What a sucker punch! Yes, please know that it was quite a shock to read today that Google Reader will be shut down in July. This has been probably my MOST USED 2.0 tool.
From the Google Blog (one of my feeds in Google Reader, no less!)
You just don’t realize how many teachers I was able to pull over to a 2.0 way of thinking by spending a little time showing off Google Reader and what it could do. This was true for friends, colleagues, and well yes, even students. Sigh. So okay, I’m now reading/exploring my options. My reader is full of suggestions, which is great–and okay, yes I have to thank you for letting Google Reader deliver that news to me today. This one tool truly transformed my teaching practice, impacting me in many ways. When I ignored other aggregation tools, I stayed faithful to this one.
Google, I felt shattered by this announcement.
Funny because it wasn’t that long ago (back in July) that I was sharing about iGoogle going by the wayside, and offering alternatives too my readers then. I should have seen the writing on the wall, no? Now I wonder how many other of the G-Apps I use are considered for an early demise? I think I could have handled this better had there been some rumors from my own PLN so I already had a heads up. This just feels like a sucker punch.
Jury is still out on what I’ll use. Today I’m checking out Feedly at the recommendation of friends Diane Cordell and Vicki Davis. And Feedly connected with my existing Google Reader feeds and has assured me it has my back when GR goes away, I’ll still have my feeds. Thanks Feedly. Right now you are the front -runner for my new feed service. I may never say GR again. Grrrrrrrrr.
Please, Google if there are more plans like this, give a little indication and seek feedback from users. I think it will soften the blow if I have already heard it before the actual official announcement.
This past week we had our annual state library conference in Columbia, SC. SCASL: Impact @ Your Library‘s primary focus this year, under the leadership and excellent planning by Anne Lemieux, SCASL’s president-elect. The conference focused on how we as librarians can impact our learning community and prove it.
Travel Evening
The conference began for me with a ride down to Columbia, SC Tuesday, March 5, 2013 right after school. This year I could only attend two of the three day event. Since I’ve had so many professional days prior to this IMHO “must attend” event, I either had to take my last personal day to attend all three days, or opt for just two. I attended Wedneday and Thursday, saving Friday for my upcoming trip to the TLA conference in April. THAT Friday is my last personal day. Decisions, decisions. So hard to choose sometimes. Because I decided so late to actually get a hotel (thank you Priceline for finding me a great hotel in the Harbeson area for $50 a night!!) I decided I’d go on down Tuesday afternoon. The plan was to head to the Convention Center and help set up. Ha! I arrived just in time to be kicked out at closing time. No great loss though. I went to dinner with Heather Loy, our SCASL current president. It was great to catch up with her, as she has been a close friend for a number of years. We ate dinner at a Copper River Grille, and they seated us right in front of a fireplace.
Wednesday – Day One at Conference
Side trip to the Gourmet Cupcake Shop!!
I began my morning by hooking up with my friend Jennifer Tazerouti, fellow board member and “AuntieLibrarian.” As part of the SCASL Board, we had to set up displays representing each of our committees. So we scurried around getting all our gear inside and set up. We found out that Kevin Merritt (an honorary conference husband is what I like to call him) was celebrating a birthday, so Jennifer and I went to a gourmet cupcake shop (Cupcake Down South) to get him a birthday cupcake. (Of course this was conference planner and SCASL pres-elect Anne Lemiuex’s idea, so I must give proper attribution here.) Anyway a group of SCASL Board members and conference planning committee presented him with a candlelit gourmet birthday cupcake along with a serenade of “Happy Birthday to You!” I had a chocolate mint cupcake that was divine!!
Kevin Merrit – Your PD Credit Tracking Expert
HBTU Kevin!
Who is Kevin Merrit, you might ask. Kevin is a technology specialist who works for Greenville County Schools, but each year helps SCASL out with its tracking system for conference attendance. He programs the scanners, dessiminates our tracking cards, makes sure each session has a volunteer to tack attendance, and once conference is done, downloads the data so that each attendee can receive a personalized record of the sessions attended at conference each year. A group of us always arrange dinner out with him. This is why we like to call him our conference “husband.” It’s wonderful that SCASL has devoted people to help us each year. Kevin is a dream come true. When we return to school, early next week we will receive in our email the session attendance record to turn in for documentation and recertification credits. Kevin, I hope you had a wonderful working birthday!!
