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From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 3:53 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1092
PUBYAC Digest 1092
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) dress codes
by maryo@anokas.anoka.lib.mn.us
2) Re: the 1960's
by "Cindy Rider" <CRIDER@vigo.lib.in.us>
3) RE: Celebrity comments: "children's books"
by Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
4) Book Sale
by "Fayth Chamberland" <FChamberland@minlib.net>
5) Re: AR Comment
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
6) RE: hula hoops
by "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
7) Easy Readers
by Christy Jones <xyjones3@yahoo.com>
8) Community Helpers Help!
by Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
9) Re: sponge bob
by "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
10) Response to patron suggestions
by ann chapman <amom124@yahoo.com>
11) Re: AR Comment
by Sushila Mertens <kidlit_2000@yahoo.com>
12) Re: Book Sale
by "Tara Mendez" <TaraM@mail2tara.com>
13) stumper: messy family
by Jean Gullikson <JGulliks@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us>
14) RE: hula hoops
by Jeanne O'Grady <OGRADYJ@santacruzpl.org>
15) Stumper: grumpy morning chain reaction
by "Jesse Lewis" <lewisj@pbclibrary.org>
16) YA suggestions needed
by "Betty Cobb" <bcobb@jcpl.net>
17) dinosaur craft needed
by "Beth Zambito" <bzambito@poklib.org>
18) stumper--YA novel about band?
by "Amy Shelley" <AShelley@larm.lib.wy.us>
19) YA Books on youth who stand up for themselves/non-conformist
by "kapila sankaran" <sankaran@uiuc.edu>
20) Re: powerful short stories to read to 7th and 8th graders -- a
by "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
21) RE: Andrew Clements as Speaker
by Tina Shelton <Tina.Shelton@cityofcarrollton.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: maryo@anokas.anoka.lib.mn.us
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: dress codes
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:16 CDT
Here's what the "REFERENCE PRACTICES AT ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY"
traing page says about dress codes.
"We have no formal dress code policy. We urge you
to talk to your building supervisor concerning their
views and generally recommend you dress in the middle
of the range you see in the user's attire in your
building(s).
This is short, to the point, allows enough leeway to let us
suit our wardrobe to the tasks at hand, and to my knowledge
we've never had anyone dress inappropriately. But we do get
to dress comfortably.
------------------------------
From: "Cindy Rider" <CRIDER@vigo.lib.in.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>,
<mjohnson@westchesterlibraries.org>
Subject: Re: the 1960's
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:24 CDT
Mary,=20
My daughter had one of these in the 90s and absolutely loved it! It was =
called a "Skip-Bo" and I see them in stores all the time.=20
A 60s Dance Party on the order of "American Bandstand,"
"Shindig!," or =
"Hullabaloo" would be fun for teens. Maybe someone could teach them
some =
of the dances like the Swim, the Watusi, Mashed Potatoes, and the Twist of =
course! Maybe you could highlighting 60's tunes and dances, like the =
Locomotion, that are popular again today, or are in well-known commercials.=
Don't forget the BEATLES! YAYYYY (am I showing my age
here ??)
Links for info on Shindig! =20
http://www.tvparty.com/shindig.html=20
http://tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-2198
Links for info on Hullabaloo
http://tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-1759
http://www.geocities.com/tellytyme/hullabaloo.html
All the ideas you guys are sending in sound great! Keep 'em coming!
Cindy Rider, Class of '67 "Summer of Love"
School Liaison Librarian
Vigo County Public Library
Terre Haute, IN=20
crider@vigo.lib.in.us=20
>>> "Mary Johnson" <mjohnson@westchesterlibraries.org>
04/23/03 07:22PM =
>>>
I remember a fad for that little gizmo you jumped over - it was a loop you
put over one ankle, with a string attached and a weight (a bell, generally?=
)
at the end of the string. You got the weight swinging and then jumped over
the string. I realize that's probably not very clear -- hard to describe
this one without pictures. Again, it seems like the sort of thing kids =
could
make.
------------------------------
From: Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Celebrity comments: "children's books"
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:33 CDT
>"I'm starting to read to my son, but I couldn't believe how vapid and
vacant
>and empty all the stories were....There's, like, no books about
anything."
Why is Madonna just "starting to read" to her son? Isn't he,
like, two
years old? Doesn't an excellent mother like Madonna know that you should
be
reading to your children from birth? How vapid and vacant of her!
Katrina
Katrina Neville
Librarian
City of Moreno Valley
25480 Alessandro Boulevard
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
t. 909-413-3880
f. 909-247-8346
e. katrinan@moval.org
w. www.moreno-valley.ca.us
------------------------------
From: "Fayth Chamberland" <FChamberland@minlib.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Book Sale
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:41 CDT
We are exploring the idea of selling used books via Ebay (or another used
book outlet) as an addition to our annual book sale. Has anyone attempted
this fundraising idea? What was your experience? We are thinking of
setting this up as a community project for high schoolers to raise funds
for YA library programming.
Fayth Chamberland
Concord Free Public Library
Concord, MA
------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: AR Comment
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:49 CDT
it would serve them right to have to clean up a little
barf.
~j.
--- "Janice L. Lyhane" <janicel_1@charter.net>
wrote:
>
> I was going to stay out of this AR debate. I am not
> what I would =
> classify as a "professional librarian" but an
> assistant librarian in a =
> small rural town. However, last night, my 6th grade
> son informed me =
> that he had to hurry and reach 75% of his AR goal
> for the nine weeks =
> before Monday, the day of their class field trip.
> Students who had not =
> reached 75% have to ride "The Readers' Bus". In
> other words, there is =
> no talking allowed and they have to READ while their
> classmates on the =
> other bus get to visit with their friends. Is this
> how we nurture the =
> joy of reading in a child....by making it a form of
> punishment on field =
> trip day? Not to mention the fact that some people
> get very ill from =
> reading in a moving vehicle.
>
> Let me close by saying that I love my son's school.
> He's received an =
> excellent education there but I can't help but think
> that someone has =
> made a poor choice by establishing this procedure.
>
> Janice Lyhane
>
=====
~jenniferbaker
fresno co. public library
"If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist."
~ Jocasta Nu (librarian from "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the
Clones")
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo
http://search.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: hula hoops
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:56:58 CDT
A couple of years ago I saw these in a catalog for about $1.00 apiece but
can't find them now. Anyone have a source for some cheap hula hoops?
------------------------------
From: Christy Jones <xyjones3@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Easy Readers
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:57:06 CDT
Hi All,
I am working on a fairly large order of easy or
beginning readers for my library. Does anyone know of
good lists of these books that might be helpful to me?
So far I have used Gillespie's "Best Books for
Children," but I was looking for any other list that
might target this specific genre.
Please e-mail me at <cjones@fayettevillelibrary.org>
Thanks so much!
Christy Jones
Children's Librarian
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo
http://search.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: Katrina Neville <KatrinaN@moval.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Community Helpers Help!
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:57:14 CDT
Hi,
I know this was discussed recently, but did I save it? Nope...
Does anyone have any good community helpers stories and crafts to share? I
ran out of ideas after "Officer Buckle and Gloria" and "New
York's
Bravest"!!
TIA,
Katrina
Katrina Neville
Children's Librarian
City of Moreno Valley
25480 Alessandro Blvd.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
t: 909-413-3880
f: 909-247-8346
e: katrinan@moval.org
w: www.moreno-valley.ca.us
------------------------------
From: "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: sponge bob
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:57:22 CDT
We did a spongebob party here that went over very well. I ordered music from
the show from Amazon.com and played it while the kids were arriving, and
later during the games. We began with a trivia contest and divided the kids
into two groups. We then had stations set up around the room with activities
like a Krabby Patty relay (buns and burgers cut from sponges that you had to
pick up and carry to a teammate on a spatula), Make-your-own Spongebob's
(yellow sponges with glue on paper pants, ties, faces, etc.), a Jellyfishing
game (kids form a circle and have pink balloons with curling ribbon hanging
off the ends, they hit them back and forth to eachother while two kids with
nets in the middle try to catch them), and Spongebob pinatas made from
cereal boxes (photocopy and enlarge a SB face, then cover the boxes in
yellow construction paper, gluing on, shirt, pants, ties, arms, legs, and
face - you can just staple or glue stick them on and it works great!) For
snacks we had pineapple juice in blue cups, goldfish crackers in clean sand
pails with shovels for serving, and a staff member made the cutest Krabby
Patty cookies using the following recipe (however, she also colored frosting
red to look like ketchup or tomato). We had an awesome time, great turnout,
and need to schedule another for the people on the waiting list who couldn't
get in! Good luck on yours, Melissa
Hamburger Cookies
2 Tbls. vanilla frosting
12 vanilla wafers
2 Tbls. green tinted coconut
6 chocolate-covered round mint cookies or patties
Honey, warmed
Sesame seeds
For each hamburger cookie, spread 1/2 tsp. of frosting on flat side
of vanilla wafer. Place 1 tsp. coconut and 1 mint cookie on frosting.
