the LibBlog

Awards

2012-01-29T20:45:00.002-06:00

This month students were fired up about which titles they thought should win the big book awards that are announced every January by the American Library Association. Many classes participated in mock voting for both the Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Award.

This is what students predicted for the Caldecott:
Caldecott Medal: Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Caldecott Honors: Ice by Arthur Geisert and Blackout by John Rocco

This is what the Caldecott committee decided:
Caldecott Medal: A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Caldecott Honors: Blackout by John Rocco and Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

This is what students predicted for the Coretta Scott King Awards:
Author Award-Never Forgotten by Patricia McKissack

Author Honors-Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson and Underground by Shane Evans

Illustrator Award-Blackout by John Rocco

Illustrator Honors-Roots and Blues by Arnold Adoff and R. Gregory Christie and Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson

This is what the committee decided:
Author Award-Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson

Author Honors-The Great Migration by Eloise Greenfield and Never Forgotten by Patricia McKissack

Illustrator Award- Underground by Shane Evans

Illustrator Honor- Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson

My Term 2 library helpers helped to spread the news!

Not bad! Students evaluated the books carefully and they were very excited to hear the winners. A list of all of the Youth Media Award recipients (including the ever-popular Newbery) can be found here. Librarian extraordinaire Mr. Schu also created this handy blog post with book trailers and extension activities for several winners that you might want to explore at home.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-11T21:13:00.000-06:00

Today was our first Wednesday back from winter break, and 4th & 5th graders spent it creating readers' theater podcasts during library enrichment. Click here to listen to their adaptations of the two books below!

It's that time of year again...

2011-12-09T12:38:00.000-06:00

Are you looking for a great winter holiday gift? A book is always a good choice! Here is my annual list of favorite new books for winter gift giving.

Lichtenheld Author Visit

2011-11-18T08:33:00.000-06:00

On November 10, author/illustrator Tom Lichtenheld visited us! During presentations to grades K-2 and 3-5, he shared some of the writing and editing process and talked about how his career as an artist and author began. Staff members enjoyed lunch with the author, and at the end of the day Lichtenheld signed dozens of books in the library.

The annual Orrington author visit benefits the entire school, but it is also part of 2nd grade curriculum enrichment. Second graders participated in extension activities relating to Lichtenheld’s books and had some time to work and speak with the artist directly. Students learned about condensation and conducted a science experiment to make a mini Cloudette, they created & described monsters like those in Everything I Know About Monsters, and they turned THEMSELVES into pirates using illustration techniques and pirate “facts” learned from Everything I Know About Pirates.

This annual event is sponsored by the Orrington PTA. A big thank you goes out to all of the teachers & parent volunteers who helped make the day a success.

Let the Battle Begin

2011-11-13T10:32:00.000-06:00

Battle of the Books is a program offered by our school district to provide an opportunity for our students to read and report on challenging age appropriate titles. In the spring, students compete in a Jeopardy-style contest in which they answer questions about the books. It is tons of work for participants, and loads of fun!

We had our annual Battle kick-off assembly a few weeks ago, and students are already reading away.

There are two big changes this year to remember:

1. Last year we had so many participants that we almost missed lunch due to the length of our contest. The school-level competition will now be held over TWO days so that we can all stay fueled & focused.

2. In years past, students would report on their books using one style of journal sheet provided by the school. This journal sheet hasn't changed, but to provide more options, students can now select from a variety of school-approved response sheets.

All of the response forms as well as important Battle of the Books information can be found here.

Link to Lichtenheld

2011-11-08T16:56:00.000-06:00

This week we've been reading Tom Lichtenheld & Ezra Fields-Meyer's E-Mergency. I promised students that I would link to a blog post with the story behind the book and an interview with Mr. Lichtenheld.
Here it is (click here to go to the post)!

Don't forget that Tom Lichtenheld visits Orrington this Thursday!

Book Fair

2011-10-18T21:12:00.001-05:00

Our Book Fair is booming! We've had three solid days of business and we have two days left: Wednesday we'll be open from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, and Thursday morning we'll be open from 8:15 to 9 AM.

Some new additions this year include a digital recommended reading list and a special teacher wish list section back in the stacks.

The students have all had a chance to preview the fair, and they are excited about all of the new titles that our library will acquire thanks to all of the generous Book Fair purchases. A big THANK YOU to all of the parents, teachers, & students who have helped to make this year's fair happen!

Podcasts

2011-10-12T19:20:00.001-05:00

Students have spent the last few weeks of Term 1 library enrichment learning about (and creating their own) podcasts.

If you click the link above, you can hear booktalk podcasts recorded by 3rd graders and Tom Lichtenheld-inspired reader's theater podcasts by 4th and 5th graders. Enjoy!

Ollie Virtual Storytime

2011-10-11T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today Mr. Schamber's class celebrated the debut of a Jarrett J. Krosoczka book. Students watched over the Internet as Jarrett read his brand new book Ollie from his home studio in Massachusetts (You can view the book trailer HERE). After the reading, the class asked the author/illustrator questions through a chat program. He answered them and even said "Orrington School from Evanston" in his response! (Sidenote: Jarrett visited Orrington in April 2009. The second graders were very excited to see so many signed copies of JJK's books in our library.)

Jarrett also gave all of the participating schools a top secret question. If Mr. Schamber's students can find the answer within 7 days, they will win an Ollie drawing by JJK for their classroom!

Prepping for November

2011-09-26T19:28:00.002-05:00

Author/illustrator Tom Lichtenheld will be vising Orrington on November 10. We are all very excited about this, and the children have been studying Tom's books so that they will be Lichtenheld experts come November.

Last week, classes read Everything I Know About Cars. Many students souped up some basic car designs with special features inspired by the book.

This week students are studying Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld's Shark vs. Train. Upper elementary students are learning about the making of the book. Younger students created idea maps and developed their own Shark vs. Train scenarios.

Shark or Train: who do you prefer? Vote for your favorite character (and pick up some Shark vs. Train puzzle sheets) here!

Organization

2011-09-13T06:52:00.001-05:00

How do you organize a cupcake liner, a paintbrush, two colored rocks, a packet of lemonade mix, a pad of sticky notes, a glue gun stick, a straw, a bike spoke decoration, and a stamp? This was the challenge given to the upper elementary school students in their first trip to the library this year. They handled their challenge with gusto, organizing by size, function, color, and more. This activity sparked discussion of library organization, and why it is so helpful to us when we are looking for specific information. We talked about how everyone organized his/her materials differently (and many libraries use different systems of organization too). Here are some photos!

Welcome Back

2011-09-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Orrington Library is open for business! We had a great first week and are looking forward to a year full of hard work and lots of fun. Watch the slideshow below for a sneak peek at some titles that are coming soon to the library this fall:

Coming Soon Fall 2011

View more presentations from orringtonlibrary

Have a great summer!

2011-06-13T15:35:00.000-05:00

I hope you all enjoy the summer break. Don't forget to read every day, and remember the books you devour so that we can discuss them in the fall!

Summer Reading Lists - For You, By You

2011-05-23T20:12:00.000-05:00

For the first time EVER, Orrington's 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders compiled & annotated this summer's list of recommended reads for incoming 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders.

It is housed on EPL's new catalog, Bibliocommons:

Visit http://epl.org
Click Catalog from the QuickLinks box
Select List from the drop down box and search "Orrington"

You can click on each title for more information, including the summary, other user reviews, and the book's shelf location at the public library.

On Thursday, The Evanston public librarians will be visiting, explaining this year's summer reading program, and booktalking some of their favorites. It should be a great afternoon!

Edible Books

2011-05-22T18:37:00.001-05:00

I have been thinking a lot about culinary creations lately. Two of the most popular books in our library right now are Hello, Cupcake and What's New, Cupcake? by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson. These books show you how to take cupcakes to the next level.

A blog for librarians that I read recently posted this adorable photo made by a bakery called Coco Cake Cupcakes.

It is Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Additionally, an Orrington student participated in Edible Book Day this year! Edible Book Day is celebrated every year on or around April 1. Arts organizations and libraries across the globe host Edible Book Day festivals, and readers can turn a favorite book into an edible creation. Look at this Orringtonian's entry based on Edward Eager's Half Magic!

Remember: It is NOT a bus token!

Here are some other photos from the 2011 Edible Book Festival that our Orringtonian attended:

YUM!

District Battle

2011-05-19T17:55:00.003-05:00

Congrats to Orrington's district-level book battlers: The JHL Alliance. Today they competed in the District 65 Battle of the Books competition at Dawes School.

They ended up placing second in the district. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and all of the Orrington students and staff are so proud of them for their hard work and good sportsmanship.

Summer Reading Recommendations

2011-05-15T09:28:00.000-05:00

Students in the upper grades have been learning about the public library's catalog to help them prepare for all of their upcoming summer reading.

Did you know that you can get book recommendations straight from the library's new catalog?

Here's how:

1. Visit http://epl.org

2. Click Catalog

3. Search for a book that you know you like (ex: The Houdini Box)

4. Click the title (usually highlighted in blue) of the book

5. On the right side of the screen, click Get NoveList Recommendations

6. If you enjoyed The Houdini Box, then it is probable that you will enjoy the book or author recommendations that appear.

Representatives from EPL will be visiting our school on May 26 to tell us more about summer reading and what is new at the library!

Battle of the Books!

2011-05-15T09:18:00.000-05:00

Orrington's school-level Battle of the Books competition was held on May 12 in the Orrington auditorium. The competition was fierce, but we now have a team to represent us in the district competition next Thursday: The JHL Alliance!

The students also voted on their favorite Battle of the Books title from this year's list: Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. We'll have to wait and see if this is the districtwide favorite.

Congratulations to all of the kids who read from this year's Battle list. We are going to have so much fun at Dawes school on Thursday, and when we return to Orrington in the early afternoon we will have a pizza party to celebrate our year of reading.

Free Comic Book Day

2011-05-01T12:03:00.000-05:00

Free Comic Book Day is next Saturday (May 7)!

This is an annual holiday where some participating shops give away free comic books to people who visit their stores. Two local comic book shops that will have free comics available for children are Comix Revolution in Evanston (606 Davis St.) and The Comix Gallery in Wilmette (405 Linden Ave.).

This is a great chance to read and discover some new comic characters and authors!

90-Second Newbery

2011-04-29T17:16:00.009-05:00

Orrington's Term 3 Library Helpers created this video retelling of Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. This is an entry for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival that will take place at the New York Public Library in the fall. Click the link above to learn more about the film festival and how you can enter your own video retelling!

Update: Author and 90-Second Newbery organizer James Kennedy wrote about our entry on his blog!

2nd Update: Grace Lin blogged about us, too!

3rd Update: Our video was also mentioned on the Fuse #8 blog (associated with School Library Journal). Look for the post from May 9!

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (in 90 seconds) from Elisa Gall on Vimeo.

Brian Pinkney Author Visit

2011-04-15T17:47:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a great day at Orrington. Artist and author Brian Pinkney visited us!

During formal presentations in the auditorium, Pinkney shared with students and staff what it is like being an author and an artist.

He drew some pictures for us, too!

Orrington's second graders have been studying Pinkney's books all year, and after the formal presentation in the morning they rotated between 3 stations of activities relating to Pinkney's books. In Ms. Anderson's room, students responded to Cosmo and the Robot by creating their own robots out of recycled materials.

In Mr. Schamber's room, students interacted with Pinkney and made their own watercolor versions of Thumbelina.

In Ms. Reid's room, students looked at the sound effects in The Adventures of Sparrowboy and created sound effect dictionaries.

The teachers hosted a potluck luncheon in the library, and then Pinkney did a second presentation for grades 3-5 in the afternoon. Pinkney also signed a lot of books, and added a neat little doodle in each and every one. A great time was had by all, and students were showing me their own drawings all day today. I think that it is safe to say that many were inspired.

A special thank you goes out to the Orrington PTA for funding and supporting the annual author visit program. Thanks are also in order for the many parents, teachers, and students who volunteered their time & efforts to make this program a success.

Happy National Library Week!

2011-04-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that National Library Week begins today? Here are some library and book-related events to help you celebrate!

Sunday, April 10
Visit the Evanston Public Library's Main Branch and see if you can find Brian Pinkney's original art from Max Found Two Sticks.

Monday, April 11
Attend a family storytime & craft at EPL's North Branch. Details can be found here.

Tuesday, April 12
Visit the school library and check out some of the new books on display. Don't forget to check out some of the online subscriptions our school has to offer at http://e65esd.schoolrooms.net.

Wednesday, April 13
Author Lynne Jonell will be visiting The Book Stall in Winnetka. Check out one of her books from the school library, and visit The Book Stall in Winnetka to meet Jonell in person. Click here for more information.

Thursday, April 14
Brian Pinkney will be at Orrington. Welcome him with lots of gusto!

Friday, April 15
Attend an after-school Book Buddies Reading & Craft program at EPL-Main. Click here for more infromation.

Saturday, April 16
Go see the movie version of How To Train Your Dragon in the children's room at EPL's Main Branch. Details can be found here.

Battle Breakfast

2011-04-03T11:10:00.000-05:00

We had a crazy hair day at Orrington on Friday. We also had our third annual Battle of the Books breakfast! Students who have read 10 or more Battle titles were invited. Don't forget that the deadline for reading 12 or more Battle Books and making a 2011 Battle Team is Friday, April 15!

Brian Pinkney's Art at EPL

2011-03-27T19:20:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the Evanston Public Library owns a piece of original artwork by Brian Pinkney (our 2011 visiting author/artist)? If you visit the Art Garden in EPL's Main Branch, you will see a piece of work titled "A strong breeze shook the tree..." from the book Max Found Two Sticks. According to the EPL website, the painting is oil on board, 16" by 10." The purchase was made in 2007 by the Edward Johnson Endowment Fund.

Brian Pinkney is visiting Orrington on April 14. There will be two formal presentations in the auditorium (one for K-2, and another for grades 3-5). The second graders will also participate in special morning activities relating to Pinkney's books, for they have been conducting a Brian Pinkney author study since September!

Smoothie Morning

2011-03-24T19:03:00.000-05:00

This morning our carnival raffle winners enjoyed smoothies in the library. They also explored SchoolRooms before school started. Don't forget, you can all access SchoolRooms at home! (Type in the name of our school for the user ID and password.)

Unlikely Additions

2011-03-19T11:21:00.001-05:00

The lower grades have been enjoying 1+1=5: And Other Unlikely Additions by David LaRochelle and Brenda Sexton. We all know that 1 + 1 =5 does not usually equal five, but what if you are adding the amount of children in 1 set of twins to the amount of children in 1 set of triplets?

Check out these unlikely additions created by some creative Orringtonians:

1 + 1 = 4???

1 set of twins + another one = 4 children

1 + 1 = 0???

1 snake + 1 worm = 0 legs

1 + 1 = 4???

1 bird + 1 bird = 4 wings

Monarch!!

2011-03-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

The winner of the 2011 Monarch Award was announced last Friday: Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas! The book that won second place was Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina by Kirby Larson, and the third place book was Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel. Over 140,000 votes were collected from students in grades K-3 across Illinois. The winning book received over 23,000 votes.

Orrington's school-level Monarch winners were :

1st place: Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel

2nd place (tie): Tsunami by Kimiko Kajikawa and Oh, Theodore! by Susan Katz

In Oh, Theodore! by Susan Katz, a child finds his lost guinea pig in a spaghetti pot. After reading the book, some Orrington students decided that they were going to alter the guinea pig's hiding place!

Reads: He is hiding under the bed.

Reads: He is hiding in the closet.

Don't Judge a Book...

2011-03-13T13:24:00.002-05:00

Earlier this year when kindergartners learned about the parts of a book, they created new titles & designed new covers for Mudball by Matt Tavares. I was recently able to scan a couple of them so that they can be shared with the world. Enjoy!

New title: Lost the Ball

New title: Rainy Day

Old Photo

2011-03-07T15:11:00.000-06:00

Ms. Anderson recently shared this photo with me:

The kids in this photo are Orringtonians from the 1920s! How cool is that?

Snapshots from Storytime Club

2011-02-22T18:25:00.000-06:00

One of our wonderful yearbook volunteers sent me these photographs of winter storytime club participants. They are from our tooth themed day when we read George Washington's Teeth and Throw Your Tooth on the Roof!

Jordan Sonnenblick at EPL

2011-02-18T09:46:00.000-06:00

Author Jordan Sonnenblick will be at Evanston Public Library's Main Branch this Tuesday, February 22. Sonnenblick will talk about his work and answer questions from audience members. The event will start at 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. Visit http://epl.org for more information!

Monarch Award

2011-02-18T09:26:00.001-06:00

Orrington students in grades K-2 are currently participating in The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award.

Students show off their Monarch-themed bookmarks.

This PTA-sponsored program was established by ISLMA (the Illinois School Library Media Association). The Monarch Award is designed to encourage Illinois children to read critically and to become familiar with children's books, authors, and illustrators.

All students who read 5 or more titles from the annual Monarch list can vote for their favorite book. In library class, students have been reading Monarch nominees all year. Many classes have read all 20 titles. This month, students are voting for their favorite books from the list. They are also celebrating their reading by creating Monarch Award bookmarks.

Orrington's votes are being compiled with other votes from across the state, and a winner will soon be determined. Stay tuned to see which title is Orrington's favorite!

Autographed Book

2011-01-26T20:47:00.000-06:00

Keep your eyes peeled for this newly autographed copy of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. I had a chance to see Lin speak at the Skokie Public Library last night, and she autographed one of our library books for us!

Skype Hype

2011-01-26T20:36:00.001-06:00

The 3rd grade book club discussed Emmy & the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell today, and we Skyped with the author! Ms. Jonell was super nice and answered our questions all the way from Minnesota. A huge thanks goes to Ms. N for making & bringing in Rice Krispies Treats for us to enjoy.

Book Talks - Term 2

2011-01-26T06:30:00.004-06:00

Term 2 book talk recording sessions have ended, but I had some technical difficulties getting the talks posted to Teacher Tube. Fortunately, I was able to post them to another mp3 sharing site. To access the talks made by the Term 2 enrichment classes, click the links below. Once you get a parent's permission, you can then press "click here to start download" and listen away!

Ms. DV's Class:
http://www.mediafire.com/?7214ykadsyod68g

Ms. H's Class:
http://www.mediafire.com/?t7jdc5s168x9p69

Ms. B's Class:
http://www.mediafire.com/?u9ihp8559fj07al

Construction Junction

2011-01-23T12:37:00.001-06:00

If you walk by the library in the next few days, you'll notice kindergartners pretending to be construction workers. This is part of a program called K-LEAP (Kindergarten Literacy Education at Play). This is an outreach literacy program developed by the LEAP team at the Evanston Public Library and supported by Foundation 65. Through innovative play scenarios, K-LEAP addresses early literacy skill building and community and social interaction. Later this year, kindergartners will play Pizza Parlor and Veterinarian.

Foundation 65 is the educational foundation for Evanston-Skokie School District 65.The Foundation raises funds to support activities that enrich District 65 schools and encourage excellence in publiceducation. While it collaborates with the District to support the schools’ teachers and students, Foundation 65 is an independent operating foundation with its own volunteerboard and funds. For more information regarding Foundation 65 please visit www.foundation65.org.

Josh Lewis Author Visit

2011-01-15T14:54:00.001-06:00

Josh Lewis reads from one of his books.

The morning of January 13 was a fun one for children in grades 2 and up. Josh Lewis shared with us what it is like to write books for kids, and we had a visit from the actual Super Chicken Nugget Boy! (Contrary to popular belief, the superhero is not Mr. Reiniger. His name is Fern.)

Battle Book Clubs

2011-01-14T18:25:00.002-06:00

Discussing Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

Did you know that there are Battle Book discussions held during recess for 4th & 5th graders? You do not need to sign up in advance. Your ticket in the door is your completed journal sheet!

Upcoming Battle Book Discussions:
1-19: Island of the Aunts
1-20: Broken Bike Boy & the Queen of 33rd Street
1-28: Science Fair
2-04: Heart of a Chief
2-11: The Thing About Georgie
2-16: The Conch Bearer
2-17: Dave at Night
2-24: Island of the Blue Dolphins
3-2: The Dreamer
3-3: Crossing Jordan
3-10: Gabriel's Horses
3-16: Project Mulberry
3-18: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
3-24: 11 Birthdays
3-25: The Way a Door Closes

Grace Lin to Visit Skokie Public Library

2011-01-14T17:50:00.000-06:00

One of Grace's books is on
the Battle list this year!

On Tuesday, January 25, Newbery & Geisel honoree Grace Lin will visit the Skokie Public Library. She will talk about how her books are made and what it is like being an author. The event is free to the public (even non-Skokie residents), but you have to reserve a spot! Visit the page here for more information about how to register for the event.

ALA Youth Media Awards

2011-01-12T06:44:00.000-06:00

Monday was a busy day here at the library. Between every period/gym class/bathroom break, students popped in and asked about the newly announced ALA Youth Media Awards. Some students were excited to see that their predictions came true. Some were upset that Shark vs. Train didn't win the Caldecott Medal. EVERYONE was interested in learning about all of this year's winners.

I told students that I would provide a link to the official press release with a list of all of the award recipients. Here it is!

3rd Graders Create Dictionary

2011-01-08T08:10:00.001-06:00

If you visited the Orrington Library recently, you might have noticed a new reference book on display: the 3rd Graders created a dictionary! Students studied the dictionary in December and then used their skills to create their very own using library vocabulary words. The finished product is on display on the hook by the library emergency exit door. This reference book is definitely worth exploring!

The red circle highlights where the dictionary can be found in the library.

SCNB Video

2011-01-05T17:48:00.003-06:00

Josh Lewis is coming to our school next Thursday!

2nd through 5th graders, here is a video to get you excited:

Happy Winter!

2010-12-21T08:48:00.000-06:00

I wish you all a wonderful winter, a restful vacation, and a Happy New Year!

I look forward to seeing you again and learning about all of your December reading on January 3!

Josh Lewis Author Visit

2010-12-11T14:29:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen a Chicken Nugget Boy costume?

Don't forget that Josh Lewis, author of the Super Chicken Nugget Boy series, will be visiting Orrington School on Thursday, January 13! Mr. Lewis will present to the 2nd through 5th graders. If you are in these grades and would like to purchase a book to be autographed on the 13th, remember that your order forms are due no later than December 17.

Shelf Help

2010-12-10T06:35:00.000-06:00

Can you spot the labels here?

A close-up of one of our nonfiction shelf labels.

Next time you're in the library, check out the new shelf labels that have appeared! These will hopefully make navigating the library easier. A special thanks goes out to the Term 2 Library Helpers for their assistance with this task.

Mock Newbery Lists

2010-12-07T19:19:00.001-06:00

Between our November & December breaks, 5th graders have been studying the Newbery Medal. Students have talked about the history of the award and whether or not the terms/criteria are fair. Many children have demonstrated an interest in predicting the big winner for 2011. One way you might predict which titles have a chance of winning is by looking at some Mock Newbery lists. I've compiled a few Mock lists below for those of you who would like to use them as resources.

Anderson's Bookshop Mock Newbery

Allen County Public Library Mock List

Early Word Mock Newbery List

Mock Newbery Book Club Blog

Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog

Which books do YOU think might win this year?

Library Helpers

2010-11-29T16:13:00.000-06:00

Term one has ended, and that means it is time to welcome another bunch of Library Helpers into room 202!

Library Helpers are 4th and 5th grade students who volunteer once a week (during their assigned terms) to work in the library during recess. Helpers work on various projects assigned by Ms. Gall, including shelving, organizing the space, writing book reviews, putting up bulletin boards, and making displays. When they are finished with their assignments, Library Helpers can check out books, chat, and eat their lunches in the library.

At the end of the term, Library Helpers have their own celebration to say good-bye to being a Helper for the year. Can you believe we have 57 volunteers this year?

Books Make Great Gifts

2010-11-28T18:46:00.004-06:00

Are you looking for a great winter holiday gift? A book is always a great choice! Here is my list of favorite gift giving books of 2010. The summaries are all from the Library of Congress catalog.

Chapter Books

13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Bedeviled by evil fairies that only she can see, thirteen-year-old Tanya is sent to stay with her cold and distant grandmother at Elvesden Manor, where she and the caretaker’s son solve a disturbing mystery that leads them to the discovery that Tanya’s life is in danger.

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Dylan and his sisters have some ideas about how to make Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel into a more profitable business, but it is not until some strange men arrive in their small town of Manod, Wales with valuable paintings, and their father disappears, that they consider turning to crime.

Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Scieszka

A collection of humorous stories featuring a teenaged mummy, a homicidal turkey, and the world’s largest pool of chocolate milk.

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst and Lane Smith

Lulu’s parents refuse to give in when she demands a brontosaurus for her birthday and so she sets out to find her own, but while the brontosaurus she finally meets approves of pets, he does not intend to be Lulu’s.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

In the summer of 1968, after travelling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp.

Sophie Simon Solves Them All by Lisa Graff

Sophie Simon, a third-grade genius, wants a graphing calculator so she can continue to study calculus while she rides the bus to school, but her parents are more concerned that she does not have any friends.

The Big Time: A Football Genius Novel by Tim Green

Twelve-year-old Troy always dreamed of meeting his father, but when the man finally appears his mother’s anger, his father’s shady business dealings, and Troy’s own feelings make the reunion difficult and confusing.

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

When four twelve-year-olds, including Logan, who has grown up never leaving his parents’ Life Is Sweet candy factory, compete in the Confectionary Association’s annual contest, they unexpectedly become friends and uncover secrets about themselves during the process.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling by Mayrose Wood and John Klassen

Fifteen-year-old Miss Penelope Lumley, a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner quickly, in preparation for a Christmas ball.

