tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72607864181335931572024-03-14T08:38:53.290-05:00YA Books and MoreReviews and digital media of current young adult books and moreNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.comBlogger654125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-36867071373391573752018-03-25T16:21:00.002-05:002018-03-25T16:21:31.790-05:00I've MOVED !!!I've made the blog move!! You can find me at at the NEW YA Books and More Blog:<br />
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<a href="https://yabooksandmoreblog.wordpress.com/">https://yabooksandmoreblog.wordpress.com/</a></h2>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-83535623285678412392018-02-18T14:50:00.002-06:002018-02-19T11:07:32.376-06:00We Are #Diverse: YA Fiction and Non-Fiction pair, Then and NowNOTE: I have been told by several people that Loving Vs. Virginia is a work of fiction. I have adjusted the blog post as necessary to reflect that.<br />
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When you get your hands on a great non-fiction book and fiction book pair, it can make an impact far beyond than just being a satisfying read. This is true of the next two books.<br />
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Both happened during my lifetime. One I had heard about, but only in passing; the other I never heard about even though it took place within the last five years.<br />
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Both books made an impact on their social culture. One became a law; the other created awareness. One challenged society behind a curtain; the other challenged society with the shutters open wide.<br />
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Both books allow the reader to see what happens when the status quo is challenged. One book showed the horrors of segregation and violence found in our history books that our grandparents or even our parents knew/experienced first hand. The other shows that this is still happening today and something teenagers could experience first hand during their lifetimes.<br />
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Both books also show strength in individuals. One woman refused to live apart from her husband and was sparked to make a difference, never knowing what path that would lead her down and the strength she would need through herself and others to impact our nation. One young man showed strength through hours of physical and emotional pain to find the power to forgive and understand the power they created through social media and broadcasts.<br />
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Both are books that should be read or listened to. Written in narrative non fiction format and novel in verse fiction format, they are compelling, each in their own way, but both books are alike in that they show how endurance through a time a change and acceptance can be powerful.<br />
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I read The 57 Bus, which is the story of Sasha. They identify as agender and was more comfortable wearing a skirt that pants or shorts. They also knew the difficulty of being different, but with the school Sasha attended in Oakland California, they were accepted. But one day on the bus going home, someone saw the uniqueness that was who this quiet person who loved Russian literature and history was and decided to mess with them. A lighter came out, and skirt was set on fire, and Sasha was severely burned on over 20% of his body. But this book is also about teens and the way they think. It's about different cultures and opportunities, it's about the love of families and the pain of making bad choices. I especially like the fact that the author wasn't biased in her writing on guilt or innocence but stayed factual through eyewitness accounts, courtroom testimonies and interviews. (non-fiction)<br />
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I listened to Loving vs Virginia. I had heard about this case but really didn't think anything about it. Sometimes that happens to important Supreme Court Cases...we don't really think about them because they happened so long ago. But this audiobook hit to the heart. Listening to how Mildred and Richard's romance blossomed and turned into something deeper through their individual voices and viewpoints created a depth of understanding that this is something we still deal with today in our culture. The couple's voices take you through their secretive marriage to the struggles they faced trying to live as husband and wife in the state of Virginia; having their home and lives invaded through police bullying and threats; and the tipping point and amazing people who supported their decision and never gave up. It took years for interracial marriages to become law, but their were the pioneers. HIGHLY recommended as an audiobook but keep a hardcopy on the shelves as well. (fiction)<br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-87976787251888112482018-02-12T11:05:00.002-06:002018-02-12T11:05:45.969-06:00TCEA 2018 Recap (includes great presentation links!)The Texas Computer Educators Association conference 2018 has gone down in the books as one of my favoriate TCEA conferences of all time. My legs are ached when I got home...I never knew how awesome compression socks can be outside of being in an airplane! Now that the week is over, I've had time to really enjoy looking back at everything I learned and shared. If you've never been to TCEA, you should come get your technology on! Here are some presentation I co-presented on as well as some AMAZING presentations of all types to encourage campuses to embrace not only technology but the changing role of student learning and educator curriculum. Even if you didn't come, many of the presentations handouts are shared via the <a href="https://convention.tcea.org/handouts/" target="_blank">TCEA website</a>. <br />
Here is my<a href="https://collections.follettsoftware.com/collection/5a53e39df3566a0011eb1f23" target="_blank"> curated list of amazing presentations</a> recommended for librarians to take a peek out and go forth and conquer (if not this year, then next year!) <br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-57069515580776152832018-02-02T13:55:00.001-06:002018-02-02T13:55:21.088-06:00The Devil Made Me Do It: YA Reads For Those Who Like Horror<div>
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Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist</div>
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Greenwillow, 2018</div>
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Glory, Texas sits in the middle of the West Texas plains. Full of dust and hard-living, Glory isn't a town for the weak of heart or spirit. In fact, no place is, not after the slow plague ten years ago that turned those infected into Shakes, not quite human creatures who are always looking for their next victim. Glory and other town are able to keep the Shakes at bay with fencing and shake-hunters, rough men who go outside the safe boundaries to hunt them down. </div>
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Willie, aka Daisy Wilcox, is trying her hardest to make ends meet for her and her family. Willie's mother succumbed to the infection and she isn't sure if Mother is dead or alive. Her father, the local drunk, is never home except to steal the hard earned money she ekes out. But then he goes one step further.</div>
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One day, Willie's home is approached by some very rough shake hunters who are looking for Willie's father and the money he stole from them. Now, it's up to her to find her father and return the money or lives will be at stake. With the help of two young shake-hunters, Willie must travel to the next town over...across the plain riddled with Shakes...</div>
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Once forced out, she sees the reality and horror of life outside Glory. With only two inexperienced shake hunters and unexpected visitors, Willie isn't sure she'll make it to the next town. And then....</div>
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Berquist takes the setting of the Texas plains and weaves a dystopic tale where not quite zombie-like creatures can be more terrifying than the natural predators of the plains. This will capture the attention of those wanting more horror dystopia set within a future Western. What makes this book even more unique is the Western aspect of the novel itself, which is hard to find in current YA fiction collections. Recommended 7th-12th grades.</div>
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Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics</div>
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2015, Harlequin Teen</div>
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Amanda and her family have lived their lives in the woodlands. Her father, a trapper, maintained a decent living while she and her siblings helped her mother around the house. The last winter was a bad one for the entire family, especially her mother, but Amanda has a lot to be happy about, especially her trysts in the forest with the love of her life.</div>
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But things change. When Amanda finds out she's pregnant, she desperately needs to hide the fact, especially after she is shunned by the one person she thought loved her. Her father fears another brutal winter will further hurt the health of his family. With that in mind, he decides to move his family to the prairie lands across the mountains. A long drive, but perhaps this is what Amanda needed....a fresh start.</div>
