Mr. Church Reviews The Hunger Games

The much-anticipated The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was catalogued and put on display this past week. Mr. Church had a chance to read it and wrote this review for the library blog. 

The Hunger Games is an action-packed thriller.  The kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire ride.  This story takes place in a post apocolyptic North America where the government controls its people with fear and brutality.  To remind them of who is in control, every year the government holds a tournament where 2 children from each district must compete in a survivor type game...only this game is to the death.  If you are into high action, suspense, and even a few twists and turns, then this book is worth your time.  Quite honestly, I could not put it down!!

Mr. Church

April is National Poetry Month

Random Acts Of Poetry

The bulletin board outside the library is for teachers, students, all Clairlea staff and parents to pin their favourite poems for sharing. Signed, anonymous, favourite poets ... doesn't matter. I will leave some thumb tacs on the desk in a container. Just pin your favourite poem on the bulletin board. 

Let's share the joy of words, rhythm, rhyme and beat with one another.

World Autism Awareness Day

Lots of great titles in our library about students with special needs. Here's a great video (sorry about the quality) to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day (today).

New Titles Have Arrived!

A WHACK! of new books was ordered recently and arrived this past week, all excellent titles on diversity and social justice. I am awaiting spine labels from Tippett but, in the meantime, you are most welcome to drop by the library and see what will be available for borrowing in the next couple of weeks.

Of course, some of the dust jackets on these hardcover books are just fantastic: fabulous to look at with a plethora of information about the books, the authors and some even have the history or the author's own reasons for writing the story. (A little like album covers before we all went digital.)

I have pinned up some of the dust jackets on the bulletin board and surrounding areas. Take some time to peruse.

Japan's Tragedy: Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear disaster

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - One minute of silence

Clairlea and all of TDSB will be thinking about and remembering the tragedy in Japan that has unfolded in the last two weeks.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - Toonie Tuesday

All proceeds to help in Japan's recovery.

In your classrooms, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr. We have a number of copies at different reading levels, in the library.

Call numbers:

E Coe

362.1 Coe (Main Shelf)

Also, see Erin's email for paper crane suggestion.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

In the library, we have many excellent resources to help you in your teaching of the elimination of racial discrimination. Come visit. You can also do a subject browse using: racial discrimination or a variety of other key words. When the circulation desk computer is logged on to Horizon, click on the magnifying class on the tool bar at the top (beside the check out / checkin in icons).  Don't hesitate to ask for help.

Celebrating Down's Syndrome

An excellent read to celebrate all of our differences, especially those children with Down's Syndrome. 

Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming

Picture book
Filed under F (for Fleming) in the picture book (fiction) section of the library.

Visit this website to learn more about children with Down's Syndrome

http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

How About Visiting A Toronto Public Library during March Break?

I'm directing you to the Toronto Public Library website on the left hand side of this blog, along with the Kids Space Link and Teen/Youth Link.

There is so much to do at many of our public library branches during March Break: story telling, puppet shows, magic shows, films, hip hop dance workshops. All great stuff and all free. Check out the TPL website and visit a branch near you. Or, hop on the TTC and visit a branch that you've never been to before. There is a March Break link on the TPL's main page.

See you at the Library!

French Chapter Books

Thanks to Mme Dungo for sorting some of our French chapter books into "series" / "themes" / "authors" / "reading levels".  I have purchased blue baskets that are now sitting in the "French Quarter" of our library. Just this past week, I have noticed more students borrowing books from these baskets. They would not have been given a second glance on the "spinney". Yeah!

Black History Book Display

Teachers, I will keep this book display intact until after our Black History Celebration Assembly. As you can see, we have some fabulous books. Please come by and browse. Also, thank you for your suggestions for title purchases and reading recommendations.

Welcome!

Welcome to Clairlea's Library blog where we will keep you updated on the latest happenings in and around our library: from the latest in "great reads", newest editions, book reviews, author bios, and ideas and tips from our very own Library Ambassadors. Maybe we'll even share some short stories from our very own Clairlea authors! Glad you stopped by.