Just like adults, teens start the new year thinking about ways to improve, what they want to work on in themselves, new hobbies, goals for the future. The following is a list of the top 5 books that I will… Read More ›
Collection Development
Chess, The Library, and The Queen’s Gambit
Inspired by Television Several students and faculty members are abuzz about a new Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit. The series premiered on October 23, 2020. I was a little surprised that students are recommending the show, including some older middle… Read More ›
Book Pairings to Motivate Teenagers
In the midst of our fast-paced society, it’s more important than ever to spark a love of literature in adolescents. Based on conversations I’ve had with students over the years, I’ve learned that teenagers have lost motivation to read for… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring by Nancy Churnin and Felicia Marshall
Earlier this month I co-hosted a webinar on behalf of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) for librarians. In addition to highlighting the amazing collection that the NPG had to offer, we focused on how students could analyze and learn from… Read More ›
Collaboration: 3 Lesson Ideas with Picture Books
What does collaboration look like during a global pandemic? All around us, we see examples of people finding ways to work together to solve problems. Collaborators understand the power of listening to different perspectives, trying things out, and working with… Read More ›
United in Light
2020 draws to an end. The days grow shorter and the nights lengthen; both become colder. This year, more than any in recent memory, it appears that the coming winter will indeed be one of discontent. The prevailing mood throughout… Read More ›
Digital Speed Dating with Books
One of my favorite yearly library lessons is 11th-grade Nonfiction Book Speed Dating. Watching students actively walk around the library from table to table exploring books always makes me smile. Motivating teens to read is a challenging aspect of my… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: An Interview with Don Tate, Author and Illustrator of William Still and His Freedom Stories
In one of my last trips of the year, I had the opportunity to join Don Tate and others at the Historical Society of Philadelphia last January to learn about Tate’s upcoming book, William Still and His Freedom Stories. We… Read More ›
5 Lesson Ideas with Picture Books and Laughter
“Laughter is the best medicine.” You’ve heard that saying, right? The Mayo Clinic supports this message in their post “Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke.” They present the benefits of having a good laugh. So when things get a… Read More ›
Sparking Students’ Curiosity around Diversity with HRC’s Welcoming Schools Resources
Students have headed back to school this fall with the weight of social and political unrest in the air. As a microcosm of society, what happens external to our schools impacts how students make sense of and experience the world…. Read More ›