Thompson


 * Journal Reviews – Jennifer Thompson**


 * I. School Library Journal – September 2009**

The September issue of School Library Journal was full of useful information for today’s teacher-librarians. Many practical features were included, such as back-to-school resources for teachers, parents, and students, plus fantastic reviews of the newest multimedia resources, digital resources, and book reviews for media specialists.

SLJ highlights different tech gadgets in each issue. One gadget that I especially liked in the September issue is Nikon’s Coolpix Camera with Built-in Projector. This device allows you to share photos and videos by transferring the pictures on the wall, projecting them as wide as 40 inches. I have already put this item on my Christmas list! Some other features included were reviews of new graphic novels for kids in grades K-4, along with an exciting interview with Jerry Pinkney, author of the new book, //The Lion & the Mouse//.

One “hot” topic highlighted in this issue of SLJ discussed the issue of giving book covers “facelifts” to help increase circulation of many classic books. The author included examples of “cool” and “uncool” covers. Since many of us may end up working in media centers with books with outdated covers, it is important for us to realize that students are consistently drawn to books with appealing covers. The author listed some tips that can do wonders for the circulation of many outdated covers. Some of the suggestions that I really liked included: creating surveys for students on www.surveymonkey.com/ to find out which covers pass the “cool” test; adding requests for “extreme makeovers” in grant applications; and letting students create new book jackets for old covers.

The featured editorial, entitled “As Goes California,” focused on the Free Digital Textbook Initiative publicized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last May. This initiative provides open-source math and science textbooks to high school students in the state of California. Although it is exciting to see California “taking on” open-source content, the article did discuss obstacles pertaining to cost and access. It will be interesting to monitor this situation and see when other states decide to tackle this issue.

The article that challenged me the most was the feature article, “Excuse me. Do you Speak Digital?” This article focuses on John Palfrey, coauthor of //Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives.// He is the Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources and a law professor at Harvard Law School. Palfrey, along with Urs Gasser, spent a few years researching what young people really think about technology. They interviewed about 250 teens, parents, teachers, and librarians to uncover their views on what it is like raising children in a digital nation. In the article, Palfrey emphasized the message that librarians need to take a more active role in guiding students through today's information environment. Upon reading this article, I feel challenged to spend more time listening and encouraging students to discuss the practices they are using in this information age, so that I can figure out how to provide services that meet their needs and uncover digital issues that need to be corrected. The AASL has selected this book to be featured at their national conference in Charlotte on November 5-8. I will definitely be acquiring a copy of this book for my future library.

Overall, I feel that School Library Journal is a beneficial magazine that includes relevant information pertaining to children, young adults, and school librarians. While there are a lot of advertisements throughout the issue, some of them are really helpful. One of the advertisements focused on providing lists of inspiring book titles for Teen Read Week. I had one slight criticism pertaining to the lengthy book review section. It would be more helpful to include pictures of book covers next to each review, as well as inserting multiple stars to rate the overall success of each book (instead of inserting only one star next to highly recommended books).


 * II. Library Media Connection - October 2007**

The October 2007 edition of Library Media Connection (LMC) included many useful tips and pointers for colleagues in the library media profession. There were some different features located in this issue, that were not included in the SLJ issue. LMC included a "Copyright Question of the Month" page, as well as an "Ask Mr. Technology" section featuring questions on Web 2.0 functions. Similar to SLJ, Library Media Connection included reviews on current books and graphic novels; however, they also included reviews of professional books for faculty, along with reviews of current books covering most genres and subject matters for teachers and students. I also liked the "Hot Stuff and Other Things" page, which listed "hot" books, upgrades, and links for teacher-librarians. The article focusing on first-person booktalks was informative, too. I was excited to read about the overwhelming popularity of these booktalks, in which the SLMS becomes a character in the book (complete with costume) and therefore tries to entice the students to join the reader in the story. What a great idea to make reading come alive to students!

The article entitled "Data-Driven Collaboration in Two Voices" reaffirmed what we have been learning in class and through our field experiences. In this article, the authors, Toni Buzzeo and Stephanie Wilson, reinforced the belief that teacher/librarian collaborative instruction is the most effective means to teaching information literacy skills, thereby resulting in improved student achievement. They cited specific examples of the impact collaborative teaching can have upon colleagues, administrators, and students if it is planned, taught, and evaluated as a team. I love this idea and cannot wait to get started planning collaborative projects with teachers, so that we can focus on analyzing standardized test data and designing activities to help improve student deficits. Collaborating with teachers should also help us in planning our collection development, by improving content areas where students are showing deficits on tests. This article definitely reinforces the idea that creating ongoing partnerships with teachers is going to do wonders for our students compared to teaching lessons in isolation.


