Comics and Graphic Novels for Teaching ELL? We have 'em here at Kimball HS Library, and have for years!

Just found this article (http://www.slj.com/2015/04/standards/using-comics-to-teach-english-language-learners/?utm_source=k12-newsletter&utm_medium=email&eis-cmp=&eis-code=k12-ww&eis-src=email&eis-type=) about using comics and graphic novels to teach ELL students. We had Spanish teachers who had students create comics to teach Spanish in past years....huh. I don't remember which site she used, but, fortunately, Mashable provides this nifty list: http://mashable.com/2010/10/24/create-your-own-comics/
Personally, I like the look of Pixton. I may have to start my own comic on the day to day life of a school librarian. Of course, if I ever sell it, I'll have to pay them.

AWESOMELY AMAZING!!

Just noticed I have almost 3,000 views since I started the Kimball HS Library blog. Thanks so much for dropping by once or twice. Wish I could have posted something every day like I did in the beginning, but after getting everything moved when the new carpet was installed, with the help of about 5 students who did 90% of the work, it's taken a while to get things back in order. If you ever want to see what we have in our collection, take a look at www.library.dallasisd.org and select Kimball under High Schools. Although I have hours of weeding to do in the Nonfiction section, I'm really happy with the range of materials available in the library for all of our readers; books for research papers and assignments, comics, manga, urban lit, movie tie-ins, all kinds of series lit, B & N favorites, as well as my favorite classic selections in English and Spanish, and the reading lists from Ivy League schools. We get a lot of input from our most voracious readers and they are wonderful to see almost, if not, every day. I've been thinking about some of the first students I met when arriving here: Armando (the first), Kitty, Shanise, Shay, Lon'Tavion, Maria, Letiticia, and Karen. I miss you guys like crazy, especially that little light of mine, KV!! Armando and some of the others have graduated from college by now, and Lon'Tavion dropped by last month to catch us up - he is now learning to drive a TANK. I wonder how long public librarians get to see their favorite patrons...

What is YA? (According to EBSCO)

Just got this email from EBSCO, Dallas ISD has a subscription, and many colleges and public libraries also subscribe to this database...

"Young Adult (YA) literature has made a name for itself, creeping onto best-seller lists and breaking box office records with film adaptations. “The Hunger Games.” “Divergent.” “The Giver.” “The Fault in Our Stars.” Even if you don’t know what YA is, there is probably a YA title rolling around in your mind. The genre is exploding, snagging readers across age ranges and cultures. YA is breaking boundaries.
But what is YA? Is it just a marketing term, or is it more? Recently I stumbled across a blog by catagator. It’s a list of book lists, but when I started scrolling and clicking through, the breakdown of genre and content available in YA blew me away. Diving in by genre, subgenre, format, theme – YA has so much going on! Short stories, urban fiction, dystopia, magical realism, historical fiction, horror, verse novels – if you’ve got a craving for something specific, it exists. And there are readers and librarians and writers tweeting, blogging and listing their love of YA.

If you are interested in YA, take a look at our eBook collections like the Youth Award Winners Collection, or our Genre collections, or the eBook High School Subscription Collection. YA is everywhere and worth more than a few reads."

I'll have to look and see if our subscription covers this!!

Three Panel Book Reviews - I like, I like

http://threepanelbookreview.tumblr.com/

Ok, I admit it. I read teen books (so do a lot of other adults).

I'm a high school librarian. And I like to read teen lit. Ok, I will say there are some popular vampire series books that make me wonder...where are the parents of these characters? They have no siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents? They can come and go any old time they want?! And my favorite: someone was killed/disappeared, and no one noticed they were missing? That's just sad.

Anyway, our department assignment was to read this article by Karin Perry Do You Read Books? First thing that comes to mind is: everyone thinks that's all I do all day (well, not really, but it would be dangerous to say otherwise). And I wish I could read books, read reviews, library articles all day long, what a wonderful job!! But so far, I'm troubleshooting computer problems/putting in repair requests, helping students with their MS Office skills, doing inventory, registering parents with online grade access and trying to finish reports (which are overdue, much to the dismay of one).

But I do, have, and always will like YA lit. Without it, there'd be no Hunger Games, Twilight, To Kill a Mockingbird, Outsiders, Delirium, Go Ask Alice, even The Pigman!

So try YA lit some time! And share...

Bell rang, school's out...time to READ some teen lit!! And oops, forgot to get my last two ILLs out to the kids before school was over for the day.

Our LMS Department Gives Us Books If We Review Them

I wish I could work on my blog and write reviews any time I wanted.
Here's my first on "Goodreads (Kimball HS)."

Before cell phones, before caller-ID, a guy could find a phone number, find out it's the girl next door, call her, hang up, call again, have a conversation with her, and repeat nightly. What happens next? Read "Not Exactly a Love Story" to find out. It's 1977, and 15-year-old Vinnie Gold is about to drop a Valentine into the locker of the girl he's had a crush on for the past two years to find out she's moved without even a goodbye. Next, he goes home and discovers his parents are getting a divorce. All kinds of changes are in store for Vinnie...turns out they're not all bad. 

