppaQ9OsUTWPSSZnjVQPQyAIhZ-I4NMVQ/s1600/rockin'+the+uke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt7cmFGlI58D_W6H0c9rSdEEcWqbK_NQIZocMSIYCC-RVD2FYRQMKhyUdD8zVn2wC0-Ksybnc91AgTbK8wdpnTbVoTF7OCfuGIL2kDU4hryNppaQ9OsUTWPSSZnjVQPQyAIhZ-I4NMVQ/s200/rockin'+the+uke.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
We've been able to add a few new CDs to our children's music collection recently and I grabbed some to listen to in the car. Two of my favorites were Rockin' the Uke by Cathy Fink and Marcy Maxer and Live in Lexington: Under the Copper Beech by Ben Rudnick & Friends. Rockin' the Uke had a really nice, bouncy, happy sound to it that had me smiling and humming along. Listening was just delightful! And Live in Lexington had a nice country/rock flavor to it that I think people will really like.<br />
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We have a Christmas storytime and craft coming up at 11 a.m. on December 22 for kids ages 3+. We will make Santa beards, Christmas cards, and hear Christmas stories. Please sign up in advance, as space is limited!<br />
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Also, I've started putting together weekly tips for getting kids ready to read in the toddler & preschool years for the parents in my weekly Baby & Toddler Lap Time (Tuesdays at 9:30! Lots of fun!). I thought I'd share them here on the blog with you, too. Here's the first one:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The American Library Association suggests five things
parents and caregivers can do with children to get them ready to read: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">talking, singing, playing, reading, and
writing</b>. These activities will help kids start learning about books and
reading before they start school. In upcoming weeks I will give you more
information about these five activities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Children learn best when they are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">calm, relaxed, and happy</b>. Loving physical contact (hugs, kisses,
being held in your lap) makes the brain release serotonin, which is a chemical
that helps learning and memory formation. You know your child best, so you can
pick the best times to read and work on these pre-literacy skills. If your
child isn’t responding or is fussy, it’s best to put a book or activity aside
and look at it again later.</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-52876180698881637512012-12-06T15:59:00.003-08:002012-12-06T15:59:31.514-08:00Some Good Audiobook ChoicesIf you'll be traveling a lot this holiday season, I highly recommend a good audiobook. They make hours in the car practically fly by! I have listened to quite a few children's audiobooks from our collection, and here are a few of my favorites:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPir5G2df2pzaQt-JP_f7oBxuKyZQDnMvhR8oDnWEv8LMLrGTq4u8nP9dOLkF3qPGuwPU1EoNVwWyhPPNsUcWLiKYaoCL9KhFQNYcNWgMCx2-LuC7efASsxMc7H7w59oxOQnlY6AvgQ8/s1600/henry+and+the+clubhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPir5G2df2pzaQt-JP_f7oBxuKyZQDnMvhR8oDnWEv8LMLrGTq4u8nP9dOLkF3qPGuwPU1EoNVwWyhPPNsUcWLiKYaoCL9KhFQNYcNWgMCx2-LuC7efASsxMc7H7w59oxOQnlY6AvgQ8/s200/henry+and+the+clubhouse.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
Henry and the Clubhouse by Beverly Cleary, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Beverly Cleary's stories are wonderful classics that are enjoyed by pretty much all school-age children who like realistic stories. Since they were originally published around 50 years ago they have a nice nostalgic feeling, but the characters and situations are so universal and true-to-life that kids have no trouble relating to it. Neil Patrick Harris does a wonderful job narrating, with good enunciation and nice subtleties in tone that make for a great listening experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVd64MZ2_d1p9R3X5ZGTxTK7-_rSQC_X8zlTe1aUtyi7hKS1W1O9Yl9YOZYpYsxyhRHBlDCXwdZJpOniKiGldy7008t9vfdxlSinTDSckiKJ8NKc_V28nq6CcCOb8g1iAm6avj8OgU10/s1600/world+according+to+humphrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVd64MZ2_d1p9R3X5ZGTxTK7-_rSQC_X8zlTe1aUtyi7hKS1W1O9Yl9YOZYpYsxyhRHBlDCXwdZJpOniKiGldy7008t9vfdxlSinTDSckiKJ8NKc_V28nq6CcCOb8g1iAm6avj8OgU10/s200/world+according+to+humphrey.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney, narrated by Hal Hollings. The Humphrey the Hamster stories are incredibly popular with elementary-age children, and no wonder! You won't find a cuter, funnier, or more absorbing hamster than Humphrey. Kids who like books about animals but don't necessarily like fantasy stories will love these. Hal Hollings, the narrator, is the perfect choice because his voice can be high-pitched and hamster-like without being annoying or grating in the least. I had a lot of fun listening to this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyCAlPJJTaBNktqEYrYANdLAuIYug2nIQqN5WonL1Pj1W8d0BNL0ehGhy1PK4psjs80s6yWT9xYiJ2uCuocMPdtxD5LMwArse3S5Ju8JwLOMvUiIaTrfbBGZSZZcmSOlEZlrY1ibTtTg/s1600/princess+diaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyCAlPJJTaBNktqEYrYANdLAuIYug2nIQqN5WonL1Pj1W8d0BNL0ehGhy1PK4psjs80s6yWT9xYiJ2uCuocMPdtxD5LMwArse3S5Ju8JwLOMvUiIaTrfbBGZSZZcmSOlEZlrY1ibTtTg/s200/princess+diaries.jpg" width="116" /></a></div>
