September 26-October 3 is National Banned Books Week, co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores.

Since school has started, students have been coming up to the librarians with questions about our Banned Books Week bulletin board, questions like, “Does this mean I can’t read this book?” “I love that book! Why was it banned?” and “If it’s a banned book, are we allowed to have it in our library?”

The librarians have used these questions as starting points for conversations about why we celebrate Banned Books Week and the freedom to read. The American Library Association has some great online resources that are worth exploring with your child or on your own. Also, this video produced by the Office of Intellectual Freedom uses to humor to explain the concept of Banned Books Week.

Want to read a banned book to celebrate your freedom to read? Try some of these. And don’t be surprised if you find one of your favorites on the list!

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian

This past Wednesday several of our middle and high school students met with Young Adult author Lauren Myracle to discuss her latest novel, Peace Love & Baby Ducks. Often hailed as the new Judy Blume, Lauren is the author of several books for tweens and teens, including Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen starring Winnie Perry, the TTYL series, and most recently, the YA horror novel Bliss. She is also the co-author of Let it Snow and How to Be Bad. Like the Laurie Halse Anderson author visit blogged below, Lauren’s visit was part of a joint venture between Penguin Young Readers and LREI to bring students and authors together to talk about books and have their discussions filmed for use on both Penguin’s and LREI’s website. PLBD is at it’s heart a story of two high school sisters trying to navigate the treacherous waters of high school, but it also presents issues of social class and race in a realistic and nuanced way that teens will relate to. This was evidenced by the lively, frank discussion Lauren had with our students, who ended their time together sitting on the floor, laughing and posing with our stuffed library shelf shark. Before Lauren left for the airport to fly home to Colorado, she took the time to personalize each student’s signed book and pose for a ton of photos. We hope to host more Penguin author events in the future, and will post the videos of the book discussions on the LREI website as soon as they are edited. Until then,

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, MS librarian

Today I was thrilled to host award-winning Young Adult author Laurie Halse Anderson in the Sixth Avenue library. Laurie is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of her first novel, the now classic Speak, and also promoting her new title, Wintergirls, a dark story of friendship gone wrong and eating disorders, which will be published in March. She was also recently awarded the Margaret A. Edwards award by the American Library Association for her “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” LREI was asked by Laurie’s publisher, Penguin Group, if some of our students could read Wintergirls and then participate in a filmed book discussion with Laurie for their website. Time was short, Laurie was only going to be in town for a few days, so I had to find readers, and fast! When I solicited the 8th grade during lunch last week, several students jumped at the chance to interact with one of their favorite authors, and read ARCS (Advanced Reviewer Copies) of Wintergirls over the weekend. The discussion was lively and thought provoking, touching on everything from eating disorders and depression to celebrities and popular music. Afterwards, the students had their books personalized and signed by the author. I was so proud of our students, and once Penguin Group edits the video, we hope to post it on our school website as well for all to enjoy.

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, MS librarian

Three of the four LREI librarians were lucky enough to attend the American Library Association’s Mid-Winter Conference in Denver, CO from Jan. 23-26. This is an exciting conference to attend because it is the conference where all the big children’s and teen book awards are announced, including the 2008 Newbery (best book for kids aged 8-14), Caldecott (best picture book) and Printz (best book for teens, 7th-12th grade). As you can see, I was pretty thrilled to be there and hear some of my favorite titles announced:

The following link will take you straight to the award lists with the titles and authors of the winning books. Most of these books will be available (if they’re not already) in the LREI library.

ALA’s official press release of literary award winners in childrens’ and young adult books

I also worked on an ALA committee this past year called The ALEX Awards, which honors 10 adult books published in the past year that would have potential appeal to teen readers. When we finished our deliberations, we took this snazzy picture of our winners, which were also announced at the Mid-Winter conference:

All of the LREI librarians are currently serving on ALA committees, so if you have any questions about our school’s participation in ALA, or are just looking for a good book recommendation for yourself or your child, please come and see us. We love to talk about our committee work and of course, BOOKS!

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, MS librarian

It is Book Week once again at LREI, and the middle school author line-up is HOT! Here’s who’s coming to visit the 5-8th grades:

Heather’s 5th: Jill Santopolo, author of The Nina, The Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure
Thursday, December 11: 8:30-9:30 AM

Wendy’s 5th: Trish Marx, author Elephants and Golden Thrones. Friday, December 12: 2:15-3 PM

6th Grade: Lucy Frank, author of Lucky Stars. Monday, December 8: 10:00-11:00 AM

7th Grade: Steve Sheinkin, author of The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey. Friday, December 12: 2:15-3 PM

8th Grade: Sarah Mlynowski, author of the Magic in Manhattan series and co-author of How to Be Bad. Tuesday, December 9: 1:30-2:30 PM

Make sure to ask your middle school student about his or her author visit, and browse the authors’ books in the school book fair in the Sixth Avenue auditorium, December 9-12.

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian

Today, the eighth grade had the privilege of attending the National Book Award Teen Press Conference. We traveled by subway to the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture to hear the five finalists read aloud from their books and answer questions from the audience. For more information about the finalists and their books, please see my earlier post. The event was hilariously hosted by famous children’s author and former teacher Jon Scieszka, who is currently serving as the first National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature. Afterward, teachers and students lingered in the lobby of the library where staff served them cookies and juice, and they could stand in line to meet their favorite author and get their book signed. A fun time was had by all, if the picture below are any evidence. Please be sure to ask your 8th grader about the trip and if he or she was able to chat with one of the authors.

8th graders with host Jon Scieszka and NBA finalist Tim Tharp

Getting a book signed by award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson

Enjoying some refreshments after the panel discussion.

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian

Now that Laura Bush has given the Obamas a tour of their new home, there is renewed interest in the famous First Residence, and the families who have lived there.

Click here for your own video tour of the White House.

The most recent issue of Curriculum Connections, a partner publication of School Library Journal contains an article that focuses on the women of the White House

In the Christian Science Monitor, you can read reviews on the latest books about kids and pets in the White House.

Finally, check out these books in the 6th Avenue library on the White House and White House history:

See How They Run: campaign dreams, election schemes and the race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman (324.973 GOO)

The White House: an illustrated history by Catherine O’Neill Grace (975.3 GRA)

A Big Cheese for the White House: the true tale of a tremendous cheddar by Candace Fleming (P FLE) (P=PICTURE BOOK)

What to do About Alice? : how Alice Roosevellt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy! by Barbara Kerley (BIO ROO)

Ballots for Belva: the true story of a woman’s race for the presidency by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (BIO LOC)

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian

The five finalists for the National Book Awards for Young People have been announced! They are:

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

Having already read three of the five titles, I am excited to read the other choices. Our 8th grade class has been invited to take part in the NBA Teen Press Conference, where they get an opportunity to hear each of the authors speak about their books and ask them questions. In addition, the NBA Foundation provides each student who participates with a free copy of one of the five nominated books. The press conference is co-hosted by the National Book Award Foundation and The New York Public Library. This year, the event will take place on November 18th at The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and be moderated by none other than the current National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature, Jon Scieszka. I encourage you to check out these award winning books for yourselves, and ask your 8th grader about the NBA finalist they choose to read.

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, MS librarian

Welcome to the LREI Middle School library blog. I will try to post articles from professional journals that may be of interest to you or your child, or announcements about goings on in our library here at least once a week. Please check back often and don’t hesitate to email me (jhubert@lrei.org) with suggestions for the library’s collection. Also, do check out the list of pages on the left hand side of this page for useful information pertaining to the library. I look forward to hearing from you!

I’ll see you in the library,

Jennifer Hubert Swan, MS librarian