Teen Literature Recommendations and Trends by Michael Cart

Summer vacation allows for time to catch up on all sorts of things you've put aside until later.  For example, over the school year many great-sounding webinars are announced and promoted.  Several are added to lists and calendars "not to be missed!" yet the date passes.  Luckily, webcasts are often archived and are ideal for later viewing.  

Infopeople offered a free webcast on April 26, 2012 by young adult literature expert Michael Cart, "Teen Literature Update 2012." My original goal was to listen and make a list of books to buy and read this summer, before sharing. Michael's 1-hour presentation is wonderful for his intended audience, Teacher/Young Adult/Teen librarians. However, the webcast should be of interest to middle and high school literature classes, book clubs, and serious readers. Too bad most school class periods are less than one hour. Teachers and librarians could add this link to their library or book club website and encourage comments on the webcast.


How else would you use Michael's YA book recommendations?  Would you recommend the webcast to parent groups or company employees and suggest adopting a local library or libraries in a school district? That would be a visible way to support students in the face of endless library budget and staffing cuts.

Flowchart: Which Books to Read this Summer?

Teaching students at the University of California School of Education developed this great infographic to help younger students pick books to read over the summer, an important time when young people have the freedom to read what they want to read rather than required coursework.  This chart appeared on the "Teach: Make a Difference" blog on June 5, 2012.  A chart like this would be a fun and challenging project for a team of teams or a book club.

Via Teach.com and USC Rossier Online

Teenagers Are Reading: Keeping Book Industry Afloat?

The other day, Dr. Stephen Krashen shared this post with California School Library staff and supporters: Sara Stevenson presents evidence that teens are indeed reading and might even be "keeping the book industry afloat."

California teacher librarians have responded with an immediate and enthusiastic "yes", students are reading and love books and their libraries (school and public).  Now, get the word to parents and policymakers to stop cutting budgets and support strong school libraries!  Learn what a strong school library is by going to the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries site.  Learn the minimum standards for school libraries and demand that your school meets or exceeds the standards.  Promote and advocate for implementation of model school library standards.

Building Futures: Public Library as Destination

YMCA mentoring program "Building Futures" includes public libraries as key destinations for mentors and their young mentees.  Library visits make sense, given the weekly year-long relationship building and mentoring that adults and young people experience.  Mentoring images often show fun activities like the zoo, sports games, or amusement park rides but visiting the local library for the first time, getting a library card, finding a special favorite corner of the library is a comfortable routine that builds future library lovers. Enjoy the video:



Note from Imperial County Free Library Director Connie Barrington on how her library system works with a mentoring program: "I am very proud of our partnership with the Foster Grandparent program in Imperial County, run by Catholic Charities. The Library staff have provided training for working on literacy, we are utilizing a few volunteer grandparents this summer as volunteers and our partnership with the Probation Dept., the Juvenile hall staff and the FGPs assigned to Juvie hall is exemplary. I worked with a small budget provided by Probation and created a special library collection just for Juvenile Hall. The FGPs handle circulation. We have also jointly raised funds for other support for them, such as $ from a local prisoner’s group that bought a “boom box” so the FGPs can utilize ICFL audio books for literacy support. ICFL materials are loaned to the FGPs for use with their “grandchildren” and FGPs refer the children to local libraries."

Follett Challenge - student video contest

Follett is having a student video contest.  Here is a video worth voting for!  See the Follett Challenge: an invitation to the education community to promote the role that school libraries play in encouraging and developing information literacy and student engagement. 


There are six prizes, ranging from $10,000 to $35,000.  Winners are determined by votes. Check them all out.  Voting is this summer.

Contest details

Kid Book Reviews - An Open House Treat (FUN & FREE)

Free, fun, fabulous idea of the week:

(Thanks to Alfie Cohen, Steven Krashen, and HS Teacher Librarian Connie Williams)

"Early this week Dr. Krashen sent out a great idea from Alfie Cohen about putting book reviews on lockers, etc. I loved it and since this evening was Open House I thought I'd give it a try. I asked many English teachers if they'd have their students write a 'quick write' that started:
[name] is reading.....   and then whatever they wanted to write about."

"With only 3 days to put this out to them... they were amazing! They (classroom teachers) loved the idea and sent lots and lots of them.  I think that they'll continue it.  What a great way to reinforce to teachers just how much kids like to read when they get to read what they choose. I plastered the hall to the library and put a sign Board at the end of the hall saying:"

"My T.A.s (teaching assistants) put them on lockers, on doors, and all over. I included some QR coded book talk signs too... lots of parents looked at them, and many kids dragged their parents over to their own reviews.   It was lots of fun.  I think that what I'll do now after taking these down is to practice "random acts of book reviews" and just post some every now and then in various places around the school."

"Kids wrote all over the map from Kafka to Dr Seuss to Superman....  it was fun."

Connie Williams, TL at Petaluma HS

Learning4Life In My School Library Student Video Contest

The American Association of School Libraries (AASL), CISCO, SchoolTube, and Mackin have announced a "Learning4Life In My School Library" student video contest.

Submission Process (see more details on the website)

All entries to be submitted on SchoolTube.com between January 4, 2011 and March 18, 2011.

Follow these steps to enter:

1. Register under your school for a free SchoolTube.com account. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with information on logging into SchoolTube.

2. Review all contest rules for the Learning4Life In My School Library Student Video Contest on this page.

3. Complete this Contest Entry & Video Release Form and e-mail to learning4life@ala.org or fax to AASL at 312-280-5267.

4. Click the Enter Now Button on the website to submit video into the contest. Submission entry will begin on January 4, 2011 and the deadline for the submissions is March 18, 2011.

Starbooks -- Book Club Fund Raiser

Livingston (CA) High School Teacher Librarian Tony Doyle and his school library book club kids held a "Starbooks" fund raiser.  Here is Tony's report on the successful first-time event:

"Our Book Club held it's first Library Cafe ("Starbooks") fund raiser this week.  We have been on finals schedule the last two days so we sold coffee, hot chocolate, instant cappuccino, and muffins before school.  We had a 1/2 price sale after school today.  We set up near the back door and sold inside and outside to the skater crowd that hangs out behind the library.  We took in over $200 in less than 3 hours total.  Profits worked out to around $125.  A lot of kids were asking when we were going to do it again.  We didn't have a single spilled drink in the library and only one cup left on a table (the faculty made a much bigger mess during our Toys for Tots luncheon yesterday).  It was a lot of work but also lots of fun.  The Book Clubbers really enjoyed it."

Wonder if local Starbucks stores would want to promote the idea at other times throughout the year? Tony is also a book reviewer for School Library Journal, so maybe that publication will put a spotlight on the idea of book club fund raisers for libraries.

Student Video Contest

Here's a good opportunity to loan your Flip video to students in the new year:
The American Association of School Librarians, SchoolTube, and Cisco are teaming together to present the Learning4Life in My School Library Student Video Contest. Students are encouraged to create videos detailing how their school library and technology empower them to be Learners4Life and upload their creations to the video contest page hosted on SchoolTube.com. Submission entry begins January 4 and ends March 18, 2011. One student winner will be chosen from each grade level – elementary, middle, and high school. Winners will receive a Flip™ video camera and a prize for their school library program. Winning entries will be featured on the AASL, SchoolTube, and Cisco websites and social networking platforms. For more information on contest rules and guidelines, visit the Learning4Life in My School Library contest page.

These rules should also fit California's new Model School Library Standards.

Wrestlemania Reading Challenge -- Teen Read Week 2010

Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is sponsoring World Wrestling Entertainment’s WrestleMania Reading Challenge as part of Teen Read Week. AL Direct reports that more than 60,000 students in 1,700 school and public libraries in the United States and Canada are expected to participate in the hopes of winning an all-expenses-paid trip to WrestleMania XXVII in Atlanta on April 3, along with $2,000 and books for their local sponsoring libraries.

"Think Big About Advocacy" -- YALSA Contest

ALA's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) members who have hosted a successful advocacy program, activity, or event can enter the division’s Thinking Big about Advocacy Contest and win up to $500 for advocating for their young adult or school library program. The contest is part of Kim Patton’s 2010–2011 YALSA presidential theme, “Think Big.” Applications are due February 1, 2011.
YALSA, July 23

Eligible applicants must have the following:

• Focus on advocacy for library services to teens
• Effectively reach key audiences, such as administrators, elected officials or parents
• Are creative
• Incorporate youth participation
• Incorporate key advocacy messages and talking points, such as those found at Add It Up
• Demonstrate a positive and meaningful impact

Bleeding Libraries - A Video Dramatization

Sun Valley High School Teacher Librarian Laura Graff created this video by Los Angeles students and school teacher librarians. Viewers will experience tears of sadness about the tragedy of school libraries in California. It is by lauralee2002 — June 02, 2010 — A dramatization of what will happen to school libraries when poorly conceived budget cuts close libraries. Well done.



Also available on VIMEO.

Hope this makes more people learn more about what is happening to weaken our schools and student access to learning. Learn more about the California School Library Association's Campaign for Strong School Libraries, also known as the "Best Sellers" campaign.

100 Book Club Award

Here's a good idea from Poway Teacher Librarian Linda Bjork, who runs two school libraries:

"I was doing statistics on Destiny [library automation system] last week, and I came upon a statistic of the most frequent patron and how many books they had checked out this past year. There it was... my top patrons. So I decided to have a little award and I called it the 100 Book Club. At one school I had 11 kids and at my other middle school I had 16 students who had checked out more than 100 books this school year. I made up an award certificate, gathered up some small prizes and food coupons and put them in their homeroom teachers' mailboxes. Then I made school announcements that they were now Members of the 100 Book Club. Lastly, I put signs at the front of the school."
"This was a very simple little recognition. I just thought it was a neat statistic and I ran with it at this time of year. The kids all came in and thanked me. They hadn't realized that they had checked out so many books. Just thought I'd share this little recognition that not only recognizes our frequent readers - but puts the library out there during this awards season."