Board of Directors Working Lunch
Midday Tuesday we had our annual board meeting at conference which was a working lunch. Heather, as president, presented us with a gift of thanks that will come in SO VERY HANDY at future conference-like events. It’s a badge holder pouch that can clip onto the belt, the bag, or be worn around the neck. It can hold a few personal items too (like a cell phone!) Score! It’s a great gift that will be used for a long time (at least for me.)
Preconference Session With Keith Curry Lance
Next I attended the Pre-conference session presented by Keith Curry Lance. It was slam full of data and statistics, and it along with the online discussions the group had engaged in left me thinking I am not doing enough to show I impact my school. I need to make more connections numberwise, and make sure my administrators know what I contribute to the numbers they count on! So much to process from this session. Inbox me if you want to get access to his slides and such. Very thought provoking. I know my money was well spent to attend this, as we learned at conference that South Carolina (through SCASL and hopefully some other funding sources) are in talks with Dr. Lance to do a South Carolina Study of Library Impact.
The Grand Opening
At the opening of the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall, we committee chairs and board members hung out near our displays, trying to encourage visitors to become more actively involved in SCASL through committee volunteer efforts. I was excited to have several sign up for Regional Network. I am ecstatic to report I was able to fill a vacancy for the Regional Network. Now I am GLAD I made a display and talked it up to visitors.
Near closing for the Grand Opening, we had an adventurous crowd engage in a SCASL version of the Harlem Shake. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this video. Special thanks to Valerie Byrd-Fort (aka Library Goddess) for organizing and leading it, and Marty Fort (hubby) for recording it. It’s a Youtube sensation!!
Wednesday’s Dinner with Friends
A view of the Capitol while walking to dinner with friends Wednesday PM.
Wednesday evening I had dinner with many friends, including Steven Reed (and wife), Heather Loy, Fran Bullington, Amy Conkleton, Ellen Bunch, Jennifer Tazerouti, and more. We had a larger group that included Tamara Cox, Kim Hearne, Monique German, and more, but our group was too large to be seated together. We ate at the Blue Marlin down in the Vista area (walking distance from the convention center.) I had the yummiest Shrimp and Grits ever! It wouldn’t have mattered if we had gathered around a hotdog stand, the fun comes from gathering with friends and like-minded, job-alike educators. We had a blast. The funniest part of our evening was when one shared about some potential censorship happening in their library, all over ads that have caused a stir from the Sports Illustrated magazine. They actually appear in several magazines, but have taken notice in this library. After looking them up on our phones, we laughed until we cried. I won’t post any pictures here, but you have to go look at them yourself. OMG, how do we as school librarians squash censorship, yet protect our innocent students! Anyway, some of us laughed until we cried and caused quite a commotion at the restaurant. Can you say librarians gone wild?
Thursday Begins – The Eye-Opener Session
For my eye-opener session at 8AM, I attended Michael Giller’s session “You want to stick that where?” Michael really knows how to grab the attention of the audience through titles–did that one grab your attention? His session focused on the many databases his school offers to students, and promoting them to us. I tweeted out how much I love to hear students and teachers say how they use them, and Michael provide the perfect balance of this in his session. I must confess I left with an immediate desire to talk to a rep at ArtStor. With Common Core coming, this will be a nice addition to our digital collection AND I know the art department will be ecstatic.
The Daring Librarian “Replacement”
Jennifer Tazerouti performed beautifully to the tune of Comic Life, GoAnimate, and Edmodo as she amazingly pulled together a last minute session to replace Gwyneth Jones’ early morning session. Gwyneth was slated, but unfortunately for SCASL, was snowed in by the latest snow storm to slam the east. Jennifer talked us through the cool applications, even pulling directly from Gwyneth’s flickr pictures to show us samples of the resources. With such a lively red head leading a session, I’m not sure those who popped in late realized we didn’t have Gwyneth. Jennifer was AWESOME. I’m thankful she volunteered to fill in for Gwyneth. I have to share a COMIX that Jennifer says I inspired. You see all the time I am sending messages via our SCASL networks about links, websites, and more they might try out. I also promote the TL Cafe, even though lately I myself have been too busy to virtually attend (so glad they are archived!!) Jennifer showed this in her session, telling everyone I was in the third caption–that was me letting everyone know about a TL Cafe that was featuring Gwyneth and Comic Life! LOL. I love it, Jennifer. Click the graphic to see and read it. I am in square three!! Just like me!
