The US Open starts Monday.

Reluctant readers?

From the New York Times, a discussion about reluctant readers ( mostly boys) and how to reach them. Video interview with our heroes, James Patterson and Rick Riorden.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/what-about-the-reluctant-reader/

Potter Puppet Pals: The Mysterious Ticking Noise

Ok, I saw the movie and YES IT WAS AWESOME! My kids showed me this fun video and it is stuck in my head.- get it out!

TopTen Teen 2011-VOTE

Young Adult lit readers- now is the time for you to read as many books as you can from the YALSA teen book awards list http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm. YALSA is a division of the American Library Association. Voting will open on August 22, so read up and then cast your vote. Instructions are on the website so click the link to find the list and the instructions. I know there are favorites on mine on the list... what are your fav's?

POV - Biblioburro: The Donkey Library | PBS

POV - Biblioburro: The Donkey Library | PBS
Of course, librarians will go to any length to help people -this should be great!

Synopsis

Biblioburro is the story of a librarian — and a library — like no other. A decade ago, Colombian grade-school teacher Luis Soriano was inspired to spend his weekends bringing a modest collection of precious books, via two hard-working donkeys, to the children of Magdalena Province’s poor and violence-ridden interior. As Soriano braves armed bands, drug traffickers, snakes and heat, his library on hooves carries an inspirational message about education and a better future for Colombia. His simple yet extraordinary effort has attracted worldwide attention — and imitators — but his story has never been better told than in this heartwarming yet unsentimental film. A co-presentation with Latino Public Broadcasting.

Listen Up!

Downloaded my first two FREE audiobooks last night from SYNC-YA Listening from Audiobook.com. Each week, for 8 weeks, you can download a classic book and a contemporary YA book  (YA stands for young adult). Last night I downloaded Romeo and Juliet by some guy named Shakespeare- and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I cannot wait to jump into my car and listen. ( I listen on the way to work). You can sign up for email reminders when new titles are ready, and you can also participate in an online discussion of the books. Enjoy!

Book Club for Educators: Free and Online

Teachers and educators are always looking to learn new things. Reading American Educator yesterday and found this online summer reading group focusing on topics in eduction today. The group meets online and is held 4x/year. Not a huge commitment but probably a huge payoff. After the book is read there is a 3-5 day online discussion. the next book is Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning by Mike Schmoker.Check out the website here http://www.edweek.org/tm/section/bookclub/index.html