School must be starting soon. Ms Ghareeb is already hearing the sixth-grade voices: “ My Teacher doesn’t like me. That’s why she gave me a D.” “Middle school is TOO HARD. I can’t do it.” ” All the (books, teachers, kids, whatever) here are dumb. I liked my old school better.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, [...]
photo: Nathan Olsen Next to me in this picture is my Dad, Gordon Ghareeb, noted Maritime Historian and co-author of From Hollywood to Honolulu: The Story of the Los Angeles Steamship Company. We attended a wonderful lecture given by him and co-author Martin Cox detailing this fascinating chapter in nautical history (with all the juicy bits [...]
Also posted in Everything Else |
Finally there’s an undead teen story for the those of us who can’t take anymore Twilight. Seriously, folks, Generation Dead is some of the most remarkable science fiction I’ve read in a a good long while. The set-up is simple and timeless, but at the same time strangely amusing and ridiculous. For some unknown medical reason, teens [...]
I’ve come across two great books for middle school that illustrate nicely how modern media is changing everything, but at the same time, it isn’t. Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. This is a creepy ghost mystery that has me reminiscing about being in High School and seeing the Blair Witch Project. Ryan and Sarah are [...]
So, testing begins on Monday at our school. The Administration is all geared up. Pencils are being sharpened. Teachers are either a frenzied whirlwind of comma-usage review, or are are completely spent. Oh yeah, and the kids might be more than a little stressed. This is a cute picture book I always wind up reading to [...]
Here are some of the great new books (reviewed and approved!) coming to our Library! The White Gates by Bonnie Ramthun. This was a wonderful novel that I think will hit our “top ten” list in no time. When Tor moves to Colorado with his mom (she’s divorced, and a new doctor) he immediately figures out [...]
I am so very much in love right now with Bill Bryson. I just finished reading A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, and I loved every page. I consider myself a reasonably competent outdoorsy-type, but I was still inspired and awed as he described the simple beauty of this [...]
So far this week, I’m 0-for-3. I sent all three books I was reviewing for my library back to Library Services with the same post-it attached: Too mature for middle school, please send for high school review. There has been much discussion in our district about where boundaries are between middle school and high school [...]
The Trouble With Boys:A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do This is a must read for anyone who may find themselves tearing their hair out over that one little boy who will just not sit still, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school administrator. As [...]
My assistant principal recently asked for a list of high interest, relevant books for our very diverse student population. This list features some of the best books out there, passing both Librarian Review and kid approval.
