Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Our Vision...

This year's vision statement, as written by our faculty and staff:

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Goal!

Goal!
by Mina Javaherbin

Soccer is played all over the world and brings people together in sport. In this picture book, set in a dusty township in South Africa, a group of boys gather to play with a new regulation ball. But danger lurks in a gang of bullies that roam the streets. Can they keep their ball and play their game?
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



Amazing Faces

Amazing Faces
by Lee Bennett Hopkins

"The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people" says Langston Hughes in this multicultural collection of 16 poems by various well-known authors. The verses portray varied emotions and backgrounds, while the watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the differences and similarities within all of us.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

Turtle In Paradise

Turtle In Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm

Life for Turtle in 1935 is no day at the beach. Her mother's new job means that she gets shipped off to live with family members she has never met. Life in Key West, Florida is definitely not like those annoying Shirley Temple movies. Her new encounters and adventures help her come out of her shell. Photos and notes at the back of the book show what life was really like for author Jennifer Holm's great grandmother, whose memories inspired this humorous historical novel.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]


Imogene's Last Stand

Imogene's Last Stand
by Candace Fleming

"I have not yet begun to fight!" quotes Imogene Tripp when the town Mayor wants to tear down the historical museum in order to build a shoelace factory. Imogene begins her own battle of presidential proportions to save the museum.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]


Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind
by Sharon Draper

Melody is just a regular kid that wants all the same things that every fifth grader wants. The only difference is she is confined to a wheelchair and she cannot speak because she has cerebral palsy. Do you think you know what that's like? Sharon Draper defies your every pre-conceived notion about kids with special needs in this powerful novel.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



The Duchess of Whimsy

The Duchess of Whimsy
by Randall de Seve

Will a simple sandwich unite an extraordinary royal with an ordinary fellow? This beautifully illustrated, delicious, delectable, divine, and whimsical fairy tale proves that people are not always who they seem, and that simple things mean a lot.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



SES reads: Bone

On this morning's announcements, Mabrey recommended Jeff Smith's Bone series. Read more about it on our book recommendation wiki, SES reads!

Thanks for the recommendation, Mabrey!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Happenstance Found

Happenstance Found
by P.W. Catanese

Happenstance awakes in a cavern beneath an active volcano, remembering nothing about himself or his life. When he is rescued by the extraordinary Lord Umber, the irascible Oates, and the mysterious Sophie, he begins a fast-paced adventure full of peril and discovery. As he tries to evade the watchful eyes of the assassin on his trail, will Happenstance discover his true identity--or the real reason that Umber has chosen him? Find out in this first installment in the Books of Umber series.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit

Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit
by Joan Carris

Grandpa Bender along with Ernest the mini pig run The Bed & Biscuit, a boardinghouse for wounded animals. In this second adventure, the local wildlife shelter calls on Grandpa and the animals to nurse a wounded Canada goose, a cranky old muskrat, and two feisty fox kits back to health. When the fox kits run away, Ernest and the residents of The Bed & Biscuit scramble to make sure the wild animals are ready to return to their natural habitat. Will Ernest finally make the kits understand that they only want to help?
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy
by Dori Hillestad Butler

King is a lovable mutt with an unmistakable voice. Although loyal and true to his family, King find himself in the P-O-U-N-D when his owners suddenly vanish. Thankfully, he is rescued, renamed Buddy, and soon smack dab in the middle of another mysterious disappearance when his new master also goes missing. Will Buddy's mental lists of clues and his strong sense of smell be enough to bring Connor home? Follow Buddy's adventures in The Case of the Lost Boy, the first book in "The Buddy Files" series.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]

The Hallelujah Flight

The Hallelujah Flight
by Phil Bildner

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease...well, to the best of their ability anyway! Known as the "Flying Hoboes," James Banning and his co-pilot Thomas Allen made history by becoming the first African American pilots to fly across the United States. Their mission was to inspire people brought low by the Great Depression. The relied on the help of the townspeople they met along the way, who helped them keep their "flying jalopy" going. Based on a true story, The Hallelujah Flight is an adventurous tale of strength, courage, and ingenuity.
[Summary from The Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
by Mac Barnett

Little does Steve Brixton, aspiring detective, know that checking out a book on quilting from the library will be the beginning of his first case. Falsely accused of working for a criminal mastermind by ninja librarians, Steve turns to his trusty Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook to solve this case of mistaken identity. Adventure and humor fill this fast paced clever mystery. The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity is the first volume in the Brixton Brothers Series.
[Summary from Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]



The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case or Origami Yoda
by Tom Angleberger

A nerd you say Dwight is, but on his side Yoda is. Tommy is starting an investigation to figure out how the original Yoda puppet that Dwight insists on keeping on his finger doles out such relevant advice. Kids present evidence (or lack thereof) trying to figure out if Yoda is real or something out of Dwight's imagination.
[Summary from Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List]








Bluebonnet Rewards

(Click to enlarge)




Friday, August 26, 2011

2011-2012 Bluebonnet Books

This year, Smithville Elementary is going to Rock the 'Bonnet!

If you would like to take part of this challenge, here's what you need to do:

Read as many Bluebonnet books as you can

Respond to each book you read on the Smithville Elementary Library Blog







When you respond to a Bluebonnet book, please follow these guidelines:

  • Write at least three sentences about the book

  • Don't tell what the book was about

  • Tell what you liked or didn't like about the book

  • Tell what your favorite part of the book was

  • Tell what other book or movie the book reminded you of

  • Write in complete sentences

  • Use ONLY your first name in your post

Click here to see the rewards you can win for posting Bluebonnet responses!

Ready to respond? Choose the Bluebonnet book you've read:

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A sign of some avid readers

Look who got caught reading!

This morning, when I walked into the library, I fould our library mascot, Squirmy the Bookworm, hungrily reading a book! SES loves to read, and so does Squirmy!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Monday, August 22, 2011

Welcome Back!

It was great to see so many shining faces this morning! I love the first day of school, and I am so excited to start another great year of reading! I know that all of my students will be reading rockstars this year!


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Rockin' And Readin'

This school year, the Elementary School's theme will be "Rockin' & Rollin' To Success."
As the beginning of the school year is starting to draw closer, I've been working on incorporating this theme into the library, starting with these graphics: