Final Reflection

As the semester comes to a close, and I reflect on all the things that I have learned in this course, I am excited to bring everything I've learned back to my school and staff. I learned about a multitude of new tech tools that can be utilized in the library or classroom. Although I was already familiar with some of the tools, I still learned new ways to use and work with them. I have created a short film listing my top 5 takeaways from the semester. You can view it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5aTWjxizR0

Podcasts

Podcasts have been around for a while, but I personally don't have a lot of experience with them. I have listened to a few for different assignments over the years, but that's about it. There are many educational podcasts that would be great to use in the classroom or library. For this assignment, I explored a few popular options for creating podcasts. 

Soundcloud

SoundCloud was easy to sign up for. I did have to verify my email account to get started with uploading. There was the option to sign in with Google, which may have been quicker. It gave me the option to upload up to 180 minutes on the free plan.  There are paid options that give you an ad-free experience and the ability to save tracks offline. 

Audioboom

Audioboom doesn't seem to have a free option for podcasters. I started out by downloading the app and recorded my podcast on there. When I tried to publish it, I was told that you can't publish without upgrading. I was a little worried, but when I visited the site, I saw that I could share my podcast on Facebook or Twitter and embed it on my blog. Using it through the app was super simple. 

Podomatic

This was my least favorite of the podcast sites. It didn't seem to be as user-friendly when it came to recording. It does have an app available which simplifies the uploading process if you record using your phone. 

Here is the podcast that I created using Audioboom. One of the elementary libraries in my district recorded a different person reading a bedtime story each night for National Young Reader's Week. I decided to jump on board and read Pig the Pug. 

Cartoons & Comics

Comics are a great way to enhance learning in the classroom or library. You can use them for instructional purposes, to create fun reminders, or even tell jokes. Students can also use them as a creative way to express what they have learned. 

Toondoo

In all honesty, I struggled with this one. There were so many options, that it was a bit overwhelming. I would get an idea of what I wanted to create but couldn't find all the clip art needed, or manipulate the characters in the way I needed. I did find that you can change the expressions of some characters, but there weren't many possibilities. Once I finally finished my comic, I couldn't find a way to save it to my computer. It only allows you to save your comic on the site. I used a snipping tool to capture and crop the screenshot of the comic. 

Pixton

I found Pixton to be much more user-friendly. There are numerous content-related templates that would be a wonderful tool for teachers to create comics for the classroom. I chose to start a comic from scratch. I felt like this was much easier to use than ToonDoo. I liked that I could change the facial expressions and manipulate the characters' body. There were a lot of options to choose from. I also liked that I could delete objects from the backgrounds. It did allow me to email the comic, but I couldn't print or download it without upgrading to a paid subscription.

MakeBeliefsComics

I like that you don't have to register for an account to create comics on this site. This site was the most simplified of the three that I explored. It had the least amount of backgrounds, characters, and props to choose from. It was difficult finding backgrounds and characters that made sense together. I think this site would be most appropriate for younger students. This was the only site that allowed me to save and print my comic. 

Overall, I think these sites would be great resources for teachers and students. These would be a great tool to use for students to creatively write. They can create a comic to summarize a scene from a book or identify key points. They could also create a comic to explain a math operation or steps in a scientific process. I would love to share these sites with my teachers during their planning meeting next six weeks so that they can start using them and allow their students to unleash their creativity. 

YouTube, Animoto, & QR Codes

YouTube

Channel 1: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNHSLibrary/videos

• Video that is most helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BezObVKkqOo
• Research can be difficult and frustrating if you don't know how to use the resources. This video is helpful because it teaches students how to use EBSCOHost. 

• Video that students will like the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeUhXLvFAi4
• Who doesn't love their school mascot?!?! This fun video shows the school mascot exploring the library. 

Channel 2: https://www.youtube.com/user/theunquietlibrary/videos

• Video that is most helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJGWJsuSRRk
• This video teaches students how to use multiple resources including Destiny and Britannica. While it is geared towards a particular project, students can still apply this knowledge to other research and projects. 
• Video that students will like the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q7RjsFNFRs
• Students will enjoy seeing new books available in the library. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the video is short enough to keep their attention. 

