Summer Throwdown Year 3 - Librarians and Teachers READathon

Do you love reading?

 Is part of your job getting books into the hands of youngsters? 

Well, get ready to decrease those TBR Piles!

Brian (@BrianWyzlic), Jillian Hiese (@HeiseReads) and Sherry Gick (@LibraryFanatic) are excited to welcome you back to The Third Annual #SummerThrowdown!

Summer Throwdown is all about reading as much as you can so that you can bring new titles to your students in the fall. It started out as a contest between School Librarians and Teachers and just evolved!


The rules are simple:

• Every book you read or listen to counts as 1 book. Every.Book.Counts!
• Set your goal and enter it on the #SummerThrowdown Spreadsheet
• Each time you read a book, enter it on the spreadsheet.
• At the end of the month, let's see how you did!

An Optional Challenge

In order to satisfy those with a friendly competitive spirit (ME!) - we are encouraging you to do Callout Challenges!  Choose a friend and challenge them to read a certain number of books.

Then, over the course of July, let them know how many books you are reading and give them a little ribbing! This is totally optional! I've been called out by non other than Sherry (@LibraryFanatic)!

I accept Sherry's challenge to read 30 books and offer her one of my own - NO PICTURE BOOKS! What say you Sherry?? 

Again, this challenge is optional! 

The only thing you need to participate in #SummerThrowdown is a willingness to read and record your reading!

We do ask if you are on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ or other social media - you use it as you are reading and add the #SummerThrowdown hashtag!

So, what are you waiting for?? 

Head on over to the #SummerThrowdown Spreadsheet to sign up! 

Summer Throwdown Year 2 - Giveaway

We did it! We made a huge dent in our TBR piles. Hopefully! And now we turn our thoughts to our classrooms and our libraries and those first days of school! And the age old question - Do you have any "good" books? Well, here are four right here! And one could be yours!  

As a thank you (and a way to clear my piles!)  four lucky participants will each win an ARC picked up from ALA Annual 2013! I'm giving two MG books and 2 YA books. Check them out!

1. Mister Max (The Book of Lost Things, 1) by Cynthia Voight

2. The Dream Thieves (Raven Boys, 2) by Maggie Stiefvater

3. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle 

4. Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown

You have until August 2, 2013 11:59pm! One entry per person. US Residents and Summer Throwdown 2013 participants only!

Thanks again for READING!

We'll talk more about the nitty gritty details...the numbers...on Sunday when I announce the winners of the ARCs!

On behalf of Brian, Jillian, and Sherry...the #summerthrowdown team... Thank you!

The Sunday Salon - Summer Reading is Coming to Town - June 2, 2013

Our school year is coming to an end.  The students in my TV Studio class did some really nice book trailers. Despite the spelling and grammar mistakes, I can see how their video skills have improved.  It will be sad to say goodbye to them, but I'm so happy to get back to full-time in the library!  I look forward to having more time to partner with teachers in the fall!

The other thing I'm looking forward to - seeing the TIGER EYES MOVIE and meeting JUDY BLUME! 
CANNOT WAIT!

 Saturday, June 8th, 2013 at  the Tivoli Theater! Sign up here!

And at the end of this week - two of my favorite things come into play! The 48 Hour Book Challenge (#48hbc) and  Summer Book-A-Day (#bookaday)! YIPPEE! This is how I mark the end of the school year and the beginning of summer reading!

This year the 48 Hour Book Challenge runs from 7 am Friday, June 7th until 7 am Monday, June 10th. You can pick any consecutive 48 hours in that time span to read as much as you possibly can! This year's challenge will be hosted by Ms. Yingling and Abby The Librarian.

 Last year I met my goal of reading 20 hours and donated $20 to Reading is Fundamental!  This year, as noted above, I'll be taking some time to see JUDY BLUME so I won't have as much time to read.  Will have to figure out my goal by Friday!

This Saturday will also kickoff my 4th year participating in Donalyn Miller's summer reading challenge.  One goal is to encourage students to prevent the summer slide by setting an example for them. Another goal is to catch up on books you've been meaning to read or to find new books to introduce to students in the fall. Either way it's win-win!  And all books count! Children's books, adult books, picture books, graphic novels, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, committee reads, and mind-candy! Just read!

My break officially runs Saturday, June 8 - Sunday, August 11, 2013. That's 65 days which means my Summer Book A Day goal is to read 65 books!

You can read several books in one day or no books on some days.  It's an average! No pressure! That is the beauty of this challenge. It's only a challenge against yourself!

Happy Reading! And, look for the return of the Summer Throwdown - School Librarians vs Teachers reading challenge in July!

