Slideshare Banned Books ppt. link.

NPR’s audio for ‘Grapes of Wrath’ And The Politics of Book Burning.  The most applicable sections of the audio for Banned Books Week are from 0:00 to 1:11 minutes and from 6:02 to 6:25. 

This isn’t a homework assignment, it should be a fun experience for you and you’ll be creating a work of lasting value!

Ms. Meester

There’s still time to read Marley & Me! I have one copy on my desk for the lucky person who reads their email and the LHS Book Club Blog, then hustles to the library to pick up what has so far been described to me by your fellow club members as a humorous and well written story.

Timeline: Meet in the library to discuss Marley and me on April 29th.

Also, all book club members need to create a written book review that you’ll post to the blog before May 1st. It doesn’t have to be particularly lengthy, just make sure it comes from your heart and you consider your audience; other high school students. If you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at some of the reviews on the Teen Reads website: http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/index.asp

Your book review can be from a book that we’ve read this year, but this could become repetitive unless you let me know your title. Your review could also be one of your favorite books of all time! Here’s the exciting part – you’re going to become digital storytellers. Here’s a link to a voicethread (digital storytelling resource) that some of our parent volunteers have created.

Overview and timeline:

• Marley & Me book discussion (library/lunch) April 29, 2008
• Between now and May 1st create and post a book review (comment to the post created titled Digital Storytelling.
• Create a voicethread May 6th in the library at lunch. Come prepared to record your book review; I have all the equipment, you have the voice. This is our culminating book club meeting and event! I’ll provide the pizza and soda:)

A decision has been made……. ….And the winner is below “in red”!. Take a look at the author’s (John Grogan) scrapbook pictures of Marley, blog and website. Did you know Marley & Me is going to be made into a movie this Spring? Stop by the LHS library and let me know if you’d like to read Marley & Me. We have 1 copy in the LHS library, I’ll attempt to borrow 2 copies from our district schools, the LPL had 2 available last time I looked and a couple of our book club members have access to a copy or two. Another option – Ask some of your friends if they have a copy of Marley & Me that you could borrow until after Spring Break.

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog, by John Grogan, Gifts (Annals of the Western Shore) by Ursula Le Guin, and Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel, Fat Kid Rules the World, by K. L. Going, Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes or Deadline, both by Chris Crutcher, or The Appeal, by John Grisham. Shall we vote? I’ll put up a poll by 3/5 as our next post, so hurry with your suggestions!

Please reply with a book title and author of your choice, and also choose a poll or some other method, on how to democratically choose our newest book.

Vote Now! Pick a book here – any book, but do make sure that your vote is counted!

Go to the link above and please leave a brief biography of yourself (autobiography? in the comments section of this posting. To post a reply click on the envelope with the arrow at the bottom near Ms. Pulley’s name.

Answer the following to get you started:
1. Name or blogger name
2. Grade
3. Favorite genre
4. Favorite book
5. Favorite hobby or sport or video game or whatever!

 See you at lunch on the 26th!

I have many more titles to add, which seems a bit overwhelming. It’s such a great spot to keep track of what you’ve read over a life time. I often have students mention that they’ve picked up a book, only to find out that they’d forgotten that they’ve already read it! Perhaps you can start your own catalog on Library Thing. Also, take a look at the Book Suggester, under the “Suggestions link.

Click on the online poll link below and help select our next book:

http://www.pollpub.com/lhs-book-club-pick-for-february-2008.aspx

Here are some questions provided by the Scholastic website to ponder: 

1. Once he arrives at boarding school, how does Ned Begay get his new name?
2. Describe the warfare method the AMericans call “banzai”
3. Throughout his time in training and in service as a code Talker, Ned carries a pouch of corn pollen with him.  What does this pouch mean to Ned, and how does he use it?
4. Ned notices that the Navajos have a much easier time adjusting to life as Marines than the white men.  Why does he fell his life as a Navajo prepared him for being a Marine?

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clubs/lit_circle_pdfs/code_talker_t.pdf

Booklist’s starred review states, “Six-year-old Ned Begay leaves his Navajo home for boarding school, where he learns the English language and American ways. At 16, he enlists in the U.S. marines during World War II and is trained as a code talker, using his native language to radio battlefield information and commands in a code that was kept secret until 1969 … Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will come away with more than they ever expected to find.”

Remind all of your book club pals that the book is here and ready to read over the Winter Break!

Ms. Meester