AWARDS DAY!

Wow.  Twelve hours ago almost to the minute, my students were filing into our old gym to find out this year's Sibert, Geisel, Caldecott and Newbery winners.

The Pura Belpre Trifecta

As much as it is on my radar, it isn't.  Yet we read and loved all three books!  Now show me how to buy a lottery ticket.

Congrats go especially to Ruth Behar, the one who walked the same halls , took books out of the same library, and sang in the Glee Club on the same stage as I did just about 10 years apart at PS 117 in Briarwood, Queens.

We have a date to Skype with Celia Perez on Wednesday (rescheduled from our snow day) and can't wait to say "Congratulations!" The kids plan to share their zines with her.  

Sibert

I gave the fourth graders a heads up on Friday that a book called, Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers could win the Sibert Award and to not be disappointed.  It is too old for us.  So...when it actually did get recognized the kids were happy for it because they had been prepared.

We were thrilled for Grand Canyon.  So deserving--the research, the artwork, the details, the cutouts...

 

Geisel

We love all the Geisel winners!  If you look at this video you will notice that there are fifth graders high giving each other when Charlie and Mouse won.  That's because Charlie and Mouse was on our Newbery list.  Honestly, I love Charlie and Mouse, but love even Charlie and Mouse and Grumpy even more. Would it ever be possible to win a gold and silver in the same category?

Newbery

Congrats ERIN ENTRADA KELLY!  Here's the Animoto that Alex did for Hello, Universe last month:

A friend of mine immediately texted me after the announcement, "HELLO UNIVERSE WAS MY PICK!!!!"

CROWN was a big (but happy, surprise!) We love it but did not expect it to get covered in awards! Woohoo! It's actually a favorite of one of my Reading Ambassadors so all during the month of November for Picture Book Month he chose to read it aloud to younger kids.

Caldecott

I think I might have stopped breathing when the Caldecott Medal was announced.  MATTHEW CORDELL is visiting our school in May.  We have had this on the calendar since June! Too excited for words!

Check out what my superintendent tweeted:

Hey @ALALibrary - if you think authors are excited check out how our students react to the announcement of the Caldecott award winners @CastletonES @SchodackCSD @staceybethr pic.twitter.com/Qe8ktRZkc6

— Jason Chevrier (@jchevrierSCSD) February 12, 2018 

Or if you want to watch a full video of the Caldecott announcement:

 AND Elisha Cooper. Remember this?

Overall, an exciting and surprising day!  BONUS we got to eat cake afterwards! Yippee!

And the winners are...

While driving my daughter to ballet this morning I had butterflies dancing in my belly.  At first I was trying to figure out why.  We already saw Dear Evan Hansen last month.  I don't have any big plans for February break.  Hamilton is still too far in the future to be butterfly excited.  Even TLA is a few months away. Then, what could it be? Oh yeah...Youth Media Awards are MONDAY! That's gotta be it!

The cake is ordered. Two to be exact, since we are having so many kids at our viewing party.  The link has been tweeted and sent home with parents. Mother Nature is going to cooperate. Finally.  Mock Results are in (sort of) and Consensus Club came up with a, well, consensus.

Caldecott 

The snow day and delays really threw us off with Mrs. Roe's Caldecott class.  The highlight, though, was Skyping with Mike Curato, illustrator of All the Way to Havana, yesterday morning after he walked the adorable Princess Leia.  The second graders stumped him as they fired off "What's your favorite...?" questions but he held his own quite well, especially for 9:00 am!  We will all be rooting for him on Monday.

Because we ran out of time, Mrs. Roe will be conducting the vote first thing Monday morning. On a side note: I do like the MST event--it gives us time to work out glitches, do a few things and not mess with specials in 4th and 5th grade. Thank you ALSC and Denver.

Geisel

We didn't run a classic Mock Geisel this year with Mrs. Kosinski's first graders.  A "Read It-Make It-Take It" project morphed into a Geisel project as we ended up creating activities around all the Geisel contenders.  We did 13 projects and read 17 books!  And that doesn't include Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen, one of our first projects. No surprise that Ninja in the Kitchen was the favorite since making the pizza from scratch was pretty fun! My favorite? Charlie and Mouse and Grumpy by Laurel Snyder.  When I read that book aloud to them yesterday, I got a big ole frog in my throat.

My personal Geisel 2018 Analogy:

Jonathan Fenske is to laughing as Laurel Snyder is to crying.

