It's Monday, March 19 and I'm reading...

Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Text

Sheila at Book Journey

                                                                   What I am currently reading and my progress:
 
1. Piper's Son by Melina Marcheta...set in Australia, a group of friends are coping with the death of another friend. 50% complete.
2. Emma by Jane Austen.. ..I started reading this book on my smart phone during jury duty. 15% complete.
3. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley... Can't seem to get much traction on this book.  I must bear down on it this week. 10% complete.

What I am listening to:

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones---This was an Alex Award winner a few years back. Set on a small island in Papua New Guinea. The teacher, Mr.Watts, reads Great Expectations by Charles Dickens to his class and this book becomes important for a variety of reasons.

What I've recently finished:

The Final Four by Paul Volponi--- a fictionalized account of a semifinal game in the NCAA Basketball tournament with four of the players highlighted. Very good!

What I hope to read next:

-Under the Mesquite by Guadeloupe Garcia McCall
-Irises by Francisco X. Stork...I've checked it out from the library but haven't looked in it yet.

What are YOU reading this week?

Sunday Salon... March 18

Weather today... Rain, sun, snow, hail. It is actually quite ridiculous.

In the school library this week: The state HSPE (High School Proficiency Exam) was held on three days, plus an additional make-up day on Friday. The library was the room used for students who needed a longer time to finish it. We had to lock out all other students, teachers, and classes.  It was actually quite boring. Watching students take tests.


I'm reading: 1. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley, the Printz Award winner for 2012; 2. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

I'm listening to: Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. Set on Bougainville, an island that is part of Papua New Guinea. The teacher, Mr. Watts, reads Great Expectations to his class. The main character, Pip, plays an important role in the life of Matilda, the story's protagonist.

Book finished this week: The Final Four by Paul Volponi. A fictionalized account of a semifinal game in the NCAA basketball tournament. Read my review here.

Bookish event: I attended an author event at the Garfield Bookstore last night where six new/upcoming YA authors answered questions and read from their books.  Unfortunately, the event was very poorly attended. I enjoyed myself but felt sorry for the organizers of it since I'm sure they made no money on it at all.

Scripture lesson in church: Isaiah 43:18,19

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 

I'm praying for: My friends. Two of my friends have lost their mothers in the past few weeks. Two other friends' husbands are currently being treated for cancer. Moral of the story, aging sucks!

Around the house: The new washer and dryer are installed and we've spent most of Saturday catching up on laundry! They are both front loaders and we have been amusing ourselves watching the laundry tumble around.  Ha!

From the kitchen: Corned beef and cabbage and second day, Rueben sandwiches.

Musical event of the week: The University of Puget Sound Adelphian Choir and RHS Concert choir shared a concert at our church. It was an excellent event.

A favorite quote this week: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up!" ---Jimmy V.

Libraries 101---Stickers

Libraries 101 is a new feature at My Head is Full of Books where librarians and library-goers can talk about issues near and dear---books and bookish related topics specific to libraries.

Today's topic is stickers on books, such as barcodes, due date stickers, and spine labels.

I became a school librarian seven years ago.  I opened a new school and its library.  I was not, however, the person that chose the opening day collection or made the decisions about the placement of barcode labels. Nor did I select the type of books predominately selected for this collection, paperbacks with special hard covers to extend their shelf life. While I like these types of books, what I don't like is that the information about the book is on the back because they don't have a jacket flap. The placement of the barcode label can then obscure the book info.  Students complain that they have no idea what the book is about which makes selection of this particular title less than likely. See the photo below for three examples of labels that do this.

Barcode labels, due date labels, and spine labels all obscure the information on the back of the book on these Permabound-type books.

The problem with extra stickers isn't as profound on hardcover books since the book info is on the book-flap inside the front cover, but they do make the books look more junky and, in some cases, obscure some of the book info.  See examples below.

For the past few months whenever I have a few free hours, I've been attempting to remedy my sticker problem by slowly removing the due date stickers on the back and replacing them with due date sheets which are glued inside the book.

Several students have commented how much better they like this type of due date label.  They say it is easier to figure out when the book is due and it looks less messy on the back of the book.