Hope other teacher librarians jump on this idea and make it an annual tradition. It is an excellent way to recognize students and bring positive visibility to the school library.

Tech Teen Week - 2010

The American Library Association (ALA) and its Young Adult Library Services Association division sponsors an annual Teen Tech Week. This year, the official spokesperson is Tom Kenny, known for the voice of SpongeBob Squarepants and the theme is Learn, Create, Share @ your Library. Public Service Announcements are available for download. For more information on Teen Tech Week, please visit www.ala.org/teentechweek, or contact Macey Morales, ALA Media Relations Manager, (312) 280-4393, mmorales@ala.org or Jennifer Petersen, ALA PR Coordinator, (312) 280-4393, jpetersen@ala.org.

Operation Teen Book Drop 2010 - April 15

American Libraries Direct included an item by Stephanie Kuenn about Operation Teen Book Drop 2010. She says “YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) will again work with Readergirlz and Guys Lit Wire in 2010 for another iteration of Operation Teen Book Drop. The initiative will take place on Support Teen Literature Day, April 15. Over the past two years, Operation TBD has put 20,000 books for teens into pediatric hospitals in the United States and Canada. This year, Operation TBD will coordinate donations to tribal libraries and schools by joining forces with If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything, a national book club for Native American children, a project directed by former ALA President Loriene Roy.” Watch the Readergirlz video (2:29)....Music is "Prayer Song".
YALSA Blog, Dec. 16; YouTube, Dec. 10

Georgia School Librarian Asks Kids: What makes a Library a Library?

The Unquiet Librarian is the name of a blog written by Buffy Hamilton, a high school librarian in Georgia. She has been doing video interviews with students, asking "What Makes a Library a Library", a question asked recently by California blogger Sarah Houghton-Jans, aka Librarian-In-Black.

Check out the answers by high school students:



What would your students say? What would your library visitor "regulars" say? What are some other good questions to ask library users? I'm sure you can come up with some meaningful and fun questions, but here is a start:

• Why are you in the library today?
• Do you remember the first time you visited a library?
• How old were you when you got your first library card? Which library?
• When you come to the library, do you have a favorite section or place?
• Do you have a special "reading place" at home, in the library, or?
• What are you reading or planning to read next? Any recommendations?
  

Well Read (Teen Read Week)

ALA Conference Live!
YALSA (young adult library services assoc) is giving out coupons for free Teen Reed Week bags from the ALA store. Blue bags say "well read" - a short, positive message! The coupon lists exhibitors and their booths -- visit them for additional Teen Read Week gifts:

• ALA Graphics (ALA Store)
• Evanced Solutions (#5217)
• Farrar, Straus & Giroux (#1811)
• Galaxy Press (#2353)
• Henry Holt (#1816)
• Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (#2212)
• Listening Library/Random House (#1734)

Theme for 2009 Teen Read Week is "Read Beyond Reality".

ALA's Advocacy University

The American Library Association (ALA) has introduced Advocacy University, which is a website packed with resources, courses, and tools to help library advocates make the case for libraries and library programs at the local level. It is a new site, but will continue to grow. So far, there are resources for:

• Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
  
  
• Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference in Youth Development and Education
  

Coast to Coast Reading Day - 9/27/2008

Peggy Yost, Branch Manager, Fairfield Civic Center Library, Solano County California alerted librarians and others across America about Coast to Coast Reading Day. Here is what Peggy says:

If you are not familiar with the Baldwin brothers, I would like to introduce you to these remarkable teens and their plan for a Coast to Coast Reading Day on September 27, 2008, the National Day of Service. Kyle and Brady Baldwin are passionate about spreading the joy of reading by giving away books to less fortunate children. For more information about the boys’ work, see their website at MyOwnBook. If you would like to participate in the event, it is easy:

1.Make a commitment to read to K-3rd grade children on 9/27/08 in the capitol city of your state (or any city!)
2. Publicize it
3. Tell the Baldwins if you need books to hand out, and if so how many
4. Read aloud a book or two to children
5. If possible & willing, the librarians/volunteers could let the children pick books out for their very own book.
6. Tell us how the event went

The Baldwins can be reached by writing to kyleandbrady @ myownbook.net or by phone (707-864-4046). Here is what they say:

“We are not looking for a big time commitment- plus reading aloud to children is fun & easy. Hopefully you can get a bevy of librarians from across the nation involved! We'd certainly appreciate it. Thank you for your support & efforts.”

Library Clubs - Teen Literacy Club

Heard on the school library listserv (like "Heard on the Street...")

The other day, one teacher librarian asked for examples of other school Library Clubs. Librarian Marsha at one high school noted that her club is 5 years old and called TLC, Teen Literacy Club.

Reasons to Join:

• Plan a trip and raise funds to attend National Book Festival
• Choose books for the book club.
• Meets for Lunch, at the Library and/or Starbucks monthly

Phyllis L., another teacher librarian added to my request for the "top 10 reasons to join a Library Club":

• Promotes teamwork
• Promotes responsibility
• Promotes information literacy