I'm amazed at how many sites there are that are similar to Shelfari. On Facebook, there is the Visual Bookshelf, plus many others, that will post information about what you're reading and what you like on your wall so others can see it. This would be great for a library with a Facebook page to use. Great for book reviews!
I've also been looking at LibraryThing. I first found this when I was looking at the Adelson Library website. Mrs. Douglas attaches her LibraryThing account to her website so students can see and search the books that she's read. I think this is an interesting idea. Perhaps I'll use Shelfari for all of my reading, while I use LibraryThing specifically as a tool for our media center. We'll give it a try!
Happy reading!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
So I finished the book Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass last night. I really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would!
Here is a little summary...
What is the meaning of life? Jeremy Fink had never really thought about it. He spent his days collecting candy, contemplating how to time travel, and hanging out with his feisty best friend, Lizzy. However, one day he receives a gift from his father. It is an intricate wooden box with four key holes, each requiring a different key. Engraved on the top are the words, THE MEANING OF LIFE FOR JEREMY FINK TO OPEN ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY. But there area a couple of problems. First, the four keys have been lost. Second, Jeremy’s father died when he was 8 years old. Third, Jeremy’s 13th birthday is only a week away. Jeremy and Lizzy set off on a mission to find a way to open the box, ending up in some interesting situations that involve breaking the law, riding in a limo, and meeting some interesting strangers…but will they ever find the keys? This is a great one with an unexpected ending and some really fun characters.
I love the character of Lizzy...she's a fun one!
Happy reading!
Here is a little summary...
What is the meaning of life? Jeremy Fink had never really thought about it. He spent his days collecting candy, contemplating how to time travel, and hanging out with his feisty best friend, Lizzy. However, one day he receives a gift from his father. It is an intricate wooden box with four key holes, each requiring a different key. Engraved on the top are the words, THE MEANING OF LIFE FOR JEREMY FINK TO OPEN ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY. But there area a couple of problems. First, the four keys have been lost. Second, Jeremy’s father died when he was 8 years old. Third, Jeremy’s 13th birthday is only a week away. Jeremy and Lizzy set off on a mission to find a way to open the box, ending up in some interesting situations that involve breaking the law, riding in a limo, and meeting some interesting strangers…but will they ever find the keys? This is a great one with an unexpected ending and some really fun characters.
I love the character of Lizzy...she's a fun one!
Happy reading!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Booktalk Podcasts -- Nancy Keane!
So, Nancy Keane is one of my heroes. There has been many a time that I have been scrounging for a booktalk and found one on her site. You can just go for the straight-up book talk, searching by title, author, or subject. There are usually several to choose from.
Nancy Keane's Booktalks Quick and Simple
Her Booktalker's blog has booktalks that she posts every couple of days. I like this idea for a blog.
Then she also has her booktalks as podcasts. This is great for the media center. I could use these to mix it up during my booktalks. It would also be a great link on our website. Here is the list through an RSS feed.
Podcasts
She also has a link to some audio excerpts that could give students a real taste for what the book is like. They're from AudioBook and there are quite a few on the list.
AudioBook Excerpts
There is also a place to post student-written booktalks. This may be a great place to get some student work published. I love it!
Happy reading!
Nancy Keane's Booktalks Quick and Simple
Her Booktalker's blog has booktalks that she posts every couple of days. I like this idea for a blog.
Then she also has her booktalks as podcasts. This is great for the media center. I could use these to mix it up during my booktalks. It would also be a great link on our website. Here is the list through an RSS feed.
Podcasts
She also has a link to some audio excerpts that could give students a real taste for what the book is like. They're from AudioBook and there are quite a few on the list.
AudioBook Excerpts
There is also a place to post student-written booktalks. This may be a great place to get some student work published. I love it!
Happy reading!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
ALA's...I mean...Oprah's Book List for Kids and YA
I was searching online for some Virtual Book Clubs, just out of curiosity, and I found that Oprah has created a list of books for children. It's broken down into ages...Infant-2, 3-5, 6-9, 10-12, and 12 and up. I looked at the 10-12 and the 12 and up. There were quite a few books that I hadn't heard of before. Margaret Peterson Haddix's new book, Found, was listed in the 12 and up list so that made me happy. I was wondering who actually picks these books when I saw at the bottom of the page "Special thanks to American Library Association for their suggestions. Interesting.
Well, I'll have to look into some of these. Add them to my ever-lasting book list!
Happy reading!
Oprah's Kids Reading List
Well, I'll have to look into some of these. Add them to my ever-lasting book list!
Happy reading!
Oprah's Kids Reading List
Monday, June 15, 2009
Hunger Games....a slight obsession!