Channel 3: https://www.youtube.com/user/pikesvillehslibrary/videos

• Video that is most helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esKCAk_t6v0
• Financial aid is important to all students nearing graduation. This video will help students understand the various ways that they can get money for college. 
• Video that students will like the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJGWJsuSRRk
• Students always enjoy seeing themselves and their classmates acting silly. 

Channel 4: https://www.youtube.com/user/bbmsmedia/videos?disable_polymer=1

• Video that is most helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T-QyQMS8H4
• This is a great video, because it introduces students to the media center and teaches them how to use it. 
• Video that students will like the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivht6CPe1Ek
• This channel has a lot of great parodies that I'm sure students will love. I picked this as my favorite because Star Wars is so popular right now. 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpc4Hnj_HU This is a great musical parody by the same channel.

If your school blocks YouTube, don't fret. Here are some great alternatives: https://www.freetech4teachers.com/p/alternatives-to-youtube.html

YouTube videos are a great way to promote the library through book trailers, parodies, and videos of student activities. It is also a great teaching tool to help students understand how to use the online catalog, research databases, and more. 

Animoto

Animoto is a great site/app that allows teachers and students to create videos with photos, text, and music. There is a free subscription, but you can also pay to upgrade your account and access more features. Teachers can sign up for a free Educator's Account, which will allow you to create longer videos. 

Here is an example of a book trailer I created: https://animoto.com/play/UoxFRi8z6P48BmXbEU3Xmw

Synopsis: Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger's syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose's father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose's father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn't have much patience for his special-needs daughter.

Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain's original owners.

Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose's point of view.

Use your QR reader to quickly access the book trailer for Rain Reign. 

QR Codes

QR codes can be used in a variety of ways both in and out of the classroom. 

• It is an easy way to direct students to a website without having to type in a long URL. 
• You can also create self checking task cards for student centers or enrichment. 
• You can print posters with QR codes to direct students to book trailers.
• QR codes can be used with Breakout EDU games to direct students to necessary information. 
• QR codes can be used to create classroom scavenger hunts. 

Screencasts & Instagram

As a librarian, I am always looking for new ways to share information with students, parents, and staff. One of my favorite tools is screencasting. It is a digital recording of your computer screen and is a great way to demonstrate how to use databases, navigate sites, or search the catalog. 

I have used Screencastify several times and find it really easy to use. I like that it is a Chrome extension, so it is easy to access without having to download software onto the school Chromebooks. It is free with limited options. Of course, you can always upgrade for more features. 


We recently switched our Chromebook reservation process, so I created a screencast using Screencastify to help my teachers learn how to use the new system. 

This was my first time using Screencast-o-matic. It was easy to use and I really liked that you can easily adjust the part of the screen that you want to record. It did require me to download software. 

My 5th graders are seriously into AR this year and constantly asking how many points their books are worth, so I used Screencast-o-matic to create a video teaching them how to look it up on their own. 

Instagram is another great tool for sharing information with students. You can share photos and videos of exciting things going on in your library such as new books, book trailers, makerspace activities, and details about upcoming events. I have had a personal account for awhile, but just created an account for my library. 

One great way to use Instagram in the library is to share information about upcoming events, such as Book Fairs.

View this post on Instagram

VMS Book Fair November 6th-13th in the Vidor High School library 📚

A post shared by Vidor Middle School Library (@vidorms_library) on Oct 20, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

My teachers and students have been requesting more picture books, so I used Instagram to upload a video of some of the new books that I am adding to our collection. 

View this post on Instagram

Sneak peak of some of the new picture books coming to our library collection soon!

A post shared by Vidor Middle School Library (@vidorms_library) on Oct 20, 2018 at 8:45pm PDT

Overall, I think Instagram is a great way to keep everyone updated on the awesome things going on in the library. My only problem is remembering to use it on a regular basis. 

I see screencasts as being more of a teaching tool, but I can see myself using it frequently, especially for staff. It is easy to upload the videos to Google drive for easy access. 

Infographics

Infographics are a visual way to share information. The colorful arrangements grab the readers' attention better than a page full of text. There are several webapps that can help anyone create professional looking, visual projects with little experience. 

For this assignment, I experimented with Easel.ly, Piktochart, and Infogr.am. All of them offer upgraded versions, but I only worked with the free version. This was my first attempt at creating an infographic, but I found it to be fairly simple with the tools provided by each site. All three sites offer a variety of pre-made templates to start your project or you can create your infographic from scratch. They also allow you to adjust your colors and fonts and add images, charts, and maps. 

Easel.ly

I didn't really get to experiment with Easel.ly too much. The site kept crashing and honestly, it just didn't appeal to me as much as the other two. It didn't seem to have many choices when it came to creating charts 

Infogr.am

I really liked Infogr.am. I felt it was the easiest to navigate. It was simple to move my information boxes around, and it had a large variety of text templates. It also had the best variety of tables to choose from, however, I could not figure out how to get the full text to appear in my tables. This frustrated me, so I ended up abandoning my project and switching to Piktochart. 

Piktochart

This one was very frustrating to me at first. I gave it a second chance after having trouble with the text on my charts with Infogr.am. I was pleased to discover that Piktochart did not cut off my text, which made my charts easier to read. It doesn't give you much freedom as Infogr.am to change your background and text colors, so you're pretty much stuck with the basic themes. 

Overall, I preferred working with Infogr.am. I felt like it had the most options available and was the easiest to navigate. However, if you need to add a lot of text to your charts, Piktochart is a better option. 

Link to my infographic created using information from The Pew Research Center:

https://infogram.com/cyberbullying-among-teens-1h7j4dnxwqrx6nr?live

Facebook & Twitter

Facebook

Facebook is one of the largest social media sites with 1.8 billion active users worldwide. Facebook allows people to keep in contact with family and friends through status updates, photos, and videos. You can reconnect with old friends from school and meet new friends with common interests in groups. Over the last several years, Facebook has evolved to be used by many business owners, organizations, and schools. 

I did a search for "school library" to get a better idea of how school libraries are using Facebook. I found many local school library pages to explore. I noticed that many of them use their page to promote events such as book fair, share makerspace activities, highlight student club activities, and post library hours and important information. Even though the pages had many followers, I noticed that very few people comment, or even like the posts. It makes me wonder how many parents and students are really paying attention to the information shared. Exploring the library pages made me realize that like anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to libraries using Facebook pages. 

Advantages:

• Free platform to communicate with families
• Many people are already using Facebook
• Promote school and library events
• Share photos of what the students are doing in the library
• Share new books, makerspace tools, or technology
• Post library hours and schedule

Disadvantages:

• Not every family uses Facebook
• Time consuming to keep information up to date
• Followers often don't engage with the page through likes or comments

Twitter

Another popular social media network is Twitter. Unlike Facebook, tweets are limited to 280 characters. Twitter is used by many people to keep up with breaking news, entertainment, and politics. I have never been very comfortable with Twitter, but it is my goal to start using it more this year and become more familiar with this platform. For my assignment, I was given a list of people to follow and explore on Twitter. I hope that you'll find some new faces to follow as well. 

Kathy Schrock: @kathyschrock

Kathy Schrock is frequently posts about technology. She is definitely one for librarians to follow as we shift into a more tech driven school environment. However, her posts aren't solely directed at librarians. Much of the information she shares is relevant to the general public. I was excited to see this tweet about Microsoft Office. 

Linda Braun: @lbraun2000

Linda Braun is an educator, librarian, learning consultant, and a previous YALSA president. She frequently retweets YALSA and tweets about youth services. You can tell she is passionate about being a teen advocate. I personally liked this article that she shared about how libraries have transformed in this digital age to stay relevant. 

https://t.co/5pp2PeY3NN

David Warlick: @dwarlick

David Warlick's Twitter bio says that he's mostly retired. That makes sense, because most of his tweets are about nature, music, and politics, with a few tech tweets sprinkled in. 