Spread flat side of second vanilla wafer with 1/2 tsp. frosting;
place frosting side down on mint cookie. Brush top of "hamburger"
with honey; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat to make 5 more
cookies. Makes 6 cookies.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elliott, Michelle" <Michelle.Elliott@cincinnatilibrary.org>
To: "Pubyac (E-mail)" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:20 PM
Subject: sponge bob
Hello all,
I'm planning a SpongeBob Squarepants family program this summer and was
wondering if anyone out there has done one and if they had ideas or
suggestions to pass along. This is such a valuable resource. Thanks for
the
help. : )
Michelle
*******************************************************
Michelle L. Elliott
Children's Librarian, Madisonville Branch
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
513-369-6029 fax 513-369-4537
michelle.elliott@cincinnatilibrary.org
------------------------------
From: ann chapman <amom124@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Response to patron suggestions
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:57:32 CDT
Dear Generous Librarians: I asked for your wisdom on a "group project"
about
how public libraries respond to user suggestions. We found very little
written research and went to the field and the virtual field (that would be
you) for help. I had so many responses so quickly I just know I'm going
into the right business! Special thanks to C. Levin, S. Smith, M.J. Smith
and P. McCall. I began my paper with quotes from each of you - hey, your
published (sort of)! and will share the responses from everyone in this
general way, you said: The public library is in business to serve the public
that supports the physical building and everything in it. Libraries must
ask for public input, listen and respond. Input from the public keeps
libraries up on trends, needs, satisfaction and dissatisfaction of the
patrons they serve. But patron requests must fit the library's mission
statement, be affordable and be of a nature the library can support and
maintain. It is common practice in public libraries to have some sort of
informal suggestion box and a policy for responding. When libraries need
specific input related to special services, programming, millage increase,
new building or additions they use a formal single or multiple issue survey.
Collection development seems to be the main area affected by user
suggestions. The public libray collection should mirror the community it
serves if it is doing a good job for its patrons. My conclusions based on
your statements: User suggestions are a primary tool in service delivery.
The profession seems to have to justify it's very existence in this economy
and technology oriented climate and would benefit from journal articles
sharing what public libraries across the country are doing to keep the
public's financial support and to keep them coming in the door. We (
my
group and all of you) got a perfect 25 out of 25 on the paper! We rock,
huh? Grateful lurker, Ann ChapmanLibrary School StudentWayne State
UniversityDetroit, MI
------------------------------
From: Sushila Mertens <kidlit_2000@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: AR Comment
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:57:41 CDT
I agree this is a poor consequence but this seems more
abuse of the AR program than any fault of the program
itself. The teacher/parent could also teach goal
setting and math by dividing the number of weeks by
the points needed or any combination needed. I always
wonder why the program is blamed when no one monitored
the child's progress and no one likes the
consequences.
--- "Janice L. Lyhane" <janicel_1@charter.net>
wrote:
>
> I was going to stay out of this AR debate. I am not
> what I would =
> classify as a "professional librarian" but an
> assistant librarian in a =
> small rural town. However, last night, my 6th grade
> son informed me =
> that he had to hurry and reach 75% of his AR goal
> for the nine weeks =
> before Monday, the day of their class field trip.
> Students who had not =
> reached 75% have to ride "The Readers' Bus". In
> other words, there is =
> no talking allowed and they have to READ while their
> classmates on the =
> other bus get to visit with their friends. Is this
> how we nurture the =
> joy of reading in a child....by making it a form of
> punishment on field =
> trip day? Not to mention the fact that some people
> get very ill from =
> reading in a moving vehicle.
>
> Let me close by saying that I love my son's school.
