The Winner Is...

 

Ten Rules You Must Absolutely Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus

by John Grandits

If you are in Texas, and are in grades 3-6, most likely you were able to participate in this thing called the Texas Bluebonnet Award! In case you haven't heard, it's kind of a big deal. It's like an Oscar, or rather an Independent Spirit award for books.

20 books are nominated each year, and to be eligible to vote, kids have to read a minimum of 5 books. We were a bit frustrated this year at the lack of enthusiasm some students showed towards the importance of the Bluebonnet award. Regardless, our two winning classes had a TON of readers, and they were all super excited.

This book, however adorable it may seem, has caused a stir of controversy as of late. The simple summary of this book is that it's about a young boy about to go on the school bus for the first time. He's scared, as I would be, too, so his older brother gives him a list of things he must do to survive simply getting to school. 

Ten Rules is absolutely adorable. It captures what children fear the most, such as eye contact, scary school bus drivers, and having to sit next to girls. I can see why many kids may have voted for it. I can also see why it's creating such a stir.

Some teachers and librarians feel that because it is a picture book it should not have won. Heavens, their children are in 5th or 6th grade, they couldn't possibly read a picture book. They shouldn't enjoy a picture book.

Wrong.

You see, the Bluebonnet committee picks books they think actual kids will like. Not lofty, pretentious titles that no kid in their right mind would touch. Granted, I think some of the books nominated this year, as well as on the master list for next, are a bit challenging. That's not to say it won't resonate with a certain child.

There are ALL types of kids in this great state of ours. There are different types of families and situations, economic levels and stability, and interest. Maybe children voted for this book because being terrified of a new experience is commonplace; it is something they can not only relate to, but experience more often than some adults.

Though our students for what we thought would be the shoo-in and is actually the runner-up (Wonder by R.J. Palacio), I feel it is thought they don't ride the school bus, so the winning book is somewhat foreign to them. Their circumstances are different than those of kids at public school--and that is ok.

Hullabaloo has been made over the fact that 6th graders are subject to read "childish" literature. Well, if anyone has taken a look at most of these picture books, they would see there is hearty dialogue in most, and a vast vocabulary to enrich the story. It's not "baby" at all. Picture books can be good for all sorts of readers, beginning and not.

Perhaps there needs to be a discussion with those that are displeased that they should read more to their students, join the Bluebonnet committee, or something I'm not thinking of. We should be happy that these children voted for a book that obviously struck a chord with them, instead of belittling what a fabulous story this is. It's great that some of these children even voted at all.

Congratulations, John Grandits!

Books don't cover themselves.

Today I actually have time to write, which is nice. It has been so swamped lately; either Carrie or I have been sick, we've had an early release because of ice, then late start, then meetings, and miscommunications. It's okay, because it's Wednesday, the third day of a four-day-week, and we are doing pretty darn good considering the looming vacation ahead.

With our newest book order, we've been using something called a CoLibri machine. It's pretty much the easiest way to cover a book without ruining the book with acidic tape or the potential of the cover ripping or coming loose. Our CoLibri machine is a newer model, I believe, because it has an automatic covering pedal and button. The hardest part is literally getting the plastic book pocket on, not so much the sealing it.

It's pretty much a food vacuum packer, but for books.

I adore this thing. Granted, I do love covering books with the good ol' acrylic covers, the book tape; the noise, on the other hand, drove me bananas. I don't like interrupting or even seeming like I am a burden in any sense of the word. That's what the noise from traditional book covering made me feel like. NO MORE.

In other news, we've finally finished all the Grandparents and Special Friends Day stuff. Phew! We are grateful that we received such an abundance, but it was definitely a bit overwhelming. Carrie and I are both glad this is giving us the opportunity to beef up certain parts of our collection, replacing some of the gnarly (in the bad sense) copies that have been taking up precious shelf space.

Last week was a bit tough for me. Tuesday was the culmination of pure crazy. Carrie was sick, which left me in charge. I love being able to teach and spend more time with the kids. However, when there's only one of us, it is totally crazier than normal. There were our regular classes (only 4 that day, I think) plus our littlest friends in the CDC, plus two entire 4th grade classes coming to get biographies, plus volunteers, which I was so glad could help out, plus all the other library stuff I have to do (sort/input/process mail and periodicals, checking out, other projects that have been assigned to me, covering books, etc.).

IT WAS STRESSFUL.

But I've heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am glad that I've grown a lot, not only in this job, but as a person. I'm not afraid of speaking up for myself or an idea any longer, but look forward to the opportunity to do so. I am making this blog a priority more, now that my brain is kind of functioning normally again.

I had a concussion in December, and have been feeling foggy, groggy, and constantly tired since then. I've been fighting telling myself that it's bad, that things are going to get worse.  Now, I feel like my mental clarity has greatly improved and I'm also trying to speak more. Speaking is a little hard for me, don't know why. Fighting that thought, too.

In conclusion: three weeks until spring break!

(Sidebar: If this wasn't my professional library blog, I would totally link to a gif of James Franco as Alien from Spring Breakers saying "Spring break, spring break forever". Aren't you lucky this is a work blog?)