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The entire family makes the drive to their new homestead, where Amanda's father was told he could pick from several abandoned houses as his own. Things look up for the family. They pass other homesteaders who wave in the distance to them. Mother is doing well taking care of the baby, who can neither hear or see, and her little brother and sister, while tired, are healthy and curious. </div>
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But once they find a home, the horror begins....little does Amanda nor her family know the house they selected has a gory past, and one that will quickly rise up to greet them. </div>
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Sometimes you can't run far or fast enough....</div>
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Talk about CREEPY. This was definitely a page-turner where the author left a crumb trail only to lead the reader right into the edge of horror, death and hauntings. This is truly a novel for those YA readers who absolutely love true horror, not just supernatural. Recommended 9-12th grades</div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-59991942395410270102018-01-11T16:07:00.001-06:002018-01-11T16:08:11.588-06:00The Sound and the Fury: My Experiences with AudiobooksI absolutely LOVE to read....and read....and so on (you get it) and with that mindset, I didn't really delve much into audiobooks because I always had my book in hand. I also felt the same way about<br />
e-books. I foolishly considered myself a purist who would choose hardcopy over any other format.<br />
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Well, I have since changed that mindset!<br />
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Time is different for me now and in order to keep up with the massive amounts of titles I'd love to read, I had to rethink my plan. One day I had a three hour drive ahead of me with nothing to do. I'm one of those people who don't travel with the radio on, preferring instead, peace and quiet. The meeting I had to go to was one where all of the reading lists for the Texas Library Association was convening and I lamented about the fact that I had less time than ever to read. One librarian from Katy ISD (Robin Cashman) and the other from San Antonio (Dana Hutchins) suggested audiobooks. I'll admit, I did the whole "OK, I will" without really going to, but she then started setting me up with an account and watching me download the books.<br />
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It was one of those HUGE new Stephen King books (Sleeping Beauties) and three hours wasn't going to cut it. So I spent the rest of that week when I was walking, driving, getting ready in the morning, etc to "read with my ears."<br />
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And I was hooked.<br />
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What makes them such a draw is that the delivery by those reading the books is above amazing. They put emotion, character, voice into it and constantly changed they own syncopation and tenor to match other characters in the book. It really was like listening to their conversations or allowing them to open up to me. The only comparison I could possibly make is that instead of being visually stunning, they were auditorally (yes, my own made up word) resounding.<br />
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Since then in the last month I have "read" six other audiobooks and HIGHLY recommend you "read" them too!<br />
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Mary Addison is in a group home, complete with ankle bracelet. She's been that way for a few years now. Why? Because at nine years old, Mary killed a baby. Now a teenager, Mary wants out, but public opinion has already condemned her as a baby killer. Can she ever outrun that reputation?<br />
Mary Addision is a baby killer....allegedly.<br />
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This urban fiction novel packs a punch up until the very end for anyone listening to this. Although this is about Mary, the listener will also get caught up in the lives of the other girls in the home, what brought them there and the hope or hopelessness they face. 9-12th grade.<br />
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Sebastian's summer isn't going the way he thought it would. His best friend isn't around and his mother is pressuring him to get a job. He realizes he does need something to distract him, especially when he can't forget what happened when he picked up a gun, which makes him spiral ever downward into depression and dark thoughts. But then Aneesa moves in and his life begins to turn around. Too late or just in time?<br />
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Readers will get caught up in the past and present and find themselves on a roller coaster ride of Sebastian's life in this realistic fiction novel. 9-12th grade.<br />
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Nix has spent her life on the high seas, searching for treasure, adventure and old maps. With each map her father finds, the ship sails through time and space to travel back to that time. Nix has been to ancient Rome and Chine to modern day New York City and Hawaii in the 19th century. But it's one map her father is obsessed with...one that could completely change or erase Nix. And when it's found, she has to make a difficult decision and suffer loss.<br />
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Adventure fantasy at its finest, readers will be transformed along with the narrator's voice of Nix and her other shipmates. 7th-12th grades<br />
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Breakfast Club meets Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None in this new mystery novel. Five teens are in after school detention. The brain, Bronwyn; the beauty, Addy; the jock, Cooper; the criminal, Nate; and Simon the outcast. But at the end of detention, Simon is dead and the other four are now murder suspects. Who did it and why will drive the reader but the motive for it will push the reader over the edge.<br />
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This relies on four different narrators who bring to life not only the characters, but the story behind each one, including personal lives and secrets. 9-12th grade.<br />
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These tales will delight and enthrall readers who enjoy listening to fantastical creatures and peculiar people. Made up as a sort of fairy tale-like anthology, readers will meet all types of people including a man who turns into an island; the first person who can transform into a bird; people who can grow their limbs back over and over and lonely giants, each tale is a mixture or whimsy and wonder with a little horror mixed in.<br />
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If you know the origins of fairy tales, this book will delight you with the morals each tale has in its own dark and delightful way. 7th-12th grade.<br />
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Reminiscent of fairy tales, this novel is about two very different girls. Mina is beautiful and fragile-looking, but is far from it. Living with a glass heart, she is able to manipulate glass and mirrors to make her way to the throne. Lynet is the replica of her mother, the dead queen and is constantly surrounded by the king's protectiveness for his only daughter. Ever the daredevil, little does she know the power she wields on her own that far surpasses what she can do.<br />
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A little Snow White, a little Rapunzel, this fantasy novel will delight readers of the genre, especially when they heard two different voices in alternating chapters recall events through completely different lenses. 7th-12th grade. <br />
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Here are reasons why audiobooks should be in the library collection:<br />
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1. There are just some students who don't like to "read" so give them an option<br />
2. Some people like to listen and read at the same time (great for struggling readers)<br />
3. Long road trips by bus for extra-curricular (just sayin')<br />
4. These are great examples of prose and poetry for UIL events<br />
5. Use snippets of the books during a booktalk. Let the characters talk to the kids instead<br />
6. They may be more expensive but the library <b>owns</b> them for perpetuity!<br />
7. Comes in many different options from playaways to digital to CD so technology doesn't have to be a barrier<br />
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SO...if you were like me, then yes, you should definitely try it at least once. But beware, you'll get hooked!<br />
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Happy reading (with both your eyes and ears!)<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-77087668829667346052018-01-02T13:47:00.001-06:002018-01-02T13:49:27.498-06:00Top 10 Best Reads of 20172017 was a good read year for me and there are certainly those books that really stood out from the rest. Here's my top 10 list for young adults, both fiction and non-fiction (although I could put more, I'll refrain...so hard to do!)<br />
Most of these are 2017 publications, but I included books from the past 18 months. So in no particular order:<br />
