A Dream in a Bottle

This is an awesome story from Lettersofnote.com:

One rainy Sunday afternoon in 1989...a 7-year-old girl named Amy decided to send something to Roald Dahl. Taking inspiration from her favourite book, The BFG, and using a combination of oil, coloured water and glitter, Amy sent the author...one of her dreams, contained in a bottle. His lovely response can be seen below.

 

 

Come down the library and check out The BFG or another Roald Dahl book and see how you're inspired!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 7

A new school year always means a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book.  The newest version is The Third Wheel:  

The book will be released on November 13th and you will have an opportunity to pre-order a copy at our book fair in October.  We already have a few copies on order for the library in anticipation of the waiting lists to come...

Welcome Back, Walker Wolves

It's so great to be back to start a brand new school year at Walker! I'll start seeing classes in the library and checking out books starting Monday, August 13th but please feel free to stop by to say hello and see what's new at the library.  I'll be using this space to keep you up to date on new materials in the library, as well as exciting childrens' book events.  Keep checking back in and be sure to leave a comment while you're here!

To the Book Fair...and Beyond

Hooray! Our fall book fair is on the way and there are some major changes coming. For the first time ever, you are allowed to order books on line! So if the adults at home haven't had the time to come in and shop or if you have friends and relatives in other cities and states who might love the chance to buy you a book - Check out the online book fair and don't forget to visit the classroom wish list page!

Why I Read...

I Read by Richard Peck

I read because one life isn’t enough, and in the pages of a book I can be anybody;
I read because the words that build the story become mine, to build my life;
I read not for happy 
endings but for new beginnings; I’m just beginning myself, and I wouldn’t mind a map;
I read because I have friends who don’t, and young though they are, they’re beginning to run out of material;
I read because every journey begins at the library, and it’s time for me to start packing;
I read because one of these days I’m going
 to get out of this town, and I’m going to
 go everywhere and meet
 everyone, and I want 
to be ready.”

–Richard Peck, author
, Zihuatanejo, Mexico, 
1990

Your turn. Why do you read?

Chronicles of Harris Burdick

This is one I'm waiting for eagerly. Won't be here until November sometime but it will be worth the wait!

Heroes of Olympus

The second installment in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series is scheduled to come out October 4th. We've already ordered our copies of Throne of Fire, but if you can't wait until next month, click here for a sneak peek at the first chapter!

Target Books for Schools

Target Rocks! Thanks to Julia Richards for submitting our name to Target's Books for Schools program. They have generously awarded us $500 in books from the First Book Marketplace. If you see the Richards kids on campus, Colt, Caleb and Paris, be sure to give them a big thanks!

We appreciate all that Walker families do to encourage the love of reading in our kiddos.

More book trailers from Mr. Miller's 5th graders

Click here to check out a trailer for The Orange Outlaw and here for The Unwilling Umpire. These are both great books from Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries series.

5th grade Book trailer

Click here to see the first student created book trailer of the year. Thanks to Mr. Miller's 5th graders for starting us off and producing such great work!

Here we go...

Classes start coming to the library today and I am so excited to have the library full of kiddos again! We have a lot of new books to start the year with so make sure you take some time to browse around when you come in. We're open before school at 7:20 and after school until 2:30. Check with me about what days we're open for your grade at lunch. Can't wait to see you!

Working hard to get the library ready....

More Harry Potter!

JK Rowling is setting up a website called "Pottermore" that will include background and information about the series and characters that has never been shared before. The first 1,000,000 visitors get access on July 31st, otherwise you have to wait until October. It's a great time to read or reread one of the best series ever!

Click here for an article abou the site or here to see the Pottermore home page.

Why should you go to the public library this summer?

Follow this link to find out why some very famous authors (including Dr. Seuss) think the library is such an awesome place. Then go visit your public library and find reasons of your own!

2011 Spring Relay Winners

Almost left this year without posting the winners of our Spring Fiction Relay Race. Every team did a fabulous job and the times across the board were phenomenal. Can't wait to see what this year's fourth graders do next year! The top 5 teams were:

1. V/F: Reyna, Madison, Thoa, Justin, Sapphire and Natalie (35.16 seconds per book)
2. Cisco: Austin, Alex F., Quinlin, Angie, Adel, Alex V., Leonella, Briana (35.37 seconds per book)
3. V/F: Claire, Shanice, Mo, Jennifer, Diego (35.7 seconds per book)
4. Shivers: Devin, Georgie, Roman, Jayce, Sierra, Erik, Shivam (36.85 seconds per book)
5. Roberts: AnaKaren, Shelby, Justice, Darrell, Destinee, Nicole, Javier (38.25 seconds per book)

Congratulations to everyone who participated! We'll have our fall race shortly after school begins so spend some time at the public library to keep your Dewey knowledge fresh!

Summer!

What an amazing year I had! I want to thank everyone for all their hard work this year at Walker. We made a lot of changes in the library this year and I hope you all had as much fun as I did. We will miss our 5th graders going on to junior high but expect you to come back and visit often. Enjoy your summer and keep reading. Below are links to the summer reading programs we discussed in class:

Pima County Public Library
http://www.library.pima.gov/about/news/?id=3375

Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/

I'll keep posting over the summer so watch this spot for news and info. See you next year!

2010-2011 Top Checkouts

No real surprises on our top checkouts this year, but I think our Bone series will make it to the top 5 next year.

Top Chapter Books:
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Ugly Truth
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal
4. Franny K. Stein series
5. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series

Top Picture Books:
1. Up (from the Disney/Pixar movie)
2. Goldilicious
3, 4 &5. Spongebob Books

The top books from the Dewey section are a variety of I Spy books and Garfield books.

New Diary of a Wimpy Kid

It's coming in November! I bet you'll be able to pre-order it at the book fair. This is not the actual title or cover but we do know the book will involve the Heffly's being snowed in. Also, watch for an updated Do-It-Yourself book to be released mid-May.

Underneath My Bed by Marissa

When the lights go out, I pull the covers over my head.
Afraid that something is hiding underneath my bed.
I'm worried that those big claws will drag me down
or that those big teeth will chomp me up.
I'm shivering and shaking,
a bead of sweat is going down my head.
My closet door is closed
and underneath my bed, my mom said she checked.
But I still fear it will grab me by the neck.
I want it to be morning.
I want the sky to be blue.
But I'll just have to wait.
I have no idea what to do!
I close my eyes and pray for the best.
Now I'm hoping I can get some rest.

Poems by Shelby

Poetic ability
Of a writer
Even when on paper or
Memory

Reading is a thing that stays with you.
Reading is something that trends.
Reading is something you never know
can be one of your greatest friends.