Three more sleeps…

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Lana

…yes, correct, there ARE three more sleeps ’til Spring Break, but it is more than Spring Break I am excited about this week.

There are just three sleeps until our third visiting author visit for the school year. Ji-li Jiang, acclaimed author of Red Scarf Girl, will be presenting to our 4th grade students at 8.30 am, and our 5th grade students at 10.45 am.

Ji-li is flat out this week speaking at other international schools across Shanghai including Concordia, Dulwich, Western International School and Suzhou Singapore International School, as well as at Puxi campus tomorrow. She will be sharing slides and stories with us, as well as taking us through the stories of Red Scarf Girl (5th grade) and The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven (4th grade).

The students may have the opportunity to purchase Ms. Jiang’s books, as I know she was trying to bring some copies of books that are hard to get here, like Red Scarf Girl. The books will cost 50 rmb and I recommend you leaving the money with Ms. Stella, Ms. Joji or I as soon as possible as whatever she has with her will most likely sell out quickly.

We also have Red Scarf Girl on our kindles, ipads and as an audiobook on the ipods too.

Like I said… three more sleeps…

Books 2 Eat-The Grand Finale

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Lana

With over twenty five entries, forty students involved, and parents streaming through the library this morning, there is no doubt that our final Books 2 Eat celebration has been a success. If you haven’t seen our Pre K, K and 1st Grade entries from week one, go here and if you’d like to see what the 2nd and 3rd grade dished up… check this out!

Congratulations to student participants from every 4th and 5th grade class, an achievement within itself, your creations are causing huge oooohs and aaahs all through the library. A special well done to Mrs. Rekate’s class for having ten students involved in baking for Books 2 Eat today, you just beat Ms. Happer with her eight entries two weeks ago.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=124984

Ji-li Jiang is coming to town

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Lana

There’s excitement in the air as students from 4th grade through 8th grade have been familiarizing themselves with the work of acclaimed author Ji-li Jiang; her most famous book being Red Scarf Girl.

Her visit is timely with 5th grade getting ready to begin their Memoir Unit in Writer’s Workshop. Fourth grade will also make the most of Ji-in’s time here as they are studying trade in their Social Studies unit, and have been talking a lot about China’s rich resources and their role in world wide trade. Ji-li will be able to talk about her experiences here growing up in China through the Cultural Revolution, the changes she has seen over the years as well as her books; Red Scarf Girl with 5th grade, and The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven with the 4th grade. I was thrilled to hear Ms. Stella discussing this book with the fourth grade this week; so many of them grew up with stories of the monkey king or have learned about him in their Mandarin classes, and were certainly more knowledgable then me.

Ms. Jiang will also be presenting at many other schools in Shanghai, as well as at the Puxi campus. I really thought this review from her website summed up how we will feel after her visit.

“… Ji-li Jiang’s story appeals to the 10-14 year old student for several reasons. Her experience during the Chinese Cultural Revolution took place when she was their age; Ji-li’s story directly relates to the adolescent world centered on school, peer relationships, family, self-esteem and self-actualization. Survival of the individual and a family’s display of courage are evident throughout her tale of a terrifying chapter in Chinese history…”

I know you will join me in welcoming Ji-li to our campus; books for sale will be available but limited, especially Red Scarf Girl which is unavailable in China, so get in early if you’e like to purchase that one. We have loaded the kindles, ipads and ipods with her books and are encouraging our students to have discussions with their families about Ji-li’s stories, and their own stories if they lived through that period of time themselves, or if they know the story of the Monkey King.

Newbery News

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Lana

They say you’re only as good as your last blog post… in which case, I’m really slipping… I was embarrassed last week when a 3rd grader asked me about a visiting author that was coming soon. Bewildered, I replied that that author had been here already; but it says they are coming on your blog… OOPS.

I’ve been buzzing with excitement during the past week knowing the Newbery and Caldecott Awards will be given out tonight, January 28th. Being an awards junkie, it has made my day being able to discuss some of the best books written with all grade levels. Every grade level, from Pre K up, understands what it means to win a prize, to come first, to be honored or acknowledged. They also know good books when they see them, and we’ve had some wonderful discussions on who might win and why.

Here are some of the books I think may win the Caldecott tonight… in just 4 and a half hours from now!!!

I have three favorites above. Part of me would like Laura Vaccaro Seeger to win, as I get to meet and conference with her this weekend in Singapore, at the Children’s Literature Conference. I was lucky enough to get to it last year, and wow, what fun! I’ve seen Laura’s book, Green, and it is so aesthetically wonderful, that I really think it has a great chance of taking the medal.

I’ve also developed quite a crush on Jon Klassen’s work so Mac Barnett’s Extra Yarn, which Jon illustrated is a favorite, and even more so, the book Jon has authored and illustrated, This is not my Hat; the delightful sequel to I want my Hat Back, which I completely adore!

Any of these being chosen, or Hello Hello by Matthew Cordell, surprising people, would make my day!

If you’re unsure what the Newbery Awards are all about, I thought this blog post answered some of the questions I had in a matter of fact way; questions such as who chooses the winner in the first place?

My pick for the Newbery Winner for 2013 has been The One and Only Ivan by the amazingly talented Katherine Applegate (author of one of my favorite books EVER, Home of the Brave) I’ve wanted Ivan to take the gold since I was introduced to him by my library buddy Tara. You cannot help but fall in love with Ivan when you meet him, and Applegate’s writing gives Ivan such a pure voice, mmm, what a story, what a character. So although many people are cheering for Wonder, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend, I only have eyes for Ivan…

May the best gorilla win!

One week ’til our first author arrives

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Lana

Excitement is building as the count-down continues as our first visiting author, Anne Sibley O’Brien arrives in Pudong next week.
We are fortunate at SAS to have many wonderful authors visit us from all around the world; they bring with them energy, talent and enthusiasm for their craft. Students will be able to purchase books and have them signed, listen to stories and participate in workshops with Anne who will begin her week in the Elementary School with a presentation for our first and second graders.

Throughout the week, more sessions will be delivered to our grade levels as well as some workshops for a few art classes and homerooms as time allows. Anne will also be working in the Middle and High School so I am sure you will see her somewhere around the school next week, please make her feel welcome.

A highlight of the week for me will be our United Nations Celebratory Luncheon on Tuesday October 23rd. Our Library Pages will be serving dishes that they have made with their family, representing the countries they call home. Our Elementary Teachers will join Anne Sibley O’Brien in the library to share this meal, listen to entertainment from our Elementary Musicians and contribute a donation to the ESTC campaign, providing for other children to also have greater access to food.

Please check out a list of the workshops Anne may be delivering here.
Anne Sibley O’Brien Full Info

Below is information regarding the books that will be on sale in our Elementary Library.

Below is the schedule for the Elementary School, a larger one is linked here.
Elementary ASO Schedule

the barefoot librarian

Kimbra Power

Category Archives: Authors