Weird But True!

Weird But True!
written by National Geographic

This book is full of weird but true factoids about everything under the sun. 300 Outrageous Facts about animals, nature, physics, people, places and more. 
 
Watch the book trailer to see some of the interesting facts the researchers and photographers at National Geographic have put together to peak your interest in finding out about the world around you.

Already a hot title from last Spring's Book Fair, Weird But True2 was on the hot table at our Fall Book Fair "Reading Saves the Day" and Book 3 is on the way!








ISBN: 978-1-4263-0594-8

Skateboarder's Start-Up

Skateboarder's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Skateboarding Second Edition
   written by Doug Werner and Steve Badillo

Contents:
Safety is in your head
Skateboard, anatomy of
Getting a feel for it: Basics
Foundations: 14 Tricks you should know
Genesis: A History                       

This is a great book for the beginning skateboarder, complete with step by step directions on tricks, tips on safety and skateboard park courtesy, how to keep your skateboard in great operating condition, and basic skills to master. It's an easy read with lots and lots of photos to add visual context to the how-to content that makes this a must-read for the start-up skateboarder.

Reviews state that the original of this book sold over 75,000 copies.
I wonder what our circulation stats will look like for this title at the end of this year?

ISBN: 978-1-884654-34

Would You Rather? Gross-Out

Would You Rather? Gross-Out
   written by Justin Heimberg and David Gomberg

There is a simple 4-Step Process to be able to have fun using this book:
1. Get together with your friends.
2. Read a question from the book and together talk about it taking turns.
3. Everyone has to participate.
4. Once everyone has chosen and shared, move along to the next question.

Here are a couple of samples of gross out choices that I can share here on the blog....others are so gross... you'll just have to read them for yourselves! Guaranteed to be a great read for those who like the gross side of things.

Topics include:
Gross!, You've Been Cursed, Powers and Fantasies, Grosser than Gross, Would you Rather Live in a World Where, Would You, Getting Personal, As Gross as it Gets, Random Play, and a section to Make Your Own Questions!


I'm creating a book trailer and definitely think it's worthy of a webpage on my Media Center site to poll our students using questions from the book. It will be especially fun to use as we explore and learn about online polls and surveys, and how to collect and interpret data.

Watch for this book to be added to our Extremely Popular Binder !

ISBN: 978-1-934734-35-3

The Ultimate Trivial Pursuit Question and Answer Book

The Ultimate Trivial Pursuit Question and Answer Book
edited by Hasbro

 This is a great little book that I found buried in one of the cases of our Book Fair last Spring, and after a quick Book Talk with my tweens, it became a hot title for the Fair!

Reviewers say that it's one of the largest compilations of Trivial Pursuit questions ever created.

My Book Talk covered how the book can actually take the place of the gameboard as a way to play the game individually or as a group on the go...especially great for those long car trips, and that was enough to generate interest to get the little book on our hot table! I also see this book as a great trivia encouragement to find out more after reading a little snipit.

The categories within the book are: Geography, Entertainment, History, Arts and Literature, Science and Nature, and Sports and Leisure.

It's definitely a keeper for Family Game Night or the Family Road Trip!

ISBN: 978-1-4027-7065-4

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
     written by A. Wolf and told to Jon Scieszka
     illustrated by Lane Smith

REVIEW

One of the most hilarious and twisted fairy tales ever told...and definitely not for the younger set.

But you have to read it for yourself...watching the trailer below is not enough...spend some time with this book's text, and absorb the wonderful illustrations by Lane Smith!

This fractured fairy tale has been cited in over 100 resources, reference, reviews, and books since it's publishing date of 1989. the illustrations are highly stylized, realistic, quirky with dark tones to match the mood of the story. The text is quick, smart, and witty, and challenging for older readers in responding to literature. It presents the ultimate in Spin Control, a worthy discussion as well as presenting the story from multiple perspectives and presenting a new slant on the famous tale we all know.

If you had been on the jury when A. Wolf presented his case, how would you have deliberated and decided on guilt and innocence?  Are we biased as a society because we have all heard the original telling of the events since we were small? It would be fun to discuss! Do you think that he could really have been framed?

