2011-2012 Truman Reader's Award

As October comes to an end many of you have been reading this year's Truman Nominated titles in record numbers.  If you are still looking for one to read you might try going back to look at the presentation we did with videos for each of the books which is at the bottom of this post.

As of today it looks like the 8th grade Gold team and 6th grade Pride team are tied for number of students participating.  8th grade Gold team has read the most total books in the school so far.  7th Grade Explorers have the highest number who have read four or more of this year's titles.

Be sure to stop by the library and tell Mrs. Netzer when you finish reading one of the Mark Twain's or Truman's for this year.  There really is something for everyone on the list from Fantasy to Sports Fiction.

2010-2011 Reader's Award Winners

In an amazing turn of events Carver student correctly predicted the top books for this year's Truman Awards, they just had them in a slightly different order.  In 3rd place was Jump the Cracks by Stacy DeKeyser.  And then the top two books which Carver had reversed where 2nd place Gone by Michael Grant and in 1st place, Hunger Games Suzanne Collins.  Hunger Games was of course my personal top choice, but I really enjoyed Gone as well.  Hunger Games also took 1st place in the Gateway Awards the High School Reader's Award.  If you haven't any of these three books you should check out one from the library today.  We've got copies of all three.

Library Snapshot Day at Carver

Yesterday was Missouri School Library Snapshot Day at Carver and I would like to say it was a huge success!

 The students and staff use this library in a variety of ways and at different times, but clearly they use it.  415 students and staff members came to the library yesterday.  Some dressed up as their favorite book characters, some simply visited alone or with their classes to check out materials.


Looking around 4th block, I saw 7th grade students using computers to work on power-point projects, do research on animals, and print out materials for exploration projects.  I saw 8th graders selecting books and magazines for reading.  6th graders visited to share why they loved the library but also to work on their literature circles.  Small groups of them gathered to read or discuss with their groups what they had read so far.  Some selected new books to read.

In short the library was used for all the best purposes.  Thank you to everyone who stopped by, dressed up as their favorite book character and used the library.

Reader's Lunch

6th grade discussing who
they wanted to win.

8th Grader's enjoying their pizza!

March 28th was the Reader's Lunch in the library.  With over a 100 Carver students having read 4 or more of the books there were quite a few kids at the lunches.  In total students at Carver read 619 books making this year's list very popular.  Prizes were drawn for and the Carver winners were announced.

 We are waiting to hear mid April who the official state winners are but at Carver "Gone" by Michael Grant took 1st place followed closely by Suzanne Collins book "Hunger Games" with "Jump the Cracks" by Stacy DeKeyser taking 3rd place.  We'll see soon if Carver predicted the state winners or not.

7th grade was my largest group, they took up both sides of the library!

More 6th graders enjoying their lunch.

7th grade having a great time.

I had a wonderful time with each group as they came through for lunch but was especially pleased to see the large group from 7th grade.  This is the second year in a row that the 7th grade has out read the other grades, we'll see what happens next year.  Enjoy the pictures!

8th grade finishing up a very busy day!

Spring is coming soon...

These warm temperatures have me thinking of spring which means busy times in the library.  In the midst of MAP testing, Ed Performance and ending the year all of the students need to take the annual library survey. Some of you have already taken the survey in the last two weeks more are working on it in the next few.  If you have any ideas for books or magazines the library should get next year now is the time to let me know.  Just stop by the library if you already took your survey and tell me or add them to your survey if you haven't taken it yet.  Remember I want to buy materials you want to have!  Anytime you have a suggestion or idea come by and see me!

Also just a reminder the deadline to read 4 of the Truman/Mark Twain Award Nominees is February 25th.  If you let me know before the 25th you'll get to attend the Reader's Lunch where we have pizza, drawings for prizes and vote for your favorite title.  Right now 7th grade has read the most books with 281 Nominees and 46 students already invited to the lunch.  6th and 8th grade lets catch up!

New Books

New Book Section

In the rush before break I forgot to post about all the new books that have finally arrived at Carver. If you are looking for a good book, now is the time to stop by.  We've got additions to popular series, great new series starters, as well as stand alone novels. From Adventure to Zombies everything in between I'm sure all of you can find something to read.

We are also in the last two months of reading for the Mark Twain and Truman Readers Awards. Be sure to stop by and tell me if you finish reading any of the books on the list. It looks we are going to have some large groups for the Readers lunches. The last day to notify me you've read one of the nominees is February 25th. We'll hold the lunches the week after that. I'll post again as we get closer with more details, in the mean time keep reading!