It's 6:30 and I just got settled in at home after a full day of school followed by an energetic book club meeting. Tonight we discussed an upcoming fundraiser for our book club and the books we chose to read for this month.
First: the books
My group discussed Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone. Any book that makes you SEE the characters come off the pages is a successful read. Love 'em or hate 'em...they add to the fabric of your life. Delores was not a lovable character, but she added depth to our discussion. All of us agreed that she was a complicated and well-developed character. . .a products of both her environment, heredity and the time period. Undoubtedly, this is a controversial read with layers and layers that were peeled back and discussed tonight. Family relationships, betrayals, love, power and the lack of it, sexual relationships, religion, the real world and the little worlds people create for themselves and finally, personal responsibility.
IWater for Elephants was also discussed by another group, but we did not share our insights between groups....I hope someone from that group will discuss their thoughts here.
We will continue to plan for the December 5th fundraiser and fun-raiser for the Reading Raiders. Two local authors have agreed to come on the 5th to discuss the Power of Literature and the inspiration and development of characters. Mr. James Bennett, award winning young adult author and Mr. Scott Foley, BHS faculty member and short story writer will be at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 5. Details will be available soon.
Also being planned are performances by members of the BHS Drama Club and members of the Speech team. Lively short performances will likely be the venue.
We are asking elementary students to come between 4 and 6 pm because BHS student athletes will be reading stories in the children's section. We are hoping that elementary schools will submit student art work for display throughout the store. Door prizes are being considered. Meetings are planned for next week to firm up these and other plans. What an energetic and inspirational group of students comprise the membership of the Reading Raiders. I am truly grateful to all members for their competence, sense of humor, and enthusiasm.
Later, Mrs. J.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
ISLMA CONFERENCE
I attended a three day conference and just got home yesterday (November 3, 2007). It was the Illinois School Library Media Conference, and I learned a little bit about blogs and set this one up today. It's for bibliophiles. I have listed books that I like and will be adding books that we are reading in our book club, The Reading Raiders Book Discussion Club...along with other titles that I read for professional development and for pleasure. As this develops, I will also be adding comments about the books I read. There are a number of links to books lists and such. One of the links that are here is the WISH LIST. That is a wish list of titles that I would like to add to the school library. Students who are members of the club will be giving some of their ideas too. This site needs more work. more later....
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