Remember, picture books are all coded in our library as E...for Everybody...because they are...and this one is especially for you!

ISBN: 978-0140544510


The True Story of the Three Little Pigs from Roxanne Clement on Vimeo.

Leo the Snow Leopard: The True Story of an Amazing Rescue

Leo the Snow Leopard: The True Story of an Amazing Rescue
     written by Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Craig Hatkoff

This is the true story of an endanagerd snow leopard and his amazing rescue and life. Leo was orphaned at less than seven weeks old and was found by a goatherd and his family in the snowy mountains of Pakistan.

The family hand raised the snow leopard until he was too old and large to be able to stay with them. He was given to the Pakistan authorities but they soon determined that they didn't have the reources to take care of him appropriately.

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Bronx Zoo in New York had the leading experts in taking care of snow leopards and so together the governments of the United States and Pakistan, and the Zoo and wildlife Conservation Society all worked together so that Leo could come to live in the United States.

Working with international governments, traveling through landslides, floods, and treacherous mountains, and long plane rides, the reward of finding a safe environment for leo to live out his life with his new friend Shelby allows this adventure to have a happy ending.



ISBN: 978-0-545-22928-9

WebTools 4 Learning

WebTools 4 Learning

I recently shared a presentation for my class on WebTools. It was a definite challenge to limit myself to the number of WebTools reviewed, including examples of possible use in libraries, while staying within a 5-10 minute limit!

Below you will find the Vimeo hosting the presentation. I plan to include additional detail on some of the tools within this blog and within a new blog I plan to start in the Spring called WebTools 4 Learning which will also have Just in Time videos of "how to's for students, parents, and teachers.

The WebTools I review include:
1. Surveying Interests: Flisti and MyeCoach Survey tools
2. Connecting and Responding:Voicethread and Wallwisher
3. Processing, Organizing, and Mapping Information: Wordle, Webspiration, Spiceynodes
4. Presentation Tools: Animoto, Prezi, GlogsterEdu


WebTools for Learning from Roxanne Clement on Vimeo.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011
     written by Nat Geo
This year's Nat Geo Kids Almanac 2011 is full of over 5,000 fun and fabulous facts about the world and who's in it!

Geography, science, history, adventure, it's all here for you to discover through your reading.

You can literally spend hours browsing through the book, but don't take my word for it! Come along with me by watching the vimeo video below and you'll get a special sneak peak of the book!

Happy Reading!


National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 Book Talk from Roxanne Clement on Vimeo.




ISBN: 978-1426306303

Digital Footprints: What are you leaving behind?

Just found this as I was browsing today to find videos to share as I develop digital citizenship and cyber safety content for my students. Although I think this probably is a better fit for older teens, my tweens will benefit from introductory discussions about this topic since quite a few of my tweens are beginning to develop their own web presence already!


Find more videos like this on The Educator's PLN

Nancy Drew Mysteries and Files

Nancy Drew Mysteries
   written by Carolyn Keene

REVIEW.
Nancy Drew mysteries have been around since 1930...that's 80 years ago!
In our library as you can see in these photos, the Nancy Drew series is alive, well, and flourishing in our reading community at Bay Farm School.

We have an entire bookcase dedicated to mysteries with each side containing our favorites, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, A-Z Mysteries, and Bailey School Kids to name a few.  One and a half sides are filled with Nancy Drew alone!    Many of our copies have been lovingly donated from parent/children collections...second or third generations down! And our students love them!

The series has managed to remain current with each generation. The series has been modified, updated, and re-created over time which has kept the series current. On our shelves we not only have the original series, but also Nancy Drew Notebooks, Nancy Drew Files, Pocketbooks, and now, even graphic novels!    

Over time, Nancy Drew has aged from 16 to 18 years old and has solved well over 350 mysteries. Her favorite color is blue, she is wealthy; but doesn't hesitate to roll up her sleeves and is not afraid to get her hands dirty or take risks to solve a crime.

When first written, Nancy Drew challenged the stereotypes of the day regarding young girls' gender roles. But in many ways, she represents what everyone can be, boy or girl...curious, thoughtful, independent, polite, justice-seeker, sensitive, adventurous, brave, trustworthy, and a critical thinker/problem-solver.