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-80834077913822944752017-12-19T12:24:00.001-06:002017-12-19T15:28:06.381-06:00It's Techmas Time Again! 2017 Edition (includes hyperlinks!)Previous two versions can be <a href="http://naomibates.blogspot.com/2016/12/twas-night-before-techmas-2016-edition.html?_sm_au_=iHV40j3nLtqkN756" target="_blank">found here :)</a><iframe frameborder="0" height="4525" scrolling="no" src="https://create.piktochart.com/embed/27005821-techmas-2017" style="overflow-y: hidden;" width="690"></iframe>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-25056076901020048612017-12-14T17:03:00.001-06:002017-12-14T17:03:14.132-06:00Creating Collections: Think Beyond the Book!Libraries without books are like.....you can use this with an endless amount of similes but basically, that is what a library is filled with. But sometimes, we need to look beyond the basics and start thinking about how we can meet our students and patrons on their levels, whether it's where they live, what is popular for students, or how it can impact reading. Here are a few things to think about if you're wanting to beef up that collection like....(again, can you finish this simile? ) :)<br />
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1. DVDs and/or Blue Rays. Yes, public libraries do this a LOT....and it's a great service they do for the public. School libraries should also take a queue from the public libraries and add this as a collection in the library. I did this a couple of years ago and interest in it, both on campus and with students, has been really positive. I stocked it with "books to movies" DVDs because if they won't read the book, maybe...just maybe...they would after seeing it. These were both recent and classic books to movies (is Holes considered classic yet?) and it seems like the amount of books to movies for children and teens is never-ending. All of them are rated PG-13 at the high school level (and miraculously, that included Nicholas Sparks!) so I didn't cross any invisible lines. And you can get creative too. Yes, all of the Avengers movies and DC movies are included because hey, graphic novels count! And of course I had to slip in a few movies that teens should watch, like Gremlins and ET, among a few others. But think about the displays and pairings you could make with them! Kids and teachers will thank you for this small but important part of the collection pie.<br />
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2. "If you don't read it with your eyes, it isn't considered reading." Yeah....right....BUT I challenge those who say that to try audiobooks! I'll admit it, I was a purist too. But then I found myself in a situation of being on long drives in my car and wanting to keep up with the latest YA reads. All it took was for one excellent high school librarian to "show" me an audiobook and I was hooked! Now, it's all I can do to not hop in the car and hit play! Why is this collection so important? Because you will have readers in a similar predicament as me. Long bus rides to games, UIL competitions where they're waiting for the results (and the long drive home), holidays flying or driving to destinations and many many other situations where all it takes is a touch of a play button and the book opens up. I am absolutely enthralled with the talent of these readers and the different voices they use to make the book come alive. If you've never tried it, please do! (And if you need any recommendations, I can give you a few :) I'm HOOKED....</div>
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3. Makerspace items. Some libraries have them, some don't, but either way think about the possibility of checking out those items to students. During the holidays, I've worked with students on doing what I call "creative archiving" or taking old books and making something with them. Once they learn the skill, why stop at school? Take those glue guns and cute little scissors and add them to the things students can check out to take home and use. It could be something as small as a loom, knitting needles and other small maker items to more substantial items like a portable green screen, cameras or virtual googles. If you truly want your makerspace to thrive, allowing students to take them home may just take that interest over the edge. <br />
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'Tis the season to share, and for librarians, it all starts with our collections. Happy holidays, ya'll!!</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-32795994540240964402017-12-04T17:10:00.001-06:002017-12-04T17:11:27.128-06:00Diversity in YA Lit: Three Great Titles YA authors have really stepped up to the challenge of providing authentic novels with diversity in them for the teen reader. This particular genre (if we can call it that) is a burgeoning one, and very desperately needed on library shelves. Our populations are becoming more and more diverse, and having diverse titles in the library helps open up not only pages, but conversations about cultural differences and even dispelling stereotypes of people from different cultures. With that said, I'd like to introduce three great YA novels that feature diversity in very different perspectives:<br />
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<b>Backfield Boys by John Feinstein. Farrar, Straus, Giroux 2017. </b><br />
Jason and Tom have been friends since they were kids. It doesn't matter that Jason is Jewish and Tom is African-American. They see beyond this to the foundation of their friendship and interests. And their love of football is one of them. <br />
Both Jason and Tom are gifted athletes. Jason is an amazingly quick wide receiver and Tom's arm is perfection for a quarterback. Living in New York City, their school doesn't have a football team, but they are given a chance in a lifetime....to play for a prestigious private school that is known for their outstanding athletes who make it to the pros.<br />
But when they arrive at school, something isn't right. The coaches, who praised them during camp, are now different, treating both Tom and Jason brusquely. One of the boys is at the tipping point of calling it quits, when the truth begins to slowly rear its ugly face...segregation. Now they have a very different passion, one that could potentially expose the shining facade of football greatness. Recommended 7-12 grades.<br />
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<b>Bang! by Barry Lyga. Little Brown, 2017. </b><br />
Sebastian killed his little sister. When he was just four, he picked up a gun and now his sister isn't with them anymore. His father left, and his mother is hollow, only leaving the house to go to work or her therapist. Sebastian remembers the details, but wishes he didn't. And he can't let it go...<br />
Sebastian is fourteen and summer is nearly upon him. His best friend, Ethan, will be gone all summer and to create a sense of normality, his mom tells him he must find a summer job, no excuses. Sebastian doesn't even know where to start, until he meets Aneesa.<br />
She's so much more different than any other person he has met. Up front and honest, she makes him feel like there's more to life than the little voice who tells him otherwise. What starts as an accident on a bike becomes a new friendship, with new ideas. Pulling their ideas and expertise together, they decide to start a Youtube channel to create pizzas and some day, sell them. Aneesa works in her Muslim heritage and Sebastian brings it on with his pizza skills. Slowly, but surely, the channel starts to take off. First a 100 followers, then a 1,000...and the count keeps growing.<br />
But when things in Sebastian's life begins to crumble again, the little voice starts talking, telling him it's time....go get the gun... Recommended for grades 8-12.<br />
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<b>Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Atheneum, 2017.</b><br />
No crying. No snitching. Revenge. These are the Rules Will has been taught by his big brother Shawn. Tough neighborhood, tough life, tough luck... and when things got tough, Shawn made sure he and his little brother stayed tough. The Rules come into play the day Shawn sees his brother's body lying in the street. His mourning may be silent, but he also knows what he has to do. Going to his brother's side of the bedroom, Will takes the gun, tucks it behind him, and walks out the door onto the elevator.<br />
Seven floors to the lobby. Seven floors to revenge.<br />
But on the ride down, Will meets the people coming on. And what's so strange is that everyone who comes into the elevator cabin are people Will hasn't seen in a long time. On floor six, Buck enters the cabin. He's the one who gave Shawn the gun. On floor five, a childhood friend. On floor four, his father.....the only problem with this entire situation is that Will knows these people have died. And each one brings a new perspective into what happened and what may happen. Is it Will's imagination or are they truly there? Will has to decide whether to play by the Rules or change them...and his life. Recommended for grades 7-12.<br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-69701101539729628972017-11-14T15:41:00.000-06:002017-11-14T15:41:12.728-06:00Another Round of Great K-12 Library Ideas! <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">The fun never stops with my current position! I have seen some more amazing things I'd like to share via the blog. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">These are also posted on my Twitter feed (@yabooksandmore) of great ideas I've seen in libraries I've visited. </span><br />
