Currently November

Linking up with Farley. Are you of the ilk that will sing "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" with me? Too soon?

Dumb TV. Pre DVR I got a lot more done. 

Star Wars things everywhere! Everyone tags me. The latest posted to my FB timeline was a Death Star waffle iron.

I missed my workout class today. School meeting went too long and was too far away. :( Exercise is not fun but you feel so much better when you do it. The Star Wars 5K that was supposed to happen in early Dec. got cancelled.

It seems like lately at school I am spending more and more time doing uninteresting stuff like "go and check computers that everyone has downloaded the announcement software." Instructions have been emailed out TEN times. Teachers are not children and they are modern professionals. So few interesting projects yet this year. Teachers are so overwhelmed they hardly pay attention ... and it's hard to plan anything completely independently. Too many times I tried and then it wasn't what they needed or I couldn't get them even to come and I wasted all the planning time.

Mess everywhere! Still! A staycation, really, after my vacation. I know. Could I sound more self centered? I got a vacation! An amazing one!

Having eaten a few today ... I <3. I'd say with oatmeal, hey, healthy ... but also sugar and butter.

#IMWAYR Nov. 2 #VoyagersHQ giveaway! #ad

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!
Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

The last couple weeks I had the fun opportunity to read the first two books in the Voyagers series. If your upper middle grade readers (strong 4th through early 7th) love action and adventure they will love these books. The young characters (12 years old) show bravery and strength when faced with the charge of an inter-stellar voyage to gather an assortment of materials that will quite literally save the world. There are strong male and female characters. Book one is already out and book two releases this week! The list of contributing authors to the series is just awesome.

Would you like to win the first two books and a fun iPhone 6 case? Read on for more details and scroll down to the Rafflecopter and comment section to enter ...

ABOUT THE SERIES
The action is on the page, on your device, and out of this world! This multiplatform middle-grade series is fully locked and loaded and ready for launch, blasting off in Fall 2015.

Part sci-fi, part eco-mystery, all action-adventure.

ABOUT VOYAGERS HQ – MULTI-PLATFORM CONTENT
As the young heroes in VOYAGERS journey into outer space to save planet Earth, readers are invited to become part of the story by joining the crew through the multi-platform, VOYAGERS HQ. The HQ extends the adventure beyond the page, unlocking games and activities on their devices.

Each book has clues and codes that lead to world extensions to be explored, played, and shared. Your online profile tracks your progress through the VOYAGERS universe, and gives you rewards, ranking and virtually currency for each product code redeemed.

Readers become part of the VOYAGERS world, which extends beyond the books to a digital interactive experience, and downloadable pay-for-play mobile apps games.

Readers can create their own custom VOYAGERS character, follow the team and experience this space adventure through the eyes of their own virtual droid.

Free content on Voyagers HQ:

Team Alpha Member Profile
Every registered user will have a personal profile page. This is where they can see their rank/level, view their achievements and badges, access their inventory and ZRK creations, as well as enter and track codes.

VOYAGERS Secret Intelligence
After players register, they will be given a project folder that contains ciphers and decoders that can be used in conjunction with the books to unlock secret content and virtual currency.

Secret content includes:
Character dossiers and expanded background information, mission briefings, ship and vehicle schematics, detailed information on the planets from ZRK probes, and opportunities to test their STEAM knowledge.

VOYAGERS Bonus Chapter
In addition to the secret intelligence files, each book also has a special puzzle that unlocks a free bonus chapter. This will complement the book and fill in some additional details and storylines. It is not required reading, but they should add to the book narratives in a meaningful way.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
VOYAGERS series creator and architect, Patrick Carman is head of PC Studios which has created and overseen pioneering multimedia brands including SKELETON CREEK, TRACKERS, 3:15, and DARK EDEN. He is also an acclaimed, New York Times bestselling writer of more than 30 books, and one of the first authors chosen for 39 CLUES. patrickcarman.com

42 Entertainment is the premiere online multimedia company developing the immersive, interactive universe for VOYAGERS. 42 Entertainment is a next generation studio world renowned for some of the largest online experiences in the world including THE DARK KNIGHT,THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, and TRON LEGACY. 42entertainment.com

