27 Questions (lifted from ALA Learning)

Because I know you want to know more about me! I was just reading Librarian In Black's post about contributing to ALA Learning and saw these 27 questions and wanted to answer them.

1. Your 1 Sentence Bio

Anna Lynn Martino, giggling, baking, crafting, ride-or-die librarian.

2. Do you blog? If yes, how did you come up with your blog name?

Yes. I was thinking about how much time I spend flipping through pages of books, magazines, the internet and how I also just get "lost" in the process. Time passes me by and the next second I look up and 2-3 hours have passed or I'm finished with a book or I've become lost in a recipe. Originally, I was going to call it "Lost in the Stacks" but it was already taken.

3. What is your professional background?

I studied art history at UCSC then I was adrift for a while because, like a lot of people, I did not want to go straight into graduate school not knowing what to do and also did not want to spend all the money without having some purpose. I know a lot of people who went to graduate school and then decided they did not like it...I did not really have the means to do that so I waited and tried to figure it out first. I ended up working as a receptionist, bartender, a Circulation supervisor, a cataloger and an archivist. And for the past 3+ years, I've been a school librarian, which I really did not expect to be doing after graduating but it's been pretty challenging, amazing, interesting and fun. (ssshhh I'm also a reference librarian at the public library)

4. What training do you do? staff? patrons? types of classes?

I am lucky enough to have a position where the librarians teach a year long class. My patrons are middle schoolers, faculty, administration, and parents. Our class is called Library and Technology 7 and we prepare our students for the next 6 years of there time at our school as well as beyond. Also, if they transfer, we hopefully, give them skills to use throughout their school careers and life.

5. What training do you think is most important to libraries right now?

As a school librarian, I think, one of the most important things we can teach our students is being media savvy (this includes print and online). We want them to be smart and safe users and to think about what they are doing whether it is written out or posted somewhere. Literacy in all aspects whether it is offline or online is key.

6. Where do you get your training?

I take it from everyone and everything. I read a lot, I take web classes when I can, I attend conference, I interact with other librarians in the same specialization, I watch web seminars if they are relevant and available. This career is always changing and transforming and it's difficult to keep on top of everything out there but I pick and choose and I am lucky to have found a lot of amazing people online who are much more savvy and up to speed than I am and am so glad they post and tweet and hold webinars and conferences and everything else they do. So, thank you!!!

7. How do you keep up?

I follow a lot of people!!! Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed...I try to find them and then I follow them :)

8. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing libraries right now?

School libraries are 1 of the first things to go in times of economic hardship. They are not viewed as being relevant when teachers and curriculum take priority whether it's because they have to keep up with standards and NCLB or there just isn't a budget for a library. Those schools that have libraries still are very lucky, librarians can work with teachers to develop a great research collection but those that do not have libraries are at a disadvantage. I work at both a school library and a public library and the disparity between the two is noticable. Also, I work at a pretty well-funded public library but kids are not getting the same research skills that they would get at well-used, respected and appreciated school library.

9. What are the biggest challenges for trainers?

Well, things are not all sunshine and lollipops at a school library, and sometimes it's difficult to put on paper what it is we are contributing to the community. I think, one of the challenges is proving that you are still relevant when you cannot sit and point at something that is really tangible. Some things you have to see and experience over a certain period of time. Also, because it's the library and not a specific "core" course, at times people do not see it as important as other established courses. So, one has to continually assess what is happening in the library to prove that we are still important to the school community.

10. What exciting things are you doing training wise?

Well, we have included a new unit on Web 2.0 tools (is it still Web 2.0?) and are introducing students to new ways of collaborating online. Students use these things already but we also include discussions on safety and ethics. It is really interesting seeing what students find important to share with their classmates and you also get to learn something new that they find and that you were not necessarily aware of. Also, there are those AHA moments with kids that always make me smile and makes me feel that I'm doing a proper job.

11. What do you wish you were doing?

I am doing a lot of what I want but I would like to be more tech savvy. I am always in awe of those people who always seem ahead of the pack..how do they do that? Do they ever sleep? Also, how can I incorporate some crafting time into my classes..now! that would be pretty awesome! Sometimes I wish I could teach a home ec class during the summer.

