First Library Check-Out
Smiles for our first check out.
How To Take Good Care Of Books
This week in the library we dedicated ourselves to learning how to take good care of our books.
A great introduction to our new kindergarten friends and a wonderful reminder to our first graders.
In Kindergarten, we shared two of my favorite picture books this week. Tuesday by David Wiesner and Chalk by Bill Thomson. These books were both a big hit here in the library. We read "Tuesday" on Wednesday and then students did a retelling the next day. I was shocked at all the details they could remember. I also, had the students each picture read a page in the book Chalk. They all did a wonderful job. Parents, ask your kindergarten student to picture read their library book to you and show you what great readers they have become already. :)
First Grade friends heard the story You're Finally Here!
This was so much fun. We created this anchor chart in each class. The bunny in this ridiculously cute story wanted to know what took us so long? Where had we been all summer and what were we doing? Mrs. Smith's Class came up with some awesome connections to this story.
Callie I went swimming.
Trevin Played on my drums and my Xbox.
Cody I played baseball.
Chelsea I went swimming and went to Worlds Of Fun in Kansas City.
Cora I went to Oklahoma.
Calli I went swimming
Evan It was summer, I was on break!
Sheamus I played baseball.
Drake I played with friends.
Will I went to the pool.
Chloe I went swimming.
Dylan I went to Great Life Pool.
Caryss I played on my trampoline.
Hunter I went swimming and played games with friends.
Haleigh I went to a hotel on vacation in Kansas City.
Marytzah I went to Worlds of Fun.
Gage I played with my brothers.
Landyn I played baseball.
1st graders also heard the story Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Allison McGhee
All the 1st graders created pictures of what their teacher might look like if she were a 300 year old alien. I was impressed with the hardworking and independent first graders, I saw working on this project. Way to go first graders!
Mrs. Hoffman's class book is shared here:
The poem Amanda Panda shared with us this week.
A great introduction to our new kindergarten friends and a wonderful reminder to our first graders.
In Kindergarten, we shared two of my favorite picture books this week. Tuesday by David Wiesner and Chalk by Bill Thomson. These books were both a big hit here in the library. We read "Tuesday" on Wednesday and then students did a retelling the next day. I was shocked at all the details they could remember. I also, had the students each picture read a page in the book Chalk. They all did a wonderful job. Parents, ask your kindergarten student to picture read their library book to you and show you what great readers they have become already. :)
First Grade friends heard the story You're Finally Here!
This was so much fun. We created this anchor chart in each class. The bunny in this ridiculously cute story wanted to know what took us so long? Where had we been all summer and what were we doing? Mrs. Smith's Class came up with some awesome connections to this story.
Trevin Played on my drums and my Xbox.
Cody I played baseball.
Chelsea I went swimming and went to Worlds Of Fun in Kansas City.
Cora I went to Oklahoma.
Calli I went swimming
Evan It was summer, I was on break!
Sheamus I played baseball.
Drake I played with friends.
Will I went to the pool.
Chloe I went swimming.
Dylan I went to Great Life Pool.
Caryss I played on my trampoline.
Hunter I went swimming and played games with friends.
Haleigh I went to a hotel on vacation in Kansas City.
Marytzah I went to Worlds of Fun.
Gage I played with my brothers.
Landyn I played baseball.
1st graders also heard the story Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Allison McGhee
All the 1st graders created pictures of what their teacher might look like if she were a 300 year old alien. I was impressed with the hardworking and independent first graders, I saw working on this project. Way to go first graders!
Mrs. Hoffman's class book is shared here:
Meet Amanda Panda
This
is our library mascot Amanda Panda. She is a big help here in the
library. Each week she shares a poem with us. This week she shared the
back to school poem. She also gives hugs and loves to be read to. She is
pretty special to us all.
The poem Amanda Panda shared with us this week.
Children's Book Review
I fell in love with this book the moment I saw it! Some of our
students will come to us looking like this, an awkward but eager little
penguin, showing up to flight school, determined to take wing and fly.
Just listen to this beautiful exchange from the opening page:
"But you, dear, are a penguin," Teacher replied.
"Undeniable," said Penguin, "but I have the soul of an eagle."
What
do we need to do to empower those passionate penguins to take flight
and soar? I like the reminder of: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
As we head into this year's dash,
our little birds deserve to see their potential as eagles, not their
limitations as penguins? We take our role as flight instructors to
assist and support them with "the technical parts" seriously. What an amazing opportunity lies ahead as we launch into a new year. This is an amazing book to start off the school year.
Our Fact Of The Week
Wow! Book Of The Week
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
This story shows, that even when your life is turned upside down, you
can always find comfort in the loving warmth of the pages of a book.
They always beckon, and will always open wide with outstretched pages,
to captivate a mind and touch a heart. The author gently pulls you in,
and makes you not want to leave Mr. Lessmore's world. The entire time I
was reading this book, I admirably felt this sweet touch to my heart,
that really must be experienced instead of just talked about. When you read this book, you will understand what I am describing.