Sibert

No standout winner here except for ALL our fourth graders! WOW!  They were amazing! We read a lot of books.  They chose their favorite and alone or with a partner(s), they created a 3-D project (some included food--cookies are cool but check out the grape barbells!), shared ten facts and wrote a persuasive paragraph on why their books should win the 2018 Sibert award. We know not all of our books can and will win but we have a feeling one or two (or three) just might. How to be an Elephant maybe?  Dazzle Ships (for sure?) Grand Canyon, maybe?  What about Nic Bishop's Penguin Day? And to hear the kids exclaim how much they love The Youngest Marcher is the coolest ever.

(Agh...I just spent a whole hour trying to figure out how to put Google Photos into a photo album.  Please look at all of these if you can--I am so proud of our fourth graders!)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b5P2lP5uvJINkm7E2

Newbery

What can I say about Newbery?  I'm speechless. I look back in my book journal (yes, I do not use Goodreads) and have been reading, listening, discussing and scoring these books for the past 13 months. The final moment will come at around 10:50 EST. This is my sixth time doing this project and over the years we have experienced all different emotions from ecstatic, elated, happy, sad, disappointed, surprised, angry (yes, one year the kids boo'ed--we had a lesson on sportsmanship after that!) but always accepting.  It has taken me some time to realize that the decision comes down to fifteen librarians who may or may not have the same opinions, feelings, background as my students and I do and that's ok.  But it is a let down for me.  I still think about my "Kwame Kids" (2015) and last year screaming and leaping with Ashlynn in her footy PJs and even my first year with Ivan and the boys exclaiming, "Our book won!"  I love Newbery so much and wish we could be this intense about reading ALL year long.  You in, Mr. Reischer?

We did have our Consensus Club meeting yesterday after school.  It was one for the books, literally! The winner (but it was close!) was Orphan Island!  Honors went to: Beyond the Bright Sea, The Ethan I Was Before, Refugee and Chasing Augustus.

I must say that whatever books win on Monday, we are truly all winners for becoming critical, passionate and I hope, lifelong readers.  CHEERS.

STEM, SKYPES, SIBERT SMACKDOWN +

So much to blog, so little time...

My to-do list has dozens of things on it.  I have to stick things on there that are easy (Email X, Y and Z) and others that will happen no matter what (Take Zack to the orthodontist) otherwise I will be so overwhelmed that absolutely nothing will get accomplished.

So in the past week:

• My students Skyped with four authors.
• The Patriots won the Super Bowl.  I'm not a fan but Mrs. Kelliher is and I snapped a photo with her and as many other fans as I could find on Friday. Notice that I got her leaping now, too!
• I attended a NYLA Council meeting.
• I surprised myself and put the "E" and "M" into a literacy related STEM lesson
• Sibert Smackdown projects began and will be ready to present tomorrow
• We began Newbery debates.
• I heard a second grade boy offer Matt de la Pena and Loren Long's LOVE to a fellow student when she expressed that she really wished she could check out the book (Why do I only have one copy?)
• AND I had to reschedule THREE Skypes for today because of a snow day.

You will definitely hear my EXHALE in Denver Monday evening. This award season is exhilarating and as much as it is exhausting.

So who did we meet?

The Sweetest Sound's Sherri Winston was delightful Thursday morning.  We could have sat and chatted with her for hours. Mrs. Warland joined us (with fortune cookies) as she was the book group leader and was probably its first big fan since we received galley copies back in early 2016. "I wanted to make a story that felt like childhood to me.  You want something bad enough that you cave." Henry and Austin made a Lego book trailer and who knew that Sherri loves legos, too!

Ali Standish

Because Emma was sick the morning we Skyped with Ali Standish, the author of The Ethan I Was Before she couldn't come to school and cried.  When I shared this with Ali, she was kind enough to offer to answer Emma's questions separately.  How sweet!  The kids asked such detailed questions about the plot and characters and Ali happily answered them all.

Yesterday we met Karina Yan Glaser (and her beautiful cat), the author of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. Mr. Reischer was that book group leader so I'm glad he was able to be a part of it.  Evan, who wasn't in the book group, stayed up till past 9 the night before just so he could finish the book for  the Skype.

Then as a totally last minute request, I contacted Jonathan Fenske, author and illustrator (and 2016 Geisel Honor winner) to see if he would be able to give a shout out to my first graders when I shared his 2017 Geisel contending books. He was up for it!  Jonathan's A Pig, A Fox and a Box is one of the funniest books and I can never get through a read aloud without laughing out loud!  I read A Pig, A Fox and Stinky Socks and We Need More Nuts then he read to us Please, No More Nuts! Yes, a week after World Read Aloud Day but my kids didn't know that! Thanks, Jonathan!