I think I'd have to qualify Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins as one of my favorite books. I've always like the weird stuff, a little futuristic sci-fi, but this one is one of those stories that will appeal to anyone who likes action, suspense, and a little romance. The idea is that there is no more US, after famine, wars, etc....there are now twelve districts instead. Every year, the government holds the Hunger Games. Two teenage representatives are sent from each district to participate in a fight to the death. The person who is left can go back to their district with extra food and supplies while the rest of the districts have to suffer without. Katniss is the main character, a survivor in every sense of the word. She is sent to the Hunger Games and has to try to survive.
Anxious for the next one, I went to Suzanne Collin's website and found NO infomation about the sequel. Nothing. Sigh.
However, I just discovered on Amazon that the sequel, Catching Fire, is coming out on September 1! I will be pre-ordering that!
Happy reading!
Anxious for the next one, I went to Suzanne Collin's website and found NO infomation about the sequel. Nothing. Sigh.
However, I just discovered on Amazon that the sequel, Catching Fire, is coming out on September 1! I will be pre-ordering that!
Happy reading!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Yay for Summer....Time to Read! -- Adelson Library Wiki
We've made it to summer! Thank goodness! My plans include reading, reading, reading...and maybe some more reading. Oh blessed summer days!
While I was looking around the other day for Twilight suggestions, I found this FABULOUS website. It's the Adelson Library Wiki, created by Mrs. Douglas. Whoever you are, Mrs. Douglas, I salute you!
You type in a book or author that you love in the search bar, and it will bring up a list of suggestions for other books you would enjoy. The pages are organized by authors, but if you search for a book title, it will still work. She includes a little bio of the author, a list of authors that are similar, and a list of books that are similar. It's really a great resource. She has a lot of stuff on there that I never thought about.
Her main website is entitled "What should I read next?" and has lists of good books. I particularly like the featured author page. That's a great idea! This is the kind of website I hope to create someday for our media center.
Happy reading!
While I was looking around the other day for Twilight suggestions, I found this FABULOUS website. It's the Adelson Library Wiki, created by Mrs. Douglas. Whoever you are, Mrs. Douglas, I salute you!
You type in a book or author that you love in the search bar, and it will bring up a list of suggestions for other books you would enjoy. The pages are organized by authors, but if you search for a book title, it will still work. She includes a little bio of the author, a list of authors that are similar, and a list of books that are similar. It's really a great resource. She has a lot of stuff on there that I never thought about.
Her main website is entitled "What should I read next?" and has lists of good books. I particularly like the featured author page. That's a great idea! This is the kind of website I hope to create someday for our media center.
Happy reading!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
As I was doing an inventory the other day, I couldn't help but think about certain students when coming across books that I forgot we had. "Oh yeah, that one would have great for (fill in the blank)." You know, that kind of thing. The one series that has really got me baffled is Twilight. I have the hardest time suggesting books to people that love Twilight. Maybe it's because it's one of those books that has a lot of elements going on so it's hard to tell what it is that people love about it. Is it the love story? Or is it the action? The vampires? It's hard to tell. I'm not really big on love stories so that makes it hard.
So I started doing a little research. Here are some of the discussions online that I found. It's encouraging...I was on the right track with the Uglies series. However, I haven't tried all of the new vampire series. Are they good for middle school or more high school? It's always hard to tell.
Barnes and Noble Discussion Board
Yahoo Answers
Library Thing
Novel Novice Blog
Shelfari Discussion
Another place I looked was Stephenie Meyer's site. That where I first heard about The Hunger Games which I absolutely love! It definitely has the action and romance of Twilight. She uses her website much like a blog and discusses books that she enjoys sometimes like The Percy Jackson series and the Mortal Instruments series.
Stephenie Meyer's Site
Happy reading!
So I started doing a little research. Here are some of the discussions online that I found. It's encouraging...I was on the right track with the Uglies series. However, I haven't tried all of the new vampire series. Are they good for middle school or more high school? It's always hard to tell.
Barnes and Noble Discussion Board
Yahoo Answers
Library Thing
Novel Novice Blog
Shelfari Discussion
Another place I looked was Stephenie Meyer's site. That where I first heard about The Hunger Games which I absolutely love! It definitely has the action and romance of Twilight. She uses her website much like a blog and discusses books that she enjoys sometimes like The Percy Jackson series and the Mortal Instruments series.
Stephenie Meyer's Site
Happy reading!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Battle of the Books List
Over the last two weeks, I have spent hours and hours giving EOG tests. Sigh. My everlasting to-do list just keeps on growing. The only positive part is that I've gotten a chance to read some.
Today, I started The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have really enjoyed it so far. I have always been intrigued by cemeteries so the idea of living in one is very interesting to me. Bod, short for Nobody Owens, grows up in a graveyard amongst the "residents" there. It's really one for fantasy fans, not really the horror crowd. I love the beginning and the way the words just grab you!