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her. Features "augmented reality" pages, in which readers with a webcam can access additional information about Eva Nine’s world.

Nonfiction

1+1=5: and other unlikely additions by David LaRochelle and Brenda Sexton

Colorful illustrations and unusual calculations encourage children to think about numbers in a creative way.

Built to Last by David Macaulay

Contains detailed illustrations and explanations of how castles, mosques, and cathedrals were built.

Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver and Elwood Smith

We ate them on the way to the moon and served them to the king of England. We name a Hot Dog-Eating Champ! Garnished with hilarious illustrations and amazing "food" facts, this kid-friendly, globe spanning history of our favorite fast-food meal offers unique insight into America’s multicultural heritage. From a hobo’s franks-and-beans to astronaut food, there’s more to the wiener--and what’s for dinner--than you think.

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer and Josee Massee

A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature

Nic Bishop Lizards by Nic Bishop

Full color photographs and easy-to-follow text profile different types of lizards, with information about their habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and survival skills.

Project Seahorse (Scientists in the Field Series) by Pamela S. Turner and Scott Tuason

Photographs and text show how conservationists and community members worked together to restore the damaged coral reef in the town of Handumon in the Philippines, and protect the reef's resident seahorses.

Truce by Jim Murphy

Tells the story of the December 25, 1914 truce between German and British soldiers as they laid down their weapons and met in No Man's Land to celebrate Christmas.

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman and Beckie Prange

Collects poems that examine survival in nature, and includes information about a number of plants and animals.

Easy Readers

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo, Alison McGhee, and Tony Fucile

Two roller-skating best friends--one tiny, one tall--share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.

Let’s Count Goats! by Mem Fox and Jan Thomas

Encourages counting skills with humorous illustrations of goats.

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin

Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different.

Mac and Cheese by Sarah Weeks and Jane Manning

Two cats that are as different as night and day are nevertheless best friends.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean

Pete the Cat wears his new white shoes while walking down the street, and as he steps into piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other messes--and the color of his footwear changes--he keeps on moving and singing to himself without being bothered.

We Are in a Book! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

Piggie realizes that she and Gerald the elephant are in a book and that she can make the reader say words, but when Gerald comes to understand the danger of the book ending, Piggie comes up with a solution to get the reader to keep reading.

Comics

Adventures in Cartooning Activity Book by James Strum, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost

An activity book that provides an opportunity to practice the drawing techniques revealed in "Adventures in cartooning" through a story that has blank sections for the reader to draw in. Includes pages of blank panels at the end of the book for readers to create their own comic.

Dragon Puncher by James Kochalka

The Dragon Puncher, who is a kitten dressed in an armored battle suit, and his sidekick, a three-year-old monkey named Spoony-E, battle a drooling dragon.

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

(*Release date: December 28, 2010)

Lunch Lady Betty and the Breakfast Bunch are excited about their up-coming bake sale, but when all the treats go missing, Betty and the Bunch work together to find out who is sabotaging their endeavors.

Meanwhile: Pick Any Path by Jason Shiga

In this choose-your-own adventure graphic novel, a boy stumbles on the laboratory of a mad scientist who asks him to choose between testing a mind-reading device, a time machine, and a doomsday machine.

The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier

Walker Bean is happiest when he gets to spend time tinkering on his inventions in his grandfather's workshop, but when his grandfather acquires a curse, Walter must embark on dangerous quest to return a pearl skull to the witches who made it.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz & The Marvelous Land of Oz by Eric Shanower

Presents a graphic novel adaptation of the Oz stories in which Dorothy, a young girl who is blown over the rainbow to the Land of Oz by a cyclone, must seek out the great Wizard in order to return to Kansas.

Theres a Princess in the Palace by Zoe Alley and R.W. Alley

The princess and the pea. Cinderella, Snow White, and three other well-known princesses share a surprising connection in these fairy tale retellings.

Picture Books

A Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker

A small but lively overnight guest tries the patience of a bear who needs absolute quiet to fall asleep.

Art & Max by David Wiesner

Max wants to be an artist like Arthur, but his first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various media, with unexpected consequences.

Chalk by Bill Thomson

A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some chalk, and draw pictures that come to life.

Day and Night by Teddy Newton

Day, a cheerful fellow, is suspicious of Night, who has darker moods, but the two become friends after they are able to look at each other's unique qualities from a different perspective.

Flora’s Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall and Matt Phelan

When a big wind blows her annoying little brother away, Flora decides to save him despite the many tempting offers she gets for him from, among others, a cloud, an eagle, the man in the moon, and the wind itself.

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems

While traveling with her family to Holland to visit her grandparents, Trixie once again loses her beloved Knuffle Bunny.

Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog by Jon Agee

Mr. Putney has all sorts of unusual friends including an overweight orangatan, an octopus with cold feet, and an elephant that is difficult to see.

My Best Friend is as Sharp as a Pencil by Hanoch Piven

When her grandma asks her about school, a girl draws a class portrait, adding details that show what makes each person special.

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld

A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more.

Snook Alone by Marilyn Nelson and Timothy Basil Ering

Through the power of faith, a monk named Abba Jacob and his loyal rat terrier, Snook, are reunited after being separated by a ferocious storm.

The Odious Ogre by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer

A really rotten, ugly, angry, constantly hungry Ogre who goes around terrorizing the countryside meets his match in a kind and friendly young lady.

'Booktalk' Podcasts

2010-11-24T06:09:00.001-06:00

Wondering what to read over your long Thanksgiving holiday break? Check out these recommendations, brought to you by students of Ms. Skalinder, Ms. Stamates, & Mr. Likhite.

5th grade book talks: http://www1.teachertube.com/music.php?music_id=5375&title=5th_Grade_Book_Talks_November_2010

4th grade book talks: http://www1.teachertube.com/music.php?music_id=5374&title=4th_Grade_Book_Talks_November_2010

3rd grade book talks: http://www1.teachertube.com/music.php?music_id=5373&title=3rd_Grade_Book_Talks_November_2010

K-LEAP Starts with a Bang

2010-11-11T08:18:00.003-06:00

This week, kindergartners are playing laundry in the library. This play is part of a program called K-LEAP (Kindergarten Literacy Education at Play). This is an outreach early literacy program developed by the LEAP team at the Evanston Public Library and supported by Foundation 65. Through innovative play scenarios, K-LEAP addresses early literacy skill building and community and social interaction. Over the coming months, kindergartners will be experiencing K-LEAP during their school library time as well as during centers in their classrooms. This year, kindergartners will play Laundry, Construction, Pizza Parlor, and Veterinarian.