12. What would you do with a badger?

Like the animal?!? The funny thing about this question is that I am A BADGER!! It's the "house" I'm in at school!! Pretty fierce creatures. Maybe I can have it taste test all my baking experiments...

13. What's your favorite food?

Pretty much all food. I love eating. Right now, I'm on a ramen hunt..and also searching for the best sandwiches in L.A.

14. If you were stranded on an island, what one thing would you want with you?

The pack of letters from my dad. I think those would keep me hopeful for someone to come and save me and also remind me to not sit on my booty and figure out a way to survive.

15. Do you know what happens when a grasshopper kicks all the seeds out of a pickle?

Pickles have seeds? Sorry I don't like pickles so I have no idea...

16. Post it notes or the back of your hand?

The back of my hand...I'd lose post it notes.

17. Windows or Mac?

As long as I can get online I'm happy.

18. Talk about one training moment you'd like to forget

I think I already forgot what it was...

19. What's your take on handshakes?

The creepiest thing is a limp, soft handshake. Those give me the whillies! Should be firm but not enough to break my hand. Let's just do the terrorist fist bump!

20. Global warming: yes or no?

Yes.

21. How did you get into this line of work?

The story is that I started volunteering at my elementary school library and just never could get myself out of libraries. So there..I tried doing other things but the pull was too strong.

22. What is the best part of your job?

All the kids I get to help and their AHA moments and the laughter at work. We are always laughing even when we are having a "bad" day.

23. Why should someone else follow in your shoes?

There needs to be more school librarians! Not volunteers or parents who are just thrown into the job but people who are trained and know the issues. I can't believe how many schools have random people working in the school library without training. Schools should pay those people to be trained if they are going to do that...We need to prepare our kids to be lifelong learners and the place where that happens in their early years in school!

24. Sushi or hamburger

SUSHI

25. LSW or ALA

ALA. I don't know what LSW is. Sorry, should I know this?

26. What one person in the world do you want to have lunch with and why?

I'd like to meet Secretary of State Clinton. Just because...we've been talking about her at work and I'd like to pick her brain.

27. What cell phone do you have and why?

I have an enV2. It seems a bit old and outdated now and I've only had it for less that a year. Phones seems so advanced. I want to get the MyTouch though. It's quite impressive..a mini computer in the palm of your hand.

Songs about the Library and/or librarians

Hum, i just saw this..I'm going to have to give it a listen when I get home. In grad school, one of my professors collected library/librarian songs. This reminded me of him...

clipped from flavorwire.com Mixtape: 10 Best Songs About Libraries and Librarians So you’re laid up in bed with the flu like everyone else, with nothing to do but chug Emergen-C, ride the NyQuil train, and gaze glassy-eyed at hours of DVRed shows that you’d usually let languish. It’s time for a new playlist! When even keeping your eyes open starts to hurt, queue up this nerdy mixtape and zonk out to the best in library-inspired jams. Thanks to @flavorpill follower Lauren for the smart (and challenging!) idea.

Graphic Novel Fridays : Britten & Brulightly by Hannah Berry

For today's GNF selection, I picked up Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry. This GN had received some good reviews in Booklist and PW so I thought I would check it out.

What Caught My Eye: Well, a number of things - (1) good reviews (2) my coworker read it first and gave it a thumbs up (literally!) (3) I love film noir and this cover as well as the rest of the GN is noir-y. (is that a word? nope..but I'm going to use it!)

Why I Didn't Put It Down: The images and text really do play well off of each other in Berry's book. The movement of the images the placement of certain phrases make this one of those GN's that you do not want to put down. Also, there's a talking teabag (yup..a bag of tea) in this...guess who it is? I loved the way colors are laid out as well - greys, blacks, whites, a tinge of blue, a pop of red - it's very beautifully illustrated.

Who would I recommend this to: Those of us who love noir and noir-y things. Those who like a good detective story. WARNING: the "F" word occassionally pops up in this GN. Not a lot (maybe twice) but if you are worried about parents, administrators and easily offended people (like the Dictionary Banners!) then you should probably head to your local comic/gn shop and check it out first. I did not think it was too risque or shocking so it's in our collection there really are worse things...like dictionaries!!! (ok, I'll stop..but seriously, banning the dictionary - seriously people? there's other more important issues - Yemen, Iraq, war, genocide, Haiti, people straving in America - let's focus on that instead of the definition of Oral Sex in Merriam-Webster...)

