Monthly Archives: February 2011

Great learning opportunity coming across the state!
Michael Sullivan, author of Connecting Boys with Books, will be in four locations across Nebraska in April. Funded by Read Aloud Nebraska, NLA’s Public Library and Trustee Section, a CE & Training grant from the Nebraska Library Commission and supported by the Regional Library Systems, this program will give you the opportunity to hear Michael Sullivan “share practical, proven, and sometimes off-beat suggestions on how to turn boys into lifelong readers.” The afternoon session will address library services and the future; it is titled “Breaking All the Rules.” This program offers 5 hours of CE credit.
Details and a registration form may be found on the brochure, located here. You also may register online at Read Aloud Nebraska. Early bird registration ends April 1, 2011.

I am enjoying Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood. Twenty years after Phileas Fogg went around the world in 80 days, his son, Harry, is caught in a similar situation. This time Harry was expounding on motorcars and how they will take over from horses and buggies. He insisted that the model he and a friend have developed is far superior to any other. Now he must drive all the way, except when crossing water, in 100 days or lose the bet he can’t afford. Great fun, some danger and trouble. Can’t wait to find out if they make it!
(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 to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Did you know February 21, 2011 is International Mother Language Day?
Join people all around the world celebrating on the 21st. Sponsored by UNESCO, an agency of the United Nations, the first International Mother Language Day was celebrated in 2000. It’s purpose is “to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism” as stated on the UN’s page here.
National Foreign Language Week is March 7 – 13, 2011. First celebrated in 1957, National Foreign Language Week is sponsored by Alpha Mu Gamma. This year’s theme is “Languages Make the World Go ‘Round.” The week’s purpose is to emphasize the importance of studying a language other than your first language.

I just finished No Such Thing as Dragons by Philip Reeve. Ansel (10) has been mute since his mother passed away three years ago. His father eagerly arranges for Ansel to serve Johannes Brock, a reasonably successful dragon hunter. Brock confides in Ansel that there really are no such things as dragons, but there is the fear of dragons so he always has work. This trip, though, he might be wrong. Very wrong. People and animals have disappeared and the townsfolk of the mountainous village are desperate for help. More death is on the way. Excellent storytelling with a (mostly) sympathetic cast. Sure to be popular with boys and reluctant readers. Aimed at grades 4-7, it has 186 pages.
(This book is from the library, but the Nebraska Library Commission does receive free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free to Nebraska school and public libraries.)