Thank you to my twitter PLN

I have learned so much from my PLN. There are no words to say how much they mean to me.

Get your twitter mosaic here.

New pictures of flood damage

The flood of 2009 (ok it was just in my library) continues to take it's toll. Last night a crew went in and took the books off the stacks. When the stacks were turned over, they were still wet!! It's been 16 days since the pipe burst!! It looks like 4 of the stacks need to be replaced.

Hippie Chick by Joseph Monninger

I met Joseph Monninger at a conference a couple of years ago. He was awaiting the publication of his first YA novel and he gave me an advance copy. I loved it. And I was glad that he had decided to start writing for YAs as he had interesting stories to tell. And now he has published his second YA novel. HIPPIE CHICK took me by surprise since the title had me thinking that it was probably a novel taking place in the 1960s. It's not. But it does feature manatees which I love. It is a story of survival against the odds. And it is another great novel for teens. Joe, keep writing so we can keep enjoying the ride.

Monninger, Joseph.
HIPPIE CHICK
Asheville, NC : Front Street, 2008
IL YA
ISBN 1590785983
Lolly loves sailing and decides to head out on a late afternoon sail all on her own. She leaves a note for her mother sets out for a peaceful sail. It is as wonderful as she had hoped until the accident happens. The boat capsizes and Lolly is injured and in the water alone with no one to help her. She tries not to panic but as time goes by, she worries that she might not make it out of this situation. She can't get on the boat so must stay in the water as the sun goes down. And now there is a bump against her leg! Is it a shark? Will it hurt much when it clamps down on her leg? It turns out that it is a manatee that is pushing her. Will it save her? Is it even aware of her?

Podcast: http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/monninger_hippie.mp3

Olivia to come to TV

I've been dealing with the flooding in the library for the past couple of days. We are waiting on the insurance people before we can do much more. It looks as if some of the bookcases will need to be replaces as they are starting to warp. And the heat hasn't been on since the pipe burst. It is getting mighty cold in there. Today is a snow day so I can't stay home and be warm!

One of my favorite picture book characters is getting her own tv show. Starting January 26th, Olivia by Ian Falconer comes to the small screen on Nickelodeon. Better yet, it will air on Nickelodeon on Demand. How cool is that! I love Olivia and can't wait!

Today's podcast is for a new Nancy Drew book. I read the Nancy Drew books as a child and it is fun to see them make a comeback. This new series is geared to the younger set. Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew is written for kids in grades K-3. In Wedding Day Disaster, a wedding cake is destroyed and Nancy sets off to figure out the mystery!

Keene, Carolyn. WEDDING DAY DISASTER
Nancy is so excited. She is going to be the flower girl at her cousin's wedding. She has a beautiful dress to wear and she can't wait for the fun to begin. But, if you know NancyDrew, you know that she will stumble on a mystery even during a wedding. When the wedding cake is revealed, there is a piece missing! Who would ruin the beautiful cake?

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/keene_wedding.mp3

Pipe burst in library

Two days before we go back from holiday break and I get a phone call. "Can you come over to the library? There's a problem here." A pipe burst and there was a flood. By the time they called me, most of the water was extracted from my new carpet. The one it took me 10 years to get:-( Fortunately, not too much damage. The biggest problem will be to get the shelves out so the carpet can be dried and treated. Happy New Year.

2008 backlog

2008 backlog
Originally uploaded by booktalker

This is the time of year where we all think about how our lives might change in the new year. Some make resolutions. Some start new projects. Some finish old. I decided to join a group of educators who are committing to taking one photo a day for the next 365 days and sharing them with the group. This is my first photo. I was going to take a picture of my grandsons, the snow, or some other nice view. Instead I decided to combine my resolution for the new year with the first photo. This is just one of my piles of books that is waiting for me to read. My plan it to weed these down or at least sort them so I can find books. I need to give some of these away too. I can only keep so many.

