Thursday, April 17, 2008

World War II Day

Today's World War II day at Station. It's amazing to see the kids transformed with their costumes. Girls who are usually wandering the hallways in shorts and flip-flops are wearing June Cleaver skirts and pearls! I'm listening to the high school jazz band belting out 40's tunes as I write this and I'm boppin' at the typewriter while the kids are jitterbugging to Glenn Miller tunes.

If you're interested in what happened during World War II, check out the bookshelf next to the circ desk. I've placed a variety of books about World War II stories and non-fiction there.


One of my favorites is Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac. It's the story of Ned Begay and how we helped win the war in the Pacific through his bravery and sacrifice. This historical fiction tells the story of the Navajos who left the reservation to volunteer at the front and translate the information needed about enemy positions.



Maus
is one of the most unique books about World War II and the holocaust. Artist Art Spiegelman tells his father Vladek Spiegelman's story in graphic novel format. His unique storytelling style takes us from our comfortable homes into the frightening background of war-torn Poland. The story format and profound telling so unique it won the Pulizer prize for literature when it was released.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Rebecca Caudill State Winner


The state winner of the 2008 Rebecca Caudill award is Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. Readers across the state, a total of 38,340 of them, agreed with us that Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie was the best book on the Caudill list this year. The other place winners are:

2nd place: The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

3rd place: MVP*: Magellan Voyage Project by Douglas Evans

4th place: The Miraculous Journey by Kate DiCamillo

5th place: The Ranger's Apprentice/Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan


Station agreed that Old Willis Place was 2nd, but pushed Ruins of Gorlan up to third. Judgely, by how fast the Ranger's Apprentice books fly off the shelf, I agree!