Why I recommend "Getting Graphic: Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy With Preteens and Teens (Literature and Reading Motivation)"

Getting Graphic: Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy With Preteens and Teens (Literature and Reading Motivation)

by Michele Gorman

Since I have become the graphic novel specialist here at the library, I thought I would read Michele Gorman’s “Getting Graphic.”

If you are new to adding graphic novels to your library, this is a wonderful fast read. It’s filled with reviews and resources that will help you get on the right track when it comes to adding more graphic novels to your collection. For example, one of the ideas Gorman discusses is specifying that you will be adding graphic novels in your collection development policy. I did not even think of that because where I work, we are not very strict with what can and cannot be added in regards to type/genre. However, I can see how that would be important to have written out in an official document at other school libraries, who have to deal with meager budgets and also are restricted by curriculum.

I am happy to say that comparing our catalog to the list in her book, we are on the right track with having a pretty good core collection of graphic novels.

I did not think that graphic novels would be so popular here but when I created a display last month, kids were pulling them off the display and reading them and also checking them out.

Another great idea Gorman points out is that these books are transitional between plain text and visual media. Graphic novels do teach visual literacy and are not just “comics” in the negative sense of the word. They are a bridge between paper and the computer in a way if you think about it. You scan the images, you analyze and infer information from those images and you also gather more information by reading the text.

So, if you need a little help and are not too sure what graphic novels should be added or if you should even add them to your collection, this is a wonderful resource.

See more about Getting Graphic: Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy With Preteens and Teens (Literature and Reading Motivation)

Nonfiction Monday: "Escape: The Story of the Great Houdini" by Sid Fleischman

Happy Nonfiction Monday! Today's host is Playing By The Book and there are a lot of books to go check out at the round up so stop by there to see if anything catches your eye.

At the library, I created a biography display and decided that this was the perfect opportunity to read Sid Fleischman's Escape: the story of the great Houdini published in 2006 from Greenwillow Books.

What Caught My Eye: What a great illustration on the cover! . The famous Harry Houdini attempting to escape from a tank of water upside down!!! I also loved the font used for the title.

Why I finished it: Well, honestly, I did not really finish this one. Sid Fleischman injects some of his humor in it that I did not find all that funny. I actually thought it was a little too much like he was trying to hard to entertain the kid who would pick it up. The information about Harry Houdini was very interesting and the photos were great to show Houdini's transformation. But at times, he also added those "funny" anecdotes in the captions and I thought it was unnecessary. The last couple of chapters I skimmed through. Some of the things I learned is that Houdini was a lot more popular in Europe than America and that he did not really consider America his home; he married the love of his life rather quickly (2 weeks!); he collected all books and flyers related to magicians and gifted it to the the Library of Congress; that his entire life is still a bit of a mystery.

Who Would You Recommend This To: A kid (middle schooler) interested in Harry Houdini.

Graphic Novel Friday: Peter & Max by Bill Willingham

I know, this isn't a graphic novel but it is a spin-off (?) off of Bill Willingham's Fables series, which all my friends rave about and I have yet to read. I know, I'm shunned now! Anyway, I thought, this work, Peter & Max which is amazing, qualifies for GNF since people do know the Fables series and may or may not know that Willingham and Steve Leialoha have "a (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) Novel". Also, you do not need to have any knowledge of (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) to enjoy this book. It's a great "stand-alone" work in the parlance of librarians.

I seem to have a theme going this week with the books I've chosen to read. I recently finished Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry.

What Caught My Eye: I seem to have a bare branches silhouette thing going this week. Also, the Pied Piper hovering over those branches with the moon shining behind him. It looks magical and eerie. I also liked the typeface. I leafed through the pages and was struck by Leialoha's illustrations as well. What is this scene? What's happening here? Why the raven?

Why I Finished It: Because I couldn't put it down. I am still working on the 2010 Sleep Challenge proposed by Arianna Huffington and I am trying to not stay up nights reading but honestly, I did not want to put this book down and the last couple of nights I just slept with this book by my head because I just didn't want to stop reading. It's full of adventure and incredible worlds, war, music, magic, love, suspense, fear, and practically all emotions that make this one of my favorite reads for this year so far.