The Daring Librarian: @GwynethJones

The Daring Librarian, Gwyneth Jones, is Future Ready Librarian and public speaker. She has a huge following, not just on Twitter, but also on other social media and her blog. She is extremely active, posting multiple times a day. She is a must follow for any librarian! I love that she uses her social media presence to get people involved through challenges like this post. 

Jim Lerman: @jimlerman

Jim Lerman is an educator, author, and speaker. He posts tips for using various forms of technology, tutorials, and many educational helps. He is very active, posting a couple times a day. He would be a great person for any educator to follow. I really enjoyed reading the article he shared about collaboration with librarians. 

https://t.co/UO9zgxILeX

Blogs and Blog Readers

Honestly, I had never heard of a feed reader before this assignment.

After reading the suggested article, I feel like I have a better understanding. Like many people, I struggle with keeping up with all the various formats of information available. I have accessed a few blogs over the years, mostly by following links on Facebook or Pinterest. However, I have always felt it was too time consuming to keep up with multiple websites. Enter the RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. This allows users to access all of the websites or blogs that they want to follow in one easy to use location.

After reviewing the various blog readers in the article, I chose to join Feedly. It was quick and easy to join. You have the option to connect via your Google or Facebook account, or you can simply create a separate account. I was easily able to search for content and within minutes I was already following several blogs. The blog feed is neat and easy to read. You can save posts to read later and share with other users. You can even share content on your various social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.

Below are the 5 blogs that I chose to follow. 

Mighty Little Librarian http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com/
Tiffany Whitehead is a self proclaimed "obsessive reader, social media user, and technology geek." She blogs about various library topics such as lesson ideas, book challenges, and displays. I have followed her on Facebook for awhile, so I was excited to add her to my blog list. 

Mrs. ReaderPants  http://www.readerpants.net/

Leigh Collazo has spent the last four years as a librarian in China. Before that, she was a middle school librarian in Texas. Her blog is full of useful book reviews, lesson ideas, and management tips. She even has a wide variety of podcasts. I've been a fan of hers for awhile, but was surprised at how much information was available on her blog. Her blog is a great starting point for new librarians. 

The Adventures of Librarian Girl http://www.librarygirl.net/
Jennifer LaGarde has served in public education for 20 years. Her blog posts are witty and informative. She looks for ways to infuse technology into lessons, while still serving the literacy needs of her students. She also hosts an online book club that "meets" on Twitter.

The Daring Librarian https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/
Gwyneth A. Jones covers pretty much everything library related on her fun blog. She discusses Twitter, bitmojis, makerspace ideas, reading lists, and much more. She has been recognized by many groups and organizations for her innovative library practices, including being named one of "15 Librarians to Follow on Instagram" by Scholostic.

The Incredibly True Adventures of a School Librarian  http://www.nikkidrobertson.com/

Nikki recently made the move back into an elementary library after many years at the high school level. In her blog, she shares many of the library procedures and practices that she is trying. She shares lots of videos and pictures, which helps add to her fun and helpful blog. This is a new one to me, but I look forward to reading more of what she has to share.

Besides jumping into the world of blog readers, I also decided to join Tumblr. I've heard a lot about it over the years, but have never explored it myself. This is another new adventure for me, but I am excited to try something new. You can find me at http://vmslibrary.tumblr.com.

Roller Girl

Jamieson, V. (2015). Roller Girl. NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Summary
Twelve year old, Astrid and her best friend, Nicole, do everything together. When Astrid's mom takes the girls to watch a Roller Derby, Astrid falls in love with the sport. Nicole, on the other hand, doesn't like the violence. When Astrid finds out about Roller Derby camp, she naturally wants Nicole to go with her. Rachel has plans of her own, and wants to attend ballet camp. This causes a rift in their friendship. Astrid learns that skating isn't as easy as she thought, but she learns to never give up on her dreams so that she can become “Asteroid” the Roller Derby Girl!

