Recommendations...

Alright, so at my internship they have a recommendation list of the student's favorite books submitted by the students. Normally this list is compiled by students submitting their recommendations while at the library. This year they decided to take the list to the students. There are 21 English teachers, each one with roughly 80 to 100 students. We sent recommendation slips to all the English teachers. Keep in mind that there are 1800 students at this high school. That is A LOT of recommendation slips. Each slip has space for two recommendations of their favorite books.
For some reason, I thought all the recommendations would be the same. I never anticipated such a larger response. Now there were some students who wrote some fluff silly answers or got their facts mixed up and here are some of the ones that made me literally laugh out loud:

The Dictionary by Webster
Sex by Madonna
The Scarlet Letter by Harper Lee
The Prince by Mac
The Bible by God
All Books
The Outsiders by Louis Lowrey
Tenth Legion: Tips, Tactics, and Insights on Turkey Hunting by Tom Kelly

So what were the top books? Stay tuned...

Librarian Interview (with possible questions)

So I had my first interview today for a full time position. I think it went very well. I took along a small portfolio that included my resume, along with several examples of the signage that I do at my current job. This idea was suggested to me by two of my friends (one is a coworker at my current job) and it was definitely a success! They were extremely impressed with my creations!

Here are some of the interview questions if anyone is interested:

• What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? Why or Why not?
• How do you stay organized?
• Tell us something about yourself.
• Have you ever had a disagreement with a supervisor?
• Have you ever had a problem with a patron? A coworker? How did you handle both.                                  
• I was given a hypothetical question where several things were happening at once and I had to juggle them all professionally.
• What is your most proudest accomplishment? Whether is is professionally or personally?
• Is there any reason why you can work these certain hours?
• Why do you want this job? Why should we pick you over the other applicants?

For the last question, I was given 30 minutes to type an answer. I won't hear anything for a few weeks but I look at this as an experience to improve on my interviewing skills. (that's my positive outlook if I don't get the job lol)

The only question I expected was the one about what book I had read last, which was Incarceron by Catherine Fisher


Disclaimer: Image is from Unshelved which is awesome and I hope they won't mind that I used it because they are awesome!

Coming Up...

Well my Spring Break is finally over. I took the week off (from blogging, definitely not work) to enjoy this time and my birthday (which was awesome)

On Thursday I received a call as I was leaving my job letting me know I was being offered an interview with a small branch in my city. The position is full time but it isn't in one particular department. Since I had the morning off I drove to this particular branch to scope it out. Like I said it was small, but had lots of character. Its one room so childrens/dvds/adult/computers are all together. I really hope this works out for me because its definitely a step in the right direction. Library jobs are few and far between in my city and there are a great deal of SLIS grads so we are all competing for the same jobs. keep your fingers crossed. I will post more after Thursday, which is when my interview is. Keep your fingers crossed....

Best part...

So what's the best part of an internship in a high school setting?

Seeing the same kids everyday? No....



Getting out at 3:30PM? No....



No work on the weekends? No....

SPRING BREAK !!!

Book Buying Fool

I have an addiction....2nd and Charles and the Friends Bookstore.....

I don't think I want to be cured either....

Here's what I bought from Friends this week

Huckleberry Finn
Tom Sawyer
Prince and the Pauper

They had this really nice old hardback set of several of Mark Twain's novels, each for $1.25. I didn't buy the whole set (7 books total) but opted for these 3.

From 2nd and Charles (ie Heaven)

I took a massive amount of books to 2nd and Charles last week and racked up a nice store credit. Plus they sent me a coupon for $5 off $25. I was looking for Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (for the 2nd time) but I was unable to find a used copy. The only copies they had were new and $27 (no way was I paying that much!) So instead, I bought these wonderful titles

Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner (remember from a few posts back?)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (OMGosh, love love love)

Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller - This was actually in the free book bin so yay! Thought I would give it a try

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer - This is my pick for one of my book groups next month so I decided to go ahead and buy it. Side Note: I gave this book to my oldest sister for Christmas this past year just based on my friends raving reviews!

