Liebster Award Nomination

A big thank you to The Book Fairy Goddess for nominating my blog for The Liebster Award.  I'm so glad that you found my blog and are enjoying it.  This award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers but that "deserve to have many more."

The rules for this award are as follows:

Thank the Liebster-winning blogger who nominated you and link back to

   their blog.

Post eleven facts about yourself.

Answer the eleven questions your nominator asked.

Create eleven questions for your nominees.

Nominate 5 to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserves to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.

Display the Liebster Award logo.

My Eleven Facts

*I'm getting ready to start my 18th year of teaching.

*Before I was a librarian I was a classroom teacher for 6 years.

*I was a librarian for 1 year at the high school where I graduated from.

*My favorite book when I was a child was A Tree is Nice.

*I'm already writing lesson plans for the school year.

*I love searching online for new ideas and lessons.

*I think that Twitter is the best professional development I have ever   

    participated in.

*I just love reading.

*I'm dyslexic, more with numbers than letters.

*I'm trying to fix my book gap, nonfiction, by reading more this year.

*I love taking photographs while I'm visiting the National Parks.

My answers to The BookFairy Goddess' questions.

1. What do you feel is the hardest challenge in being a librarian?

*Trying to balance all the different parts that make up my job.  I teach library skills, technology skills, research skills, I make purchases for the library, and I'm the technology trouble-shooter.  

2. What's your best advice for a new librarian?

*It's ok to say no or not right now, sometimes.  This is the hardest thing to learn to do.
3. What's your favorite story to read at the beginning of the year?

*I just love Mr. Wiggle because it explains so simply how to take care of your books.
4. How do you motivate students to return their books on time?

*This is an area where I'm always looking for ideas.  I felt pretty good at the end of the year because I had only 15 students out of 550 that didn't turn in their books.
5. How do you like to read best: physical book or online book?

*I'm always going to pick a physical book that I like best, but I love my Kindle when I'm on vacation because I don't have to pack 10 books in my suitcase.
6. Who is your favorite children's author?

*Hard question, I think right now my favorite is Peter Reynolds.  His books just make me feel happy.

7. What genre is your favorite?

*My favorite genre is mystery.

8. What grades do you struggle with the most when preparing lesson plans for the library?

*I struggle with 4th Grade.  It just seems to be a grade that always is tricky for me.
9. Do you have a fixed library schedule or a flexible one?

*I have a fixed library schedule.
10. What's something new you have tried in your library?

*I've tried incorporate more technology in my library by using iPods, and iPads and different programs/websites on the computer.
11. What do you enjoy most about being a librarian?

*Sharing my love of books and reading with my students is what I enjoy the most.

My Eleven Questions

*What is the best piece of advice given to you as a librarian?

*What is a favorite lesson you have taught?

*What is your favorite read aloud for primary and intermediate?

*What grade levels do you teach?

*What are 3 must have books for all libraries?

*Have you ever been a classroom teacher?

*What was your favorite book as a child?

*What is one book that you think everyone should read?

*What is your favorite thing about being a librarian?

*Have you ever had an author/illustrator visit your school?  If yes, who?

*How many computers do you have in your library?

My Nominees

*Book Egg

*The Library Patch

*Mrs Lodge's Library

*The Organized Librarian

*The Library Fox

Check out these blogs and get some great ideas!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Monday!! What Are You Rading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey.  The kid's version was started by Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Kellee at Unleashing Readers.

I've been doing a lot of reading last week because all the books that I put on hold, came in and I picked them up. Saturday was my reading day, I read 21 books!  I just loved being lazy and just reading!

I really enjoyed all that I read, but three stood out for me.  The first book was Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It by Gail Carson Levine.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  I just loved this poetry book.  Many of the poems made me laugh out loud.  I loved how Levine took some of the fairy tale stories, that most students are familiar with, and wrote "apology" poems.  I can see students who typically don't "like" poetry really enjoying this book.  I think I might try and write some of these with some of my older students during April, which is National Poetry Month.

The next book that stood out was I Haiku You by Betsy Snyder.  Click here or a summary on Goodreads.  This was another poetry book.  I just love reading books that written in haiku.  I also enjoy writing them too.  (I'm really not good at it, but I enjoy the process!). Each haiku is very simple and about topics that kids can relate too.  Snyder's simple, but beautiful illustrations add so much to this book.  I'm buying a copy for my library, but also one for myself.

The third book was, quite different than the other two.  The book was On the Day I Died by Candace Fleming.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  I had this book on my to-read list for quite a while.  I was so happy when I picked it up at the public library.  I started reading right away!  I knew this was going to be a book that I had to keep reading until I finished!  I really loved this one.  I can see some of my former students who are in Middle School who would LOVE this one.  They were the students who were always asking me for creepy and/or scary books.  I thought by having each "person" tell their own story was a very interesting way to approach the book.

Just went to the library this morning and picked up another two bags of books and put many on hold!  Right now I beginning to read the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan nominated books.  This is our state awards.  I'm excited this year because we now have a graphic novel category.  Click here to see all categories for the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan award.  Once you get to the page, just click on "Black-Eyed Susan" and a drop down menu will appear. Then click on the category you want to see.