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If there is one thing we need bring into students' lives, it would be that they live in a world with people and events that make a difference for the better. This YA librarian promoted this through her awesome display (which can be used for a bulletin board too!) <br />
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This savvy elementary librarian went environmental on the library by re-using things teachers didn't need anymore into some amazing genre signs! Beautiful!!! Now, go hit up your teachers for old, unused globes! (And if you have extra, DM me and I'll take them) :)<br />
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Sometimes you don't need signs to capture attention. Try wallpapering the backs of the shelves for certain genres like this middle school librarian did with her graphic novels. Plus, it cost little to nothing to do it :) POW! Ka-BAM!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">This elementary librarian decided to do something to showcase books AND gets students involved in the library. Taking those large envelopes (that have a tie or metal closure on the backs), she got her students to decorate them for the holidays. They couldn't open it until they checked them out. Use it for any holiday and promote student library collaboration :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">This junior high librarian created and used series lists of books and their order to create shelf markers under the series to help students track and find them easier. She and her library assistant did these on their own but you don't have to if you have a <a href="http://www.titlewave.com/">Follett Titlewave</a> account. It contains a series tracker/finder, including have them in numerical order as well as when the newest one will be released. You've got to try it out :) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">Enjoy these and b</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 16px;">e inspired, share, and incorporate them! </span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-32026620592343298882017-11-06T21:46:00.001-06:002017-11-06T21:46:05.244-06:00E-books: From Shelf to Student!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever have one of those days when all of a sudden a light comes on, angels start singing, and a lightbulb literally is hovering over your head? Yep, had one of those lately! 👼🏼💡<br />
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I was doing some PD with district librarians, and we were talking about collaboration between library and classroom. We know collaboration creates an environment that engages students and makes them the center of instruction. It can also be the perfect place to encourage e-book reading for academic and pleasure pursuits. Here are a few ways to begin to attract readers to the digital side of reading<br />
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1. Use excerpts and throw it up on a screen. E-books don't have to be independently read from a single device. Try using features on the device to highlight part of the e-book for students to read and discuss in small groups? It also allows students who don't have their device not to be able to read along with the classroom. Reading time can be taken to a whole other level, especially when reading picture books. Show them the cover of the book while you introduce it, which can help encourage curiosity about e-books and (hopefully!) checkouts!<br />
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2. Buy an e-book version of popular books. We all know those students who wait and wait.....and then wait some more for a popular book to come in. The problem is, that sometimes those popular books always come in late, or even never at all. If a title is that popular, why not buy an extra copy in digital format? Not only will it NEVER get lost, but it could also be the gateway for those who want it so badly they'll take the digital copy to become e-book readers! Bonus? You get more shelf space to add other titles than duplicates!<br /><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/SFCILQXHw0qly" width="240" height="170" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/apple-ipad-SFCILQXHw0qly">via GIPHY</a></p>
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3. Create a brochure/poster with QR codes for them to open quickly. If you're a school library, you may have a circulation system that delivers e-book content to students. If so, why not make it easier for them to check out books by using QR codes for them to go directly to the system and the book. I think part of the frustration of reading e-books is actually getting to them. If you have the QR code ready, wah lahhhhh!! Easy as pie! One easy idea: Follett's Destiny Discover has Collections, where you can create a list of e-books and create a PDF you can print or share online that's super easy to create.<br /><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/7NOQsqJ1WO8E0" width="240" height="170" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/personal-7NOQsqJ1WO8E0">via GIPHY</a></p>
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4. Do a book talk all with e-books. Nothing says I love to read more than booktalking all of the amazing books you want to share. Oftentimes, e-books are overlooked when booktalking so add a few to the mix and see what happens. What would be even more interesting would be to have the actual e-book open and read the first two paragraphs of the book while they track with you. That's a powerful hook!<br /><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/xIT02nM62uHuw" width="240" height="170" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/lets-pages-kindle-xIT02nM62uHuw">via GIPHY</a></p>
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5. Talk to students about the ease and benefits of e-books and the added tools to use with a reader. E-readers can go farther than just turning pages. Highlighting, annotations, key word searches and more are built into some e-readers, so never neglect the fact that e-books are great resources especially when doing research. It's all in one handy place ready for them when they need to start using their documentation.<br /><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/9X706j56WAx44" width="240" height="170" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/typography-9X706j56WAx44">via GIPHY</a></p>
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And whatever you do, never ever stop promoting reading and remember there are ALL types of readers. What may feel uncomfortable to us may not to another reader, so keep your mind open. Time to crack a book cover...or click a virtual cover!!<br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-764989962487936032017-10-30T15:59:00.000-05:002017-11-06T21:55:36.589-06:00Trell by Dick Lehr<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2017, Candlewick Press<br />
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Trell only has one family picture with both of her parents in it. It was taken on her 13th birthday. Before that, it was always just one of them because the other had to take the picture. It can get tough when your daddy, Romero Taylor, is in prison. </div>
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Trell was just a few months old when her father was sentenced for murder of an innocent girl who was shot down during a gang shooting. It's something the district attorney pursued heavily and it's now being brought up again because the DA is now running for mayor. No one can forget poor Ruby and the senseless loss of life...</div>
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Except Trell is as certain as her father that he didn't commit the crime.</div>
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Trell knows about gangs, shootings and drug dealers. She lives in an area of Boston riddled with them and more but she is trying to get away from it. With the encouragement of her mother, she now attends the Weld, a private school in another area known for their academics. People like Thumper Parrish, the local drug lord, scare her and she wants nothing to do with that type of life. </div>
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But it's one visit and visitor that will change Trell's life. Her father's case catches the attention of a new lawyer, one who is willing to fight for an appeal for Romero. But it'll be an uphill battle to find evidence. It'll also be a battle to stay one step ahead of those trying to hide the truth with threats, bullets, and brutality.</div>
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Dick Lehr writes a gripping YA novel set in today's urban landscape not only about the struggles of the main character, but also the fight for justice where system are flawed. This is also a novel based on real life events of a murder that actually happened in Boston when Lehr was part of the Spotlight team of the Boston Globe. Urban realism is deftly written about in this novel and is one that should be on the shelves for those who live it and those who live vicariously through it. Highly recommended. JH/HS</div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-53016700383249235262017-10-18T17:00:00.000-05:002017-10-18T17:00:27.283-05:00Great October Reads and Activities<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5-y97-ZaE/WefOw68pehI/AAAAAAAAIRg/W7X0uKa25Ak72r80WUhG4MtD5_gGNvGVACLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5-y97-ZaE/WefOw68pehI/AAAAAAAAIRg/W7X0uKa25Ak72r80WUhG4MtD5_gGNvGVACLcBGAs/s320/Capture.PNG" width="245" /></a>Halloween is nearly upon us and it's a good time to cuddle up with a scary book on a long night...at least for some of us. If you know a teen who loves great horror, try these books with them. I mixed fiction series with stand-alones; non-fiction titles that reflect horror; and even graphic novels and story collections. <br />
