Snow Better Time to Read!

Wow! I've lived in Maryland my entire life and cannot recall ever seeing this much snow! While you're snowed-in, don't forget to spend some time curled up with a good book. I've finished three already - a mystery thriller by Caroline Cooney If the Witness Lied; Brett Hartinger's funny novel Project Sweet Life, the story of three15-year-old guys who try to fool their parents to get out of working summer jobs and have amazingly wild adventures instead; and Good Enough by Paula Yoo which is the story of a Patti, a high school senior, who has always tried to be the PKD (Perfect Korean Daughter) but decides to follow her heart with funny, embarrassing, and heart-pounding results! Enjoy the snow, be safe and READ!

Book Club Update/Book Review

All free copies of the book club books for the February meetings have been distributed. If you'd like to join us, please request a copy from the library or borrow a copy from a friend.

Yesterday I finished the book The Big Game of Everything by Chris Lynch. Grampus, a retired marine, owns a 13-hole golf course and his grandsons, money-loving Egon and guy-with-a conscience Onion Jock are going to work there for the summer along with their sister. Their hippie parents who own a barbershop/palm reading establishment jump in to create even more chaos.

The characters in this book were wonderful. If you have brothers/sisters/parents/grandparents or any combination of them, you will be able to relate to the characters in this book. You may even recognize some of them! I gave it 5 stars.

Shelfari and Reading Incentive Update

I hope that students following the blog will join Shelfari so that we can share the books we've been reading. You can click on the Shelfari shelf here on the blog and when you get to the site, click "Home". All you need to register is an email address and it's completely free. Mr. Kotyk has created a Shelfari shelf, you can get there through the friends link on my shelf.

Don't forget to update your 25-books list to see how you're progressing toward your reading goal. As of today I have read 17, 923 pages and completed 69 books. It sounds like a lot, but I've got a ways to go. I just started The Big Game of Everything by Chris Lynch. Thus far it's about two crazy brothers, Egon and Onion Jock, with hippie parents and a grandpa who owns a 13-hole golf course (he's been adding one hole at a time, very slowly). Seems funny about to get funnier. Stay tuned for updates.

Mrs. Porter's Reading Goal

To compare with 6th & 7th grades: 40,000 pages by June 4th.
To compare with 8th grade: 130 books by June 4th.

2010 Book Awards

Last week, the winners of several prestigious book awards were announced. I'm listing below the titles that we already have (black) or will be soon adding (red), (a * next to a title means I've ordered additional copies), to our collection in the media center. (a * next to a title means I've ordered additional copies)If you are interested in reading any of them, please be sure to fill out a request slip.

Newbery Award

• Return to Sender by Rebecca Stead *
  

Newbery Honor

• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose *
  
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly *
  
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
• The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
  

Pura Belpre Award

• Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

Sibert Medal

• Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

Printz Award

• Going Bovine by Libba Bray
  

readergirlz

The second readergirlz Club meeting of the year was a roaring success. With 36 readergirlz in attendance, we ate snacks and discussed Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix, the readergirlz readers' choice selection from our last meeting. A variety of opinions were given, making for a very interesting afternoon. Following the discussion, we created origami Samurai Helmet bookmarks. For most of us, the second bookmark came out better than the first, but both should be functional.

The reading selection for this month was introduced via a read-aloud from Chapter 1. This month's book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Many readergirlz had heard some buzz about this book, so expectations are high for next month's discussion.

Next meeting is Thurs., February 18th.

Guys Read Meeting

At our first Guys Read Club meeting of the year the book Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman was selected as our reading selection this month by an overwhelming majority. Looking forward to the interaction between text and video to tell the story.

After selecting the book, we proceeded to wreak havoc in the media center by mixing up Gluep. Gluep, for the unenlightened, is a homemade version of Silly Putty. It's cooler because you can make it any color you want and it keeps longer in a ziploc bag than the little plastic egg things you get at the store. For those who are interested - neon green was the most popular color among the Guys.

Next meeting is Thursday, February 11th.

Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the Lockerman Media Center blog! Check back often for updates on books clubs, book fair, and book news.