What to read now??????

Try out a series - once you discover a plot and characters that you like, the series keeps on giving. Try some of these:

The Pendragon Series


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Are YOU one of the missing? Read FOUND, the beginning of a new series of suspense from master storyteller
Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of the bestselling Shadow Children series.


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Mock Newbery Committee Picks Winner

The Mock Newbery Committee at OMS made their final selections as to the books they felt should win the 2010 Newbery Award. Students began reading Newbery contenders as early as summer 2009 and analyzing books based on the actual criteria that the official committee uses. After several meetings and lots of collaboration, the committee selected their choice for this year's award on Thursday, January 14. On Monday, January 18, even though this was a school holiday, the committee met virtually via a WizIq video conference and watched the live webcast from the ALA Mid-Winter conference as they announced the 2010 Youth Awards. Waiting patiently for final and most prestigious award, the John Newbery Award, the students were thrilled to learn that they had picked the winner, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The other awards and more information can be read from the official press release.

2010 Newbery Award Announcements

Join us as we listen live, to the 2010 announcements of the ALA Youth Media Awards on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 7:30 am. You need to contact me ahead of time in order participate. Email me at brendabranson@gmail.com

Newbery Award Announcements by Brenda Branson

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Digital Booktalk Sharing from Schooltube

The Mysterious Benedict Society

This book often gets left on the shelf...is it because it's really thick, is it because it's a new author?? I don't think so ... but if you're a 39 Clues Fan, a Harry Potter fan, or a Lemony Snicket fan, this book is for you!

A special ad appears in the newspaper inviting gifted children to sign up to take a series of tests. However, only four children will succeed and these four children are our main characters in the book; Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance. A special ad appears in the newspaper inviting gifted children to sign up to take a series of tests. They will be presented with a challenge to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. Welcome to the mysterious benedict society. Check out the following video clip with Al Roker and learn more about this book.

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Santa Workshops For Parents Great Success

The workshops this past week have been an enlightening experience for me. As part of our book fair family events, we held daily workshops for parents on using Moodle, Books for Teens and Tweens, Gaming, Online Homework Help, and Cyber bullying. What a surprise to see how much our parents do not know! The new literature and the new digital age has added a new dimension to “learning.” Today, we not only have to “teach” our students, but teach our parents and re-educate our whole community on the new digital learning tools and tricks. One of my concerns is that, educators and parents, alike, tend to ignore the explosive use of technology in hopes that we can just move on “uninformed.” The Internet is not going away, and the sooner we embrace this new learning tool, the quicker we will close the gap between the “digital natives and the digital immigrants.” (Mark Pretsky) In an effort to better educate our community, we will be planning another series of parent/teacher workshops that address Literature on the Web, Facebook, E-books, More Moodle, Social Networking, Internet Safety, Twitter, Youtube, and web based library resources. My work for the holidays will be to line up this event.

Think You Got Game???

Beginning in January, the OMS library media center will open the Cyber Cafe each Thursday throughout the lunch periods for munching and gaming. Students can pick up a limited number (12) of passes which will allow them to bring their lunches in and play board games. During some luncheons we will play various games with the Wii system!

The passes will be given on a first come, first served basis the Wednesday before or the morning of. We suggest you bring a bag lunch so that you have more time to play. You must return the pass when you arrive.