Who Would I Recommend This To: Everyone!!! I would read this aloud to young kids, who I know who are not easily frightened. I would share it with my middle schoolers (oh wait! It's part of the school collection). I would pass it on to adults who like fairytales and folklore and also just love a good read.

Book Bistro Baking Adventures

I started following the Food Librarian's blog and on Tuesday, Jan 19th, she made these Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars. I had to follow a couple of links but found the recipe on Confectiona's Realm and also learned about a baking group called Tuesdays with Dorie.

Since it is our once a month Book Bistro club meeting, I decided to give the Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bar a try. And I have to say, it was a win! How fun and easy to make. I couldn't stop eating the stray crumbs (maybe chunks) that broke off as I started to cut it into pieces. I did have to modify it because we have a lot of kids with nut allergies but I kind of liked it (and I can't believe I'm saying this) without the nuts. No one wants their students going into anaphylactic shock!!

I also changed how we run our book club. Last month's meeting was the first time we used our new approach which I read about somewhere and cannot seem to find. Our students have a really intense workload so they pretty much read for pleasure whatever it is they want. We tried the assign a book and meet and talk about it technique but that did not work very well. We only had about 5 kids coming to the meetings. Last month, I talked with Max about running it as a sharing book club where kids can just talk about the books they have read and why they would recommend it to their classmates. We have a lot more kids and a lot more sharing. I think, the way our school is this is the best way to go because the kids don't feel like they are being assigned something specific and they can choose what they want to talk about. If another student has read it already, they discuss that book more and then kids talk about other similar books. I thought, it was a much livelier discussion.

Here is the recipe for the bars above. I did not add peanuts or raisins and it is still delicious. Very fudgy! Almost like the fudgies at UCSC's Stevenson College. YUM!!! Also, when did they move the condensed milk to next to the coffee in the supermarket?!? I spent 30 minutes walking around and around trying to figure out where the hell they put it. It used to be in the baking aisle now it's in the coffee aisle!! That doesn't even make any sense.

The bars can be served at room temperature or out of the fridge or out of the freezer. I ate a piece right out of the oven..I COULDN'T WAIT! Warm it's so yummy too. I would totally warm it up and throw a scoop of ice cream on top. Also, it says that if you wrap it up tightly it stays at room temperature for about 4 days, refrigerated it's good for a week and from the freezer..well, I guess, it's good for as long as it takes you to eat it!

Chocolate Oatmeal Almost-Candy Bars, from Baking: From My Home to Yours
For the oatmeal layer:

2½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups (packed) brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups old-fashioned (rolled) oats

1 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

For the chocolate layer:
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup moist, plump raisins (dark or golden)

¾ cup coarsely chopped peanuts, preferably salted

Getting ready: Center a rack in the oven, and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, and place the pan on a baking sheet.

To make the oatmeal layer:
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until it is soft and creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat for 2 minutes, then add the eggs, one at a time, beating for a minute after each egg goes in. Beat in the vanilla. The mixture should be light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing just until they disappear. Still on low speed, or working by hand with a rubber spatula, stir in the oats and chopped peanuts.

Set aside 1½ to 2 cups of the mixture, then turn the remaining dough into the buttered pan. Gently and evenly press the dough over the bottom of the pan. Set aside while you prepare the next layer.

To make the chocolate layer:

Set a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Put the condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter, and salt in the bowl and stir occasionally until the milk is warm and the chocolate and butter are melted. Remove the bowl from the pan of water and stir in the vanilla, raisins (if using), and peanuts.

Pour the warm chocolate over the oatmeal crust, then scatter the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top. Don’t try to spread the oatmeal, and don’t worry about getting the topping even. I just dropped pieces willy-nilly over the chocolate layer.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the chocolate layer is dull and starting to come away from the sides of the pan. Transfer the baking pan to a rack and cool for about 2 hours.

Run a blunt knife between the edges of the cake and the pan, and carefully turn the cake out onto a rack. Turn right side up, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting.
Cut into 32 rectangles, each roughly 2¼ by 1½ inches. Makes 32 bars.

Martin Scorsese? Who's that?

