Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj

My first graders LOVE this new book! I read it aloud to them to introduce them to our "Terrific 2x2" program at McGowen. This book is in high demand now, so I must a few more copies:) Here's a link to the website: catsecrets.com And the awesome book trailer:

Pete the Cat...Four Groovy Buttons!

It's here!  I can't wait to get a copy of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons! I am a huge fan of Eric Litwin's Pete the Cat series.  These books just bring pure joy to anyone who reads them and hears and sees the book trailer.  Check out the super fun book trailer!  I can't wait to share this book with my friends at school:)

1st Book Swap at McGowen Elementary

The week of May 14 - 17 will be McGowen's first book swap.  Here's how it will work:

Starting Monday, May 14^th students and teachers may bring in up to five (5) books in gently used condition (no rips, tears, bent edges, missing pages, or messy books) to the library to use in the swap.  For each book brought in, one ticket will be issued; tickets will be exchanged for books on Thursday May 17^th!  Only 5 tickets will be given.  If you choose to bring in more than 5 books (no more than 10 total), the extra books will be considered a donation to students at McGowen who are not able to bring books to swap.  Leftover books will first be offered to teachers for their classroom libraries.  Any remaining books at the end of the exchange will be donated to Samaritan Inn of McKinney.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact me at mburford@mckinneyisd.net or call the library at 469-742-7517.

Book Review: Boy + Bot

Book Review: Boy + Bot

Author: Ame Dyckman
Illustrator:  Dan Yaccarino
Publisher:  Knopf (Released April 10, 2012)
Source: Personal Copy
Audience: Ages 3 to 7
Fiction * Friendship * Imagination 

Description from publisher's page:
One day, a boy and a robot meet in the woods. They play. They have fun. But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he's sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don't help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep. Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him? Using the perfect blend of sweetness and humor, this story of an adorable duo will win the hearts of the very youngest readers.

Check out the book trailer for Boy + Bot:

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?


Wonder is a story about an amazing young man who displays strength and courage in tough times.  Get ready to laugh, cry and cheer for August as he triumphs over many obstacles during his first year of school.

Book Fair Coming Soon - Volunteers Needed

The Spring Book Fair is coming very soon and we need LOTS of help!  The students love the book fair, but we need help from parents in order to make it through the week!  If you could volunteer just a bit of your time, it would be greatly appreciated and you get a FREE book when you volunteer! Click on the link below to sign up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A5AB2BAB9-spring

Thanks in advance for supporting the library, the book fair and McGowen!

New Picture Books - LOVE!

I Will Not Read this Book by Cece Meng Illustrated by Joy Ang

If you have a hesitant or emerging reader, then this is the book for you!  A young boy comes up with all these things he must do before he can read a book (such as flossing his teeth, feeding his fish, scratching his nose...)  He will find any excuse NOT to read!  He would rather be hanged upside down over a cliff than read a book.  In the end, he decides that he will read the book as long as there's a safe person to read the book with him.  

The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky Pictures by Andrew Joyner

Little rabbits are lazily munching on carrots and cake when they suddenly hear a PLOP in the pond.  They must run away from the terrible PLOP!   There are rabbits and monkeys and cats that run out of the forest to escape the PLOP.  But what IS the plop?  Read this book to find out what the animals were so afraid of.  Great book to review inference:)

Great New Reads in the Library!

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin A. Ramsey

When Ruth and her parents take a motor trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet called "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to find places that will serve them.

I had never heard of a "Green Book" until I read this book. The book is fictional, but there are lots of facts about The Green Book at the back of the book.

 Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds

From the back of the bus, an African American child watches the arrest of Rosa Parks.
The child's innocent viewpoint personalizes the well-known historical event, while Cooper's oil paintings-show...stunning portraits.  (Booklist)

 These Hands by Margaret H. Mason

An African-American man addresses his grandson a gently told story, repeatedly bidding him to "Look at these hands, Joseph." Gracefully segueing between present and past, the grandfather mentions feats he once performed ("Did you know these hands used to tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat?") and what his hands accomplish now ("Well, I can still help a young fellow learn to tie his shoes—yes, I can"). Narrative and art then flash back to a time when "these hands" were not allowed to mix dough in the Wonder Bread factory, but instead swept floors and loaded trucks. Yet that changed after many hands joined together to sign petitions and carry protest signs, and now "any hands can mix the bread dough, no matter their color." An author's note provides historical context. It's a moving study of multigenerational relationships and triumph over discrimination.  (Publisher's Weekly)

Check out any of these or many other amazing books at the McGowen LMC!

Bluebonnet Voting

Attention 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, Bluebonnet voting will take place on Monday, January 30th and Tuesday, January 31st. If you read 5 (that's right, just 5!!) of this year's Bluebonnet books, you are eligible to vote. Make sure you are logging which books you read on your reading log. That will be your "ticket" into the library for voting:) Here is a list of this year's nominated books:
http://www.txla.org/sites/tla/files/groups/TBA/docs/TBA_Nominees_2011-2012.pdf

Here is a copy of the reading log, in case you need another copy:
Student Reading Log