‘What YOU Can Do About Bullying’

I always look for a chance to showcase resources about bullying, and my explorations recently led me to What YOU Can Do About Bullying by Max & Zoey, written by Ari Magnusson and illustrated by Greg Marathas (Olivander Press).

Two cartoon characters, Max and Zoey, explain bullying to young readers. The book begins with a special overview for the youngest readership (kindergarten to second-grade), but is suitable for a broad spectrum of ages and emotional maturity.

This book offers a comprehensive explanation of bullying. Accurate terms for types of bullying are presented in an easy-to-understand way.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

Among things that happened this week: Someone asked me (via a comment on Facebook appended to a public post), if a doctor had ever verified that I had autism.

Validation for non-degreed librarians

“No librarian should feel inadequate for learning the discipline on the ground rather than in a classroom.” At BookRiot, Michelle Anne Schingler provides validation for librarians who don’t have a Master’s degree in Library Science — who “merely live” library work instead of having studied it through a four-year university. Those non-degreed librarians must surely also include those of us who earned a community college vocational certificate or Associate in Science degree.

‘Lowriders to the Center of the Earth’

In Lowriders in Space (Chronicle Books, 2014), Lupe Impala, Elirio Malaria and El Chavo Flapjack Octopus achieved their dream of owning their own garage, where they could repair, detail and clean cars without having to answer to their tyrannical boss.

But the book’s closing page introduced a new crisis: their beloved cat Genie was gone. Now in Lowriders to the Center of the Earth (July 2016), the trio set out on a road trip in search of their missing cat.

Written by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Raúl the Third, this new graphic novel combines a storyline that many children can relate to — searching for a missing pet — with Aztec mythology and geological science. (Genie is being held prisoner by the Lord of the Underworld and as our heroes travel ever deeper toward the center of the earth, El Chavo Flapjack Octopus humorously scrambles the names for the various layers of rock.)

‘Switched On’ by John Elder Robison

In 2008, John Elder Robison took part in a trial study that involved electromagnetic pulses of energy directed at areas in a person’s brain. The purpose of the study was to explore the possibility of helping people with autism read emotions in other people.

Robison documents his experience in Switched On, A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening (Random House Publishing Group, March 22, 2016).

The treatments provoked a variety of effects as different areas of the brain were targeted. Robison documents a short-term ability to read people’s moods from their faces.

‘Stories Alive’ returns to Bellview school

The “Stories Alive” story-collecting machine will be at Bellview Elementary School when classes resume after Spring Break.

Friends of Medford Library ‘clearance event’

Source of image:
Friends of the Medford Library

From Friends of the Medford Library, comes word of its “largest clearance event yet,” Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19. Doors open at noon on Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday. On both days, supporters can shop until 3:30 p.m. “Our special ‘sale’ lets you take books — whichever ones you like, and as many as you like — and donate what cash you can to the Friends of the Medford Library.” The Friends bookstore is located at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Avenue. Bookstore proceeds help Friends of the Medford Library enhance library programs and services.

JCLS’s Westergard, library ‘Mover and Shaker’

Congratulations to Jackson County Library Services director Tammy Westergard, named a “Change Agent” among Library Journal’s annual “Movers and Shakers” roster. The write-up honors her for workforce development and technology efforts in Carson City, Nev.

Patricia Gallagher Picture Book Award

During my work in Bellview library, I continually learn about reading programs and awards. My latest discovery is the Patricia Gallagher Picture Book Award. Voting is currently open and continues until April 30.

Beverly Cleary award: Voting begins this week

Beverly Cleary award titles in Bellview library

Voting opened this week for the 2016 Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award, which is open to Oregon elementary students.

Oregon Battle of the Books regionals

One of the definite highlights to my week was volunteering on Saturday as Bellview Elementary School hosted regional competitions for Oregon Battle of the Books. In Bellview library, I do my best to promote the reading of books and it was interesting to see the teams quizzed upon their knowledge of this year’s titles. For me, the value is less upon the competitive nature of the tournaments and more upon hopefully instilling in students an enthusiasm for the books. It's great to see students return an OBOB title — the first in an author’s series — and witness their interest in, their captivation by the story as they seek the series’ later volumes.

Ballot box encourages children’s book award votes

This “ballot box,” a cardboard box covered with red craft paper and bright blue letters spelling out “VOTE,” really grabs students’ attention in Bellview Elementary School library. I’m getting great turnout by students casting votes in the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award.

One day this week, I found the box stuffed with slips of paper with presidential primary candidates’ names written on them. That wasn’t precisely the purpose for which I created this box, but the way I see it, the students are trying out adult roles and responsibilities. In just a few more years, they’ll be able to vote in earnest in the U.S. presidential election. I hope they hang on to this enthusiasm to vote and mature into engaged citizens.

Oregon Reader’s Choice Award: Voting open

Voting is now open for the 2016 Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, an annual opportunity for Oregon students to choose their favorite book through the democratic process.