If you are a family member of a kindergarten student, you are invited to our Family Literacy Play Date next Thursday (November 18) at 9 AM. At the play date, you'll learn about how K-LEAP addresses skills every child needs to learn to read, and then you'll get to play with your kindergartner using activities that address those skills. It will be lots of fun, and every kindergartner will receive a free book!

Foundation 65 is the educational foundation for Evanston-Skokie School District 65.The Foundation raises funds to support activities that enrich District 65 schools and encourage excellence in publiceducation. While it collaborates with the District to support the schools’ teachers and students, Foundation 65 is an independent operating foundation with its own volunteerboard and funds. For more information regarding Foundation 65 please visit www.foundation65.org.

NYTimes Best Illustrated

2010-11-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

The New York Times just released its annual list of Best Illustrated Children's Books. Enjoy them here. Do you think any of these might be Caldecott contenders?

Snapshots from Storytime Club

2010-11-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday the fall Storytime Arts & Crafts program came to a close. We celebrated the beginning of November by reading TURKEY stories! Here are a few snapshots from our final meeting date. Winter Storytime Club will start in January!

Book Recommendations from an Orringtonian

2010-10-31T10:04:00.001-05:00

Here are some book recommendations submitted by L, a student at Orrington School:

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Grade level: Advanced 2nd and up
It is about a girl from Taiwan. It is about a couple years of her life.

Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli
Grade level: Advanced 1st - 3rd
This book uses poems that don't rhyme. It is about a girl who moves to her grandpa's house. Her dad lost her job, and the family is very sad.

Hallo-What? by Christel Desmoinaux
Grade level: K-4th
This book is about a witch who never understands exactly what Hallowen is...until the end.

The Twits by Roald Dahl
Grade level: Very advanced 1st - 2nd
This book is about old people who play tricks on each other. They also have pet monkeys.

Parent-Child Book Club at EPL's North Branch

2010-10-28T17:10:00.000-05:00

Kids in grades 2-5,

Do your parents love to read what you are reading? Consider joining the new Parent-Child book club at Evanston Public Library's North Branch. The club will be facilitated by two teachers from Willard School, but all Evanstonian kids (and parents) are invited to attend. The first discussion will take place on November 22 from 4:15-5:15 PM. The book that will be discussed is Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Book Fair: A Booming Success

2010-10-23T22:44:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everybody who supported the Orrington Library last week. We beat our all-time fundraising record!

Lincoln Peirce in the Neighborhood

2010-10-18T06:08:00.000-05:00

Lincoln Peirce, creator of the Big Nate comics , will be in the neighborhood this Wednesday. If you are a fan of the Big Nate books and would like to hear about Big Nate Strikes Again, you might be interested in attending this event.

Wednesday, October 20th - 4:30pm

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court

811 Elm St.

Winnetka, IL 60093

For more information, call the Book Stall at 847-446-8880.

Bound for Success:The Wildcat Bookmark Program

2010-10-10T19:45:00.001-05:00

Do you like to read? Do you like Northwestern? Do you like pizza?
If you answered "YES" to any of those questions, then I have an announcement for you.

Northwestern has a reading program called Bound for Success.

Here is how it works: You read 15 books at your level. Then, you list the titles of the books you have read on a special bookmark. When the bookmark is full, you send it to a special address (listed on the back of the bookmark), and you wait for a special reward!

Prizes include a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Lou Malnati's and a voucher for free admission to an in-season Northwestern home event.

Does this sound like something you would like to try? Stop by the library for more information!

Book Fair

2010-10-06T18:22:00.001-05:00

Our annual book fair is coming! Click here to learn more about the event.

Greg Heffley Floats

2010-10-04T18:43:00.000-05:00

Jeff Kinney works on a model of the balloon.

There is going to be a Wimpy Kid balloon in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Click here to read an article about it and learn how you can enter to win a trip to NYC to watch the parade in person.

The Red Pyramid

2010-10-03T18:32:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you receive book blurbs by two students, but they are on the same book? You post them both! Enjoy.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Blurb #1:

Rick Riordan crafts the most interesting things. You would probably never hear of the Egyptian gods in your life if he never wrote this miracle. This is a great book. At first, you might be blind to how good it is going to be. Keep reading and it will become great! If you like action/adventure then you will LOVE this book. This book may be your only chance to learn about something that might not ever appear in your life again: Egyptian mythology! I recommend it.

Blurb #2:

I'm sure you've heard of The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, right? It is about two kids, Carter and Sadie Kane, who discover that they are "blood of the pharaohs." Muffin, Sadie's cat, is very important. Is she as important as you suspect? The gods (Horus and Isis) find new hosts, but in whom? Read The Red Pyramid to find out!

Newspaper Blackout Poems

2010-10-02T16:58:00.001-05:00

5th graders recently created newspaper blackout poems in the library. Words were chosen from the pages of The New York Times and The Evanston Roundtable, and everything irrelevant was blacked (or another color of the rainbow-ed) out. The rest is history!

I was not able to include everybody's poems in the slide show, but here is a random sampling of what was created:

Unfortunately the video slide show shrinks the size of the poems. They are impossible (or at least very difficult) to read. Hopefully this gives you an idea of how the poems were created and what they looked like when they were finished.

Welcome October

2010-09-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

Did you know that October is Disability Awareness Month? Books with a disability awareness theme will be on display in the library all month long.

Check out the bulletin board Ms. K helped create outside of room 202:

Can you tell it is supposed to be a bookshelf?

That will also be up all month. Thanks again Ms. K!

60 years of Peanuts

2010-09-29T17:09:00.001-05:00

60 years ago this October 2, Charles Schulz published his first comic strip:

Schulz wanted to call the strip Lil'l Folks, but it was later changed to Peanuts.

People all around the world are having Peanuts parties this Saturday to celebrate the anniversary. If you want to celebrate in your own little way, one thing you can do is read some Peanuts strips online here. You can sort the strips by date, and even rank the ones you like best.

Happy Birthday, Lil'l Folks!

Book Review: Super Chicken Nugget Boy

2010-09-26T18:33:00.001-05:00

Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry
By Josh Lewis - Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Call number: FIC LEW

Fern is new to Bert Lahr Elementary and is being bullied by the principal’s son. His plan to stop it involves creating a fake superhero friend to protect him and staging a spectacular ninja battle involving all of the other kids at school. What Fern doesn’t know is that he will fall into a gross pool of green gooey liquid. After the disgusting liquid incident, Fern touches ketchup and becomes a superhero himself-Super Chicken Nugget Boy! This hilarious book about an accidental superhero will especially appeal to fans of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey, Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady series. For grades 2 and up.

