The Novice by Taran Matharu
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Summoner Trilogy
Pages:384
Summary:
The Novice starts the story of Fletcher, an orphan, who accidentally summons a demon and must flee the only home he has ever known. Fletcher and the fire demon are discovered by a mage, who sends him to the academy for battle mages. At the academy Fletcher makes allies, enemies, and those in between in his first year of learning. As a commoner Fletcher stands out at the school of noble born students, but he isn't alone as for the first time a dwarf and a elf have been admitted as well. Othello, the dwarf becomes best friends with Fletcher, while Sylva, the elf, who is at the academy to make alliances takes time to realize that friends make the best allies. As Fletcher learns to uses his abilities he must deal with the prejudice against dwarves and elves from townspeople, the possibility of a dwarf rebellion, and the war with the orcs. Because with the end of his first year is the battles to see who will earn a spot on the council. And if one of their enemies wins the spot their lives might not be the only ones in danger.
Characteristics of Young Adult Fantasy
Frame/Setting- The setting of The Novice is a world with demons, mages, dwarves, elves, and orcs. The setting shows the fantasy elements of the story.
Story Line- The fantasy story line has good beating evil. This story has elements of that, but since it is the first in a trilogy it doesn't completely have good overcoming evil. Fletcher wins the tournament at the end of the story, beating out the plotters and villains, but is then arrested for events that happened in his hometown. Which leaves the story line with a cliffhanger for the next book in the trilogy.
Characterization- The young adult aspect is shown in the main characters. Fletcher, Othello, and Sylva are all teenagers. The story focuses mostly on their group and how they help or intervene in the plans of the adults. The reader gets to see these three characters and the people around them grow up as the book and series progresses.
Pacing- Fantasy pacing starts slow and then gains speed. The Novice follows that example with the start of the story introducing the characters and then the action picking up until the tournament at the end of the story.
Read-a-likes from NoveList:
The Iron Trial by Holly Black
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Author read-a-likes from NoveList:
John Flanagan
Alison Goodman
Anne Osterlund
J.K. Rowling
D.J. MacHale
Series read-a-likes from NoveList:
Magisterium by Holly Black
Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini
Faerie Wars chronicles by Herbie Brennan
Prophecy novels by Ellen Oh
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Week 12 Prompt
Author: Mark Weinberg
Title: Movie Nights with the Reagans
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Number of Pages: 261
Geographic Setting: Camp David, Washington, D.C., California
Time Period: 1981- 2016
Subject Headings:
Reagan, Ronald
Reagan, Nancy, 1921-2016
Presidents>United States
Presidents' spouses>United States
Type: Memoir
Series Notes: No series
Book Summary:
Movie Nights with the Reagans is a non-fiction memoir about films the Reagans watched with staff while at Camp David. The movies talked about include 9 to 5, Oh, God! Book II, Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Chariots of Fire, E.T., Return of the Jedi, War Games, Curse of the Pink Panther, Bedtime for Bonzo, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Rocky IV, Reds, Red Dawn, Top Gun, Knute Rockne All American, The Untouchables, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Hellcats of the Navy. The author has stories about what was going on in the world and the Reagans' lives at the time they watched the movies, why they picked the movies, and how the movies affected them. The book about who the Reagans were as people beyond the fame and presidency.
Reading Elements: Characterization, Tone, Detail, Learning/Experiencing, Pace, Setting
1-3 Annotation:
This memoir is about the Reagans in their down time. The author talks about movies they shared with staffers, and how those movies played into the everyday of their lives. It is a way of sharing something the Reagans shared with their staffers with readers.
Similar Works:
The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan
What It Takes by Richard Ben Kramer
The Reagan I Knew by William F. Buckley
Name of Annotator: Lindsay Cory
1. Where is this book on the narrative continuum?
A mix.
2. What is the subject of the book?
The subject of the book is different movies the Reagans watched at Camp David with staff, the effects the movies had, and what was going on in the world at that time.
3. What type of book is it?
A memoir.
4. Articulate Appeal
What is the pacing of the book?
It has a relaxed pace. It moves along smoothly.