ABOUT THE BOOKS
BOOK 1: PROJECT ALPHA
by DJ MacHale
In Stores Now

Synopsis:
Earth is in danger! Without a renewable source of clean energy, our planet will be toast in less than a year. There are 6 essential elements that, when properly combined, create a new power source. But the elements are scattered throughout the galaxy. And only a spaceship piloted by children can reach it and return to Earth safely. First the ideal team of four 12-year-olds must be chosen, and then the first element must be retrieved. There is not a mistake to be made, or a moment to lose. The source is out there. Voyagers is blasting off in 3, 2, 1…

* Author Photo Credit: Gayle Goodrich*

About the Author:
D.J. MacHale is the author of the bestselling book series Pendragon, Morpheus Road, the SYLO Chronicles. He has written, directed and produced numerous award-winning television series and movies for young people including Are You Afraid of the Dark?; Flight 29 Down and Tower of Terror. D.J. lives with his family in Southern California. djmachalebooks.com



BOOK 2: GAME OF FLAMES
by Robin Wasserman
In Stores November 3rd

Synopsis:
The Alpha team has been chosen and they've already snagged the first element on planet J-16. The second is hidden on Meta-Prime, a planet filled with metal mazes, catapults of fire, and warring alien robots. But what our Voyagers don't know is that there is another ship, the Omega team, following hot on their trail...

*Author Photo Credit: Sonya Sones*

Author Bio:
Robin Wasserman is the author of several acclaimed books for children and young adults, including The Waking Dark, The Book of Blood and Shadow, Hacking Harvard, the Cold Awakening Trilogy, and the Chasing Yesterday Trilogy. A former children's book editor, she lives and writes (and frequently procrastinates) in Brooklyn, New York. robinwasserman.com, @robinwasserman.




COLLECT THE WHOLE SERIES
BOOK 1: PROJECT ALPHA BY D.J. MacHale [out now]
BOOK 2: GAME OF FLAMES BY Robin Wasserman [11/03/15]
BOOK 3: OMEGA RISING BY Patrick Carman [01/05/16]
BOOK 4: INFINITY RIDERS BY Kekla Magoon [03/01/16]
BOOK 5: ESCAPE THE VORTEX BY Jeanne DuPrau [03/01/16]
BOOK 6: THE SEVENTH ELEMENT BY Wendy Mass [05/03/16]

LEARN MORE
Learn more at Voyagers HQ.
Follow the authors on Twitter:
@PatrickCarman | @DJMacHale | @RobinWasserman
#VoyagersHQ


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Random House Children’s Books.

Finally Friday Oct. 30

So ... long time no writing, right?

Of course you shall be subjected to London photos. Even more than already posted on Instagram. But not yet. For now just this pic of my drive home today.

It's supposed to keep raining tonight. Messed up family fun tonight ... but others in south Texas had it much worse. Weird to be driving to school with a tornado warning on the radio.

Loads of book character pumpkins this week. Some really unique ones. 120 total.

Here are some of my favorite pins. See you on Monday with a Voyagers giveaway. On a totally unrelated note who remembers the ancient TV show of the same name that always ended with a "Find it at your library" sound bite? So terrible and yet I enjoyed it. Was on Amazon Prime for a while. Books completely not even the same thing, just the same name.

The 5K I'd signed up for in December was cancelled day before yesterday. That bums me out. I hadn't gotten the cardio training in I wanted but it had helped me get on the treadmill when I didn't want to at all. Guess I don't need this anymore.



Laugh, it made me.



While in London I discovered the tastiness that is orange spiced cocoa. Got it at Pret a Manger. Will have to see if this comes close? #emptycalories



I NEED this.

Funny Things Kids Say and AMPING UP #makermornings

This morning three little first graders were bringing the books from their classroom to be checked in and they had a lot to say.