The Sunday Salon - 2012 Wrap Up

It's been an unusually "challenging" year for me both professionally and personally. I tell you, this is the first year I’ve actually FELT like I was getting old! No worries, though, I will overcome! In the meantime, here are some wonderful things I enjoyed this past year and some activities I look forward to in 2013!

Summer Throwdown
Joining forces with Sherry (@LibraryFanatic), Jillian (@heisereads), and Bryan (@brianwyzlic) to put on a month-long reading challenge between Teachers and School Librarians was phenomenal! We had over 150 participants who read almost 3,000 books! We had our own hashtags AND our very own T-Shirts! And don't forget the blog buttons! Oh, and it was super fantastic when the League of Librarians won that first round!







Batty About Books

This was another big reading highlight for me! Maria (@mselke01) and I would choose a science fiction or fantasy book to read and discuss almost monthly. We did most of our discussion through Google docs then posted them on our blogs. We each had a different part of the story since my posts consisted of my thoughts and her reactions while hers were the opposite. The fun grew out of just responding to each book in whatever way the book moved us.  We'll be guest posting over at the Nerdy Book Club blog to talk more about this! I'm hoping we can continue reading together in 2013!




Reading Challenges

Weirdly, the only challenge I completely failed at was my own #NerdPrintz one! I look forward to picking up the mantle again this year! Realistically, due to committees and other club reading I've already committed to, I'll have to spread this out. But, look forward to some write-ups of at least 1/3 of the titles.










Blog Redesign

I'm still getting used to it but Lori at Imagination Design re-did the blog. It's a total departure from designs I've had in the past. It's even a departure from what I originally thought I wanted! Lori stuck it out with me as I fumbled through the process and always responded quickly, despite the looming holidays! I've got a few new features I had her create buttons for and can't wait to share them!

PS: If you previously branded yourself - don't forget to update your favicon, gravatar and profile pics.







I look forward to lots of exciting reads and reading activities next year! I’ll be assisting with a Battle of the Book team, overseeing our 3rd Annual One Book, One School read complete with AUTHOR VISIT, and possibly creating my very own multi-school Mock Newbery book club!!! So, just keep calm, things will work out!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Valerie

Hello! I am Valerie, The Library Goddess, and a proud member of the League of Librarians!

 

I love a challenge. I love reading. I love summertime. How perfect that all of my loves should come together in a summer reading challenge made just for me! At the end of the 2011-2012 school year, I had already shared with my students (I am the Library Media Specialist at an elementary school serving Kindergarten - 5th grade in Lexington, South Carolina) that I was going to challenge myself to read a book everyday this summer, inspired by Donalyn Miller's #bookaday challenge. When I discovered that I could combine the #bookaday challenge with #summerthrowdown and add some competition to the mix, I was thrilled! So, on June 18, I got down to business!

I LOVED participating in #summerthrowdown and #bookaday challenges. As a librarian, OF COURSE, I love to read and I read as much as I can. However, I do not always make sure that I am reading (or finishing) a book A DAY. Participating in a challenge held me accountable. The fact that I told every student at my school that I was doing it sure helped too. After each book, I snapped a photo and posted it to my library'sFacebook page as well as to my personal blog, my Goodreads account, and my Twitter feed(@librarygoddess). I have heard from many parents and teachers at my school (and some of my librarian friends) that they really enjoyed seeing what I was reading throughout the summer. They got ideas of things they wanted to read, conversations were started about some of the books, and it was a great way to show myself as a reader to my school and professional community. Plus, I read many more books (133 total!) than I would have had I not been involved in this challenge - so THANK YOU @brianwyzlic, @heisereads, @thebrainlair and@LibraryFanatic for coming up with this GREAT idea! 

Here are my top 10 #summerthrowdown books! In no special order...

10. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

A great graphic novel for middle schoolers. Raina has many issues with her teeth and her interactions with her friends, parents, and oral professionals are spot on. I never needed braces as a teen, but this book isrelate-able to anyone who is (or who has been) a tween/teen. 

 

9.The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The print companion to the beautiful film and app. This is a gorgeous book that book lovers must read!

 

8. E-mergency! by Tom Lichtenheld

What would happon if wo couldn't uso tho lottor E (get it?) Funny picture book where you find out!

 

7. Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The upper elementary version of The Art of Racing in the Rain (novel for adults). I normally like to stay away from books about dogs. I LOVE dogs and we all know what typically happens to dogs in books. This book is no different, however, it has the BEST ending. A must read for dog lovers!

