Facebook!

The CHS Library now has a Facebook page, which is an even better place to keep up with what's going on.  I will be putting links to blog posts, fun pictures, news, and events at the library.  Come on, you know you already check Facebook 1,573 times a day anyway, there's no reason not to "like" your library!

Click here and spread the word:

Cape Central High School Library

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Final United We Read Activity

For the final activity of United We Read 2013 at CHS, a class of 4th grade students from Alma Schrader Elementary visited the CHS Library to have a book discussion with high school students.  The 4th graders had been reading A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin to go along with the book A Dog's Purpose for older readers.  The class arrived at the high school in the morning and took a tour of the halls, a science lab classroom, our new performance hall, and the library (of course!).  After that, 2 classes of high school students came in and were paired up with an elementary student to have a discussion.  For each question, the students were given a certain amount of time to take turns answering and discussing their opinions, experiences, etc.  This was a great thing for the younger students because each of them were able to share their story and connections to the text.  Unfortunately, in your regular every-day classroom, this can't happen  because of all of the things that have to fit into a day.  The 4th graders really enjoyed getting to talk with a "cool" high schooler. 

The 4th grade class also brought in a LOT of donations for our local animal shelters, The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and Safe Harbor.  We combined those with the donations that the CHS staff members had already made and were able to come up with quite a nice pile! 

Donations collected by CHS staff and 4th graders

United We Read (Community Read) Book Announcement!

 

The book I have chosen for this year's United We Read program is...

A Dog's Purpose: a Novel by W. Bruce Cameron

 



Book Summary (from goodreads.com):  This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

 

 

W. Bruce Cameron started his writing career as a humor columnist for the Denver Rocky Mountain News.  He is a Benchley award winner for humor and was the 2011 NSNC Newspaper Columnist of the Year.  He has written for TV (the show “8 Simple Rules” was based on his book) and co-wrote the feature film “40 Happens”,  which is to be released in 2014.  This novel, A Dog’s Purpose, spent 48 weeks on the NY Times Bestseller list.  DreamWorks is developing it as a film and he and his writing partner, Cathryn Michon, wrote the screenplay.  The sequel, A Dog’s Journey, was published May 6, 2012, and was instantly a NY Times Bestseller.  His new novel, The Dogs of Christmas, will be published in the Fall of 2013. 

 

Here is the corresponding website:

 

http://www.adogspurpose.com/

I feel that this is a book that will appeal to readers of all ages, and even to those who don't always enjoy reading.  Who doesn't love dogs?! After reading the book for myself, I recommended it to everyone.  The choice was announced to the staff at CHS right before Christmas break and several have given me positive feedback already.  My family members each received a copy for Christmas and are in the process of reading the book now.  I am ordering several more copies for the library, and we have 6 Nooks with the title available for reading.  Please see me if you are interested in reading this wonderful book!  Keep an eye out for updates relating to the Community Read/United We Read program at CHS Library.  We will be doing events/activities during the month of February relating to the story.

This is the website created for our event:

http://www.cape.k12.mo.us/chs/library/2013_united_we_read.htm

Exciting Weekend Ahead!

 

 

I am leaving for the Young Adult Literature Symposium Friday after school and I am extremely excited! I will get to meet some fabulous authors, like Ellen Hopkins, Jennifer Brown, and David Levithan; and sit in on workshops that they are leading.  The programs are about ideas and issues in Teen Libraries and there are lots of other fun things going on as well.  I can't wait to come back on Monday as a more educated librarian with new ideas for my students!

ZombieFest - Day 3 - Zombie Jeopardy

Today was Zombie Trivia Day so we played a couple rounds of Zombie Jeopardy.  The teams that won received a coupon for a free hot chocolate/cappucino or popcorn in the library.  We will be giving away bigger prizes at the parties during Friday's lunches!

Here's a screenshot of the game:

ZombieFest 2012 - Day 2

Students were able to zombify cookies and marshmallows today, along with getting their picture taken with a zombie background.  We had a lot of fun! Here are the photos from the event:



ZombieFest Day 1- Zombie Felties

Today was the first day of Teen Read Week, which means it is officially ZombieFest week in CHS Library.  During lunch today, students were able to start working on a craft taken from the book Zombie Felties: How to Raise 16 Gruesome Felt Creatures from the Undead by Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate.  We only tried making the easiest ones from the book (Zombie Puppy, Zombie Kitty, and Dead Ducky) as we know the others would be too much of a challenge for all of us novices in sewing.  The students are only just getting started and will be working on their felties until the end of the week.  Watch for some pictures of finished products; but, for now, here are the ones created as examples by the CHS Library ladies:

 





ZombieFest 2012!

Banned Books Week!

Well, it is officially Banned Books Week!  Although we've had our display up for a few weeks now, I want everyone to be reminded what it is all about.  This week is a celebration of our freedom to read what we choose and not be criticized or judged.  Here are the top ten banned/challenged books of 2011 (the most recent list):

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
   Reasons: offensive language; religious viewpoint; mature content; unsuited to age group
2. The Color of Earth (series), by Kim Dong Hwa
   Reasons: nudity; sex education; mature content; unsuited to age group
3. The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
   Reasons: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence
4. My Mom's Having A Baby! A Kid's Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy, by Dori Hillestad Butler
   Reasons: nudity; sex education; mature content; unsuited to age group
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
   Reasons: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; mature content; unsuited to age group
6. Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
   Reasons: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint
7. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
   Reasons: insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; mature content
8. What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones
   Reasons: nudity; offensive language; mature content
9. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar
   Reasons: drugs; offensive language; mature content
10. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
    Reasons: offensive language; racism

Want to find out more about Banned Books Week?  Here are some links:

American Library Association
Google Books- Explore Banned Books
Banned Books Week YouTube Channel

Zombies!

To celebrate Teen Read Week (October 14-20), we are having a different Zombie event in the library every day during lunches!  Plans are in progress, but many materials have been ordered.  Here are some of the things you might see:

• Zombie Photo Shoot
• Zombie Target Practice
• Zombie Games
• Zombie Crafts
• Zombie Cookie Decorating
• Zombie-themed food
• Zombie books and survival guides
• Zombie prizes