School starts up again on Monday and then by the middle of the month, life starts getting crazy busy again. So, this weekend I will be doing my best to make a dent in this stack. And hoping the UPS man doesn't show up with more!!

A new year and a new Cybils List

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 is the best one ever. I know I was certainly happy to leave 2008 behind. Too many bad things going on both personally and with the world. Things have to start looking up!

The Cybils short lists were announced today. Now that is a bright spot! The Cybils are nominated by bloggers and chosen for their kid appeal. With all the controversy swirling around the Newbery, it is great to have an award that is specifically looking for books that appeal to kids. For more information on the award, go to: http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/

I have read many of these but there are a lot I have yet to get to. They will definitely be movimng to the top of the pile!

Happy reading!

So this year's finalists are:

2008 Easy Reader Finalists

• Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time written by James Howe. Candlewick Press
• I Love My New Toy written by Mo Willems. Hyperion
• I Will Surprise My Friend! written by Mo Willems. Hyperion
• Maybelle Goes to Tea written by Katie Speck. Henry Holt
• Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig written by Kate Dicamillo. Candlewick Press

2008 Fantasy & Science Fiction Finalists

Elementary/Middle Grade:

• Cabinet of Wonders written by Marie Rutkoski. Macmillan
• Graveyard Book written by Neil Gaiman. HarperCollins
• Lamplighter written by D. M. Cornish. Penguin USA
• Magic Thief written by Sarah Prineas. HarperCollins
• Savvy written by Ingrid Law. Penguin USA

Young Adult:

• Airman written by Eoin Colfer. Hyperion
• Curse Dark as Gold written by Elizabeth C. Bunce. Scholastic
• Explosionist written by Jenny Davidson. HarperCollins
• Graceling written by Kristin Cashore. Harcourt
• Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic
• Wake written by Lisa McMann. Simon & Schuster

2008 Fiction Picture Book Finalists

• Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix. Schwartz and Wade Books
• The Big Bad Bunny written by Franny Billingsley, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Atheneum
• Chester's Back written and illustrated by Melanie Watts. Kids Can Press, Ltd
• How to Heal a Broken Wing written and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press
• Katie Loves the Kitttens written and illustrated by John Himmelman. Henry Holt
• The Sea Serpent and Me written by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Catia Chien. Houghton Mifflin
• Visitor for Bear written by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady Denton. Candlewick Press
• Wabi Sabi written by Mark Reibstein, illustrated by Ed Young. Little, Brown

2008 Graphic Novels Finalists

Elementary/Middle Grade:

• Chiggers written and illustrated by Hope Larson. Aladdin
• Into the Volcano written and illustrated by Don Wood. Blue Sky Press
• Jellaby, vol. 1 written and illustrated by Kean Soo. Hyperion
• Rapunzel's Revenge written by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale. Bloomsbury USA
• The Savage written by David Almond, illustrated by Dave McKean. Candlewick Press
• There's a Wolf at the Door: five classic tales written by Zoe Alley, illustrated by R.W. Alley. Roaring Brook

Young Adult:

• Emiko Superstar written by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Steve Ralston. Minx
• Kin: Good Neighbors, book 1 written by Holly Black, illustrated by Ted Naifeh. GRAPHIX
• Life Sucks written by Jessica Abel and Gabe Soria, illustrated by Warren Pleese. First Second Books
• Skim written and illustrated by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. Groundwood Books
• Three Shadows written and illustrated by Cyril Pedrosa. First Second Books

2008 Middle Grade Fiction Finalists

• Alvin Ho written by Lenore Look. Schwartz and Wade Books
• Diamond Willow written by Helen Frost. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux
• Every Soul a Star written by Wendy Mass. Little, Brown
• Shooting the Moon written by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Atheneum
• The London Eye Mystery written by Siobhan Dowd. David Fickling Books