Fun fact: Ms. Waller (Orrington kindergarten teacher) is friends with the author!

Book Spine Poems!

2010-09-24T19:34:00.000-05:00

This past week, 5th graders made their own book spine poems. Check out the poems we were able to snap photos of in the slideshow below.

Great Multicultural Awareness Books

2010-09-19T21:22:00.001-05:00

All of these great books are owned by our library! This list of multicultural titles could be much longer. Please ask me if you would like to read about a culture or idea that is not featured in one of the titles below-we'll find the right book for you!

For all ages

§ A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting

§ Abuela by Arthur Dorros

§ All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka

§ Amazing Grace (and other Grace titles) by Mary Hoffman

§ Bein’ With You This Way by Lisa W. Nikola

§ Butterflies for Kiri by Cathryn Falwell

§ Children Just Like Me by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley

§ Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han

§ Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange

§ D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine

§ Dim Sum and Then Some (and other various titles) by Grace Lin

§ Everybody Cooks Rice/Bakes Bread/Brings Noodles by Norah Dooley

§ Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

§ Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

§ Harvesting Hope by Kathleen Krull

§ Henry’s Freedom Box by Helen Levine

§ Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter

§ Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson

§ Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy

§ Monsoon by Uma Krishnaswami

§ Mrs. Katz & Tush by Patricia Polacco

§ My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits

§ My People by Langston Hughes

§ Ruby Bridges Goes to School by Ruby Bridges

§ Running the Road to ABC by Denize Lauture

§ Silly Chicken by Rukhsana Khan

§ Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki

§ Tanuki’s Gift by Tim Myers

§ Teammates by Peter Golenbock

§ The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas

§ The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

§ The Empty Pot by Demi

§ The First Strawberries: a Cherokee story by Joseph Bruchac

§ The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

§ The Other Side by J. Woodson

§ The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Abdullah II

§ The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler

§ Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter

§ When my Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

§ Yoko by Rosemary Wells

For older children

§ A Boy No More by Harry Mazer

§ Bessie Smith & the Night Riders by Sue Stauffacher

§ Birchbark House by Louise Erdich

§ Breadwinner by Deborrah Ellis

§ Brendan Buckley’s Universe & Everything In It by Sundee T. Frazier

§ Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of WWII by Joseph Bruchac

§ Color of My Words by Lynn Jopseph

§ Conch Bearer by Chitra Divakaruni

§ Confetti Girl by Diana Lopez

§ Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

§ Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

§ Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

§ Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

§ Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo

§ Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

§ Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

§ Land I Lost by Huynh Quang Nhuong

§ Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

§ Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen

§ Native American Stories by Michael J. Caduto

§ Open the Door to Liberty! by Anne Rockwell

§ Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

§ Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins

§ Ruby Lu, Brave & True by Lenore Look

§ Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

§ Sadako by Eleanor Coerr

§ Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

§ Tasting the Sky: a Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat

§ The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon

§ Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle

§ Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop

§ Water Buffalo Days by Huynh Quang Nhuong

§ Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

§ Witness by Karen Hesse

Guest Blogger

2010-09-13T22:16:00.004-05:00

Book Blurb: Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

By Guest Blogger/Orrington Student (Alias: Blue Camouflaged Person with Grain Sack)

Do you want a book involving whales on stilts? Twenty pages of this book describing a vacation with your aunt just may be the thing for you! And while you're at it, don't forget to enjoy the part about whales on stilts! This book is full of jokes, cliffhangers, and laser eyes! If you're looking for a fun one, read Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson.

School Rules

2010-09-12T18:14:00.009-05:00

Brainstorming rules for the Orrington Library.

The first week of school, kids in grades 2 through 5 brainstormed what they think the rules for room 202 (the library) should be. I looked through them all and was surprised that most of the suggestions fit under our PBIS standards-being safe, respectful, and ready. I made a huge poster and students signed it last week.

The current rules for the Orrington Library are:

Be Safe
No (Cyber)bullying
Be Respectful of each other, the space, and our learning.
Be Ready
Try your best.

The signed poster.

Also from week 1:

Kids in kindergarten & grade one got to share their favorite types of books!

57th Street Children's Book Fair

2010-09-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

The 24th Annual 57th Street Book Fair is happening in Hyde Park on September 19! I know it is all the way on the other side of the city, but it is a great event that I highly recommend attending if you get a chance.

Click here for more information!

57th St. Children's Book Fair
Sunday, September 19, 2010
1-6 p.m.
Kimbark Ave. & 57th St.

Library Helper Sign Ups

2010-09-01T18:22:00.001-05:00

Don't forget that library helper forms are due September 17. Forms are still available in the library and can be returned to your classroom teacher, room 202/the library, OR Ms. Gall's mailbox.
After September 17, students who have volunteered will receive a schedule for the term and days that they are being assigned to work. The first shift for Term 1 library helpers will be on September 27.

Wednesdays are the new Mondays!

2010-08-28T08:40:00.001-05:00

Fine Arts Enrichment has been moved from Mondays to Wednesdays for the 2010-2011 school year. This means that your class will attend library, art, and music once a week-even when there are 1/2 day Wednesday dismissals. It might be a little tricky getting used to the change, but I am excited because it means I'll get to see your faces on a more consistent basis!

Back in Room 202

2010-08-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

The hallways of Orrington are buzzing with teachers getting ready for the start of school.

Check out all of the books that arrived for the Orrington Library over the summer! They're just waiting to be processed & devoured by all of you super readers as soon as books start circulating.

Thanks again to the PTA-they made the funds available so that we'd have some brand new books ready on day one!

Percy Jackson Rules @ EPL

2010-08-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this edition of the book before?

Librarians at the Evanston Public Library are planning an event for Percy Jackson fans in grades 3 through 6! On Saturday, September 25 at 11:15 a.m. in the Children's Room of EPL-Main, participants will discuss the book and enjoy Percy Jackson-themed activities!

If you plan on attending, you can register in person, online, or by calling the library. Click here for more information about the event-registration starts this Tuesday (August 24).

Sharon Robinson Author Event

2010-08-17T19:52:00.002-05:00

On Sunday, August 22 at 1:30 in the afternoon, Sharon Robinson (children's author and daughter of Jackie Robinson) will be speaking at the Highland Park Public Library about her father's role in integrating baseball.

Robinson has written several fiction books about sports, and she has also written two true picture books about her father: Testing the Ice and Jackie's Gift (the second book will be published later this year).

More information about the event at the Highland Park Public Library can be found here.

