Johnston Greyhounds READ!

More on Lexile Levels

2012-01-19T16:42:00.000-06:00

Hey, Greyhounds! I just learned a new trick to find books on your lexile level....and guess what? I'll share the secret!!!

It's really easy! All you have to do is go the "advance search" option from the library catalog. It looks like this:

THEN....Choose "Call Number" as the 1st search term and "Lexile" for the 2nd search time. It'll look like this:

Then....go find your books! How 'bout that for something quick and easy??

Lexile Levels

2011-10-07T17:01:00.000-05:00

OK, all you Greyhound Readers who have recently discovered lexile levels, here are three places to look for lexile levels for the books that you want to read.

1st - check the library catalog! The library catalog can be accessed of the library information page (the one you used to get here!!!!) If there is a lexile level, it'll be in the middle of the book listing.

2nd - Try Novelist K-8 or Novelist Plus. These are part of the EBSCO-Host family of databases HISD provides for you to use. Go the Online Resources link and look for Ebsco-Host, then choose one of the Novelist options. This is also a great site to look for books that you might like to read.

3rd - Use Lexile.com: http://www.lexile.com/ . This site has lexile levels for a large number of books, but you won't find everything.

NOTE: You probably won't find every book your looking for, but if it is a book that interests you, read it! Reading for pure pleasure is still reading and will help build your vocabulary and grow your brain! All good stuff!!!!!

R U Bored? Do you like to write?

2011-08-02T09:18:00.001-05:00

Hey, Greyhounds! I was surfin' the web today (checking out bookstore websites :-)!) and came across a writing contest that is PERFECT for all you creative Greyhounds. You could win a Nook Color (I'd be so jealous), a $500 Barnes & Nobles gift card (remember your favorite librarian), AND a chance to go to New York City (yup, the Big Apple!) to meet Peter Langris, one of the great authors of the 39 Clues series.

All you have to do is write your story (maximum length 20 pages) and submit it by August 21. Here's the link to find out all the contest rules and details:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/tikatok-childrens-writing-contest/379002981

Better get busy on that story...there's only 20 more days until the deadline!

Feeling bored? Wishing August would get here quickly?!

2011-07-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

I was just checking all the email that had accumulated and stumbled across Houston Public Library's Teen Page. Oh, my gosh! It is chock full of information ...fun workshops, movies, gaming events and of course, really cool new books! Wanna learn to hip-hop? There's a workshop! Wanna watch free movies? There are tons of times scheduled! Wanna learn to draw manga? Check out the workshops! Here's the link: http://www.houstonlibrary.org/teens.

Also, I was tickled to learn that the sequel to Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs is out (it's a really fun read) and to find some new authors that I haven't read (I'll let you know when I find great books to add to our library).

Soooooo....quite whining about being bored and find yourself some fun things to do and great books to read!

Summer Reading

2011-04-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, Greyhounds! Have you heard the news? You've got a chance to be a MILLIONAIRE!!!

Sound good?!! Maybe too good to be true? Well, you're right...I'm not gonna give you a million $'s. BUT you can give yourself the potential to earn a million dollars by participating in the Millionaire Club this summer.

Did you know that if every student enrolled in a HISD school read 5 books over the summer that would equal more than 1,000,000,000 books! That's a lot of books! I'm trying to imagine how much space it would take to house a million books. The JMS library has about 14,000 books...so we might be talking about someplace the size of the Astrodome. Wow!

Check back here for more information about what you have to do to become a Millionaire....coming soon!

What's going on?

2011-04-08T16:31:00.002-05:00

Sorry it's been so long since I updated the blog! There's been so many cool things happening in the library that I forgot.

For starters, we've added over 1600 books to the JMS library! We've doubled the number of books in Spanish and the graphic novels. We've added e-books! You can find the link on the JMS library webpage..the User name is "Johnston" and the password is "greyhounds."

The Johnston Name that Book team won 2nd at the preliminary and DISTRICT rounds! That's quite an accomplishment. This team of 6 students collectively read over 2 million (that's right MILLION) pages and over 327 books!! Stop by the Library and see the gorgeous trophy!!

Two of the media students, Steffannie and Zoe won the American Association of School Librarians' Video Contest with their 3 minute video entitled "Think, Create, Share & Grow the JMS Way!" It was so much fun to work with these students and to see their hard work rewarded. Because of them, we'll get to add more books to the library collection and the Media class gets another FLIP camera. Check out their video on SchoolTube or at this link: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learning4life/involvement/studentvideo.cfm

Oh, I almost forgot! Three students won books for their participation in the Library Web page "Secret Sports" object contest. Congratulations to Cameron, Tasha, and Dominique!!

Listen to a Life Contest

2011-03-02T14:45:00.000-06:00

Like to write? Know somebody who's been around awhile? Want to get a chance a winning a new computer? If you answered "yes" to all of the above you should check out this great contest I just learned about.

You don't have very long to get your entry together...deadline for entries is March 31. So hurry up and get to work!