 "Miss, did you cut your hair? It looks so nice!" (I did. About four inches.)
"Miss, I like your scarf. It looks like tiger stripes." (I was thinking fall colors but hey, I'll take it.)
 "Miss, you look so pretty today!" (Well. How does one respond to that?)

 I kid not. I want them to come visit me EVERY MORNING FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER!

I weeded some old Star Wars books on Friday. I did. They were like 8 years old and not that many kids ever could tell me anything about them after checking them out. I think all the strange names would get them confused. Kids try to say all the names. And as a purist ... they were old canon, anyway. I ordered a few more from B&N (well, 5) so we'll see if they are more successful!


 This was delivered today. See that box? Do you know what it is? CRAZY TOWN! In our little elementary library. Here's to figuring it out after I get back from my trip.

#makermornings just got super high tech.

A photo posted by Angie Oliverson (@msoreadsbooks) on Oct 14, 2015 at 5:15am PDT

I get to host another giveaway soon. It will be for the Voyagers series. Super excited because I've heard all good things.

Finally Friday on Saturday 10/10

I hope everyone had a great week!
By the time Friday rolls around anymore I am just so tired I fall asleep before getting anything done. Like blog posts. Or folding laundry.
Lots to do today to get ready. If you are on Instagram the week starting Oct. 17 will be less in the library or Star Wars related. For a week it will be much more ANGLO-PHILED. And Sherlock-ified. And HARRY POTTER ALMOST ALL THE TIME. Just saying. What it usually lacks in interest might be better that week. When there is wi-fi. International data plans are not great.

Here are some pins I liked or used this week. Click through to get original sources.

We just got two of these a couple weeks ago. So far just used Masterpiece and Tangrams. Masterpiece was a huge hit. Tangrams was as well. Both required reminders that the things that are worth it usually ARE hard.



Yes, of course I love this one. Though it should add "Choose a NEW book, you will!" Because that is really a reason we want books back, right? So that they can get new ones? And, of course, so that others can read the book they had. Just got back The Most Magnificent Thing after SEVEN MONTHS. SEVEN MONTHS. Yes, that frustrates me. No excuse. Better late than never.



That tired led me to some blood tests (where a rude person totally crunched my bumper and drove away :X) and an MRI last week. Of course (luckily!) they found nothing and it will be three months before the sleep-authority neurologist can see me. But that and a silly book study about leadership and "teams" led to some low points this week. "I'm so tired." "There's not enough time in the day to get done what needs to." "MY HEAD HURTS." "I'm so tired." "I miss before the the big budget cuts when I had a full time assistant and felt like part of a team in the library and trusted all members of the team outside of the library." "MY HEAD HURTS." The book goes on about being the right person in the right job and I've wondered. I really have. Then a kid's face will light up when he or she sees me and I try to remember

and since I believe in the kids I keep going. This pin also relates to religious belief. I don't talk a lot about that here but we had a great biannual conference weekend last week after the MRI where I heard a lot of messages that will hopefully help me whine less and remember the purpose of it all more. ;)


The only thing I haven't loved about genrify-ing the fiction area is that creating a HUMOR section hasn't dulled the kiddos' near inability to see any book that doesn't have the word WIMPY on the cover. It hasn't saved Hank books. I weeded another 7 or so and that was half of what we had left anyway. I always suggest Hank. It never works. :/ Hank on audio is what made two of my brothers readers.



Last year we had classes decorate ... well, they looked like brown bowling pins ... turkey bodies! Then they added favorite book titles to paper feathers. That put all the work on them. I love this one. But it would put a lot of the work on me and I still need to finish the electronic resources board inside the library (finally took down the SW "Read and the Force will be with you" banner). Decisions.



Don't forget to enter the giveaway for two free copies of the new Mo Willems/Tony DiTerlizzi title Diva and Flea! Closes in just a couple days! I've loved hearing where you might like to go.

Pigeon and Pirates and Copyright and Plagiarism

I ... am very tired of doing digital citizenship/ copyright lessons. And there are still at least two more to go. And that's the two that actually ANSWERED me and scheduled something.