Yes! That's right! One of my students has no idea who Martin Scorsese is...It's funny what one thinks is just common knowledge. But, like misterjt was joking "but I bet they know who Martin Lawrence is! Damn Gina! "

I should really get over my shock but maybe it's because it made me realize I'm old!!! LOL!

We were actually talking about Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane which he had just finished reading. Psychological thriller that made him scream out loud! He was really amazed that book could make him scream out loud. I am not sure if I will read this book but the movie trailer looks pretty good and it's Scorsese and DiCaprio.

After we talked about the book and movie, I proceeded to talk to him about Martin Scorsese. I know, I shouldn't push it on him but he needs to know!!! Is this bad? I don't know?!?

He also brought up how he loved The Lovely Bones movie and really liked those "landscapes within landscapes art thing." I jumped on the chance to talk about surrealism and Magritte (thank you UCSC Art History degree!!!).

It totally made my day talking about these things, I hope, it at least peaked his curiousity.

Book Drops: "Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger (rated 5 stars)

Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel

by Audrey Niffenegger

I never read “The Time Traveler’s Wife” so I cannot really compare this book to that one which is probably a good thing. I will say that this is a really wonderful read.
So, the following I am taking from Unshelved:

What Caught My Eye: I loved the book cover. Iridescent blue sky and look up past silhouettes of bare branches I had to pick it up. Also, I read a review of it in, People Magazine, of all places, and I had to order it. Plus all the hype about “The Time Traveler’s Wife” movie sparked even more curiousity about Niffenegger’s new book.

Why I Finished It: I really was invested in the lives of the characters – the 2 sets of twins in a family, the secrets, the tug of twins and/or siblings, London and Highgate Cemetery, ghosts, unfinished lives, OCD – all blended together to make a wonderfully beautiful piece of fiction.

Who Would I Recommend this To: those who like Audrey Niffenegger’s last book, people who love ghost stories and cemeteries, people fascinated with London, siblings, middle schoolers, high schoolers, adults.

See more about Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel

Graphic Novel Friday (EARLY!) Libraries Keep MLK's Crucial Comic Book

This has been going around on Twitter and I know it's not Friday but this is nice read. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day everyone!

clipped from blog.seattlepi.com Libraries Keep MLK's Crucial Comic Book The Comic Book That Changed A Nation. "The comic book [is] the marijuana of the nursery, the bane of the bassinet, the horror of the home, the curse of the kids and a threat to the future." John Mason Brown. (American literary critic, 1900-1969)

Nonfiction Mondays: "Who Was First?" By Russell Freedman

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!! I hope, people are out braving this weather in L.A. Here are the events happening in L.A. and around L.A. If you can't head to the Kingdom Day Parade, you can watch it on Channel 7.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program...Nonfiction Mondays!!!

Shelf-employed reviewed Russell Freedman's Who Was First? Discovering the Americas (audio version) last week on the Round-Up at Whispers at Dawn and I picked this up as well. I thought I would have time to read another one but grades are due in a week!

This is a great look at who discovered the Americas and is also perfect for middle schools. Freedman starts by mentioning old legends and tales about the Americas before Columbus, the one we all know about. He then writes about Christopher Columbus and works backward exploring China's history with exploration and their famous seafarer Sin-Bao (Admiral Zheng He). He delves into the Vikings discovery of parts of Canada with a chapter devoted to Leif the Lucky. Then moves to those who were already in the Americas. This book is filled with amazing map reproductions, like the Waldseemuller map of 1507, images from archeological digs, and archival images. He also mentions important historians and archeologists, like Anne Stine and Helge Ingstad, who discovered the Viking settlement in L'Anse aux Meadows in Canada and Gavin Menzies, who studies Chinese explorers and was also viewed as a somewhat questionable source at times. This is such a fascinating book and is filled with so much information! It made me want to visit all these different sites he mentions to see gigantic statues in Guatemala or the L'Anse aux Meadows. Freedman also writes a little bit on the new technological tools being used to determine the age of pieces discovered. I highly recommend this book - it's got everything - history, drama, adventure, new technology - if you don't have this in your library, you should certainly order it.

Graphic Novel Friday : "The Runaways-dead end kids"

This is so late but today was very busy at work. We have grades due, comments to right, helping students finish projects and prep for finals, plus, I had to substitute and did not have that much time to sit in front of my computer.

