Pray Tell, Librarian

Anticipation. Expectation. Authors. Books. These ideas and many others gurgled inside me as I concluded my four-hour drive to San Antonio.   My mentor, Nicole Cruz, accompanied me; we had both signed up for Battledecks on Wednesday and were worried we would be late.   I was definitely excited – Impromptu Speaking and I go way back.   (I also looked forward to seeing Becky Calzada, Martha Rossi, Jan Hodge, and many other awesome library administrators I had met as an intern during the Texas Association of School Library Administrators, or TASLA, conference last June.) We picked up our badges and headed toward room 221CD. My nerves kicked in when I saw the room filled with librarians.   Here I was, a first-time TLA-er and already participating in Battledecks. I was nervous and excited. Rules were explained, and names were drawn.   I was sixth in line. As I walked toward the front of the room and took the microphone in hand, I could feel the lump in my throa...

Fantasy is a subgenre of fiction, and within fantasy, there is science fiction.  Fantasy and science fiction have several attributes. More information can be found in Dr. Karin Perry's Sci-Fi On The Fly: The Reader's Guide to Science Fiction for Young Adults. These don't follow the rules of physical reality. Fantasy worlds have rules. Characters are believable and behave in believable ways as well. Author must make the story understandable while keeping it in the fantasy realm. Soft sci-fi= more story; hard sci-fi=more science. Topics in the subgenre of fantasy and Science Fiction: apocalyptic or post apocalyptic worlds (end of the world and afterward) dystopia: control of humans and way of life, suppression of citizens, government control, fear of entity in power, fear of outside world, illusion of the perfect world, rebellion ensues cyber/technology related: machines, mechanical creatures and their relationships with humans, manipulation of humans robots, ...

The graphic novel is a format, not a genre or sub genre.  Graphic novels can be any sub genre of fiction or present information that would be considered nonfiction. They can not only be used for learning, but can also be read for enjoyment. In addition, graphic novels offer a different avenue for literary analysis at different grade levels. Characteristics: Many would think of an actual comic book; however, it is more developed with illustrations, words, plot and text. Classics, folktales (multilingual), manga, anime, personal narratives, different subgenres of nonfiction, and others have been remade or portrayed in this format. Graphic novels also help bridge gaps in understanding, reach students with different learning styles and special needs, and help expand on enrich literary elements. Graphic novels can also be used across different subjects and to support different curricula. Graphic novels have gained popularity in the last couple decades and are celebrated by vario...

Nonfiction covers a vast array of topics, subgenres, and format - and it is over half of a library's collection! Reflection Nonfiction is the basis of research, the answer to inquiry.  When making selections to a nonfiction collection, it is valuable to be aware of the many resources a librarian can tap into to provide accurate and reliable information to student and for what they need.  Students can evaluate these books as well, and it is important to have meaningful dialogue with with that encourages evaluation and critical thinking.

Realistic Fiction Realistic fiction relates to modern readers and covers topics such as sexual orientation, family dynamic (changing, dysfunctional, etc.), illness, abusive relationships, sexual encounters, and other that were considered taboo.  Stories in this sub genre are relatable because they relate to modern times, are realistic, and include situations that are believable and reflect the real world. These characteristics separate them from other types of fiction sub genres such as science or historical fiction. Things to ponder when analyzing realistic fiction: Characters should portray adequate behaviors, speech, and other elements of the contemporary world while avoiding stereotypes. Multiple themes should be gradually revealed instead of seeming forced or moralistic. Readers should relate to the topic and subject matter. This includes topics that have been considered taboo or controversial. According to GoodReads.com, the following are examples of realistic fic...

History is subjective. It's a matter of one's perspective according to their lifetime.  When sharing this sub-genre with students, it is important to consider their age and cultural compass.  Historical fiction for an ESL student may not be the same as historical fiction for a local student who's the same age. On the same token, it is also helpful The following guidelines to choosing excellent  thoughts are a dapted from Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature: A Brief Guide by Barbara Z. Kiefer and Cynthia A. Tyson. (2010) pp. 212-237. Does the historical aspect of the story blend seamlessly? Are the historical aspects accurate? What other resources are referenced to verify accuracy? Different values of the time period are evident in the story. All aspects of the story reflect cultural ambience, culture, mores, speech, and other characteristics. Although a historical fiction piece may be written surrounding a different time, the theme and topic must be re...