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The PDF can be downloaded and made into posters, as a handout or used on a website. There are links for the books with book trailers. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0aDMtZHA0cmFFVlk/view?usp=sharing">The pdf can be found here</a><br />
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And if you're one to do activities with teens, create a <a href="http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/creating-original-murder-mysteries-library">murder mystery party</a> and open the library a little later than usual. School Library Journal also has a great online article that feature <a href="http://www.slj.com/2015/09/teens-ya/spooktacular-halloween-library-programs-for-kids-tweens-and-teens/#_">Halloween programs for K-12</a><br />
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However your celebrate October, have fun and let readers know all holidays and seasons are a great time to start reading! <br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-30087705773845823042017-10-14T10:33:00.002-05:002017-10-15T15:19:57.409-05:00Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Feiwel and Friends, 2018 Pub date 03/2018<br />
compliments of the publisher via Netgalley<br />
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<b>"pitch-dark</b><br />
adjective<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">extremely or completely dark"</span><br />
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The year: 2087<br />
Ship: USS John Muir<br />
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This ship is part of a group of ships jettisoned into outerspace during the Exodus.<br />
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Tuck wakes up from stasis in a fog of questions. The first thing he notices is the year: <b>2433</b>. Nearly four hundreds year of stasis has wrecked havoc on his physical self, which he desperately needs right now. Because he has come face-to-face with a horrible bony, twitchy, and deadly alien that looks weirdly human. The crew of the<b> </b><i>John Muir </i>have either survived or evolved and a deadly war of survival is happening on a decrepit ship manned by no one but the AI, Dejah, and the ability to speak to each other silently through brain-embedded chips. And silence is the key to survival against the griefers, mourners, and other monsters lurking everywhere. Then he meets....<br />
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The year: 2435<br />
Ship: Conquistador<br />
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This ship is an exploratory vessel aimed at finding viable soil and planets to re-establish humanity. Earth is now dead, thanks to the terrorist plot Pitch Dark, and this ship, run by the Cruz family with the Smithson family as passengers, is one of their last hopes.<br />
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Laura (pronounced <b>low-ra) </b>has no fear except for one: Sebastian Smithson, heir to the powerful family who curates prized artifacts. Her fear isn't based on him per se, but on the subjugator they have implanted in her, giving them total control over what she does. But not tonight...she is hacking the system in order to free herself from this technology and tell her family and Mami, captain of the ship, about the mutiny the Smithsons are planning. They've just found an age-old ship carrying extremely valuable cargo, which holds the key to humanity. But then she sees the insignia of Pitch Dark appear before collision course between the two ships begins....<br />
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Survivors from two very different ships and times, Tuck and Laura meet and form a union to not only save themselves from the horrors within their ships, but also to ensure extinction of their race doesn't happen. But they must fight not only physical monsters, but also the espionage of the Pitch Dark group, and the power struggle happening between families. It's enough to divide, but can they conquer?<br />
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Wowowowowowow....talk about edge of the seat reading!! Alameda creates a interstellar world of two different ages of humanity that still mirror each other in their will to survive and control. The monsters on the Muir are uniquely embodied human/monsters with destructive power created through the errors of humanity itself. What makes this novel a standout isn't only the amazing narrative and storyline Alameda creates, but also the diversity she embues in the characters, where the main characters come from a proud line of Latino lineage. This is a novel that will quickly become part of a lot of "TBR" lists and more. HIGHLY recommended JH/HS.<br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-62066016248914739802017-10-02T11:41:00.003-05:002017-10-02T11:41:25.501-05:00Great K-12 library ideas!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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I've shared quite a bit on my Twitter feed (@yabooksandmore) of great ideas I've seen in libraries I've visited since school started and I am BLOWN AWAY by the inventiveness of librarians from all grade levels. As I know some of you may not be on Twitter, this blog post will help you see what I have and perhaps even inspire you to share ideas or even incorporate them into your own library spaces.</div>
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A savvy librarian uses bins for Pre-K to check out to save time shelving. She made them eye-catching, and those are as endless as your imagination. Even creating an eye-catching table space for them will excite young readers visually :)<br />
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Speaking of bins, this librarian used them to separate series so students knew how to grab the next one quickly without having to scour the shelves. Quick and easy....perfect for readers wanting the next one!</div>
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Do your paperbacks get pushed to the back of the shelves only to be lost without as much checkout? Here again, bins to the rescue!! This librarian took all paperbacks for that section and put them in bins so they were more visible. Genius!</div>
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Another great way to use displays creatively doesn't always happen in the shelves. It can happen on top of them as well. Look at what this librarian did with weeded reference. She used them not only to boost up the signage but also to act as a visual cue. Get inventive and decorate the spines (bling it on!) or any way you'd like </div>
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All this takes is a little work and a lot of red paper! I don't think I have to say much about this display. What's ingenious is that all of the books displayed are books to movies!<br />
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What a great way to show school spirit AND cover up some old furniture! This middle school librarian took old t-shirts and used them to cover stools to update them and make the library more inviting. Look at your furniture and see what you can cover with a t-shirt and a few DIY tricks :)</div>
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If you have a tight library and don't have space for a Lego wall, think outside the box by this librarian and use the backs of shelves to make them. The shelf space under this can be used for storage and ties the space all together. I also like that this librarian called her makerspace "I-space" for innovation, imagination, ingenuity etc....<br />
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Lastly, sewing machines in the library makerspace!! LOVE!!!!<br />
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-26770012523874989282017-09-26T12:14:00.001-05:002017-09-26T12:14:27.525-05:00The Gatekeepers by Jen Lancaster<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Harlequin Teen, 2017</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">North Shore Illinois is picture
perfect. Expansive lakefront properties and even neighborhoods have immaculate
yards, successful professionals and little to no crime . North Shore High
School is a reflection of that perfection. Most of the seniors (merit
scholars are common) who graduate usually go on to Ivy League colleges.
Families raise their children to be perfect candidates for a successful future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But perfection comes at a cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mallory knows this all too
well. She's reminded every time she steps into her house and her mother
constantaly barrages her about her weight, her grades, her boyfriend, and her
applications for early admissions into university.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Liam, NSHS's golden boy and
Mallory's boyfriend has seen the cost of perfection. It's one he's also
hiding from others perfectly until his secret overcomes him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kent and Stephen consider
themselves the geek squad. Both are looking at early admission to
MIT. They both have mothers who hover over everything they do, from what
they wear, to what extra-curriculars they're involved in to their grades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Owen defies the stereotype. He's the one that enjoys hanging
outside, not worrying about tomorrow and passionate about videography.