Describe the characters of the book.
The characters of the book are former President Ronald Reagan, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, staff that worked for them, and the author Mark Weinberg.
How does the story feel?
The story has a warm-hearted entertaining feel to it with small moments of sadness.
What is the intent of the author?
To share moments of movie nights at Camp David with the Reagans with readers. I think the author wants people to see the Reagans through his eyes.
What is the focus of the story?
Movie nights with the Reagans, how those movies affected them, and what was going on in their lives at the time.
Does the language matter?
Yes
Is the setting important and well described?
Yes, the setting is important as an example of what kind of people the Reagans were. The setting is well described with details about where and how things were and how the people affected the setting.
Are there details, and if so, of what?
Yes, there are details about the movies and the people.
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
Yes, there are pictures of the Reagans and the author that relate to the stories.
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Yes, it has all three. Learning about the Reagans, understanding about the people they were in private and there staff, and experience through the stories of events and comments people made.
Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Characterization
2. Tone
3. Detail
Title: Movie Nights with the Reagans
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Number of Pages: 261
Geographic Setting: Camp David, Washington, D.C., California
Time Period: 1981- 2016
Subject Headings:
Reagan, Ronald
Reagan, Nancy, 1921-2016
Presidents>United States
Presidents' spouses>United States
Type: Memoir
Series Notes: No series
Book Summary:
Movie Nights with the Reagans is a non-fiction memoir about films the Reagans watched with staff while at Camp David. The movies talked about include 9 to 5, Oh, God! Book II, Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Chariots of Fire, E.T., Return of the Jedi, War Games, Curse of the Pink Panther, Bedtime for Bonzo, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Rocky IV, Reds, Red Dawn, Top Gun, Knute Rockne All American, The Untouchables, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Hellcats of the Navy. The author has stories about what was going on in the world and the Reagans' lives at the time they watched the movies, why they picked the movies, and how the movies affected them. The book about who the Reagans were as people beyond the fame and presidency.
Reading Elements: Characterization, Tone, Detail, Learning/Experiencing, Pace, Setting
1-3 Annotation:
This memoir is about the Reagans in their down time. The author talks about movies they shared with staffers, and how those movies played into the everyday of their lives. It is a way of sharing something the Reagans shared with their staffers with readers.
Similar Works:
The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan
What It Takes by Richard Ben Kramer
The Reagan I Knew by William F. Buckley
Name of Annotator: Lindsay Cory
1. Where is this book on the narrative continuum?
A mix.
2. What is the subject of the book?
The subject of the book is different movies the Reagans watched at Camp David with staff, the effects the movies had, and what was going on in the world at that time.
3. What type of book is it?
A memoir.
4. Articulate Appeal
What is the pacing of the book?
It has a relaxed pace. It moves along smoothly.
Describe the characters of the book.
The characters of the book are former President Ronald Reagan, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, staff that worked for them, and the author Mark Weinberg.
How does the story feel?
The story has a warm-hearted entertaining feel to it with small moments of sadness.
What is the intent of the author?
To share moments of movie nights at Camp David with the Reagans with readers. I think the author wants people to see the Reagans through his eyes.
What is the focus of the story?
Movie nights with the Reagans, how those movies affected them, and what was going on in their lives at the time.
Does the language matter?
Yes
Is the setting important and well described?
Yes, the setting is important as an example of what kind of people the Reagans were. The setting is well described with details about where and how things were and how the people affected the setting.
Are there details, and if so, of what?
Yes, there are details about the movies and the people.
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
Yes, there are pictures of the Reagans and the author that relate to the stories.
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Yes, it has all three. Learning about the Reagans, understanding about the people they were in private and there staff, and experience through the stories of events and comments people made.
Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Characterization
2. Tone
3. Detail
Non-fiction Annotation
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West by David Fisher
Genre: Non-fiction
Series- Legends & Lies book 1
Pages- 285
Summary:
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West is a book of real stories about famous historical figures from the Old West. The book was written as a companion to the Fox News Series done by Bill O'Reilly. The book covers the time period of 1734 with the birth of Daniel Boone to 1908 with the death of Butch Cassidy. The list of people talked about includes Daniel Boone, David Crockett, Kit Carson, Black Bart, Wild Bill Hickok, Bass Reeves, George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy. Each person is covered in a chapter of the book. It explores their life and death, as well as moments that are famous in history. The telling of their stories gives us the various different versions of what might have actually happened or the facts as they are known. With Custer the chapter talks about his famous last battle, but it also talks about his military career and other battles we don't hear about. Custer's last stand is famous in history, and largely what Custer is remembered for, but he did a lot more than lose his final battle. The chapter over Butch Cassidy talks about the famous final shootout when the law tried to arrest Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; but it also talks about how they started out. The theories about how the actually died and if they really did die are discussed as well. The book discusses the major historical moments these figures are known for, but they also look at who the people were and alternate versions of the stories. While telling true stories about famous individuals the book also entertains and keeps the reader's attention.
Characteristics of Non-fiction
Pacing- This is how the story moves. This book moves quickly through facts and details by making things interesting and entertaining.
Characterization- This is the people the book talks about. The characterization tells you about each of these historical figures making you care about what happens to them even though this is history.
Detail- This is the facts and small pieces of information that add together to make the story. The details are what help make this an entertaining book to read. It looks at different people from all angles instead of just one aspect that is well known.
Learning/Experiencing- Sharing knowledge in a relatable way means you learn about history through hearing the pieces shared in an enjoyable way.
Setting- This is where the book is taking place. This book is set in the American West, during the time of expansion and exploration.
Read-a-likes from NoveList
Dreamers and Deceivers by Glenn Beck
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
The Black West by William Loren Katz
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
Men to Match My Mountains by Irving Stone
The West by Geoffrey C. Ward
Bad Land by Jonathan Raban
The Notorious Reno Gang by Rachel Dickinson
Mudeater by John D. Pihach
Similar authors from NoveList
Edward Dolnick
Jim Donovan
Howard Blum
Mitch Weiss
Timothy Egan
Orlando Figes
David Laskin
Mary Hamilton
Kim MacQuarrie
Wyatt, N. (2007). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Nonfiction. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Genre: Non-fiction
Series- Legends & Lies book 1
Pages- 285
Summary:
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West is a book of real stories about famous historical figures from the Old West. The book was written as a companion to the Fox News Series done by Bill O'Reilly. The book covers the time period of 1734 with the birth of Daniel Boone to 1908 with the death of Butch Cassidy. The list of people talked about includes Daniel Boone, David Crockett, Kit Carson, Black Bart, Wild Bill Hickok, Bass Reeves, George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy. Each person is covered in a chapter of the book. It explores their life and death, as well as moments that are famous in history. The telling of their stories gives us the various different versions of what might have actually happened or the facts as they are known. With Custer the chapter talks about his famous last battle, but it also talks about his military career and other battles we don't hear about. Custer's last stand is famous in history, and largely what Custer is remembered for, but he did a lot more than lose his final battle. The chapter over Butch Cassidy talks about the famous final shootout when the law tried to arrest Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; but it also talks about how they started out. The theories about how the actually died and if they really did die are discussed as well. The book discusses the major historical moments these figures are known for, but they also look at who the people were and alternate versions of the stories. While telling true stories about famous individuals the book also entertains and keeps the reader's attention.
Characteristics of Non-fiction
Pacing- This is how the story moves. This book moves quickly through facts and details by making things interesting and entertaining.
Characterization- This is the people the book talks about. The characterization tells you about each of these historical figures making you care about what happens to them even though this is history.
Detail- This is the facts and small pieces of information that add together to make the story. The details are what help make this an entertaining book to read. It looks at different people from all angles instead of just one aspect that is well known.
Learning/Experiencing- Sharing knowledge in a relatable way means you learn about history through hearing the pieces shared in an enjoyable way.
Setting- This is where the book is taking place. This book is set in the American West, during the time of expansion and exploration.
