We were fortunate enough to have Newbery-winning author, Linda Sue Park, visit our school recently. We could never afford to have her so we want to publicly thank the Memorial West Merchant’s Association for arranging it. Our 4th and 5th graders enjoyed her presentation about all of her books but especially her newest title, Keeping Score. It was clear how much research she had to do in order to write this book. She knows baseball! I’m pleased to say that her books have been flying off the shelf ever since! We started a blog, Parking It Here, about the themes in her books to help prepare for her visit. Please check out the Activities (use the sidebar to navigate to them) and comment on your own thoughts.

I came across this in a blog I check from time to time. The deadline is looming (very near) so if you want to submit your favorite title, go to the site now. You will be able to vote in September and again through the fall until Election Day once they narrow down the list. If you missed the deadline, leave a comment with your favorite book of all time. (If you can narrow down it to one, I’ll be amazed!)

I had 25 students in the library before the bell on Monday morning!

That’s Good!

They were all here for the same books.

That’s bad!

I had multiple copies of the books.

That’s good!

There were only 4 for 25 people.

That’s bad!

The others managed to find something to check out as well.

That’s good!

They are all interested in reading!

That’s GREAT!

Once again, we have new books that have been displayed for the past week. Yes, I hear you grumbling, but if I didn’t do it this way the books would all disappear by Tuesday and most of you wouldn’t have had a chance to look at them. I could just leave pictures of covers somewhere but I don’t think that helps you know what you want.

 What’s been interesting (and a little irritating but mostly interesting) has been which books have been hidden by folks trying to be the one who gets to read it first. I’ve been asked to hold books, keep books, get more copies, etc. of the following titles:

These books are all part of series. Does anyone read any fiction that ISN’T part of a series any more? I challenge some of you to read the following new and newish books (or others)that are not in a series. Then YOU can be a guest blogger on Library TWEeeter and tell us all about it!

Not in a series:

The Bad Luck Chair by  Sue Wilkowski (FIC WIL)

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (FIC SEL)

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (FIC HAH)

How To Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor (FIC OCO)

It is often that I enjoy a book. It is rare that I finish one thinking that was a great book! I just did. NO Talking by Andrew Clements was fun, interesting, and a quick read. Imagine not talking for an hour. Not a single word. Then imagine not talking at all for 2 days. Now try to answer your teachers, correctly, using only three words. (Remember I said imagine.) NO Talking takes place in a school setting with 2 main characters, Dave and Lynsey, who are not friends. Some of the action even takes place in the cafeteria. Please read it. You will laugh. You will enjoy. (See, three words!)

We talked about Junie B. Jones earlier but what are your favorite realistic fiction books or series? Remember that realistic fiction doesn’t have any talking animals or magic, and the characters seem as if they could be in our school or neighborhood right now. I have been reading so much fantasy and historical fiction lately that I need some good recommendations for realistic fiction. Two of my all-time favorites are Harriet the Spy (before there was a movie) and A Bridge to Terabithia (again, before the movie). I also enjoyed Frindle by Andrew Clements. What is your favorite?

I read the newest Junie B. book, Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny by Barbara Park. Now I know that this is realistic fiction and we are to believe that we could meet someone just like her in our school but it seems to me that she’s getting a little unrealistic in her behavior. I have a hard time believing that any of you would act the way she does.