Author Archives: Sally Snyder

“Life Prep” Skills for Teens…

Not so long ago a member posted on the YALSA-BK mail group that she had asked her teens what specific “life prep” topics they would like a program on, they responded with the list below:

– making cheap but meaningful gifts

– cooking good meals cheaply (including for a date!)

– finances – getting a loan, establishing good credit, checking and savings accounts, how to budget/save/invest

– buying a car – what to look for/watch out for, what questions to ask, how to test drive, how to bargain, how to weigh your options

– renting – what lease agreements should/shouldn’t include, how to check on the neighborhood, roommate issues, setting up utilities, security, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities

– how to find/access community help

– fixing appliances

– cleaning tips

– repurposing found/thrift shop items into furniture, etc.

– packing and moving

– travel tips and cheap vacations

– cars – how and when to register, get oil changed (or how to do it yourself), what basic parts look like and do, insurance, trouble-shooting

– relationships – healthy boundaries, saying no, building friendships (especially in a new area) – getting plugged into a new community

Wow! Maybe you would like to think about some possible presenters and then ask your teens what they would like to learn (or learn more).  If you have a Teen Advisory Board you could run this idea and/or list by them to find out what they think, and maybe they know someone who could present.  Good luck!

Looking for a humorous, fun title for readers?  The 2013 One Book for Nebraska Kids is Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith.  Look for book club kits on the Commission’s list.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Book Club for Kids…

If you have thought about starting a book club for kids, or want to rethink your current program design, take a look at this librarian’s approach outlined on her blog Thrive After Three.  Lisa Shaia has found something that works well for her community.  She shares her weekly time break down and also lists some titles that have worked well for middle grade readers and some titles for tweens/early teen readers.  Hope you find something helpful.

The 2014 One Book for Nebraska Teens is Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransome Riggs.  The Library Commission has a book club kit librarians can borrow.  If it is out when you would like it, we have plenty of other book club kits of previous One Book for Nebraska Kids and One Book for Nebraska Teens.  Take a look at the web page for book club kits, or this web page to look at previous One Book for Nebraska Kids or Teens titles.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransome Riggs:

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

No Flying No Tights: A Graphic Novel Review Website —

No Flying No Tights is a wonderful resource for librarians looking for information, explanations, and lists of graphic novels, comics, manga, and anime (but not about superheroes!) including a “Comics 101” section on the web page.  Librarians unfamiliar with anime will appreciate the web page’s staff picks for “Must Have: Anime for the Uninitiated.”  It will give you a good place to start.

The 2014 One Book for Nebraska Kids is Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen.  The Library Commission has a book club kit librarians can borrow.  If it is out when you would like it, we have plenty of other book club kits of previous One Book for Nebraska Kids and One Book for Nebraska Teens.  Take a look at the web page for book club kits, or the web page to look at previous One Book for Nebraska Kids or Teens titles.

Here is my book talk about Lawn Boy:

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Books Full of Ideas…

Recently a discussion was held on YALSA-BK about holding a live Clue® game for teens.  One person noted that ideas on how to do this were included in RoseMary Honnold’s 101+ Teen Programs That Work (2003).  I looked through it several years ago and just took another look today.  It is a wonderful resource of ideas from those that need very little funding to those that need quite a bit.  She followed with a second book, More Teen Programs That Work (2005) which follows the same format and has many more ideas to use with teens.  The Library Commission owns both titles and you are welcome to borrow either one whenever they are here.  The publication dates show they are a tad old, but the ideas are still fresh.

Patrick Eats his Peas and Other Stories by Geoffrey Hayes begins with Patrick claiming peas are “little green balls of mushy poison.”  Mother is patient and firm, finally Patrick finds his own way to eat a few peas.  The other stories involve Patrick helping with chores, taking a bath, and going to sleep.  Told in graphic novel format the appealing illustrations convey Patrick’s energy, his tendency toward trouble and his parents’ love and patience.  Great for beginning readers.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

NEST 529, College Savings Plan Scholarships!

We are excited to announce the opportunity for children and teens, ages 3-18, to have their names entered into a drawing for a $529 scholarship. Fifteen names will be drawn, five each from our three Congressional Districts.  In order to be included in the drawing, children and teens need to complete their library’s summer reading program, as determined by each individual public library.  Additionally, each winner’s home library will receive $250.

