Creating Online Book Reviews

I am currently teaching students, grades 4-6, how to create an online book review, using the Destiny library catalog. 

There are a few simple steps to follow in order to create a book review in the system:

1. students must log in to the catalog (same username and password as their regular computer login).
2. Students must type in the name of the book that they want to review in the search screen.
3. Once the book(s) come up on the search list, the student must click on the book title to get into the title screen.
4. Once on the title screen, students must click on the "reviews" tab, on the right side of the screen.
5. Students can see other reviews written for that title, and then click on the "add a review" button to add their own.
6. There are three ways to review a book:  1) rate it 1-5 stars  2) write comments about the book        3) upload a video in which you discuss the book
7. Students should give the book a star rating AND write a sentence or two in the comment box.  Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. are important, so please make sure to proof read the writing.
8. If the student wants his/her name to be included in the review, they will need to write that information in the COMMENT BOX.  Leave the boxes below (file/name) blank, as that is for the video upload only.
9. Students must then click on "submit".  They will see a dialogue box that says the review will be posted as soon as it is approved.  I am the one who approves the reviews, and I will do so usually within about 24 hours.  Reviews that are inappopropriate in content or grammatically incorrect will be denied and the student will be contacted about why their review was denied so that they have a chance to fix it.
10. If students wish to add a video review to their written comments, they can come see me in the library and I can do that with them.  However, students must have the permission slip for media/web release signed by their guardian (this is something that was part of the district/parent handbook and it will be on file in the office) in order for me to do this with them.

I am asking all students to try and do at least one review, and then if they enjoy doing it, they are welcome to do as many as they like!  Students can review as many books as they like, they just can't do the same book twice.  This might be something that you could work on with your child.  Our Destiny library catalog is web-based, and so students can do this from home if they have Internet access.

Tonalea Online...

I am starting a new library program called Tonalea Online.  You may be familiar with Storyline Online (go to http://www.storylineonline.net/), a website created by the SAG foundation in which actors read aloud classic children's stories.  This is a website that I use on a regular basis for storytime with my little ones, and I got the idea to create our own "storyline" here at Tonalea.  So... I am asking all 6th graders for any volunteers to be a part of this.  I will have the 6th graders (they have the option to work alone or in pairs) sign up for me to videotape them reading a children's book of their choice from my library.  I will then have this collection of "Tonalea Online" available for my younger students (K-2) to watch while they are in the library, as well as on the Tonalea Library website.  If this is successful with the 6th graders, I will then open it up to the 5th graders after Winter Break!

Ask your child if they are participating in Tonalea Online, and practice reading the book they have chosen with them!

November Family Story Night

Special Guest Reader:

Ryan T. Higgins, author of the children’s book Twaddleton’s Cheese!!!

Thursday, November 19th

6 p.m. In the cafeteria

*Free books for STUDENTS who attend!

Book Reviews

Next week, I will be talking to the students about how to do online book reviews, using the Destiny library catalog. Some students know how to do this from when I taught it to classes last year. This is such a great way for them to recommend great books and keep an open dialogue with their fellow students about literature. Students can write a book review about any book in our library by giving it a star rating (1-5), writing comments about the book and even adding a video to it (I video students reviewing the book and add it to their review). Not only does this teach students about using technology, but it strengthens their reading comprehension skills as well as their reading and writing skills.

My Favorite Halloween Book!

This is one of my FAVORITE Halloween stories to read with kids. It is so fun to do all the characters' voices! We read it at the last Family Story Night and I have been reading it with my kids for the last two years.

Horror genre

This next week, I will be recommending various books to students, 3rd-6th grade, in the genre of "Horror"- just in time for Halloween!

No picks will be too gruesome, but our students do love the Goosebumps books, so I will try to recommend some other choices that they might like as well. Here are a few of the books I will be book talking:

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by James and Deborah Howe (4th)

The Midnight Library: Voices by Damien Graves (4th)

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (4th)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (5th)

The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French (5th)

The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing (5th)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (6th)

Tales of Terror and Fantasy by Edgar Allan Poe (6th)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (6th)

For more scary books that are appropriate for children (Pre-K-6th grade), you can visit the website Scary Book List for Kids at: http://www.monsterlibrarian.com/horrorfictionlistkd.htm

October Family Story Night

Last night’s Family Story Night was a HUGE success!
We had about 112 students attend with their families.
Everyone was dressed in their Halloween costumes and looked so cute!
The Coronado Dons Varsity Football team read a cute Halloween story and did a great job! It was so great to have them come back to their old school and say hello to our students and family. What a great community builder!
Thank you to EVERYONE who supported this event!
These are the readers. In the middle is Alex Buya, quarterback, and future model!


