Last chance to win!

Question 10: In The Lord of the Rings, what half-elven beauty is played by the daughter of former Aerosmith singer and American Idol judge? Please give her real name and the name of the character.***************************************** Linda de la Rosa was the first to post the correct answer to Question 9. Come by the library to pick up your book.

Question 9

In the 2006 movie Hoot, based on the book by Carl Hiaasen, the character played by Cody Linley (of Hannah Montana fame) has an unusual nickname. What is it?

You could be a winner!

Question 8

Dylan S. is our latest contest winner for correctly answering question 7. Question 8: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, Harry discovers his new defense against the dark arts teacher is actually a ???

Question 7

Brody B. is our latest winner! Only 4 chances left to win a free Divergent book. Question 7: Which film based on yet another dystopian society theme is set to be released later this year and features actors Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges?

Question 6: Book to Movie Trivia

Daniel I. knew the correct answer to Question 5 and was the winner of a free book. Question 6: In Ender's Game by Orson Scott Wells, what is a bugger?

Book to Movie Trivia

Jenna Zeugin was the first to correctly answer Question 4 on the library blog. She is the winner of a free book. Question 5: What 1973 book and 1987 movie contain the characters Prince Humperdinck, Buttercup and Dread Pirate Roberts?

Book to Movie Trivia Question 4

In Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, a fairy gives Ella a special birthday gift that turns out to be more of a curse. What is the gift?

Trivia Question 3

The winner of the second Book to Movie Trivia question is Claire S. She may come by the library to claim her free copy of Divergent by Veronica Roth. Question 3: In Holes, what is the name of the notorious outlaw in the flashback storyline? You must include the first, last and nickname of this bandit (three words)to win.

Our First Winner!!!

Hannah W. was the first to post the correct answer of Shailene Woodley.

She won a copy of Divergent. But don't worry; I still have 9 copies left! Question 2: In The Lightning Thief (movie and book) by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson's best friend Grover is a what?

Book to Movie Trivia

Many popular YA books have been or are currently being made into movies, and with the box office success of films like Hunger Games or Harry Potter, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. So for the next few weeks, SJH students will be able to play a game called Book to Movie Trivia on this blog and have a chance to win a copy of Divergent by Veronica Roth. So put on your thinking caps, because the first one with the correct answer as a comment to this post will be the winner!!! Question 1: What actress plays the lead female role in two films based on popular teen books, both with 2014 release dates? Comment your answer to this post. Spelling counts! Remember, you must be a Smithville Junior High student to win!

Back from the TLA Conference

Last week, I had the chance to rub elbows with the authors of some of today’s most popular books at the Texas Library Association’s annual conference in San Antonio. While this experience left me a little jealous (writing a novel has always been on my list of long-term goals), it was great fun seeing the people behind some of the most popular literary characters today and hearing about their writing processes. There were many sessions to choose from that were all geared toward librarianship, but my personal favorites were the author panels. Some of the sessions I attended included appearances by Jennifer Holm, the author of the Baby Mouse series, Shannon Hale, who penned the Princess Academy books, and Tom Angleberger, creator of Origami Yoda and friends --- and these are only a small portion of the authors on hand to answer questions and even sign their books. They were everywhere, and even better was the abundance of giveaways! What librarian isn’t delighted by free books? Of course, San Antonio is always a fun place to visit, and the cultural richness of the riverwalk atmosphere was the perfect backdrop to the entire event. Even though it was my first trip to the conference, I was travelling with other library mavens to show me the ropes, as well as provide great company. I truly enjoyed the TLA conference and can’t wait until next year. Meanwhile, I have plenty of new books to read!

Spring has sprung, so take your book outside and read in the fresh air!

Now that days are getting longer and we have more time to spend outdoors, don't give up on reading. Take a book along to enjoy on picnics, by the pool, or just in the backyard hammock. Those lazy, warm days are even better accompanied by a great adventure or a sweet romance. What is your favorite summer read?

Student work!!! Book trailer by Ashlyn Zimmerhanzel

Book Fair 2013 was a huge success!

I love Book Fairs! I love to organize them, decorate for them and work them. I love even more when I pack it up and they take it all away! Although they are a lot of work, book fairs provide one more opportunity to get books into the hands of students, and even though some of the items are a little pricey, many bargain books are available for purchase for as little as $2 or $3. This year's theme, Reading Oasis, was really fun, and I got some extra help with decorations from Mrs. Prihoda's art students. They created some beautiful Egyptian art that added ancient ambiance to the fair. Students who shopped the fair got an added bonus - a chance to mummify the teacher of their choice. Out of a field of good spirited teachers (Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Gommert, Mrs. Seidel, and Mr. Poe), students use their spare change to select their victim. This election funded a new book for the library and marked Mr. Poe for mummification. He was such a good sport as the selected students wrapped him in toilet paper in the name of reading, and then took a stroll around the hall for everyone to enjoy! Aside from all of the fun, the Book Fair sold over $3700 in books (an increase of about $800 from last year) and earned over $1850 Scholastic dollars to spend on our library.

New Year with Newbery

Each year in January, a new book is chosen by the ALA to exemplify excellence in children's literature. The John Newbery Medal was first awarded in 1922, and in my humble opinion, it is a good indicator of a worthwhile read. While we won't know this year's winner until later this month, stop by the library today to look over past winners. Here is a list of Newbery Medal books. I am sure you will recognize quite a few of these! Newbery Medal Winners, 1922 - Present 2013: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 2012: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos 2011: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool 2010: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead 2009: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illus. by Dave McKean 2008: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz 2007: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, illus. by Matt Phelan 2006: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins 2005: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata 2004: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo 2003: Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi 2002: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park 2001: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck 2000: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999: Holes by Louis Sachar 1998: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse 1997: The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg 1996: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman 1995: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech 1994: The Giver by Lois Lowry 1993: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant 1992: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 1991: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 1990: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 1989: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman 1988: Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman 1987: The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman 1986: Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 1985: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley 1984: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary 1983: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt 1982: A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard 1981: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson 1980: A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-1832 by Joan W. Blos 1979: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin 1978: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson 1977: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 1976: The Grey King by Susan Cooper 1975: M. C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton 1974: The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox 1973: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George 1972: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 1971: Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars 1970: Sounder by William H. Armstrong 1969: The High King by Lloyd Alexander 1968: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg 1967: Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt 1966: I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino 1965: Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska 1964: It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville 1963: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 1962: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare 1961: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell 1960: Onion John by Joseph Krumgold 1959: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 1958: Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith 1957: Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen 1956: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham 1955: The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong 1954: ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold 1953: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark 1952: Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes 1951: Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates 1950: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli 1949: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry 1948: The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois 1947: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey 1946: Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski 1945: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson 1944: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes 1943: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray 1942: The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds 1941: Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry 1940: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty 1939: Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright 1938: The White Stag by Kate Seredy 1937: Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer 1936: Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink 1935: Dobry by Monica Shannon 1934: Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women by Cornelia Meigs 1933: Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Lewis 1932: Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer 1931: The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth 1930: Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field 1929: The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly 1928: Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji 1927: Smoky, the Cowhorse by Will James 1926: Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman 1925: Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger 1924: The Dark Frigate by Charles Hawes 1923: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting 1922: The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon