Christmas Wishes

Several years ago when Smiths Station Intermediate School's library cat, Tigger, was still living our students were invited to send him Christmas cards. The cards would be posted on the bulletin board in the library.

Below is the card I most treasure from that experience. It was made by a 4th grader but was not signed. To this day I do not know who made it.

Merry Christmas to all of you

Congratulations

Congratulations to my librarian friend, Patti Henderson, Media Specialist at Sanford Middle School. She hosted an event for her student council reps to meet with Alabama State Senator Tom Whatley. Senator Whatley spoke with the 5th -8th grade student council representatives about the responsibilities of leadership, the importance of evaluating options and making good choices. At the conclusion of his visit he answered student questions concerning the new teacher ethics law, changes in education, charter schools, and education funding.

Senator Whatley presents Patti Henderson a grant check for $2,000 for use in the Sanford Middle School Media Center.

Following the program one of the school's avid readers asked if Senator Whatley was aware that public school libraries in Alabama had not received any library money for 3 years. Senator Whatley seemed surprised, asked for confirmation and if it was a line item in the education budget. After being told yes, it was a line item and what the student said was true, he made a note. Perhaps there will be some followup in next year's budget because of this student's comment.

Good job, Mrs. Henderson.

Picture: Senator Whatley presents Patti Henderson a grant check for $2,000. for use in the Sanford Middle School Media Center.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag: A Flavia de Luce Mystery

Laughing out loud at parts!

"She was prattling. If I kept quiet, it wouldn't be more than a minute before she would be confiding her size in knickers."


"God blind me with a fish fork!"


Really enjoyed The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. This is proving delightful, too.

Dedication

I have received my Beaucoup, Arlo & Janis book. Reading slowly to make it last. Noticed the dedication was For Peggy Singleton. Today Jimmy Johnson enlightened his blog followers with information on this lady.

Quoted from www.arloandjanis.com

"Many of you who’ve seen the book will have noted the dedication, “To Peggy Singleton.” Peggy Singleton was an English teacher who began teaching at Lanett High School in 1966, my freshman year. I was in one of her first classes, and it was apparent she was going to be a capable and well-liked instructor. However, I was not in her class again until 1969, the beginning of my senior year. She was a bit more collegial with us seniors than she had been with my freshman class three years earlier. Her lectures on English literature and such, often delivered while leaning against her desk, were interspersed with comments and questions from the class. It was in this loosely structured atmosphere I first heard a group of people laugh at my remarks, for it was in Mrs. Singleton’s room I developed something of a reputation as a wit. Not a goofball, not exactly a class clown, but an observer who could be depended upon to put a wry spin on the topic at hand. Such a proclivity was as much a surprise to me as it was to my classmates. Mrs. Singleton’s tolerance and her occasional failure to suppress her own laughter encouraged me. Of course, she openly encouraged my aptitude for writing. She was the person who suggested I might study “journalism” in college. I did. I would like to give her all the credit, but the truth is, I was clueless and highly impressionable. Still, her influence was great, and I am convinced I would not have taken the path I did had it not been for Mrs. Singleton’s senior English class."

A wonderful tribute to a teacher. All teachers both current and former (though we never really stop being a teacher, it is what defines us) would be thrilled to read from a former student.

Think about it and write a note to that one special teacher that helped you chart your future path.

Beaucoup Arlo and Janis

Jimmy Johnson, cartoonist who makes comic strip Arlo and Janis, has published a collection of his comic strips in Beaucoup Arlo and Janis. It is available for purchase today.


The following informations is from his blog http://www.arloandjanis.com/

This is one you don't want to miss.

Been Kindle Reading

I've been doing lots of Kindle reading of late. Still visiting the library though. Happy to have talked with two former colleagues who are honoring Veteran's Day in their libraries with America's White Table by Margot Thesis Raven. (See November 2007)








Thanks to all who serve.
11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour

Kathryn Tucker Windham memoir published posthumously by NewSouth Books

As you may know I was a great fan of Alabama author Kathryn Tucker Windham who passed away earlier this year. Her latest book She: The Old Woman Who Took Over My Life has been published by NewSouth Books. Below is the information from the publisher about this memoir.