Read-a-likes from NoveList
Dreamers and Deceivers by Glenn Beck
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
The Black West by William Loren Katz
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
Men to Match My Mountains by Irving Stone
The West by Geoffrey C. Ward
Bad Land by Jonathan Raban
The Notorious Reno Gang by Rachel Dickinson
Mudeater by John D. Pihach
Similar authors from NoveList
Edward Dolnick
Jim Donovan
Howard Blum
Mitch Weiss
Timothy Egan
Orlando Figes
David Laskin
Mary Hamilton
Kim MacQuarrie
Wyatt, N. (2007). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Nonfiction. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Week 11 Prompt
The appeal factors are influenced by the medium change from text/visual to audio/listening. Instead of how the characters are described it is also important how the narrator distinguishes the differences between characters. If the narrator doesn't distinguish between characters the listener will be confused by what is going on with the story and the characters. With e-books I feel that the appeal factors are the same as they are for books; except that you can change the format and that can change the pace of the story sometimes.
Not holding the book in your hand means you can't just flip through the pages, but audiobooks and e-books usually give a summary so you can get a feel for the genre. The author of the book is usually a big help in knowing the genre of the book. Authors vary in the genres they write, but usually by the summary and the title a reader can get a feel of what genre a specific book is part of. E-books usually have categories that show what the book is about which can give the reader a feel for the genre of the book.
From my experience changing the color of text doesn't make any difference, but changing font and line spacing can slow down the pace of the story. I have read e-books that have big spacing between lines that means you read a sentence or two and then have to go to the next page, and that really slows the pace of the story down. For audio books narrator choice is a big thing. The speed with which they read, if they use different voices for different characters, or if they have an accent all affect the pace with which the story moves. Music in the background can be distracting or can increase the affect of the book. It depends on the music and if it goes well with the tone of the story. I have read audio books that the reader's voice makes me want to hear the story as much or more than because of the story, but I haven't listened to any audio books where music have stood out in any way for me.
I would say that narrators are a big appeal for audiobooks. The person reading the book can make the book better or worse just by the sound of there voice. For e-books being able to change formats is an appeal. But it all depends on the reader on what will stand out in format of a book as a negative or a positive.
Not holding the book in your hand means you can't just flip through the pages, but audiobooks and e-books usually give a summary so you can get a feel for the genre. The author of the book is usually a big help in knowing the genre of the book. Authors vary in the genres they write, but usually by the summary and the title a reader can get a feel of what genre a specific book is part of. E-books usually have categories that show what the book is about which can give the reader a feel for the genre of the book.
From my experience changing the color of text doesn't make any difference, but changing font and line spacing can slow down the pace of the story. I have read e-books that have big spacing between lines that means you read a sentence or two and then have to go to the next page, and that really slows the pace of the story down. For audio books narrator choice is a big thing. The speed with which they read, if they use different voices for different characters, or if they have an accent all affect the pace with which the story moves. Music in the background can be distracting or can increase the affect of the book. It depends on the music and if it goes well with the tone of the story. I have read audio books that the reader's voice makes me want to hear the story as much or more than because of the story, but I haven't listened to any audio books where music have stood out in any way for me.
I would say that narrators are a big appeal for audiobooks. The person reading the book can make the book better or worse just by the sound of there voice. For e-books being able to change formats is an appeal. But it all depends on the reader on what will stand out in format of a book as a negative or a positive.
Western Annotation
Butler's Wager by Robert J. Randisi
Series: The Gamblers
Genre: Western
Pages: 295
Summary:
Butler's Wager is about Ty Butler, a man from the East that escaped to the West at his father's orders. His father and all of his family were murdered by an unknown person, who now has a bounty out on Butler. This enemy is someone who had problems with his father. And until he can find who is after him Butler must keep one step ahead of the bounty hunters. Butler is a professional gambler, who is very skilled at his job. He is quick with a gun, but he isn't a gunfighter. His travels take him to Dodge City, where he walks into a hot bed of simmering trouble.
