Do You Library Thing?

If you have never tried it check out Library Thing (LT).  It’s a social networking site for book lovers.  Even if you don’t create an account and start cataloging your own library take the time to look at other people’s libraries.  One of the entries in LT is for Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.”  You can see what tags people have assigned to this work, descriptions, reviews, and more.  Do you agree with what people are saying?  What do you think about the tags people have attached to this title?  How would you review this book?

Esperanza Rising

Web English Teacher has a very helpful site with links dedicated to Pam Muñoz Ryan and her books, Becoming Naomi Leon, Esperanza Rising, and When Marian Sang. One of the links for Esperanza Rising takes you to Scholastic’s suggested unit plan with three lesson ideas. It includes handouts for story mapping and a “Setting Comparison Graphic Organizer.” The William Allen White Children’s Book Award web site has a more concise offering with discussion questions and activities. There are not too many discussion questions on the site but they are of good quality and could help a book club start an excellent conversation about the book. In addition to links for the book, there are a few links to sites that talk about the author. One of the most fun links to a video interview with Pam Muñoz Ryan on the Reading Rockets web site. Consider reading Esperanza Rising with your book group or classroom and take advantage of these fabulous online resources.

Inspiring Creativity

Poetry can inspire creativity. People have written songs, painted pictures and created sculpture when inspired by poetry. One man has been inspired to create Lego models of some of his favorite verses. William Ward has a Flickr photo set called Poetry Vignettes and you will be amazed at his ability to interpret famous poems in 3D. The one that caught my eye is his depiction of Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. We have a beautifully illustrated copy of this poem in our collection as part of the We The People Bookshelf, but this puts a pop culture spin on the classic. He also has impressive representations of Mending Wall and The Road Not Taken. Have some fun and take a look. Maybe you will be inspired to try one yourself. This site was found through “And The Cow Said Moo.”

Banned Book Week at the Library

We are celebrating Banned Book Week at the Oro Valley Public Library through October 6th.  You may be amazed at some of the most often challenged books.  Among those on the list is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle.  As a fan of the book I encourage you to rediscover this classic.  Meg Murry, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin must brave strange and terrifying obstacles to rescue Meg and Charles’ father.  With the help of three very unusual and wise women they travel to astonishing worlds and meet people, both cruel and kind.  If you’ve never read this book before, please pick it up and give it a try.  You’ll be glad you did.  If you have read it, please share you thoughts by commenting on this post.

Crafty Readers in October

This month in Crafty Readers we are reading Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. Mike and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, worked on some big projects. They helped build highways and skyscrapers, but when the new gasoline and electric shovels hit the scene Mike and Mary Anne fear becoming obsolete. This is the story of how Mike and Mary Anne make a new home for themselves. The craft this month will teach us about simple machines. Mary Anne is made up of many different simple machines put together. We will use one simple machine to make our own catapult. Come join the fun at the Oro Valley Public Library on October 4th at 4:00 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Please sign up first since space is limited. Call us at 520-229-5300 or stop by the Children’s Room to register.