2008 Non-Fiction Picture Book Finalists

• A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams written by Jen Bryant,illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Astronaut Handbook written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Duel! Burr and Hamilton's Deadly War of Words written by Dennis Brindell Fradin, illustrated by Larry Day. Walker Books for Young Readers
• Fabulous Fishes written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale. Peachtree
• Nic Bishop Frogs written and illustrated by Nic Bishop. Scholastic Nonfiction
• Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw written and illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray. Viking
• Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Harcourt

2008 Poetry Finalists

• America at War illustrated by Stephen Alcorn, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Simon & Schuster
• Honeybee written by Naomi Shihab Nye. HarperCollins
• Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creatures written by Julie Larios.illustrated by Julie Paschkis, Harcourt
• More than Friends: Poems from Him and Her written by Sara Holbrook and Allan Wolf. Boyds Mills Press
• On the Farm written by David Elliott and Holly Meade. Candlewick Press

2008 Young Adult Fiction Finalists

• Audrey, Wait! written by Robin Benway. Penguin USA
• Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, The written by E Lockhart. Hyperion
• I know It's Over written by C. K. Kelly Martin. Random House Children's Books
• Jellicoe Road written by Melina Marchetta. HarperCollins
• Sweethearts written by Sara Zarr. Little, Brown
• Ten Cents a Dance written by Christine Fletcher. Bloomsbury USA
• Thaw written by Monica Roe. Boyds Mills Press

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bugbunnybambam/2110612296/

99 things meme

I have only participated in a few memes but this one looks fun. The idea is to look at a list of 99 things and say whether you have already done them, you want to do them, or you have absolutely no interest in doing them. It is a fun way to reflect on things that I have done in my life.

Code

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog. Or two

2. Slept under the stars.

3. Played in a band. High school band count?

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower. Every August

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.

7. Been to Disneyland/world. Both

8. Climbed a mountain. (OK maybe some people would say it was a hill)

9. Held a praying mantis. When I was little

10. Sang a solo. In High School. And now whenever I’m home alone!

11. Bungee jumped. Never, no way, no how.

12. Visited Paris.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea. An incredible site.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. Didn’t say I was good at it

15. Adopted a child. My wonderful son.

16. Had food poisoning. Not a pleasant experience. At summer camp.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. I don’t do high places.

18. Grown your own vegetables.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France. It is much smaller than I imagined.

20. Slept on an overnight train. Actually enjoyed it.

21. Had a pillow fight. My sister and I had them all the time.

22. Hitch hiked. A long time ago and would not do it now

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. Shhh – don’t tell

24. Built a snow fort Growing up in New England – of course

25. Held a lamb.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a marathon. Watched one once.

28. Ridden a gondola in Venice. We got stuck behind the trash boat L

29. Seen a total eclipse.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person Just saw it for the first time in August.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. Spent a year in Ireland searching my roots!

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language. Have tried to learn Gaelic by tape but not too successfully.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person. I was in awe

41. Sung Karaoke. Badly

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant. But I have paid tolls for strangers on highway

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance.

47. Had your portrait painted.

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Don’t do heights so had no desire to go to the top. Looking at it from afar was good enough.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling. In the Caribbean. Beautiful.

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud. Still do!

54. Gone to a drive-in theatre. Miss those days with the kids

55. Been in a movie. But my daughter was so I was on the set a lot.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen do this several times a year.

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies. Was never the top seller though

62. Gone whale watching. Magnificent animals

63. Gotten flowers for no reason. Don’t need a reason!

64. Donated blood. Every 8 weeks.

65. Gone sky diving. No way, no how, no where

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a check. Accidently of course.

68. Flown in a helicopter. No way.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Still have my stuffed animals and first doll.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial. With my kids

71. Eaten Caviar. Served it once at a banquet but didn’t have the gumption to try it. The three year old I was with loved it.

72. Pieced a quilt. Have done several for newborns.

73. Stood in Times Square. Not on New Year’s Eve.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job. Thank goodness.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London. Well as much as I could see in the crowd.