First General Session
Keith Curry Lance led us in his keynote through the various library studies. How awesome is it that SC is endeavoring to engage him in a Library Impact Study in our state? Stay tuned to SCASL for details. Fingers crossed that it comes to be.
SCASL Annual Business Meeting at Conference
Several things were addressed in the business meeting, and I hope I don’t misrepresent anything. Memorable were the motions that carried unanimously:
SCASL has decided to waive membership fees for students who must join to be on the book award committees.
We also changed some terminology in the bylaws; most memorable is that the Executive Board for SCASL will now be known as the Board of Directors.
Second General Session
Since Gwyneth Jones didn’t make it to SCASL (and I hope we are already in talks about next year!!) we were lucky enough to already have on site Dr Linda Karges-Bone. She gracefully stepped right in when asked, even though she hadn’t come prepared to lead a keynote. NONE of us left disappointed. Her research and books were well received, and having her lead a surprise keynote got many excited to have her at our author signing later after the genreal session. SCORE. SCASL really lucked out with Dr. Bone there to help us out. Be sure to read about her using the link above, and if you want to see her content on Edmodo, the group code to join is amt12g. In her folder on the Edmodo group, she has many resources shared there. These would be awesome to show any administrator or to use to lead a staff development, but it would probably be BEST just to invite her to your school or district. She was awesome and very thought inspiring. Here’s a link to a much better summary of the keynotes.
Other Fun at Conference
GREAT CONFERENCE!!
After the Second General Session, attendees were given time to go to lunch (on own or at the Awards Luncheon), explore the exhibit hall, head over to the Author signing area, and attend the University of South Carolina’s Alumni Tea. Surprise visitor’s included Cocky and the retired Dr. Dan Barron, who led the keynote at the Awards Luncheon (which I didn’t attend.) Attendees were delighted with the visit.
My Final SCASL Session
My final SCASL session was my own, a meeting for the SCASL Regional Network. I shared what I would like to call “The State of the State Address” for the Regional Network. It’s been a bumpy ride this year as I took the reins of the Regional Network, but overall I am pleased with our accomplishments. Here is the slide set I used in our meeting, which was very productive.
A final get-together
I did go to dinner with so many friends before leaving. We all went to Long Horn’s, another short walk from the convention center. Best, Long Horn’s WAS able to pull enough tables for us to sit together. I sat within good talking distance of Heather Loy, Fran Bullington, Kelly Knight, Jen Chesney, and visiting authors Heather Birch and Sophie Jordan. It is so enjoyable to interact with author’s as they talk writer’s craft. Also at our dinner, friends who joined us included Susan Meyers, Michael Giller, Tamara Cox, Kim Hearne, Carla Nash, and Kevin Merritt. (I think I’ve included everyone.) We had a blast, and I’m sure our waitress did too.
Homeward Bound
At that point I drove back to Spartanburg so I could reunite with my much missed family (at least the ones at home: hubby, two cats, and a dog) and prepare my body and soul for a normal day of school Friday. I was sort of dreading returning to work Friday when my heart wanted to be back in Columbia, but thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Edmodo, and good friends, I felt like I was able to enjoy it some, even from my little spot in the upstate (at Dorman). Best, during that before school time when we have around 120 students in the library, I had a few ask me where I’d been. So there. That tells me I was missed. Tweets about “#scasl13″
How will I manage all these Edmodo groups!? After SCASL13, I find my sidebar of groups (ones I’ve joined) to be quite full. SCASL asked presenters to create an Edmodo group for conference sessions this year, and now that I’ve opted to join those conference session groups, I have to click “show all” to find ones I want to revisit. As I ponder this, I wonder how I will manage it? Let me tell you how. Now that I have a working understanding of the groups, once I decide there will be no more interactions to extend my learning, and I have taken the resources offered, I’ll leave that group.
Edmodo at first
My first experience with Edmodo came maybe 18 months ago. I read of the new “Facebook-like” app several years ago. It began in September 2008, and by the next summer was being raved by many in my PLN as the be all end all classroom app. I signed on for an account, but could not wrap my head around how I could use it in my teaching context. Afterall, I am a librarian, and every class in school is “my class.” Being in a school with 2600+ students, it seemed a bit overwhelming to begin promoting a code to join the library. I seriously believed my colibrarian and I would be overwhelmed with sheer numbers.
One more thing?
Don’t get me wrong, I manage other online spaces pretty well. In some I’m a lurker, others I’m an active participant, and even others I’ve created a spaced and actively recruited members. Edmodo to me seemed like one more place to navigate and manage, and just another option. It would add to my already too full plate. So while I could see the beauty of it, it was just one more thing to add to my teacher toolbox, one I didn’t have a lot of time for. Over the last few years I’ve promoted its use to my faculty, and I know of several who with my encouragement among other sources, actually jumped right into using Edmodo with their classes. Successfully. I even felt a little smug that I (essentially a non user) had convinced others to give it a try.
SC Edtech used it for virtual handouts and more
http://www.scaet.org/edtech/2012/
My first real experience with using Edmodo in a professional sense came from SCEdtech in the fall of 2012. The organizers asked us to create a group for our sessions, as that would be the conference endorsed way to digitally share online handouts. Dutifully as a presenter, I created my space, uploaded my links, presentation powerpoint, and digital handout. But I confess I never even looked back at it. The chatter about the conference was that even if you missed a session or had a session conflict, you could still get to the resources same day. I totally missed the part of interacting live with participants and having a back-channel happen in an “edmodo room,” but I did know some were exclaiming the virtues of it. I did keep getting notifications of new members. I never even looked back at it or even tried to interact with the group. Never took the opportunity to exchange ideas, interact, or crowdsource new and better to build on the foundation I lay in my session. I was too busy for Edmodo, and so just took a passing interest that eventually turned into indifference and disinterest. I even eventually deleted that group (horrors!) when the chatter died down, roughly four weeks or so after SC Edtech 2012. (Truthfully I wanted to forget it as I had issues with connectivity in the session, making me think it was sub par to my standard, and I had overwritten the absolute latest version of my presentation fifteen minutes before time. I couldn’t even use the pres in Edmodo, as it was a far cry from the one I had majorly tweaked and updated the night before. I really wanted to FORGET it forever, despite kind words from attendees and follow up emails. Maybe they didn’t understand the interaction feature of Edmodo either, so I wasn’t alone. But maybe-and probably more likely-they saw I wasn’t using the space that way either.)
Glad to be done and leaving!
I had to leave the conference early, right after my presentation that fateful day, as our family had lost a loved one, and so I drove away to be with them, which would really help me forget. I still cringe inwardly when I think of SC Edtech 2012. But I will probably be back in 2013.
Fast-forward to SCASL 2013
Jennifer Tazerouti. IT Chair
Jennifer Tazerouti, aka “AuntieLibrarian,” and current SCASL Information Technology Committee Chair convinced the SCASL Board to go the route of Edmodo for our conference handouts this year. Sigh. Here we go again! So I reacquainted myself with Edmodo, tweaking my space some. I decided I really needed to understand it better, so worked to develop my profile. I found and joined some communities, created a badge for my session attendees (#fail since teachers can’t award teachers badges), and waited for interaction to begin. I also selected a few sessions (groups) from SCASL13 to join. Hey, I’m not 100% sure it was her brainstorm, but I am 100% sure who made me feel comfortable using it.
And then the light came on!
Keith Curry Lance at SCASL13
Since I had signed up to attend Keith Curry Lance’s preconference session, I joined his group too. Later I found out this was his first experience with Edmodo. But I must say, he hit the ground running. He modeled for me a professional use of Edmodo as it should be–sharing his presentation materials, links, and most importantly discussion and pushback on my own thinking as we interacted with him and other session attendees in his group space. He posted all his session presentations (preconference, break-out session, and keynote) in this space. This confused some initially since the group was titled Preconference, but it didn’t take long for most to forgive that issue and plow right into asking questions and engaging in virtual conversations around his topics.
I’ve grown!
So now I have a whole new appreciation for this school-friendly tool, and even how i can use it professionally as well as with students. I’m going to create some more groups and get some students interacting in it too! It IS a great thing. Hey, why not connect with me there??
So now I want you to wow me with how you have used it. Do tell.
