‘Superman Smashes the Klan’ (Library promotion)

As part of promoting a culture of reading at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, I encourage young readers’ book reviews of their favorite books. In that spirit, I display five-star reviews of books that I’ve especially enjoyed. Here is one of my recent five-star reviews, for Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru.

‘Benita and the Night Creatures’ by Mariana Llanos

Benita just wants to read her brand-new book, while creatures from Peruvian folklore do their best to scare her in Benita and the Night Creatures, written by Mariana Llanos with illustrations by Cocoretto.

‘A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy’ by R. K. Maril

A vital, powerful, and compelling read, A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy was not a book I could rush through. I had to pace myself. I had to give myself breaks for my own self-care because the book describes a political and cultural crisis that directly affects me.

‘Rick’ by Alex Gino

When thinking back to the first time I encountered an asexual character in fiction — someone other than a god’s chosen paladin or avatar and someone who explicitly navigates the identity of “asexual” — Rick by Alex Gino is the book that comes to mind. In honor of Ace Week, which is observed each year during the last full week in October, I want to recommend Rick for middle-grade and tween readers.

‘I Shall Never Fall in Love’ by Hari Conner (Library promotion)

As part of promoting a culture of reading at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, I encourage young readers’ book reviews of their favorite books. In that spirit, I display five-star reviews of books that I’ve especially enjoyed. Here is one of my recent five-star reviews, for I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner.

‘Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock’

My read-aloud this past week in SRCSA library was Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, written by comedian Jesús Trejo and illustrated by Eliza Kinkz.

‘What prompted you to change careers?’

In the Fall 2026 edition of Forum, its quarterly magazine, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi posed the question, “What prompted you to change careers?” and featured responses by some of its members. Here is my contribution to the discussion.

‘Beasts Beneath the Winds’ (Library promotion)

As part of promoting a culture of reading at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, I encourage children’s book reviews of their favorite books. In that spirit, I display five-star reviews of books that I’ve especially enjoyed. Here is one of my recent five-star reviews, for Beasts Beneath the Winds, edited by Hanna Alkaf.

Phi Kappa Phi gift package ‘unboxing’

Phi Kappa Phi sent me some “goodies” recently, so I decided to create an unboxing video. The society had invited me to submit a video about my favorite member benefits, and the gifts were sent to me in gratitude for participating in that project.

‘This Book Won’t Burn’ by Samira Ahmed (Library promotion)

As part of promoting a culture of reading at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, I encourage young readers’ book reviews of their favorite books. In that spirit, I display five-star reviews of books that I’ve especially enjoyed. During Banned Books Week (observed from Oct. 4 to 10 in 2026), one of my featured reviews was for This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed.

Cuesta College ‘Honored Alum’ for 2026

The Cuesta College Foundation recognized me among its “Honored Alumni” during a ceremony on Oct. 5, 2026. Cuesta’s online program in Library and Information Technology is really special to me; it enabled me to embark on a longtime dream of becoming a librarian.
https://youtu.be/Fc3T162QGL8

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Librarians’ ‘risk propensity’ in the face of book bans

The concept of “risk propensity” stood out for me in my studies this week. Wilkins-Jordan and Hussey defined risk propensity as “how much one is willing to risk” (2019, p. 88) and in the current political climate of increased prevalence for book bans, librarians face far greater risk for upholding the values of our profession.

‘Our Lake’ by Angie Kang

Two brothers go swimming in a lake that their father used to bring them to in Our Lake, written and illustrated by Angie Kang.

‘Queen Bees of Tybee County’ (Library promotion)

As part of promoting a culture of reading at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, I encourage children’s book reviews of their favorite books. In that spirit, I display five-star reviews of books that I’ve especially enjoyed. Here is one of my recent five-star reviews, for The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu.