Percy Jackson and the Olympians Mythology Bee

Percy Jackson fans rejoice! If you love Greek Mythology, participate in the first Station Mythology Bee and you have an opportunity to win a trip to the Greek Islands with the author, Rick Riordan.

You must take a qualifying test to participate in the bee. The test will be given during advisory, Wednesday, April 21st. If you can't come during advisory, see me for other arrangements. The bee will be next Monday, April 27th in C6 after school.

Grand Prize: Trip to Greek Islands for you and your family to meet Rick Riordan.
First Prize: Trip to Camp Half-Blood in Austin, Texas
Second Prize: Signed copies of all 5 Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

Not a fan? You need to get on board. and you'll get kids babbling on about Lightning Thief. Lightning Thief won the state of Illinois Rebecca Caudill Award for best children's novel for 2009. The premise is great. Percy finds out his mother hasn't been honest about who his father is. He finds that his dad is an Olympian. Not a olympic athlete, but an Olympians, as in Zeus, bolts of lightning, weird creatures, etc. Percy finds out who his dad is through a series of tests at Camp Half Blood. All the kids at the camp are demi-gods; the children of immortals, all with different powers and strengths. Of course, if you've got good guys, you've got to have bad guys. It makes for a wonderful adventure fantasy.

Tim Green gives insights into writing, hard work

We had the pleasure of having Tim Green, author, ex-NFL football player, lawyer, and all-American good guy stop by yesterday for a visit. Excited students, fresh released from ISAT testing, crowded into the library to hear Tim speak about how he writes, why he tells his stories and a little bit about his background. The students listened intently how he believes that rewards come with hard work, dedication and desire for success. "Success isn't measured in how rich you are, but whether or not you are a good person, good brother, father, son. At the end of the day that's all that matters." Well said, Mr. Green, thank you.

Bears Tales to Tackle Winner Announced

Evelyn M. was chosen as Station’s winner and has been invited to the Bears Training Facility in Lake Forest on Saturday, March 28^th. Twenty three students completed the Bears Challenge and attended a pizza party in the library today. We played games, ate pizza and talked about the books they read for the challenge. The Bears provided a certificate and gift for each child. Thanks to the PTO who gave each student a gift certificate for a free book at this week’s book fair. I hope more students take the challenge next year!

Our Rebecca Caudill Winner

Well, the votes are in at Station Campus and the big winner is Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. 174 students voted for their favorite Rebecca Caudill book for 2009. Lightning Thief is the story of Percy Jackson who finds out that his father isn’t mortal and it goes a long way to explain why Percy gets into trouble when he is around water. Percy goes to Camp Half-blood with others who have immortal parents and the adventure begins. Talk to your children about Percy and his friends (and enemies) and find out why Lightning Thief is such a big hit.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer came in a close second. Miranda and her family’s life is changed forever when an asteroid hits the moon and pushes the moon closer to the Earth, causing shifts in the tides, earthquakes and volcanos. This book will make you feel cold, hungry and very alone. The students have enjoyed sharing this book. Ask and they will share it with you.

This year's list contained some very entertaining and powerful books. Go to the library, ask for the list, and share some wonderful stories. I'm looking forward to next year's list.

44 Presidents in 4 minutes

The sun is shining despite the cold. I am really excited about the Inauguration coming up this Tuesday. It is truly an historical event. Here is an interesting video on YouTube showing all the Presidents' portraits.