Burnaby Central Library Learning Commons

Teacher Librarian with your RESEARCH questions lisa.strong@burnabyschools.ca

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J.K. Rowling Releases New Book Online Now

May 28, 2020 /

This morning, J.K. Rowling announced on Twitter that she will be releasing an unpublished manuscript online, chapter by chapter, every weekday from today through July 10.

“The first two chapters of The Ickabog will be going live in a couple of hours time. Whether you read it yourself, or have it read to you, I hope you enjoy it,” Rowling tweeted.

The Ickabog is a standalone fairy tale and has nothing to do with the Harry Potter universe, according to the bestselling author, .

Not only that, The Ickabog will be traditionally published in November, and Rowling is conducting an international competition for children to illustrate it.

Inspired by Ryan McLean and Isaac Lewis (EA).

May 13, 2020 /

Everybody Needs a Rock
by Byrd Baylor was published in 1974. The story outlines ten simple, but important rules to finding the perfect rock and inspires the reader to follow the rules and go out to find their own special rock.

Everybody Needs A Rock Rules:
Find your rock anywhere.
Shhhhhh… choose a rock quietly.
Look at your rock eye to eye.
Don’t choose a rock that’s too big.
Don’t choose a rock that’s too small.
Choose a rock that fits into your hand.
Look for the perfect color.
Choose a rock that has an interesting shape.
Sniff your rock. (they all smell different!)
Don’t ask for help. You can do this all by yourself.

Messages on rocks help one neighborhood cope with coronavirus ...

The underlying message of this book may be that everyone needs something solid to hold onto during challenging times.  It is also a gentle reminder to take time to notice and connect to nature and to the things that really matter.

Adrienne Gear suggests (in her blog) to create “A Giving Back Rock” by painting a special word or message on a rock and leave it outside of someone else to enjoy.

Thank you Adrienne Gear for sharing these ideas to encourage all of us to be present with nature, especially on this upcoming May Long Weekend.

Free Reading Challenge for Students

May 1, 2020 /

Sync is a free audiobook book club for teens 13+. Students can download the free Sora app from itunes or google.

The program begins April 30th and continuing 13 weeks until July 29, SYNC gives participants two thematically paired audiobooks a week. On Thursday, you’ll be able to download Monday’s not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson and The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater. Download the app and register.

 

Reading Joy in the Time of Coronavirus

April 27, 2020 /
 
 

Picture of sad grown woman. Unopened book in background.

Students struggling to read during the quarantine share these suggestions for sparking reading motivation:

Revisit favorites. One editor friend is rereading his old “Star Trek” paperbacks. Another friend says re-reading books she loves gives her a sense of familiarity and control. “I find comfort in the tried-and-true,” she said. “My brain cannot take in one more new thing new right now.”

Choose “lighter” fare. So much of what we read about the pandemic is frightening and depressing. Reading a happily-ever-after ending or adventurous travelogue can give us a sense of hope or soothe our wanderlust during confinement.

Pick something short. If that 700-page tome on your nightstand seems daunting, kick-start your reading momentum with shorter texts like graphic novels, poetry, and short story anthologies, or periodicals.

Try an audiobook. If you feel the urge to keep busy, and cannot sit still for long periods to read, try listening to an audiobook while you clean out that closet or enjoy a safe walk. Sign teens up for Audiobook Sync (available at: https://www.audiobooksync.com/ ), a free summer program, which offers two free audiobooks a week beginning April 30th.

Connect with other readers. Without face-to-face reading advisory conversations, student conferences, or conversations with colleagues, many librarians and teachers miss talking with other readers. Join a Twitter chat. Schedule a call with friends to talk about books. Look for ways to maintain the social aspects of reading that feed you. I joined a Zoom book club with other librarians and teachers. Reading for our meetings motivates me and the discussion enhances my appreciation for the books we read.

Donalyn Miller,  Apr 10, 2020 School Library Journal

Earth Day

April 22, 2020 /

I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy Earth Day – hear the sound of the rain, give a tree a hug or plant your next meal.

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