> He's received an =
> excellent education there but I can't help but think
> that someone has =
> made a poor choice by establishing this procedure.
>
> Janice Lyhane
>
=====
Sushila Mertens kidlit_2000@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo
http://search.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Tara Mendez" <TaraM@mail2tara.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Book Sale
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:51:25 CDT
Faith as long as the money goes back to the library it sounds like a
good idea. this sis something we have considered as well and I would be
interested in any ideas you have.
Tara Mendez
Chief Librarian
Pembroke Public Library
------------------------------
From: Jean Gullikson <JGulliks@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: stumper: messy family
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:51:34 CDT
Hello All-
This stumper is probably going to be an easy one as we are familiar with the
scenario in this book, but just can't quite figure out the title!! Our
patron is seeking a picture book about a family; the mother likes to keep
things neat and tidy, but the rest of the family is very messy. The mother
threatens to leave them if they don't pick up after themselves.
Help us out please!
Thanks -
Jean Gullikson
Children's Services Manager
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Dubuque, Iowa
jgulliks@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us
------------------------------
From: Jeanne O'Grady <OGRADYJ@santacruzpl.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: hula hoops
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:51:41 CDT
I just bought some at a Big Lots for 99 cents each. They had two sizes.
So
I suggest you look at the discount and dollar stores in your area.
Jeanne Kelly O'Grady
Youth services Outreach Librarian
Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Carol and Gary Levin [mailto:cglevin@access4less.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 12:57 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: hula hoops
A couple of years ago I saw these in a catalog for about $1.00 apiece but
can't find them now. Anyone have a source for some cheap hula hoops?
------------------------------
From: "Jesse Lewis" <lewisj@pbclibrary.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper: grumpy morning chain reaction
content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:51:49 CDT
A patron was just in describing a book that sounds very familiar to me =
but whose title I just can't remember. The story is: a child (or other =
family member) wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, crabby, cranky, =
etc. and everyone that he/she interacts with gets a little of the grumpy =
rubbed off on them and then they rub off on everybody else and so on.
=20
Does anyone know what this book is? I'd appreciate a direct response.
=20
Thanks,
Jesse Lewis
lewisj@pbclibrary.org
Palm Beach County Library System
------------------------------
From: "Betty Cobb" <bcobb@jcpl.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: YA suggestions needed
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:51:57 CDT
Our young adult summer reading theme this year is "All You Can Read
Buffet."
We are compiling a booklist to go along with this and would appreciate any
suggestions we could add to it. We have three sections to our booklist
menu
which include Appealing Appetizers (books with good beginnings), Hearty Main
Course (books with alot of 'meat'), and Delectible Desserts (good endings).
We would love to have any information from others who have done this theme
before about programs, etc. Please email me off list to bcobb@jcpl.net.
Thank you!
Betty Cobb
Johnson City Public Library
Johnson City, TN
--
Open WebMail Project (http://openwebmail.org)
------------------------------
From: "Beth Zambito" <bzambito@poklib.org>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: dinosaur craft needed
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:52:07 CDT
Hi all,
My colleague and I will be conducting a Dinosaur-themed Family Storytime
soon, and the children who have signed up range in age from 2 to
8-years-old. We are looking for a fun and easy craft that will appeal to
such an age range. Parents will be with the children, so they help with any
semi-difficult tasks.
Any ideas that you can send to me on- or off-list at bzambito@poklib.org
would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Beth
Beth M. Zambito
Children's Librarian
Adriance Memorial Library
93 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 485-3445 x3329
bzambito@poklib.org
------------------------------
From: "Amy Shelley" <AShelley@larm.lib.wy.us>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: stumper--YA novel about band?
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:52:16 CDT
I have a patron who is looking for a YA novel, probably late 60s, early
70s about two teens who joined a band, or were looking to go see a band.
She thinks the word "Giraffe" was in the title. Does this ring a bell
with anyone? She said it was required reading in junior high. It kind of
sounds like a Paul Zindel to me...maybe "I never loved your mind"? Is
there a giraffe connection?
Amelia J. Shelley
Manager, Youth and Outreach Services
Laramie County Library System
2800 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307)634-3561, ext. 151
ashelley@larm.lib.wy.us
------------------------------
From: "kapila sankaran" <sankaran@uiuc.edu>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: YA Books on youth who stand up for themselves/non-conformist
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:52:24 CDT
Dear Pubyac List,
Several weeks ago, I had posted a request for books you knew of where
the story revolved around YAs or other characters who "broke rank," or
went against the flow, stood up for themselves at a pivotal point, did
not succumb to peer pressure, and the like.
Profuse thanks, once again, to those who took the effort to respond. I
couldn't have done it without you!I received a list of about 40 books,
and promised to post them when my project (creating a teen readership
website) was complete.
So, for those interested, the booksite on the theme of "non
conformity"
is here: www.prairienet.org/kapila/firstpage.htm.
Due to time
constraints, I couldn't use all the books for the booksite, but I do
hope to add them in the near future. I'd be grateful for critical
comments and suggestions.
And here is the list of books (in order by title):
All-American Girl, by Meg Cabot
The Ashwater Experiment, by Amy Goldman Koss
Asylum for Nightface, by Bruce Brooks
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, by Joyce Carol Oates
Bless the Beasts and Children, by Glendon Swarthout
Breaking Rank, by Kristen D. Randle
Buddha Boy, by Kathe Koja
Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?, by Paula Danzinger
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, by Paula Danzinger
Catherine Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman
Cheating Lessons, by Nan Willard Cappo
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Confess-O-Rama, by Ron Koertge
Define Normal, by Julie Ann Peters
Deliver Us From Evie, by M.E. Kerr
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack!, by M.E. Kerr
Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen
Gandhi, Great Soul, by John B. Severance
Gingerbread, by Rachel Cohn
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
The Goats, by Brock Cole
God of Beer, by Garret Keizen
The Gospel According to Larry, by Janet Tashjian
Hard Love, by Ellen Wittlinger
Harmony Arms, by Ron Koertge
Hole in My Life, by Jack Gantos
Hoot, by Carl Hiassen
House of Stairs, by William Sleator
It's Not Easy Being Bad, by Cynthia Voigt
Last Safe Place on Earth, by Richard Peck
Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary, by Walter Dean Myers
My Heartbeat, by Garrett Freymann-Weyr
Nothing But the Truth, by Avi
Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Steven Chobosky
Rats Saw God, by Rob Thomas
Razzle, by Ellen Wittlinger
Shizuko's Daughter, by Kyoko Mori
Slave Day, by Rob Thomas
Slot Machine, by Chris Lynch
Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
This Little Light of Mine: The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, by Kay Mills
Tribes, by Arthur Slade
True Believer, by Virginia E. Woolf
Wings, by Christopher Myers (Junior Fiction)
Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
What Happened to Lani Garver?, by Carol Plum Ucci
Kapila Sankaran, Graduate Assistant
************************************
Asian American Studies Programme
1208 West Nevada Street, MC-142
Urbana IL 61801
tel: 217.265.6240 fax: 217.265.6235
************************************
------------------------------
From: "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: powerful short stories to read to 7th and 8th graders -- a
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:52:32 CDT
A big thanks to everyone who sent me wonderful suggestions! I got a
chance
to read again last week and shared two of Kurt Vonnegut's stories:
"Harrison Bergeron" (a thought-provoking tale set 80 years in the
future
where everyone is "equal"--it was fitting that the Supreme Court was
hearing
arguments from the U. of Michigan Affirmative Action lawsuit the same week)
and "The Kid Nobody Could Handle" (which profiled a student almost
everyone
has given up on and a teacher willing to destroy his most precious
possession in order to reach him--and fit nicely with a Parade Magazine
article from the previous weekend about an American man who had founded
secular schools for girls in Pakistan after the people in a very poor
village had taken him in when he fell ill mountain climbing). Both are
from
Vonnegut's collection "Welcome to the Monkey House" and proved to be
big
discussion provokers! Incidently, there is nothing like reading the same
story out loud six times to make you recognise FINE writing!
I now have many possibilities for next year as well. THANK YOU ALL!
Here is a list of the suggestions I received:
*****
You might want to try the title story from the short story collection Am I
Blue. A teen questioning his sexuality and getting a "fairy"
godfather was
hysterical. I read it to 7th graders at a Catholic school (with teacher's
permission of course) and it was great for discussion.
I like Cynthia Rylant's short story collections as well: Every Living
Thing
and A Couple of Kooks.
I'd love to hear about other responses you get!
Mary Jean Hartel The early bird gets the worm,
Young Adult/AV Librarian But the second mouse gets the cheese.
*****
> Hi Carol,
>
> There are several anthologies of short stories on topics
of appeal to
> YA's, on different themes. I also have a couple of favorite authors
of
> stories to recommend. Here goes:
>
> The Color of Absence: 12 stories about loss and hope.
Ed. by James
Howe.
> Stories by YA authors, including Annette Curtis Klause, Norma
Fox Mazer,
> and others.
> Small Avalanches and other stories. By Joyce
Carol Oates. Includes
> "Where are you going, where have you been?"
> Half-Human. Bruce Coville, ed. 10 stories
from fantasy authors on the
> subjects of transformation and coming of age.
> On the Fringe, ed. by Donald R. Gallo.
Inspired by the Columbine High
> tragedy, an anthology of stories about loners and outsiders, by YA authors
> such as Joan Bauer, Chris Crutcher, and Jack Gantos.
> Shattered: 12 Stories of Children and War, ed. by
Jennifer Armstrong.
> Anthology of stories about impact of war on young people.
> Am I Blue? -- Stories about gay/lesbian and coming out,
written by
> acclaimed YA authors.
> Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher. Stories
about high school life
and
> sports by popular Northwest YA author.
> Welcome to the Monkey House, by Kurt Vonnegut.
Short stories about
> possible future (and present) worlds by noted social satirist.
> "Harrison Bergeron" is a classic.
>
> Deirdre Miller
*****
I'm not sure if this will qualify as "powerful," but as a California
public
librarian I found Francisco Jimenez's The circuit : stories from the life of
a migrant child an awesome read. The following book description is from
Amazon.com
Book Description
"'La frontera'...I heard it for the first time back in the late 1940s when
Papa and Mama told me and Roberto, my older brother, that someday we would
take a long trip north, cross la frontera, enter California, and leave our
poverty behind." So begins this honest and powerful account of a family's
journey to the fields of California -- to a life of constant moving, from
strawberry fields to cotton fields, from tent cities to one-room shacks,
from picking grapes to topping carrots and thinning lettuce. Seen through
the eyes of a boy who longs for an education and the right to call one palce
home, this is a story of survival, faith, and hope. It is a journey that
will open readers' hearts and minds.
A short autobiography that I love is Leon's story by Leon Tillage. It's
107
pages but reads very fast and a chapter read aloud would work great! I've
booktalked it to 6th graders with great success.
Book Description
"In this riveting autobiography, Baltimore janitor Leon Walter Tillage
reflects on his life with all the vitality of a storyteller gathering his
audience around him. He recalls his childhood as an African American
sharecroppers son in 1940s North Carolina...a time, only a few short decades
back, when Klansmen and Jim Crow laws ruled the South...Roth's dramatic
black-and-white collages pay homage to the power of Leon's story, a tale
that does more in its gentle way to expose the horrors of racism than most
works of fiction ever could." (Starred, Publishers Weekly)
hope this helps. can't wait to see your posted list!
Rebecca Higgerson, MLIS
*****
I love the story "The Interlopers" by Saki. It's very short and
VERY
powerful, especially these days. I've also done some urban legends with
this age group which they liked a lot. Hope this helps!
Laura Larsen
*****
I usually hate short stories, so am certainly not the person to ask.
However, here are three short stories that people have read aloud to me that
have stayed with me:
-D.H. Lawrence, The Rocking Horse
-O. Henry, Gift of the Magi (however it's a Christmas theme, so it depends
on the season and your audience whether this would be appropriate)
-Michael Morpurgo, My father was a polar bear (can't remember the book, but
he hasn't done that many short story collections).
Hope you have other answers that are more helpful!
Cheers,
Helen
Helen Moore
*****
Hi Carol,
Here are three stories that popped into my mind that the kids might enjoy:
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
Haircut by Ring Lardner
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
Sounds like a fun project!
Shannon Smith
*****
Hi, just thought of a couple others First a picture book. A pwerful 32
pages if there ever was one! "Faithful Elephants: a true story of animals,
people and war" by Yukio Tsuchiya Boston: Houghton Mifflin 1988. This
tells the story of what happened to the performing elepants housed at the
Tokyo zoo during World War II. There won't be a dry eye in the room.
A very short chapter book. "The Green Book" by Jill Paton Walsh
Life cannot continue on Earth so everyone is taken by spaceship to a
distant planet to start a new life. Each person can take only a minimal
number of personal belongings. Survival depends on adapting to a totally
unfamiliar environment. Will the children be up to it? Will they survive
and will the decisions they made about what to take and what to leave
behind determine if the "live" or merely "survive"?? It's
only 71 pages
and well worth the time it takes to read.
Sue Steiger
*****
What fun! I don't believe we value short stories enough.
Try Chris Crutcher's Athletic Shorts, any of the collections edited by Don
Gallo, Rob Thomas' Doing Time, or books by Bruce Coville.
Hope you continue to have fun with these -
Janet Dickey
*****
Carol -
I would suggest "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and one of the
stories from
"The Library Card" by Jerry Spinelli.
"The Lottery" is a powerful exploration of mob psychology (peer
pressure and
other kinds of non-individually determined behavior)
The stories in "The Library Card" always lead to discussions about
fate and
coincidence.
Kathy Brinkman
*****
What about Chris Crutcher's Athletic Shorts? Very powerful stories dealing
with such subjects as gay parents, being overweight, having a domineering
parent. All of the stories involve some sport such as football, wrestling,
etc.
Donna Moran
*****
In light of world events, this would be a good time to read James
Clavell's "The Children's Story (but not just for children)"
Kathleen
Kathleen Conger
*****
Try Seedfolks, by Paul Fleischman.
Linda Anderson
*****
You might want to take a look at Adam Bagdasarian's book, "First French
Kiss and other Traumatic Experiences" (I think it's "traumatic").
The
events are not as earth shaking as the discussion you mentioned (that
sounds like a great class!), but they give grounds for thought. I think
almost anything by Diana Wynne Jones could inspire some thought. They
story of the Buddha? Gosh, it's hard to think of short stories, even,
cause I don't read them much anymore. "The Last Leaf" by
O.Henry? Can
you use books by summarizing part of them? Tough assignment, but wow
are you lucky to have a teacher who will let you do that!
Good luck! Cassie Wilson
*****
Carol,
What an absolutely delightful challenge you have! I'm afraid most of my
suggestions would center on picture books--I'm a big fan of people
seeing the striking art work as well as reading/hearing text in books
most often seen by only the youngest of children. Perhaps one session
you could take in a variety of picture books for kids to read and then
share their thoughts regarding the deeper meaning behind the surface
story. A few examples that come to mind:
What does "Heckedy Peg" (Don & Audrey Wood) say about a mother's
love?
Self-discipline? Individuality or identity?
What does "The Weaving of a Dream" (by Marilee Heyer) say about
self-sacrifice? Dedication & persistence?
How does "Round Trip" (by Ann Jonas) speak to imagination? Vision?
Everyday things we look at but don't really see?
Does Bibot get his 'just desserts' in "The Sweetest Fig" (by Chris
VanAllsburg)? Who is *your* Marcel?
What makes "Aida" (by Leontyne Price) a heroine? How does the original
contrast with the contemporary Elton John version? What other old
story/new story combinations are you familiar with? Why do humans keep
re-telling the same stories?
For short stories, without full illustrations, I never cease to be
amazed at the adults who aren't familiar with traditional folk and fairy
tales, including the full scope of Aesop's fables. Some of the more
obscure stories--or the original versions of them (e.g. "Little
Mermaid")--might be good choices. As would adaptations of Uncle Remus
stories such as "Jump again!: more adventures of Brer Rabbit."
There's
so much wisdom packed into what once was a "staple" of entertainment
for
children and adults--just too good to miss!
I know this is doesn't directly address your request, so feel free to
adapt for or omit from the PUBYAC compilation. I just love that these
kids are getting the opportunity to play with language and ideas in ways
that will help them know themselves and their world better. It's an
experience I think others would benefit from learning about (and
possibly emulate)--wouldn't your partnership and the student involvement
make a great article for "School Library Journal"? I'll be
watching for
it!