Kathryn Tucker Windham began her new book, She: The Old Woman Who Took Over My Life, in the late fall of 2010. That project saw fruition this week with the release of She in print and ebook formats by NewSouth Books.This slender volume, the last of twenty-nine written by Kathryn Tucker Windham over her long and productive life, will be an exquisitely bittersweet read for the many fans of the late storyteller and author from Selma, Alabama. Windham died shortly before the publication of this volume, in June of this year.Only over the last eighteen months of her life did Windham seem much constrained by her advancing years. Characteristically, she faced old age and its accompanying limitations with humor and curiosity. In She, the author describes how she woke up one day to find that she had an unwanted houseguest, an old woman who had suddenly moved into her home and was taking over her life. Windham referred to this interloper simply as “She,” and here the reader has been invited into the lively colloquy between the author -- whose spirit has not changed though her body has slowed -- and her alter ego, as they move together toward their earthly end.She is the fifth book by Kathryn Tucker Windham published by NewSouth Books in recent years. The others include: Alabama, One Big Front Porch, Jeffrey’s Favorite 13 Ghost Stories, Ernest’s Gift, and most recently a memoir called Spit, Scarey Ann, and Sweat Bees. Surely your library, bookstore, or gift shop will be richer for having these titles on its shelves.She: The Old Woman Who Took Over My Life is available from NewSouth Books at 334-834-3556 or from your favorite book wholesaler. Learn more at http://www.newsouthbooks.com/she.ISBN: 978-1-58838-278-8. Price: $20.00. Available in hardcover and ebook formats.


Also today I received the Tallapoosa River Electric Co-op magazine that is published monthly by our electrical cooperative. If you can get your hands on a copy there was an excellent article about Kathryn.

Here is the web address for the online edition of the magazine.


http://www.areapower.coop/content.cfm?id=2049


Click on the October edition of the magazine.

Quote of the Week

"Be Careful Around Dragons, For You Are Crunchy & Good with Ketchup"

Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater

Hooray!!!!! It's Happened.

I can now check out library books on my Kindle. My local library is a member of Camilla Net....the state of Alabama's Digital Library. If your library has joined Camilla Net you can now check out books to your Kindle. Previously the Kindle was not supported. You log in with your library card number, select the book, then somehow with magic (I guess) you are on the Amazon Kindle page. Click here and the book is yours for 2 weeks.

This "library girl" is now a happy camper!!!!!

Sarah's Key

Paris, July 1942

Vel' d'Hiv


Ever heard of it? Me, either. Until I read this book based on things that happened during the German Occupation of France during WW II. One of those "can't put down" books. Julia Jarmond's research as a reporter for a magazine in Paris results in life altering findings. Changes not only for Julia but all around her...those before and after. Sara Starzynski and Michel Starzynski will be with me for a long time.

Wooopsss!

It is -gatan not -gartan and it does mean street!

Lisbeth Salander

Finished The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson at 11:00 PM. Lisbeth situation (no spoiler here) a cliffhanger. Can't get to the library until tomorrow morning at 10 AM. Knew I should have checked out the 3rd book The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest when I got the second one. Could purchase on my Kindle but will wait.

I have mangled all the Swedish names for 2 books now, but I think maybe ....garten means street. But looking it up it seems to be garden. Puzzled.

Just found on Wikipedia a list of characters expanded. Wish I had had it by my side while reading.

What do you geek?

Cool, cool, website. http://www.geekthelibrary.org/

What do you geek? Fill in your answers by commenting on this post!

Loaning Books on Kindle

My friend, Patti, has mastered the loaning of Kindle books to me! Have received one, finished it, and now am waitng for it to self destruct when the 2 weeks are up. It doesn't seem that any of the ones I have purchased can be loaned out. As much as the Kindle read is becoming a habit, I still frequent the library. As a retired librarian I value the fact that a library is an equalizer in the acquisition of knowledge. Whether you are wealthy or not knowledge is there for the taking for everyone.

I have been asked to talk to the Junior Book Club at the local library next week. The importance of reading, etc. Right now the plan is to share my favorite book when I was a fifth grader. Half Magic by Edgar Eager.

Published in 1954, but set probably in the 1930's, it belonged to my friend Suzanne who lived 2 houses away from me. I remember borrowing it to read several different times. The first chapter which introduces the children has several pages about libraries and reading. This will be my starting place with the Junior Book Club.