Shortly before he arrived in town the mayoral race voted out the current mayor and the new mayor fired the city marshal, his deputy, and the sheriff. The former city marshal is Jim Masterson, brother of the famous Bat Masterson, and the new powers of the town want him gone, but he won't be chased off. As Ty Butler arrives in town two gunfighters try for Jim and Butler helps save his life. This one action ties Butler to Masterson and brings more trouble than he ever expected to find in Dodge City. Butler's luck runs hot at the gaming tables, where he also befriends a couple of other gamblers. But his luck outside the tables is tested by a bounty hunter, a newspaper woman, and the several attempts on his live. As the trouble in Dodge City comes closer to a boil Butler plays an ace nobody sees coming by anonymously sending for Bat Masterson. So all Butler can do is wait to see if which will arrive first the final showdown between Jim Masterson and his business partner or Bat Masterson.
Characteristics of Western
Frame/Setting- "Westerns take readers back to a time and place in which life is set against a dangerous but beautiful backdrop (Saricks, 2009)." This western is set in 1881 Dodge City. The town is in a way as must a part of the novel as the characters are.
Characterization- Westerns can have characters that are real historical figures; also secondary characters are important in Westerns (Saricks, 2009). Butler's Wager has both of these aspects. The big name historical figures are Jim Masterson and Bat Masterson. An important secondary character in this novel is Jim Masterson's former deputy Neal Brown, who goes out of his way to protect and look after his friend Jim.
Story Line- Westerns can be about good fighting evil, justice being restored, survival, or revenge to name some of the western story line themes (Saricks, 2009). The book contains a couple of these story lines. Survival applies to Butler, who is trying to keep ahead of the bounty hunters on his trail. Good fighting evil can apply to the fight between Jim Masterson and the people who are trying to run him out of town.
Tone/Mood- "Westerns are imbued with a nostalgic tone, full of memories of and longing for another time (Saricks, 2009)." Westerns contain the element of the wild west, exploration, and a different way of life. This book talks about a way of life that no longer exists today, but that many people still are fascinated by.
Book Read-a-likes from NoveList
Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B. Parker
May There be a Road by Louis L'Amour
Six Bits a Day by Elmer Kelton
The Long High Noon by Loren Estleman
Galloway's Gamble by Howard Weinstein
The Lawman by Lyle Brandt
Series Read-a-likes from NoveList
Caleb York novels by Mickey Spillane
Trail West series by William W. Johnstone
Byrnes family ranch westerns by Dusty Richards
John Henry Cole novels by Bill Brooks
Bounty novels by Paul Colt
Tucker Ashley by C.M. Wendelboe
Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association
Series: The Gamblers
Genre: Western
Pages: 295
Summary:
Butler's Wager is about Ty Butler, a man from the East that escaped to the West at his father's orders. His father and all of his family were murdered by an unknown person, who now has a bounty out on Butler. This enemy is someone who had problems with his father. And until he can find who is after him Butler must keep one step ahead of the bounty hunters. Butler is a professional gambler, who is very skilled at his job. He is quick with a gun, but he isn't a gunfighter. His travels take him to Dodge City, where he walks into a hot bed of simmering trouble.
Shortly before he arrived in town the mayoral race voted out the current mayor and the new mayor fired the city marshal, his deputy, and the sheriff. The former city marshal is Jim Masterson, brother of the famous Bat Masterson, and the new powers of the town want him gone, but he won't be chased off. As Ty Butler arrives in town two gunfighters try for Jim and Butler helps save his life. This one action ties Butler to Masterson and brings more trouble than he ever expected to find in Dodge City. Butler's luck runs hot at the gaming tables, where he also befriends a couple of other gamblers. But his luck outside the tables is tested by a bounty hunter, a newspaper woman, and the several attempts on his live. As the trouble in Dodge City comes closer to a boil Butler plays an ace nobody sees coming by anonymously sending for Bat Masterson. So all Butler can do is wait to see if which will arrive first the final showdown between Jim Masterson and his business partner or Bat Masterson.
Characteristics of Western
Frame/Setting- "Westerns take readers back to a time and place in which life is set against a dangerous but beautiful backdrop (Saricks, 2009)." This western is set in 1881 Dodge City. The town is in a way as must a part of the novel as the characters are.