New Friend

2010-08-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

There's a new eagle in town! This fall, Eagle Sr. (pictured below) will join Mr. Eagle and Mr. Eagle II in the Orrington Library. He loves reading the newspaper and his favorite part of the Dewey Decimal System is the 500's section. Can you guess why?

Eagle Sr. has landed.

Ramona Quimby, No Longer Age 8

2010-07-25T18:40:00.004-05:00

Did you know that Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby series has been around since 1955? That means that the character of Ramona, who is four in Beezus and Ramona (the first book), is almost sixty!

Here are some of the book covers that have been used by various publishers over the years:

You probably already know that Beezus and Ramona has been made into a movie. I haven't seen it but I do know that the movie retells the series-not just the first book.

I love movies, and I am not opposed to book to film adaptations. 99 times out of 100 I end up preferring the book version, but the films can be a lot of fun-especially when you have read the book first and you can compare the two.

Do you have a favorite book to film adaptation? If so, please share it by commenting below!

Smekday Readalikes

2010-07-16T10:55:00.013-05:00

I recently discovered the video below, which will be entertaining for those of you who have read Adam Rex's The True Meaning of Smekday.

This was an extremely popular title at the Orrington Library last year, so I decided to share with you a few "readalikes" in case you are interested in reading similar books over the summer.

Bone by Jeff Smith
This graphic novel series follows three cousins who have been thrown out of their town as they discover new creatures, places, and secrets along the way.

The Mysterious Howling by Mayrose Wood
Fifteen-year-old Penelope becomes a governess to three young children who have literally been raised by wolves.

Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
A group of children are selected for a special world-saving mission after passing several intelligence tests.

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
Two kids try to stop evil people from discovering the secret of immortality.

Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Watch the book trailer here.

Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

The Baudelaire children are orphans with a giant inheritance. Count Olaf, their guardian, wants their money. This is not a happy story, but it is a funny one.

Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry by Josh Lewis

When Fern plans to scare the school bully by creating his own superhero, he has no idea that he will fall into the "above the ground pool type thingy with the green gooey liquid inside" and what will happen as a result.

Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson
Lily discovers that her father works for a crazy human-whale hybrid who plans to take over the world with whales, stilts, and lasers.

Don't Forget

2010-07-14T07:46:00.002-05:00

Don't forget that you still have summer access to SchoolRooms, your ultimate tool for independent research!

To log in, click the linked text above. Remember that the search box you see right away searches the Orrington Library catalog only. You need to type in your username and password to access all of the databases and information available on SchoolRooms.

Once you type in your information and click Login, you'll see a welcome message and the Orrington eagle logo. To browse a topic that you think is interesting, click Elementary on the left. Every virtual room has the same format-articles in the middle, cool links on the right, and themed games under the puzzle piece icons. If you don't feel like browsing and want to do some more serious research, remember that you can click District Databases and Resources from the left and access the other databases to which our library subscribes.

Crazy for Audiobooks

2010-07-09T08:29:00.006-05:00

A lot of people love listening to stories, so it should come as no surprise that audiobooks have become so popular. Audiobooks are great for long road trips or reading books that are more difficult.

While many seem to adore nonprint books, a lot of kids have trouble finding audiobooks that "work" for them. A wonderfully narrated and produced audiobook can make a story come alive, but a poorly created one can kill a story forever. Luckily, we don’t have to risk ruining what might be great literary experiences, because two divisions of the ALA have created an award that lets us know which audiobooks “work.” The Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production is awarded annually to a producer of the best audiobook for children and/or young adults that is available in English in the United States. Honor titles are also chosen, so every year potential readers/listeners have about five “best bets” from which they can choose to listen. For more information on the award, including the 2010 winners, please visit this page.

Don't forget that you can download audiobooks from the Evanston Public Library site for free! Visit http://epl.org, click Downloads from the Quick Links box, choose what you would like to hear, and start reading!

Noonie's Masterpiece

2010-07-08T09:16:00.007-05:00

Noonie is a child artist with a unique vision and a sad past. Her mother died when she was five (she is ten now), and her dad is always traveling for work. Noonie lives with her "temporary family" who doesn't always understand or appreciate her work. Things get exciting when Noonie and her best friend/assistant Reno learn that there is going to be a judged art exhibit at their school.

This piece of realistic fiction is filled with references to famous artists. The plot moves slowly, but the full-color illustrations throughout the book make it fun to read and hold! This is a perfect read-alike for fans of the Ivy + Bean, Mallory, and Just Grace books who are looking for a challenge.

You can learn more about the book via the trailer made by the fantastic people at Chronicle Books:

You can also visit Noonie's website to print out activity worksheets, read the first chapter virtually, or submit your own artwork!

Box Tops

2010-07-07T12:59:00.000-05:00

While you are sitting back and enjoying all things summer (including tasty food), don't forget to keep an eye open for Box Tops labels on your favorite treats. If you save your Box Tops and bring them into school next fall, you'll be helping to earn ten cents per top for our library! So keep your eyes peeled for Box Tops, and stay cool (literally and figuratively)!

Hi from Washington, D.C.

2010-06-28T19:27:00.002-05:00

This very special message from James Kochalka, Jerry Pinkney, Holly Black, & Mo Willems has been brought to you by Ms. Gall, The ALA Annual Conference, and the letter J.

Percy Jackson Exhibit

2010-06-21T17:10:00.000-05:00

The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago is currently housing a Percy Jackson exhibit!

From now until September, visitors can see props from the movie and hear more about the Greek mythology that is featured in the books. On June 29 the museum is also hosting a Percy Jackson-themed party to celebrate the release of the DVD. The party will have games, crafts, and even FOOD (I hear the museum folks are cooking up some lotus cakes and nectar of the gods)!

The party is free for museum visitors. Entrance to the museum is $5, but children are admitted free if they are under twelve. Click here for more information about the museum and the exhibit.

Book Reviews

2010-06-08T17:48:00.003-05:00

Orringtonians,

I know you are planning on reading A LOT this summer. Why not practice your writing skills and submit a book review for the Orrington Libray blog? While I can't post each author's name, I can post his/her review and you can let your friends know the name of the mystery author!

Greetings

2010-05-27T06:23:00.001-05:00

Greetings! This is the Orrington Library blog for the 2010-2011 school year.

Updates about what students are learning will be posted here. We'll also try to squeeze in a few posts on school activities, community events, and interesting news and discussions relating to libraries, reading, and technology.

Students, please observe our school rule of not making yourself known on the web. You may post comments anonymously. All comments will be moderated before they are printed on the blog.