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Treat Tuesday!!

designed by the amazingly talented Shannon Houghton!

Trying to be a bit more healthy for my treat today.  The popcorn and the books were my reward for being productive this morning.  I just loved these three books!  They are each so different from each other.

The first I read was If Rocks could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  The author of this book spent years collecting rocks that looked like letters or things that began with a specific letter.  I was so impressed with her collection, that I want to go out and start collecting rocks!  This is going on my to-buy list for my library.  Can't wait to share it with teachers and students!  I can see many students starting their own rock collections!

The next book I read was Landed by Milly Lee.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  I picked this book because I'm trying to get some books together to suggest to my students on my other blog in case they want to read more about the places that I went this summer.  This book provided a insightful look at what Chinese immigrants had to go through in order to be allowed to enter America.  There is a lot that I didn't know about this time period in our history.  Lee Sun Chor, the main character, had to go through many interrogations to prove that he is a "true son".  I didn't realize that officials could hold those new arrivals until they decided if they could enter America.  When I read the author's note, I learned even more information.  The author first heard the story of Sun and his experiences from her father-in-law, Lee Sun Chor.  He real life experiences were the basis for this book.  

The last book I read this afternoon was Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  I've been looking for this book for a while.  I was thrilled to finally find it at my public library.  It is another one that I've added to my to-buy list.  This is the story of Elizabeth Blackwell, who was the first women doctor.  I loved how this was told in story form, not just dates and information.  For me, this format made her even more real.  The illustrations by Marjorie Priceman were very whimsical with a lot of detail.  They really added to the story for me.  I highly recommend this book to everyone. 

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey.  The kid's version was started by the lovely ladies at Teach Mentor Text.

Since this past week was the end of my vacation, I didn't get a lot of reading done.  Once I got home, I had lots of laundry to do.

I did finish one book finished, The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher. Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  This book was wonderful!  It was one of those books that kept me on the edge of my seat and I ha to keep reading to find out what happened next.  I loved that the two main characters Sophie and Grace were very believable and genuine.  The mystery surrounding Sophie's Middle School Counselor, Dr. Agford is the heart of the story, but there is a second story about the girls friendship.  I can't say enough good things about this book!  If it is not on your to read list, it should be!!

Still working on The Emerald Atlas and I'm heading to the library to pick up some books that I have on hold.  I've got to start reading some more so that I can reach my goal for the Summer Throwdown!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (libraryjo92)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey.  The kid's version was started by the lovely ladies at Teach Mentor Text.

Another week has gone by, I hope summer slows down soon so that it doesn't pass by too fast!  I'm getting some reading down, it is a nice break from cleaning.  In the summer I always make sure I do a really good cleaning of my house.  I'm talking about moving furniture, and breaking out the polish!  I always give myself 30 minutes to clean and then as a reward 10 minutes of reading time.  I set the timer and I'm very strict with myself.

I'm still getting through The Emerald Atlas.  I'm really enjoying the story!  I also read this week a very quick chapter book, The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths.  Click here for a summary from Goodreads.  I can see many of my kids loving this book.  The kids who like Diary of Wimpy Kid will really enjoy this book.  It was not a favorite of mine, but I can see how the humor will appeal to kids.  Though I would love to have a machine that will shoot marshmallows into my mouth whenever I want!  There is going to be a sequel, The 26-Storey Treehouse.  According to Amazon, the release date for this book is April 1, 2014.

This is going to be a short post this week, because I hear the vacuum cleaner calling my name!  

Happy Cleaning!!  I mean Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey.  The kid's version was started by the lovely ladies at Teach Mentor Text.

I've been taking this past week to hang out with some old friends, so I haven't been reading a lot.  These are friends that I made over about 17 years ago when I first started teaching.  They are the type of friends that we can go for a few years without seeing each other except in passing and pick up like no time has passed.  But seeing their kids, makes me realize time has passed.  One of my friends, I was at the hospital the day after her oldest daughter was born and now she is getting reading for Eighth Grade next school year!  I was feeling my age when I was talking with her.

I did get to read a really great chapter book this week.  I had to set The Emerald Atlas to the side for a bit because I couldn't renew the book from the Public Library.  The chapter book was Rump:  The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff.  Click here for a summary from Goodreads.  This was a really interesting fractured fairy tale.  I loved how this book gave you a version of what could have lead up to the orginal story of Rumpelstiltskin.  As a kid I whenever I heard the story of Rumpelstiltskin I always wondered what made him into the person he was in the story.  This book makes Rumpelstiltskin into a lovable character.  If you haven't picked this one up, I highly suggest it.  I've got some students in mind who will really enjoy this next year.

The picture book that I got read this week was one that I picked up on a whim at the Public Library.  It was How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  The cover is what made me pick this book up.  Didn't realize I was in for such a treat!  There are bite marks on the pages, and lift the flaps which make for an exciting read.  It's a fun story for the younger set.  Even though it is summer, I just can't shut off my school brain.  As I was reading I kept thinking about how I can use this book in my library lessons.  It is a great one to lead discussions about the best type of pet, researching pets, and using their research to create a project about what they feel is the best pet.  I will be getting this book for my library for sure!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)