Commentary
I have found that I really enjoy graphic novels. This one was fun and full of color. I feel that this book has a great message for young readers about working hard and never giving up. Young adults are entering a stage of their lives where they are finding what they are good at and what they want to be. It was also nice to see a book depicting a girl playing sports.

Book Trailer

Author Talk

Eleanor and Park

2014 Printz Award Winner

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and Park. NY: St. Martin's Griffin.

Summary

Eleanor and Park live in Omaha, Nebraska. Eleanor is a teenage girl with several little siblings and an abusive father. Park is a biracial, teenage boy with a little brother and a dad obsessed with Tae Kwan do.  One day Park catches Eleanor peaking over his shoulder to read tales of The X-Men, and he leans in closer so she can read it.  They began to build a friendship, which helps as Eleanor copes with a troubled home life.  Eventually, living at home has become unbearable for Eleanor. Park and his dad help her move to live with her aunt and uncle in Minnesota.  Park writes to Eleanor, but she doesn’t write back for six months.  When she finally writes back, she sends a postcard declaring her love for Park.

Commentary

My daughter suggested this book to me. She read it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There is a bit of language, so it probably isn't ideal for younger readers. The characters come to life in the pages of this fiction novel. Sadly, too many young people can relate to the fear and sadness that Eleanor faces. It is a relief to see Eleanor finally escape the abuse of her father. The author did an excellent job of creating memorable characters that teens can relate to. I am glad that I finally gave this book a try.


Book Trailer

Group Reading Questions
https://us.macmillan.com/static/eleanorandpark/pdfs/Eleanor%20&%20Park%20Reading%20Group%20Questions.pdf

When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary

Miranda is a twelve year old girl in middle school. Her best friend, Sal, lives in her building.Miranda and Sal's friendship changes after he shuts her out and begins distancing himself from her. She makes with a girl named Annmarie. She also notices that the new kid, Marcus, seems to be around a lot. One day, Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that seem to predict the future. The writer tells her that they need her help to save her friend's life. One day, it all starts to come together and the notes start to unfold. When Sal is almost hit by a car, it is a "homeless man" that saves him. Miranda eventually learns that Marcus is the homeless man, and has learned how to time travel. He was sending her the notes all along, to save Sal.

Commentary

I am not usually a fan of science fiction, but I did enjoy this book. The mystery keeps the reader on edge, wanting to know what will happen next. It leaves you guessing about who is sending the mysterious notes. The book really focuses on changing friendships, which is something that young adults and adolescents are dealing with. They can relate to Miranda's struggle to figure out relationships and find something she is good at.

Book Trailer

Question and Answer with the Author

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

King, A. S. (2010). Please Ignore Vera Dietz. NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Summary
Vera Dietz and Charlie are best friends until he starts hanging out with new friends. When Charlie dies, Vera is left with guilt and a secret that she isn't sure she should tell. After years of trying to blend in, she now faces life differently. She tries to cope with the pain using alcohol, while keeping it hidden from her father. When life becomes too much, Vera must face the events of her life instead of hiding from them. Her and her father work through their problems and face the future.

Commentary
Many students deal with the same issues as Vera on a daily basis. They struggle with making the right choices when something else feels better in the moment. The book really plays on the changing roles of adolescents with their parents. Vera has to come to come to terms with how her parents' pasts have shaped them and influenced them to be the way they are.

Book Trailer

Author's Website and Discussion Guides
https://www.as-king.com/educator-resources

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Middle School Mayhem

Russell, R. (2017). The Misadventures of Max Crumbly Middle School Mayhem. NY: Simon & Schuster.

NYT Bestseller List - Summer 2017

Summary

This book picks up where the last book left off. Fortunately, they provide a recap in case you haven't read the first book. Max Crumbly is still trying to recover his dad's comic book from three thugs that are vandalizing the middle school. Max has one thing on his mind, and that is getting that comic book back. Rather than enlist the help of the authorities, he sets off on a series of misadventures with the help of his best friend Erin. 