Nancy Drew Notebooks were first published in 1994 to give our youngest readers a glimpse into Nancy when she was eight years old.

The first book in the series " The Secret of the Old Clock" is now 80 years old and our copies are still checked out on a regular basis in our library.

In addition to the original series, there are combined collections with the Hardy Boys, a TV series, many movies, and Nancy Drew Mystery games. There is even a website dedicated to the series and her author Carolyn Keene. Check out the website to find out about the real author of the series and many other trivia facts you may not have known about the classic series!

Nancy Drew Website: http://nancy-drew.mysterynet.com

Bites: Scary Stories to Sink Your Teeth Into/ Bones: Terrifying Tales to Haunt your Dreams

Bites: Scary Stories to Sink Your Teeth Into
 Bones: Terrifying Tales to Haunt your Dreams
    a flip book edited by Lois Metzger
                      
  Guaranteed to tickle your horror bone, here is the ultimate flip book of scary stories from familiar tween and teen authors and screenwriters. 14 stories are shared, seven each flip.

From the "Bites" Side you are forewarned with the following advise:
1. It's not enough to watch your back....Watch your neck too!
2. There isn't always honor among vampires.
3. Do not become the "guests of honor" at a vampire dinner.
4. Stay out of direct sunlight. At the very least wear sunblock.
5. Never remove the silver bullets from a dead werewolf body.
6. Don't steal...especially rare artifacts.
7. You can't teach a ghost dog new tricks.

There are seven stories about bites on this side of the book....but as the author states, " Sometimes, one bite is all it takes!
Read on at your own risk!

The flip side of this book is "Bones," the author lets you know that none of the stories really happened so the reader can relax and enjoy....except that the eye-witness descriptions are chilling and seem based in real events and happenings...so could it be that the goal is to lull the reader into a false sense of security???? Seven more stories of ghosts, hauntings, and stalkings so be sure to keep looking ver your shoulder, someone might be following you after all!

Included at the end of each flip side are bio trivia about each of the authors including their other works, horror or not. I especially liked these sections so that if the reader liked a particular story, the author is right there to recommend other titles that particular author has written. Great idea!

ISBN: 978-0-545-27651-1

767 Sports Questions Your Friends Can't Answer

767 Sports Questions Your Friends Can't Answer
              edited by Wallie Walker Hammond
              published by Thomson Peterson's
                                                  

There are so many tween sports fanatics at our school and this book presents  a challenge as well as a great read for sports trivia fans.

The book is a series of set of trivia questions (737) organized by chapter and sports topic including Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Auro Racing, Women in Sports, Golf, Tennis, Olympic Games, Coaches, Hall of Famers, Boxing, Championship Teams, and Retired Numbers. At the end of each chapter there are sets of answers to the questions presented.

Also provided is a scoring key to rank yourself among other readers of the book according to the publishers.

This would make a great car travel book for a sports-minded family to help pass the time and have a great family read together, or for a group of kids who hang out together after games, scouting, or other activities.

I plan to use the book to post a sports trivia question weekly on my website for students to check in and respond to. I love these kinds of books for browsing and I often see students choosing other books as a result in order to dig deeper into sports content after becoming interested by a specific piece of trivia.

ISBN: 978-7689-2458-9

Two Minute Mysteries Collection

Two Minute Mysteries Collection
           written by Donald Sobol

If you enjoyed the classic series "Encyclopedia Brown" and enjoy solving mysteries then this book is for you! More than 200 mini mysteries (hence the name 2 Minute Mysteries) packed into this book. Each mystery has the solution at the end of the mystery with a simple flip of the book so the suspence won't go on forever or stop you from going on to the next exciting mystery! Interpret the clues shared by the narrator and inspector and see if you can solve each mystery as Haledjian does throughout the book. What's your success average at solving the Two-Minute Mysteries?

The Collection includes all three or you can purchase them separately
Two Minute Mysteries Collection ISBN: 0-439-70991-1

Two Minute Mysteries ISBN: 978-0590447874
More Two-Minute Mysteries ISBN: 978-0590447881
Still More Two-Minute Mysteries ISBN: 978-0590447867

Nat Geo Kids Almanac 2011

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011
       by National Geographic

REVIEW.