The next Family Story Night is on Thursday, Nov. 19th at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria with special guest reader Ryan T. Higgins, author of a funny children’s book called Twaddleton’s Cheese! J He is going to read his book and show the kids how he does his illustrations!
Stay tuned….

Cardinal Visit to Tonalea

We had a great treat yesterday afternoon here at school. Herman Johnson of the Phoenix Cardinals came to Tonalea, along with the Big Red Bird, and read some stories to 50 of our outstanding 5th graders! He discussed the importance of literacy to students, read some inspirational and funny books, and gave out cookies and milk to the students. Each student received an autographed book mark, and they were also able to get personal items autographed. A news camera crew came and interviewed a few students and the story aired on last night's news!

October Family Story Night!

The next Family Story Night will be on Thursday, Oct. 22nd at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Special guest readers will be the CORONADO DONS VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM!!!

Players will be here to read a story with students and pass out a little Halloween candy!

Students are allowed to wear their Halloween costumes, however, costumes must be school appropriate (no fake weapons, appropriate coverage, etc.).

All students who attend will get to choose a free book!

See you then....

Realistic Fiction

This past week, I have been introducing students to the genre of Realistic Fiction. This is a really popular genre for students and young adults, especially, because the characters in these stories are people with real problems- school, family, friends, etc.- and so readers can really relate to the characters and the storylines. I have been book talking a lot of different titles to the different grade levels and classes this week, all within this genre. Some of the titles include (grade levels are simply the classes to which I recommended the titles):

• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (3rd, 4th grade)
• The Fudge series by Judy Blume (3rd, 4th grade)
• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (4th grade)
• The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes (4th grade)
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (5th grade)
• Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (5th grade)
• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (5th grade)
• The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (6th grade)
• Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (6th grade)
• Flush by Carl Hiaasen (6th grade)

We have Fall Break this next week, but when we return, I will be discussing the genre of Horror with students, just in time for Halloween!

This past week...

It seems that I have been a bit remiss in keeping up with this blog! This past week, I have been discussing the genre of ADVENTURE with all of my students (grades 3-6) and have been recommending the following titles within this genre:
The End of the Beginning by Avi
The Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
The Pirates of the Carribean series by Kidman
Geronimo Stilton books by Stilton
Magic Tree House books
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamilo

This Week's Recommendation is...

FANTASY

Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting .
Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of scientific themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three.

This week I will be doing book talks in this genre. Here are some books I will be recommending to students:

The Secrets of Droon (series) by Tony Abbot

The Dragon Slayer's Academy (series) by Kate McMullan

The Bailey School Kids (series) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

Week of Sept. 14th

This week is all about...

HISTORICAL FICTION!

Historical fiction is a sub-genre of fiction that often portrays fictional accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events.

This week, I am book-talking with 4th, 5th and 6th grade about some great selections within this genre. Titles include:

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells

Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607 by Elisa Carbone

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month!

My Tip of the Month for Septmber 2009 is...

JOIN YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Become a member of your local branch of the Scottsdale Public Library and gain access to all sorts of fantastic things! These days, libraries do not only offer books, but also movies, games, music, books on tape and classes on many different topics. You can join a book club, learn how to use a computer, or enroll your children in various activities, all for FREE!!!

click on the link to the Scottsdale Public Library system or ask your school librarian for more information.

http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/

1st Week of School Pick...

For the 1st Week of School, my pick is...

Otto Goes to School

by Todd Parr

I chose this classic children's book by the incredible author, Todd Parr, because it's a great way to introduce children to all of the wonderful things that they will learn this year. In the story, Otto is so excited to go to school on his first day that he puts his clothes on backwards and wears two different colored socks! At first he is nervous, but once he sees his friends he is excited and begins to learn all sorts of useful things. I like to read the story with my students and then relate it to their own lives by talking with them about all of the great things that they think they will learn in school this year.

What I READ on my summer vacation...

I had an incredibly wonderful summer! I was able to stay home, take care of my family and had lots of time to read some great books! I can't wait to share the books that I read with you and would also love to hear about the great books you read. Although all of these books are for adults, I did read with my children each and every day and I will share some of their favorite summer reads with you as well! My favorite genre of fiction is mystery (especially with foreign settings), but I also enjoy checking out all sorts of new fiction (anything from easy "beach" reads to more thoughtful and moving stories). I won't go into detail about any of the books I read, but if you would like any more information on any of them, please feel free to become a "friend" on my blog and send me a message! Or just check them out for yourself at your local library or bookstore.

1. Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
2. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
3. Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
4. Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
5. The Sunday Philosopher's Club by Alexander McCall Smith
6. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
7. Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
8. The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne
9. I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
10. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
11. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
12. Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello
13. Swapping Lives by Jane Green
14. How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoey Dean
15. The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith

I also began a few books that I didn't quite finish because I just didn't like and couldn't get into the story. Usually, I try to push through and read the entire book before giving up on it, but sometimes you just need to move on (and that's okay!)...

