The 2020 Newbery Award Committee

I now present to you, the 2020 Newbery Award Committee!

For the past year and a half, I’ve committed myself to serving on the American Library Association’s, Newbery Award Committee. Each year, committee members are charged with selecting the very best in children’s literature.  It was a privilege to be on this committee and I was so proud to have served with such a distinguished, insightful, experienced and a professional group of librarians. Together we debated, listened, drew on our expertise and laughed. 

Our combined expertise in children’s and young adult literature was mighty powerful. Together we named the top books in children’s literature for 2020 (see the pictures). This hard work will go down in history impacting children for years to come. That alone makes me shed tears of joy!  I’ve learned SO much from Krishna, Karen, Mary, Jenna, Julia, Soraya, Dr. Alpha, Dr. Petros (I will be Dr. one day!) Beatriz, Deanna, Christopher, Sandy, Eileen and my cool dude Dennis (we had some good laughs)! It was a wonderful experience working with these professionals and a moment in my life I will never forget.

My Man Krashen!

     I am a huge fan of Dr. Stephen Krashen's work.  Krashen is a linguist, education researcher and activist.  He is also the professor emeritus at the University of Southern California.  I have used his research when writing papers and projects for class.  Over the last five years, I've been using his research to effectively advocate for school libraries and librarians.  His work has greatly helped me when I have debated administrators and district officials on the importance funding equity for the school library.

This is my favorite Krashen quote:

This image was created by Chris Ridell.

In this video, Krashen advocates for school libraries in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

#HowILibrary

A freshman student came into the Library Media center with his class. At the end of the orientation, I informed the class that the maximum number of books for checkout was two. This young man begged, pleaded to check out all three. He said,. "I want a book I'm familiar with. a book that will challenge me and a book that is just for fun." Me and my emotional tail teared up. I had to turn away from the desk to get myself together. I wish my former principals could see the boys at Phillips now. They are reading and I'm not dragging them to the bookshelves.

‪#‎HowILibrary‬ 

- Books students read that they are familiar with

- Books students read that challenge them

- Books students read for pleasure

A professionally trained Library Media Specialist can provide Readers Advisory for struggling and emergent readers.  Fund Library positions and put these trained content specialist back in the Library where they belong.

"Reading is the gateway skill that makes ALL learning possible" 
                                     - Barack Obama - ALA Convention, 2005 (Chicago)

One of My Favorite Quotes

'Reading is the gateway skill that makes all learning possible' - President Barack Obama #tlchat #libchat #Ilovelibraries 

Accused by Yasmin Shiraz

Author, Yasmin Shiraz

Yasmin Shiraz has written another winner!  I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of Accused and my students and I can't put it down.  I had read the prequel, Retaliation several years ago.  At that time I was a citywide coordinator for the Mayor Daley's Book Club for Middle School.   After reading Retaliation and observing the similarities between D.C. and Chicago teens, I knew that the students  would enjoy reading the book.  I was right.  Coordinators from across the city emailed commenting how much their clubs enjoyed the story.

I was really excited to hear from Shiraz and learn that she has cleverly continued the story of Ahmed and Tashera in Accused.   I don't want to give away key elements of the story so I have copied the synopsis from Shiraz's website for you to review.  This book is a recommended read for late middle school students through high school.  Stay tuned for an interview of Yasmin Shiraz in an upcoming blog post.

Synopsis:

An easier and more peaceful life seemed to be destined for Ahmed and Tashera when they left Washington, DC and entered Georgia Atlantic University.  But when Ahmed is accused of a crime that he didn’t commit and begins to be tried in the media, his popularity plummets, his self-esteem suffers, and his dreams of playing college basketball disappear.

Meanwhile, there is a serial rapist on campus who has been attacking freshman girls at record numbers and forcing them to keep silent. As Tashera learns about the girls, she begins to close in on the rapist. But is the attacker too crafty to be caught? Will the state prosecutor ignore key evidence to instead focus on the fame that comes with convicting a high profile basketball star?

Tashera is beyond stressed as she divides her time between trying to find enough evidence to clear Ahmed while at the same time stopping the rapist who roams the campus of Georgia Atlantic.  Ahmed and Tashera’s journey into a new life away from home is more challenging than they ever thought that it would be.

Using Ebooks to Serve Different Student Populations

I will be a panelist on a upcoming webcast sponsored by OverDrive and School Library Journal!
When:                     Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Cost:                        Free
Can't listen live?     This webcast will be archived for viewing
Register:                
http://www.slj.com/2014/03/webcasts/using-ebooks-to-serve-different-student-populations/#_ 

Synopsis:    From reluctant readers and English language learners to kids with special needs, students of all backgrounds and abilities can benefit by using ebooks. Join us as our expert panel of school librarians discusses ways to use ebooks to promote literacy across a variety of student populations. During this free webcast, we’ll explore proven techniques for leveraging ebooks to help meet the instructional needs of different types of students. Plus, you’ll glean practical tips on the best ways to engage readers of all ages and reading levels.

The Art of #Repost

I love to #Repost...especially on Twitter!

 
I'm up every morning at 4:30am reading online and learning new things.  Whether it be on my iPhone, my trusty iPad mini or desktop, reading professional articles provides me with more knowledge, direction during confusing times and inspiration to strive for better for my students.  

   
     Often times, something that is written by another person will grab my interest touch my heart or add fuel to it internal burning fire of an issue that I'm dealing with.   I normally don't #Repost other blogs on my blog but in this case, I just couldn't resist.

#Repost - Diane Ravitch recently posted a speech given by Principal Frank Sutliff.  Sutliff is also the President of SAANYS (School Administrators Association of New York State) and a former librarian.  This speech was delivered to a crowd of concerned citizens and educators at the Oneonta (New York) Forum on January 18m 2014.   

My favorite quote of the article was of course librarian centered:

“I know that I loved reading due to the worlds that it opened; I also know that our so called close readings of prescribed documents and passages will not open up that same love of literature in today’s students.”

Man did he ever hit that one out of the park!  Just read the ENTIRE speech, you will not be disappointed.  Remember, feel free to #Repost.

Diane Ravitch Blog

"A Principal Eloquently Denounces Common Core and Race to the Top"

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/01/30/a-veteran-principal-eloquently-denounces-common-core-and-race-to-the-top/ 

Another Installment of My Fav E-Cards

     I belong to a number if listservs and chat groups for educators and librarians.  Often times the sharing/posting of a simple e-card can make a difference in a persons day or express exactly what they are experiencing in that moment.   

     Here's the latest installment of e-cards that should strike a nerve in all of us.  Enjoy!