I picked up The Graveyard Book because it is one of the selections for Battle of the Books next year. You can find the rest of the list on the NCSLMA website. I'm pretty impressed by the list this time. I've read...
Today, I started The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have really enjoyed it so far. I have always been intrigued by cemeteries so the idea of living in one is very interesting to me. Bod, short for Nobody Owens, grows up in a graveyard amongst the "residents" there. It's really one for fantasy fans, not really the horror crowd. I love the beginning and the way the words just grab you!
I picked up The Graveyard Book because it is one of the selections for Battle of the Books next year. You can find the rest of the list on the NCSLMA website. I'm pretty impressed by the list this time. I've read...
- Chicken Boy
- Bronx Masquerade
- Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
- Esperanza Rising
- Freak the Mighty
- Peak
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Shelfari!
Okay, so I joined Shelfari today, and I love it! How fun! As you can see, I have my self posted to the left. It is displaying books that I have read.
When you start an account, you search for books categorizing them as "Books I've read," "Books I want to read," or "Book I am currently reading." Then you can add a rating (5 stars is the best), and create your shelf.
It's a great networking tool as well, though. If you go up to Explore, you can find groups with similar book interests, join discussions about books, and find books by tags, authors, or subjects. I like exploring the most popular so I can see books I may not ordinarily find.
I like the feature where you can ask for a book suggestion so people can recommend books to you according to what is on your shelf.
This can be very helpful for me! I always forget my (everlasting) list of books I want to read. This will help me keep up!
Happy reading!
When you start an account, you search for books categorizing them as "Books I've read," "Books I want to read," or "Book I am currently reading." Then you can add a rating (5 stars is the best), and create your shelf.
It's a great networking tool as well, though. If you go up to Explore, you can find groups with similar book interests, join discussions about books, and find books by tags, authors, or subjects. I like exploring the most popular so I can see books I may not ordinarily find.
I like the feature where you can ask for a book suggestion so people can recommend books to you according to what is on your shelf.
This can be very helpful for me! I always forget my (everlasting) list of books I want to read. This will help me keep up!
Happy reading!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Digital Booktalks
I'm a visual person so I love movies! Being able to see something really gets me interested in it. That's why I love Digital Booktalks. I've also heard them called book trailers since they are so similar to a movie trailer.
This particular site was created by the University of Central Florida. Their mission is "Creating a community of avid readers, one video at a time." These are booktalks that were created by students at the university. Just click on Browse Books to see a list of all they have to offer.
I've used the one for House of the Scorpion and Esperanza Rising with some classes. The one for Deep and Dark and Dangerous is really good, too!
I'd love to have some of our students create some book trailers....now all I have to do is scrounge up some flip video cameras and some creative minds!
This particular site was created by the University of Central Florida. Their mission is "Creating a community of avid readers, one video at a time." These are booktalks that were created by students at the university. Just click on Browse Books to see a list of all they have to offer.
I've used the one for House of the Scorpion and Esperanza Rising with some classes. The one for Deep and Dark and Dangerous is really good, too!
I'd love to have some of our students create some book trailers....now all I have to do is scrounge up some flip video cameras and some creative minds!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
If you like... then try...
The first question that I ask when people request a book suggestion is, "What have you read before that you really like?" One of my favorite online resources, Scholastic Book Wizard, does the same thing. Using the Book Alike feature, you can put in a book that you've enjoyed and it will suggest books that are similar, according to the tags. It will give you a picture of the covers, and a brief description of each suggestion. I LOVE this! On the side, you can narrow your search by interest level, reading level, topic, and genre.
On the same site, there is a List Exchange. You can create your own lists (once you've registered) and see what other people have created. This is a great way to get a list of books about a certain subject. My favorite part, though is the lists by Authors, Experts and Celebrities. There are lists by Rick Riordan (I'll definitely be steering my Percy Jackson fans that way), Karen Hesse, Rodman Philbrick, Nancy Keane (booktalk extraordinaire), and Sonja Cole (host of Bookwink).
Here are links to some of my favorites....
On the same site, there is a List Exchange. You can create your own lists (once you've registered) and see what other people have created. This is a great way to get a list of books about a certain subject. My favorite part, though is the lists by Authors, Experts and Celebrities. There are lists by Rick Riordan (I'll definitely be steering my Percy Jackson fans that way), Karen Hesse, Rodman Philbrick, Nancy Keane (booktalk extraordinaire), and Sonja Cole (host of Bookwink).
Here are links to some of my favorites....
- Everyday Life -- (5th-12th grade) -- Great for realistic fiction!
- Great Middle School Novels -- Christopher Paul Curtis
- Fiction Based on Greek Mythology -- Great for Percy Jackson fans
- Rick Riordan's Suggestions
- Scary Stories
- Books that Make you Want to be a Writer
- My Favorite Books with Heart and Humor -- Cynthia Lord
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