This was an event-heavy week in the library. On Wednesday we had our monthly Book Club, which featured several announcements – read about it here. Also on Wednesday, the Chinese Club and Food Club shared activities and snack in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
On Thursday the Glass Knife held their second (and last) speakeasy of the year. Students and faculty (and guest, former English teacher Dr. Bell) read poems, song lyrics, and short stories in English, Spanish, and French.
During the speakeasy, the GSA sold handmade Valentine’s Day cards with the proceeds benefitting LGBTQ+ charities. Also on Thursday the library was serenaded with its now annual singing Valentine from Ms. Bennett and the second graders.
We had a lot of new business to go over at the beginning of this month’s Book Club. First up were some reading challenges, Book Riot’s Read Harder and Popsugar’s Reading Challenge. Reading challenges encourage you to read widely, with prompts like “read a book that passes the Bechdel test” and “read a book with a pun in the title”.
Next, we introduced our new Country Day Reads Kits – similar to book subscription boxes, these kits contain 2-3 library books and a few bookish goodies to keep. A select number of kits will be available before breaks, the next one being Spring Break.
Then Ms. Melinson talk about some new books: in honor of Valentine’s Day, she shared How to Fight (a mindfulness meditation book). She also talked about the George Saunders’ book Congratulations, By the Way, a pretty book that helps you to begin thinking about kindness. Other new books include Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism and Reality Ahead of Schedule: How Science Fiction Inspires Science Fact. Ms. Melinson also asked for suggestions centered around identity and diversity for next year’s high school read.
Doctora Portillo shared that she read How To Be An Anti-Racist. She said it’s the best book she’s read on the topic. Anna was loaned lots of LGBTQ+ graphic novels to read over break and was looking forward to reading them. Layla read Turtles All the Way Down and loved it, saying it gave good insight into obsessive compulsive disorder.
Mr. Wells read The Guardians, a fictionalized version of Just Mercy. He liked the book, but said Just Mercy was better. Becca shared that she wanted to write a story about weird pop culture coincidences – memes that go viral and then happen in real life.
Jo then asked how you decide what to spend your time on when it comes to reading. Anna says it has to be gay for her to read it. Layla said she judges books by their covers and reads a random page in the middle to determine if she wants to keep reading. Larkin said she just asks Heloise for suggestions.
For more information about the books we talked about, visit our Goodreads page!
The 6th graders were back this week to continue their research on learning differences. To encourage their quiet research, students worked with a “crackling fire” in the background.
Also this week, Gavin brought Chinese Checkers and struck up a game with new student Jiayu.
February is Black History Month. The library is participating in a #readingblackout by only featuring African American authors on our end cap displays. Come view (and check out books from) our displays or view them on the library’s Instagram, where a new display will be featured every week.
Welcome to the second semester! I don’t know if you know this, but our kids love puzzles. They’re puzzle fanatics! And this week they finished two 1,000 piece puzzles. What day did they finish their second puzzle? On National Puzzle Day, of course! Good job, you puzzle fiends!
There was also some non-puzzle work happening in the library. Mrs. Sterling’s 6th graders were, throughout the week, working on their research for learning differences to go with their reading circles. They learned to use Encyclopedia Britannica and Gale databases. Then worked by the “fireplace” to complete their research.
Books & Bytes 