QR code CRAZY!

After learning about QR codes, I felt inspired.  David, my tech guy, had made the suggestions to link to book trailers.  Needless to say, I jumped on it!  I put these signs up on my tables with 2 QR codes linking to two different trailers.

This morning, I asked a table full of girls if they had smart phones.  They did!  When I told them about the QR codes and that these would lead them to a book trailer, they immediately downloaded the app and took off to the book trailers.  All of the copies I had of these two books are now checked out.  These girls are not my frequent fliers...they're not great readers.  But, they loved the trailers so much that they wanted to read!

In addition, one of the girls got up and started walking to other tables to see what other trailers I had out.  Unfortunately, I had only made those two codes and put them on all of the tables.  I'll have to make more and switch them out.  What a wonderful experience!  With a little bit of technology, I got a bunch of kids to read books that they've passed up all year long.  Yeah!

QR Codes

Have y'all ever seen those crazy box-things that are black and white and strange-looking?  Kind of like this?

QR code to take users to
Neal Shusterman's website

Well, if you're like me, you knew they were like barcodes but didn't have a clue what to do with them or how they worked.

I was listening to my tech person discuss this nifty word wall and how the kids in her class would see the word and be able to scan this code and go out onto the internet to find more information about it.  All you need is a smart phone with internet access and a camera.  Wow!

So, after hearing this I was reminiscing about how awesome that would have been when I taught Spanish.  My tech person promptly gave me suggestions on different ways to use them in the library.  Needless to say, I jumped on it!

We're having Neal Shusterman visit our school.  I created a QR code that takes kids to Shusterman's website and put it on display.  So exciting!  I plan on using this a LOT more in the library.  So many of the kids have smart phones...Let's play to their love of technology and incorporate books and library as much as possible!

Library display incorporating the QR code above.

Ranger's Apprentice

I've read books 2 and 3 and am in the middle of 4.  I can't stop!

Spring Book Fair

Spring Book Fair will run from February 14-18th.

Come buy your favorite book, add to your teacher's classroom library, and help purchase books for children in hospitals.

Family Night is on February 17th, from 4:00-6:00.  The Chick-Fil-A cow will be here!  Come by!

Visit with Cinda Williams Chima

This past week, I got a chance to go over to Pioneer and meet and listen to an amazing author, Cinda Williams Chima.  It was very interesting to hear about her writing process and what kind of thought she puts in to her different books.  She writes fantasy novels...She says she does that because that's what she likes to read.  So far she's written the Seven Realms series and the Heir series.  She was a very interesting person to meet and talk with.  Check out her website if you like the books Demon King or Warrior Heir.

http://www.cindachima.com/

Here's a picture of me with Cinda Williams Chima.

Ranger's Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan (#1)

Ranger's Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Summary (from GoodReads)
He had always wanted to be a warrior. The Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways, made him nervous. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now fifteen year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't realize yet is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied .

Personal Thoughts
This series is super popular in my library.  I couldn't quite figure out why.  A students would turn one in and immediately check out the next one.  After I asked a fellow librarian, she said that they're good and I should read them.  WOW!  I loved it!  I couldn't wait to see what happened on the next page.  I really connected with the characters and could sense their personalities and how likable (or not) some of them are.  The only thing I didn't love about the book was that I had a hard time visualizing the kingdom.  I'm currently reading the second book and will post a review as soon as possible.  So far, it's as good as the first.  By the way, this is a rather long series, so the next several posts will probably relate to these books!

Fallen

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Summary
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Peronal Thoughts
Hmmmmm.  I didn't love the book, but I didn't hate it.  I kept wanting to find out what exactly was going on...What big secret was Laurent Kate keeping from us, the readers?  Well, I had it figured out but was sure there had to be something more.  This novel left a lot of my questions unanswered.  Why did Cam need to be involved in all this?  What makes Luce and Daniel so doggone special?  And the list goes on, but I don't want to spoil.  I also had a hard time connecting with any of the characters.  They just didn't seem as developed as I would have hoped.  I know this is (will be) a trilogy so I'm intrigued to read the sequel The Torment.  Hopefully that will clear up some of my confusion.