 

6. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This novel has gotten lots of buzz, I'm sure you have heard of it by now and hopefully you have read it. A wonderful book for upper elementary and middle. Perfect for a read aloud to start a discussion about bullying or how to treat others who are different from you. Awesome. 

 

5. One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

SO GOOD. This one has also been getting lots of buzz. I have been hearing lots of comparisons to Charlotte's Web and that folks seem to think Ivan will be remembered just as much as Charlotte andWilber. I don't disagree. A fantastic story based on true events. Ivan just passed away (he was living at the Atlanta Zoo).

 

4. Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham; illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

A very funny alphabet picture book about a moose who just does not want to wait his turn. S is for silly! 

 

3. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

A book beautifully written in prose. 10 year old, HA, and her family flee Vietnam and move to Alabama. The story takes place over the course of a year. Really love this one for our 5th graders who will be learning about Vietnam.  

 

2. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

An excellent (but sad) teacher/school story. Mr. Terupt is a new 5th grade teacher who really gets to know his students and teaches them that school is fun. Something happens to Mr. Terupt that brings the class even closer together. Excellent book for use in Book Club with upper elementary students.

 

1. I Want My Hat Back! by Jon Klassen

Simple but wonderful picture book. Bear wants his hat back so he asks many different animals if they've seen it, and no one has until the end. This is one of those picture books that is just as funny for the grown ups reading it as it is for the kids who are reading it.

 

And there you have it! My favorite 10 #summerthrowdown reads!

Thank you for letting me share! Can't wait until next summer!

 

VBF

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Stacey

Stacey from Library Gals Blog

First of all, a huge thank you to Sherry, Kathy, Brian, and Jillian for coordinating both Summer Thowdowns, I have had loads of fun!!  Of course, I had to buy a League of Librarians T-shirt! During both rounds of the Summer Throwdown I have read so many great books, it was very difficult to pick my favorite reads.  Here they are, in no particular order:

                                              

Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

I love a good mystery and this was a great one!  I kept hearing about this book on Twitter and I got lucky and won a copy from Mr. Schu!  Once I got my hands on the book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished.  The four main characters of this book find themselves involved in a mystery at an airport that is snowed in.  I loved how Kate Messner incorporated history and art into this story.  Now I’m just waiting for her to finish the sequel!

 

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Once again I hear about this book on Twitter. (I think I spent a lot of time on there this summer.)  The main character, Georges, is having a hard time in this book.  His best friend has become his ex-best friend, he is being bullied at school, he had to move out of his family home, and his mom is always working at the hospital.  Georges just wants something good to happen.  Well, he meets his upstairs neighbor Safer and his life changes.  When I first read this book, I liked it.  But the more I thought about this book I realized what an impact it had one me because I was still thinking about it days and weeks after I read it.  I will be finding Stead’s other book When You Reach Me very soon at the library.

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleburger

Loved, loved, loved this book!!  I think that it is my favorite of the Origami Yoda series.  Once again we meet up with the gang form McQuarrie Middle School, except Dwight and Origami Yoda are not there.  Everyone wonders what to do without them.  After a while Fortune Wookiee makes an appearance and begins to give advice.  I have to confess I was late to the Origami Yoda party.  What got me to read it was Tom Angleburger’s book Fake Mustache!  I’m so glad I read that one because I would have missed such a great series!

 

Giants Beware! by Rafael Rosado

I place the book on hold at my public library and waited a very long time.  But this book was worth the wait.  It was another Twitter recommended book.  In the past year I have become a big fan of graphic novels.  This one is definitely going on my to-order list for this coming year.  I loved how the main character was a female.  I think that both girls and boys will enjoy the adventure.

Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

This book was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in. Even though it is presented in a picture book format, I still learned a lot about this historic event. This would be a great book to have in any classroom library.  I'm adding a copy to my order this year for my library. I truly loved the illustrations by Brian Pinkney.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Wow, what a powerful book.  Carley is a frustrated and angry teen that has landed in foster care.  Even though, at first, she didn’t know it the Murphys (the foster family) were going to have a huge effect on her life!  I had to read this one straight through, because I couldn't stop reading it. I needed quite a few tissues to get through this book especially towards the end. This is one that will stay with me for quite a while.  If you have not read this book, run don’t walk to the library and check it out!

 

Frankenstein by Ludworst Bemonster (aka Rick Walton)

This book is a great parody of the classic story of Madeline.  When I was growing up one of my favorite “series” to read was Madeline.  I saw it on the shelf in the bookstore and Nathan Hale’s illustrations caught my eye.  As I started reading, I started laughing out loud!  Always a great sign that it’s a good book!  I’ve had to order two copies of this book, one for my library and one for me!