77. Broken a bone. But only a toe

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle that I was driving.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book. Just published number 14.

81. Visited the Vatican. An amazing place.

82. Bought a brand new car. On brand new car number 3. I keep them for 10-15 years so it works out.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper. Had a regular column so picture was in every week.

85. Read the entire Bible. Not yet but working on it.

86. Visited the White House. During the Clinton years.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. Don’t think I could

88. Had chickenpox. A long long time ago.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury. Been called twice but only served on one jury.

91. Met someone famous. Too many to mention J

92. Joined a book club. hasn’t everyone?

93. Lost a loved one. Too many to mention L

94. Had a baby. My lovely daughter

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone. Can’t understand how I lived without one.

99. Been stung by a bee. Every summer.

Let it snow!

OK, we went right into winter -- big time. We got a foot of snow on Friday and then another foot and a half last night. It is crazy out there. Today is cold and windy but the sun is shining and it is beautiful all covered with powdery snow.

But, thoughts do drift to warm weather and summer days. Today's podcast is for Beijing by Richard Platt. I enjoyed reading about the history of this magical city from it's earliest times right up to the summer Olympics or 2008. Back in the time of warm days and sunshine.

Platt, Richard. BEIJING

We heard a lot about Beijing this year since it was the site of the Summer Olympics. We saw the venues and got a bit of the history of the city. This book gives us a glimpse of the thousands of years in Beijing's past right up to the 2008 Olympics. In 16000 B.C., it was little more than a marshy home for the earliest humans. Now it is one of the major cities in the world.


http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/platt_beijing.mp3

Winter is here

OK, officially winter doesn't start until tomorrow but you certainly wouldn't know that by looking outside. We got a foot of snow yesterday and are expecting another foot tomorrow. People are still suffering from the ice storm 9 days ago. There are still over 20,000 people in NH that have no power 9 days into this. And some won't get power back until January. I feel so blessed that we have not had issues like that. The only worry I had was the chimney leak that let a bit of water into my bedroom. I just had to keep emptying the bucket. But the mason came on Thursday and now I have a brand new chimney at last. Also, the construction remains from the siding project were finally picked up and I'm feeling good about the home repairs.

But there are many people who still have lots of worries. Perhaps a worry tree would help them forget their worries for just awhile. In WORRY TREE by Marianne Musgrove, a young girl finds a worry tree painted on her bedroom wall and decides to give it a chance to take her worries away.

Musgrove, Marianne. THE WORRY TREE

Do you have to share a bedroom with a sibling? Are you living with a slob? Well, Juliet Jennifer Jones sure is. Her little sister is a slob and drives Juliet crazy. Finally her parents decide that she can have her own room. It's a room that her father now has all his stuff in so it will take a bit to clean it out. The girls are not allowed in that room now because of Dad's stuff. But he clears it out and Juliet finally has a place of her own. When the wallpaper is peeled away, a mural of a tree is revealed. Lots of animals are in the tree. It turns out that this had been her grandmother's room and this was her worry tree. Each night she gave her worries to one of the animals and let them take the burden off her. Can this work for Juliet also?

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/musgrove_worry.mp3

Jean Cannon

On Sunday last week, I was doing some Christmas shopping at Target hoping to get a majority of it finished. But I kept running into people I hadn’t seen for awhile so stopped to catch up with them. One person I ran into was Jean Cannon. Jean retired from the middle school last year after 35 years of teaching! Jean taught 8th grade Language Arts and was a master of dealing with that tough age. She taught writing to kids who didn’t want to write. She taught reading to kids who didn’t want to read. She taught the value of education to those who could care less. Jean left her mark on all the students she taught through the years. She didn’t stop teaching just because she retired from the middle school. Jean went on to teach English Comp at the local community college.

I’ll always remember the first time I met her. She was in class and I had to go ask something. I quietly opened the door a sliver and found a completely dark room except for one small candle on Jean’s desk. She was reading The Tell Tale Heart and the kids were engrossed. I quickly shut the door and hoped I hadn’t spoiled the mood. She let me sit in for the next class and I was amazed. Of course, the candle burning would not be allowed today.