Let me know if you decide to enter....I'll put your picture on the library TV....I promise!

Virtual Author Webcase - March 7, 4:00 p.m.

2011-03-02T10:43:00.000-06:00

TEEN TECH WEEK is coming.....March 7-12!

Here's info. about one of the exciting events sponsored by the Houston Public Library.

If you've read Shiver or the 2nd book in the series, Linger, you'll definitely want to check out the March 7 virtual author visit with Maggie Stiefvater. Come to the JMS library right after school on Monday and we'll connect and see what she has to say. You may even have a chance to ask her questions.

Disclaimer: Neither of these books is available at the JMS library due to content more appropriate for high school age readers.

Free Access to Teen Health & Wellness through Dec. 15

2010-11-15T12:01:00.000-06:00

Hey, Greyhounds! You've heard a lot about bullying or "harmdoing" this school year. Here's your chance to find out more. Until December 15, you have free access to the Teen Health and Wellness. This site is written for 6 -12 graders and includes topics like Diveristy, Family Life, Food & Nutrition, Friendship & Dating, Green Living, and much, much more!

All you need to do is go to teenhealthandwellness.com and type in SLJTeen for the user name and password.

If you find this site helpful, let the library know!

You Are What You Read

2010-11-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned that being a librarian is the best job in the WHOLE world! It is and one of the most fun parts about what I do is finding new books to read and talk about.

Here's a great opportunity for you to do that, too. Scholastic has started a new ONLINE book club, called "You Are What You Read." (I love the title, don't you?). All you do is go to http://youarewhatyouread.scholastic.com/ and create an account. Once you do, you'll be able to see what the books that other folks your age recommend.

Too much fun! Give it a try and let me know what you think.....HAPPY READING!

Night Fall Scary Stories Writing Contest

2010-10-20T14:43:00.000-05:00

Like to write? Like scary stories? Check out this contest sponosored by Lerner Books. If you're successful, you'll get your name used as a character in a novel. Sounds pretty cool, to me!

Here's the rules from the website:
After reading Thaw—Lerner's free Night Fall™ eBook—we want YOU to become an author and create a creepy ending to a scary story just like the tales told in our new Night Fall series.

Taking cues from horror films and video games, Night Fall™ is high-interest, contemporary, horror fiction that is perfect for teen readers. Featuring YA themes and a highly accessible reading level, each story features teenagers from a small New England town called Bridgewater. Strange and awful things happen in Bridgewater, and readers will be lucky to escape with their sanity.

The winner of the Night Fall™ Scary Story Writing Contest will win all of these fantastic prizes:
- Two complete sets of all six books in the Night Fall™ series—one for the winner and one for the winner's school library
- Editorial advice in a letter from the editorial director of Darby Creek
- The winning story will be published on the Lerner Books Blog
- The winner's name will become a character in an upcoming Night Fall™ novel .

HURRY - the deadline for entries is Oct. 31!

Ever talked to an Author? Check out what the Houston Public Library has going on!

2010-10-12T09:18:00.000-05:00

Hey, Greyound Readers! Have you ever talked to an author? No? Well, here's your chance! October 17-23 is Teen Read Week and to celebrate Houston Public Library is hosting some online author chats. If you live near one of these libraries, then stop in and participate with other teens. If you can't get to the library, then you can still participate online (see the internet address below).

Friday, October 15 @ 4:30 - chat with Barry Lyga, author of Boy Toy, The Amazing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl, Goth Girl Rising and his newest book, Archvillan.
Hillendahl, Kendall, Montrose and Walter Public Libraries

Monday, October 18 @ 4:30 PM - chat with Cecil Castellucci, author of The Plain Janes (graphic novel), Boy Proof, Queen of Cool and Rose Sees Red.
Downtown Central, Kendall, Montrose, and Vinson Libraries

Tuesday, October 26 @ 3:30 PM - chat with Libba Bray, author of The Gemma Doyle Trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing) and Going Bovine.
Collier, Kendall, McGovern-Stella Link, and Montrose Neighborhood Libraries

You can also catch the author visits online at http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/teen-read-month.

ReadKiddoRead

2010-10-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

I was just reminded of this GREAT website! ReadKiddoRead has so many cool links....you'll find book recommendations by age group and genre, contests, interviews with authors, and MORE! So check it out - you'll find some really great stuff!!

READ ONLY If you're 13 or older.....

2010-10-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

I was checking out one of the publisher emails I get and came across a great opportunity for readers who are 13+. MacMillan Publishing has a teen reading group that reviews their new young adult novel. You need to submit an application to join and then they send you free books to review. Your reviews are posted on a blog for everyone to read.

Just think! You could be part of the group that influences which books get published. I think that's really cool!! Check out the http://www.macteenbooks.com/ingroup/ for more information.

Speaking of reviews...I'm always looking for folks to write a few sentences about the books they've read. Let me know if you're interested.