Picture Attributions:
Edmodo Sign-up Page image came from http://middleschool.wiki.lovett.org
SC Edtech Logo - http://www.scaet.org/edtech/2012/
Jennifer Tazerouti and Dr. Keith Curry Lance – SCASL13 Confernece Set http://www.flickr.com/photos/scasl/sets/72157632903007213/
Facebook Like Button – via FlickrCC http://www.flickr.com/photos/18090920@N07/5684115572
My Edmodo Profile Screenshot (right from my desktop)
Greetings SCASL Members. My name is Cathy Jo Nelson, and I am currently on the SCASL Board of Directors, serving as the Regional Network Director. I have assumed these duties by appointment. This position has been held a number of years by a beloved, long-time SCASL member, Frances Lee O’Neal. She has served in many roles in SCASL over the years, is a charter member, a past president, is a veteran of numerous committees and task forces, and is held in the highest esteem by many. She is my esteemed mentor and friend, and has been a tremendous help to me as I have transitioned into the position of Regional Network Director. I wanted to publicly thank her for helping me get my feet wet and getting the Regional Network off the ground at the beginning of this year. She laid the groundwork for a strong group of librarians who serve as the liaison to the Board of Directors, and I must give credit to her cultivating and growing this group of volunteers. I did make this statement publicly at our SCASL Business Meeting at our annual conference this past week. Franki, you are irreplaceable. I only hope I measure up half as much as you do still. Thanks for setting the standards so high–FLO, Frankie, Frances Lee O’Neal. You have left me huge shoes to fill! You are a true southern lady, jewel, gem, and treasured friend who embodies all things S-C-A-S-L.
100% – Nine Districts
At our business meeting, one of my responsibilities is to recognize all the districts in South Carolina who have all their schools served with SCASL Member Librarians. What a joy to discover that nine school districts in our state can brag about this achievement. It gave me immense pleasure to announce that at conference. They are:
Allendale School District
Barnwell District 45
Calhoun County Schools
Florence 4 Schools
Dillon 3
Dillon 4
Dorchester 4
Fairfield County Schools
Richland One Schools
SCASL Committee Exploratorium
All committee chairs were asked by Heather Loy, SCASL President to create displays for a “committee exploratorium” that would line one side of our conference exhibit hall. The displays were to show visitors initiatives that our committees are working on, our “advocacy-themed” activities, and draw interest to encourage nonmembers to join, and inactive members to get involved. I must say the displays knocked my socks off. After seeing some of them I felt mine did not necessarily measure up. But my goal was to put a face-to-face connection with those serving the individual regions outlined by SCASL, as well as educate viewers of what the Regional Network does (or should be doing.) I did have three people sign up to volunteer in some way, so I’ll take that as a success. In the business meeting I reminded attendees to be sure and visit this area of the exploratorium and to find a way to actively plug in.
Open to Suggestions
I am open to suggestions from any and all in our state, and will make it a personal effort to work for the membership. As my mentor Franki pointed out, our 100% districts should not just be recognized now, but in mutliple places, and particularly in our first organization publication that every librarian AND principal receives, no matter their membership status. It’s a great idea, and I plan to do exactly that. I am taking this to heart, and going ahead and publishing it here. See, I told you she is a great mentor who can teach me a lot of things. Love that woman!!
Our 2013 March Madness LIbrary Book Tournament continues! Students were asked to vote on the match-ups from last week’s Sweet Sixteen, and the winning titles moved up in the brackets to the status of ”Elite Eight.” Here are the titles that were promoted to the “Elite Eight” through voting all this past week (since March 1.)
We have updated our brackets posted in the library, printed new ballots featuring the next round of match-ups which go as follows, and already our students are visiting and voting for their favorite titles. Last week’s ballot asked them to predict the winner, and overwhelmingly many students picked Hunger Games. ALmost this exact post is featured on our Library Blog, Cavaliers Read.
The Elite Eight will square off against each other this way:
Catching Fire vs. Fade
Wake vs. Mockingjay
Legend vs. First Part Last
Hunger Games vs. The Son of Neptune
Students have been told all ballots must be in the yellow box by Thursday, March 14. We will count the votes and update those brackets next Friday during our workday. Those wanting to know EARLY will have to check our blog next Friday online since students are not in school–teachers have a workday. (Aplogies for the poor quality of the picture of our brackets. I didn’t realize I clipped the edges off, eliminating the Sweet Sixteen from this picture.)
To our students, we left with this parting statement:
May the best book win! Keep voting as that is how a title wins–getting the most votes. Please remember all the books are on the tables beside this display. If you haven’t read one, check it out today!!
