Holidays in the Library

Visit the library before the break.  Holiday, craft, and new books are on display and waiting to be checked out.  Remind your child to stock up on books for the holiday break.  We also have a collection of parenting books for you to peruse.  Books are great to have on hand for quiet times, family read alouds, and entertainment when you travel.  For more book and craft ideas, visit the Library links.

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me at pderby@thegrammarschool.org, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Busy Fall in the Library

The library has been a busy place this fall.  Students have been listening to stories, choosing books for reports and reading pleasure, and exploring different aspects of our library.  New books from the Book Fair are on display and ready to check out.  Thank you again for your support of the library through the book fair and your donations.  Please visit any time.

Library Book Fair continues

The Library Book Fair runs through Friday, October 18th at noon.  If you haven't visited the book fair yet, stop by to see all that is offered from board books for babies to young adult fiction, as well as interesting non-fiction for children and adults.  It's a perfect time to find items for birthday and holiday gifts, travel entertainment, and gifts to classroom libraries. Shop for yourself, for students, for a classroom.  All proceeds benefit the TGS library.  Questions? Please contact Ponnie at pderby@thegrammarschool.org

Library Book Fair

 Medieval Faire – Friday am, October 18^th

^{(see below for best times to visit)}

The Book Fair opens Saturday.   Proceeds benefit our library.

     The library has been transformed into another realm, from library to magical book shop.  Last week students received a Scholastic Book Fair promotional piece, which highlights just a few of the books available at the Fair. Please set aside a time to visit the library to select from the exciting books that will be on display.

     If you have not seen our Book Fair in the past, the variety and number of items available will amaze you. Shopping at the Book Fair is a great way to find gifts for the holidays and birthdays, trip entertainment, and fun reading for your children and you. The Book Fair is also an opportunity to donate books to your child’s class. Teachers will submit a wish list of books that will enrich their classroom libraries. Gift certificates for teachers to redeem at the fair will also be available. Each donated book will be recognized with a bookplate identifying your child or family as the donor. Students will also have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair to make their own selections or wish lists.

     The best times to stop by the Book Fair will be the afternoon of Friday, October 11th, during the Medieval Faire, Wednesday, October 16^th, Thursday October 17^th and Friday morning October 18^th.  If you have any questions, or if you would be willing to volunteer to help, please contact me at pderby@thegrammarschool.org.

     If you have any questions, or if you would be willing to volunteer to help, please contact me.

Your support of the library is always greatly appreciated.

~See you at the Medieval Faire~

Ponnie

Welcome to the Library page

     The new school year in the library is off to a wonderful beginning!  New and returning students have been by to check out books, and it’s always fun to hear them recommend books to one another
     Thursday afternoon was my first visit with the preschool.  Students listened to books about feelings, and when asked to draw a picture of something they had particularly enjoyed thus far at school, swings were a popular subject.
    During classes with grades K-4, we discussed how the library works, how books should be treated, how to check out books, and played games finding the different sections of the library.   Grades 2 and 3 asked that we continue books begun last spring.  So, second grade is listening to Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron while third grade wanted to hear the mystery Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus.  
     Here's a recap of what we discussed about using the library.  Books are checked out for two weeks and once those are returned, students may check out more.  We do not charge fines; however, if an item is lost or damaged, the student must pay for its replacement.  Overdue notices are distributed periodically to remind students of books not yet returned or replacement amounts due.  Please attend to these promptly, so that items are available to others. 
     And parents, don’t forget that we have a “Parent” shelf in the library with books you might be interested in checking out.  If you have a particular favorite to donate or recommend, please let me know.
     The library is a bit out of the way, but it’s fun when you get here.  I look forward to seeing all of you here this year.  If you have any questions, please email or call.  Ponnie  pderby@thegrammarschool.org

It's Summertime and Reading is Fun!

      This summer has brought some interesting weather, so on those rainy and smoldering days, turn your thoughts to turning the pages of a book/ebook!  Reading is also great for traveling and just plain fun. 

      Below you will find the summer reading lists for grades 2-8, plus a just-for-fun list for adults.  I'd love to hear from you about your summer reading and any comments or suggestions you have about our lists.

Have a happy summer!