Information, Official Rules, and a sample file for name submissions can be found here.

Instructions included on Tab 1 of the sample submission file are:

• Please inform parents or guardians of the library’s intention to submit the children’s names for the drawing.  The parent or guardian has the right to exclude their child from the drawing.
• Print out and post the Official Rules for the NEST 529 drawing.
• As stated in the Official Rules — “Eligibility: Participation is open only to individual, legal Nebraska residents 3 to 18 years of age as of the date of entry.”
• Include a phone number &/or email address to contact each child/teen. (Space for these is included on Tab 2 of the Excel file designed for submission.)
• Libraries must submit contestant information electronically to the Library Commission.
• If you do not have Excel or another spreadsheet program, send us the names electronically in an email.
• In order to receive the scholarship, after the drawing the parents of the winners must agree to establish a 529 College savings account.
• Email the completed file to Sally Snyder by the Deadline of 11:59:59 p.m., CT, on August 15, 2014.
• Visit this Library Commission web page for links to the complete rules and a poster to display in your library.

Have a fun summer!

Great Websites for Kids  —

ALSC, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association has had for a while a section promoting the best websites for children they have found.  Called “Great Websites for Kids” it is updated regularly, so check back if you haven’t visited it lately.  The first page has categories listed you can select: “Sites of the Week,” “Recent Sites,” Most Popular,” and “Top Rated” and contains links to sites from The Crayola Home Page to Giggle Poetry and Farmer’s Almanac for Kids.  If you are wondering what sites you are missing, here is a good place to start.  I gave up trying to count the number of sites to which they link.  There are also plenty of author sites included: Shel Silverstein, The Brown Bookshelf, Jan Brett, Avi, and Janet Stevens for a start.

My Bus by Byron Barton has a human bus driver picking up dogs or cats at each of the bus stops.  The driver takes some of the animals to the boat, some to the train, and others to an airplane.  A simple story that includes favorite animals and popular transportation machines.  A little math is implied: addition as the animals board the bus and subtraction as they depart.  Each illustration clearly shows the dogs and cats still on the bus, so counting how many are there is another activity for listeners.  A good choice for story times.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Start Now and Be Ready for Teen Read Week

Teen Read Week is October 12-18 this year, the theme is Turn Dreams into Reality @ your library, and YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) has a website with a variety of items to help you and your teens be ready. Resources and incentives include:

• Downloadable low-resolution theme logo
• Forums: Discuss and share TRW related resources and experiences
• Ready to use planning and publicity tools
• Products: Posters, bookmarks, manuals, and more
• Showcase: Share your planned events
• Webinars : Free access to a live webinar to help you prepare for TRW, as well as archived webinars
• And more resources and perks to come

And remember the Teens Top Ten will be announced the week after Teen Read Week.  Your teens can read the nominated books and vote for their favorites.  Visit their website to find a PDF of the 25 nominated titles with descriptions.

How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks finds orphan Birdie (10), in Victorian London, proud to be an apprentice to Alfred Bunce, the Bogler, this life is much better than being a rag picker.  Her job is to act as bait to lure the bogle out for Alfred to catch and kill.  Alfred lost one assistant to a bogle and is determined to never have that happen again. He is not the expected cruel master, he worries for Birdie’s safety however this is the only way he knows to catch the deadly bogles.  Now something odd is about, orphans are disappearing and Alfred and Birdie may be in more danger than usual.  This title has spookiness, concern for Birdie’s well-being, the social divisions in London, and the concept of considering other options for catching and killing dangerous bogles.  For grades 4-7.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

There is still time to sign up to become a Read Aloud School or Community.  The opportunity is available through November 1, 2013, and it only takes a few minutes.

Just go here and click on “School” or Community” depending on which one you represent.  A community can be the public library, a book discussion group, a philanthropic organization, or other such group of people.

All it takes is a bit of time to fill out the form and submit it.  No cost to you and one of several benefits of being a Read Aloud School or Community is the opportunity to request books at no cost to you to give away to children in your school or community.  Join for the second (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) year and you are eligible to apply for a $250 competitive mini-grant to promote or celebrate reading aloud.

