TAYSHAS Speed Dating with our Juniors

 

The Junior ELAR classes are always the first to make it into the library every year.  They have a book talk project due at the end of the first 6 weeks.  The English teachers like for them to "book speed date."  This isn't a new concept, and we have been doing this same activity for 5 years now.  However, last year I decided to exclusively use the *TAYSHAS books, both current and past, for this activity.  Now towards the end of the second day, I was running out of books.  So I let my office aides, the ones who to love to read, pull a few of their favorites to fill in the gaps.  

The years I use the TAYSHAS books are the years more books are pulled from the tables instead of going to the shelves to find Diary of a Wimpy Kid (yes - I have those at the high school level), Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Wonder, The Outsiders, Cat in the Hat, etc.

Having them read 4 books for 3 minutes at a time seems to be enough time for them to form an opinion.  These are definitely not books they would have pulled off the shelve for themselves.  It's nice to see some of them stretch their reading muscles and take a chance on a TAYSHAS book. 

Here is the agenda for the Juniors when they were in the library with me - just in case you need some ideas.  English III Agenda - 1st Library Visit

*Information about the TAYSHAS books

Vacation Reading

 

  

On our vacation to Seattle and Vancouver, I managed to read 3 books . . . The Selection by Kiera Cass, Jaws by Peter Benchley, and The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald.

Ok . . . So I have read The Bookshop before, but sometimes you just need to reread a book.  Jaws was really good, and the Selection was full of teen angst.  Of course I saw that one coming from a mile away.

I'm pretty sure we all know the synopsis of Jaws, but here is a quick summary of the the books I read just in case you need another book for your TBR list.

Jaws:  Shark bad - man good.  Shark stalks the vacation goers of Amity Island.

The Selection: This one is basically The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games. America Singer, a regular girl from a lower caste, gets chosen for “The Selection,” a competition where 35 girls compete for the heart of Prince Maxon and a chance to become queen. America doesn’t even want to be there—she’s secretly in love with someone else—but as she spends more time in the palace, she realizes there’s more to Maxon (and to her future) than she expected. Lots of romance, drama, and royal politics along the way!

The Bookshop: Florence Green, a quiet widow, decides to open a small bookshop in a sleepy English seaside town in the 1950s. What seems like a simple dream quickly stirs up drama, since some of the locals would rather see her fail. It’s a story about stubbornness, small-town politics, and the quiet courage it takes to chase your passions—even when the odds aren’t in your favor.

By the way, I highly recommend traveling to Seattle and Vancouver.  The Space Needle was amazing, and the Chihuli exibit was so pretty. The Fish Market and the original Starbucks were fun to see as well.  All the little towns between Seattle and Vancouver were so picturesque.  I can see how one would fall in love with the pretty views and the weather.  Vancouver was fun.  We saw the Steam Clock and went on a boat to Vancouver Island.  All in all, it was a great vacation.

Tuesday's Tome - How to Survive a Slasher

 

Here is Tuesday's Tome - How to Survive a Slasher.  This one was given to me by the editors of School Library Journal.  It is definitely a thriller/horror/mystery.

Satterfield, Ohio, is infamous for the gruesome Wolf Man murders, first at a local camp and later within the town itself. Embracing its dark history, Satterfield has rebranded itself as Slasherville, hosting annual Slasher festivals for true crime enthusiasts. While the town thrives on this notoriety, CJ Smith and her family feel differently. Years ago, CJ’s father died heroically protecting CJ and her brother Orion from the second Wolf Man after escaping the first Wolf Man during his youth. In the aftermath, the Smiths have spent years running survival drills, living by their mother’s rule - don’t be a hero; stay alive.

One day, CJ receives an unexpected package, an unpublished manuscript from the anonymous horror author Moon Satterfield. The book eerily predicts the rise of a third Wolf Man and a new wave of murders. Now CJ faces an impossible choice; honor her family’s motto and keep her head down, or defy her instincts to stop the killer before more innocent lives are lost.

The author masterfully blends small-town horror with chilling suspense in her latest Slasherville installment: How to Survive a Slasher. Satterfield’s macabre history feels disturbingly real, thanks to the author’s attention to detail and true crime research. Fans of slasher horror will appreciate the novel’s nods to classic tropes, while its deeper exploration of gender identity, through the gender-fluid and queer-identifying protagonist, CJ, adds a thoughtful and refreshing layer to the story.  The story also contains strong language which may not be suitable for all audiences.

Verdict: “How to Survive a Slasher” is highly recommended for high school readers and fans of horror. Fast-paced and thrilling, this novel will be a hit among those who devour slasher fiction and true crime. Expect it to fly off the shelves.