For older audiences (middle school and older) I really liked the Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, narrated by Anne Hathaway, who starred in the movies. Anne has proven that she can do a fantastic job with Mia's breezy yet sometimes neurotic voice, and the story is full of laugh-out-loud moments. It is kind of girly, though, so the boys might need persuading to give it a shot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79QAbiUCfD72DISVqCn9JMmNIbbzYqG1pcCeDNJKgT7m-Uwu8rE2pl4fevyRl8Mt4zzRjqV86ipjP-_ucxModOV7q0S1QtUPczCEja3ofqZtQ5hOCoR911n4c710wNcLqlPmhWMyFTm0/s1600/Gregor+the+overlander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79QAbiUCfD72DISVqCn9JMmNIbbzYqG1pcCeDNJKgT7m-Uwu8rE2pl4fevyRl8Mt4zzRjqV86ipjP-_ucxModOV7q0S1QtUPczCEja3ofqZtQ5hOCoR911n4c710wNcLqlPmhWMyFTm0/s200/Gregor+the+overlander.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
And lastly, there's Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (yes, the same Suzanne Collins who wrote The Hunger Games) and narrated by Paul Boehmer. Gregor's story is less disturbing but more fantastical than the Hunger Games books, and so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a middle-school-aged audience. The story is compelling and action-packed, but also sprinkled with some funny bits that help alleviate the tension sometimes. The narrator taps into Gregor's voice perfectly and does a great job with the voices and tones of supporting characters.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-36364980758621965462012-11-29T15:22:00.000-08:002012-11-29T15:22:32.116-08:00Take & Make Crafts and a Santa VisitCome in and get some Take-and-Make Christmas and winter crafts for kids! We currently have four different kinds to choose from: a wreath ornament with jewels, a beaded star ornament, a candy cane ornament, and a large CD snowman decoration. Most just require glue and time, but they do have small parts so they're generally not recommended for children under 3 years.<br />
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Santa will be visiting the library on Monday, December 10 at 11 a.m. Kids will also hear Christmas stories and get candy canes to eat. No need to register - just come!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-6049261948053831462012-11-15T15:11:00.001-08:002012-11-15T15:11:54.801-08:00New in Teen, Plus a ContestI recently read two great new books from our teen section: <u>Ask the Passengers</u> and <u>Code Name Verity</u>. Rather than re-inventing the wheel, I'll just put my Goodreads reviews here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YNlmxYYrOe3zxglZpa-7WC_mnMRTFybnlN6kh1jtTbGB1gNl7qpHTgAyfWx8C93mJvdgd3jTntabZ8L9HqFbPJyWRxEYgWkrYY0UzjDv66uSn99mB-k7bPWxKFNgEjy3gCNRW_mjRsA/s1600/ask+the+passengers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YNlmxYYrOe3zxglZpa-7WC_mnMRTFybnlN6kh1jtTbGB1gNl7qpHTgAyfWx8C93mJvdgd3jTntabZ8L9HqFbPJyWRxEYgWkrYY0UzjDv66uSn99mB-k7bPWxKFNgEjy3gCNRW_mjRsA/s200/ask+the+passengers.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
For <u>Ask the Passengers</u>: <i><span id="freeTextreview433897727">There's so much that teens
can take away from this book! A.S. King's deceptively simple writing
style disguises this fact, because reading her prose is a breeze, but it
leaves the reader with a lot to think about as well. Teens who like
stories about family, friendships, and relationships in general will
find a great read. Teens who are questioning their sexuality or have
discovered that they fall somewhere that's not hetero will find comfort
and will relate to Astrid's confusion and struggles. Teens who like Big
Questions and who like to discuss issues and philosophical ideas will
love Astrid's humanities class and will be eager to chime in. Highly
recommended for most teen readers, but especially for fans of John
Green, David Levithan, John Barnes, Sarah Dessen, or Francesca Lia
Block.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSe8CiTJO_MOn_KHg93HBAzoy2csdBSAN1w9PBaAVHxihWl1wlgxW0qyNZkrhzgz56ff-o2WRm-LIyqa9MG7fOiyedmIDFk7Ys2neawLhu-W0FmtVAHbnNp8bBYi0CHHzNGqRBpQI8pY/s1600/code_name_verity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSe8CiTJO_MOn_KHg93HBAzoy2csdBSAN1w9PBaAVHxihWl1wlgxW0qyNZkrhzgz56ff-o2WRm-LIyqa9MG7fOiyedmIDFk7Ys2neawLhu-W0FmtVAHbnNp8bBYi0CHHzNGqRBpQI8pY/s200/code_name_verity.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span id="freeTextreview433897727">For <u>Code Name Verity</u>: </span><i><span id="freeTextreview426925191">This was an incredible World
War II story and a great choice to read on Veteran's Day. It's about a
young female British spy who has been captured, tortured and