Bring the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema - This is the very first book I ever checked out from my elementary library! I have an awesome memory :)

Best Find: The Fairy Tales by Jan Pienkowski

How can you not love these illustrations?

Imaginary Girlfriend

Found this inside a recently returned book at the High School...

book reviews and news

Since part of my job is to blog, I will also post those blogs that are normally for my public library's blog here as well.


I will try to update more tonight about what's going on at my internships, school, and lots of fun library related stuff

2nd Kane Chronicles Book to be released in May

Last May Rick Riordan introduced a new series with the first installment of The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles Book 1). Riordan, whose fame skyrocketed with the success of the Percy Jackson series, introduces children to the history of Egyptian Mythology in this new and exciting series. Told from the point of view of Sadie and Carter Kane, children of two famous Egyptologists, this series is slammed packed with adventure and intrigue. The second installment, The Throne of Fire, is set to be released in May. Check out this teaser for The Throne of Fire:


Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family. To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?
Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride. ~Goodreads.

I actually like the Kane Chronicles series more than Percy Jackson. Granted I have only red the first two in the Percy Jackson series. I felt that Riordan's writing style had improved greatly with the Red Pyramid.

New Shel Silverstein poetry book to be released in the Fall

This Fall be on the lookout for a new book from Shel Silverstein. Though it has been over a decade since the beloved author’s death, this is his second book to be published posthumously. The new book, entitled Everything On It, will include over 130 new poems and drawings that the author’s family personally chose to be released.


Silverstein’s books, including Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree, have been delighting children for decades. Everything On It is slated to be released in September, just in time for the new school year. 

This is series by M. Sasek

The public library I currently work at just added this awesome series from the late 50s and early 60s. The This is series focuses on different famous cities and countries with beautiful vintage illustrations created by Sasek. 

Originally born in Czechoslovakia, Sasek studied to become an architect before following his dream of becoming a painter. The destinations in the This is series depict the major locations, but also the quaint streets and people that modern day books forget. Originally printed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the timeless illustrations still hold up beautifully and help capture the essence of every city and county.

Be sure to check out these new additions! This series is definitely one that the whole family will fall in love with.

This is London

This is Paris

This is Edinburgh

This is Hong Kong

This is Australia

This is Ireland

National Read Across America Results....

Today is Dr. Seuss' Birthday. Happy Birthday Dude!

Today, I went to a local elementary school, loaded down with picture books, ready to spread the joy of reading!

I was given 15 minutes to read to each class. I was first sent to a 1st class then to some 2nd graders.

Results:
    For both classes I decided to read the only Dr. Seuss book I brought, The Lorax. Lemme tell you about The Lorax.... it's long and full of made up words (like most Dr. Seuss' books.) Reminder: This was my first time reading a Dr. Seuss book aloud and my 2nd time reading The Lorax.

The Lorax went over very well. They were all famaliar with Green Eggs and Ham (They had it for breakfast...the green eggs were bad, but the ham was good or at least that's what I was told) and Cat in the Hat so it was nice to read them something different.

In the 1st grade class, I had time for one more book so I chose, Mary Had A Little Lamp by Jack Lechner. This is a adorable picture book based off of 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'.

In the 2nd grade class, I read The Lorax (the 2nd time went quicker than the first which is good). Then I decided to let them pick the next book and they chose.....Mary Had A Little Lamp.

Since The Lorax went quicker than expected I was able to read a 3rd book...and they chose.... Katie Loves The Kittens (It was a close call between Katie and Princess Hyacinth)

Overall it was an awesome experience that I was proud to be a part of. I was videotaped and if I can find a link to it  (they said it might be up in a week or so) I'll definitely post it.

Things I learned...
1. Water - When reading Dr. Seuss, please have water on hand.
2. Don't let them chose....it only causes chaos.
3. Make sure to move the book around so everyone can see the pictures.