Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Busy, busy busy

I find that when I don't have time to post or write about books that also means I haven't had time to check in with my kidlitosphere circle. I find I miss knowing what Bartography is up to or what:
Jen
Little Willow
Fuse#8
Mother Reader
Liz B
are reading. Is indefatigable Kelly still going and going? How are things across the pond with Michele and all the other authors' blogs and smart thinkers' blogs that I check on regularly?

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This is my last week as librarian in residence. It is Book Fair time at the elementary school. The company is local and they have a wonderful selection of books. If I want something that is not there, they usually have it in the warehouse and send it right over.

I like book fair because it gives parents an opportunity to talk to a librarian about books and their worries and concerns about their kids' reading or not reading.

Parent: "My son really doesn't like to read very much, do you have any suggestions on titles that might interest him?"
Me: Yes! Come with me my child.

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Parent: "My son likes these Captain Underpants things...are they ok? I'm not so sure about them. What do you think?
Me: Well, you know, I think Dav Pilkey has a direct line into kids' (boys') brains. His books give those kids on the fence about this whole reading thing a reason to live (and learn) just so they can read his hilarious books. He has done more for boys' literacy skills than Harry Potter.

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Parent: "Do you think it is ok to sell baseball cards at a book fair? Shouldn't it just be books?"
Me:
Well, they have to read the stats on the back of the cards and if they like baseball cards let's point them to Dan Gutman's Baseball Card series.

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Parent: "My 3rd grader is reading at a 9th grade level (how do parents know this?) but she/he loves these books. I think they should be reading something at a higher reading level. Do you have anything harder?"
Me:
I see you read Stephanie Plum books?
Parent: Oh, yes, this is the new one. They are so funny.
Me: May I share with you the reading level of that series? (This was not scientific, just a quick check I did one time with some random paragraphs that I ran through Microsoft Word.)

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Parent: "My daughter loves this Inkheart book and I just got her the sequel. What other fantasy do you think she would enjoy?"
Me: Has she read the Artemis Fowl series? -- Yes.
Has she read Gregor the Overlander? -- Yes.
Has she read Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord? -- Yes and Yes
Has she read Redwall-Charlie Bone-Harry Potter-Eragon-City of Ember and...and...and...? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes...
hmm...
Me: Ah ha! Has she read The Lightning Thief? Has she read Airborn? Ooooh... NO!
Me: Score!

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(Meanwhile, right in the middle of helping preK kids write down some books)
Different 5th grade Teacher: It is time to read to a different 5th grade class again, do you have something you could read to them?
Me: Yes. (This must be a Tuesday thing.)
Once again, Percy Jackson to the rescue.
(35 minutes later...)
22 Kids: IS THAT BOOK FOR SALE AT THE BOOK FAIR??? I am SO buying THAT ONE!
Sep 20 9 pm

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