Warm regards,
Kathi Wittkamper
*****
Carol,
At that age, I was fascinated by the short story "The Lady and the
Tiger" by
Frank R. Stockton. You can find it at the following web address:
http://www139.pair.com/read/Frank_R_Stockton/The_Lady_or_the_Tiger/The_Lady_
or_the_Tiger_p1.html
Good luck with what sounds like a fascinating experience,
Susan Dailey, librarian, speaker and author of "A Storytime Year"
*****
Hello,
I once had a class of seventh graders, (and I think
it would work for eighth graders as well) spellbound
reading Leonard Everett Fisher's THESEUS AND THE
MINOTAUR. It's illustrated so if the group is not to
big, the pictures add a lot. The group really reacted
to forgetting to change the sails from black to white,
and the subsequent suicide of Theseus' father, so that
kind of fits in with what you seem to be
discussing....could talk about promises not kept,
whether wittingly or not, giving one's word lightly,
reacting to danger/relief, etc....and lots more.
HTH Gayle Richardson
*****
I'm sure I'll think of a lot more suggestions
(and I hope I'm not too late), but two powerful
stories that first come to mind are: The Lady or
the Tiger? by Frank Stockton
and of course the classic The Lottery by Shirley
Jackson
Some others that make an impression but may not
evoke as much discussion are:
The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle
Two Bottles of Relish by Lord Dunsany
To Build a Fire by Jack London
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Tobermory by Saki
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose
Bierce or others by him (like The Moonlit Road)
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe
If you'd like to check the text of some of these
stories, I think there are quite a few full-text
resources on the Internet if you search. Here's
are a couple:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/indexframe.html
http://mbhs.bergtraum.k12.ny.us/cybereng/shorts/
I look forward to seeing the compilation posting!
Rebecca
=====
Rebecca Verrill Smith
Carol Levin
Enjoy Life! This is not a Dress Rehearsal!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:14 AM
Subject: powerful short stories to read to 7th and 8th graders
> I was asked by a teacher to come in occasionally to read to her 7th &
8th
> grade classes. She wants stories that really make them think and that
> elicit powerful reactions.
>
> I started with Ray Bradbury's wonderful time travel story "The Sound
of
> Thunder" in which a hunter goes back in time to kill a T-Rex,
accidently
> steps on a butterfly, and changes history. Our discussion got into
domino
> effects of small events both personal (a kid who met his best friend when
he
> flipped a pea at him during lunchtime detention!) and political
(butterfly!
> ballots in Florida --> Bush win --> Iraq war).
>
> Now I'm looking for something for next month. The teacher is not
afraid
of
> strong language. Please send suggestions directly to me at:
> cglevin@access4less.net. I'll
post a compilation to the list.
>
> TIA
> Carol Simon Levin
> Enjoy Life! This is not a Dress Rehearsal!
>
>
------------------------------
From: Tina Shelton <Tina.Shelton@cityofcarrollton.com>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Andrew Clements as Speaker
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:52:43 CDT
Sorry it has been quite a while since I've written to you but I did want to
let you know about hearing Andrew Clements @ TLA. He is a wonderful
speaker
because he speaks in a very fluid style. He would be ideal for 4th &
5th
graders. In fact, he used to be a teacher. He spoke how became a
published
writer & how he had been writing ever since he was a child. He spoke
about
how he always got support about his writing from his mom but how he really
appreciated his senior high school english teacher who saw and encouraged
his potential. He talked how often times, writing is a difficult process
&
is not as easy as some people think it is. Next to Bill Cosby, he was the
hilight of the conference for me.
I hope this helps.
Tina
Tina Shelton
Youth Services Librarian
Frankford Village Library
3030 N. Josey Ln #130
Carrollton, TX 75007
(972)466-4824
tina.shelton@cityofcarrollton.com
"Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings."
Heinrich Heine, from his play Almansor (1821)
-----Original Message-----
From: Monica Anderson [mailto:m.anderson@vlc.lib.mi.us]
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 10:22 PM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Andrew Clements as Speaker
Greetings!
Has anyone ever heard Andrew Clements speak? We are particularly
interested in how he does with 4th and 5th grade students. If you
have heard him, please e-mail comments to me at the address below.
Thank you.
Monica Anderson
Youth Services Librarian
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Midland Michigan
m.anderson@vlc.lib.mi.us
------------------------------
End of PUBYAC Digest 1092
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