End of the 2024 - 25 School Year

 Here is the SHS Library End of Year Usage Statistics.

I'll be honest.  I was hoping for my circulation statistics to be a bit higher - especially since implementing Beanstack this year.  It's about 500 more books than last year, but I was hoping for more.  In light of this report, beefing up my circulation statistics will probably be my goal for next year too. It was my goal for this year, but I believe my campus can do better. For the rest of the report, I'll let the numbers do the talking.

Today I am presenting with 2 other librarians to talk about Beanstack at the Mansfield ISD Summer Conference. I believe we are ready.  According to our roster, we should have about 25 people.  After this presentation, my summer officially begins.

I am so looking forward to our summer break. I have lots of books to read and no alarm clocks to wake me up.  Can't wait!

Tuesday's Tome - We Were Illegal

 

Here's is Today's Tome - We Were Illegal by Jessica Goudeau. This one was recommended to me by a former colleague and friend, and it did not disappoint. 

We Were Illegal is one of those reads that makes you stop and think about everything you thought you knew about immigration, legality, and what it means to belong. Jessica Goudeau doesn’t just write facts; she tells stories. Real ones. About her family.  Stories of people who’ve gone through things most of us can’t imagine, just to find safety or a better life.  She has traced her family back 5 generations and their migration to Texas.

What I liked most is how human the book is. It’s not preachy or overly political—it’s just raw, personal, and eye-opening. Goudeau weaves personal narratives with historical and legal context, but it never feels like a textbook. She makes complex immigration issues relatable by putting names and faces to them.

The writing style is easy to read which makes this book hard to put down. It feels like a conversation—like you’re listening to someone who really knows what they’re talking about and cares deeply. You can tell Goudeau has done a lot of research, but she leads with heart, not stats.

If you’re even remotely interested in social justice, immigration stories, the history of Texas, or just want to broaden your perspective, this is absolutely worth the read. It’s not always an easy book—emotionally, it can be heavy—but it’s one of those important ones that stays with you long after you’ve finished.

Tuesday's Tome - Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

Here is today's Tome - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This is a heartwarming, gently humorous, and deeply moving story about grief, unlikely friendships, and second chances. Set in a small coastal town in Washington, the book centers around Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old widow who works the night shift at the local aquarium. There, she forms an unexpected bond with Marcellus—a highly intelligent giant Pacific octopus.

Marcellus isn’t just any octopus; he’s the book’s breakout character, narrating some chapters with wit and insight. Despite his disdain for humans, he becomes oddly fond of Tova and takes it upon himself to help her uncover the truth behind her son’s mysterious disappearance thirty years earlier.

Van Pelt masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, including that of a young man named Cameron, who is drifting through life and searching for a sense of belonging. The characters are flawed but endearing, and their gradual convergence is both satisfying and emotional.

The novel shines with its themes of healing, found family, and the intelligence of non-human creatures. While some plot points are a bit convenient, the charm and emotional depth of the story make it a memorable and uplifting read.

Oops! Let's Talk About TLA

I almost always have an entry about TLA.  So here goes - a bit late.  TLA was in Dallas this year.  As I live so close to downtown Dallas, I could take the Dallas Street Car to the Omni each day.  It cost me $1 each way.  I believe parking was at least $20 per day at the convention center.  So - YAY!

I enjoyed the sessions but noticed that the author sessions were in these huge rooms, and the library programs and services sessions were in tiny rooms.  There were a couple of sessions I didn't attend because the room was full.  However, there is always the vendor area downstairs.  Everyone was so friendly giving out their pins, pens, books and bags.  Since I rode the street car, I didn't go hunting for books, but they somehow found me anyhow.  Always love that about TLA.

Here is my Wakelet of sessions I attended: https://wakelet.com/wake/G2I5PSCrQ8d_t9B8yrCTG 

Some of my favorite sessions are about what others do in their libraries.  I have always been fascinated by that.  This year the ones that really stuck out in my mind were . . .

Doing it All: Planning your Entire Library Year

Melissa and I went to this one together and even asked Pam if we could have some time at the last meeting to implement some of these techniques and get a head start planning or next year.

Get Teens in their Library Era

I really liked the comparison of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.  Also some great programs!

Are You There, Gen Z?  It's Me, Library

Funny enough, I really liked the faculty and staff programs the best here.  I am always looking for fun staff stuff.

I can't say that I missed presenting.  It was nice to take a break.  However, it was not the break I decided.  It was decided for me when TLA didn't want my proposal, or the one Pam & I submitted.  Of course, that won't stop me from putting in another proposal for next year.  LOL!