The Book Fair is Here!

The Book Fair is here and open for business on Thurs. Oct. 24! You might find a new graphic novel--check out the table with graphic novels on display!

Are you looking for a new book? We have those, too! (And Allegiant will be here soon, too!)

Or maybe you're looking for some nonfiction? Try these creature nonfiction books!

Stop on by to see the entire selection of books at our  Book Fair! We'll be open each night of conferences, as well as during the school day until Fri. Nov. 1.

It's Book Fair Time!

It's student conferences time, so that means it's also Book Fair time! This week you'll see the library transform into a reading oasis as we celebrate reading and books. You'll be able to browse and shop the Book Fair each day that it's here from Thurs. Oct. 24 - Fri. Nov. 1.

Can't make it to our Book Fair or want to see a broader selection? You can also CLICK HERE to visit our online Book Fair! Not only can you continue to browse and shop for book, but you can also access book trailers and author websites.

While you're at the Book Fair, please consider supporting All for Books. According to Scholastic's website, "All for Books provides an easy and effective way to unite the school community and provide more books for kids and teachers. Each year, thousands of schools across the country participate in All for Books. Scholastic matches the monetary donations schools generate, with a donation of up to one million books to two national, non-profit organizations dedicated to helping kids and families in need: Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and the Kids In Need Foundation."

Fiction Meets Reality in a New Display

Naomi Bates from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, had a great infographic in the newest issue of Library Media Connection. In it, she pairs a fiction book with a nonfiction book of a similar topic. Since statistics show that historically more fiction is checked out in our libraries than nonfiction, we decided to do something about it!

In all, 11 pairs of books are featured with topics including historical fiction (World War II and the Vietnam War), sports (Negro League Baseball), animals (shark attacks), and hobbies (magic). Below are some examples:

Feel free to stop by and browse the display--and soon all of the featured pairs will be available for check out!

Book Tasting Event

One of the 7th grade reading teachers brought in her classes today for a book tasting! At her request, we focused on fantasy and realistic fiction, as well as dystopian novels--all of which her students especially enjoy reading.

Tables were set up to include examples of all three types of books, and students had the opportunity to browse through the books at each table after a brief presentation about each type. The Google Presentation appears below and includes several book trailers. Two of the featured trailers were Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and The Raft by S. A. Bodeen.

Thanks to Mrs. Reels for participating in the Book Tasting! Students were able to check out many examples from the tables today!

Using the AEA's Online Databases

The AEA has many online resources available for student use. You can access a Google Presentation with directions and tips below:

CLICK HERE to access the presentation

This is a great resource for students participating in National History Day, as well as students who are looking for valid, reliable, current online information for projects in different classes. If you're not sure how to get around on the sites, stop by the library--we'd love to help!

Featured Graphic Novel: The Amulet Series

If you've been to the library recently, chances are good you either browsed the graphic novel selection and/or checked out a graphic novel. This part of our collection grows larger each semester and features both fiction and nonfiction topics.

One of the most popular graphic novel series is Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi. Here's what the blog Nerdy Book Club has to say about the series:

The Scholastic YouTube Channel recently added a video of Kibuishi reading from Amulet 5: Prince of the Elves:

Want more Amulet? The Stacks from Scholastic features an Amulet homepage with access to games, videos, blogs, and message boards:

Kazu Kibuishi also wrote the graphic novels Explorer: The Mystery Boxes and Cooper if you're looking for other works by this author. Recently he also drew the cover art for the re-release of the Harry Potter books (see earlier blog posts).

Banned Books Week, Sept. 22 - 28, 2013

The American Library Association and the Office for Intellectual Freedom celebrates Banned Books Week each year at the end of September to recognize the strength of (and the challenges to) our First Amendment rights. 

In 2012, many books that you know of--and maybe even read!--were challenged in public and school libraries across the United States. Here is the list from the ALA:

Click HERE to access lists from other years.

To recognize Banned Books Week, a new display in the library features several books that have been challenged over the years, as well as a description why they were challenged.

Many teachers and staff also volunteered to have their "mug shots" taken because they have read some of these challenged books.

Curious about why books are challenged or interested to know if you've read some of these books? Stop by the library to check out the display!