Middle Schoolers

I started a new job in the library of a middle school.  I really like it.  I was a little afraid of the idea of middle schoolers, but I've found they just don't know who they are--children and adults at the same time. 

I've got some catching up to do when it comes to "tween-teen" literature, so I've been taking their recommendations for books to read.  Just to further demonstrate their lack of knowing who they are--these are the first of their recommendations that I have read....

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins--about a futuristic world where teens are sent into an arena and fight to the death, with only one left standing at the end.

AND

Ragweed by Avi--a sweet prequel to Poppy about a quiet little country mouse who leaves his home to find adventure in the big city (he actually starts a revolution against the cats in town, but that's another story).

A dichotomy--I think so.

Bull in a China Shop--or is it Bill in a China Shop?

I have a class that comes into the library on Wednesdays. The only way I can describe them is a “bull in a china shop”. They are so full of excitement and life that they can’t contain themselves. When they come into the library they are tripping over themselves looking for that book that they “want real bad”! Normally I’m exhausted when they leave, but today I feel invigorated. This is why I love my job—there is a brand new book that has just been released and I got it yesterday. They were so excited they just wanted to touch it, just wanted to look at the back and see if there was another coming in the series. We looked on-line and sure enough, book 8 is being released April 6. I put it on pre-order and you should have seen the smiles on their faces! Me and three 10 year-old boys connecting over a love of books and an excitement that can’t be restrained!

And for a cute link to the “bull in a china shop” idea—try the book Bill in a China Shop about a cute little bull named bill. All he ever wanted was the tea cup in the shop and he just is having the hardest time. One disaster after another leads to a sweet friendship between him and three little old ladies!

All Sneetched Out

Tuesday was Dr. Seuss' birthday.  And in his honor I read The Sneetches (one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books) to all the classes during their library visits this week. 

I love the Sneetches.  I love the message of acceptance, non-discrimination, and of the importance of each individual--no matter what they look like on the outside.  A similar message can be found in another of my favorites, Horton Hears a Who.

I love Dr. Seuss, he is the king of rhyme, of hilarious characters, of words, of creativity!

But reading it 21 times is a lot.  You know this when you go to bed with phrases like this ringing in your head:

• "Sneetches on beaches"
• "Only ten dollars eaches"
• "until neither the Plain nor the Star-Bellies knew whether this one was that one or that one was this one or which one was what one... or what one was who."
• No you can't teach a Sneetch
• "But McBean was quite wrong I'm quite happy to say"
• "And he said in a voice clear and keen, my name is Sylvester McMonkey McBean"

You get the idea. 

(Wait I wasn't totally honest--I only read it 20 times, once I read The Zax.  The class was late and The Zax is short.  The Zax isn't much on deep messages but is has one of my favorite Dr. Seuss pictures)