1. Heavenly Date by Alexander McCall Smith
2. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
3. The Little Lady Detective Agency by Hester Browne

I read EVERY night with my son James who is 4 years old. Reading is one is favorite activities and his room is, literally, overflowing with books! James and I also love to go to the library together, as there are so many fun things to do there. We have participated in music classes, storytimes and puppet shows, and James' newest favorite thing to do is to use the computer to find books! We also just love to sit in the castle and read stories or work on puzzles and play in the kids' area. Here are some of his favorites from the summer:

1. There was an old lady swallowed a fly (this was his most favorite!)
2. I Spy books
3. There's a nightmare in my closet
4. And the dish ran away with the spoon
5. lots of non-fiction books about dinosaurs

Wednesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Charlie Cook's Favorite Book

by Julia Donaldson

This is a really fun book about a boy named Charlie who begins to read a book about a pirate who finds a treasure chest, and in it is a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight, who is reading about a frog...... etc. You get the idea. It's really cute and the pictures are so colorful and vivid. It is one of the books that I picked up at the latest book fair here at school and it's ready for you to check out!

Thursday's Pick

Today's pick is...

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

by Oliver Jeffers

This is one of the new books at Tonalea and I just LOVE it! Henry loves books, but not like you and I love books. No. He love to EAT books! And the more he eats, the smarter he gets! So he starts to eat more and more books, faster and faster, and ends up biting off a bit more than he can chew...

Tuesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Bats at the Library

by Brian Lies

"Join the free-for-all fun at the public library with these book-loving bats! Shape shadows on walls, frolic in the water fountain, and roam the book-filled halls until it's time for everyone, young and old, to settle down into the enchantment of storytime. Brian Lies' joyful critters and their nocturnal celebration cast library visits in a new light. Even the youngest of readers will want to join the batty book-fest!"

Other books by Brian Lies include Bats at the Beach, Deep in the Swamp and Lucky Duck.

Check out more on Brian Lies and his books at http://www.brianlies.com/brian_lies_books.htm

To listen to a reading of this story, go to youtube at

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=read%20aloud%20bats%20at%20the%20library&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#q=bats+at+the+library&hl=en&emb=0

Monday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Babymouse: Queen of the World (Book 1)

by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

This is a brand new series at the Tonalea Library and I am so excited to share it with you! It is a graphic novel series that was written with girls in mind. As described on the author's website:

Babymouse: Queen of the World
t’s the same thing every day for Babymouse. Where is the glamour? The excitement? The adventure? Nothing ever changes, until . . . Babymouse hears about Felicia Furrypaws’s exclusive slumber party. Will Babymouse get invited? Will her best friend, Wilson, forgive her if she misses their monster movie marathon? Find out in Babymouse: Queen of the World, a graphic novel with attitude!
WINNER 2006 - Gryphon Award
WINNER 2006 - ALA Notable Children's Book
WINNER 2006 - New York Book Show Awards

Check out more information at http://www.jenniferholm.com/02_mybooks/11_babymouse.html

Thursday's Pick

Today's pick is....

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You

by Mary Ann Hoberman

This book presents short retellings of familiar fairy tales, each told in two voices designed especially for young children and adults to read together. It is the second book in the series and I love it because it something that parents, children, teachers and students can all read together. Reading is something that is fun to share with friends and family, and this book is a great way to do it. We just received this book, along with others in the series, at the Tonalea library. Come check them out!

Wednesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss

I chose this classic book today because today is Earth Day! This fun and moral tale tells the story of the Lorax and his plight to stop the Once-ler from cutting down all of the Truffula Trees.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues."

This is a great book to teach children about the importance of doing everything we can to help care for and save the environment.

You can see the video version of this book at Google Video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6650219631867189375

Tuesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians

by Jackie Mims Hopkins

This is a new title at our library, and I just LOVE it! I think it is so cute! It is part of the "fractured fairytales" genre which is one of my new favorite genres. In this genre, writers take a classic fairy tale and "fracture" it by putting a new spin/twist on the story to create a new, fun and original story that newer generations can enjoy. I have a slight bias with this particular story because its main characters are all li"bear"ians. :) I am reading it with my students this week and we are all enjoying it!

Thursday's Pick

Today's Pick is...