Commentary

When I first saw this book cover, I thought that it reminded me of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. When I realized it was written by the same author, I knew that I wanted to read it. I always liked reading those books with my daughters. My 6th graders loved the Wimpy Kid series, so I will definitely recommend this series as well. Although I don't think it is as good as her previous books, young readers will still enjoy the comedy and fun illustrations. This book would be great for reluctant readers. It leaves off on a cliff hanger, which leaves you wanting more.

Book website

http://maxcrumbly.com/

Book Trailer

Weetzie Bat

Block, F. (2004). Weetzie Bat. NY: Harper Teen

Summary

Weetzie Bat and Dirk are best friends. When Weetzie finds a magic lamp, she wishes for three things - a house for her and Dirk, for Dirk to meet a man (Duck), and for Weetzie to meet her Secret Agent Lover Man. Weetzie's wishes are granted and the four move in together. Weetzie wants a baby and tries unsuccessfully to convince Secret Agent Lover Man to have a child with her. When he refuses, she decides to have a baby with Dirk and Duck. Secret Agent Lover Man leaves because he doesn't approve of the pregnancy and lifestyle. He later returns after she has given birth to her daughter, Cherokee.

Commentary
This book had a lot of fantasy in it. It really wasn't my favorite book, and I really had a difficult time connecting with the characters. It was a fairly quick read, which is appealing to some readers. There are a lot of sensitive topics covered in this book, such as homosexuality and premarital sex, so it is probably best for older readers. Young adults can connect with Weetzie trying to juggle her relationships and friendships.

Book Trailer

Author Talk

Drowned City

Brown, D. (2016). Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Summary

This book details the devastating day when Hurricane Katrina struck the coast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It left death and destruction in it's path. Authorities did not respond to the crisis in a timely manner, and the people of the city felt abandoned. It was ordinary people that set out in personal boats to begin rescue efforts. Families were separated and forced to leave behind their family pets. The storm took a deadly toll on the beautiful city.

Commentary

This book really hit home because my town was recently devastated by Tropical Storm Harvey. I can relate to the helplessness and despair that the people of New Orleans felt. I also remember watching the news as Hurricane Katrina made landfall on New Orleans. It was heartbreaking to see the events unfold on the television. The author did an amazing job of capturing those events in the illustrations of this graphic novel. The images tell an emotional story of a city in crisis. I was impressed at the level of research that the author did to make sure the book was factual and accurate.

Book Trailer

Author's Website
http://www.booksbybrown.com/

Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design

Kidd, C. (2014). Go: A Kidd's guide to graphic design. NY: Workman.

Summary

Commentary

Book Trailer

Chip Kidd Explains His Process

Under the Mesquite

McCall, G. (2011). Under the Mesquite. New York, NY: Lee and Low Books.

2014 Outstanding Books for the College Bound - Literature and Language Arts

Summary

Lupita spent her first six years in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico before moving to the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas. She discovers that her mother has cancer during her freshman year of high school. While her father takes her mom to Galveston for treatment, Lupita is left to be the parent figure to her seven siblings. The book details her struggles both at home and at school as she navigates the teenage years and her mother’s illness. She finds an outlet through drama at school thanks to her teacher, Mr. Cortez. Throughout the book, she retreats to the mesquite tree in her mother’s rose garden. After her mother passes away, Lupita uses drama and writing as a way to channel and work through her pain and grief. In the end, she is able to overcome the hardships she experienced throughout high school, and realize her dream of going to college.

Commentary

Under the Mesquite is a free verse novel. The lines are short and free flowing, creating an easy read. The author’s use of figurative language and imagery help paint a picture in the mind of the reader. I enjoyed how the words flowed. Students can connect to the confusion and heartbreak that the loss of a loved one brings. They are also able to see the strength that Lupita has during a difficult time. I really enjoyed this book and this format of writing. 

