Posts filed under 'BBAW'
“Two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years.” The National Summer Learning Association opened its doors on September 1, 2009, staffed by the former staff of the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. If you are not familiar with this Association, start by studying this three-page policy brief recently released. Why now? Because NOW is the time to start planning for next summer in order to provide the best services for the children in your community who most need a quality summer opportunity.
Thank you to Lee and Low for providing this virtual visit with Ted and Betsy Lewin, Caldecott Honor winners. Not only do students enjoy these “up close and personal” looks at favorite illustrators and authors, but many of us adults enjoy the inside view as well!
Libraries were all over the news last week, particularly the Philadelphia Free Library story of “will it close, will it not?” and it appears it will stay open. A very happy library story from start to finish is the news the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library received $1 Million for Early Literacy. (Reported by the School Library Journal)
Say what? Did you know that FERDINAND THE BULL and SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE were once banned books? (Reported by the Wall Street Journal) The 28th Annual Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read will be held September 26-October 3.
Don’t forget! Register for Lights On Afterschool by 9/22 and you could win 100 books for your program!
Ready? I am excited about the upcoming October 12 release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days! The presses are busy! On the website you’ll find a release party kit…fun, fun, uh, wimpy fun!
DC museum exhibits now and arriving soon: I haven’t been yet but understand there is an interesting Book as Sculpture exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Thank you to First Book for this news.)
And coming October 13 for those like me who are Herblock fans, the Library of Congress will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Herbert L. Block, the four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, with “Herblock!” ; I am sure it will be a “must see”!
TINY VIEWS From one of my former Girl Scouts who remembered making something similar for badges: Do you remember making dioramas for “book reports”? I sure do. Here is a much smaller diorama space than I ever created!
BBAW: Book Blogger Appreciation Week was a new experience for me and what a great way to meet new virtual friends. My Friend Amy who was the lead organizer did a great job of juggling many balls, expectations, and tasks. I applaud her! She noted in her closing entry she felt like it was the end of summer camp, and for me that is an appropriate analogy. Awards, prizes, guest entries at the BBAW site, interview swaps and more; it was a full blogging week for all.
September 20th, 2009
Yes, yes, I know. I am late, very late for a very important BBAW posting date. Sigh.
The Thursday BBAW assignment was to post about a book I found on a blog, and just maybe I would not have picked it up otherwise. Well, I have three books that I have particularly liked in recent months and all three were first spotted on blogs. So here goes!
First up is ANY WHICH WALL by Laurel Snyder. I must be truthful, I remember late last spring seeing this reviewed on more than one blog, but I didn’t keep a list as I had no idea I would be writing about the book in the context of a blog leading me there, understand? I do remember also reading a WJS Journal review of the book. So, I was delighted when (full disclosure coming) the author whom I had come to know on Twitter asked if she might mail me a copy some months ago. I put it on the TBR list and have just finished it. What fun! And like the other two books I am talking about in this posting, this one brought back some great memories…in this case of a very tall (very tall, but no longer standing or I would have included a photo) evergreen tree in the empty lot next to my childhood home. The tree was so tall with such spreading branches you could set up house under the bottom branches, walk around, sit and read. Like Henry, Emma, Roy and Susan in their fondness of THE Wall, my sisters and our friends loved that tree and played out many a round of Nancy Drew and other favorite book scenes under those branches. The term used in the book “Common Magic” was how we viewed our experiences under THE Tree, experiences I had not thought about in many years. Thank you bloggers who drew me to the book, thank you, Laurel, for a memorable trip with Common Magic!
Jen Robinson’s Book Page introduced me to MARE’S WAR by Tanita S. Davis. Jen noted the two teenage girls learned on a road trip their grandmother was part of the 6888th African American battalion of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II; I remember stopping right there and thinking “I never knew about an African American battalion of the WAC.” And then Octavia, the sixteen-year-old on this road trip notes as the adventure begins “My grandmother isn’t at all normal.” As she continues the description and the book unfolds I had another series of nostalgic moments in addition to learning a lot about women in war and this battalion in particular. Mare is a great combination of my Mid (my paternal grandmother) and Aunt Toto (actually my great aunt). Neither was a person who fit the traditional mold of grandmother or aunt. Let me just say, my Mid bought a folding bike to use on trailer trips to the Yukon and other wilderness areas she and my grandfather visited when past 70 years of age; Aunt Toto loved dancing and red eyeglass frames. Once when there were no red frames available, she took other frames home, carefully painted them with her favorite red nail polish and went back telling the optician: Now put the lenses in please. The stories go on and on……..Mid and Toto and road trips with us girls. Since I finished the book a review by A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy had additional information that added to my knowledge about this battalion.