Let's BookJam!

2010-09-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, Greyhounds! Do you like to read? Do you like to play with computers to create cool presentations? IAre you musically inclined or like to act? f you answered yes to any these questions, check out the following contest! I know this school could put together some rockin' projects. Come see Ms. Dinneen in the library if you're interested....or better yet, respond to this blog post. It gets lonely just writing for myself - I'd love to hear from you!

How Do YOU BookJam?

Create a Digital Book Report video connecting core standards to 21st-century skills for your chance to win a portion of $20,000 in prizes.

Have your students pick their favorite book or a book from your lesson plan and create a song, performance, or debate. Get creative and win! Use music, props, and costumes! But make sure that it covers the core standards. We’d love to see rap songs about grammar, interactive presentations highlighting setting and symbolism, plays about conflict starring Hester Prynne to Harry Potter, and whatever else you and your students dream up!
For more details, visit
www.digitalbookreport.com

Here's what you could win!
- Fifteen finalists per category will be judged by our panel of guest judges and by public vote for a chance to win one of two grand prizes—one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12—worth $20,000.
- First 25 entries get a FREE audio book!

Numerous “Honorable Mention” prizes will be awarded!

Welcome!

2010-09-14T18:28:00.004-05:00

Hey, Greyhounds! I'm so glad you found your way to the Johnston MS Library blog. You'll find some stuff that is new, some stuff that I wrote a couple of years ago, and some stuff that I need your input on.

As you scroll through the blog, you'll find some postings about books, some examples of technology and some interesting links to help you find other books to read. Take a minute to read through and check out the links...you might find a book that's been out for a couple of years that you didn't know about.

I love to play with new technology and there are some great "free" programs. I'd like to share that knowledge with you, so if you're interested in learning how to create book trailers or "Glogs" or talking avatars, let me know. I'd love to explore some of these media with the creative students at JMS.

That's it for know.....Ms. Dinneen

Name That Book Media Contest

2010-01-24T18:17:00.006-06:00

Like to read? Love to use computers? Consider participating in the "Name That Book" mutli-media contest. You don't have to read all 36 books...only a few of them. Then you'll work by yourself or with a partner to create a 3 minute multimedia project that captures the essence of the book(s). You'll have lots of flexibility and choices. Let me know if you're interested....

Here's an example for The Great Wide Sea by M. H. Herlong

PhotoStory3 & Book Trailers

2010-01-23T11:12:00.012-06:00

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Check out this great book trailer created by Sofia D'Arcy using a free program, Photo Story3. If you'd like to learn how to create your own books trailers using Photo Story3, let me know. I'd love to show your how!

Thinking back...

2010-01-03T11:22:00.008-06:00

At the beginning of a New Year, we're told that it is important to think back over the year past to remember the good and the bad. Here are my top ten best things from the library...

10. Starting the 2009 school year with more new books!

9. A great group of library assistants!!

8. Working with students and teachers on History and Science Fair projects!!

7. Having a great group of 6th graders who came to BMS with a love of reading!!!

6. A really supportive faculty and administration

5. 15 new computers!!!!

4. 20-30 fantastic and wonderful students who use the library every morning before school!!!!!!!

3. Students who responded to the request for book recommendations - 65+ books were suggested!!!!!!!!

2. 18 dedicated Name that Book team members!!!!!!!!!

1. At the top of the library list is YOU! You make the library great!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday...remember your library books are due :-)!

Help, Help, Help!!!!

2009-12-03T14:32:00.004-06:00

Help!Help!Help!Help!Help! The Library Needs YOUR Help!
Now that I have your attention, you might be wondering WHY does the library need MY help?

It's that time of year when we think about the things we want. Well, just like you, the library has "things" it wants and the "things" the library wants is BOOKS! And not just any books, either. The Library wants to know what books YOU want. So here's how you can help. Stop by the Library and fill out a "wish list" entry with the title and author (if you know it) of any books that you would like to see added to the Library's collection. Ms. Dinneen will consider any suggested books AND three students will win a prize for taking time to suggest a book.

SCARY Books

2009-11-23T16:39:00.007-06:00

For those of you who have been waiting with suspense to find out the books are considered to be the SCARIEST by Black MS students and teachers.....(drum roll, please!)

HERE's the list!

Ranked the 3rd scariest book - Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish

The 2nd scariest book - Lord Loss by Darren Shan

The Really, Truly, Scariest book on campus is.....

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Other nominated books include:
Summer of Fear Carrie Cirque de Freak
The Devouring New Moon 10 Scary Stories
Sons of Destiny

Thanks to all those who participated by nominating books!

"SPOOKTACULAR" Books

2009-10-13T13:14:00.007-05:00

October is the month for ghosts and goblins! The cooler weather and all the rain we've had make me want to curl up with a good book. There are brand new copies of the Cirque de' Freak series by Darin Shan and tons of other scary stories to keep you up at night.