Thank you, Nancy, for the invitation. It will make not starting school less traumatic this first year of my retirement. When you have done something each August for over 50 years I expect some adjustments when they start and I don't.

Grab a copy of Half Magic and read it to your kids!

Beach Reading

Just returned from a week at the beach. Saw lots of people reading. Three Kindles, the rest traditional books. Tried to see each title so I could report.....my eyes are not what they used to be. Asked several people and looked under some beach canopies for others.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

The Shack William P. Young

Burnt Mountain Anne Rivers Siddons

1st to Die James Patterson

Kisser Stuart Woods

Water for Elephants Sara Gruen

The Christian Atheist:Believing in God But Living As If He Doesn't Exist Craig Groeschel

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life Wendy Mass

Whispers of the Bayou Mindy Starnes Clark

A Karen Kingsbury Book

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel Aimee Bender

Kindles...you can't tell what they are reading.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

What took me so long to read this book? Enjoyed it so much.
Set during the aftermath of WWII, told completely in letters, delightful characters, made me feel they were my friends.

Just Finished

Have just finished reading Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. Loved that she took a tiny thread of factual material and created such a readable, believable story. Historical fiction is what helped prompt me to choose history as my undergraduate concentration. Seems to have a reputation today as "bodice tearing romances"....this is definitely not that. Extremely well done.

Summer Reading List

I ran across this list of summer reading suggestions. Thought I would pass it on.


Auel, Jean M. The Land of the Painted Caves
Brooks, Geraldine Caleb’s Crossing
Cleave, Chris Little Bee
Collins, Suzanne The Hunger Games
Donoghue, Emma Room
Dowell, Frances O’Roark Ten Miles Past Normal
Fusco, Kimberly Newton The Wonder of Charlie Anne
Hamilton, Steve The Lock Artist
Hannah, Kristin Night Road
Harkness, Deborah A Discovery of Witches
Higgs, Liz Curtis Mine is the Night
Jones, Tayari Silver Sparrow
Laurie, Victoria The Ghost Hunters
Laurie, Victoria Psychic Eye Mysteries
Maynard, Joyce The Usual Rules
O’Farrell, Maggie The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Picoult, Jodi House Rules
See, Lisa Dreams of Joy
Shin, Kyung-sook Please Look After Mom
Simons, Paulina The Bronze Horseman
Simons, Paulina Tatiana and Alexander
Sparks, Nicholas Safe Haven
Cowell, Stephenie Claude and Camille: A Novel of Claude Monet
Fey, Tina Bossypants
Grennar, Conor Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Children of Nepal
Roller, Duane W. Cleopatra: A Biography
Twain, Shania From This Moment On
Tyler, Steven Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?
Wasdin, Howard E. SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper
White, Betty If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t)
Nesbo, Jo The Snowman
Burpo, Todd Heaven is for Real
Carr, Nicolas The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains
Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?
The Lost Toys, Tastes, and Trends of the 70s and 80s
Gwynne, S. C. Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
Hillebrand, Laura Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Hochschild To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918
Larson, Erik In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin
Miller, Donalyn The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child
VanderMeer, Jeff The Steampunk Bible: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Imaginary Airships, Corsets and Goggles, Mad Scientists, and Strange Literature
Wiese, Bill 23 Minutes in Hell: One Man’s Story About What He Saw, Heard, and Felt in That Place of Torment

All came out with new books for the summer:
Clancy, Tom
Clark, Mary Higgins
Coulter, Catherine
Egan, Jennifer
Evanovich, Janet
French, Tana
Garwood, Julia
Kellerman, Jonathan
King, Stephen
Koontz, Dean
Michaels, Fern
Parker, Robert B.
Patterson, James
Sandford, John
Smith, Alexander McCall
Steele, Danielle

*Multiple recommendations
Fiction
Alex Cross's Trial-James Patterson
The Apothecary's Daughter- Julie Klassen
Beautiful Lies- Lisa Unger
City of Thieves- Benioff
Cleopatra-Stacy Schiff
The Confession-John Grisham
*Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese
A Discovery of Witches- Deborah Harkness
Freedom-Jonathan Franzen???
*The Help-Kate Stockett
Horns- Joe Hill
*Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet- Jamie Ford
House Rules- Jodi Picoult
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe- Charles Yu
In the Woods- Tana French
The Last Child- John Hart
Left Neglected-Lisa Genova
Little Bee- Chris Cleave
The Madonnas of Echo Park- Brando Skyhorse
Mudbound-Hillary Jordan
The Opposite of Love- Julie Buxbaum
Rainwater-Sandra Brown
The Red Garden-Alice Hoffman
The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady-E. Stuckey-French
*Room-Emma Donaghue
Sarah's Key-Tatiana deRosnay
Silver Sparrow- Tayari Jones
Sing You Home-Jodi Picoult
Still Alice-Lisa Genova
The Winter Garden- Kristen Hannah