I really had a great time participating in the Summer Thowdown and I read a lot of great books.  Hope we do this again!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey ( @libraryjo92 and Library Gals)

Be sure to check out the other teacher and librarian guest posts at Heise Reads and Recommends, Mrs. Library Fanatic, and Wyz Reads!

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Stacy

Stacy from Welcome to My Tweendom

This was the first time that I participated in the Summer Throwdown, and I have to say that it was super-fun and a real motivator to get reading!  My top 10 is made up of a variety of titles, some of which I have yet to blog over at Welcome to MyTweendom.  Without further ado, here are my top 10 in no particular order.

The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides.

            An adult title!  I KNOW! But each summer I choose a few from my list to try to read.  While this book didn’t blow me away like it did for many of my friends, I thought it was solid and a good look into the psyche of the university student.  I loved the multiple points of view and I feel like readers could see themselves in at least one of the characters.

Drama, by Raina Telgemeier

            I was super excited to pick this up at ALA Annual.  Smile is one of our highest circing and most often disappearing graphic novel at school, and students are CONSTANTLY asking for more from Raina.  Drama is a pitch perfect look at middle school, crushes, family, identity and friendship.  It also has the theater geek thing down, and with the success of GLEE, I am sure that this gn will have a wide range of readers in both gender and age.

Friends with Boys, by Faith Erin Hicks

            Two of my colleagues had read this before school was out and it was sitting on my shelf but I was just too crazed with the end of school and upcoming ALA.  I finally sat down to read this one and just loved it.  A family story with the right hint of paranormal, Hicks gets the tension of entering high school with its unwritten rules just right.

In A Glass Grimmly, by Adam Gidwitz

            I got a chance to pick up this arc at ALA and have Adam sign it.  He wrote something along the lines of “Hang on, this one’s even worse!”.  There is more of what was in the first…lots of blood and vomit in this no holds barred dip into fairy tales.  What I love and wonder at with Gidwitz is his ability to weave the stories together seamlessly without having readers see where the ties are.  Fun, gross and exciting.

Prairie Evers, by Ellen Airgood

            If any of you are readers of my blog, you know that I love countrified stories with quirky characters.  But I don’t want the characters to be too over the top.  Airgood delivers with Prairie Evers.  The story of a home-schooled girl who has just moved to NY from NC who raises chickens, tries to make friends, and yearns to do the right thing.

See You At Harry’s, by Jo Knowles

            Most readers will be able to identify with having an embarrassing parent, and for Fern it’s her dad.  She’s in the middle of a big family with her older brother testing his wings and her younger brother glomming onto her and getting all the attention.  When a family tragedy rips Fern’s world apart her family must find common ties to get through it together.  I didn’t see it coming, and Knowles delivered a punch to the gut, but buoyed the whole thing up with love and hope.

One for the Murphys, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

            Now, one of my favorite books of all time is The Great Gilly Hopkins, and when I read the premise for this one I wasn’t so sure that it would deliver.  Mullaly Hunt does not rewrite the Paterson and provides a story of foster care that is sure to have readers reaching for some tissue.

Starry River of the Sky, by Grace Lin.

            This is an exquisitely written book in the same format of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon .  Folktales are woven within the story proper.  We follow Rendi’s search for the moon as he lives with Master Chao and Peyei.  Tension and pacing along with lush language make this book my favorite of the summer.  I read this in arc format and simply cannot wait to see the finished copy with the art!

Fang Girl, by Helen Keeble

            This is a fun, fun, fun YA romp through vampire land and fandom.  Jane is newly undead and things aren’t exactly turning out like she imagined.  Real life vamping is much different than the fanfic that she used to read and write while she was living.  Jane heads back to her family and tries to figure out the rules.

Hole in My Life, by Jack Gantos

            After getting to meet Jack at ALA, I knew I had to go back and read this one.  Scary, honest and raw, this look into Jack’s past is an inspiring example of how much a person can change.

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Megan

Megan's Header from her site.

Hi everyone, it’s 

Megan from YA? Why Not? representing the League of Librarians. Let me start with congratulations to Team Teacher, the winner of Round 2. Tie-breaker anyone?

I have had so much fun participating in both of the Summer Throwdowns. I do love a challenge. For Round 2 I set a personal goal of 15 books, which I made…barely. Not too shabby. I read some awesome books. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Favorite Graphic Novel:

 Locke & Key vol. 5: Clockworks by Joe Hill. I have recently discovered this series and it is very nicely filling the void left by Fables by Bill Willingham and The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. This complex and riveting story follows the Locke family and their return to their father’s childhood home, a creepy old mansion called Lovecraft. Magic, mystery, and horror await them as they explore their new home. Brilliant writing, brilliant illustrations. I highly recommend this one.

