Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Texas Traveling & Reading

As many of you know, I am finishing up my graduate classes for my Master in Library Science degree.  This month, I took a Field Research elective class and traveled down I-35 in search of libraries and museums with a Texas connection.  Having been a 4th grade teacher for many years, AND a native Texan, this class provided an opportunity for me to make some discoveries!  I used one of the new Texas Bluebonnet nominees, Clete Barrett Smith's Aliens on Vacation for my theme, changing it, of course, to Librarians on Vacation! A friend and fellow grad student went with me, making it all twice as fun!   If you would like to read about my adventures, you can find more about it at Reading Across Texas

Now for a book to go with it!  I've been working on my Bluebonnet books, but made time to read Bold Women in Texas History by Don Blevins. This book would be a great resource for students in 4th & 7th grades, since Texas history is their focus, but it would also be a great book for anyone interested in Texas history.  It outlines the lives and accomplishments of eleven women important to Texas. Some were familiar names such as Bessie Coleman, Lizzie Johnson and Barbara Jordan.  There were several women unfamiliar to me, such as Mollie Kirland Bailey, a circus owner, nurse and spy!  Now that is bold!! I enjoyed learning about the lives of these women and discovering more about Texas in the process. Included in the book are short biographies about athletes, catttlewomen, artists, and politicians, all making contributions to the state of Texas as well as our country!  This was a very informative and entertaining book!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

BooksmART at Dallas Museum Of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art hosts BooksmART each June which gives families a wonderful opportunity to interact with authors and illustrators, all for FREE.  The line up this year was AMAZING!!  The 2012 Newbery and Caldecott winners were there, Jack Gantos and Chris Raschka, as well as the creators of both the Babymouse and Squish series, Jennifer and Matthew Holm.  I was also very excited to meet Clete Barrett Smith, the author of one of the 2012-2013 Bluebonnet nominees, Aliens on Vacation.  It was a great day and I will definitely go back to BooksmART again next summer! 


By the way, Curtis students, I got a copy of Babymouse, Queen of the World signed by Jennifer & Matthew Holm, AND I have two copies of Aliens on Vacation signed by Clete Barrett Smith. I will be giving these away to some lucky Curtis students, so check back for information on the giveaway!!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Summer Reading

I am working my way through the 2012-2012 Bluebonnet nominees and I hope that you will join me!  Visit Weatherford Public Library this summer to start reading these books before August!  Here are the 2012-2013 Bluebonnet Nominees!
 
Just recently, I finished Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem. Lucy, the 13 year old daughter of the American Ambassador to Ethiopia, is tired of being confined to her house.  She wants to have more freedom and decides to sneak off with a friend.  She is kidnapped and held captive.  Fortunately, Lucy has a fondness for learning, and through reading has become knowledgeable about the region, including plant and animal life.  Will this knowledge help her as she attempts to escape?  You will have to read the book to find out!

Before school was out, I was able to read Postcards from Camp by Simms Taback to some of the 2nd and 3rd graders.  This is a fun read because of the actual letters and postcards that you can pull out from the book.  Remember to put them back so that the next reader can enjoy the book just as much!  Anyway, the book is a series of letters and postcards from a father and son.  This is the first time the son has gone to sleepaway camp and he is sure he will not like it.  His dad ignores his complaints and pleas to be picked up from camp.  How does the son handle this? Check out the book to find out!