Characterization- Westerns can have characters that are real historical figures; also secondary characters are important in Westerns (Saricks, 2009). Butler's Wager has both of these aspects. The big name historical figures are Jim Masterson and Bat Masterson. An important secondary character in this novel is Jim Masterson's former deputy Neal Brown, who goes out of his way to protect and look after his friend Jim.
Story Line- Westerns can be about good fighting evil, justice being restored, survival, or revenge to name some of the western story line themes (Saricks, 2009). The book contains a couple of these story lines. Survival applies to Butler, who is trying to keep ahead of the bounty hunters on his trail. Good fighting evil can apply to the fight between Jim Masterson and the people who are trying to run him out of town.
Tone/Mood- "Westerns are imbued with a nostalgic tone, full of memories of and longing for another time (Saricks, 2009)." Westerns contain the element of the wild west, exploration, and a different way of life. This book talks about a way of life that no longer exists today, but that many people still are fascinated by.
Book Read-a-likes from NoveList
Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B. Parker
May There be a Road by Louis L'Amour
Six Bits a Day by Elmer Kelton
The Long High Noon by Loren Estleman
Galloway's Gamble by Howard Weinstein
The Lawman by Lyle Brandt
Series Read-a-likes from NoveList
Caleb York novels by Mickey Spillane
Trail West series by William W. Johnstone
Byrnes family ranch westerns by Dusty Richards
John Henry Cole novels by Bill Brooks
Bounty novels by Paul Colt
Tucker Ashley by C.M. Wendelboe
Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Book Club Experience
I found a book club through my home county's library website. There were several to choose from, but this one was the only one that fit my schedule and had an interesting sounding book for the month. It is a book club that meets at a restaurant. I invited a friend to go with me to the book club. I didn't know what to expect from this book club, because the only other one I have attended is the one I help run. I didn't tell anyone that I was there for an assignment. I did read the book for the night, which was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I found the book to be an interesting read.
When we arrived most of the attendees were already there. Two more people came in after we did. There were around twelve of us there. We were seated at line of tables pushed together in a room. Everybody ordered there drinks and food, if they were getting anything. The library staff member there introduced himself and another member of the club, when we sat down next to them. But I didn't get names for anybody else. The four of us talked about the book for a little while, but then the discussion shifted to other books. When the food arrived we all ate and talked about different books we had read. After almost everyone was done eating the whole table started a discussion, but it was about what good books had been read lately, what everyone was thinking about reading, and what had been recommended to them. The library staff member brought out copies of the book for next month, which is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Anybody who wanted a copy could check it out. Then he asked what they wanted to read next. They started giving suggestions for what else they could read this year. He wrote down all the suggestions and was going to look into book availability and book length to see what they would read next. We left after this as things seemed to be winding down. We were the first to leave but we stayed for an hour and a half.
The book club has been going on for around a year. It was started by friends and then the library staff member stepped in to get the books and run things. They seem to be a close group that meet to hang out, catch up, and talk with each other. While I thought it was a fun and interesting evening, we didn't talk much about the book that we had read for the night. I don't know if people didn't like it, didn't have time to read, or didn't want to discuss it, but I had expected to talk more about the book. The discussion what went on was interesting, though. The library staff member seemed to be in charge of getting books and helping pick books, but I don't think the group really has a leader from what I could tell. There weren't many questions asked about the book. We discussed what we thought of it and a couple of points were mentioned that we talked about. When we were discussing the book it was the four of us and we all talked back and forth. With the size of the group and the set up it's a little hard for everybody to hear what everybody else is saying unless only one person is talking at a time; and there were several little groups talking with each other. The group seems to read a little bit of everything as long as there is interest from the group. In the past they have read American Gods, Fight Club, Six of Crows, and The Woman in Cabin 10 to name a few I found on their Facebook page. They seem like a great group who had a really good discussion about a little bit of everything. And I think that is what this book club is more about; gathering together with other people to talk about popular movies, good books, and anything they want to discuss in an informal setting. I had a good time, but I don't know if I'll go back as I'm kind of picky about what books I do read in my free time. Good Omens wasn't a book I would have picked on my own, but it was fun to read. I might go back if they have another book that I think sounds good.