interrogated by the Gestapo in France and has cut a deal with them: they
will give her two weeks, and she will write down everything she knows
about the British war effort. The reader is on the edge of his/her seat
the whole time (what will they do to her? what will she give away?), and
some of the plot twists are just. staggering. The whole thing really
brings home the extraordinary bravery of all the people who fought the
Nazis during the war. It's a tough read, but I will recommend it to
older teens and adults who want a good historical fiction story that
packs an emotional wallop. Fans of The Book Thief will want to read
this, immediately.</span></i><br />
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<span id="freeTextreview426925191">Also, there's a contest out there for kids who enjoy reading and writing! It's called Letters About Literature and it's open to kids in grades 4-10. Kids who win will get money for themselves plus money for their schools! You must enter before January 11, 2013. For more details, go to the website <a href="http://illinoiscenterforthebook.org/projects/projectse.html">here</a>.</span><i><span id="freeTextreview426925191"> </span><span id="freeTextreview433897727"> </span></i>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-13621690864875547542012-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:002012-11-08T15:54:20.740-08:00Getting Crafty (And Hungry!)I have been very busy cutting out snowman parts and paper wreaths to get everything ready for Take 'N Make Craft Day on Saturday, November 24. It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I know all you crafty people out there will be thinking about Christmas and winter decorations! We will have three or four different crafts that will be great for families with kids to do together. All you'll need for most of them will be glue.<br />
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Speaking of Thanksgiving, it's only two weeks away! Be sure to stop by and check out some of our Thanksgiving books... or, if those are all gone (they're going fast!) some books with food. Some of my favorites are Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Muncha Muncha Muncha by Candace Fleming, Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann, Bean Thirteen by Matthew McElligott, and Wild Boars Cook by Meg Rosoff.<br />
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What are some of your favorite books for Thanksgiving? Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-86439311666300492142012-11-01T15:39:00.001-07:002012-11-01T15:39:37.174-07:00They're Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember how I posted a while back on all the <a href="http://allertonlibrarykids.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-stuff-coming-this-fall.html">cool books that were coming out this fall</a>? Well, now lots of them are here and my to-read pile is as huge as ever! I did read the two books pictured in that post, <u>The Mark of Athena</u> and <u>Let's Go for a Drive!</u>. I also finished <u>The Diviners</u>, <u>This Is Not My Hat</u>, and <u>Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs</u>. I liked all of them, even though I felt a little so-so on <u>The Diviners</u> because it has a slow-moving plot. I also want to warn Riordan fans that <u>The Mark of Athena</u> is really, really good... but there is an <i>excruciating</i> cliffhanger at the end of it.<br />
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Right now my to-read pile includes <u>Variant</u> by Robison Wells, <u>Ask the Passengers</u> by A.S. King, <u>Code Name Verity</u> by Elizabeth Wein, <u>Ruins</u> by Orson Scott Card (yay! it's finally here!), and <u>Because It Is My Blood</u> by Gabrielle Zevin. I also have Linwood Barclay's book <u>The Accident</u> and Lauren Kate's <u>Fallen</u> on my Kindle waiting to be read after I finish <u>Across the Universe</u>. Phew! And I CANNOT WAIT for <u>Days of Blood and Starlight</u> by Laini Taylor. I loved the first book, <u>Daughter of Smoke and Bone</u>, so much, and I've been looking forward to this sequel since last year around this time.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-67026811254124410282012-10-25T07:38:00.004-07:002012-10-25T07:38:50.737-07:00Teen's Top Ten 2012I'm slightly late on this one, but the Teen's Top Ten list has been released from <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten">YALSA</a>! Here it is:<br />
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1. <u>Divergent</u> by Veronica Roth<br />
2. <u>The Fault In Our Stars</u> by John Green<br />
3. <u>Legend</u> by Marie Lu<br />
4. <u>Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children</u> by Ransom Riggs<br />
5. <u>What Happened to Goodbye</u> by Sarah Dessen<br />
6. <u>Across the Universe</u> by Beth Revis<br />
7. <u>Cinder</u> by Marissa Meyer<br />
8. <u>The Scorpio Races</u> by Maggie Stiefvater<br />
9. <u>Where She Went</u> by Gayle Forman<br />
10. <u>Abandon</u> by Meg Cabot<br />