What did I think? My, how things have changed. No more secret calls at midnight - it's called stalking now. No more secret Valentine cards slipped in lockers - video cameras are everywhere.

Changes are changes. You'll never know what it really was like unless you lived it (It was suspenseful, secretive and fun - most of the time). More innocence, less "Catfish," - times were different then. Better? Worse? It's your call.

Kimball HS Library is Moving Onward...

Kimball HS Library has a Twitter account! Woo! Hoping to keep you updated on the happenings here in our little part of the book world. I'd like to post more about our events, volunteering, class activity of the past couple of years! It's been a little difficult to post while being the sole librarian since Ms. York's illness and passing a few years ago. Missing you, LSY! Getting an opportunity to add a little to the blog today thanks to Ms. Magee. Thank you!!
If you get a chance, help us out in the next entry so we can be entered in the DonorsChoose.org raffle and prize giveaway.
I'd really like to get some authors here since we have so many enthusiastic readers! They are great kids and they really appreciate the opportunities we can provide. Also, a portable stage for library events which we could use outside on those wonderful warm days we have so often (just not today). The thought of having some exciting book events right outside really thrills me!
Thanks for your help!

Donor Choose - Help Me Out on a Book Club or Kimball HS Library Project - We have some real Book and Magazine Lovers here!!

Subject: My students need your help!

 

Hi Friends,

 

This school year, I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed. So I've created a classroom project request on a 501(c)3 charity website called DonorsChoose.org.

November is the Tell-A-Friend Challenge, so I am writing in hopes of any donations for my students! For this month only, your donation of $25 or more to my Teacher Page will not only help fund my projects, but will also earn my classroom a raffle entry to win additional resources and supplies. You can help my students twice with one tax-deductible donation, and you'll hear back from our class about your impact on our learning!

 

To learn more or donate, visit my Teacher Page at http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/522994

Please feel free to send me any questions you may have, and know that my students and I greatly appreciate your support.

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/522994?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=teacher_profile&utm_campaign=copyURL&rf=copyURL_dccontent_2013_11

How many of these have YOU read?

I've been doing a little "fall cleaning" and found these nice reading lists for all you who want to do a little pre-planning:

http://www.listsofbests.com/list/16484-101-great-books-recommended-for-college-bound-readers

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21804.101_Great_Books_Recommended_for_College_Bound_Readers

http://wcpscollegeandcareer.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/1/1/7711918/college_board_recommended_books.pdf

I'm going to admit I have not read all these titles and challenge myself to complete this list within a year...who will join me??

New Things Are Happening at Kimball HS Library!

You would be surprised to hear all the commotion at the Kimball HS library these days...in May, the library floors were cleared with the help of Joshua B., Jose B., Sandra B. and new carpet was put in!! First time since the 80s!! Before and after photos will soon be posted...in June work started to add more ports and to update the existing connections...wooo! so exciting, but every one knew the computers in library work better than anywhere in the building...except the Web Design classroom...today they are replacing more things in the library.
This fall, ideas will be brought to life, and it will be fun! More reading celebrations, commemorative events, giveaways, and Book Club will still be helping out at reading events around the city.

By the way, a big THANK YOU to Book Club members who have given so much of their free time this year helping out at Dallas Public Library events. They are even being requested BY NAME. NIIIICE. You are all SUPER! And YOU WILL receive extra "thanks" this year!

Free Audio Book Downloads from Sync!

Another Dallas ISD librarian has let us know about Sync (thanks, Ms. Irwin). Have you tried audio books? Sync website has free downloads you can try. It looks like they are going to have a couple of books available every week all summer. You know I'll have to listen to them all...I can't wait!

Find Sync at http://www.audiobooksync.com/

Here's their list:

 

SYNC Titles
Summer 2013

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

June 6 – June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

June 20 – June 26, 2013
Once by Morris Gleitzman, read by Morris Gleitzman (Bolinda Audio)
Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Dion Graham (christianaudio)

June 27 – July 3, 2013
Rotters by Daniel Kraus, read by Kirby Heyborne (Listening Library)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, read by Jim Weiss (Listening Library)

July 4 – July 10, 2013
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 11 – July 17, 2013
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, read by Peter Altschuler (HarperAudio)
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, read by Simon Vance (Tantor Audio)

July 18 – July 24, 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon (Recorded Books)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 25 – July 31, 2013
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Charlie McWade (Scholastic Audiobooks)
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, read by Steve West (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 1 – Aug 7, 2013
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, read by Dan Weyman (Macmillan Audio)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Ralph Cosham (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 8 – Aug 14, 2013
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren (Brilliance Audio)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, read by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio)

Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2013
Sold by Patricia McCormick, read by Justine Eyre (Tantor Audio)
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie, read by Tavia Gilbert (Blackstone Audio)

Some Stats for You!