But he sees the facade and is hit the worst by the ideology of perfection.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Braden's run with perfection
may cost him more than he thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Simone is the new girl in town, with successful artists as
parents. She has lived life how she's wanted to. She wears beads on
her wrists, and doesn't look like the other students. But that's okay
because she's going on a gap year after graduation. Little does she know
she's already succumbing to the perfection</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What is the cost? It's something parents can't see or feel, but their children
do all too well. The stress they put on kids may be intended as
good, but comes out in ugly ways.
Everyone is still reeling over the deaths of two of NSHS’s students. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suicide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">That’s also something that makes North Shore different. The amount of teen suicides far surpasses the
national average in just their city’s boundaries. Work harder, study more, get involved, be a
merit scholar, early admissions, look perfect in everything you own or are….it
is taking a toll on the community and the students. Not all of them will be strong enough to
overcome and the ones that do decide to do something about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They become Gatekeepers. They
are there to guard against the constant stress to obtain perfection and the
cost it incurs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This novel is inspired from the 2012 incidents of multiple teen
suicides in Forest Park, Illinois. Lancaster offers a glimpse into the lives of those from wealthy families that many teens think have it all, are it all, and wish they could have it too. Lancaster pulls readers into the intricate
and secret details of each of these kids families and how every one of them
could succumb to seeing suicide as the only answer. The topic of suicide is difficult at best in
a fictional setting. Some may embrace
this novel while others find it trite and unworthy of the topic. And although this subject is tough, I found
that Lancaster does an excellent job of building intensity from every character
so the reader is taking turns down different outcomes and avenues in a myriad
of ways. Recommended for YA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-13523947856956932052017-09-18T10:47:00.001-05:002017-09-18T12:28:20.750-05:00Nyxia by Scott Reintgen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uC8vSSJY7fg/Wb_qdcawN5I/AAAAAAAAIN4/msJNh30gucg4c18K-yuE8uAA6dHfEe_wwCLcBGAs/s1600/27426044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uC8vSSJY7fg/Wb_qdcawN5I/AAAAAAAAIN4/msJNh30gucg4c18K-yuE8uAA6dHfEe_wwCLcBGAs/s400/27426044.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
2017, Crown Books for Young Readers
<br />
<br />
The Tower of Babel was created to reach the sky and it could only do something like this because mankind spoke the same language....<br />
<br />
In the world of tomorrow, a new world, Genesis 11, has been found that is compatible to earth. But what used to take years to get there, it only takes months now, thanks to the Babel Corporation. And Babel has also found a highly lucrative mineral with endless possibilities. Nyxia, a black substance, is an object that can be manipulated by your mind to create whatever you'd like, from a translator to a bullet-proof wall. <br />
<br />
Emmett Atwater can't believe he was chosen. Not only will he get to go to a new planet, Emmett also has added benefits, including his family and himself being taken care of for life. Coming from a struggling family and a mother who is slowly dying, Emmett does it out of love. And he boards the ship.<br />
<br />
When he boards the ship created and equipped with highly trained Babel Corporation staff, he finds out he's not the only one who has been selected. There are nine others including Longwei, a highly competitive person; Jazzy, a girl from Georgia; and Azima, a strong girl from Africa and one of the last of her nomadic tribe. They will be trained to work and survive on Genesis 11 as they mine nyxia during the duration of the space travel. All ten are put through rigourous tests, including mind and body. And they are also vying for position...only a few will make it to the finals. The rest who don't will have most benefits taken away and sent back to earth.<br />
<br />
For Emmett, this isn't an option. He knows he has to make it or his mother will die. But each member of the group of ten have their own personal reasons to make it as well. But not all of them will, and some won't even survive the trip....<br />
<br />
Another thing they don't know are the secrets the Babel Corporation is hiding from them. There is a problem with nyxia, one with deadly outcomes. On top of that are the inhabitants of the planet aren't friendly to outsiders. But Babel has plans....<br />
<br />
And like the story, the tower will topple and create chaos...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This novel is PACKED with action, suspense, and mystery to compel readers to find out what will happen next. The reader is fortunate to become an outside observer of all the difficult training happening, as well as the mindsets and secret partnerships that are happening behind each other's backs. The characters have very different personalities, leaving the reader wondering if what they're seeing is the truth or a cover. Reading this is like taking a roller coaster ride where you never know if the seat belt is secure or not. AMAZING science fiction read for all secondary JH/HS. Highly recommended! A plus? It's a series!!! </div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-35198791360112028202017-09-05T07:38:00.002-05:002017-09-06T08:57:53.388-05:00Five Ways to Step Up your Advocacy Game<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZ7NZGA/ref=asc_df_B00JZ7NZGA5155600/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00JZ7NZGA&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193184886406&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11043373002721374342&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027306&hvtargid=pla-307761511590" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="374" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uauGD5uOMVY/Wa6aJyIgxcI/AAAAAAAAINg/cmEhCBlBdmIV_buV-JZqjy3UjoV7OLc9wCLcBGAs/s400/amazon.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added the hyperlink where you can buy this...<br />
I do NOT profit from it at all...just thought I'd share it :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As librarians, we know the importance and impact the library and librarian make to our campuses and districts. Librarians have always made headway into innovation and we need to make sure this also includes how we share what the library does through advocacy efforts aimed at decision-makers for our campuses and districts. Here are five small ways we can show librarians and libraries do have an impact. Best of all, it won't cost you anything but a little time and effort:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Change the library environment:</b> This won't cost any money whatsoever. Librarians new to their positions or in a new library usually do this, but you shouldn't over look the library you may have been serving. It's a simple context with a lot of sweat equity. Sometimes we have so much to do we often overlook how the library design can be REIMAGINED simply by moving things around and creating new spaces. What better way to capture your campus's attention than to rearrange furniture into different learning commons? If you have the money, add elements like large screen collaboration stations, a Lego wall etc...Freshen it up, add some dimension, watch what happens next<br />
<br />
2. <b>Harness the power of social media: </b> I love my library PLNs...they show, teach and amaze me everyday. But I have also noticed that the PLNs I am a part of can be insular. We need to get outside of our online comfort zones to make a larger impact. Use your social media to make sure your voice, ideas, impact can be showcased to those decision-makers. Use hashtags that administrators on Twitter use and become part of the conversation that way. Create a campus-based social media account such as Instagram so not only students and teachers can see what you're snapping photos of, but admin can too. Be engaged in district-wide Twitter chats and let the library's voice be heard virtually.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Send out monthly newsletter </b>to your campus touting the amazing things the library does and can do to your campus. Focus your information on highlighting to important parts of the library and use your stats to help. Include images from your social media accounts (and hyperlink them). Showcase students interacting in the library with each other, their classes or alone. Already do this? How about taking it up a notch and sending this monthly to your district superintendent, curriculum coordinators, technology director or curriculum and instruction director? Don't keep it contained....let this information loose every single time you share it with your campus. It may not be read, that's true. What's even more true is that is just might....<br />