I was so happy to see Jean on Sunday. It had been awhile seen we had seen each other and we were able to catch up. We chatted about mutual friends and colleagues. Have you seen so and so? How is she doing? Lots of small talk and catch up talk. We talked about retirement. I am still wavering about retiring in 2010 and Jean and I talked about the pros and cons of taking the plunge. We talked about the homeless shelter that was just voted down. Jean was furious. It was to be an emergency family shelter housed in a school that was no longer used. Jean had planned to volunteer there helping kids with their homework. We talked about Jean’s upcoming trip in the spring. We talked about our grandsons. Henry and Aiden are the same age and we were comparing the phases they were going through. She said she hoped to live long enough to see Henry outgrow this stage.

Jean had a massive heart attack on Tuesday. And she did not live long enough to see her grandson outgrow this phase. But she did live long enough to love her grandchildren and share a special bond with them. And she did live long enough to touch the lives of so many of Concord’s children. And she did live long enough to influence so many educators and help them become better teachers and people.

But she didn’t live long enough for us. The school is grieving and Jean is so sorely missed.

Good night Jean. Sleep well.

Jean Cannon Dec. 21, 1946 – Dec. 14, 2008

Monsters

My youngest grandson is having a problem with monsters in his room. We now have an elaborate ritual that must be performed every night before he will climb into bed and go to sleep. Most children go through this stage and hopefully Jordan will get over this soon.

But if you are talking about monsters, why not embrace them? That is where this book comes in. Hess, Nina. A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MONSTERS

So you think you know your monsters, right? Well, step right up and see if you are right. Are you ready to be an apprentice wizard? The monsters are introduced by Zendric, a wizard from the Knights of the Silver Dragon. The monsters are found in the Dungeons and Dragons game but everyone who is interested in monsters will find some good information in this guide.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/hess_practical.mp3

Ice storm

New Hampshire, and much of the surrounding area, was the site of a major ice storm yesterday. Power has gone out and many towns near me are still without power and may be so for days to come. We were fortunate in that we only lost power for a short time. Barely enough time for the cold to penetrate the house. I went out to the mall yesterday and found that many of the stores had no power and were closed. It was odd to see the major retailers like Sears and BonTon closed while the smaller store were doing hefty business. The big box tech stores were all without power so I didn't quite finish my shopping but pretty close. Although we are all fine here, I do hope that those without power don't suffer too long. It is very cold today. There are no hotel rooms left and shelters are filling up. Give me a foot of snow over an inch of ice anyday.

I received a review copy of my first book about President Obama!! It is well done and gives background information about our next president. I am happy to be able to show off a book about our new president in a timely fashion!

Gormley, Beatrice.
BARACK OBAMA : OUR FORTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT

Barack Obama is about to become our 44th president. This is an exciting time and a time for change. But who is this man? Learn about his childhood, his time at Harvard University and his record of service to the citizens of Chicago. From community activist to United States Senator to President of the United States, President Obama rose quickly to become the first African American president.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/gormley_barack.mp3

Mythology Bee

My school just received the Percy Jackson Mythology Bee kit. It is so cool. There is a wonderful medal for the winner of the bee and buttons for all the finalists. There's a nice certificate signed by Rick Riordan for the winner. And the winner gets to enter a drawing for a trip to Greece with Rick Riordan. Too cool. Second prize is a week at Camp Half Blood. The teachers are looking forward to holding the bee and we will probably wait until March so that all the kids can have time to learn about Greek mythology. We have the spelling bee coming up in January so one thing at a time.

Today's podcast is for Lynn Curlee's book on mythological creatures.