Some of the scariest books aren't about supernatural beings....they're about events that could really happen. The Dead & Gone and Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer are both about what happens to earth when a giant meteor hits the moon and knocks it out of orbit. NASA's experiment, crashing a probe into the moon, this week gave me pause to think.... What if that really happened?????

What kind of books are scariest to you? Stop on by the Library and nominate your favorite scary book.

Kate DiCamillo - Coming to Houston

2009-10-02T14:11:00.004-05:00

What?! You say you don't know who Kate DiCamillio is? Well, granted she's not a famous hip-hop artist or a sports star. She is the award winning author of Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despersaux and The Tiger Rising.

Ms. DiCamillio will be in Houston, on Sunday, October 18 at 3 p.m. at the Pershing Middle School Auditorium, 3838 Blue Bonnet at Stella Link and it's FREE....that's right, you get to see a really great author, listen to her talk about her newest book, The Magician's Elephant, and it doesn't cost you a penny! If you want to buy a copy of her new book, you can even get Ms. DiCamillio to autograph it for you.

October declared National Information Literacy Awareness Month

2009-10-02T12:58:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I run across items in the news that catch my interest because they're library related....and today was one of those days!

President Obama has declared October as "National Information Literacy Awareness" month. What does that mean for you?

Well, the proclamation "highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age." This means we need to know how to find information, figure out if it is accurate and suitable for our purposes and how to use the information in a way that is appropriate. Part of being information literate is knowing how to give credit to the sources of information you use in your school work - whether it is a report or a project.

I'm excited that President Obama recognizes the importance of information literacy and I'll be happy to help you with any of your information literacy questions, whether it's how to find a picture to include with a project or how to create a works cited sheet. Stop on in the library and ask your questions.......

What's happening in the Library?

2009-09-25T10:19:00.006-05:00

What's Happening in the Library?????????

The answer is .....LOTS!

New Books!!! Over 150 new books have been added to the Library collections since the beginning of the school year, including lots of graphic novels and new fiction. Stop by and check out something "new" today!

New Hours! 7:45 - 4:00 Students can use the library before school with a pass. See Mrs. Dinneen or your Advocacy teacher to get yours.

New Computers!! The library now has 13 computers available for educational purposes.

the dead & the gone

2009-07-27T18:31:00.011-05:00

With a title like the dead & the gone you'd almost expect to hear creaking of doors and wind whistling through an abandoned house, right? Well, you wouldn't be far wrong with this book. Imagine being the only one walking the streets of New York; imagine stealing clothes and jewelry from dead people to barter for food! Very creepy!! Susan Beth Pfeffer, the author of Life as We Knew It, one of the NTB books from last year, has written another disaster book about a meteor hitting the moon and the crises that follow. dead is set in New York City and the hero is a 17 year old Puerto Rican guy, Alex, who ends up having to take care of his two younger sisters, Bria and Julie. With the exception of flooding, tsunamis and earthquakes, the story line is much the same as her previous book.

I'm trying to decide which one I like best. What do you think?

The Missing: Book 1 FOUND

2009-07-24T09:30:00.006-05:00

Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of the those prolific authors who just keeps writing good series. Her latest series, The Missing, begins with Found. Siblings Jonah and Katherine join with the new kid in the neighborhood, Chip, to unravel the mystery behind some anonymous mail the two boys have received. The first letter contains 6 words, "You are one of the missing." The second letter warns "BEWARE! They're coming back to get you." (I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty freaked out by now!) As the plot develops, the boys discover they are part of a group of children who were all adopted 13 years ago and something (or someone) is drawing them all together. With a little FBI involvement and the mysterious guy who seems to appear and disappear by magic, the suspense grows. So the question is....who is missing? AND who's coming back to get them?

Read Found, one of this year's Lone Star Books and let me know what you think. Is it possible to go back in time to fix mistakes from the past?????

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2009-07-21T13:29:00.005-05:00

For those of you who've read and loved Epic by Connor Kostick, you'll certainly enjoy this book, too! Set in a future time, North America has been divided into 13 regions based on their natural resources and all the regions are under the thumb of Capital City, a place full of luxury and excess. Once a year, each district is required to hold a lottery, drawing two names from those 12 to 18, one male and one female to participate in the Hunger Games. Only one winner is allowed...and anything goes during the games. We experience the competition through the experiences of Katniss, a 16 year old huntress who volunteered to replace her 12 year old sister, and Peeta Mallark, the baker's son who has been in love with Katniss since he first saw her. The games are televised to all the districts sort of like the Super Bowl. Try to imagine an event that is part beauty pagaent, Survivor, and soap opera and you've got a start on The Hunger Games.

Full of action, adventure, some blood and guts (check out the "tracker jacks"), romance, and psychological elements, this is the beginning of a new series and I can't wait for the second book to be released! Take a read..and let me know what you think!

