Libraries and learning

Welcome to the new session for 2011-2012 there are lots of new things in the library for you to see and for you to borrow. First our lovely new doors- heavy but effective (they are reference only!). Then there are over 400 new fiction titles over 100 new non-fiction titles and c50 new graphic novel/manga titles for you to choose from. But out of all those exciting things what has caused the most interest? Hmmm.. the Harry Potter lego!

OK MOM won – the biggest and most argued about of the short list and I knew it, I knew it , I knew it but…
I really did not like it.
For those not in the know the book is the third part of Ness’s Chaos walking trilogy. The first The Knife of Never letting go – I thought was OK and it too was nominated for the Carnegie award but narrowly missed out – a shame I thought at the time because it was quite good. Another year , another Carnegie and the second book the The Ask and the Answer appears on the short list . So, again I do my duty and read it .. hmm not as hot as the first one but I managed and yeah it didn’t win that time either. Then 2011 and the third and HUGE and I hope last book in the series appears Monsters of Men, affectionately known as MOM. It was gargantuan in proportions and numbing in reading. Putting the thrid part of a trilogy on the short list … really? Hmm well I supposed they did it last year with the Hearne book Rowna the Strange – but that really could stand alone, MOM could not.
I did predict the judges would have a soft spot for Patrick. He is a cute, little fluffy bunny of a chappie who does lovely things like run a charity marathons in aid of the Siobhan Down organisation ( a charity named after a previous Carnegie author winner who very sadly died of cancer). And so it came to pass that he won. The look on Mrs McBrearty’s face was a picture.. she was not a happy teacher – who do I write to? she scowled.. not me I eeked!.
SILVER LINING ALERT.
Oh Patrick I may not like your books but I do like your sentiments in your acceptance speech. It can be read in all it’s glory here –
www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2011/jun/23/patrick-ness-carnegie-prize-libraries
So I hold out hope for a better short list next year and Patrick you may even be on it – but I can not guarentee I will like it but I can guarentee I will read it.
Have a super summer folks…
Mrs B

Unpredicatable as ever the short list for the Carnegie Awards this year were announced on April 1st ( no joke).

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean
Prisoner of the Inquisition by Theresa Breslin
The Bride’s Farewell by Meg Rosoff
Out of the Shadows by Jason Wallace
White Crow by Marcus Sedgewick

Lucky for me I had read 4 out of the six and only had Pepper and Crow to digest during the spring break.
Mrs. McBreary’s S3 class were introduced to the list last week and phew we had just enough books for everyone to take something away with them.
I have also set up a wiki for shadowing pupils around East Renfrewshire to make comments and chat about the books.
But don’t worry if you are not in one of the groups you can still read one of the books or take part in the front cover competition – see Mrs Baird for details.

UPDATE
Tomorrow is the big Carnegie shadowing event in ER

UPDATED UPDATE

In a word- brilliant!
Over 130 pupils and staff amassed at Woodfarm to take part in the event. Well done to the Book Busters including our own Saif who won the team prize. Huge thanks to Mr Selbie and Ms Nolan for hosting and organising everything. The day ran super smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves. Phew only 12 months till the next one!




So, what will the resolution be this year? More exercise? More study? Never to make a resolution again?
Well mine is the same as last year and I don’t think I lasted to the end of January – that is to take a note of every book I read. I am all prepared I have a little notebook and some very good intentions. I thought I might also use this blog to help me .
The first book I will add to the list is WE by Peter Dickinson.

This book is on the long list for the Carnegie Awards 2011. So far it has been a thoughtful slow burner about a world where everyone is interconnected through a device called the World Ear (sort of an implanted Internet connection). The readers follow the story of Paul who has been selected to be disconnected from the WE and sent into space. So far so strange…
(But at least I have kept my resolution)

Oh WE is on hold whilst I read another few…

Just finished iBoy by Kevin Brooks about a boy who is transformed after he is hit on the head by an iPhone. Not the most believable of ideas but an interesting read nonetheless. I would say best for pupils 15ish. Also finished Out of the Shadows by Jason Wallace. I read this because it won the Costa award and it is also on the long list for this year’s Carnegie. It follows Bobbie’s new life in Zimbabwe at the time when President Mugabe comes to power. The book is a little self-aware for my liking but you can not fail to be impressed by the level of tension created by Wallace as our anti/hero becomes more and more involved with his schoolfriend’s actions. I am sure it hopes to raise the profile of what is going on in Zimbabwe but the climax of the book is a bit too ridiculous. The book is very well written but the 80′s references I think will be lost on a modern audience and it very much feels like it is a young person’s book that is really a simple adult novel in disguise. Definately an author to watch out for.

Today was the day that we had planned to plant our new trees. But short of a few blow torches and some industrial digging equipment it seems that this plan is on hold.
I do, however, plan to nip out once the bell has gone to take a few pics of the park and I will post them here. Whilst the weather is cold and ‘orrible the snow covered park is actually very pretty.
Mrs B

I thought it was about time that I updated this blog – apologies to regulars ( I have been neglecting you for my S1 EU-Tube scheme blog- if you want to take a peek at it you can find it here). So I thought I would treat you to a nice little widget in the form of a timeline for the Carnegie Long List. Just click on the little link below… why not set one up for yourself? Let me know how that works out.Mrs B

Carnegie 2011 on Dipity.

Victory is mine (well ours).

Each year the Glasgow book festival name Aye Write (shudders!) holds a quiz for the bibliophiles of the nation. Last year a bunch of ER school librarians were narrowly pipped at the post for victory but not this year.
Oh no, the “Not got a Scooby” team not only won but smashed the other teams into oblivion by a massive 3 point triumph!

There was no time for a champions lap round the Mitchell library but just enough to pick up our prizes and look a bit smug!

(hyperbole not withstanding it was a great night, thanks to all at Aye Write for organising the event and the prizes)

I had the pleasure of attending St.Ninian’s Drama depts latest production -a blistering performance of The Crucible.

Transported to modern times this salutory tale of witchcraft and honour and betrayal began as it continued with passion, vigour and intensity.

It is 60 years since the start of the McCarthy trials (of which the Crucible takes many of its themes) and the play is as fresh and as pertinant as the day Miller wrote it.

As with the production of Hamlet nearly 2 1/2 years ago I am incredibly impressed with the dedication and professionalism of staff and students.

Many thanks to you all for a memorable, enjoyable and sweltering night!

Mrs B

The library has a shiny new section dedicated to Manga and graphic novels.
For those who don’t know what Manga is let me explain. Translated from the original Japanese the word manga literally means “humerous pictures”. Manga characters all follow a distinctive style; huge eyes, large heads, brightly coloured hair and extreme emotions. (for example when they cry they cry buckets of tears)

Traditional Manga should be read from the back of the book to the front as is done in Japan. US and UK Manga is often produced under the publisher Tokyopop who have a very cool web site that you should check out.

Currently available in the library you can borrow
or

and many more.

So if you are a true fan or a complete newbie there should be something for everyone.