Curlee, Lynn. MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES : A CLASSICAL BESTIARY : TALES OF STRANGE BEINGS, FABULOUS CREATURES, FEARSOME BEASTS, & HIDEOUS MONSTERS FROM ANCIENT
GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Who doesn't love reading about mythology? All those great beasts and monsters! But do you sometimes forget which is which? Is the Minotaur half horse or half bull? Which one is the goat? Well, this is the book for you. Read about those fabulous creatures and bone up on your knowledge of mythological creatures.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/curlee_mythological.mp3

The networked student

I have spent the day working on my final paper for my class. I am writing about personal learning networks and have done a lot of reading, research and thinking about the concept. I have also been thinking about how students could benefit from networking. How their eportfolios should include a plan to continue learning and continue to network. And now Wendy Drexler has put a lot of my thinking into a video. Well, it is really her thinking but it certainly reflects what I have been thinking.



I got a kick out of the term "network sherpa" that Wendy used in the video. When I mentioned it to her, she suggested we should get badges to identify ourselves. Cool idea.

Dreaming of baseball

It is going to be a snowy weekend and that is fine. I am in the midst of writing my final paper for the semester. But I am having so much trouble getting in to it. I have to believe that if I just stop procrastinating and start writing, I'll get it done. I have just been overthinking it and now am not even sure what is expected. So, I am taking a break and will get another cup of coffee and try to start writing again.

Today's podcast is for the book HEY BATTA BATTA SWING! : THE WILD OLD DAYS OF BASEBALL by Sally Cook. I am a huge baseball fan and can't wait until spring when it starts up again. I have even been known to watch reruns of games during the winter months.

Booktalk:

What was baseball like back in the days before free agency and designated hitters? Back when the game was young and new and the teams were still trying to figure it all out. Back when there were no uniforms and only one umpire? Where did those team names come from? Learn about some of the ways the game has changed -- maybe not for the better!


http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/cook_hey.mp3

New Hampshire Ladybug Book Award

The winner of the NH Ladybug Book Award was announced today. Congratulations to When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach. Voting tallies can be seen at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/programs/documents/winnerannouncement.pdf


My newest book came in the mail today as well. This was a fun book to work on since it was dealing with my two loves -- technology and books. The Tech Savvy Booktalker offers simple but powerful ideas and instructions for integrating technology into your presentations, and using booktalks to launch learning across the curriculum. You'll discover how to use your existing technology to make enhanced booktalks to use with students-video, audio, and text; how to integrate the booktalks into the curriculum to meet standards; and how to extend the excitement with online book discussions. Lesson plans and examples, strategies, and resource links make implementation a breeze. I really hope people will find this a useful tool.

Looking forward to a few days off

Last week I spent a few wonderful days doing a NEASC visit to a school. I love doing accrediting visits since you get to talk to so many people and see so much in action. I was particularly impressed by the lunch room. Is that wierd? It was just so cool to see so many kids go in and out so easily and without a lot of muss and fuss. Although I must admit, I kept feeling like a loser when the kids would leave me after a few minutes but a new group would take their place.

I finished up the class I was teaching at Plymouth State University and we had a nice party at the end. The grad students were great and we had many laughs along the way. Thank you all!

My first doctoral course is winding up soon. I have so much work to do to get the final project finished. It will seem so odd to have some time in the evening to read. I feel as if I haven't read a book in so long.

Winter is beginning to rear its icy head and we are supposed to get our first snow tonight. The North Country has already seen the first snow of the year. I still don't have my leaves raked so I hope it holds off until after the weekend.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Ben Mikaelsen Author Visit

Wow, what a day we had yesterday. Ben Mikaelsen spent the day at our school and spoke with the 6th grade class. He was fantastic and the kids were hanging on his every word. If you ever get a chance to have him visit your school, jump on it. I wish we had more time as the kids actually moaned when he said his talk was ending. He challenged the kids to stand up to bullies and to be special.





Today's booktalk is for Fiona Macdonald's How to be a Roman soldier. Our 6th graders are studying ancient Rome now and many of them are fascinated about the soldiers. This book is perfect for them.