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature

2009-07-17T17:22:00.003-05:00

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature ... Whether you're a Christian or not, this books will give you pause to think. The tale begins on Mena's first day of high school, which she begins hopefully and ends realizing that it was a day that could have only been worse if she'd eaten snails. She is snubbed and verbally abused by all of her former "church friends" for having shown compassion to one of their gay classmates who attempted suicide as a result of the church groups attempts to convert him.

Before you think, "Wow! I'm not gonna read this book...it sounds too grim!" Mena's life does get better when she finds she's assigned Casey as a lab partner in Science class and that her teacher is AWESOME. Mena learns a ton about herself, finds herself writing a web column about the Bible, meets a dozen cute lab puppies and gets her first kiss. This book is much better than I'm describing it...It's on the Lone Star list so you know it's got to be good!!

Oh, yeah...after you read it, let me know if you think the cover fits the plot and characters.

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen

2009-07-16T14:50:00.004-05:00

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen is another one of those books that is impossible to put down. From the first page to the last, Bodeen keeps you interested.

First of all, the plot is creepy. Imagine a billionaire dad who has built an underground compound (not an itty-bitty storm cellar...we're talking acres of self contained underground living space) "just in case" there is ever a nuclear holocaust. Sure enough, the "big one" drops and the family runs for cover. Except they don't all make it inside....

The story picks up again after six years. All the kids are older, food is running out and dear old Dad is getting creepier by the day. When Eli, the twin who made it to safety finds a computer and realizes he has Internet access, he makes some very interesting discoveries about his world. The question is....will he be able to convince his dad to do the right thing?

This Lone Star Book is well worth the nail-biting suspense! Check it out and let me know what you think....

Antsy Does Time - Neil Shusterman

2009-07-07T22:56:00.007-05:00

The last post was about Unwind and this one is about another Shusterman novel, Antsy Does Time. For those of you who are die hard Shusterman fans, Antsy is a character you will recognize from The Schwa Was Here.

In Antsy Does Time, the main character, Antsy continues his relationships with his buddies, Ira and Howie, Mr. Crawley (described as "very rich, very selfish, and generally mean"), and Lexie, Mr. Crawley's granddaughter. The new twist is that Gunnar Umlaut, another of Antsy's (or Anthony) classmates announces that he is dying of a disease called Pulmonary Monocis Systemia. Coincidentally, Gunnar's sister, Kjersten (pronounced Kirsten), two years older than Antsy and a member of the tennis team, develops a relationship with Antsy. The question is....does she like Antsy for who he is? Or does she like Antsy for what he is trying to do for her brother?

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from the novel....About Antsy's first kiss “She finally pulls away, and I say – I swear I actually say this: “Do you want your gum back, or should I keep it?” Or how about this description of Mr. Crawley....“He’s the kind of guy who’d hand out vomit-inducing candy on Halloween, and then sell Pepto-Bismol across the street at jacked up prices.”

This Lone Star book has tons of twists and turns and I promise it is worth the read. Check it out and let me know what you think.....Once you've read Unwind and Antsy Does Time, you'll be shaking your head like me! How could such different novels come from the same author?

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

2009-07-02T17:40:00.009-05:00

Have you ever wondered what an author looks like? Well, here's a picture of Neil Shusterman, who has written a couple of books that made this year's Lone Star Book List. I have to tell you, he may look like a normal person, but he has some very, very scary stuff living in his head. You might ask how I know that.....

Well, let me tell you about Unwind. It's set in the future, in the United States and in a time where abortion has been totally outlawed. As an alternative, parents can made the decision to have their children "unwound" anytime before they are 18. The novel begins with Connor, a 16 year old not known for keeping his temper, and his discovery that his parents have booked a cruise for 3 after Thanksgiving. Sounds cool, right? Yes, unless they're not planning on taking Connor because they've signed the papers to have him unwound. Then there's Risa, a ward of the state, who doesn't perform flawlessly at a piano concert, and learns that her mistakes will cost her her life. And then there's Lev, who has known for years that he was destined for unwinding. As the 10th child in the family, he's been designated as a tithe.

So these three characters hook up in a really exciting beginning and the book just steam-rolls ahead. It's really hard to put down, will give you tons of things to think about, and will, I promise, creep you out. Consider yourself warned.....

I.Q. [Book One: Independence Hall]

2009-07-02T08:15:00.004-05:00

Roland Smith is one of my favorite authors and it was so cool to hear him talk about how he writes books last spring at the Texas Library Association Conference. He writes them by hand in little "journal-like" books called moleskins that he can carry around with him while he travels. I can't imagine writing a 300 page novel by hand, can you?

Anyway, I.Q. is the first novel in a series that kind of reminds me of James Bond's 007 (Bet you didn't know there were books before the movies?!). Book One begins with a wedding between two musicians, who each have a teenager. The guy's daughter is Angela, a fifteen year old "wanna be" spy and martial arts expert, and the woman's son is "Q" (stands for Quest), a thirteen year old magician. While the parents are making music and becoming famous, the two kids become partners in unraveling a terrorist conspiracy with the help of some retired intelligence agents and a really old gap-toothed dog named Croc and ends with a trip to the White House. In between, Angela and Q discover a mutual love for Big Macs and use their special skills to save each other.