Ponnie

2nd Grade Summer Reading Suggestions

     Parents, it’s important to make time for your child to read for at least 20 minutes every day this summer. For children not reading independently yet, we hope you will take time to read aloud to him or her. For those who are reading independently, a good way to gauge if the book your child has  chosen is at his/her reading level is to have the child read a few paragraphs aloud to you. If he/she is reading haltingly, and you can’t understand the paragraph clearly, that book is probably too advanced, and he/she should make another choice. Remember that this is a list of suggested titles which cover a wide range of reading abilities, it does not mean that your child should be able to read all (or any) of these independently. What is important is that you set aside a special time for reading.
     Please help your child keep track of the books he/she has read by keeping a journal including title and author. Entering second graders will want to include a short note on each book (I liked this book because... ; I would recommend this book because... ; my favorite character was...). If your child isn’t comfortable writing yet, you can help by taking dictation from the child. When the school year begins in September, bring your journal to share with Eve and your classmates!
     Vermont State Standard 2nd grade: Demonstrates the habit of reading extensively* by...Reading one or two books, or one or two medium-long chapters, or the equivalent every day.

Read Aloud or Alone (+ = Good for readers practicing their skills. * = series.)

FICTION

If you like adventure/fantasy stories….
The Secrets of Droon – Tony Abbott *
Spiderwick Chronicles- Tony DiTerlizzi *
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves – retold by Katie Daynes +
The Iron Giant – Ted Hughes
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle - Betty MacDonald *
Magic Treehouse - Mary Anne Osborne *
The Time Warp Trio – Jon Scieszka *
Arabian Nights – retold by Martin Woodside

If you like stories about animals…
Biscuit - Allyssa Capucilli + *
Bramble and Maggie – Jessie Haas *
Lady Lollipop - Dick King-Smith
Horse Crazy – Alison Lester *
Frog and Toad - Arnold Lobel + *
Judy Moody or Stink – Megan McDonald *
Listening to Whales Sing – Faith McNulty +
Fancy Nancy – O’Connor+ *
Stolen! A Pony Called Pebbles – Wendy Orr *

If you like stories where animals are the main characters…
Spunky Tells All – Ann Cameron
Mercy Watson - Kate DiCamillo + *
Benny and Penny – Geoffrey Hayes + * (A Toon Book, graphic novel)
Arthur - Lillian Hoban + *
Frances - Russell Hoban + *
Houndsley and Catina - James Howe + *
Park Avenue Adventures - Johanna Hurwitz *
Fox and His Friends - Edward Marshall + *
Henry and Mudge or Mr. Putter and Tabby or Poppleton – Cynthia Rylant + *
Maybelle – Katie Speck *

If you like funny stories….
Mercy Watson - Kate DiCamillo + *
Little Soup’s Hayride – Robert Newton Peck (short chapter book)
Amelia Bedelia - Peggy Parish + *
Marvin Redpost – Louis Sachar *
Geronimo Stilton – Geronimo Stilton *

If you like historical stories…
American Girl - various authors *
My America – various authors *

If you like mysteries…
Cam Jansen - David A. Adler *
Virtual Cody- Betsy Duffey *
Nancy Clancy, Super Slueth – Jane O’Connor *
Nate the Great – Marjorie Weinman Sharmat + *
Basil of Baker Street – Eve Titus *
American Girl - various authors *

If you like realistic stories…
Twelve Kings of Ice – Ellen Bryan Obed
Ivy + Bean – Annie Barrows *
Seal Island School or Seal Island Seven - Susan Bartlett
Julian and Huey - Ann Cameron *
Ramona - Beverly Cleary *
Amber Brown – Paula Danziger *
Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo *
Soccer Sam – Jean Marzollo +
Cobble Street Cousins – Cynthia Rylant *

NON-FICTION

If you like true stories and books that give information……
Elephants Can Paint Too! - Katya Arnold
Hungry, Hungry Shark – Joanna Cole +
Magic School Bus - Joanna Cole
Titanic Lost & Found- Judy Donnelly +
The Flight of Apollo 11 – Brian Floca
Friends – Catherine Thimmesh (nonfiction-animals)

If you like stories about real people (biographies)….
Lou Gehrig- David A. Adler
America’s Champion Swimmer - David A. Adler
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New
     Colors - Chris Barton
Who was Sacagawea? – Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin *
Who was Babe Ruth? – Joan Holub *
Jim Henson: the guy who played with puppets – Kathleen Krull
Who was Harriet Tubman? – Yona Zeldis McDonough *
Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express – Margaret K. Wetterer +

POETRY TO ENJOY

Poetry for Young People series
Sing a Song of Popcorn
Scared Silly! - Marc Brown
Revolting Rhymes - Roald Dahl
Mammalabilia - Douglas Florian
Dirt on My Shirt Jeff Foxworthy +
Jamberry - Eve Merriam
Now We Are Six - A. A. Milne
Scranimals - Jack Prelutsky
Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes – Alice Schertle
Math Curse and Science Verse – Scieszka
Mirror mirror by Singer, Marilyn
Everything On It - Shel Silverstein
Pug: and other Animal Poems – Valerie Worth

Have a great summer!