A Fuse #8 Production’s April 30 review of When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead which wasn’t due out until JULY had me waiting by the reception desk for my copy to arrive in July. When I read Elizabeth Bird’s words “So what I have to do here is convey to you just how this book is, pretty much, one of the best children’s books I have ever read.” – I knew this must indeed be some special book as Elizabeth tells it like it is. And disappointed I was not when the book arrived in July. With each single page I thought more and more about the sixth graders I taught years ago, I even saw some of them in characters in the story and how I wished we could reconvene and read this book together! I laughed so hard over experiences by three of the students working at Jimmy’s sandwich place; I ached for Miranda and Sal as they went through a changing relationship; and I held my breath with everyone present as Mom went on the $20,000 Pyramid Show. Oh, Betsy Bird, you again as you so frequently do gave me a great treat by sending me to this book.
Happy reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
September 18th, 2009
The choices suggested by the BBAW committee were to take the following questions and either (a) pick one or two to answer or (b) try to answer all questions in 5 words or less (twitter on a serious diet!). I chose to answer all …. here goes!
Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
YES!
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Use tiny post-its
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
Everyday a new way!
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
Both
Hard copy or audiobooks?
Primarily hard copy
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
Any point…with reluctance usually
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Yep, grandmother instilled that trait!
What are you currently reading?
What is the last book you bought?
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
Frequently have two at once
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
Any time, any place
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
Stand alone
Is there a particular book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
Author–Laurie Halse Anderson
Book–The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
Ha, ha, ha!
Happy Reading!
Carol
September 16th, 2009
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I have struggled for several days to determine to whom this letter should be directed. Here is the deal: I am a 61-year old person who wishes to spend my days at the Montgomery Elementary School Library at 421 P Street NW in Washington, DC. Now I thought about writing Chancellor Rhee, but I am certain she will have to say “no” as I am not certified to be a librarian nor a library technician. So I am just putting this letter into the blogosphere to see where I might find some help.
Why do I want to spend my days at this school library? Last week through an interview exchange program that is part of BBAW, I went to this library to meet a blogger. And lucky, lucky me to meet Frances Evangelista of Nonsuch Book. She is the librarian at Montgomery Elementary School, and I did not want to leave after our visit!
First I was intrigued with two rugs on the floor: one displayed a map of the world and one is a US map that is a game as well (and a game they play!). After I asked so many questions about the rugs, Frances shared with me what that room had looked like when she arrived several years ago. It was almost hard to really believe someplace as unattractive as she described was the inviting room in which I now stood. The walls are no longer the dusty peach color she described; really now, who chose dusty peach for a school?
Frances, she knows books for kids and she knows kids. Period. And she knows it takes parents as well. So, she tells me about the Family Reading Nights which means I will need to be there some nights as well. And gladly I will be there. I hope my schedule allows me to attend one in case I don’t get permission to spend all days there. She described the evening as one where students and parents come and have dinner and a program; community organization people are there with materials and there are books for children to choose; and there are nifty printed bags to put all the loot in and more and more. And I think I remember correctly they have three of these nights each year! Wa-hoo!
Next I got to hold and look through a robot book that I really wanted to check out and look and learn more, but of course again: STYMIED. I am not a student nor faculty member there nor a resident on the premises. Then we walked into a little room off to the side where books were on a shelf with the covers smiling at me and behind each of those covers were enough books for the students in a class or a small reading group to each hold a book of their own as the discussion proceeds. Nice, eh?
And guess what? Before school many mornings there are BOOK CLUBS with community people often again coming to share in the discussions with the students. Five book clubs at that one school!
