Book Spine Poetry Fun!

We have been having fun with Book Spine Poetry in the library throughout April. So much fun, in fact, that I'm going to continue to make it available for the first couple of weeks in May.

I have always wanted to do this in the library, but was honestly worried about how successful it would be with middle school students. Well, I need not have worried. It was well-received with students (and teachers) and became quite a popular activity to flex creative muscles.

I will continue to post some of my favorite students book spine poems over the next few weeks, but thought that I would start you with some of the ones that I posted to the library Instagram account.

FYI: The top poem, "Seriously, Norman! Suck it up. This is what happy looks like. So. B. It" is mine, but the rest are students.

February Top 10

Here are the Top 10 books for the Evergreen Library for the month of February. 

Most of these should not be a surprise:

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, still.

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth. The movie will be out in a few weeks and many students are madly reading (or re-reading) the series.

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. (see #1)

4. House of Hades by Rick Riordan.

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. (see #2)

7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. (see #1 & #3)

8. Swim the Fly by Don Calame.

9. Allegiant by Veronica Roth. (see #2 & #6)

10. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The ONLY book in the Top 10 that is not part of a series. And is further proof that maybe the students do listen to my suggestions, because I've been promoting this one a lot recently. And having teachers read and recommend it.

Poll Results

During October and the first part of November, I was running some polls for my students to participate in. These were hosted on my school district internal website, and since they all revolved around The Hunger Games, I thought that I would post the results for those of you that don't have access to that website.

Poll #1:

How excited are you for the Catching Fire movie?

Response options ranged from "I'm counting down the days and will be there opening night for sure...I already have my tickets" to "What's Catching Fire?" Okay, I'm scared that there were 19 students that replied that they didn't know what Catching Fire was, because even if you didn't like the books or hadn't read the series, I think that you'd have to actually know about it with all the marketing that goes on. I'm hoping that these kids chose this answer as a joke to mess with me. Surprisingly, there were not many students that indicated they'd be there opening night either (seriously??? I'm going opening night and I don't even like to see movies on opening night). Somewhere around 40% of kids indicated that they wanted to go, and would, but they weren't in a big hurry to see it. This totally nonchalant attitude kind of surprised me.

Poll #2: Who is your favorite Hunger Games character?

This was a fun one to see how students answered, and even more entertaining to listen to students openly debate the "correct" answer. Katniss was the clear winner with 31% of the votes. Rue came in second with 19%, and Peeta and Haymitch tied for 3rd with 14% each.

Poll #3: Which movie are you most excited to see in theaters?

The three choices: Catching Fire, Book Thief, and Ender's Game.

Not surprisingly, Catching Fire garnered 73% of the votes. (Ender's Game received 15%, and Book Thief received 10%...and someday I'm going to figure out how the system did it's math...)

Just some interesting insight into what my students think. 

They love doing these polls by the way. I try and post a couple different ones each month. Ideas for poll questions? Comment here and let me know!

More March Madness!

Elite 8 voting has ended and we have our FINAL FOUR!

A couple of upsets and one complete blowout mark this round of the tournament.

Hunger Games, the number 1 seed, crushed it's competitor this round (Matched, the number 9 seed).

Red Pyramid (20) continues it's run through the tournament by upsetting another competitor, the 5th seed, Beautiful Creatures.

Lost Hero (2) beat another one of my favorites, and the last non-fiction book in the tournament, Iron Heart (7). It was a good run for non-fiction this year. I really thought Iron Heart had the stamina to go all the way.

In the final match-up, Maze Runner (3) was stunned in a buzzer-beater by Wimpy Kid #7 (11). I was quite honestly shocked by this result, though I do love both books equally so would have been happy with either book moving forward.

Now we are on to the Final Four voting:

Hunger Games (1) vs. Red Pyramid (20): Can this underdog continue it's run through the bracket and upset the undeniable favorite?

Lost Hero (2) vs. Wimpy Kid #7 (11): I actually have no idea how this "game" will end up.

Will it be #1 vs. #2 in the finals? Cannot wait to find out. To vote online, click here or grab a bracket from the library. Ballots are due no later than end of school on Friday, 4/5. Winners will be announced here and our Facebook page over spring break! Stay tuned...

Come Show Your Support for Mrs. Yusko

Next Friday, 3/29...Be There!!

Several Evergreen graduates are putting on this event on the 29th. It takes place at the Old Fire House Teen Center, from 7-9pm. See the invitation for details.

Yes, I will be there! I am excited to see these talented students perform. It should be a good time...and I hear there will be baked goods, so what could be better?!

I hope to see you there!