Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Each of us can become a word millionaire this school year. Today is our kick off for the Read A Million Words, Seattle challenge. Ms. Shareef, Mr. Bernstein and Ms. Evans are visiting advisory classes today and Monday to hand out million dollar bookmarks to those students who have already read 250,000 words this school year. That is 4 young adult books. Read 16 books by June and you've become a millionaire!

Students, be sure to check in with Mr. Bernstein and Ms. Evans when you've read 4, 8, 12 or 16 books. We have prizes for the 250,000, 500,000, 750,000 and 1 million prize levels. And what prizes they are! Level one gets you the million dollar bookmark. Level two gets you an Ancient Egyptian style tattoo. Level three gets you a membership to the EMP. Level four gets you a certificate for a free book and in invite to a special pizza party thrown by Mr. Bernstein and Ms. Evans in June.

I know many of you have been reading a lot, but be sure to keep track of all that reading on your log. The burden of proof is on you, but I know you can do it!

Just Added: Out from Boneville

Title: Bone Volume 1: Out from Boneville

Author: Jeff Smith

Genre/Format: Graphic Novel

Summary: The BONE adventures tell the story of a young bone boy, Fone Bone, and his two cousins, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, who are banned from their homeland of Boneville. When the cousins find themselves mysteriously trapped in a wonderful but often terrifying land filled with secrets and danger - and special new friendships - they are soon caught up in adventures beyond their wildest dreams. In OUT FROM BONEVILLE, the three Bone cousins are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert. One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley where they come face to face with...

Mrs. Evans says: Humor, adventure and fun characters. What more could you ask for? Lots of students have been enjoying this series. Join us in the adventure!

Reading Marathon this Saturday

Show Aki, Washington, and Mercer that MEANY MIDDLE SCHOOL still rules! It’s time again for Seattle Public Library reading marathon on Saturday, December 1st. Between 11 am-5pm be at the Beacon Hill, Columbia, New Holly or Douglass-Truth branch and get free pizza just for reading!!!! Get all your classmates to come and log in as much reading time as possible. The school that reads the most wins a DJ Tony B from KUBE 93! We won last year and I know we can do it again. Remember to also write the reading time in your school log to earn credit for this marathon.

To find out more, talk with Ms. Evans or Mr. Bernstein. Or visit with the teen librarians who will be in the cafeteria this Friday!

The library transformation begins!

Thanks to a kind donation from the Peterson family, we now have a cozy couch in the library. This is just the begining! My goal is to create a comfortable reading center complete with more chairs, a throw rug, pillows or stuffed animals and a lamp.

I'm thrilled to have this space for students to read or quietly visit. But remember, hanging out in the library is a priviledge. If you mistreat the couch, you don't get to enjoy the couch anymore.

Stop by soon and rest a spell!

Just Added: Sweet Thang

Title: Sweet Thang

Author: Allison Whittenberg

Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: N

Summary: Growing up in Philadelphia in 1975, 14-year-old Charmaine Upshaw is obsessed with justice. Unfortunately, she gets none of it in her life: not from her parents, who make her share a room with her tap-dancing brother Leo; not at school, where light-skinned, Barbie-doll-haired Dinah Coverdale steals all the boys’ attention and makes sure dark-skinned Charmaine knows it; and certainly not from Tracy John, her six-year-old cousin who’s taken over the family. When Charmaine is charged with babysitting her spoiled cousin after school, that’s the last straw–something’s gotta give. And when Charmaine cracks, she starts to see the world in a whole new light. Can Charmaine learn to love herself, her mahogany skin, and her attention-starved little cousin? Sometimes when everything falls apart, putting it back together can help you see the truth.

Mrs. Evans says: With characters easy to identify with and situations many can related to, this is a funny, feel-good read.

Checking the Source

I've observed that many students feel the need to check their status on the Source regularly, including during passing periods. Unfortunately, five minutes is just too short to login to one of the regular computers.

Today, I realized a solution was staring me in the face! There is a computer at the end of the circulation counter just next to the printer designated for library catalog use. If you click on the tab at the top of the screen that says "Web Links", you can find a link to the Source in blue font on the left hand side of the screen, after scrolling for just a bit.

So if you just have to check your grades between classes, feel free to stop by the library and use the terminal on the counter. But don't try to login to a computer during that passing period, or you will find me at your shoulder. :-)

Just Added: Poison

Title: Poison

Author: Chris Wooding

Genre/Format: Fantasy

Reading Level: Z

Summary: When Poison leaves her home in the marshes of Gull to retrieve the infant sister who was snatched by the fairies, she and a group of unusual friends survive encounters with the inhabitants of various Realms, and Poison herself confronts a surprising destiny.

Mrs. Evans says: A fast-paced gothic horror story about a girl on a quest.

Just Added: American Born Chinese

Title: American Born Chinese

Author: Gene Luen Yang

Genre/Format: Graphic Novel

Summary: In an action-packed modern fable about the problems young Chinese Americans face when trying to participate in American popular culture, the lives of three apparently unrelated characters--Jin Wang, Monkey King, and Chin-Kee--come together with an unexpected twist.

Mrs. Evans says: This book appeals to both fans of the graphic novel format and readers looking for a story about feeling uncomfortable in the skin we are born in. And who hasn't felt that way, especially as teenager! If you've had your doubts about how "serious" a "comic book" can be, this is a great starter for you!