Reorganizing a library...

Okay, so I have not been on for a few weeks to review Jack Blank, my current read.  But I have a really really good reason.  I am reorganizing the school library!  Well, okay, not the WHOLE library, but the fiction section at least.  I am assigning the books genres (a la Barnes and Noble), and I will put all of the genres together.  In order to do this, I have to look at each book summary and subject headings to determine which genre it goes in.  Assigning books by genre is not as easy as it sounds.  Some books are historical mysteries – do they go in historical fiction or mystery suspense?  Others might be adventures with a sci-fi twist.  Where do those go??  So, my brain cells are working overtime trying to complete this daunting task.  Once I determine in which genre the books fall, I then send them over to the library assistant who slaps a colored spine label on them (each of my genres are color coded) and changes their call number in the online catalog (we decided not to change the spine labels on the books though – that would take a lot more resources and we are on a limited budget – I cannot afford more spine labels!!)

So here is a picture that gives you an example of what I have done – as soon as I get all of the books color coded I will rearrange the shelves into genres.  Wish me luck!

Book Review: Plain Kate by Erin Bow

"Plain Kate
Kate the Carver
No one's friend
and no one's daughter"
I liked this book muy mucho!  Kate is the daughter of a wood carver.  She is also a gifted wood carver - so gifted, in fact, that people think she is a witch.  When her father dies and she finds herself on her own, she must battle superstitious attitudes and make a life for herself.  When she meets the mysterious stranger, Linay, he offers her a chance to escape the town and begin life anew.  All he asks for in return is her shadow.  When Kate discovers why he needs her shadow, she must figure out a way to break the curse before it is too late. 
This book was excellent!  I loved the setting, the characters, and especially the cat!  Even though there is no love or "Prince Charming", I have recommended this book to all my kiddos that are into the magical princess fiction (a.k.a. Levine or Baker).  It is similar to those types of books but much darker. 

Book Review: The Only Ones by Aaron Starmer

Hello, all and happy new year!  Over the holiday break I finished reading The Only Ones by Starmer.  It was a very unique concept to me.  I have read lots-o-end-of -the-world scenarios, but this one was a little different.  No weird diseases, weapons of mass destruction or anything - just a giant mystery.  I rather liked it.  You are introduced to Martin Maples, a boy who has lived his whole life on a secluded island with his father and a machine on which his father is constantly working.  The only contacts he has with the outside world are the summer tourists and books.  One day Martin's father embarks on a journey to locate pieces for his machine, and he promises to return.  The problem is, he never does.  Martin waits for two years, during which no one visits the island.  Finally Martin decided to venture out into the world on his own, but he discovers it is not like it is described in his books - the world has been abandoned as well.  He meets a boy that tells him of a village of kids that are living together not too far away - just sniff around for peanuts and he'll find it.  He does, and here Martin meets kids that have also been left behind.  Each has a peculiarity, and each does not seem to mind so much that the entire world has disappeared.  Here Martin discovers that he might be able to help them all return to their families, but not all of the children think that is a good idea.  This book is part Left Behind, part Lord of the Flies, and all good stuff!!  The ending tied up all the loose ends, albeit a bit too neatly, and there is a murder thrown in for drama, but overall it is a great mystery and an interesting read.  I just want to know what happened to Nigel!!  I am recommending this to my dystopian kids as well as my mystery buffs.