New Technology

So one of my personal goals this summer has been to get to know a couple of new forms of technology. Twitter is one of them. For the longest time I was against using it, but I think it was because I was nervous about it. It did not make sense to me, and I did not see how I could use it for the library.

Then I started thinking...what if I shared library stuff with the students...books that I was reading right then...give the students access to awesome authors. This is what it is for.

So if you want to share this journey with me, follow me on Twitter...my username is HeatherLassley.

Tweet, Tweet!!

We Need Water!

One of the things that I have noticed on the news a lot lately is talk of the drought that we are under. I do know that we had some major storms last night...I was up most of the night with them, but we are having a very dry year. The Water Wars takes that to a new level.

Imagine a world where you are ALWAYS thirsty. Imagine a world where there is no Starbucks, no GAP, and no grocery stores in the traditional since. Imagine no dogs, no fresh meat, and no vegetables. Imagine that the only food that you get is genetically altered to need the minimal amount of water to grow. The United States is no longer...instead North America is divided into 6 regions all at war with each other.

This is the world that Vera and her brother, Will live in. Going to school one day, they meet Kai, a well digger's son. As they befriend him, Kai confides in Vera his secret. One day, Kai disappears, and Vera and Will realize that he did not leave willing. This takes them on an adventure that in the end changes a world forever.

This book is full of action, adventure, and at the heart of it all, a message. We must be careful with our resources. Who knows what the future will hold!

Summer Beach Reading

Okay, so beach reading is a stretch considering I will be nowhere near a beach this summer. What I mean by this is easy reading that has nothing to do with academics. For girls, that usually involves romanace. And that is what I am focusing on in this post.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, we follow Belly and her family to the beach house they have been sharing with her mom's best friend since she was born. Belly looks forward to the summer all year just to see Jeremiah, her best friend, and Conrad, the boy she secretly loves. For years now they have only looked at her as a friend, but this summer is different. How will Conrad react when he finds out Belly's true feelings?

In It's Not Summer Without You, Belly is at a loss at what to do. It is the first summer she has not been at the beach house. With all of them suffering a loss so deep that they can barely look at each other, Jeremiah and Belly take a journey to save Conrad. What will they find when they find him?

With the final book in the series, We'll Always Have Summer, on the bookshelves, this is a series that you ladies do not want to miss!

Summer Reading

I cannot believe it is already almost the last day of school. Between adding to the Lassley household and trying to continue reading, this last month has gone fast. As you are finishing up exams, I challenge each grade to something:

6th grade: This was such a big year for you. You made the transition from elementary to secondary in your classes as well as your literature. Many of you were amazing at what was in the library, how big it was, and the freedom you felt as you took home the books. My challenge to you is to try something new, girls go for that adventure book, and boys try something that might have more emotion to it than you would normally go for.

7th grade: You are moving into the top spot at Stafford. My goal for you is try some nonfiction. Some people find nonfiction boring, but if you find that right topic it can take you to so many new places. Whether it be World War II or a certain president or an animal or creative arts, take a minute to learn something new about what interest you.

8th grade: It has been a joy watching you go from 6th grade through to 8th grade. I had many of you as a teacher, and I have seen all of you grow and I am so proud of you. My challenge to you is two fold. This summer I challenge you to read one classic. In high school you are going to read many of these, but I want you to take a minute to read one just to read it, with no assignments attached. My second challenge to you is in your first week at Lone Star, take a minute to go to the library and meet Mrs. Terry. The Lone Star Library is amazing and you are so blessed to have so much at your fingertips, and Mrs. Terry is going to be there to guide you. YOU NEED TO KNOW HER!!

A Challenge to you all: As you start your summer, I challenge you to read at least five books before you come back in August. Frisco Public Library has a great selection. One of my suggestions is the book above. It is about a boy who has really bad luck, but in the end it takes him on the adventure of a lifetime!

I hope you all have a great summer and HAPPY READING!!
Mrs. Lassley