Reflection: It is important and necessary to learn and be familiar with literary elements and devices because a good story, an engaging struggle, and captivating characters are created using these literary tools. Knowing these many facets of literature will greatly improve any book chat, reading, or supplementary English lesson I may be a part of as librarian.

In order to connect with students and adolescent readers, it is important to understand what characterizes their development. When I think of development, I remember learning about the hundreds of changes a child goes through from birth to one year of age. The changes are numerous! The remarkable thing about this fact is that the human body goes through the same monumental change during their pubescent years. And while a newborn cries as a form of communication, the adolescent communicates their frustration, sadness, happiness, and angst in various ways. Students develop intellectually, morally , developmentally , physically , and as readers . Intellectual According to psychologist Jean Piaget, students progress through different stages of cognitive development.  In short, children begin at a concrete stage of understanding and then later progress to understanding abstract ideas like theme, inferencing, and other critical thinking skills. Piaget says that this transition is m...

The following sketchnote describes the ten factors that characterize young adult literature. Young adult literature is about young protagonists transcending through pivotal moments in their lives.  They show growth, but a glimpse into their lives shows no overall resolve.  They emerge enlightened and change, but their journey through the uncertainty of life is far from over.  Understanding this as a reader is hard, especially if you're a reader who likes resolution and closure. I am this type of reader, and I must say that this has been the struggle I encounter most.  I want to know what happens to these characters. Do they live a "happily ever after? How does Gabi survive her first year of college with her new beau? How do Annie and Liza go about their meeting during their break?  In retrospect, I find this is part of finding the pleasure and enjoyment in reading.  I wouldn't consider myself a serial reader, but perhaps this is where I will ...

I am guilty of using names of sub genres and formats as genres in the classroom and as a first-year librarian. I was aware of some of the points in this chapter, so that gave me comfort. Knowing how to catalogue and refer to different books is not only important for the librarian, but also for the patron. I've said it in other blog entries before, and I'll mention it again (because it's true), as librarians and reading ambassadors, customer service is a vital part of what we do - and educating the patron is an extension of that service. Knowing what constitutes genres and sub genres and the formats each may be presented in is an important part of empowering our patrons. The reading advisory process speaks volumes of how knowledgeable the librarian is about the collection. As society changes and topics morph into different lights with the changing tides, so does the subject matter in literature. In this chapter, there was mention of how to organize the library. Is it...

As a junior high librarian who serves only seventh and eighth grade students, I not only found this chapter informative, but also enlightening. Knowing how reading level and content or interest progresses is a valuable asset that solidifies credibility in the library and with patrons. I particularly found that catering to students within the middle grades, middle school grade age group, and lower levels of the young adult range can be rather tricky.  Students at my campus range from 12 - 14 years of age, and many selections that are written for this grade level and older will need my attention more than other age groups.  Because students tend to be interested in older age group content, these topics are particularly sensitive in the middle school age groups. When I read selections geared toward young adults, content and language will be a big part of determining where they fit best in my collection and how they will benefit my students.

The following graphic encapsulates the reasons why anyone, not just librarians, shares books with kids. The older I get, the more I read.  And the more I read, the more I realize that it is vital to read to youngsters - in any language.  This is something I wish I had more of when I was in middle school.  I remember reading voraciously in elementary, and then a big void in my junior high years.  Despite that drought, I can proudly say that being exposed to reading in English and Spanish as a youngster enabled me to enjoy writing, helped me develop my creativity, opened a door to other cultures and lifestyles, and enabled me to truly empathize with others.  This spirit of lifelong learning is what will cultivate young minds into humans who will connect, learn, and appreciate one another.  As I come across new pieces of literature, these six reasons for sharing come to mind.  Although I am an English teacher who gravitates to writing at heart,...