Favorite Non-YA:

Broken Harbor by Tana French. This is the fourth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series and quite possibly my favorite. These psychologically intense mysteries are very character driven and I love the vivid Irish settings. Each book in the series works well as a standalone and they do not need to be read in order.

Favorite Standalone:

52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody. I will admit that in my head Lexington Larrabee sounded an awful lot like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. This was a perfect summer read-cute, clever, hilarious, and some kissing.

Favorite Books in a Series:

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Loved it. This one was full of surprises and twists and turns. Um, that ending? Hello, crazy!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. I am going to honest here. I was kind of annoyed when she decided to turn her totally awesome trilogy into a six book series. That annoyance may have played a part in me feeling just a little “meh” about book 4. Ms. Clare totally redeemed herself in my eyes with this latest installment. I am back on board and eager for more!

There you have it, my five favorite books of the Summer Throwdown, Round 2. I can’t wait to check out some of the other fabulous books read by my team mates and opponents! And let me know about that tie –breaker…

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Summer Throwdown Top Stuff

Wow! I can't believe the summer is over! We had so much fun competing in our First Annual Summer Throwdown! There were so many good books being read, we thought it would be cool to have you share out what books made a difference for you this summer.

This week Mrs. Library Fanatic (Sherry @libraryfanatic), Heise Reads and Recommends (Jillian @heisereads) and Wyz Reads (Brian @brianwyzlic) and I (Kathy @thebrainlair) will be hosting 8 teachers and 8 librarians as they list out their top reads this summer! Each of us will have four guest posts throughout the week so make sure you come back!

My first librarian, Megan, will have a post up tomorrow!

In the meantime here are some of my top reads this summer! (in reverse reading order!)

Swim the Fly by Don Calame
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Team Human by Brennan and Larbalestier
False Memory by Dan Krokos
Journal of Best Practices by David Fitch
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Giants Beware by Jorge Aguirre
Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony

If I had to pick the ONE you should read?

The Best MG

Liar and Spy by Stead

The Best YA

Seraphina by Hartman

The Best Adult

Journal of Best Practices

I've read so many books I can share with students and staff alike! It makes me almost ready for back to school. Almost.

Don't forget to visit the other bloggers for more top book fun!

Librarians v Teachers - Summer Throwdown Round 2

It's B-A-C-K!

Welcome to Summer Throwdown

Librarians VS Teachers

Round 2

We had so much fun reading with everyone we decided to continue the challenge before we head back to work! (congratulations to the League of Librarians!)

Based on feedback, we've tweeked a few things to level the playing field.  We've kept the same hashtags: #leagueoflibrarians, #teamteacher, and #summerthrowdown.  You can also use #bookaday with your #summerthrowdown tweet! More bang for your hashtag!

Rules
Rule Number 1 - The #summerthrowdown challenge runs from Sunday, July 22 - Saturday Aug 18.
You can start a book before the 22nd and then finish it on the 22nd, that counts. But, if you start a book on the 18th and don't finish it by 11:59pm, it does not count. YOU MUST HAVE LESS THAN 50% OF THE BOOK COMPLETED BEFORE JULY 22ND FOR IT TO COUNT! DON'T TRY TO SAVE 1 OR 2 PAGES!

Rule Number 2 - Books count (here's a change)
0-49 pages: 0.25
50-149 pages: 0.5
150-349 pages: 1
350-549 pages: 1.5
550-749 pages: 2
750-949 pages: 2.5
950-1149 pages: 3

Rule Number 3 - We need stinking badges - clicking will take you to the signup/log sheet!

Make sure you grab the right one for your blog! When signing up, check the tab at the bottom to make sure you are on the correct spreadsheet! Please show your support! You can also add a twibbon on twitter! (say that fast 5 times)

Round 1
If you are still unsure what #summerthrowdown is because you were in a cave (literally, cuz you were vacationing), check out Heise Reads and Recommends for details.

Raffle
We are giving away a couple of ARCs/Finished Books to those who participated in Round 1.  Enter the raffle for your chance at one of these fabulous prizes! Ends July 24th!

Riting
Would you like to tell the world about your love for #summerthrowdown? We're looking for a few good readers to write guest posts for us! We want to know your Top Ten books you read during throwdown or something like that! Complete THIS FORM if you are interested! We will randomly select 4 people to participate!

For more information on #summerthrowdown Round 2, check out Sherry's post at Ms. Library Fanatic.

Get those #bookstacks ready! Go #leagueoflibrarians go! (oh, and you too, #teamteacher)