Here’s another great idea for a library display that goes along with March…or rather March Madness. I swiped it from a librarian friend of mine, Susan R. Meyers who works in a neighboring district high school. Of course she credits her intern for the concept. So go on over and read and see their set up.
Dorman High School Library’s March Madness 2013
It’s going to be a fun project. Here’s how I came up with our version of a Library March Madness.
In our Destiny Program, I ran a report for the Top Titles (Reports–>Library Reports–>Top/Bottom Titles). I adjusted the time frame to use one year as basis for the report.
Reading the report, I eliminated those titles I knew had inflated circulations due to in-library use with classes in the library. Once I had sixteen titles, I set out to create the brackets.
I found and printed the covers, seeded them (numbered them one through sixteen) and then worked out the brackets. Yes, I had to research seeds in a sixteen-team tournament, but luckily our library assistant is a high school softball coach (and middle school basketball coach) so she is well versed in tournament brackets and how they work. She sketched out the brackets and where to place seeds.
Our Tournament of Library Books will be decided using voting.
For our “Sweet Sixteen” Week during week one, students will use a ballot to select a winning title from the paired books for each of the eight “games.” This will determine our “Elite Eight” that will compete in week two of our tournament.
The ballot for the “Elite Eight” in week two will feature the four pairs competing in the quarterfinals, and students must select one from each pair, narrowing it down to the semi-finalist titles.
Week three’s ballot will feature the semifinalists, aka the “Final Four,” and students will be invited to vote to narrow us down to the two books that will be squared off for the Finals.
Week four’s ballot will only have the two finalists on it, and students will decide using votes which book will be declared our March Madness Champion.
Prizes: I haven’t really come up with a great plan to reward students, but I think during Week One, we’ll ask students on the ballot to predict the champion title, and then all who predict accurately get in a drawing at the end to win our school’s “Cafe Coupon” on “Cavalatte Coupon” and a free book of their choice. We’ll fund these with fine money–> twenty or so fifty cent coupons.
Want to know which titles are in our Sweet Sixteen? Head on over to the library blog Cavaliers Read to see.
Trying to create displays in my library can frequently be a challenge. Our high school library has quite a varied group of teens who come and hang out, and quite frankly, not all come to read. That’s okay since there is so much more going on here than just reading.
So we try to snag YA Lit attention through displays. My predecessor had quite the knack (and still does) for creating attractive displays, particularly when there is little shelf or wall space to do so.
I am sharing some that I consider to be “homeruns” for us, as these generated quite a bit of interest in the kids.
February “Blind Date with a Book”
Blind Date was a really big hit! WE shared about it here.
Today live from Seattle, WA where the American Library Association‘s Midwinter conference was coming to a close today, a live webcast of the ALA Youth Media Awards was broadcast for anyone who wanted to tune in. EXCITING! This was the part of the conference that announces all the annual youth book awards (and assorted other media based on books.) Some like to refer to it as the “Oscars” for children and youth book lovers.
So, yeah, today was a “nerdfest” of sorts for book lovers, and DHS librarians were entranced in listening live as well. It was exciting not only to hear the announced titles of the winners and honor books live (the Honor designation sort of means a second place shared by as many as eight books.) I actually guessed the Newbery title! “The One and Only Ivan,” written by Katherine Applegate, is the 2013 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
Want to see the complete list of winners and honor books? CLICK HERE
Here are the titles from the list that my school, Dorman High School, has in its collection:
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
(Honor) “Ellen’s Broom,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults
(Honor) “Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein, published by Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group;
(Honor) “Dodger” by Terry Pratchett, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers;
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am,” written by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children as well as YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
(Honor for both lists) “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster,” written by Deborah Hopkinson and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:
“October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard,” written by Lesléa Newman and published by Candlewick Press;
William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:
“Seraphina,” written by Rachel Hartman, is the 2013 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
We have two of the four other books were finalists for the award:
“Love and Other Perishable Items,” written by Laura Buzo, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.;
“After the Snow,” written by S. D. Crockett, published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults:
(Honor) “Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different,” written by Karen Blumenthal, published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group;
Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:“The Fault in Our Stars,” produced by Brilliance Audio, is the 2013 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd. Side Note: While we don’t have this audio book, it did win an audio book category, and it’s an extremely popular print book at DHS.
I really want principals and administrators to see this. Some teachers and even librarians need it too–as a reminder or as inspiration. It would be awesome if SCASL could make one of these too.