In addition I am slowly removing the AR labels that are above the spine labels.  The gal that selected the opening collection thought that high school students would want to participate in Accelerated Readers activities.  They don't.  The AR stickers on the spines confuse kids who are searching for a particular book. I am also moving all barcode labels to some place on the back of the book that doesn't obscure any information.  This a huge job and it will probably take me a few years to finish.

Words to the wise---If I could do it again, I would avoid as many stickers as possible on my books and the placement of the barcodes would vary according to the information already published on the book. 

Librarians and library-goers what are your thoughts about stickers on library books?

Review: The Final Four by Paul Volponi

Perfect timing. It's Saturday morning. My husband is sitting around sipping coffee, watching a NCAA Basketball Tournament game on TV. Off in a corner I sit reading a book entitled The Final Four by Paul Volponi. It is a fictionalized account of a basketball game in this very tournament. After finishing the last page I lift my eyes to notice the action on the TV screen where two teams are battling for a win so they can advance to the next level. The action on the screen reminds me of the description of action in the book. Right on schedule.   

The Final Four, which earned a starred review in School Library Journal this month, highlights the lives of four of the players in a semifinal game of the tournament. The stories of Malcolm and MJ from the favored Michigan State Spartans, Roko and Crispin from the underdog Troy University Trojans are interspersed with action from the game. Journal entries, TV interviews, flashbacks, and newspaper accounts are the literary techniques used to introduce us to the characters. While play-by-play, color commentary, and court-side interviews bring the action and the excitement of the game to the readers. Malcolm, who is the least likeable character in the book, is very clear about using his time on the team as a stepping stone to the NBA. He also points out the exploitation of college athletes while the schools and teams rake in money from their unpaid efforts.

Even though I do not consider myself to be a big basketball fan, I found this book to be exciting and the back stories very compelling.  In fact, after reading The Final Four I have more interest in the NCAA tournament that is playing in the background of my life right now.  "With exciting game action and a candid exploration of the hypocrisy inherent in so-called amateur sports, this gritty, realistic, and riveting novel deserves the wide audience it will no doubt attract" (Richard Luzer, SLJ). I agree with Luzer. Librarians, if you don't have this book in you library, buy it quick! It is going to be a favorite among your readers who are sports fans or those who like stories with lots of action.

Retrospective Wednesday #1---The Thirteenth Tale

Retrospective Wednesday is a new feature at My Head is Full of Books designed to give bloggers a chance to highlight a book that was published in previous years, in the hope that it will cause others to go back and read it. The featured book must have been published one or more years ago.  Please leave a comment and link back to Headfullofbooks from your blog post. Join in the fun highlighting favorite old books.

Week #1-
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
Considered a tale within a tale, this mystery, set in England, kept me guessing until the very end.  Every time I thought I had things figured out, a plot twist was introduced. This book was a book club favorite as we had a fabulous discussion over it.  It was also an Alex Award winner in 2007. Alex Award books are adult books that have cross-over appeal for teens. If you like mysteries or just well-written books with interesting plots and engaging and interesting characters, this book would be a good choice for you.

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author's tale of gothic strangeness -- featuring the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess,a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.-Simon and Schuster

If you have read this book, let me know what you thought of it in the comment section. If you have an old, favorite book you'd like others to read, feel free to join in and add a book to Retrospective Wednesday on your blog.

Review: Angry Management by Chris Crutcher

In Angry Management by Chris Crutcher we are reintroduced to characters we met in previous Crutcher books. And in a fun, almost magical way, these characters now live in current times not held by the time/decade constraints we would expect in a sequel. This literary technique makes the three stories in Angry Management fresh and approachable for teens today, not dependent on any previous knowledge of the characters/settings by the readers.

Who are these old/new characters?

There is Mr. Nak whose Angry Management group is an important "home" for a group of misfit teens. I first met Mr. Nak in the book Ironman. I wish every school had a Mr. Nak---a teacher who really understands adolescents and has the special ability to help those teens get themselves the help they need to better their lives. In this book, Mr. Nak has returned from his stint as a rodeo cowboy and is hired to help troubled kids. His notes provide the transitions between the stories.