And while you are at it, save Friday, April 4, 2014 to hear Rob Reid talk about “Reid’s Read-Alouds” and “Making Lit Come Alive” – it is sure to be a wonderful day.  You can see the “Save the Date” information now, and more details later also here on the web site.  The Library Commission has seven of his books available for loan, such as Something Funny Happened at the Library and More Family Storytimes: Twenty-four Creative Programs for All Ages.

Be on the lookout for a large envelope that has been mailed to the director of each legally established public library in Nebraska.  It includes the 2014 Summer Reading Program (SRP) manual, SRP catalog, evaluation forms, and the library’s motion picture license certificate.

The science topic for 2014 brings us the children’s slogan: “Fizz, Boom, Read!”; the teen slogan: “Spark a Reaction” and the adult theme: “Literary Elements.”  For more information on topics and themes for the future, and ones used in the past, go here.

SummerTeen!

Yesterday
School Library Journal held their second annual SummerTeen event.  You still have a little time to register (yes, after the event) and they will let you know when the archive of the sessions is available.  Right now you can visit the “booths” of different publishers to see trailers of new books, read the chats from the event, and sign up to possibly win some items.  It was great to hear about new titles coming out and listen to the authors’ talk about them.   Hope they hold it again next summer!

One of the many things I learned is that Tamora Pierce, the Keynote Speaker, has some advice for writers on the FAQ section of her web page.  Scroll down until you see the questions “Where do you get your ideas?” “How do you deal with writer’s block?” “How do you start a book or story?” and more.  It is a good place for aspiring young writers to glean some sage advice from a well-known author.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is set in Omaha in 1986.  Eleanor, new to school and to the school bus, is immediately an outcast and Park tries to avoid eye contact so she will sit somewhere else.  She ends up next to him on the bus.  Park soon realizes Eleanor is reading his comics surreptitiously over his shoulder during the ride and he adjusts how he is sitting to give her a better view of the story.  Soon they are sharing music and moving toward a more serious relationship.  Eleanor’s home life is scary.  Her stepfather abuses her mother and Eleanor must tread lightly.   Park’s home life is the opposite, with loving supporting parents.   When home life gets too dangerous for Eleanor, she and Park must decide the best solution to the situation.  Bullying is a big topic as well as abuse, and finding acceptance in love.  Eleanor & Park has a starred review from Booklist and is for grades 9 and up.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Have You Seen a 90-Second Newbery?

Challenge your young readers to create a video telling the entire (hitting the high points anyway) story of a Newbery or Newbery Honor title in 90 seconds.  The 90-Second Newbery  is a film festival in which kids make movies that tell the story of a Newbery-winning book in 90 seconds or less. This is the third year of competition and entries are due by December 10, 2013. Visit the web page to see the rules for the competition as well as a sampling of the best movies kids have made. You will also find a guide full of helpful information on creating the video.  What is your favorite Newbery or Newbery Honor winning title?  (No, I cannot chose just one either.)

Stick Dog by Tom Watson is a humorous tale of a group of dogs who plot to steal the hot dogs and hamburgers from a family enjoying their picnic in the park.  Stick Dog is the leader and is very tolerant of the less than useable ideas from his friends.  Eventually, after many side trips and discussions, they have a better day than they ever imagined.  Lots of white space and the stick art style of drawing will appeal to readers looking for a quick yarn.  This book will be enjoyed by readers in grades 3-6.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Writers Have Bad Days (or Weeks) Too!

Libba Bray recently posted a humorous item on her blog lamenting the problems writers sometimes face.  It is “laugh out loud” funny and also gives some insight into her writing process, or lack of one.  All of us waiting for Diviners 2 will now know it is going to take a little longer than we had hoped.  But, that gives those of us who haven’t yet read The Diviners some more time to be ready for the sequel, whenever it is published.  Keep your fingers crossed.