When the little girl shows up after Mr. Lessmore's departure, the sad
frown turns upside down for all (characters and readers), as a new
generation comes to love and care for the books, just as he did. This book is simply amazing. Another favorite for me.Adult Book Review
I have not finished reading my book The Vacationers By Emma Straub. I am really enjoying it. I will post my review as I complete it.
15 Adult Books You Can’t Put Down
Over the past year I have read
lots of books that fall into "the books
you can’t put down" category, so I wanted to share the titles with you.
Many thanks to those that respond to my blog with inquiries asking for
“books you can’t put down” suggestions and the readers of my bookclub
that helped me compile this list from this past year, of which many of
these books came from.
(Disclosure: Amazon Affiliate Links used in text links and images)
1. Gone Girl
Given. Most everyone and their mother has read this book, but if you haven’t, put this first on your list. Gripping who done it.
One of my favorite books of all time
about a woman who wakes up after a bump on her head with no memory of
the past 10 years (or the three children she had during that time)!
Hilarious, touching and thought-provoking. Poignant read for our stage
of life.
This book just touched my soul. The story
of a girl who grew up in the foster care system, and newly emancipated
at 18, realizes the gift she has for choosing flowers for people based
on their meanings and the chance meeting with a stranger that will
change her life forever.
This book is about a marriage in crisis;
told in alternating voices of he said she said. Murder, lies and
chilling surprises. Beautifully written. 
The beautiful story of a quadriplegic man
grieving the life that once was, the lost soul that came to care for
him and the lessons they both learn from each other. Get a tissue box
ready. 
6. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
6. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
I don’t typically read memoirs, but this
one came highly recommended and was so gripping, again, I couldn’t put
it down. It’s the real life story of a healthy 24-year-old New York
reporter and the illness that suddenly sent her into the depths of
mental madness. Story chronicles her journey to diagnosis. Fascinating
information on the brain and the chemistry it takes to keep us in
working order. 
7. This Is Where I Leave You
7. This Is Where I Leave You
This is by far one of my most favorite books I have read this summer. About a disconnected family coming to terms with the loss of their father. Judd's wife, Jen, whose affair with his radio- shock-jock boss has
recently become painfully public. Simultaneously mourning the demise of
his father and his marriage, Judd joins his dysfunctional family as they
reluctantly sit shiva-and spend seven days and nights under the same
roof. The week quickly spins out of control
An academic overachiever at a private
high school accused of cheating has jumped to her death. Or did she? The
story of a mother’s struggle to vindicate the memory of her daughter to
discover the events that lead to her death.
9. The Snow Child
9. The Snow Child
The story of a childless couple in brutal
Alaska in 1920 breaking apart from the stress of the farm and the
wife’s desperate loneliness. During the first snowfall they build a
child out of snow and the next morning the snow child is gone -but they
glimpse a young, blonde girl running through the trees. I wish I was in
a book club to discuss this one. The ending had me thinking for weeks
to come. 
10. The Husband’s Secret
10. The Husband’s Secret
One of the best books I have ever read. The story of a letter
from a husband that was not supposed to be found, or read, and the
secret that will change everything. 
This book was awesome.
11. Defending Jacob
This book was awesome.11. Defending Jacob
A legal thriller of the story of an
assistant district attorney in suburbia whose fourteen-year-old son has
been charged with the murder of a fellow student. The devoted dad
rallies to protect his boy, of course, believing his innocence. But as
facts are revealed he realizes how little he knows of his son which
leaves him questioning everything he once believed to be true. Chilling
read. 
12. Sarah’s Key
12. Sarah’s Key
The story of a ten-year-old Jewish girl
brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’
Hiv’ roundup directed by Nazi authorities in 1942. Sixty years later,
journalist Julia is asked to write an article about this black day and
stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to
Sarah. This is a haunting tale.
13. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
13. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
This one was not my “typical” read but so
gripping and fascinating, again, I couldn’t put it down. The author
intertwines the true story of the 1893 World’s Fair and the cunning
serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.
Incredible research and impeccable storytelling make this a can’t put it
down read.
14. When She Woke
14. When She Woke
The futuristic story of a
woman living in an America where the line between church and state no longer exists and convicted felons are no longer imprisoned, but
chromed – their skin color genetically altered to match the class of
their crimes and then released into the population to survive best they
can. Hannah is a Red, a convicted murderer, and hers is the story of
discovering her path to safety in a hostile world.
This story takes place on a
plantation in the decades before the Civil War and follows an Irish
orphan, Lavinia, who arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and
placed as an indentured servant under the care of Belle, the master’s
illegitimate slave daughter. As she is accepted into the kitchen house
she has to straddle the worlds between the kitchen house and the big
house, but her skin color forever separates her from Belle and the other
slaves. And, once again, have a tissue box ready.
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Shamhart