This is quite a page turner...full of suspense, foreign terrorists, counter-terrorists, and has more twists than a roller coaster. Just when you think you've got the bad guys figured out, Smith throws another curveball into the plot! I can't wait for Book 2! In the meantime check out the IQ series website at http://www.iqtheseries.com/. You can learn Q's magic tricks, here music by the parents' band, and all kinds of really coooool stuff!!

Wings

2009-06-26T11:39:00.007-05:00

Wings by Aprilynne Pike is a beautifully written book. Pike's first novel (and I hope she writes more....I could see a 2nd novel about these same characters), stretches the reader's imagination ever so gently to suggest that all those we know as human might not be as they appear.

Laurel, the main character, has moved to a new town and begun high school which is quite a change from being home schooled. On the first day of school, she meets David in biology class. They become friends and as Laurel begins to trust him, they discover that while Laurel looks human and sounds human, she's not human!

The characters are wonderful and there's enough romance, suspense, and drama to keep the reader quickly turning pages. For the guys who might be thinking this is a "mushy love story", I promise there are guns, fights, and people get thrown in the river with huge rocks weighting them down.

I'd give this novel two thumbs up. You'll have to check it out from the public library for now, but I'll be adding it to the BMS Library as quickly as I can. Happy Reading!

The Possibilities of Sainthood

2009-06-23T11:58:00.006-05:00

Mamma Mia! This is one fun book. Fifteen year old Antonia Luchia Labella is still waiting for her first kiss AND she wants to be a saint. You might think that first kisses and sainthood can't possibly go together. I mean, aren't saints supposed to be holy, virginal and untouched? Oh yeah, they're also supposed to be dead!

Antonia has it all worked out. She wants to be the Patron Saint of First Kiss and Kissing. She thinks she knows exactly how her first kiss will happen and who the kisser will be...but is she right?

Along her way to sainthood, Antonia's life is full of twists and turns as she navigates life with her stereotypical Italian mama who refuses to let her date until she's sixteen, her forgetful grandma, her best friend Maria, her hateful cousins and Andrew, the boy she wants to kiss and Michael, the pesky, good looking creep who always turns up in the most impossible places (like the fire escape outside her window!).

This book's on the Lone Star list and will be one of the Name that Book titles for 2009-2010. Move it to the top of your "must read" list!

Box Out by John Coy

2009-06-18T13:50:00.004-05:00

You know the old expression "you can't judge a book by its cover?". Well, for Box Out by John Coy, the expression clearly holds true.

I picked this book up reluctantly...because it looks like it's about basketball, a sport that I've never played and don't particularly enjoy (apologies to all you basketball players and fans!). And is often the case, I found more than just a book about basketball.

Coy's book does have tons of b-ball play by play but also has enough of a plot to keep readers like me interested and driving toward the finish. Liam, the protagonist, gets promoted to Varsity as a sophomore due to an injury. He's ecstatic, his dad is ecstatic and life couldn't get any better!

Until...Liam discovers that the Varsity team has some team building practices that he doesn't agree with (mandatory prayer in the locker room) and his girlfriend dumps him long distance. It is pure fun to see how Liam copes and stands up for what's right in spite of peer pressure from the team.

Check this one out at the Houston Public Library this summer (you'll need to put it on hold and have it transferred to the library branch nearest you) or from the BMS library in August.

What's new with you?

2009-06-13T08:02:00.004-05:00

Sorry it has been awhile since I've posted, but I've been traveling a bit, trying to button up the BMS library for summer and starting my two grad. school classes. I've also been doing some reading (surprised?!... NAW!!)

One of the YA books I've read is Gym Candy by Carl Deuker. I love his books and he's written several. I always get insight into a guy's point of view. This is helpful since I'm not a guy. I think it's good to know how the other side thinks. So even if you're a girl, this book is worth reading.

So what's Gym Candy about? Football, steroids, relationships, personal integrity, and decision making. This is one of the Lone Star book titles that will be on the Name that Book list for next year's competition....hint to all you NTB readers....READ THIS!

Speaking of Name that Book, the list for next year's books hasn't been released by Library Services, yet. I'll have it out on the blog as soon as it gets posted.

Happy summer and HAPPY READING!!!

Wanna start an online book club?

2009-06-01T08:59:00.003-05:00

Love to read but can't find anybody near you to talk about books with? Start an online book club!

Goodreads.com at http://www.goodreads.com/ is one place to make that happen. You can either invite people you know to join or open your book club up to anybody that enjoyed the book you want to talk about.

Make sure the adults in your life are OK with you being online and go for it! It's fun and easy. OF COURSE, you can always jump in and post to this site! I can't wait to hear from some of you dedicated BLACK MS Panther readers!

READ Kiddo READ

2009-05-28T08:57:00.006-05:00

New Summer Reading Program!!!