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As I scanned the list, I was very pleased to note that we already own 9 of the 10 titles (we're missing <u>Across the Universe</u>, which I will shortly fix) and I've personally read 8 of the 10 (I haven't read <u>Across the Universe</u> or <u>Where She Went</u>, although I did read Forman's <u>If I Stay</u>).<br />
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Of the ones I've read, I'd say my favorites are <u>The Fault In Our Stars</u> and <u>Divergent</u>, and my least favorite ones were <u>The Scorpio Races</u> and <u>Abandon</u>. What did you think of the list?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-75101246143401941612012-10-18T16:00:00.004-07:002012-10-18T16:00:42.415-07:00I Jump Into the World of TabletsI just got a new Kindle Paperwhite and I'm loving it so far! It can hold about 1100 books, it's quick, it's easy and intuitive to use, small, and lightweight. I've also gone onto <a href="http://www.mymediamall.net/B41856FE-AF98-4A54-8052-6DAF203C9F50/10/391/en/Default.htm">My Media Mall</a> to download library books to read on it, and I was surprised by how easy it was. No need to download extra software like Mobipocket or Adobe EPub - I just limited my search to Kindle books, found one I wanted, and clicked several buttons that said "download" or some variation of it, and I was done! The Kindle was able to download it via wi-fi SO QUICKLY once I had it checked out - I think the entire process, including signing on to the network, took about 15 seconds. It was great.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-1736939129182652352012-10-04T15:30:00.001-07:002012-10-04T15:30:15.910-07:00Zoinks!October is here and that means I'm gearing up for the Scooby Doo Mystery Party, which is happening on Saturday, October 27 at 11 a.m. At the party, kids will follow clues to solve the mystery of who stole the Scooby Snacks, make Mystery Machines from shoeboxes, get a chance to win Scooby books, and have snacks. It's for ages 7+, and younger kids are also welcome but will need help from an adult. Sign up if you're interested!<br />
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I've been making up fun rhymes about different locations in the library for clues - which is harder than I thought it would be! I've also made a shopping list for supplies and typed up some directions for the Mystery Machine craft. The shoeboxes will really roll just like toy cars, which makes the whole thing a bit complicated, but I think the fun of racing them around will be worth it.<br />
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I'm also starting to think a little bit about Halloween. What's everyone going to be this year? I haven't decided yet, personally. We have some great Halloween books out on display in case you need some inspiration like me. Stop by and check 'em out!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185790138374865187.post-14356199673717245362012-09-27T10:32:00.001-07:002012-09-27T10:32:56.986-07:00Events, Books and AuthorsWe will be having a My Weird School party here in the ballroom above the library this Saturday 9/29/12 at 11:00 a.m. for kids in grades 2-3 (others are welcome, but kids in grades 2-3 will have the most fun). At the party, kids will juggle scarves for Fizz Ed, take the School Nurse Challenge (balance a yardstick on your nose), do one of Ms. Hannah's art projects, and leave spelling words on a board for Miss Daisy to learn. Kids will also have snacks and get a chance to win My Weird School books. Please sign up if you are interested.<br />
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We recently got a new picture book called <u>My Brave Year of Firsts</u>, another title by Jamie Lee Curtis who came out with hits such as <u>It's Hard to Be Five</u> and <u>Today I Feel Silly</u>. <u>My Brave Year of Firsts</u> is fun and exuberant and made me laugh out loud on the first page. Laura Cornell's illustrations are full of energy and complement the rhyming text perfectly. Both kids and their parents will enjoy it.<br />
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On Saturday, Oct. 6 there is a Community Day Celebration that makes up part of the Youth Literature Festival centered in Champaign. The website, with more details including directions to the IHotel where it is located, can be seen <a href="http://youthlitfest.education.illinois.edu/">here</a>. The Community Day is a chance for the public to meet lots of amazing children's authors including some of my favorites like <a href="http://nicbishop.com/">Nic Bishop</a> and <a href="http://josephbruchac.com/">Joseph Bruchac</a>. The full list of authors is <a href="http://youthlitfest.education.illinois.edu/author-images-list">here</a>.<br />
I'm really excited because I like meeting authors and getting books signed. I hope I'll see some of you there!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007867069698839968noreply@blogger.com0