The "E" and "M" in STEM

I surprised myself last week when after we read Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen and then we designed houses for Triangle and Square using tangrams and legos.  Such a fun activity to do on a Friday afternoon, especially when the STEM Fair was that evening.

Sibert Smackdown Part I

This is just a preview of the Sibert Smackdown projects.  Fourth graders will begin presenting tomorrow and it's going to be awesome!  Kids exclaiming, "I love this book so much!" Group work, collaboration, creativity, passion, all for the love of nonfiction.

Newbery Debates

The final stretch of our Newbery project is our debates.  Kids pick  their favorite book, we come up with a bracket and then they go at each other.  Well, we hope for that and friendly, of course. Honestly, yesterday was the first day and we had one really intense debate:  Scar Island vs. Orphan Island.  I was biting my finger nails on that one.  It was so close.  I would almost put my money on Orphan Island going all the way.

Thursday, Friday and of course, MONDAY are going to be packed days!  Voting, debating, project sharing (with cookies!) and then the AWARDS! Needless to say, sleep is not on my to-do list.

TWO amazing Skypes in ONE DAY!

Fifth graders met two amazing authors today from our Mock Newbery project. Tomorrow we have one Skype scheduled.  Needless to say, Skype season has officially begun!

During lunch my Lucky Broken Girl book group met my fellow PS 117 alum, Ruth Behar, peeking into the coziness of what appeared to be her living room.  We talked a lot about the book and Ruth's writing process.  Editing happens so often and finally "It is as good as good as it can be in that moment."

The kids asked why she decided to tell the story of Ruthie?  When she writes, Ruth listens to what her heart is telling her at any given time.  She tries to find the right moment and for Lucky Broken Girl, she finally "found the right moment."

We are always interested in finding out where and how authors write, especially if they listen to music.  Most of the time, Ruth told us, she listens to music.  Anything from "Waltz for Debbie" by Bill Evans to Argentinian tango to Cuban music to "These Boots Were Made for Walking."  "Except," Ruth shared, "for those moments when I need it to be as silent as snow falling."

The kids were fascinated with Ruth's Spanish and asked her to speak to us in her native tongue.  "Gracias carta." I'm sure that's not correct but it was something like "Thanks for the letters!"

GRACIAS, Ruth, for the Skype!  We 💓 Lucky Broken Girl!


*********************************************************************************

Then after school, Mrs. Kelliher's book group met Someday Birds author, Sally J. Pla in her studio in San Diego.  Mrs. Kelliher (and the kids!) went over the top for this party! Check out the snacks and the goody bags! Look closely! Mrs. Kelliher personalized the stickers on the bag for each student with a Someday Birds logo!  Evan made those nests last night with his Dad! And see those ceramic birds?  Mrs. Kelliher bought one for every member of her group, including Sally!  We mailed Sally a care package last week so she could show us her bird, too.

Sally was inspiring!  When asked about her writing process, Sally shared that she thinks of idea and character at the same time.  So for Someday Birds, she wanted to write a story about an autistic boy or one with sensory issues, who has to take a journey. Her next book, Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, comes out on Tuesday. The idea for that was initiated after she broke her ankle and was in a wheelchair.  She wondered what it would be like to be scared of everything. We'll have to read the book to find out! Book birthday, Tuesday!

Someone asked Sally what her favorite theme to write about is and she said something like this (Please excuse my paraphrasing):

Being your age and being an outsider and thrown into a situation....[writing about kids] whose brains work a little differently and are outside the norm and how you can push through that...Who you are now is not necessarily who you are going to be...

Thank you, Ruth and Sally, for two great meetings today!

Leaping with Sally!

Leaping with Ruth!

Reflections on my week

It's Sunday night and I'm reflecting on the past week.  A lot happened.  "Good stuff," as my principal likes to say at faculty meetings, and just one disappointment.

I almost finalized my Newbery list for my fifth graders.

We start on November 13.  There are so many good ones out there. I hope I have included them all! What are your favorites?

I got published in an Australian journal.

This was super cool.  An AUSTRALIAN journal! For school librarians!  The publications editor of the Western Australia School Library Association read one of my blog posts and asked me to make it publishable and I did! I received my digital copy earlier this week.  I'm still smiling about this!

We made lemonade in the library.

Mrs. Kosinski and I have been planning this lemonade "event" for weeks.  I just never realized how much fun it would be! I read My Kite is Stuck! And Other Stories by Salina Yoon to her first graders.  In the book, Little Duck, Big Duck and Porcupine build a lemonade stand.  No stand needed in our library--we just rolled, squeezed, added water, ice, poured and toasted to each other. Delicious!