When we arrived most of the attendees were already there. Two more people came in after we did. There were around twelve of us there. We were seated at line of tables pushed together in a room. Everybody ordered there drinks and food, if they were getting anything. The library staff member there introduced himself and another member of the club, when we sat down next to them. But I didn't get names for anybody else. The four of us talked about the book for a little while, but then the discussion shifted to other books. When the food arrived we all ate and talked about different books we had read. After almost everyone was done eating the whole table started a discussion, but it was about what good books had been read lately, what everyone was thinking about reading, and what had been recommended to them. The library staff member brought out copies of the book for next month, which is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Anybody who wanted a copy could check it out. Then he asked what they wanted to read next. They started giving suggestions for what else they could read this year. He wrote down all the suggestions and was going to look into book availability and book length to see what they would read next. We left after this as things seemed to be winding down. We were the first to leave but we stayed for an hour and a half.
The book club has been going on for around a year. It was started by friends and then the library staff member stepped in to get the books and run things. They seem to be a close group that meet to hang out, catch up, and talk with each other. While I thought it was a fun and interesting evening, we didn't talk much about the book that we had read for the night. I don't know if people didn't like it, didn't have time to read, or didn't want to discuss it, but I had expected to talk more about the book. The discussion what went on was interesting, though. The library staff member seemed to be in charge of getting books and helping pick books, but I don't think the group really has a leader from what I could tell. There weren't many questions asked about the book. We discussed what we thought of it and a couple of points were mentioned that we talked about. When we were discussing the book it was the four of us and we all talked back and forth. With the size of the group and the set up it's a little hard for everybody to hear what everybody else is saying unless only one person is talking at a time; and there were several little groups talking with each other. The group seems to read a little bit of everything as long as there is interest from the group. In the past they have read American Gods, Fight Club, Six of Crows, and The Woman in Cabin 10 to name a few I found on their Facebook page. They seem like a great group who had a really good discussion about a little bit of everything. And I think that is what this book club is more about; gathering together with other people to talk about popular movies, good books, and anything they want to discuss in an informal setting. I had a good time, but I don't know if I'll go back as I'm kind of picky about what books I do read in my free time. Good Omens wasn't a book I would have picked on my own, but it was fun to read. I might go back if they have another book that I think sounds good.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Special Topics Paper Summary
I did my paper over the Young Hoosier Book Award (YHBA). It is an award given by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF) and the Association of Indiana School Library Educators (AISLE). The award has been around since 1974-1975. The first winner of the award in 1975 was Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. There was one award given a year until 1986, when they split the award into two categories 4th-6th grade and 6th-8th grade. Then in 1992 they added K-3rd as another category. The levels are now Picture Books, Intermediate, and Middle Grades.
The 20 books in each categories are selected by a committee for each level. Each committee takes all the nominations and narrows it down to 20 which are then present to the students at the start of the school year to read. If students read 12 of the picture books or 5 intermediate or middle grade books they are able to vote for their favorite. The schools then send the results to of the vote the committee and they announce the winners at the end of the school year.
The committees also provide resource for each of the books. The picture books have activity sheets and information about the books. The intermediate books have discussion questions and information about the books. The middle grades books have book trailers, discussion questions, and information about the books. They also have a book trailer contest for the students to participate in.
Work Cited
Young Hoosier Book Award. Indiana Library Federation. http://www.ilfonline.org/?page=YHBA
The 20 books in each categories are selected by a committee for each level. Each committee takes all the nominations and narrows it down to 20 which are then present to the students at the start of the school year to read. If students read 12 of the picture books or 5 intermediate or middle grade books they are able to vote for their favorite. The schools then send the results to of the vote the committee and they announce the winners at the end of the school year.
The committees also provide resource for each of the books. The picture books have activity sheets and information about the books. The intermediate books have discussion questions and information about the books. The middle grades books have book trailers, discussion questions, and information about the books. They also have a book trailer contest for the students to participate in.
Work Cited
Young Hoosier Book Award. Indiana Library Federation. http://www.ilfonline.org/?page=YHBA
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