I know I should review The Diviners now, but instead I have to go with another book.  The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central: High School Basketball at the ’68 Racial Divide by Steve Marantz  tells of events prior to, and the build-up to, the spring 1968 state high school basketball championship game between Omaha Central and Lincoln Northeast.  Events included a visit from George Wallace to the Omaha Civic Auditorium.  His presence and comments precipitated riots three days prior to the game which then was moved to Lincoln.  I was a sophomore at Lincoln Northeast in the spring of 1968 and attended the championship game that year.  I was naïve and had heard about some riots in Omaha but didn’t realize what they were about or even much about George Wallace; my world was pretty small back then.  This book reminded me of the many things I remember and the many things I should have known in 1968.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

“Scary Out There”

A new blog by Rot and Ruin author Jonathan Mayberry , hosted by the Horror Writers Association, contains interviews with well-known horror writers, including Darren Shan, Holly Black, Charlie Higson, and Barry Lyga.  He started it on March 26, 2013, so you will want to look down a little on the right side of the page for the Archives to read the interviews he has already included, they are fun to read and give you a heads-up on future titles.

Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy by Bill Wise, a picture book biography for younger elementary school age children, tells of one of the first major league baseball players who was deaf.  Born in 1862 he lost his hearing to meningitis when he was three.  This tells of his education, his shoemaking business, and his baseball career.  A unique event happened on May 16, 1902, Hoy batted against a deaf pitcher, Luther Taylor; for the first time in major league history a deaf player was at bat facing a deaf pitcher.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

I know you are all busy with this year’s summer reading program but I wanted to announce the upcoming program slogans while it is still fresh in my mind.  The annual meeting of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) was held in April of 2013. The slogans for the 2015 program and the topic or concept for the 2016 program were selected. They are:

2015, the topic is heroes:

Children: Every Hero Has a Story

Teen: Unmask!

Adult: Escape the Ordinary

The topic or concept for 2016 is: “Wellness/Fitness/Sports.”  I know there will be plenty of fun ideas in the manual when 2016 approaches.  I hope your readers are enjoying this year’s program (whatever their ages) and will be eager to get going next year too!  Happy Summer!

“Guys Listen” website by Jon Scieszka.

A companion website to his “Guys Read” site, author and reading advocate Jon Scieszka now  has added a “Guys Listen” site.  Take a bit of time to explore both sites (if you haven’t had a change to look at “Guys Read” yet).  I found a list of suggested reading for professionals that I will need to read my way through, I especially like the term “literacy differences” used by Elaine Millard in her title Differently Literate: Boys, Girls, and the Schooling of Literacy, which the Commission does not own so I need Interlibrary Loan for that title.

One title the Commission owns that he recommends is Connecting Boys with Books: What Libraries Can Do  by Michael Sullivan.  We also own his Connecting Boys with Books 2: Closing the Reading Gap.  Michael Sullivan visited Nebraska in the spring of 2011 and gave wonderful presentations in four locations on how librarians can connect with the group of boys who have trouble with reading.  Maybe we will be able to have him visit us again.

Puss in Boots by Jerry Pinkney is the latest in his interpretations of fairy tales.  Lavish illustrations add to his straightforward retelling.  Puss is given to the youngest son and soon has provided well for him and his older brothers.  “A Note from the Artist” at the back of the book tells of his research both into other retellings and into the clothing styles and countryside of France for the time period he chose.  Perhaps young participants at your library would like to try a retelling of their own.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Edgar Award – Best Young Adult Mystery, and Best Juvenile:

Code Name Verity was selected as the winner, other finalists were: Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things by Kathryn Burak, The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George, Crusher by Niall Leonard, Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield.

The Best Juvenile title was The Quick Fix by Jack D. Ferraiolo (which I haven’t yet read).  The other finalists were: Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind by Tom Angleberger, 13 Hangmen by Art Corriveau, Spy School by Stuart Gibbs, and Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.  Visit this site to see all the category winners and nominees.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein was published in May of 2012.  It is historical fiction, set during World War II, about two young women who find friendship while working to help the war effort in England.  Queenie is a British spy captured in France by the Germans, Maddie is the pilot who dropped her off in France.  Flashbacks show their development both in their friendship and in their expertise to help the British cause.  The tension of what will happen both to the prisoner Queenie and to Maddie, who is trapped in France temporarily, will keep readers turning the pages.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)