Mrs. Kosinski made this montage of our activity from start to finish.

Enjoy this montage from our #firstgrade Read it-Make it-Take it w/ @C_ESLibrary @CastletonES. @SchodackCSD @SalinaYoon @bloomsburykids pic.twitter.com/1wgq8zYXAJ

— Earna Eagle (@earnaeagle) October 20, 2017

I did not get accepted into the Bill Morris Seminar.

Remember my post on procrastination?  Maybe leaving things to the last minute was not in my best interest this time. Of course, I was disappointed. This just wasn't my year.  Could 2020 be the one? I want to get more involved in ALSC, even though I already have so much already going on at the local and state levels.

I collaborated with a third grade teacher and our education technologist.

Watching the Ada Lovelace video on Brainpop

I love the triple collaboration threat--I read Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer by Diane Stanley and illustrated by Jessie Hartland to Mrs. Yager's class.  Then Mr. Ryan showed us all how to create accounts on Brainpop. Students watched the Ada Lovelace video, took the quiz and created a map based on the video. Mrs. Yager also reinforced the message back in the classroom, too. Look! We're doing STEAM!

I collaborated with Special Areas so our Grades 3-5 students can participate in a PE poster contest.

All students worked on posters on Thursday and Friday during PE/Music to be entered in the  NYS AHPERD poster contest: Physical Activity=Happy and Healthy Students.  We will choose the top five from each grade to send on to the contest.  Good luck, friends!

I observed (and participated with) Mr. Reischer reading Her Right Foot to every fifth grader. 

If you haven't seen this book yet, get it.  It is gorgeous with a great message.  It's sparked some great discussions on immigration and our own family stories.  So pertinent for our times. Plus, I believe it could get a nod for Caldecott, Newbery and Sibert.

We made graphs in kindergarten.

For the past three weeks, I have been with Mrs. Cook's kindergartners  every day.  We read and compared several different fairy tales and in our last week together.  Then, we voted and graphed our favorites. I kept telling them we were doing math together! It was great getting to know the kids.  I'm already thinking about what our next collaboration could be. Oh, curious what the winning favorite book was?  Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale and illustrated by Howard Fine.

I know I did more but these were my highlights. I'm looking forward to starting another exciting week in the library.  Who knows what we'll do or who will leap?

The War I Finally Won

I literally cried myself to sleep last night.  Not just a weep, an all out bawl. You know, the kind you can't breathe, you almost can't move. My husband woke up.  He tried to console me. I don't even want to know what time it was--way after midnight.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has done it again.  Another masterpiece.  If you thought she deserved gold in 2016, that's totally ok now because this book, if you can imagine, is even better. She was distinguished then; she is a complete 100% master now.

I wanted to just soak this book in and that I did.  By doing so meant that I didn't take notes and I didn't have a pile of sticky notes by my side.  You must believe me when I tell you this, the words are beautiful, the plot is strong, and the themes play out even more this time around.

As the War played a role in the first book, this time it becomes another character. The book takes place right after the first book ends.  With no place to live, Susan, Ada and Jamie move into the Thorntons' gamekeeper's cottage.  Then, because of reasons related to the war, Lady Thornton must move in with them, along with Ruth, a German Jew. As challenging as all this sounds, Bradley makes this not only a story of what is lost in war but what can be gained. So much: Love, family, friendship, courage, forgiveness.

Of course, the question is, "Can it stand alone?"  Definitely.  But it would be read so much more deeply if you had the background knowledge of how horrible Mam was, what it was like to live imprisoned in Mam's world, how Ada and Jamie got to the country and met Susan, Ada's life with her clubfoot, Ada's relationship with her horse, Butter...and yet, if you haven't read the first book and want to dive right into this one, you can.  Bradley does such a phenomenal job picking the reader up from where she left off and filling in the blanks if it is read as a stand alone.  In fact, my friend who gave me the arc didn't even know it was a sequel until during or after she read it and still thoroughly enjoyed it.

The War that Saved My Life has been one of my go-to books for recommendations. My mom read it. My mom's friends. My adult cousins.  Mrs. Warland's book group. Grandma Dottie. My 10 year old niece. They all loved it and wouldn't stop talking about it.  I cannot wait to pass The War I Finally Won on to them all and then some. I cannot wait to read it with my students. I cannot wait for you to read it as well.

Yesterday I went to a Newbery-Caldecott prize prediction party. Since this book isn't released yet (comes out tomorrow, October 3), it hadn't received much buzz.  Please, if you were there and are reading this, The War I Finally Won is at the top of my list.  Fortunately for Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, I don't take off points for lost sleep and wailing that wakes my family.