In Search of Sasquatch is an engaging work of non-fiction. The book examines the stories of Sasquatch over the years and compiles the evidence (both anecdotal and scientific) in one slick volume.

Fascinating facts about Sasquatch and background on how that information was obtained will keep readers turning the pages of this well put together book and begging their parents to add plaster of paris to their weekly shopping list!
In addition to legends, footprints and reported sightings, the author adds intresting facts about the "Sierra Sounds" i.e. Big Foot language, a transcript of a 911 call and a story about how actor Jimmy Stewart smuggled a Yeti finger to the United States in his wife's suitcase.

Illustrations, photos, and archival images and add intrigue to the text and make this a book that will be returned to again and again. A glossary and a healthy "learn more about it" section includes books, videos and websites - enough to keep an interested reader busy until the next Sasquatch sighting.

The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce

A quiet, contemplative story about 2 boys who have immigrated from Mongolia to Liverpool. The brothers meet and befriend Julie and make her their "Good Guide". She has to show them how to play football, where to sit at lunch and they seem to expect her to help them find a place to keep them safe from demons. Heartbreakingly honest and wonderful. This slim novel was devoured in one sitting.
Recommended for grade 5 & up.

Along with Susan Dee (left) and Diana Mullins (right) and lots of helping hands from parent volunteers. I took a group of students from Biddeford to the Maine Reading Round-Up to book talk the freshly pressed Maine Student Book Award Reading List.

The Maine Student Book Award is designed to expand literary horizons of students in grades 4-8 by encouraging them to read, evaluate, and enjoy a selection of new books and to choose a statewide favorite by written ballot each spring. In order to be eligible to vote, students must have read 3 books off from the list.
This year's winner, announced in April was Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle written by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery.

These kids worked so incredibly hard preparing for this conference. The list was published on March 12th which meant the kids had only 1 short month to select and read a book as well as prepare their presentation. They stayed after school, worked through lunch breaks and gave up study halls. They are true ROCK STARS and I am proud of each and every one of them. Care to take a look at the books they discussed? Check out the annotated list here.

As Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

I've been carrying this book around with me for sometime now and had yet to even read the book flap. Knowing it was by Jennifer Richard Jacobson was enough, I didn't actually need to know what the book was about. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to discover that Maine is the setting for this heartbreakingly wonderful new release.

Eleven year old Jack goes on a camping trip to Acadia National Park with his mother just before school is about to begin. When Jack exits his small tent the morning after their first night, his heart sinks when he discovers that his mom's tent, their gear and the rental car are all gone. Jack realizes almost immediately that his mom is "spinning", his term for her manic episodes, again.

With only a few dollars in his pocket and no gear, Jack finally decides to make his own way home to Boston. He is terrified of the authorities finding out and taking him away from his mother for good. In addition, he feels ashamed that he argued with her and feels responsible for setting her off. His fear and shame are evident, but the resourceful boy finds a way to get money, food and varied modes of transportation. It is clear that Jack has learned to be self-sufficient due to his mother's illness.

Obsessed with elephants from a young age, Jack uses his fascination with the animal as a way to cope with his dire circumstances. Jacobson effortlessly weaves interesting facts about elephants into the story.

This is a fast moving story that will please fans of "Waiting for Normal" by Leslie Connor.

Focus on the Future: Connecting Books and the 21st Century Reader

I recently had the pleasure of presenting at the Maine Association for School Librarians annual conference. The theme this year was Digital Citizenship which seemed like a natural fit for my co-presenter, Susan Dee and I. Susan and I have spent many hours integrating technology into our collaborative book groups which we run at the Biddeford Intermediate School. We put together a Live Binder for our presentation with lots of rationale for using technology in the classroom and library. Additionally you will find a host of resources and fun examples of ways in which we are using Twitter, blogs, word clouds, book trailers and more. Check out our Live Binder here and see how Biddeford kids are making meaningful connections with books!

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Not usually a lover of fantasy, but I quite liked this one! Check out the book trailer and review below.



Plain Kate, lives a simple life with her father a woodworker. A talented carver herself, Plain Kate is determined to become a master by age 20. Suspicious townsfolk fear Kate, her talent with her "witch blade" and her two different colored eyes. When a plague claims the lives of many, including her father, Kate is the target of the blame. With no place to go, no money and few friends in town Kate is pegged as the town's weakest and easiest prey by a mysterious stranger, Linay, who is witch-white and threatening. Kate is strong-armed into striking a bargain with the stranger - her shadow in exchange for much needed supplies and one wish. Without a shadow, it is certain Plain Kate would be condemned as a witch by the already wary townsfolk. Plain Kate takes off with a band of Roamers hoping for acceptance. Instead she becomes even more entangled in a web of magic and an elaborate plan of revenge. Well developed characters, who experience growth and change as the story progresses, drive this story to its bitter-sweet, if a little convenient, climax. Suggested for grades 6 & up.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is one of my favorite books of 2010. When the school weirdo, Dwight, comes to school brandishing a Yoda finger puppet his classmates scoff. However, when Yoda begins dispensing strangely accurate advice to his classmates, they begin to wonder if it is real. In a quest for the truth one student, Tommy, decides to investigate. Tommy compiles the stories of all the kids who have sought out the advice of Origami Yoda in order to prove once and for all whether or not Dwight and his "green wad of paper" are for real. While this story will be a crowd pleaser at its surface, the social complexities of being a middle-schooler are portrayed authentically. Suggested for grades 5 - 8. Of course, after reading this I wanted my own Origami Yoda. Who wouldn't? There are directions in the back of the book, but being the uncoordinated dweeb that I am, I needed more detailed instruction. I was delighted to find a youtube video (below) of Tom Angleberger walking through the process step by step. Send me photos of your Origami Yoda and maybe I'll post them here! May the force be with you.