What's Happening at the BSS Library?

It really is the most wonderful time of the year, not only because of the fun parties and spirit of Christmas but because of what I get to read to my classes.  There are so many great Christmas children's books out there!  Here are some of my favorites...

Since fifth grade has been studying the Civil War, I chose to read to them this well-researched book about the true story of Sarah Edmonds, who enlisted in the army by disguising as a man.  Sarah said she was a man named Frank Thompson when they were recruiting men for the Union army.  A few years prior, Sarah dressed like a man in order to get out of a marriage arranged by her parents.  She dressed like a man, crossed the border from Canada to the United States, and began a new life as Frank.  She loved the camaraderie she had with the other soldiers, and she excelled in her position.  She trained to be a nurse, and her hard work and bravery led to her being chosen to spy on the Confederates. It was such an interesting story, and in the author's note we learned that when Sarah became very sick and needed medical attention, she changed back into women's clothing and found a doctor away from the camp.  Once she recovered and tried to come back to join he...

As part of their STREAM project, 6th graders are designing the cover of a children's book to help promote environmental awareness.  Students choose a topic of interest such as recycling, air pollution. littering, etc. and designed a cover, with the goal of attracting a younger audience through our artwork and fun characters. Miss Damata and I discussed the importance of illustrations in decorating a story.  We talked about how (even though we are not supposed to!), people judge a book by its cover all the time.  It draws the person to pick up the book, which is an important first step for the book to chosen by a reader. I read them the book 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Fun and Easy Eco-Tips by Melanie Walsh. We pointed out all the eye-catching details in the cover, including the die-cut (hole) of the light bulb inside the "0" and an informative subtitle, and whimsical illustrations.  They liked how the covers explains that "This book is made from 100%...

 It was recently the 56th anniversary of when Ruby Bridges became the first black student to attend an all-white elementary school.  6th graders heard the true story about how a judge ordered a school in New Orleans to follow the nation's law and allow black children to attend white schools.  Ruby's parents were very proud that their daughter was one of the four girls chosen to break the color barrier at two different schools, with three girls going to one school and Ruby in the other.  The Bridges were hard working and very religious, and prayed to God that Ruby "would be a good girl and she'd hold her head up high and be a credit to her own people and a credit to all the American people."  And she certainly did.   Ruby had to tolerate crowds of angry white people gathered outside the Frantz Elementary School, carrying signs and threatening violence to her if she continued to attend.  The police did not help Ruby, so the President of the United...

First graders enjoyed hearing about the two families portrayed in  The Perfect Thanksgiving  by Eileen Spinelli.  Abigail Archer's family was perfect in every way- from the perfectly cooked turkey to the well-mannered guests, to the mother who was all dressed up and baked homemade pies.  The narrator of the story explained that her family was just the opposite: burned turkey, loud and crazy family, and a mother dressed in blue jeans who bought pies from the store. But both families had one thing in common--the love for their family. The contrast between the two families was amusing, and when I asked if their Thanksgiving feast day was more like Abigail's or the author's, most seemed to think their family was perfect just like Abigail's!  Hmmm, I find that hard to believe, but if they say so! Happy Thanksgiving everyone (no matter how your family celebrates!) Turk and Runt is a fun story about two turkey brothers.  Turk was big and strong and co...

I read Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson to 5th and 6th graders. It tells the true story of a woman named Sarah Hale, who wanted Thanksgiving to become a national holiday.  She wrote magazine articles and thousands of letters to politicians asking them to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Each time, she was rejected, but she never gave up.  It took her thirty-eight years, but she did it!  In 1863, President Lincoln agreed that our country needed to celebrate a day of thanks, and made the fourth Thursday of each November the national holiday that we know as Thanksgiving.  We agreed that Sarah epitomized persistence, our character trait of the month.   5th graders heard the story Thanksgiving in the White House by Gary Hines on the last day before Thanksgiving break.   It was a natural followup to Thank You Sarah, considering the setting is the time of the first Thanksgiving after President Lincoln approve...

Not only did we “visit” 14 states around the U.S.A., but we also read many synonyms for the word “big” throughout this book by Wendell Minor.  Did you know that in Vermont and in other New England states, enormous pumpkins are turned into boats to race in a regatta? Or that the world record for biggest pumpkin was set at the Toppsfield Fair in Massachusetts? Could the most colossal pumpkin fill the Grand Canyon? Students had fun guessing the setting for each page, and recalled several of the synonyms for the word “big” from the book. View the book trailer here:  https://youtu.be/w646799lLj8

America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven  describes the Veterans Day tradition of setting a table for the soldier who did not come home.  This tradition was established after the Vietnam War, when many families were unable to welcome their loved ones home because these soldiers were Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.  Each item in the place setting is a symbol, including the chair that won't be sat in, the overturned glass symboling the meal that won't be eaten, and the red rose that stands for the hope that someday the soldier might return home. Sixth graders learned what each item symbolized, and we arranged our own place setting to honor these heroes. It was a solemn book which made us think about and respect all our Veterans, both living and dead. ************** Through the photographs and text,  Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog  tells about the relationship between a soldier named Luis and hi...

There is a very short window from Halloween to the presidential election, but I always squeeze in a few books about elections and voting this time of year. All our students love President Luke Pennybaker.  I mean what kid wouldn't want a president who promises no homework, pets for every child, and treating kids like it's their birthday everyday?  That means presents every day and ice cream and cake for breakfast.  Luke decided he wants to run for president because life is just not fair.  I mean, why does Dad always say no TV even after he's done all his homework and chores? So he decides to change things and run for president with his dog Lily and his running mate, and people love him and his ideas.  He decides that the White House should be painted orange, and to show his support the current president fulfills his wish.  Luke is very disappointed when he tries to vote for himself but realizes that he can't because he's not old enough.  And Lily,...

Creepy Carrots  by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown is such a wonderfully creepy (and silly) book! In the story, Jasper the rabbit thinks nothing of taking carrots for a snack from Crackenhopper Field.  Every time he walks through the field he grabs one or two. Why not, he thinks, they are free and so fantastic.  Until one day, the carrots start following him… This book has just enough creepiness in it for those students who love spooky books, but the humor in the story balances it out for the kids who don’t enjoy scary stories.  This book won a Caldecott Honor award, and is a perfect story to share around Halloween time! Here is a short video about the making of the book and its illustrations.  In the interview, illustrator Peter Brown shares with us that he was inspired by classic horror films and also old episodes of The Twilight Zone.  You can watch the interview here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ag0LPVYpIu4...