Every year, I print out a report of the most circulated titles to determine what my most loyal patrons like to read, and to order similar items. Here is the list of 2012-2013 Top Circulated Titles for Justin F. Kimball HS Library:

Fiction (Top 20)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Riordan, Rick
The Hunger Games, Collins, Suzanne (required reading)
Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury, Ray (required reading)
Mockingjay, Collins, Suzanne
Awakened, Cast, P.C.
Tempted, Cast, P.C.
Marked, Cast, P.C
Hunted, Cast, P.C
Betrayed, Cast, P.C
The Complete Hush, Hush Saga, Fitzpatrick, Becca
Eighth Grade Bites, Brewer, Heather
Crank, Hopkins, Ellen
Things Fall Apart, Achebe, Chinua (required reading)
Burned, , Cast, P.C
The Awakening, Smith, L.J.
Chosen, Cast, P.C
Catching Fire, Collins, Suzanne
The Lost Hero, Riordan, Rick
If I Were Your Boyfriend, Sewell, Earl
Goddess of the Sea, Cast, P.C
Love is Hell, Marr, Melissa, ed.
Blue Moon: The Immortals series, Noel, Alyson
For the Love of Money, Tyree, Omar

Non-Fiction (Top 20)
Pokeman Adventures, Kusaka, Hidenori
One Piece: I Won't Die, Oda, Eiichiro
The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream, Davis, Sampson
A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive, Pelzer, David
Azul Para La Pesadillas, Stolarz, Laurie
ASVAB for Dummies, Powers, Rod
Everything You Want to Know About Cosmetics, Stabile, Toni
The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook, Baines, Emily
Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics, Lee, Stan
Basketball Top 10, Hareas, John
20 Soccer Superstars, Velazquez de Leon, Mauricio
Tupac: Resurrection, Shakur, Tupac
Back in the Day: My Life and Times with Tupac Shakur, Bastfield, Darrin
The Houseplant Expert, Hessayon, D.G.
Cooking the Vietnamese Way, Nguyen, Chi
Drawing for Beginners, Partington, Peter
Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil, Hillberry, D.
Bleach: No Shaking Throne, Kubo, Tite
Vampire Haiku, Mecum, Ryan
Anne Frank, Muller, Melissa

It's really interesting to see how their interest have changed the past five years, and nice to see the variety. I may have to pull up that list and share it. I want to give some credit to a librarian T.W. Browne Middle School had for two years and the readers she nurtured: Suzanne Sherman, who is now at Conrad High School.

If You Like Alyson Noel's Immortals Series....

Many of our students like the Immortals series. While searching to find the latest book in the series to order, I came upon the Immortals series website http://immortalsseries.com/. If you like Alyson Noel, you should see it! It has book excerpts, audio excerpts, and nice video promos of the books. The music is a great effect. You can see the video for the books at the link above, or on Good Reads at http://www.goodreads.com/videos/2326-evermore. Have a look, it's fun!

Thank you Shanise Kelley and Goodreads for this information!!

Event for P.C. Cast
Date: October 18, 2012    04:00PM  -- October 18, 2012    04:30PM
RSVP by: October 18, 2012    03:45PM
Venue: Goodreads.com
Type: Author appearance
Website: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/video_chat/53

Description

Join Goodreads on Thursday, October 18 at 7pm ET/4pm PT for a live video chat with bestselling author     duo P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. We'll be discussing Hidden, the latest in their popular House of Night series. Don't miss it! 

African-American Heritage Month Activity at Kimball HS Library

Our school celebrated with a multitude of events, from students writing reports about not only famous African-Americans, but also those individuals we are well-acquainted with here in this country who have French or Spanish backgrounds, such as Alex Rodriguez, Soledad O'Brien and Zoe Saldana. Members of our multicultural committee, led by Ms. White and Ms. Gavin-Richardson, planned and executed events throughout the month, including a African-American Heritage Pageant, and a mural painted by our wonderful art teacher, Ms. Julia Smith. The program, "Parade of Stars," included performances by our dance group, band, and choir,  including a sing-along of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the African-American National Anthem. Our guest speaker was Dallas Commissioner John Wiley Price, who spoke about the contributions of several individuals who are commemorated by having schools named after them. The "Parade of Stars" consisted of a panel of students who dressed as, and spoke about famous people, including Diana Ross, Nikki Giovanni, Harriett Tubman, First Lady Michelle Obama, Malcolm X, Cornell West, Maya Angelou, and Al Sharpton.

The library also sponsored an event which featured books written by or about famous African-Americans and tested search skills. Each participant received a list of six book titles from the reference, non-fiction and fiction section. They then were timed to see how fast they could find them. Each participant received a copy of the Texas Historical Commission's "African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy," available free from www.africanamericansintexas.com, but we received ours courtesy of Jokae's African American Books, located at 3223 W. Camp Wisdom Road in Dallas. Thank you so much for the booklets! We had teachers, staff and students participate. Congratulations to the fastest participant was Joshua Morrow, who collected all six books in 2 minutes, 36 seconds.

News from the Library

Started and finished "The Hunger Games" last night. It was very exciting and it seemed to "flow" so easily - I found this quality in "Twilight." We also have "The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook" here in Kimball library. It's fun, with recipes ranging from breakfast to desserts, vegetarian to one with "optional wild dog."