Non-Fiction
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe - Katrina Firlik
The Art of Comforting Bill Bryson at Home-Bill Bryson

The Happiness Project- Gretchen Rubin
Heaven is for Real-Todd Burpo
The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks- Rebecca Skloot
Malcolm Gladwell books
Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption-Cannino, Cotton and Torneo
Stiff: The Surprising Life of Human Cadavers- Mary Roach
Unbroken- Laura Hillenbrand


The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
Juliet by Anne Fortier
Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary and Sewing Circle by Lois Battle
People of the Book-Geraldine Brooks
Prayers for Sale or Tall Grass by Sandra Dallas

If you are looking for beach read mysteries, I would recommend

Cynthia Riggs' Martha's Vineyard Mystery series.. The first one is
The Crane Fly Orchid Murders
I liked Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.
Henry's Sisters
The Art of Dancing in the Rain
If I Stay
The Post Mistress
Into the Wood - Tana French
Likeness - Tana French
These Things Hidden - Heather Gudenfauf

Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok
Under the Mercy Trees - Heather Newton
Night Road - Kristin Hannah
Invisible Bridge - Julie Orringer
Last Child - John Hart
Sworn to Silence - Linda Castillo
Postmistress - Sarah Blake
Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - Beth Hoffman
Bride's Farewell - Meg Rosoff
Asta in the Wings - Jan Elizabeth Watson
Every Last One - Anna Quindlen
The Man From Saigon - Marti Leimbach
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
What I Saw an How I Lied - Judy Blundell
Good Thief - Hannah Tinti

Nonfiction:
Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
I Want to Read (well reviewed):
Broken for You - Stephanie Kallos
Calligrapher's Daughter - Eugenia Kim
Cutting For Stone - AbrahamVerghese
Faithful Place - Tana French
Finding Nouf - Zoe Ferraris
Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton
Great House - Nicole Krauss

Heretic's Daughter - Kathleen Kent
Room - Emma Donoghue
Imperfectionists - Tom Rachman
Juliet - Anne Fortier
Little Bee - Chris Cleave
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
Mudbound - Hillary Jordan
Other Side of the Bridge - Mary Lawson
The Surrendered - Chang Rae-Lee
Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet - David Mitchell

Fiction:
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral-Kris Radish
The Art of Racing in the Rain-Garth Stein
Best Friends Forever-J.Weiner
Brava Valentine-Adriana Trigiani
Change of Heart-Jodi Picoult
Chasing Lilacs-Carla Stewart
Come and Find Me-Hallie Ephron
Come to the Edge-Christina Haag
The Confession-John Grisham
Crunch Time- Diane Mott Davidson
Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese
Deep Down True-Juliette Fay
Escape-Barbara Delinsky
Every Last One-Anna Quindlen

First Day of the Rest of My Life- C. Lamb
The Help-Kathryn Stockett
Henry's Sisters-Cathy Lamb
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford
I’ll Walk Alone-Mary Higgins Clark
The Imperfectionists-Tom Rachman
Innocent-Scott Turow
The Invisible Bridge-Julie Orringer
Jane Eyre-Charlotte Bronte
The Land of Painted Caves-Jean Auel
Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts-Lucy Dillon
Every Last One-Anna Quindlen
Lunch in Paris-Elizabeth Bard
My Name is Mary Sutter-Robin Oliveira
Night Road-Kristen Hannah
On Borrowed Wings-Chandra Prasad
On Folly Beach-Karen White
Once Upon a Time There Was You- E.Berg
Outlander- Diana Gabaldon (series)
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake-Aimee Bender
The Peach Keeper-Sarah Addison Allen
Rainwater-Sandra Brown
The Red Garden-Alice Hoffman
Rescue-Anita Shreve
Room-Emma Donaghue
Sarah’s Key-Tatiana de Rosnay
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party-Alexander McCall Smith