<br />
4. <b>Harness new and interesting ways to share the successes </b>you and the library have had with (mostly) free webtools. Turn that paper state of the library report into an infographic. Then step up that infographic into a video using tools like <a href="https://biteable.com/">Biteable.</a> Use<a href="http://flipgrid.com/"> Flipgrid</a> to capture students, teachers and administrators giving video testimonies on how the library has helped them and share this with other librarians and decision-makers. Nothing speaks louder than a student's voice, and this webtool can definitely help. Kick it up by doing this monthly from different angles (a teacher's Flipgrid, your book club, a classroom etc). How about creating a monthly <a href="http://quizzizz.com/">Quizzizz </a>for fun to engage your email recipients with what the library does? Sharing can be as fun as you'd like, so try out new approaches.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Nothing is more loud and clear than your approach. </b>Be available, be approachable, leave your door open, show people you want to create a relationship with them. Too often, our administrators see us as checking in and out books...MOVE to another area, DO something different, and SPEAK with your words and actions to prove that isn't the case. It's easy to get caught in the trap of our office or circulation desk. The hardest thing you could do is unglue yourself from the areas your feel most comfortable in (even if it's for an hour a day) to be seen differently. They say it takes 30 days to create a new habit....test out this theory and see if it makes a difference. It won't cost a thing....Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-30729830615644907842017-08-20T19:01:00.002-05:002017-08-20T19:01:41.782-05:00Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkJ7AobdfIA/WZoiumtqlJI/AAAAAAAAIME/9JvkXeKIQYoAP7GiZSd3QMUKdhJaL1jNQCLcBGAs/s1600/mask%2Bof%2Bshadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkJ7AobdfIA/WZoiumtqlJI/AAAAAAAAIME/9JvkXeKIQYoAP7GiZSd3QMUKdhJaL1jNQCLcBGAs/s400/mask%2Bof%2Bshadows.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Sourcebooks Fire, August 2017<br />
<br />
Sal's life is one of stealth and swiftness. After a war that ruined the lands and completely annihilated Nacea and its people...his people, he had to resort to thievery in order to survive. But one fateful encounter with a lady will change his path from one of stealing goods to one of stealing lives for revenge....<br />
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The queen now rules over the lands and has put an end to dark runes and magic. But her reign is in time of shifting and danger, where she must be protected at all costs. To ensure the safety of the queen four Hands, or assassins are assigned to her: Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst, and Opal. But when one of the hands die, an audition opens to replace this position. Twenty-three people come forward to audition, from noblemen to thieves, including Sal and his thirst for vengeance of those nobles who killed his people. <br />
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But realization begins to dawn when the rules of the audition are explained. Only one will survive and that person will become Opal. Everyone who auditions will have the opportunity to kill or be killed. It's a fight to the death and one Sal intends to win.<br />
<br />
As the deadly audition begins, trickery and conniving create a cat and mouse game that slowly decimates the twenty-three to three...but who will win and become the new Hand? And are the liaisons people they can trust or not? <br />
<br />
Miller weaves a tale that will enthrall fantasy readers. Although the book does contain violent episodes, it also contains elements of castles, magic, truth and romance. Miller adeptly creates a world where even those you think are safe aren't, and those that are evil don't succumb to good. In the events that surround Sal and those he must fight against, lies a small but very unique part of the main character's life. She introduces the reader to a gender fluid character, but like those assassins and auditioners in this book, she introduces him subtly and without fanfare, making this topic understated instead of in your face. For the more mature fantasy reader, the novel has hints of GoT readers will find and the story will have them begging for the next installment. Highly recommended. HSNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-58158968948839719602017-08-16T08:54:00.003-05:002017-08-16T08:54:44.425-05:00Copyright and the ClassroomThis was a presentation I created for professional development for teachers. It's something they really need to understand before school starts, so feel free to use it to teach the importance of copyright, fair use and Creative Commons. This was created after reading Renee Hobbs's book, Copyright Clarity, a MUST READ for all educators, administrators and librarians!! Click below to get to the PDF of this presentation<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.slideshare.net/naomibates/copyright-and-the-classroom-78891621" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="882" height="457" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tAJToQeVdo/WZROa2UEF0I/AAAAAAAAILw/XGTg9LfKLvQfZcuzupvTxRkNpCiI0KPMQCLcBGAs/s640/copyright%2Bpreso.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-10580701414276188662017-08-12T11:09:00.003-05:002017-08-12T11:09:37.248-05:00Young Adult Literature Resources and Booklist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0cm9hQlNSSlJFWjQ/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpS00wXCaLg/WY8oBDIG1GI/AAAAAAAAILM/CZEdijPttXEA3oS-Xzu2yWEiGaXzQXFbwCLcBGAs/s640/Dallas%2BYA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Had an amazing day with librarians throughout the Dallas area!! Here is the presentation I did for the Summit :)<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0cm9hQlNSSlJFWjQ/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0cm9hQlNSSlJFWjQ/view?usp=sharing</a><br />
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Enjoy and start reading some great books TODAY!! :)Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-84892299140845958912017-08-09T14:47:00.003-05:002017-08-09T14:47:46.795-05:00Smashing Research: Engaging Students and the Research Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0U0lrbUdqdHJpbHM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm9gqFwE5Kk/WYtkvb45CBI/AAAAAAAAIK0/FJpO7QcnMrIaXllHiXKbeh0ZgAmiY8FRQCLcBGAs/s640/ALA%2BResearch%2BPresentation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I and my friend, Sue Fitzgerald, had the honor of being chosen to present at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago this year. When she and I talked about our topic, we thought it would be relevant to not only talk about the importance of research, but also how to make it more engaging and student-owned. Here is the<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-wHb5Nsjhy0U0lrbUdqdHJpbHM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> <b>presentation</b></a> (which I can't believe I forgot to add!!)<br />
It contains ideas for:<br />
Project-based learning<br />
Smashing apps to create a digital research project<br />
TON of websites<br />
Unique ways to combine sites for projects<br />
Examples of excellent student proejcts<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-2994374624695378632017-08-06T08:12:00.002-05:002017-08-08T08:41:50.853-05:00Five Important Things For the New School YearHappy new school year!! The gears are starting to turn and school openings are around the corner. School campuses are caught up in a whirlwind of professional development, campus training, and many other things that will pull them from what they want to be doing - working in the library. If you only get one day to do this, here are some things to keep in mind and keep your mind from whirling.<br />
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1 Everyone has that to-do list for the beginning of the school year. There are some pretty important things on that list, but take a second look. What are some of those things you can wait on? Sometimes lists can be an overload and focusing on completing all of them isn't productive. Instead of the frenzy of getting things done, look over and think what should come first<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/2bvaAXUqYYUNy" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/lists-2bvaAXUqYYUNy">via GIPHY</a><br />
