Fantastic 591 Spring 2011

Comment

Comment by Collette Knight on April 28, 2011 at 9:48pm

I've read all three books and due to the violence and some adult themes, I have to agree that these books are more appropriate for middle school and up.

Comment by Linda Wells on April 24, 2011 at 8:28pm

Hi Guys,

I read the discussion on the Hunger Games trilogy and decided to keep my opinions to myself. However, we just finished our Book Fair where Scholastic really featured this series. I absolutely do not think these books appropriate for younger elementary kids. I think maybe fifth grade would be the beginning. I have read the first Hunger Games and loved it. However, I recognized that the violence would be too much for my fourth graders. I have had many, many fourth graders reading them. My comment is that it is a parental decision that needs to be made here. I told many of my parents that they should read the books first and then make that decision. While I think the book is well written, just as there are many TV shows and movies that are appropriate at a later age, my feelling is that this series falls into that category. Later, please....great reading at a more advanced age.

Comment by Joe Tedesco on April 24, 2011 at 4:17pm

Common Sense Librarianship: An Ordered List Manifesto
Common Sense Librarianship

(Found on the blog: DavidRothman.net)
1. The world of information has always been in a constant state of flux. As technology continues to change the world of information, it is preferable for information professionals and the institutions they serve to adapt rather than perish.
This is not a new idea.
2. The most important qualities an information professional can posses are adaptability, resourcefulness, a habit of looking for better/easier/more efficient ways to do things, creativity, and a love for solving problems.
This is not a new idea.
3. Organizations providing information services should pay as close attention as possible to the needs of those whose information needs they serve. Where these needs can be measured, they should be measured. If you can find something that your library is regarding as more important than user needs, something is very wrong.
This is not a new idea.
4. Whenever possible, obstacles between users and the information they seek should be removed.  Among these obstacles are academic jargon and expecting users to care about cataloging minutia (it is minutia to them, get over it).  Information professionals should be champions of clarity and concision who find accessible ways to describe complex topics.
This is not a new idea.
Much of the above comes from conversations with really smart and insightful people like Amy Buckland, Kathryn Greenhill, Jenica Rogers, and Maurice Coleman.

Comment by Laura Sisson on April 23, 2011 at 7:49pm

Visit the NCCIL (Natl Cntr for Children's Illustrated Lit) in Abilene! Friendly staff, gorgeous art, crafts on Sat, book store. Fun!

Comment by Wendy Howk on April 9, 2011 at 4:11pm

Attended Tech camp today at Lee High School. Lots of awesome Web 2.0 tools - but the neatest idea was shared by Kelli Miksch, an IT on NEISD elementary campuses. She is working with her 5th graders to be trainers of teachers! The students have been creating and conducting teacher trainings on technology in our district. Wow! I can't wait to attend one of their trainings. BTW, the Museum Box sounds like a great tool - my librarian and I are going back to train teachers next week.

Comment by Wendy Howk on April 3, 2011 at 2:37pm

Has anyone had experience with Museum Box? I've got a workshop next Saturday & I've signed up to learn about them. I'd like to maybe use them with a 5th grade civil war unit... Please share your experience.

Comment by Wendy Howk on March 21, 2011 at 9:28pm

Wow Laura - that's a toughie! My 15 year old son and I have read all 3 books in the series and LOVED them. But, that aside, they are really geared "young adult". I checked on reviews &  Booklist recommends grades 9-12!  SLJ is a little more flexible, saying 7th and up.

The issues are very complex in the book - the politics, the "using" of "friends" to get what you want, and of course the whole concept of killing kids. I think of it a little like having the Twilight books in elementary. The kids really want to be "cool" and reading them, but they really aren't age-appropriate.

I look forward to hearing the discussion on this one!

Comment by Laura Sisson on March 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

I just realized that at one of my elementary campuses, I have a copy of The Hunger Games. I am a little torn. It was already a part of the collection when I came aboard last year.  It circulated a number of times last year. II'll admit, I haven't read it, so...do I keep it in the collection or send it on to a nearby middle school? I started reading it to make a decision myself as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Comment by CoffeeAtMidnight on March 17, 2011 at 5:12pm

Who hoo! I am finally on Ning and I am stoked about it!   Hi Everybody!

Comment by Janice Knezek on March 16, 2011 at 7:37pm

Okay, I'm now convinced that Olive Kitteridge needs to be my next read.  I bought the book several months ago and even think I started reading it but wound up getting side-tracked and never got very far into it.  My interest is now peaked again.  Thanks guys.

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