The Silver Boat-Luanne Rice
Silver Girl-Elin Hilderbrand
Strategic Moves-Stuart Woods
Smokin' Seventeen-Janet Evanovich
State of Wonder-Ann Patchett
Swim Back to Me-Ann Packer
Minding Frankie-Maeve Binchy
Very Valentine-Adriana Trigiani
A Vintage Affair-Isabel Wolff
Water for Elephants-Sara Gruen

Non-Fiction:
The Art of Comforting-Val Walker
This is a Soul- Marilyn Berger
Half Broke Horses-Jeanette Walls
The Happiness Project-Gretchen Rubin
I Remember Nothing-Nora Ephron
Idyll Banter-Chris Bohjalian
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks R. Skloot
Lift-Kelly Corrigan
Monastery of the Heart-Joan Chittester
One Hundred Names for Love Diane Ackerman
Outliers- Malcolm Gladwell
Real Happiness-Sharon Salzberg
Shattered Faith-Shelia R. Kennedy
Trust the Dog-Fidelco Foundation
Unbroken-Laura Hillenbrand
Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog-Lisa Scottoline
Women, Food and God-Genee Roth
Zelda: The biography of Zelda Fitzgerald-Nancy Milford

Recommended Children’s Chapter Books:
As Simple as It Seems-Sarah Weeks
Gregor the Overlander series-
So B. It-Sarah Weeks
The Hunger Games-series-Suzanne Collins

Fiction
Alex Cross's Trial-James Patterson
The Apothecary's Daughter- Julie Klassen
Beautiful Lies- Lisa Unger
City of Thieves- Benioff
Cleopatra-Stacy Schiff
Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese
A Discovery of Witches- Deborah Harkness
Freedom-Jonathan Franzen
The Help-Kate Stockett
Henry’s Sister-Kathy Lamb
Horns- Joe Hill
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet- Jamie Ford
House Rules- Jodi Piccoult
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe- Charles Yu
In the Woods- Tana French
The Last Child- John Hart
Left Neglected-Lisa Genova
Little Bee- Chris Cleave
Mudbound-Hillary Jordan
The Opposite of Love- Julie Buxbaum
Rainwater-Sandra Brown
The Red Garden-Alice Hoffman
The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady-E. Stuckey-French
Room-Emma Donaghue
Silver Sparrow- Tayari Jones
Sing You Home-Jodi Picoult
The Winter Garden- Kristen Hannah

Non-Fiction
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe - Katrina Firlik
Bill Bryson at Home-Bill Bryson
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child- Donalyn Miller
The Happiness Project- Gretchen Rubin
Heaven is for Real-Todd Burpo
The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks- Rebecca Skloot
Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption-Cannino, Cotton and Torneo
Stiff: The Surprising Life of Human Cadavers- Mary Roach
Unbroken- Laura Hillenbrandt

Librarian Quote from Jane Yolen

Librarians

The ones who turn on lights in children's minds and guard the flame in
their hearts.

New Bookshelves-- Great Job Guys

One of the advantages of our school being on the same campus as the high school is that the shop classes are available to build for us. Recently a new bookshelf was delivered to our school by the first block shop class at SSHS. They carried the 18 foot long two sided bookcase. Coming through the reading garden and into the side door it looked like a caterpillar. Thanks so much guys! You are the best!

End of An Era

Almost the end of school. The changes in our district are coming to pass. The organization, locations, facilities and faculties will never be the same. What a bright spot is this video done by our high school students and posted on youtube Friday. Well done kids!

Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day

Are you ready? Do you have your poem? Will you ask anyone to read theirs to you? Will you be asked to read yours? BE PREPARED!!!!!

Book Spine Poetry with 5th Graders

Here are two successful poems that the 5th graders made today.

Book Spine Poetry Just Discovered

from the blog 100 Scopes Notes

I just this morning discovered book spine poetry. Looks like a great thinking activity for my students. Just have to decide which classes I trust enough to try it with. Could be a huge messy free for all if all the kids were "turned loose" to try!

Take a look at this link

http://100scopenotes.com/2010/03/12/poetry-friday-book-spine-poem-gallery/

This type poetry could be called a cento which is a poetical work wholly composed of verses or passages taken from other authors; only disposed in a new form or order.