OK, if you can tell the difference between a standard-bearer and a legionary centurion, then you may well be on your way to becoming a Roman soldier. If not, perhaps this book will help you. You find out what type of training you'll need and what is expected of you. Do you know you have to buy your own weapons? What else is involved?

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/macdonald_roman.mp3

Veteran's Day

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for every man and woman who has served our country in order to keep us free. No matter how much people complain about what is going on, no matter how bleak things may seem, we are very privileged to live in the United States. A new day is coming and hope is in the air again. And it is our brave military who have made it possible to look to a bright future. Thank you.

Today's book is a non-fiction book examining the separation of church and state. During this long election season, we have heard many speeches that included religious references. Be it a simple "God bless you all" to some rather strong religious rhetoric. Just what does the constitution say about the separation of church and state?

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

When people are begin to talk about the separation of church and state, they cite the First Amendment. But what does it really say. Does the Amendment say that the government cannot promote religion? In the Pledge of Allegiance, is the term "under God" a violation of the Amendment? Or does the Amendment imply that the government cannot promote one religion over others but can promote religion in general? These are the questions that lawyers and scholars have struggled with for many years. Come along and join the discussion of the separation of church and state.

Kowalski, Kathiann M. LEMON V. KURTZMAN AND THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/kowalski_lemon.mp3

Keller, Laurie. GRANDPA GAZILLION'S NUMBER YARD

"Don't you hate when your eyebrows fall into your soup? Dig them out with a six -- it's a great eyebrow scoop!" OK, you get the idea. Grandpa Gazillion has a number yard and you can find all sorts of uses for the numbers. Use 5 as a snorkel. or 14 as a sailboat. See how many other uses you can think of.


This is a cute counting book that shows children the letters. It is a funny book that I'm sure will be a hit with the wee ones.


Listen to the podcast at: http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/keller_grandpa.mp3

Time flies when you are busy

I love being busy and this month has certainly been a very busy month. I gave two presentations at the NH NEA conference in October. Then I flew down to Virginia and spoke with the Henrico County librarians on Columbus Day. What a great group of people. In spite of a bit of technical difficulty, they hung in there and were very enthusiastic.

I spent election day in Pennsylvania. (I sent in an absentee ballot!) The school that hosted the presentation was beautiful. Thank you to Chichester Middle School! A very enthusiastic group of librarians spent the day with me learning about infusing booktalks with technology. I overplanned as usual and we didn't have time to play with the equipment. I have heard from a few attendees that they did indeed go back and use what they learned! Thank you to all the librarians for a great day.

I just finished up the month-long ALSC module "The Tech Savvy Booktalker". I was absolutely blown away with the quality of the final projects. Kudos to all participants. It was a fast paced month with a lot of information to absorb but I know they were up to it! Can't wait to do this again.

My proposal for a AASL preconference program has been rejected :-( I sent in a proposal to do a tech savvy booktalker preconference that would allow participants to play with the technology. I'm bummed but I'll get over it. I probably wouldn't be allowed the time off anyway.

I have been appointed as the Chair of the 2010 YALSA Young Adult Literature Symposium. An honor but I worry about what I've gotten myself into. That coupled with my work on the YALSA Technology Committee is sure to keep me very busy.

So, I haven't really had much time to read for pleasure this past month. I am currently reading the new book from City of Ember. I am enjoying it and hope to finish this weekend. I've also read Living Dead Girl. Very disturbing and has one of those endings that can be interpreted several ways. I love those!! Right after that I read Invisible. I wish I had read a funny book in between the two!

Busy, busy

I spent the weekend putting the final touches on the course I'm doing for ALSC. All you tech savvy booktalkers out there, it should be a fun month! I hope you are going to enjoy this journey.