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

by Mo Willems

This Caldecott Honor book is a brilliantly simple read that people of all ages can enjoy. The bus driver has to leave for a while, and he makes one request of readers: "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus." It's the height of common sense, but the driver clearly knows this determined pigeon and readers do not-yet. "Hey, can I drive the bus?" asks the bird, at first all sweet reason, and then, having clearly been told no by readers, he begins his ever-escalating, increasingly silly bargaining. "I tell you what: I'll just steer," and "I never get to do anything," then "No fair! I bet your mom would let me." In a wonderfully expressive spread, the pigeon finally loses it, and, feathers flying and eyeballs popping, screams "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" in huge, scratchy, black-and-yellow capital letters. The driver returns, and the pigeon leaves in a funk-until he spies a huge tractor trailer, and dares to dream again.

Other books include:

Don't Let the Pigeon Eat the Hot Dog!

and

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

Tuesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Island of the Blue Dolphins

by Scott O'Dell

Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the Blue Dolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Association named this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's books of the past 200 years.

O'Dell was inspired by the real-life story of a 12-year-old American Indian girl, Karana. The author based his book on the life of this remarkable young woman who, during the evacuation of Ghalas-at (an island off the coast of California), jumped ship to stay with her young brother who had been abandoned on the island. He died shortly thereafter, and Karana fended for herself on the island for 18 years.

O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and in the ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an otter cape on special occasions), and secures shelter. Perhaps even more startlingly, she finds strength and serenity living alone on the island.

This is a book that I read when I was in 5th grade, and I still remember it as one of the best books ever!

To see a video book review of this award-winning story, go to

http://www.expotv.com/videos/reviews/23/IslandoftheBlueDolphins/48299

Thursday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Flotsam was the 2007 winner of the Caldecott Medal for the best picture book of the year, and rightfully so. This story, told all in pictures, is about a camera that drifts to shore and the boy who finds it and develops the incredible pictures from the film.

Check out David Wiesner's website to learn more at http://www.thefishknowthesecret.com/

Monday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Click Clack Moo

Cows That Type

by Doreen Cronin

This award-winning picture book is hilarious and silly. Farmer Brown thinks that everything on the farm is normal until the cows find an old typewriter and start typing letters to him, insisting on better living conditions. The hilarity continues is Giggle Giggle Quack Quack and Dooby Dooby Moo. All three books can be found in the Tonalea Library, along with other by Doreen Cronin including favorites such as Diary of a Fly, Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider. Visit the author's personal website at http://www.doreencronin.com/doreen.html

Listen to a reading of the story on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMayGIVmfgA

Friday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott

This was a favorite of mine when I was in high school and this Great Illustrated Classics version of the story is a great way to bring this classic story to younger readers.

"This is the warmhearted story of the four March sisters... Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy growing up in 19th century America. Their happy family is disturbed when their father leaves for the Civil War and shaken further when mother must leave to nurse their wounded father back to health. But family love and loyalty keeps them together. As the years pass the girls become women and learn more about life and love." -back cover

Thursday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown

I just read this book last night with my son and I used to read it when I was little too. This is a great book to read with small children before they go to bed at night. It is the story of a mother getting her child ready to say goodnight to the world and go to sleep. The pictures actually get darker as you turn the pages just as if day were turning into night. It's a classic and a great read!

Wednesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

by Judy Blume

This book was a favorite of mine when I was young and I'm so glad to see my students enjoying it still today.

"Peter Hatcher feels like a fourth grade nothing. His little brother, Fudge is causing problems for him all the time. Fudge gets away with every temper tantrum and always messes up Peter's things including his homework. The last straw is when Fudge walks off with Peter's pet turtle, Dribble. It is now time for Peter to get his parents to pay attention to him for a change. This is a book that would be well suited for kids with younger siblings because they can probably relate to Peter's difficulties with Fudge. " - review by Kristy Pastore at www.allreaders.com

Tuesday's Pick

Today's pick is...

The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs

by Jon Scieszka

"Here is the "real" story of the three little pigs whose houses are huffed and puffed to smithereens... from the wolf's perspective. This poor, much maligned wolf has gotten a bad rap. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with a sneezy cold, innocently trying to borrow a cup of sugar to make his granny a cake. Is it his fault those ham dinners--rather, pigs--build such flimsy homes? Sheesh."

Monday's Pick

Today's pick is....

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

This 2008 Caldecott Medal Winning book is a story told in pictures.
Orphan, clock keeper and thief , twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together...in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Friday's Pick

Today's pick is...

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

This is a touching story of a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. He was very content to be owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely.

Then one day, he was lost.

Check out this incredible story to read about Edward's adventures and the lessons he learns as he travels the world and tries to get back home.

Thursday's Pick

Today's pick is....

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

This is a wonderful classic tale about Peter, a mischievous rabbit, who just can't help himself and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden against his mother's wishes. He gets himself into some really big trouble, though, when Mr. McGregor sees him! Read this cute story to find out what happens to Peter. This story is our feature story of the week, and you can listen to the story via podcast on "Children's Stories and Tales from the Forest" free!