The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Well, of course I went to Hicklebee's this afternoon to see Tom Angleberger, the author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and the sequel, Darth Paper Strikes Back. I ran into my friends Kenji and Timmy who also came to see Tom Angleberger because Kenji's mom is an informed reader of this very blog!

Mr. Angleberger gave an excellent and very funny presentation about his book. I especially liked how he called any kid he was talking to by the name of Larry - even the girls! He did such a good job of demonstrating how funny his book is that I went right home and read the book. And you know what? I loved it! It was so funny, yet Origami Yoda's Jedi Wisdom shines through. (He really does give good advice!) I can't wait to share these books with everyone tomorrow - and I have a surprise!

Here is Mr. Angleberger drawing a picture of a pair of pants that plays a key role in the third chapter. And here is me getting my books signed. (Can you see Darth Paper?)

Well, I took a break from listening to Masterpiece by Elise Broach to read Origami Yoda. I'm about half-way through it so I will finish that while I try to finish another sock so I have a pair. I'll let you know how that goes.

New Books! And a sock.

Yesterday, a box of books from Junior Library Guild arrived at the library! Yay! Here's what came:

These awesome books are brought to you by our generous Marshall Lane PTA, whom I'd like to thank for providing the library with funds again this year to buy materials for our library. And here is the sock I was knitting at the PTA meeting last week:

A couple of other things I'd like to share with you. I know I've mentioned Mo Willems' Blog before but I want to mention it again because recently he had Eric Carle and his wife over for dinner and doodles and he shares pictures of the doodles.

Also, we are almost into October now so it's time to think about All Hallow's Read again. Why not give someone you love a scary book to read?

One last thing! Tom Angleberger, author of The Strange Tale of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Stikes Back is going to be at Hicklebee's tomorrow, September 29 at 3:00 and will be talking about his books and signing books afterwards.

Banned Books Week

September 24th - October 1 is Banned Books Week. Exercise your right to read by selecting a banned or challenged book to read this week. Here's a few titles to get you started:

The Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials Series), by Phillip Pullman

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (#1 challenged book in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010)

Olive's Ocean, by Kevin Henkes

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

Captain Underpants series, by Dav Pilkey

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor

Julie of the wolves, by Jean Craighead George

That should keep you busy for a bit. To see complete lists of the top ten banned or challenged books by year or learn more about banned and challenged books, go to the ALA website.

There's something hiding in the library

You may have heard there is a shelf elf in the library. He was in my desk drawer but he's taken to hiding amongst the books. He's causing quite a stir with the lunch bunch. Kids are reporting that he's leaving clues all over the library. The say they can hear him breathing. They've seen him dart under bookshelves. One kid reported that the shelf elf bit him! One of the kids found him at recess today and I put him back in the drawer. I went into the computer lab to do some work and when I came back he was gone again. Hiding in the shelves, I'd guess. I'm sure he'll turn up tomorrow.

Eeeeeww! Germs!

I read "Should I Share My Ice Cream," an Elephant and Piggie book by Mo Willems today to a group of kinders who seemed to be very concerned about the spread of germs by sharing food. They really did not want Gerald sharing his germs with Piggie. I finally had to explain to them that Elephant and Piggie are drawings and drawings don't have germs. That seemed to satisfy them.