My blog is written for you - the student who loves to read, is in search of a new book or just loves to see the words of their own voice. You can comment on the "must reads" or just lurk and read what your friends, other students and even authors have to say, but most of all enjoy!
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 17th April 2011
Congratulations goes out to Mrs. Castaneda and Centeno’s gifted students who took home 1st place at this year’s Texas Library Media Awards held in Austin Texas on April 13th during the Texas Library Association conference. These kiddos rocked with their video production of Lady Liberty: a biography by Doreen Rapparport.
It was a great learning experience not only for our students but for us as well. In the process we all learned about videotaping, camera angles, microphones, green screens, and chroma key technology. It was such a great way to bring a book to life.
Click on the player to view the incredible job they did.
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 25th February 2011
The results are in, and for the 6th year in a row the Centeno Bucks have voted for and picked the winner!
The Uglified Ducky written and performed by Willy Claflin and illustrated by James Stimson was the overwhelming winner.
You “demember” the story of “The Ugly Duckling” don’t you? Well, chances are you don’t “demember” it like this.
A baby moose loses his way and ends up in a nest with a “fambly” of baby ducks. In this “fambly” he can’t seem to do anything right. He can’t quack, waddle, or swim, and mother duck thinks he’s a tad ugly. All ends well though, when he meets up with real moose. Of course all Mother Moose tales have a moral to the story, and this was is no different: If you don’t fit into your “fambly…that does not mean you are uglified…. It just means you have not found out what you really are yet.”
The majority of our kids found it great fun, but I thought it was touching that some kids said the story was sad. They empathized with the baby moose, the criticism he had to endure and his struggle to fit in.
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 29th August 2010
Master metal artisan Mikhal Kronos had been commissioned by Prince Rodolfo to build a magnificent one-of-a-kind astronomical clock. When he returns home, his twelve-year old daughter Petra learns that his eyes have been gouged out by the prince so that he will never be able to build another clock. But she soon finds out that the prince has more sinister plans. He plans to wear the eyes and use their magical powers to control the weather and perhaps rule the world. With a little help from friends and a little enchantment, follow Petra’s journey when she vows to steal them back.
I haven’t read a fantasy book that was so much fun to read since Harry Potter. What makes it even more appealing is that Rutkoski has coupled the perfect marriage of history and magic. It is sure to become a favorite and have you eagerly awaiting the sequel. (Texas Bluebonnet nominee for 2010-2011)
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 2nd June 2010
14 Cows for America, by Carmen Agra Deedy, is the true story of selflessness and profound generosity. Nine months after September 11th, the Maasai people of Kenya bestow upon the United States a gift so sacred it will move you to tears.
Kids, you are probably to young to remember where you were on September 11th or what happened. You may not have even been born yet, but this book preserves the story for all of us so that we will never forget.
You can watch both trailers and if you would like to read more about the subject visit the site: http://14cowsforamerica.com/
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 8th May 2010
Of all the books you read this year, you must put this one on your list. Have you ever heard someone tell you not to judge a book by its cover. Well, it means that when you look at a person or a book, you shouldn’t form an opinion about the person, or in this case the book, until you have actually read it. The cover maybe not seem enticing to you. It doesn’t have bright colors or show funny characters, and it may look like it would be a sad book. It is actually, and it’s also funny. But what I love about this book, is that it’s REAL. It’s so real and it’s happening right now. And if you want to know what is happening ‘right now’ then you need to read it!
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 3rd October 2009
Ahhh…another Texas Bluebonnet nominee for 2009-2010, you won’t want to miss reading. Not only is it on the list of nominees, but it is also a Newbery Honor Book, which is a BIG DEAL kiddos!
If you like a touch of magic coupled with a sense of urgency and sprinkled with a little wackiness, then this is the book for you. Law’s writing is imaginative and mesmerizing. You can’t help but drool smiles over her use of words. Make sure you get your teacher read this one.
If you would like to learn more about Ingrid Law visit-
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 4th September 2009
The Surprises According to Humphrey is also on the Texas Bluebonnet nominee list for 2009-2010. Check out the book trailer. If you like this book, there are 5 other books about Humphrey you might like to read – check them out at your library today.
You can also visit the Betty G. Birney’s website and send a Humphrey postcard to a friend!
Posted by La Bibliotecaria Johnson on 5th August 2009
Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee for 2010
Joan M. Wolf’s novel, Someone Named Eva is a startling look at events that took place during WWII that very few people know about. It’s a perfect tie-in to the study of Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
Can Milada find her way home before all her memories slip away and her identity is lost to her forever?
The thing about Jeanette Wallace was that, well, she was mean, that’s why they called her Jeanie the Meanie. The thing about Andy Moretti, was that he was the best soccer player in fourth-grade and Georgie’s best friend since kindergarten. The thing about Georgie’s parents was that they were real professional musicians. And the thing about Georgie was that…well, it was a lot of things. For starters, he couldn’t play an instrument like his parents. He couldn’t play video games like his friend. He couldn’t tie his shoelaces like any regular kid. He couldn’t even hold a pencil. But it wasn’t because he didn’t want to. He did. He just couldn’t.
While there were many physical things Georgie couldn’t do like his friends, the thing about Georgie was that he still had in common with them the same kinds of worries. He lost his best friend Andy to Russ, he was picked on by the class bully, and worst of all – he was about to become a big brother to Baby Godzilla. When his dad announces the horrible news, Georgie feels like his life is ruined.
The thing about Georgie is that he’s an inspiration to all by the way he accepts and overcomes his everyday physical challenges. Georgie learns in the end that whatever happens in your life you are ultimately going to be surprised, and you as a reader, by the end of this book – will definitely be surprised.
“My name is Luther. Some call me Dr. Kincaid. I brought you here, Edgar. Of this I will tell you more if there is time – just know I did what I thought was best for you.”
Atherton is where Edgar had been taken, a mysterious world made up of three circular levels. Imagine if you will three circular planes each stacked upon the other, each level wider than the one above it and separated by steep cliffs. Edgar has been taken to the middle plane – Tabletop, where the workers live. Deep beneath him at the distant bottom lay the barren and ominous Flatlands where the “cleaners” live. And in the very center of Tabletop, there is a third plane held up high by daunting cliffs, like hands holding up something valuable and out-of-reach, these are the Highlands ruled by the House of Power who control the water supply and rule over all of Atherton. It is the most mystifying level of all. Traveling between these three realms is not only unsafe and nearly impossible but also strictly forbidden. And one can only wonder what deep dark secrets these realms hold that traveling to them could be punishable by death.
Edgar, an orphan of eleven, all alone in the world also has a secret; he has spent his life scaling the cliffs and hunting for a thing left to him by the elusive Dr. Kincaid. Little does he know when he finally finds it he must risk life and limb to reveal its secrets and keep it out of the clutches of the House of Power. For you see, the world of Atherton is not what it appears to be. It is a perilous world, a world not yet fit for people to live on, and yet why are there are people living on it now? Edgar has made it his mission to find out. His tenaciousness to reveal its secrets will take him on a death defying quest to every dangerous forbidden territory of Atherton in the hopes of unlocking the secrets it holds and save his people, but is he ready for the truth? Carman has written the story you will want to devour as soon as you begin, and just when you think it’s over… well, you’ll just have to see for yourself. Are you ready for a cliffhanger?