The first story has Sarah Brynes (Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes) meet up with Angus Bethune (Athletic Shorts) and they make one more attempt at reconnecting with her mom. In the process these two needy kids find solace in a new friendship.

Montana West (Sledding Hill) once again tackles censorship in the second story. This time she attempts to get an article for the school newspaper approved by the school board. Unfortunately she runs afoul of the censor's pen but learns about herself and loyalty along the way.

In the last story we meet (or I meet) Marcus James, a black, gay student in a very racist town and a Christian guy, Matt Miller (Deadline) who stands up for James and against those students who would undo him.

Chris Crutcher fills these three stories with raw emotion. They are about insecurity, anger, and prejudice. But they are also about love, freedom, and power. About surviving.  And hope.---from the book description

In a funny, ironic synchronicity I read Angry Management while I was on jury duty. The halls of the Pierce County building were full of people who probably would have benefited from a Mr. Nak and an angry management group during their teen years, having a place to go to deal with their issues in a safe environment rather than committing crimes against society and ending up in the penal system.

Since most high schools don't have a Mr. Nak, thank goodness there is Chris Crutcher and his books!  Mr. Crutcher really gets teens. His books are never preachy. He trusts his readers to read between the lines and to find help within the pages only if help is wanted.

I am delighted to report that there is a loyal fan base for Chris Crutcher at my school. Boys are telling their friends about his books.  That is music to a librarian's ears.

And now for the big news... Chris Crutcher has a new  book, Period. 8, coming out next year. I am so psyched! Check out the teasers for this book on Chris Crutcher's page:

Sunday Salon... March 11

Weather today... Rainy, cold, and threats of snow and wind.

Helping the economy:  Yesterday my hubby and I ordered new counter tops for our kitchen. We chose quartz counters that looks like granite but are more nonporous. After leaving that showroom we went to Sears and bought a new washer/dryer pair. Ch-Ching!

Jury Duty gal:  Monday I reported to fulfill a civic duty on Jury Duty. I did serve on one jury and was considered for another. The rest of the week was spent sitting around in the jury room.  Bonus, I did get a lot of reading done.

I'm reading: 1. When Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley. This was the Printz Award winner this year.  2. Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta...I started this book last summer and never had the chance to finish it.

I'm listening to: Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. This is a book club selection.

Book finished this week: 1. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, the fourth book in the Eragon series;  2. The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg, the Christmas story of Joseph and Mary; 3. Homestretch by Paul Volponi, a good book for reluctant readers; 4. Angry Management by Chris Crutcher, one of my favorite authors this book did not disappoint. Look for my review soon.

Lists: As our remodeling projects near I am creating lists of things I need to do before the installers arrive.

Scripture lesson in church: John 4:25,26 ²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” ²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

I'm praying for: A friend who is starting a new course of chemotherapy this week and for his wife, my friend.

Around the house: The washing machine quit spinning... hence, the purchase of a new laundry pair! 
 
From the kitchen: Tonight: pesto salmon and Caesar salad.

Musical event of the week: Tomorrow our church hosts the UPS choir for an evening concert.

A favorite quote this week: “I have abandoned my search for truth and am now looking for a good fantasy ” ― Ashleigh Brilliant

Book Review: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Today ---seven years after beginning The Inheritance Cycle series---I said good-bye to Eragon, Saphira, and a whole cast of beloved characters, with the competition of Inheritance, the fourth and final book in the series. This farewell was a surprisingly emotional experience, too. I found myself feeling tearful as the end of the book neared. Gerard Doyle, the reader of the audiobooks for the whole Inheritance Cycle series, said he felt quite emotional while recording Inheritance. While addressing an audience at the book's opening party, he admitted that occasionally these feelings overwhelmed him so much that he would have to leave the recording studio and go for a walk to clear his head. Students returning this book to the library have all commented that they can't believe that the series is really over, that we will learn no more about Eragon and Saphira. Remember what it was like to finish the final book in the Harry Potter series? I felt a mild sense of depression and a sadness that I wouldn't have any more adventures with these beloved characters.  I feel the same way now as I did then.