You can view many examples in the gallery link. And from there you are hyperlinked to lots of other sites.

Now I am going to go try one!

National Poetry Month

It's April 1.....April Fool's Day and the beginning of National Poetry Month. We are plastering our school with poetry. Poems on the bathroom doors, the janitor's closets, near the water fountains, in the nurse's office, in the lunchroom, on the principals' doors and counselors' office doors. Our students are looking for their poems for Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 14.

Here are some good links to find out about National Poetry Month.

http://http//schools.nyc.gov/academics/englishlanguagearts/educatorresources/poetry%2bresources.htm

http://http//www.nyc.gov/html/poem/html/teachers/curriculum.shtml

http://http//www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/406

http://http//ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm

Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

The recent tragedy in Japan of earthquake and tsunami may make you want more information on the subject. Here are two links that may help you understand the tsunami and also see some coverage of what happened in Japan.


This site provides lots of links for kids

http://http//www.tsunami.noaa.gov/kids.html




This second link is for Scholastic News coverage for students.




http://http//l.wbx.me/l/?instId=a71f67e3-b7a9-4884-9c79-80272d1c2395&token=b260f359f99ecffb40d08febeec9d609993a51360000012eb273b39e&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.scholastic.com%2Fbrowse%2Farticle.jsp%3Fid%3D3755883

Also a good short chapter book on the subject is

The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck




MSN is also publishing panoramic photos of the earthquake damage

http://http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/16/6284477-panoramic-image-shows-the-damage-in-kesennuma-japan?GT1=43001

News Station CAt

Check out this great MSN video: News-cat-ster


Any follower of this blog knows that our school had a Library Cat, Tigger, for over 10 years. He brought much joy and peace to our students. Look at this news station that has a News Cat!

Read Across America Week

Toomer's Oaks

Dividing a Library

It is with regrets I separate books from my collection to send to the two other libraries in our area that will be housing part of our students next year. A systematic system (lol) was decided. As I mark book titles with orange for one school and yellow for the other and then go to pull the 200 titles in 6, 7, 8 levels I hesitate....knowing this title is used by the 6th grade teachers in their immigration units, or this biography about Horace King, Bridge Builder, was donated to the library by one of our former 5th grade teachers (thank you, Liz) and that Horace King actually built one of the bridges in our area. Sixteen years here building this collection only to have to "enny meeny miney mo" it. We will now have gaps, and are likely to have overlaps when we receive the titles from the other schools. Change is the only constant...never get comfortable with the status quo because powers that be have the authority to jerk the rug out from under you.

Next Wednesday the faculties at 3 area schools will be given a letter designating their new assignments in the "fruit basket turn over" that will end with there being 4 schools of k-6 grades rather than 3 schools k-1, 2-3, and 4,6. Teams are being broken apart...and lives are being moved like pieces on a chess board. We were told 90% of you got your 1st or 2nd choice of school....

I have always been told that when it is time to retire you will know.....guess what? No doubt at all.

The Absolutest, Coolest Website

You may be familiar with Wordle, but this is a website that allows you to do much, much more with your word clouds. It is so cool!!!!

Snow Day on Monday, January 10

Because of the severe winter storm threatening the southeast US, our school system has already announced school closings for Monday. A large majority of our students ride the bus to and from school and icy winter conditions on small country roads necessitate the closing. So there goes our Good Friday holiday.....which will be used as a makeup day.

HOWEVER, the Auburn University Tigers are playing for the BCS National Championship in Glendale, Arizona on Monday night. Auburn is about 25 miles away and is my alma mater. Soooo, Monday is a great day to be home getting ready for the game. Just hope the power stays on.

A big War Eagle to all of you. "Hey, it's great to be an Auburn Tiger".

Finished My First Book on My Kindle

Today I finished my first read on the Kindle. It's been kind of neat...right now a novelty I think. It was the final book in the Richelle Mead Vampire Academy series. I knew one of my 5th grade teachers would have the hardback when we got back to school, but it was nice to think of it, ask for it, Amazon sent it, the credit card paid for it and I could start to read. I also loaded A Tale of Two Cities....it was free. But there are 2 Karen Kingsbury books calling my name....Time to Dance and Time to Embrace. Those before Dickens I think.



Thanks to my husband for wanting me to have something before I even knew I needed it.