One of the values I hold most dear is appreciating and celebrating diversity in all its forms. I want this to reflect in the work I do with students, in my library as a physical space, and in my collection…. Read More ›
Collection Development
Curation and Collaboration Time at #AASL19
For the past three years it has been my pleasure to be a part of the AASL American University Presses Book Selection Committee. This year I will not be able to attend the 2019 AASL National Conference, but a few… Read More ›
Five Recommended YA Fiction Titles
Based on the new books I’ve read this year, I have to say that 2019 is an exceptionally good year for young adult fiction. In my last blog post, I talked about one of the amazing books I’ve read recently,… Read More ›
Using PBS MASTERPIECE Films: A Novel Approach
[SPONSORED CONTENT] Teaching the “Classics” We all know that the traditional literary classics are becoming less and less accessible to today’s students. The language can be daunting, the sentence structure complex, and the characters seem to espouse old-fashioned values and… Read More ›
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day?
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? Does your state, city, or school celebrate Columbus Day, or do you celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day? Many students have learned a poem that starts off, “In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” It goes… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: Interview with Donna Janell Bowman, Author of King of the Tightrope
As we continue to explore picture book authors who utilize primary sources in their research, I was excited to interview Donna Janell Bowman who, in her newest book, writes about one of my favorite lesser-known historical figures, The Great Blondin…. Read More ›
Please give a little respect to me
Soul, I hear you calling Recently I heard the song “A Little Respect” by Erasure (play it while you read…) and I started thinking about this blog post: “I try to discover A little something to make me sweeter Oh… Read More ›
Frightening Fiction Book Challenge
October is here and our minds turn to Halloween and spooky book choices. Tales of horror, the supernatural, and mysterious happenings are among the most wanted for readers in the fall months. To promote a love of reading and increase… Read More ›
Collection Development: Meeting the Needs of Our Emerging Readers
A few years ago, when I began my current position as a school librarian, the most regular library users in my building were our CDC-A (Comprehensive Development Classroom – Activity Based) students. These students receive special education services that are… Read More ›
Fiction Genrefication at the Elementary School Level
This summer I undertook the huge project of genrefying my library. This gargantuan task involved lots of stickers, tape, and sweat. Now that the dog days of summer are over and a new school year has started, I am so… Read More ›