Now, am I afraid I would miss discussing my beloved sports events ? No, not at all; Frances and I discovered a mutual and deeply felt love of sports. She shared with me the time she went to a Caps game when students were there on a special family night and the surprise the students expressed when “Miss Frances” got into the game in a big way. I can identify! We did not discuss my love of the visual and the performing arts, but guess what? I explored Frances’ blog, and I am not worried about yearning to talk about art, a museum visit, photography, a film; it’s there, she appreciates it, I will be just fine.
We both have children, mine are adults while hers are still at home. We both started in fields a bit different from what we are doing now, but our work is still related to those roots. We are both passionate about children and books and bringing the two together.
In closing, I am at RIF and if “whomever out there” thinks I might spend days and some evenings at Montgomery Elementary Library, well, let me know. In the meantime, I sure am glad the kids already there have Frances to continue to feed them great books that fit their tastes as well as bring those books alive!
Happy reading!
Carol Hampton Rasco
P. S. Frances is thinking about a great new blog idea, too!
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
September 15th, 2009
It’s the first day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW), and I am delighted each blogger participating has been asked to reflect on some blogs we have found helpful or entertaining or that we flat “like” for our own reasons. While I will mention three or four such blogs later this week on another of the suggested topics for the week, I share with you today some blogs whose writers have been particularly helpful to me in different ways as I have navigated year one of blogging. This is my chance to say “thank you” and extend blue skies and bright flowers to each of them!
The Book Chook and Scrub-A-Dub-Tub have both been helpful in my quest to stay more current, more “in tune” with younger children’s practical literacy needs and parental involvement ideas. The passion and careful research each blog entry demonstrates has set a good example. To MotherReader I say “Congratulations again on the 48 Hour Reading Challenge; what a good time I had, and I met new bloggers at the same time.” Donalyn Miller has provided me an ongoing site for learning more about the current state of the teaching of reading.
A special treat for me is Children’s Illustration which is such pure pleasure! I am quite taken with book covers, end papers and all things about the “art” within the book world. Which reminds me, don’t forget the daily BBAW gift of THE ART OF READING by Rasco from RIF!
Liz Burns at A Chair, A Fireplace & a Tea Cozy has been an influence on me through her straight talk, her willingness to tackle an issue, and the education she’s provided about YA today; I was behind the times on that one. Similarly, I have found it fascinating and helpful in my ongoing education in today’s world of literature to read blogs by authors like Laurie Halse Anderson, Kate Messner and Laurel Snyder.
Finally, in recent weeks I have appreciated meeting the contributors and Susan in particular at Coloronline as well as the feature Writers Against Racism hosted by Amy Bowllan.
Thank you to all, happy reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
September 14th, 2009
I am pleased to be participating in the second annual BBAW this week with special postings scheduled each day related to the themes outlined by the oversight committee.
Today I am announcing RIF will be awarding a copy of THE ART OF READING published by RIF each day Monday through Friday of the special week. To win? Two ways: (1) Make a comment on a blog posting for the given day (midnight to midnight); and/or (2) Join the FeedBlitz notification system for Rasco from RIF. RIF will ship to a winner anywhere worldwide.
Winning a BBAW prize does not negate your comment or subscription to FeedBlitz from entering you in the month-long September contest related to the October 1 birthday of Rasco from RIF.
Make a comment on a Monday post or sign up for FeedBlitz on Monday and you may be drawn for a copy of THE ART OF READING with the announcement on Tuesday. The process starts again at midnight Tuesday and continues through the week. Anyone can enter, it is not limited to book bloggers.
Happy Book Bloggers Appreciation Week, Happy Reading!
Carol
September 13th, 2009
“Two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years.” The National Summer Learning Association opened its doors on September 1, 2009, staffed by the former staff of the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. If you are not familiar with this Association, start by studying this three-page policy brief recently released. Why now? Because NOW is the time to start planning for next summer in order to provide the best services for the children in your community who most need a quality summer opportunity.
Ready? I am excited about the upcoming October 12 release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days! The presses are busy! On the website you’ll find a release party kit…fun, fun, uh, wimpy fun!