I ordered a number of graphic novels for the library that have been on a number of YALSA, Booklist, and Publisher Weekly lists and this was one of them. Plus, I heard from my friend, RAPatton, that this was a good series. So, this Friday's graphic novel pick is The Runaways: Dead End Kids by Joss Whedon, Michael Ryan and Christina Strain. Published by Marvel. ISBN: 978-0-7851-2853-3.

In this comic, the kids have made a deal with one of the most evil villains in New York City, a deal that they will regret. In order to escape, the end up jumping back in time, to a time where unions were beginning to form, where kids still worked in factories and married, and where there were other "Wonders." The runaways have also traveled to a time where different factions of those wonders are close to war. Though these other groups are trying to manipulate them for each groups purpose, the runaways stay true to the family. The story moves quickly and is filled with really amazing images that you would expect from Marvel. The different styles that separate each chapter compliment each other well though they are strikingly different. The pages devoted to each chapter are softer and less stylized than the main sections of each chapter which adds to the transitions in the story.

I was not disappointed by this series. All the recommendations were worth it. I would say that this is not for children but appropriate for middle and high school. I am happy that it is now part of our collection. Even if we don't own every part of this series, at least students who like graphic novels will be able to read it and have an introduction to this series.

Book Drops: Nonfiction Monday - "The Story Behind Toilets"

Happy Nonfiction Monday!! There are lots of great books to read about on Sally Apokedak's Whispers of Dawn blog to check out what people have read for today's Nonfiction Monday.

This week I grabbed the newly acquired "The Story Behind Toilets" by Elizabeth Raum. It is part of the True Stories series from Heinemann-Raintree. The 12 book series is geared towards 3-5 grade and covers things like oil, salt, chocolate, diamonds and more. The 32 page book is filled with color photos, a timeline, a glossary, great little sidebars and even a section called "Find Out More" that contains books, websites, and even places to visit in a child's town. Raum has filled this book with a lot of fun facts as well, like the reason people refer to the toilet as a "crapper" is because, in 1884, Thomas Crapper, an English plumber, improved the toilet and during World War I, U.S. soldiers stationed in England started calling them "crappers." There are lots of diagrams and illustrations showing how toilets have evolved over time as well. Who knew that learning about toilets could be so entertaining. Definitely a great one to add to the collection.

Finding Education blog

David Lee King mentioned this blog on his blog. I can't subscribe to it on Bloglines because for some reason it can't find it. I'm checking out the interviews he mentioned.

clipped from blog.findingeducation.com About | Help | Sign Up | On This Day Challenge findingEducation’s Digital Teachers’ LoungeTips and insights from the findingEducation team. Educators That Rock!: Sarah Houghton-Jan

What Am I Gonna Do With ALL these Christmas Cards?!?!

At our school, we collect Christmas cards and send them out to be recycled. I'm not sure if we send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children but I thought I would pass this along. It's for a great cause and what an easy way to help out the community.

Instead of throwing out those cards, send them to be recycled!!! Excellent!

clipped from stjudesranch.org The children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive "green" holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of "going green". We are accepting used, all-occasion cards from: November 15, 2009 - February 28, 2010 You can mail your donations to: St. Jude's Ranch for Children Recycled Card Program 100 St. Jude's Street - Boulder City, NV 89005 (7572)

Graphic Novel Friday: "Aya" by Marguerite Abouet & Clement Oubrerie

For this friday's graphic novel selection, I picked up Aya by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie. Aya was on a lot of "best of" lists, including lists from the School Library Journal, Booklist and The Washington Post.

Remembering her childhood in Abijian, located on the Ivory Coast, Marguerite Abouet presents a side of Africa that we rarely if ever get a glimpse of. Normally, we see images of starving children or people in hospitals or war and violence but we do not really see the joy and life that is there as well. Being placed on all those "best of" lists and being nominated for so many awards is well deserved, Aya is a wonderful graphic novel. The illustrations by Clement Oubrerie really bring Aya's story alive. Aya is a 19 year old who wants to do better and not get stuck in the the "C-series" (in high school, students are placed in tracks and Abouet plays off that with her reference to the C-series "combs, clothes and chasing men."). Her friends are off having fun, dancing, having sex, and being young adults, while Aya is trying to study and become a doctor. Abouet portrays how life just is - some people drink, some people get married, some people get pregnant, some people are rich, some not so rich - there is no glamourizing her childhood. Aya is just real life. It is a wonderfully engaging graphic novel that does cover some sensitive issues but not in any uncomfortable way.