 * III. School Library Media Activities Monthly - September 2008**

School Library Media Activities Monthly (SLMAM) included some great columns that were not covered in the two previous journals. The Activities Almanac section listed numerous activities featured during the month of September, such as "Library Card Sign-Up Month" and "National Hispanic Heritage Month." What a great opportunity to invite your local children's public librarian to come out and speak with your students about the exciting events going on at the public library, while at the same time encouraging families to sign up for library cards. This journal also featured multiple lesson plans that would be beneficial for all grade levels. The lesson plans included AASL standards and curriculum objectives, as well as sample rubrics and graphic organizers. These lessons could immediately be implemented in the library. Another column that was helpful was the "Connect the Book" section. This month featured the authors, Leo and Diane Dillon, the creators of the book, //Mother Goose Numbers on the Loose.// Some of the connections that were included were extension activities, lists of other books pertaining to Mother Goose rhymes, selections of counting books, and other books by Leo and Diane Dillon. Links to various websites were also inserted. It would be easy to take the information from this monthly column to create pathfinders for library websites. All the information is there, you would just have to align the information with the books located in your collection.

The Keeping Current column entitled, "Urban Teenagers, Leisure Reading, and the Library Media Program" listed details about a 2002 study that found that as many as 70% of eighth graders attending middle schools had below grade level reading comprehension levels. Since I have been working at an urban school for my field placement, I felt that this topic was particularly relevant. This article focused on the leisure reading habits of low income, minority middle school students. Two 2006 surveys were mentioned that found that these students recognized the value of reading equating to their success in school; however, the study also found that these same students viewed reading as a solitary activity that they chose not to participate in outside of school, especially during the summer. Summer reading is critical for low performing and/or disadvantaged students. Luckily, the column included practical tips for SLMSs to use in engaging these students. In order to reach these students, we have to include leisure reading material that is relevant to their lives. Magazines were found to be the preferred reading material for males and females, as well as comic books and graphic novels. Many urban teens prefer magazines, that I have to admit I had never heard of before, such as //Black Beat, Latina, Sister to Sister//, and //Urban Latino.// They also want to read about celebrities, sports figures, and musicians that they care about. I would create a survey for students to find out which celebrities they want to read about. I would also try to include series and books that make up the genre, Street Lit, which is growing rapidly. Some other helpful suggestions listed included providing links on library websites to African American and Latino authors and illustrators. You can also entice readers by compiling "must-read" lists for students from different cultural groups. A final tip that I would implement in a media center, is to provide these students access to books during the summer by opening up the library one afternoon a week.

Jenny T.

I am finding that there is a lot of good information and ideas in the journals. Lots for us to think about. JD
 * Good job on your article discussions. Keep what you learned in the //Urban Teenagers// article in mind for next week when we focus on diversity and discuss the Jones and Zambone book. Nice connection particularly as you are doing an urban field experience. SB

I really liked the idea of letting students create new book jackets for old covers. First, they have to read the book to know what to put on the cover. Second, they get to create something new and that will be seen by everyone. I also liked the "Connect the Book" idea to get students involved in a topic. CMS

I am really interested in the idea of new book jackets. I agree that they get to create something new and they have to read the book. I am just curious as to how this could actually be implemented? Would you laminate the cover and attach it somehow? I am also doing a field experience in an urban school and I can see how the article on urban teenagers would be interesting. I have found in my field experience that the students particularly like the graphic novels. I think it is important to have reading material available that the students want to read! EAS

All of these journals have great information in them. I, too, like the new book jacket idea. If students design book jackets that will be used and seen in their library, they will be so proud to show them off. It is a great way to give students a sense of ownership. I like that SLMAM includes lesson plans, because they can always be used even if changes are necessary. First-person booktalks sound like so much fun! I think I would enjoy it more than my students would. KE

I really liked what you mentioned about teacher/librarian collaborative instruction. I did a little of this in my own teaching, but as a librarian I will definitely go out and promote myself to the teachers in my building. In my field experience I saw how important and effective this type of collaboration is. There is a definite shift in education toward independent thought and creativity. Teacher/Librarian collaboration (from what I've observed) allows student new creative avenues in their work and research. CNR

Hi Jen - yes, I forgot about the Nikon coolpix camera as I saw it and thought it was neat as well. I am constantly amazed at the new gadgets that are coming out. Street Lit is a new genre that I am not familiar with but will definitely have to check it out. Thanks again for passing along such in-depth and reflective reviews of these journals! --Bill Reagle

I enjoyed reading about giving books "facelifts." I especially liked the idea of having the students create the new covers for the books. Many students like to draw and this would be a great way for them to show off their artistic abilities! They could even have contests to judge which cover would be the best. MP