What is Happening!!?

So, I'm very excited to report I've been silent (but still reading) because the JMS Library is going through a bit of a transformation.  I was inspired by some of the workshops I attended at ISLMA back in November and have decided it is time for our library to "Ditch Dewey" as our primary classification system.  A huge thank you to Tiffany Whitehead over at Mighty Little Librarian for being so generous with her ideas and experience and so very patient with all of my questions.  Since my last post I have completed the fiction collection and I started non-fiction today. Woohoo! The task that was giving me so much anxiety (creating my own spine labels) went much faster than I expected (thanks to Microsoft Publisher and the "copy all" and "substitute picture" features).  I finished the "Animals" sections today and now I just have to remind myself I don't have to finish by the end of the week (as if that was possible).  So, from here on I will faithfully post about library updates and include a glimpse of what I'm reading.

Thoughtful.  Inspirational.  Crushing.  Like many of the Holocaust stories before, The War Within the Walls creates a stark image, both in text and illustration, of what life was like in the ghettos of Warsaw.  This was a book that I did not put down until it was finished.  I look forward to pointing students in the direction of this fictionalized account of Jewish resistance during one of the World's darkest hours.

What to Read Wednesday: Allegiant

What a great way to welcome myself back to blogging.  I am vowing to be a better blogger starting right now.  Of course I had to run out and purchase three new copies of Allegiant, the latest book in the Divergent series.  Students (and teachers) are pounding at the door to claim the first copies to arrive.  I must admit I'm pretty excited to devour this book myself.  It brings me right back to the ultimate question, which faction would I choose?  Take this survey to find out http://www.divergentfans.com/page/faction-quiz.




I took the quiz and tied!

 

Happy reading!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about our visit today from Patrick Ness.  I wondered what I should say in this post and thought I would repost my original review of A Monsters Calls.  I wrote this in 2011!  I've been waiting so long for this moment.  I'll write again later and share all of the details.

Weeping cannot bring relief for some kinds of

Heartbreak.

Even friendship may
Not soothe the pain.

And now only a

Monster can show young Connor how to cope.

One story, two stories, three-- 

Now you must tell one back to me.

Strengthen your heart and

Take a deep breath

Each moment should be 

Relished.

Capture this time in your heart

And know you will carry her

Love always. 

Letting go will
Set you both free.

This book was perfect.  Well done. Mr. Ness.
K