Many reviewers have mentioned the length as a detriment to their enjoyment of this book.  I didn't feel this way. As a member of the Army National Guard my husband says that the Army has an unofficial slogan: Hurry up and wait. The action in the battle scenes had to be preceded and followed by lulls. Kings and queens, dwarfs and elves, riders and dragons had to plan strategic moves and rest. Readers had to learn new information about characters and settings. Characters had to move from point A to point B. I was fine with "living in Alegasia" for several weeks as I read/listened to this book. I savored my last journey with Eragon and company.

“Paolini’s fans, who have spent over 2,000 pages and eight years rooting for his hero, will cheer the final flight.” -The Washington Post

One thing that I really appreciated about the whole series is that the author, Christopher Paolini, does not insult the intelligence of the reader.  If he mentions details in the second book he expects the reader to remember them in the fourth. He does not reiterate things that we already "know." Several of my students reread the first three books in preparation for Inheritance. I didn't.  I just bumbled along if events/locations were mentioned that I had forgotten.  Preferring that to feeling insulted by tedious repetition.

I half listened/half read Inheritance. The idea of listening to 28-hours of the audiobooks loomed as a daunting task. So I opted to alternate between listening and reading.  Gerard Doyle does such a masterful job as the reader of this series making the books seem even more magical.  Another bonus to listening to the audiobooks is Doyle does the tough pronunciations for us. Whew!  No need to consult the pronunciation guide at the back of the book.

Now I bid adieu to my friends Eragon, Saphira, Roran, Ayra, and the rest. "Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass!"  May your swords stay sharp.

Book covers I really like

The Broke and Bookish

Book covers I really like...

1. The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To by DC Pierson
This looks 3-D to me, not the typical 2-D cover.  Very creative.
 

2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
This unique cover sets the book apart.

3. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
The red and black colors, the heart shape, and the dictionary words written within all create a pleasing composition.

4. Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan
The book is just as creative as the cover, or more so.

5.  Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
The cover makes me laugh as does the book.

6. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Juxtaposition.

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Almost touching, but not quite. The cover sets the reader up for what is to come.

8. Deadline by Chris Crutcher
The cover looks like it is upside-down.  That is the point.

9. Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini
Words to attract readers: Girls Panities; WEIRD; Pimpin'; Stinky.

10. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson is an artist who wrote a book. The art work is fabulous.

11. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
This is my favorite of the many editions of OFOTCN.

 
12. Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway
Notice how Benway's name is hiding in the vortex? 

Sunday Salon... March 4

Weather today... Sunny. High 40s.

Library Event of the week: Jane Austen Week. I showed the Kate Beckinsale version of EMMA, played trivia games,and award prizes. Attendance was down compared to past years. I am not sure if I didn't do enough publicity or if I don't have many Austen fans right now at my school.  One boy told me he was going to come and then asked, "What is Jane Austen?" Not, who is Jane Austen.  Ha!

I'm reading and listening to: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, the fourth book in the Eragon series.  I am over half way finished and I must admit I love this whole storyline. I spend half my time in my head in Alegasia, flying with Sapphira and Eragon....

Book finished this week: None.

Lists: What I should take with me to Jury Duty this week.  I could have a lot of sitting around time. I think I will take a few shorter books with me and a Sudoku book. Last time I was on jury duty I sat next to a woman who knitted a whole blanket while we waited to be selected for a jury. Then once I was selected, I wished I was sitting, watching the lady knit. I hope my experience is more positive this time.

Scripture lesson in church: Mark 7:24---  Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.

I'm praying for: A very maddening and disheartening situation with my family. I need God's guidance how to handle the situation.

Around the house: We've scheduled the hardwood floor installation for early April. Now I have to get my brain around moving everything out of the bottom level of our house. Gulp! 
 
From the kitchen: Blender egg souffle, a family favorite.

Musical event of the week: Lenten prayer concert by the Seattle University Choirs that my daughter is part of. My parents and sister/brother-in-law came up from Oregon for it. I know everyone was truly blessed by it. Afterwards we celebrated my mother's 83rd birthday together in the lobby of my daughter's dorm.

A favorite quote this week: "Everyone likes to eat, but no one likes to be eaten."-Solembum, the werecat in Inheritance