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2. You can't do it all yourself (although we try!). Being a librarian is being part of a collaborative environment. Asking others for help and asking others to help are two very different but important activities we should do on a daily basis. Be it your admin team, campus departments or even people outside your library walls (other librarians, consultants, virtual PLN) make a call or write an email. It will make a difference.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="330" src="https://giphy.com/embed/PdryAbc1bkspi" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/PdryAbc1bkspi">via GIPHY</a><br />
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3. Learn a new tool this year. Try something you've never tried before and work it into your presentations and curriculum with students. There are a ton of great new tools out there from collaborative videos (<a href="https://info.flipgrid.com/" target="_blank">Flipgrid</a>) to curation (<a href="https://www.follettlearning.com/technology/products/library-management-system/collections-by-destiny" target="_blank">Follett Destiny Collections</a>) to new Google tools (try <a href="https://www.blog.google/products/google-vr/blocks-easily-create-3d-objects-vr/" target="_blank">Blocks</a>) and so many more. Look at ways you can use them, but more importantly, how your campus can use them.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3hQ0hZDo4QhR6" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/apples-peel-peeler-3hQ0hZDo4QhR6">via GIPHY</a><br />
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4. The best libraries are one that are open and ready for anyone. Look at your spaces and start defining them. Creating a successful learning commons takes time, but with a little ingenuity, you can create one area that is different from what was there last year. A table, some interesting bins of <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/173951604336448742/" target="_blank">low tech makerspace</a>, a 3-D printer, whiteboard paint, signage can all help create a feeling that there's something new and different.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/KhIQCZ8t3kPQI" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/dream-door-insanely-KhIQCZ8t3kPQI">via GIPHY</a><br />
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5. Read. That's pretty simple, right? Well....in the world of librarianism, it's easier said than done.<br />
Prfoessional needs of your own and others will play right into reading time. Educators and librarians know reading makes an impact (It's the "R" in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-furman/stem-needs-updated-to-str_b_5461814.html" target="_blank">STREAM</a>) so make sure you have time to read and share that love and excitement. There's nothing like the feeling of changing even one student from a non-reader to a reader.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="352" src="https://giphy.com/embed/8dYmJ6Buo3lYY" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/baby-story-reading-8dYmJ6Buo3lYY">via GIPHY</a><br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-47045228683494088352017-07-28T11:48:00.001-05:002017-07-28T11:48:35.889-05:00#NTXLibCamp Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eE3-hNIl4uc/WXtqwV1jUcI/AAAAAAAAIIo/Bb0Ec-kI_pgERZOt3H8cBYk57zmS5kGKACLcBGAs/s1600/NTXLIB_vectorized.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="685" height="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eE3-hNIl4uc/WXtqwV1jUcI/AAAAAAAAIIo/Bb0Ec-kI_pgERZOt3H8cBYk57zmS5kGKACLcBGAs/s320/NTXLIB_vectorized.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Three years ago, a group of librarians in North Texas decided to create the first ever libcamp in our area. From the beginning it has grown every year and this was no exception. There were librarians from the area, but also librarians from Austin, Houston and El Paso who attended. PLUS teachers were encouraged to come and we have several in the crowd as well.<br />
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But the most important takeaway from LibCamp was the mass of information wealth librarians across all grade levels, expertise, years of service and awesomeness contributed toward to make this such a great professional development experience! </div>
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And if you have something that amazing, it needs to be shared. A google doc of the event was archived for anyone who came to have access to, but I thought it was valuable enough to share it with everyone. Please use/read/glean from it what you can to use at your school or share with your own personal PLN. That's the beauty of sharing....it's an amazing thing! </div>
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Here's the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1587053520"></span>link to the Google Doc <span id="goog_1587053521"></span></a></span>from NTXLibcamp 17<br />
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Also, if you'd like to see them in Twitter format, search the #ntxlibcamp<b> </b>hashtag to catch a quick glimpse of the highlights :)<br />
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SUPER great before school starts!! :) Have a Happy New (School) Year 2017-18!!!</div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260786418133593157.post-91345510311487542322017-06-13T09:48:00.001-05:002017-06-13T09:48:30.134-05:00Caraval by Stephanie Garber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mq_wFTtr7tk/WT_6lXs2iPI/AAAAAAAAICw/vbe8tRXIIn46XpUJmxpWkxZ0Cc2e0OsGgCLcB/s1600/27883214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mq_wFTtr7tk/WT_6lXs2iPI/AAAAAAAAICw/vbe8tRXIIn46XpUJmxpWkxZ0Cc2e0OsGgCLcB/s320/27883214.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
Flatiron Books, 2017
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Scarlett Dragna has been wanting to go to Caraval since she was ten. Every year, she wrote a letter begging them to come to her tiny island so she and her sister can be enveloped in the mystery and magic that Caraval holds. But there is no response....<br />
And life goes on. Scarlett and Tella have grown into young ladies under the cruel and watchful eyes of their governor father, who is heavy with his hand and empty with his heart. Escape is something both girls want, but there is no way out. Their father will hunt them down and the repercussions will be swift and hard. <br />
But one day changes that...<br />
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Scarlett finally receives an invitation from Legend, the man who created Caraval. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but it couldn't come at a worse time. Scarlett is set to make a Duke (even though they haven't met) and will leave the island and be able to shelter her sister from the horrors of their daily life. Go or stay?<br />
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On the day she receives her invitation, circumstances force to her to go to Caraval before time runs out. Tella and Julian, both accomplices in abducting the staid Scarlett, go to the island where the sisters are separated. All three make it to Caraval in time, and it's as magical as Scarlett thinks...but also more dangerous than she does. When she enters into Caraval, little does she know what she is getting into. Thoughtful, staid, practical Scarlett quickly finds herself in conflict with not only her surroundings, but also the relationships she has with both her sister and the enigmatic Julian.<br />
People aren't what they seem....don't always believe what you see...Caraval is as beautiful as it is dark.<br />
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Garber writes magic into this book not only through the plot but also with the beauty of her writing and words she chooses. This book paints a vivid picture not only of the characters' real lives, but also the fantasy world people wish to get lost in. Scarlett is a sharp contrast to the other characters, which adds to the depth of the relationships found in this novel and it reads quickly. The story behind Caraval is enchanting and Garber instantly grabs the readers attention with her unique use of letters at the beginning of this novel. Readers will be as captivated with Caraval as the characters. This is the type of fantasy book I've been waiting for!! Recommended for upper junior high and high school <br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00948709936170679084noreply@blogger.com0