I think it's important for school libraries and teacher-librarians to get some recognition for the work that goes on in school libraries. I am proud to say that we are a SL21 Qualified Library.
Details are here:
http://www.michigan.gov/sl21
Welcome to the International Academy School Library! As an authorized IB World School, we offer the MYP and DP to all students in grades 9-12. We are a public school. The library is run by Mrs. Janek, a certified school librarian. This blog is a place to highlight book reviews, post interesting articles, write about school libraries and share best practices. www.iatoday.org
Thursday, August 30, 2012
My Library over the Summer!
This summer the library got a bit of an update. We got new floors, a new ceiling, new HVAC and new lights. Definitely needed. However, the work that needed to be done to move the library was overwhelming. It took FOREVER to pack up all the books, dismantle the shelves, take everything else down and empty my desk. Then to put it back together may have been ever harder. It took a crew of 10 moving men, 2 librarians and 3 assistants to get the place back to where it sort of was.
But we are open for business and the library smells new ;)
Before:
After:
But we are open for business and the library smells new ;)
Before:
After:
Friday, August 17, 2012
The Vampire Stalker Book Review
Author (Last name first): Van Diepen, Allison
Title of the Book: The Vampire Stalker
Publisher: Point an imprint of Scholastic Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN#
978-0-545-28375-5 Price: $17.99 Grade Level: J/S Number of Pages: 257
VOYA Rating: 4Q 4P
Highly Recommended
The opening scene will
definitely appeal to those readers who have waited in line for a new
release. The main character is Amy, who
is in line at a book store with her best friends – Luisa and Katie. They are waiting for the 3rd book
in a vampire series called The Mists of
Otherworld. As soon as they got their
books, they headed for home to read it over the weekend. Amy is in love with one of the vampire hunter
characters, Alexander. She is very
active on fan fiction websites. On
Monday, Amy’s first stop is the school library to visit the school librarian to
discuss the newest book. Mrs. P, the
school librarian, not only has a Masters in Library Science, but also a PhD in
Physics J Later, Amy
is attacked by someone on her way home and fortunately someone is nearby to
help her. The person who helped save her
is very similar to Alexander Banks, the vampire hunter she is in love with from
the books. Amy does not believe it
really is Alexander, until he starts to convince her with all sorts of
facts. Turns out there is a portal
linking their two worlds and somehow Alexander has crossed over. Amy and Alex turn to Mrs. P with their
problem. Mrs. P believes their story
because she was studying these portals for her PhD dissertation, when she was
discredited for believing in Science Fiction (!). A romance develops, the mystery of the portal
is solved and the Vampire problem is eradicated.
I think this book is fun
and well written. Who doesn’t love a
super smart school librarian??? I think
this is a must read book for those of us who wait in line for books on their
release date. It’s also perfect for
those who have fallen in love with a character from their favorite books. The story is partly realistic in that it
takes part in Chicago as we know it. It
is also part steam punk because Alex’s world in the other Chicago is
technologically stuck in Victorian times.
It’s part paranormal because of the vampires and vampire hunters. There is also some romance between Amy and
Alex and some secondary characters (human and vampire). Oh, and it’s also part Science Fiction
because of the portals between worlds. I
enjoyed the story. Even with all the genre elements going on, the story flowed
smoothly. I think it’s a great purchase
for a school/public library. I think it
would make a good book club book with lots to discuss. It’s not overly dark and the story provides a
good escape from reality. It will appeal
to tweens and teens alike. The portrayal
of the school librarian is one of the most positive ones I have ever seen. Nothing objectionable that stood out to me.
Beautiful Days Book Reivew
Anna Godbersen
Beautiful Days: A Bright Young Things Novel
Harper: A imprint of HarperCollins Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN# 978-0-06-196268-4
Price: $17.99 Grade
Level: J/S (9-12) Number of Pages: 358
VOYA Rating: 4Q 4P
Highly Recommended
This is the second book in
the Bright Young Things series. The
story definitely continues from the 1st book. I would not advise reading the 2nd
book as a stand alone because the characters and story have already been
introduced. Cordelia Grey and Letty
Larkspur came to New York City from small town Ohio. As the story revealed in the first book,
Cordelia Grey was the lost daughter of a famous and wealthy bootlegger. Cordelia’s and Letty’s fortunes changed and
they were whisked away from the city by Cordelia’s brother, Charlie, to the family
estate. They had food, money, a place to
stay and quickly entered high society.
Cordelia started getting involved in the family business and Letty kept
trying to pursue her acting career.
Astrid was one of their new friends who was getting married to
Charlie. All three girls found young men
they were interested in which let to summer romance. Unfortunately, the romance was followed by
heartbreak. There was suspense and
betrayal in the bootlegging business.
Money and status came before friendship.
All the girls had to deal with betrayal and disappointment.
It was a good read
overall. Like the first book, the
historical detail of New York City, the clothes, the nightlife, and the roles
of women were portrayed quite accurately.
Readers will be learning about prohibition without even realizing
it. The writing flows, the characters
are likable, and it’s a good mix of suspense and romance. There is a 3rd volume that will be
released. I think this is a good book for
fun reading in history classes for prohibition or bootlegging topics. It’s a good purchase for a public or school
library. Not really too much explicit
material, but definitely illegal drinking and allusions to sex. All the girls describe their kisses, with
boys, to each other. Based on the cover
art and main characters, this book is targeted towards girls. It would be a good historical fiction series
for a book club, just not as easy as using a stand alone book for book clubs. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and I look
forward to the 3rd book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)