• Reviews

    48 Hour Book Challenge Review #3

    140 Character Synopsis/Review: Hank has no super powers, but that doesn’t stop him mom from wanting him to become a superhero to save Chinatown from the “emperor.” Title: The Shadow Hero Author: Gene Luen Yang & Sonny Liew Publisher: First Second Publication Date: 2014 Page Number: 158 pgs.

  • Lifestyle

    Then & Now

    Last night I was watching Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist on television with my boyfriend.  After one particular scene, where two of the characters are talking about the Beatles’ song, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (as they’re holding hands) a lesbian couple walks by holding hands as well and…

  • Lifestyle

    Looking at Diversity from Another Angle

    i just recently read a response by author, Shannon Hale about an experience she had visiting a school where only the girls were allowed to attend the presentation because her books are deemed “girl” books.  Although many of Hale’s books feature female protagonists, what are we telling students when we…

  • Lifestyle

    Spread the Word to End the Word

    I was so happy to actually think about my week of blogging before I actually did it!  Today is Spread the Word Day.  The slogan is “Spread the Word to End the Word” – the word we’re trying to end you might ask?  “Retarded.” Although  the word used to be…

  • Lifestyle

    Diversity Resources

    There’s a lot of talk about diversity in children’s literature, but it may be difficult to actually find information.  I’ve found a few valuable resources (I’m sure there are a bunch more!) that make finding information a whole lot easier! 1.) We Need Diverse Books An official campaign that began…

  • Lifestyle

    Diversity Focus

    I’ve posted before about the importance of diversity in children’s literature, but for the next few days, I’m going to focus specifically on diversity because it is so important in the library world.  I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania home to a small (very) conservative college,…

  • Lifestyle

    Black History Month Book Display

    As many of you know, this month celebrates Black History and for the occasion, rather than putting up the typical biographies of African Americans, I took the time to create a Coretta Scott King Book Award table display with award winners and honor books galore!  I posted information about the…

  • Lifestyle

    Youth Media Awards – Initial Reactions

    This is one of my favorite days as a children’s librarian.  I know there are those that don’t take much stock in the youth media awards, believing that many of the awards are given to quality literature, yet are not as interesting or accessible to the children reading them.  But,…

  • Lifestyle

    We Need Diverse Books

    I was talking with a patron who was telling me a story of their 4-year old daughter.  The little girls is Black, Hispanic and White, but sadly doesn’t see many others in her small community that look like her.  She has begun asking her mom questions about the way she looks after…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: Absolutely Almost

    From the author of A Tangle of Knots comes a true coming-of-age story about the importance of knowing who you are and understanding that it is essential to stand up for yourself.  Albie is familiar with the feeling of being almost – almost good at sports, almost smart in school,…