It is great for a middle school, high school and also for adults. But depending on where you live, you might have a community that is a little more conservative so you should take a look at it. I did not think there was anything objectionable in it at all but after reading some listservs one never knows.

Another great plus with Aya are additions in the back! There is a great glossary "for better understanding the story". Recipes!!! (and you know I love food). Also there are instructions/illustrations for how to use a pagne and a tassaba (a long or short fabrics used for a wrap). I will have to try out the recipes - Ginger Juice and Peanut Sauce - soon and I'll let you know how that goes! Happy Friday!

Also, to read more about Marguerite Abouet, visit the Bookslut, who interviewed Abouet in 2007.

Missed Connections: A film about this blog!#links

Missed Connections: A film about this blog!#links

Angie over at Poketo posted this and I am sharing it all over the place! Love it and a movie now too. :)

I'm here..but I'm not...

I have to close the library today so I came in early for my morning workout. Now I'm hiding in the conference room. It's kind of nice have 2 hours to just take my time and mozy into my day.

This new year has started off with my taking on another LT7 class so now I have 2 classes to teach instead of just one. I am not sure how many school librarians teach a year long class anymore but we do it here at the private school I work at. I think, more school should have their librarians really teach a class. Our course is a year long but even if kids get a class for a semester to help them learn research and technology skills they will be better for it. We teach those life long practical learning skills that most administrators and teachers think kids already have but they done. Or these are the skills that departments are supposed to teach but don't have time to teach because of all the requirements and standards and other things they need to teach kids.

I love this class. I love teaching it. I love that I have to revisit things and that I am always learning. I learn from my own research, I learn from the kids, I learn from my colleagues. It's amazing.

I did meet my new students for the first time 2 days ago and they are really great. I normally teach 6th period (after lunch) and 8th period (near the end of the school day) so the kids are either rowdy from lunch or getting rowdy because its the end of the school day. I don't mind, I have to just accept that I am kind of the same way. But, hopefully, I give these new students the skills they will need to be successful during their time at our school. I really wish that all school had an appreciation and devotion to their libraries. Most don't even have them...

Book Drops: Nonfiction Monday

My first Nonfiction Monday post of the year. To check out more selections, visit the Picture Book of the Day blog. I joined this group at the end of the year and now I'm hooked. I have actually found really great stuff for the middle school and the public library that I work at. Also, I'm finding more blogs to read and more interesting folks (librarians and others) to interact with. Pretty neat how this circle keeps on growing.

Today, I am featuring 2 books:

1. Liana Romulo's My First Book of Tagalog Words published in 2006 by Tuttle Publishing. I found this while helping one of my patron's who was looking for the Pokemon Handbook. It is illusrated by Jaime Laurel. My First Book of Tagalog Words is cute and fun introduction to Tagalog. The words Romulo features are some that are regularly spoken in most Filipino households. The illustrations are bright and colorful and convey the short verses that Romulo used to describe each word. There were a couple of letters, like X and Z, that do nore really have Tagalog words so she was kind of stretching it there but I think, little kids would love still love this book.
2. Ken Robbins' Food For Thought: the stories behind the things we eat published 2009 from Roaring Brook Press. If you have read this blog and my other one, you know, I really like to read a lot about food. So, in keeping with my little obsession, I decided to read this selection for Nonfiction Mondays as well. Robbins' explores the history, myths, jokes and other facts that are associated with some of our favorite foods - apples, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, bananas, mushrooms, corn, and pomegranates. It is almost like a kid's version of Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire. Robbins' presents the facts and stories in a lighthearted and fun approach, so as not to turn children away from wanted to learn more about where their food comes from. For example, he writes about the game "hot potatoe" and then talks about the potatoe famine and next tempers it with the different names the potatoe is known by. Robbins does try to include a lot of information and at times it jumps from one face to the next fact but overall, it is a great read about those different I listed earlier. Hopefully, it will make children more interested in the food they are eating.