Each annual release of the Nat Geo Kids Almanac is eagerly awaited and automatically placed on our "hot table" at our Fall BookFair each fall. This popular series is filled with interesting trivia, stats, topics, and articles that guarantee to interest even the most reluctant reader!

A good read of this book can happen in a variety of ways, but very seldom do I observe kids reading cover to cover page by page, although you can bet that the entire book eventually gets consumed!


Start at the Table of Contents with topic areas including Your World, Amazing Animals, Going Green, Super Science, Geography Rocks, History Happens, Culture Connection, Awesome Adventure, Wonders of Nature, and Future World, and you see what I mean....everyone out for their favorite topic! You can also use the index to find your favorite item or photo, or what most often happens, just start flipping through the pages! The format is easily readable, with each topic edged in its designated color,  heading on the right side pages, and subtopic heading on the top left pages. (A Teacher Librarian's delight to teach reference book skills with exciting content kids can't wait to read....they'll go through your lessons patiently just to get to the content!)

The photos leap off the pages thanks to the famous photographers at National Geographic who never fail to please and excite readers with amazing work that draws the reader into the content. And each page has a careful and deliberate customized layout to encourage the reader by deliberately and carefully parsing trivia facts and little known information that often drives my readers into heavier readings once their interest is tweaked.

Once the reader has gotten his/her fill of the "hottest" pages, within this source are articles like "Write a letter that gets results", "You can make a difference," "The Constitution and the Bill of Rights," ""How to write a perfect essay," "How a bill becomes Law," and so many other topics that teachers have to cover, but can become so dry and boring to our students. Presented within this exciting book, with the kind of attention that pop culture magazines use to captivate, we might be able to squeeze in some of the standards work that is so essential to academic success without our students even knowing it!

This weekend I'm respectfully tearing apart two of my copies to put them together to use with my document reader as 5 minute content starters with my students throughout the year to help encourage deeper readings of topics that students are learning in their classrooms.
I'm excited!

A multi-content "textbook" for $13.99 that kids will actually want to take home to read!

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 Book Talk from Roxanne Clement on Vimeo.

ISBN: 978-1-4263-0630-3

Life: America the Beautiful

The photographers of these beautiful landscape photographs created this Life coffee table book as a "photographic journey from coast to coast...and beyond."

They refer to the book as an invitation to entertain and inspire. 100 locations within the United States are explored in single and double page splendor in this oversized book.


I included this title in my tween collection as an essential part of the exploration of states, included in geography and US social studies standards during the tween years. If used strategically within states study, students can be inspired to do further research of these and other locations to develop their knowledge in United States geography, and further investigations of our 50 states of beauty.

Edited by Robert Sullivan
ISBN: 978-1-933821-15-3

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide

REVIEW.

This is THE Guide for all Percy Jackson enthusiasts! The Ultimate Guide includes additional information to clarify Percy Jackson events and characters and deepen the reader's understandings, further enriching the entire reading experience.

I love the hologram figures on the front cover and the overlapping “locking” flap. Inside, the Ten signs that you might be a half blood...easily explains most tweens' views of the adults around them and behavior adults regularly observe in their tweens, such as  "suspicions that at least one of your teachers may not be human," odd events happening that cannot easily be explained, experiencing deja vu, the feeling that parents might not actually be your real parents, a friend that doesn't seem normal, feelings that you are being watched or followed, vivid recurring dreams, and fears and phobias. A diagnosis of dyslexia or ADHD is explained as godlike behaviors and qualities that elevate one beyond mere mortal, celebrating differences instead of being viewed as often-negative labels.

Other chapters include details of camp, Gods and spirits, the Labyrinth, Underworld, the Beastiary where mythological creatures are defined, and everything you wanted to know about Percy Jackson, including stats, his favorites, and his lack luster performance in school.

This is a companion book that adds interesting depth to the series. It includes maps, drawings and sketches, charts, and paintings that assist readers to visualize important characters and elements throughout the series. The guide also stimulates natural curiosity to find out more about the characters and events that occur within this very popular series and in Greek mythology.

ISBN: 978-1-4231-2171-8