Where Did August Go

It's hard to believe our first month of school is over.  Just in the library, we are already past orientation, internet safety, finishing up the beginning of the year testing, and starting our information literacy lessons.  Senior portraits are even wrapping up.  It has been a whirlwind. 

As we push through September I know we are all wishing for cooler temperatures and our routines to settle in.  I am so grateful for the faculty and staff here at CHS and how we all work together for the greater good of our students.

So here are a few moments to share from this crazy start to a very busy year.

Summer 2019- Day One

Today has been a busy fun yet restful day. My two year old nephew came over so we got out some “If you give a mouse some popcorn” and “Little Quack Counts” to read. Then I got into some of my books after he left.  I finished “Crank”, read some “Ghost”, and studied some “Read Aloud Handbook.”

I have to say, “Crank” was a difficult read.  Not my typical book choice.  It was raw, edgy, heart-wrenching, gut-churning, and real.  This book gives a glimpse into the world of a drug addict.  It was so eye opening.  From my own very sheltered childhood, this book almost seemed fantasy.  But from the lives of people I know, this is realistic fiction for sure.  I pray it ends up in the right readers hands to keep them from making the same decisions that “Bree” did in this novel.

I had to pickup something a little lighter after that read so I went straight to “Ghost”.  I am only four chapters in but I can tell this is going to be an amazing book.  Young Castle Crenshaw is saught out to be on the Defenders City Track Team.  Yet, this is world he knows nothing about and he isn’t exactly sure what is going to happen next.  But he does seem to know that what is happening in his life sounds like the start of an awesome sports movie.

I’m heading inside to watch a movie with my family but I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in this book!

March Madness Book Showdown

Elite Eight of the CHS March Madness Book Showdown

Book Review: “Rebound” written by Kwame Alexander

Ever read a book and wanted a look back at the history of the characters? That is exactly what you get with this emotional and thought-provoking novel by Kwame Alexander. In this novel, written in verse, Alexander takes us back to the life of Josh and JB’s father (the main characters from The Crossover). This book shows the emotional rollercoaster that many of us find ourselves on when life has handed us a path we would have never chosen. Yet, somehow we find the strength. Charlie has to dig deep but eventually finds a way to move on. 

One Down Three to Go

My March reading is off to a great start.  Just finished a book.  To be completely honest, this was a book written in verse but still.  That’s a book finished on the first day of the month.

So now here’s the plan. Part One, read 50 at least pages a day.  It can be from multiple books but I have to get in 50 pages a day.  Part Two, read at least four books this month.

Here is my TBR stack so far.I’ve got three I could possibly finish and two I’d like to start.

Ready or Not March is HERE!!!

Well, ready or not it's MARCH!!

Yearbook deadlines are looming, seniors are getting antsy, and everyone is ready for Spring Break.

This month in the library we are going to have our March Madness!  We are having a book showdown.  A list was compiled of the top 16 checkouts as according to our circulation records.  Students will now vote weekly to narrow it down to the top book for the 2018-2019 checkout.

Here is our bracket:

Catching Up

Well, it's been a while.  So sorry life has been insanely busy. 
Here are a few snapshots of our craziness.

We started a Friday morning coffee shop to raise money for new furniture!

 

Basketball season has come and gone.

Our robotics team went to two competitions.

We put on our 2019 Miss Panther Profile Pageant!

So needless to say we've been a little busy here at CHS.  Hopefully, now we can slow down a bit and get take a moment to refocus.  See our next post for what is coming up here in the media center in March!

A Look Back at November

So I was only able to get in three books in November but that's not too bad I guess.

Only one more to go before I'll meet my goal for 2018 0f 30 books!!

November went by way too fast.  So glad that we enjoyed our few days or cool weather under our beautiful tree!

We tried on some crowns as we started planning the 2019 pageant!

Took some time to kick back and read!

Looking forward to an awesome December!

TBR Updated

Well, that last stack didn't make it one day before I gave out two of the four to be checked out by my students.  So I am revamping the list.  I read another I Survived... book this weekend. 

This book gave a unique perspective on what that day must have been like through the eyes of a teenage boy.  I couldn't put it down.

So three books left before I reach my 2018 goal of 30 books.
Hmm... 

So here we go, for now, this is it.

November/December TBR List

I need to finish 4 books to meet my 2018 reading goal of 30 books.  I have to be honest I am a little nervous about not meeting my goal.  So I decided to put together a To Be Read list for November/December.

So here are my plans...
"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli (This is a reread since I am reading it with my 8th graders.)
"I Survived The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941" by Lauren Tarshish (Just because I love these!)
"Rebound" by Kwame Alexander (I absolutely loved the other two books of his I've read!)
"And the Ocean Was Our Sky" written by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Rovina Cai
(It's beautiful!)

Weekend Reads

This week has been super busy so I hate that I am just now sharing. 
I read two amazing books this weekend.

First, "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis

This story is told from the point of view of a young boy who is swept away by the current.  Lauren Tarshis does an incredible job of creating vivid images and powerful emotions that must have flooded the victims of Katrina.

Secondly, was a book called "The Delusion".  This powerful book will forever be etched in my mind.  Laura Gallier seeks to address the darkness that seemingly has overcome our world by shedding truth and light.