Starting All Over Again

It's time for a new start in more ways than one. Today, was our last day at school without the most important part; kids! Soon, the buildings will be buzzing with the energy of students that have been the source of much of our energy for weeks, as we prepared for their arrival. On the second day of school, I celebrate my birthday! For  most of my 27 years, the beginning of school and tacking on another year of age have always coincided. It's always given me a sense of a fresh start, as if it's New Years. Now, is the time to dream big in terms of what the students can achieve, what the library offer, and how I can improve my own knowledge, impact, and love of life. Blogging at least one time a week about what has been going on in my library world is one of my goals for the coming year. I've never written much about myself, so it should be interesting to see how this goes. I look forward to the chance to reflect and grow from the ups and downs that will be recorded here.

With such high ambitions, the to-do list is long. Though, I've been whittling away at it, there is still much more to do. I've already met with Science, English, and Language teachers about research projects; some two months in advance (kudos to them). Tomorrow, I meet with Donna to discuss ideas for the coming year. As a group, we will be working on our scope and sequence in the coming year and I'm excited to map out exactly what we expect students to be able to do when they walk across the stage as seniors. Having set expectations for each grade throughout the school year, no matter the subject or teacher, will aid us  in having consistent expectations across the board and improve the overall understanding of the students due to practice and the backing of the teachers of all subjects and grades.

Well, that's all for now. On the agenda for tomorrow: welcome back our wonderful students, put together a book recommendation display and begin book review trailers. We'll see how many I can check off the list!

The Spindlers, by Lauren Oliver

Liza instantly knows there is something different about her brother, Patrick, the moment she sees him. On the outside he appears just the same as always, but it's something in his eyes, his soul even. When pleas to her parents that something is different about Patrick fall on deaf ears, Liza takes it upon herself to find out what has gone missing and make her brother whole again.

From tales told by her beloved babysitter, Anna, Liza is fairly sure spindlers are to blame. She knows she must go Below to retrieve Patrick's soul from them. With the helpful, though, cantankerous rat Mirabella as her guide, Liza makes her way deeper and deeper into the unknown where musical moles, terrifying troglods and rambunctious nids await to hurt and help her in her travels.

After making her way through fantastical creatures and human-like plants she finally arrives at the doorstep of the queen. If she makes it past her wrath, she will finally be able to put her hands on Patrick's soul.

The Spindlers is rich with lavish descriptions of the magical places and creatures Liza comes upon. I finished with the feeling I had just read a combination of Alice in Wonderland, The Labrinth, and The Wizard of Oz. Luckily, I love all of these books, so the read was a pleasure. 

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen

Young love is often scoffed at, but Bryce and Juli would beg to differ that their relationship, or lack thereof, from 2nd grade is anything but serious. From the moment Juli saw Bryce helping his family move into the house across the street, she was in love. The eyes, the hair, the smile, there was no way to be sure what it was exactly, but there was no turning back. Bryce, on the other hand instantly knew he wanted to stay as far away from the spunky and spontaneous Juli as possible.

This continued for years, until 8th grade, in fact, when something flipped. A series of events in involving a sycamore tree, chickens, a grandfather, some yard work and a spattering of dysfunctional family here and there results in these two swapping feelings. Now, Bryce is gaga over Juli, while Juli could care less about Bryce.

Juli and Bryce tell their side of the story in alternating chapters, giving the reader the perspective that there are two sides to every coin.  In Flipped, Van Draanen shows us that everyone has their faults, but if you never get to know who someone truly is on the inside you'll spend your whole life worrying about the way things look, not how they feel. One of the best books out there when it comes to young love, family dysfunction, and the pains of growing up. 

