Author Archives
Karin Greenberg is one of the library media specialists at Manhasset High School in Manhasset, New York. She is a former English teacher and writes book reviews for School Library Journal and Woodbury Magazine. She co-hosts Bookscreenz Podcast with her daughter, Annabelle. In addition to reading, she enjoys animals, walking, hiking, the beach, and spending time with her husband, three children, and dog.
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Books of Our Roots: A Collection of Literature from The Countries of Our Origin
With the summer in full swing, I’m able to take a step back and reflect on the past school year in my high school library. My co-librarian and I accomplished a lot: we taught dozens of research classes, which included… Read More ›
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Reading Memoirs to Increase Empathy
One of the most valuable benefits of reading is cultivating a sense of empathy. By reading fiction, readers experience the emotions of an endless range of characters. In an article referencing neuroscience studies, Annie Murphy Paul states that “there is… Read More ›
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Free Comic Book Day at the School Library
There’s something about comic books that excites people. As a child I devoured Archie and Richie Rich comics, but soon forgot about them as novels became my go-to medium. A few years ago, while in library school, I was introduced… Read More ›
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The Power of Podcasts to Enhance Learning
Lately, when I’m in the middle of my high school library research lessons, I’ve been asking the students a question: “How many of you have listened to a podcast?” Usually not one hand goes up. Occasionally, there are a few…. Read More ›
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March Book Madness: A Library Tournament
One of the most frustrating aspects of being a high school librarian is failing to increase the level of leisure reading among the teenagers who frequent my library. There are a handful of dedicated readers who are as enthusiastic as… Read More ›
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Book Talks for Black History Month and Beyond
As with many of the library book displays I create throughout the school year, the one for Black History Month generates comments mainly from teachers and administrators. Students come to my high school library with a purpose. Whether they are… Read More ›
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Choosing Books That Challenge: Shaking Up Students’ Beliefs
This past weekend I read an outstanding essay in The New York Times “Book Review” section by Brian Morton, the director of the writing program at Sarah Lawrence College. In it, he describes an encounter with a college student who had been… Read More ›
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Using School Library Newsletters to Communicate
As in many schools, my high school library is a hub of our building. Hundreds of students walk through our doors each day; administrators stop by; teachers are posted to duty at the circulation desk every period; custodians and security… Read More ›
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Speed Dating with Nonfiction Books
It’s a never-ending dilemma: how to get overworked high school students to read for pleasure. Too often, teens associate reading with mandatory curriculum books. The Scarlet Letter, A Tale of Two Cities, Things Fall Apart. . . though some teens… Read More ›
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Research in the Age of Google
One day last fall, I taught several library lessons to seniors in AP Literature classes. They were preparing to start a seven-month research project on an author of their choice. The assignment involved reading three novels by the author and… Read More ›