Book Trailer

Author's Website
http://guadalupegarciamccall.com/

Read Between the Lines

Knowles, J. (2015). Read Between the Lines. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

 



2016 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

 

 

Summary

 

This novel follows nine teens and one teacher through the course of a single day. Each chapter tells the story of a new character from their point of view. You are able to see how all the characters are connected to one another. Throughout the day, their stories intertwine with each other. They are all dealing with hidden struggles that others are unaware of. Some of the issues include heartbreak, bullying, family problems, and sexuality. Each character is either being given the middle finger or giving the middle finger. It all starts when Nate's middle finger is broken by the bully in gym and has to be splinted up.

 

Commentary

 

A friend actually recommended this book to me, so I was excited when I saw that it was also on our reading list. I really enjoyed that the reader is able to see that everyone has issues they are dealing with, no matter how perfect their life may appear on the outside. I enjoyed the double meaning behind the title. Reading between the lines is used as slang for giving someone the finger, which is a common theme in this book. However, it can also be used to mean to look closer at something, which is what I think the author wants readers to do. Teens will understand that life is more complicated that it appears and that we often influence other in unknown ways, just like the characters in the book. Our choices can change the course of someone else's day or even life.

 

Jo Knowles Inspiration for the Book

 

 

 



Persepolis

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon.

Summary

Marjane Satrapi tells her autobiographical story through the black and white pictures of a graphic novel. She is a young girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution. Her peaceful childhood is replaced by confusion and hate. She doesn't conform to the expectations of her new government. She dislikes wearing a veil and being separated from the boys. After she gets in trouble at school, her parents decide it would be safest to send her away. The cultural change is a big adjustment for Marj in Vienna, and she struggles to fit in. Unhappy away from her family, Marj eventually returns to Iran. She gets married and later divorced. After awhile, she realizes that Iran is still not the place for her and again leaves, still trying to find her place in this world.

Commentary

Like Marjane, so many young adults are struggling to "find themselves" and figure out where they belong. Her thoughts are on point with adolescents the same age as her in the book. I think that by using graphic novel format, it allowed the topic to be easier to read and more approachable. Some young readers might be intimidated by the political content just because it is unfamiliar to them. Satrapi does an excellent job of helping the reader understand what is going on in an easy to understand format. She keeps the book lighthearted and entertaining.

Interview with the Author

 

Persepolis Background Lesson Plans

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/gaining-background-graphic-novel-1063.html?tab=1#tabs

Ghost

Reynolds, J.  (2016)  Ghost.  New York:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten



Summary

Castle Cranshaw, Ghost, is being raised by his single mother. His father is in prison for shooting at them. He is always getting in trouble at school. One day Ghost notices some kids running on the track and decides to give it a try. The coach allows him to try out for the track team and drives him to his house to ask him mom's permission. She agrees to let him run track if he stays out of trouble. After a few bumps in the road, Ghost begins to excel at track and becomes part of the team. He cuts the hi-tops off his shoes to make it easier to run, but the other kids make fun of him. He ends up visiting a shoe store and stealing a pair of fancy, silver shoes when the clerk isn't looking. He feels guilty about taking the shoes, but justifies it because he needs them to run fast. When Coach finds out that he stole the shoes, he is furious. Ghost begs him not to tell his mom because it would devastate her. Instead Coach makes him clean out his cab, apologize to the shoe store clerk, and doesn't give him a track uniform. He makes Ghost work hard to earn the uniform back and he is proud when Ghost is able to run in the race in front of his mom, aunt, and cousin.

Commentary

I listened to this book on audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. The narrator was very animated and really brought Ghost to life. I think that this book would appeal to some of the boys that are a little reluctant to pick a book. Ghost acted impulsively by stealing the shoes and had to suffer the consequences of those actions. Throughout the book, you are able to see how Coach provides a positive role model to Ghost and helps him reach his potential. Running provided an outlet for him, like sports provides an outlet for many other middle school aged students.

Book Trailer

Author Reads Excerpt