The Dogs of Winter, by Bobbie Pyron

Judging from the cover, I thought, The Dogs of Winter, was going to be a feel good dog book. Boy, was I wrong. Now, there are some heart-warming parts, but there are just as many heart-wrenching aspects. We follow a boy, Ivan, who through a series of deaths and run-ins with horrible people becomes an orphan and has to find a way to scrape by on the streets. The presence of thugs and lack of welfare from organizations that aren't wanting to yank the kids into sub-par orphanages is bad enough, but the added element of the severe winters in Russia make survival especially difficult.

Ivan faces all of these tribulations at the early age of five and develops some advanced insights for such a young age from the exposure to the extreme harshness that the world has to offer. When he finds himself running out of options for survival, it is a pack of dogs that renew hope and the possibility of life in this young boy. He provides for them as best he can by begging for money and food, while they offer him protection, shelter, and companionship that is otherwise unavailable.

He is soon part of the pack and is so close with the dogs that they are able to communicate without words. For a few years, they spend their Springs and Summers in the forrest and make their way back to the city at the first sign of snow. Life is never easy for them. There is never certainty where their next meal will come from and Ivan is constantly in fear of being taken to an orphanage by the less than honest nuns.

While this book is full of sad moments, it is also brimming with one example after another of the strength of the human spirit and the love of a good dog. Though, this book doesn't have the happiest of endings it  reflects the harsh reality that many children endured during the 1990s in Russia, as the number of orphans exploded and the country did little to aid the situation. Definitely read, but keep tissues and funny book to switch between close by. 

Doll Bones, by Holly Black

Make-believe is an ever-adapting game of the mind that continually morphs and grows, however, there comes a point, which no one can pinpoint exactly, when a child has grown too much to play this game any longer... or so parents think. Zach's Dad thinks he has reached this time in his life. As a new Middle School student, he feels he should focus on other games (real games), like basketball. When Zach continues to create the fantastical world of pirates, mermaids, and thieves that is ruled by the Great Queen, and even china doll that is forever imprisoned in the china cabinet, his Dad decides to take matters into his own hands. He collects his figures and places them in the trash, thinking his son will easily move on, but he is crushed and left angry, depressed and unsure of how to break the horrible news to his make-believe playmates, Poppy and Alice.

In the end, all he decides to lie to his friends and act as if he truly no longer wants to play with them. With such an abrupt end to their game, both girls are left in disbelief and it seems their friendship has ended as well. However, Poppy is relentless in telling them that she has been visited by a girl in her dreams that insists the Queen be buried in her empty grave in order for her to find rest.

As a ploy to get her to leave it alone, Zach and Alice finally agree to take part in the expedition. From the beginning everything that can go wrong does and things get creepier by the moment. The doll seems to be more than a doll, ghosts become believable, and all start to wonder if their lives have turned into a horrible game.

Despite, the dark aura of Doll Bones, it was one of the bright lights of my summer reads. Holly Black captures the uncertainty of transitioning from child to teenager, the numbing idea of the reality of ghosts, and the strength of childhood friendships. 

Bad Unicorn, by Platte F. Clark

With books, comes knowledge, and knowledge can be a dangerous thing. This is exactly why Max Spencer is in grave danger the moment he cracks the spine of The Codex of Infinite Knowability: a book full magic beyond belief. Max is keenly aware of the danger he faces since it is made clear in the copyright warning. However, the prospect of the world being taken over by squirrels and terrible lashings from the Tree of Woe aren't enough to keep him from reading on.

In a last ditch effort to put an end to Max's curiosity, Princess the Destroyer is sent to gobble Max up. Of course, Princess is a unicorn, but not just any unicorn, she is a unicorn with an insatiable appetite and a knack for hunting all living things. While Princess is the brawn, a crooked sorcerer and his master are the brains behind this plan and have promised princess a buffet of humans in Texas if she comes through.

There is more riding on Max's shoulders than just his life; make that the lives of all people. With such dire straights, it's hard to imagine there would be much room for humor, but Bad Unicorn is plum full of outrageous animals and unworldly circumstances that make this first book in what is set to be a trilogy a fantastical giggle-fest that you must pick up.