I just found another summer reading program and great website to add to the list! James Patterson, a really cool author who writes for adults and young adults, has a book club and totally awesome website. The link is below and also in the "Great Places to Look for Books" sidebar:

http://www.readkiddoread.com/home

This site has a great section on "read alikes", reading lists by age (so you can get your younger siblings reading, too!), book reviews, cool things to win, and tons more info. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Speaking of James Patterson....He's written a really cool series of YA novels about a group of teenagers and children who have been genetically modified so they have wings. Yup, these kids can really fly! Needless to say the kids have lots of people interested in them, and not in a good way. Their creators have decided the kids can't be allowed to go free, so the bad guys are out to get them. There are four books in the series. The first one, Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever is in the BMS library. There's also gonna be a Manga series based on the novels for all you Manga fans!

How to Post

2009-05-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

I really want to get some dialogue going between you and me and between all of you who are reading this blog. In case you don't know how to do that, here's a quick lesson in how to post your comments to this blog.

1. At the bottom of each posting, there is a line of text that looks like this....

Posted by cdinneen at 10:00 AM 0 comments

2. Click on the "comments" line and you'll be taken to a screen where you can post your comments. Just type what you want to say in the white box and when you're finished, click on "Post Comment".

3. You can also subscribe to this blog by signing up on email..just click on the Suscribe by email link.

Don't you love something simple?

Now that you know how to do contribute to the blog, I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Library News - Houston Public Library Visit

2009-05-15T11:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Mr. Reyna, the Young Adult librarian from the Oak Forest Public Library (located just around the corner from our school) came to speak to some of the 7th grade students about summer activities at the library and HPL's summer reading program. Here's a recap in case you weren't able to hear him speak.

Houston Public Library's summer reading program, "Summer Thrills and Chills!!", sounds pretty fun to me. Here's what you do:

First - Sign up! You can register on line or stop by the BMS library or Oak Forest Library to pick up the information.

Second - READ and write down the titles of the books. If you read 20 books you get all kinds of cool stuff (Pass to the Downtown Aquarium, Astros ticket coupon, ticket voucher to the circus, and a chance to win free books)!

Third - Return your completed form to the library by AUGUST 1, 2009.

I have copies of the summer calendar of activities, information about the online homework help and sign up information for the reading program in the library...so stop on by and pick up your copy.

"Trouble"

2009-05-14T12:46:00.000-05:00

The trouble with "trouble" is you never know where or when trouble will occur. I bet you've experienced many kids of trouble in your life....friends that talk about you, family members who disappoint you, the death of someone you love, losing something important to you, etc. I always appreciate a book that show me how other people deal with trouble in their lives. Perhaps if I've had the same experience, I get new ideas about how to deal with a situation next time. Or perhaps I might learn something to use when I run head first into a new kind of "trouble."

Gary Schmidt's new book, Trouble, is one of those books. There's plenty in the story that I have never experienced (like going to a preparatory school where everybody is really smart or living in Massecheusetts) but there's a lot I can relate to.

For Henry Smith, the main character in Schmidt's novel, trouble shows up with a capital "T" on the eve of his 14th birthday. Henry's father is fond of saying "If you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you." I'm not sure I agree with Henry's dad. I think trouble can find you wherever you are. Trouble is just a fact of life. Things don't always go the way we want them to, and people don't do the things they should. Sometimes they do bad things for good reasons.

Henry's world is turned upside down when his older brother is critically injured an a car accident. As he and his family struggle to cope, they learn alot about each other and Henry learns the truth about the accident.

One part of the book that I could really relate to is Black Dog. Henry saves this dog from drowning. This part is kind of sad. She wins over the whole family and provides a way to help them cope with their grief. My own good black dog is named Ellie and she behaves just as crazy as Black Dog does. You'll be surprised when you find out how Black Dog ended up in the water.

I'm anxious for you to read this book and let me know what you think.

Summer Reading

2009-05-12T12:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things to do over the summer is....you guessed it! READ!!! When I was a kid, my mom, brother and I would have reading contests every summer to see who could read the most books. I was a frequent winner! I think my mom was inspired to come up with the idea. Trips to the library were basically free, reading kept us quiet and out of trouble, and she loved to read, too.

Think about picking up a book instead of turning on the TV or your Ipod. It is better for the environment ('cause it doesn't use electricity) and much better for your brain.

Here's another place to find good book recommendations - http://txla.org/groups/yart/Assets/Files/lonestar/lone0910.pdf

This list is designed to promote student reading. It's not about books that are "good" for you to read (like eating vegetables is good for you) , but rather includes "good" books you'll ENJOY reading.

Check it out and let me know what you think. I can't wait to hear from you.

What's this all about?

2009-05-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I get lonely for my friends over the summer. Maybe we're too busy, or in different places, or maybe it just isn't easy to get together. Since I love to read and love to talk about books with my friends, I wanted to create a place were the students of Black MS could discuss (write about) the books they are reading over the summer.

