Happy Holidays! I love this time of year! Mrs. Goff decorated a tree for our library and it looks beautiful. The children get SO excited when they see it as they're coming into the library. As always, the library is a very busy place. 4th graders are working on creating videos based on their literature circle books, 2x2 readers are still working hard, and 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are reading lots of Bluebonnet books. Bluebonnet voting will take place at the very end of January (probably the 31st). Stay tuned for more news about that.

I hope everyone has a joyous holiday season with your family and loved ones. Spend some time playing and reading with your children.

Best Regards,
Melanie Burford

The book fair was a HUGE success! Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our school and library by purchases books at the book fair. I would especially like to thank the parents who volunteered their time and/or money to help out during Muffins with Moms, Donuts with Dads and the Fall Festival! We could not have done it without you!
We will use the book fair profits to host an Author visit in February. We've already booked Susan Stevens Crummel to come to our school. I am told she is a FABULOUS presenter. Parents will receive additional information about this author visit when the date comes closer. Parents are certainly welcome to join us that day. Click here to visit Susan Stevens Crummel's website and learn more about her and her books.
I hope all our Press families have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Bluebonnets, Texas 2x2's, Book Fair, Book Trailers...
There's a lot going on in the library! Book Fair items will arrive this Thursday, October 28 around noon. Students will be able to preview the books on Thursday afternoon and Friday.
The book fair will also be open November 2 - 5.

Muffins with Moms and Donuts with Dads is on Wednesday, November 3 from 7:15 - 8 a.m.

Book Fair will also be open during Press Elementary's Fall Festival on Friday evening, November 5th from 6 - 8 p.m.

Make plans to visit the book fair and do some early Christmas shopping! If you're interested in volunteering at the book fair and you have completed the volunteer background check, please contact me at mburford@mckinneyisd.net or 469-742-7600.

Thank you!

Happy Fall!

I introduced the "Terrific 2x2's" program to 1st graders this week. So far, it's a HUGE hit!! The children loved the book, Duck! Rabbit!, that I read to them. I've also heard some 1st grade girls raving over the book titled, Pouch!

More than anything, with this program, I hope to encourage the children to sample a huge variety of literature. Also, I hope that the children are enjoying some family time reading these wonderful new books with loved ones at home.

There is more information about the Terrific 2x2's program on the school website on the library media center page. Or, you can click here to read more about it: http://presslibrary.edu.glogster.com/terrific-2-by-2s/

Parents, If you have any questions about this program or anything else library-related, please contact me at 469-742-7600 or email me at mburford@mckinneyisd.net

Happy Reading,
Mrs. Burford

Fall Book Fair

Just in case anyone is wondering, the Press Fall Book Fair will be held November 1 - 5, 2010. Friday, November 5th is the PTA Fall Festival and the book fair will DEFINITELY be open for that! We'll be looking for volunteers very soon, so if you're interested, email me at mburford@mckinneyisd.net or call the school at 469-742-7600.
Thanks!!

I just read When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. It is the 2010 Newbery Award Winner. This story is set in the late 1970's. Historical fiction and also some science fiction in this book. It is a GREAT read! Each chapter is very short, which for me, kept me reading and reading. It was fast-paced and interesting from start to finish. There's quite a twist towards the end and I felt the need to re-read it to make sure I understood everything.

About this book:
Miranda is twelve years old and lives with her mom. Mom is getting ready to participate in the 1970's game show, The 20 Thousand Dollar Pyramid. Miranda walks home after school and stays alone until her mother comes home from work. Miranda and her friends are also able to eat lunch around town...not in the cafeteria! (The kids at my school would be shocked that kids were allowed to do this back then:) Miranda has a great friend, Sal, but for some reason, he doesn't want to be Miranda's friend anymore. Read this book to find out HOW Miranda's mom does with the game show, WHO is sending Miranda all the weird, creepy, mysterious notes, and WILL Miranda and Sal become friends again?
I LOVED When You Reach Me!
Here's a book trailer for the book. Watching this video makes me want to read the book all over again!

Here we go! On Monday, the 2010-2011 school year begins! Students will start visiting the library and checking out books on Tuesday, August 24th. All students in grades 1 - 5 will visit the library sometime during the first week of school. I can't wait to see everyone! I know they will be SOOOO excited to visit the library!

I am reading The Red Pyramid, by Rick Riordan. It's a new book that came out this summer. Riordan is the author of the Percy Jackson (Lightning Thief) series. This book features Carter and Sadie, who are siblings that have grown apart. Sadie has been living with her grandparents, while Carter has traveled the world with his father, Dr. Julius Kane. After Carter and Sadie's mother dies under mysterious circumstances, Dr. Kane decides to take both children on a private tour of the British museum. Nothing is as it seems, because Dr. Kane disappears and Carter and Sadie are kidnapped! Can't wait to keep reading and find out what happens next!

One of my goals for this school year is to maintain this blog. I will use it to post comments about what books I'm reading and what books I find really great! I'll use this blog to recommend books for students as well as parents.

I'll also use this blog to advertise upcoming library and school events. I hope Press kids and parents view it often and find it useful!

I'm excited to start this school year! See everyone soon...

It's August already. Summer just flew by! I will admit, I only read one Bluebonnet book this summer - Mudshark by Gary Paulsen. However, I lost count of how many books I read JUST FOR FUN! I read lots!! Just not books for school...but that's what summer is all about right? Reading books just for fun, not because someone told me to.

More about Mudshark:

Mudshark is cool. He's fast-thinking and fast-moving, and with his photographic memory, he's the go-to guy with the answers. Lost your shoe? Your dad's car? Can't find your homework? Ask Mudshark. At least, until the Psychic Parrot takes up residence in the school library.

Mudshark is great book! It's mysterious, it's funny and it's set in a school library. The library is the greatest place in the school, right?