So this year I was going to read The Pirates of Plagiarism again. Just got it last year after some drama because new admin/bookkeeper had totally different rules and expectations for spending bookfair money. And then I couldn't find it. Anywhere. :P

3-4 watched a video provided by our district and played a Kahoot game.
5 watched the video and practiced some easy citation.

K-2. Oh, K-2. What do we do when your librarian can't find a book? And the topic is full of vocab that is so hard? We talk about things that are digital. We talk about citizens being part of a group needing to follow rules for safety and to get along.

And then we read The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog. And do a drawing lesson (drawing Pigeon is pretty easy ... I actually start with an imaginary ice cream cone and then add the neck/head/eyes). We give credit to Mo Willems by writing his initials in the top right corner. Talk about how MW has the copyright and can tell people if they can use his pigeon by purchasing the book. And that as students we can play with ideas as long as we give credit and don't try to sell them (over simplified but these are little ones).

Then we add pirate accessories (P is for Pigeon and Pirate). Adorable. And talk about how pirates took things that didn't belong to them. Don't be a pirate!


I've been letting them take their drawings and never getting any pics. Bad blogging teacher librarian. So tired. LOOONG day yesterday with PTA. And a long meeting after school today. (Gym classes are "off" this week. I'm supposed to be doing the treadmill.) Can I stay awake to read some of this?

Dear Independent Bookstore that is so Very Far Away; I'm sorry I didn't drive to you. I went with easy Amazon. If only I could stay awake long enough ... #usuallystarwarslibrarian #butfortonightandaweekverysoonhplibrarian

A photo posted by Angie Oliverson (@msoreadsbooks) on Oct 6, 2015 at 6:00pm PDT

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for TWO copies (one winner gets to keep one and give one to a friend!) of Diva and Flea.

#IMWAYR Let's Have an Adventure in Paris! #DivaandFlea #ad

So ... I mentioned this briefly last week. But here it is again because, I mean, look at this cover. What is not to love? And this, coming from a not really animal person! And of course you can tell where they are, just from the curved understructure you catch just a bit of across the top.

And then look at the author and illustrator. Can you say ROCK STARS?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!
Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

I loved this one!

Want to win two copies of the book--one for you and a friend? Bonjour, ami! Keep reading and follow the entry instructions at the bottom of the post.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Diva, a small yet brave dog, and Flea, a curious streetwise cat, develop an unexpected friendship in this unforgettable tale of discovery.

For as long as she could remember, Diva lived at 11 avenue Le Play in Paris, France. For as long as he could remember, Flea also lived in Paris, France–but at no fixed address. When Flea flâneurs past Diva's courtyard one day, their lives are forever changed. Together, Diva and Flea explore and share their very different worlds, as only true friends can do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mo Willems (www.pigeonpresents.com), a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity). Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was also an inaugural inductee into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame. The celebrated Elephant & Piggie early-reader series has been awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal on two occasions (for There Is a Bird on Your Head!and Are You Ready to Play Outside?) as well as garnering four Honors (for We Are in a Book!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let's Go for a Drive! and A Big Guy Took My Ball!). 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Tony DiTerlizzi (www.diterlizzi.com), a number-one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, created the middle-grade series The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black, which has sold millions of copies, been translated into more than 30 languages and made into a feature film. He won a Caldecott Honor for illustrating The Spider & The Fly, and in 2014 he teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with his wife, daughter and dog, Mimi.

LEARN MORE

Find out more on at Disney.com

Follow Disney on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Mo on Twitter

Follow Tony on Twitter and Instagram

#DivaandFlea

Want to learn more about THESE TWO FRIENDS?

It was adorable. It really was. I can't wait for some kiddos (let's say 2nd grade? Strong 1st grade readers of course and then 3rd and maybe 4th will still enjoy it) to discover it. SO. To ENTER. Please comment ONCE with a place where you would love to have an adventure and be a flanuer. I'm excited because I will be heading to LONDON in just a few more days. Only for a week (it is still the school year, after all ... I've never been gone that long before during the school year!) but I am super excited!

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This prize was provided by Disney Publishing. Thanks!