I'll write about the books I'm reading and I'd love to hear what you're reading! In fact, you may even find some of your teachers contributing content from time to time.

So let's get the discussion going!

How many of you have read the Twilight series? I LOVED it and find myself looking for more books like Twilight. I found this great list that I want to pass on to you. Now, keep in mind, I have personally read very few of these books and make no claims as to whether they are appropriate for middle schoolers to read. That is for you to decide with your parents.

1 The summoning Armstrong, Kelley
Summary: After fifteen-year-old Chloe starts seeing ghosts and is sent to Lyle House, a mysterious group home for mentally disturbed teenagers, she soon discovers that neither Lyle House nor its inhabitants are exactly what they seem, and that she and her new friends are in danger.

2 Tithe Black, Holly
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Kaye, who has been visited by faeries since childhood, discovers that she herself is a magical faerie creature with a special destiny.

3 Glass houses Caine, Rachel
Summary: In Morganville, Texas, a town where evil terrorizes the streets under the cover of darkness, Claire Danvers, who has had enough of her current dorm situation, moves off campus and discovers that her new roommates are vampires.

4 Bloodline Cary, Kate
Summary: In this story told primarily through journal entries, a British soldier in World War I makes the horrifying discovery that his regiment commander is descended from Count Dracula.

5 Marked Cast, P. C.

6 City of bones Clare, Cassandra
Summary: Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizzare world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.

7 High school bites: the Lucy chronicles Conrad, Liza
Summary: Having learned on her sixteenth birthday that Count Dracula exists and lives in her hometown of Seattle, Lucy tries to save herself and her friends while wondering whether her boyfriend is also a vampire.

8 Blue bloods De la Cruz, Melissa
Summary: Select teenagers from some of New York City's wealthiest and most socially prominent families learn a startling secret about their bloodlines.

9 Evernight Gray, Claudia
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Bianca, a new girl at the sinister Evernight boarding school, finds herself drawn to another outsider, Lucas, but dark forces threaten to tear them apart and destroy Bianca's entire world.

10 Look for me by moonlight Hahn, Mary Downing
Summary: While staying at the remote and reputedly haunted Maine inn run by her father and pregnant stepmother, sixteen-year-old Cynda feels increasingly isolated from her father's new family and finds solace in the attentions of a charming but mysterious guest.

11 Blood and chocolate Klause, Annette Curtis
Summary: Having fallen for a human boy, a beautiful teenage werewolf must battle both her packmates and the fear of the townspeople to decide where she belongs and with whom.

12 Vampire Academy Mead, Richelle
Summary: Two years after a horrible incident made them run away, vampire princess Lissa and her guardian-in-training Rose are found and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, where one focuses on mastering magic, the other on physical training, while both try to avoid the perils of gossip, cliques, gruesome pranks, and sinister plots.

13 Twilight Meyer, Stephenie
Summary: When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human.

14 Vampire High

Summary: When his family moves from California to New Sodom, Massachusetts and Cody enters Vlad Dracul Magnet School, many things seem strange, from the dark-haired, pale-skinned, supernaturally strong students to Charon, the wolf who guides him around campus on the first day.

15 Vampire kisses Schreiber, Ellen
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Raven, an outcast who always wears black and hopes to become a vampire some day, falls in love with the mysterious new boy in town, eager to find out if he can make her dreams come true.

16 Companions of the night Vande Velde, Vivian
Summary: When sixteen-year-old Kerry Nowicki helps a young man escape from a group of men who claim he is a vampire, she finds herself faced with some bizarre and dangerous choices.

Johnston Greyhounds READ!

More on Lexile Levels

Lexile Levels

R U Bored? Do you like to write?

Feeling bored? Wishing August would get here quickly?!

Summer Reading

What's going on?

Listen to a Life Contest

Virtual Author Webcase - March 7, 4:00 p.m.

Free Access to Teen Health & Wellness through Dec. 15

You Are What You Read

Night Fall Scary Stories Writing Contest

Ever talked to an Author? Check out what the Houston Public Library has going on!

ReadKiddoRead

READ ONLY If you're 13 or older.....

Let's BookJam!

Welcome!

Name That Book Media Contest

PhotoStory3 & Book Trailers

Thinking back...

Help, Help, Help!!!!

SCARY Books

"SPOOKTACULAR" Books

Kate DiCamillo - Coming to Houston

October declared National Information Literacy Awareness Month

What's happening in the Library?

the dead & the gone

The Missing: Book 1 FOUND

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen

Antsy Does Time - Neil Shusterman

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

I.Q. [Book One: Independence Hall]

More Summer Reading!!!

Wings

The Possibilities of Sainthood

Box Out by John Coy

What's new with you?

Wanna start an online book club?

READ Kiddo READ

How to Post

More Summer Reading Contests

Library News - Houston Public Library Visit

"Trouble"

Summer Reading

What's this all about?