I'm doing 3 workshops over the long weekend. I hadn't planned to do that but NEA NH asked at the last minute and I can never turn them down. So I'm doing two different workshops for them. Then I'm off to Richmond VA for workshops on Monday. I'm really looking forward to it. I am doing my typical tweaking until the last minute so I haven't been able to give them the handouts to copy. A special thanks to Whitney for her patience. I finally got the handout to her today. I'm still tweaking so who knows what the workshop will look like by Monday.

I just want to thank the Red Sox for their contribution the the economy. Sure they could have won last night and swept the Angels. But they are looking out for the little guy. The hot dog vendors and ticket sellers at Fenway. By having the series go one more game, they are helping the economy greatly. But you can win tonight guys!

Today's podcast is for an interesting book by Dori Hillestad Butler. DO YOU KNOW THE MONKEY MAN?

Sam hasn't seen or heard from her father in years. Dad left when Sam was three. Right after the accident. Dad and Sam's twin sister Sarah went out in the canoe. But it tipped over and Sarah was killed. Dad took off and the only time Sam heard from him was a postcard he sent from the zoo. It had a picture of a monkey on it and a short note but nothing else. And now Sam is consumed with finding Dad. She is so desperate, she goes to the local psychic for information. But that was no help. The woman only told her that Sarah was alive. So much for being psychic! So Sam sets out on a journey that she hopes will lead to her father.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/butler_do.mp3

Off to Cris Tovani workshop

I am really excited about today. Cris Tovani is in town and our district has arranged for a few of us to have an all day workshop with her today. I would have liked to attend her public event last night but since I am invited to attend today, didn't want to use a seat that someone else could use. A couple of years ago, she had worked with teachers in our district for several days around her work on reading comprehension. Today, Cris is working with us around assessment.

Today's podcast is for Philip Reeve's Larklight. It is pure steampunk -- a genre I adore. I loved steampunk before I realized there was a name for the genre! And I love Reeve's novels.

Reeve, Philip
LARKLIGHT, OR, THE REVENGE OF THE WHITE SPIDERS!, OR, TO SATURN'S RINGS AND BACK! : A ROUSING TALE OF DAUNTLESS PLUCK IN THE FARTHEST REACHES OF SPACE

Art and Myrtle Mumby live with their father in a 19th century manor that just happens to be orbiting the earth. They live a rather prim and proper life and are not prepared when they are invaded by spiders. Not the kind you are used to. These are huge spiders. Fortunately they are able to escape but find themselves on the moon where they are captured by moths. Or it is just too horrible to tell. These things are just too awful to contemplate. You will just have to find out for yourself. Lovers of steampunk fiction should give this book a read.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/reeve_larklight.mp3

NHSTE meeting was grand

Last night's NHSTE Annual Meeting was a blast. It started out with a web 2.0 smack down. Lots of cool sites in a very short time. Although the crowd was small on the rainy night, everyone seemed to be enjoying the sites. The dinner was delicious and the after dinner speakers gave us food for thought. Cheryl Oakes and Bob Sprankle from Maine shared their insights on participatory culture. There is no doubt in my mind why they are keynoting at K-12online.

Podcasts added this month include Barry Lyga's Hero-Type and Suzanne Phillips' Burn.

Lyga, Barry. HERO-TYPE

What happens when a nobody with a bad case of acne saves a classmate from a homicidal maniac? He becomes a hero, of course. He is even given a car -- or at least a discount on one. And the car comes complete with Support the Troops ribbons. When Kevin tosses the ribbons because he thinks they are empty symbols, he doesn't know he is being photographed. And now the hero has become the villain who doesn't support our troops. What happened to free speech?

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/lyga_hero.mp3

Phillips, Suzanne. BURN

The locker room is the worst. The football players just can't get enough of bullying him. Freshman year started out just fine but now it is a total disaster. He does his best to stay out of the way. Camerron has learned which hallways to avoid. Which classes to be late for. Where he can be safe. His friends don't want to be associated with him since it would make them targets too. Cameron isn't even really sure why he is a target. But everyday gets worse. And Cameron is getting angrier. And he feels he is about to explode.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/philips_burn.mp3