The Need 2 Read

Free Cookies from Great American Cookies!

2011-10-13T14:29:00.002-05:00

October is National Cookie Month, and to celebrate, Great American Cookies is giving away free cookies!

During the month of October, Great American Cookies is hosting a "Reading is Sweet" book drive. If you drop off a new or gently used book during the month of October, they’ll give you a free regular cookie of your choice! Share the love of reading AND get a free cookie... Now that's SWEET!

Click here for participating locations.

Save Our School Library!

2011-10-12T11:11:00.002-05:00

Did you know you can donate money to our school library online? You can even go online and CHOOSE the book you'd like to add to our library! Go to our online book shelf to make your donation and/or see what books have been donated. THANK YOU for your support and remember...100% of these donations go to our library.

Help us reach our goal of $500 by the end of the school year and...put books in the hands of our students!

Book Fair Highlights!

2011-09-29T11:08:00.002-05:00

Check out our collage of book fair highlights below! Just click on the collage to see it a little larger.

Way to Go OIS!

2011-09-29T10:26:00.002-05:00

Boy did we EVER reach our book fair goal! Our goal was 500 books and we sold OVER 1,000 books during the week of the book fair - woohoo!! As a school-wide reward students will have the opportunity to watch the oh-so-out of this world movie..."Mars Needs Moms"...complete with popcorn for EVERY student! Thanks to our FABULOUS teachers, students and parents for making this ONE HUGE SUCCESSFUL EVENT! We love to read - and boy does it show!

Mars Needs Moms...coming SOON to a classroom near YOU!

Book Fair Update!

2011-09-21T12:20:00.004-05:00

We're having lots of fun at our Scholastic Book Fair this week - where reading is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! We've had lots of exciting things going on at the book fair...contest winners, Open House, visits from Grandparents, pictures with Astronaut Seymour and the UFO and our "What Planet are YOU From?" costume contest. The fun continues as the week goes on...we still have two GREAT days to shop the book fair, invite grandparents, have your picture made and enter contests. Be on the look out for Space trivia tomorrow and Friday as well as winners announced from our coloring contest. And don't forget...if we reach our goal of selling 500 books, OIS will celebrate with a school-wide movie and popcorn day featuring the movie "Mars Needs Moms"!

Keep bringing that ONE FOR BOOKS money! All donations are accepted. Tomorrow is quarter day and Friday is "Anything Goes" day...so bring it all!! Here are the top FOUR reasons you should participate in One For Books:

1. Your class gets to keep all the money to purchase books from the book fair for YOUR classroom!

2. The library makes a profit from the money you bring in to spend towards new books in the library for YOU to read!

3. Scholastic matches EVERY PENNY you donate and sends fabulous books to children in need.

4. You get to hang a UFO in the OIS lobby for all the world to see that YOU are making a difference!

5. The class collecting the most money will be awarded a field trip to visit with author Mike Thaler who wrote the oh-so-popular "Black Lagoon" series!!

Now THAT is something to get excited about...keep reading, keep donating and keep shopping the book fair...where reading is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

OIS...where students and teachers LOVE to read!

We Have New Friends in the Library!

2011-08-31T14:30:00.003-05:00

So our library recently became the home of approximately 40 new friends. These friends are better known as Beanie Babies or as we refer to them...our Reading Buddies! Students are allowed to select a Reading Buddy once their book is checked out and read to him! These have been a fun addition to our library! Students look forward to choosing a buddy for the day and sharing some reading time and a change of scenery. We always have room for more buddies, so if you would like to donate any Beanie Babies taking up space, feel free to send them our way where they will not only be taken care of, but read to daily!

12 Weeks to Better Readers!

2011-08-31T11:14:00.004-05:00

For the next twelve weeks I'll be posting excerpts from Judy Freeman's 12 Tried-And-True Ways to Get Your Kiddos Reading (from ReadKIDDORead). This is an EXCELLENT article in teaching methods to get children not only READING, but EXCITED about reading! In the world of technology...IPads, Nooks, Kindles, Playstations, Wiis, Kinects, IPods, Smart Phones...we must find a way to compete...To make READING as enjoyable and rewarding as all of these "gadgets". We have our work cut out for us. The answer? Incorporate reading into technology...find reading apps, iBooks, etc...but...never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned book. To get started with a good reading routine with your child, try this baker's dozen of easy, tried-and-true ways to ease reluctant readers into good books.

Remember...One method a week will be posted here at The Need 2 Read. Try it for a week...and see what works for YOUR sweetie!

1. Read Aloud Something EVERY Day

If you have time to watch TV or surf the Internet, you can make time to read with your kids. You only have a limited window of read-aloud years, so rearrange your schedule to carve out reading time every day. There's always time for a story, a chapter, or at least a poem, a joke or a tongue twister. And start early - in utero isn't too soon. What new parents soon discover is that reading aloud is just plain fun.

"Always read with expression," my mother told me when I was a child, learning to read with those good-time kids, Dick and Jane. (And I did, even becoming a librarian when I grew up, where I read aloud with expression on a daily basis.) Lucky for kids today, children's books are far more attractive and engaging these days. Kids pattern themselves on you, their reading role models. Listen for the voices in the stories you read aloud. Do you need to read aloud like actors Meryl streep or Lawrence Olivier? Yes, of course you do. Ham it up and have fun. If you read in a monotone, so will your kids. They need to hear the characters; voices in their heads to have true comprehension of the books they read. And there's nothing they love more than to snuggle in close and listen to you read aloud to them.

As your children start to read independently, share the joy and have them read to you, too. Make your own recordings of stories so your child can follow each book and listen to you over and over. Read aloud on car trips, at the doctor's office, and before bed, of course. What's my favorite read-aloud picture book, a tour de force of great voices? "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" by the great Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.

Author: Judy Freeman
Written For: www.readkiddoread.com

Nosey is Good!

2011-08-30T11:19:00.010-05:00

I am a nosey teacher.

I consider being a nosey teacher to be "a good thing". Why you might ask? I learn more. I know more. And the more I learn about my students...the better I can help them at being nosey students. You see, if I know their favorite methods of technology, if I know their favorite things to read, if I know their most admired celebrities...I can create a love of learning that will enable my students to be nosey about reading and in turn nosey about life-long learning. How do I get more of these books? How do I find more books written by this author? How do I get an app for this Kindle? How do I practice my vocabulary words on the Ipad? The more I know, the more I can teach and the more I can teach, the more they will know...

I have asked my students who their favorite celebrities might be...and now we have personalized autographed pictures to display of these exact celebrities encouraging students to read.

I have asked my students what their favorite subjects are...and now I have more books on those subjects.

I have asked my students what they enjoy doing when they get home...and now I have that same technology here so they can read not only books, but information in magazines, on Kindles, on Ipads, on websites and in newspapers.

I have asked my students who their favorite authors and illustrators are...and we have brought many of them to the school to encourage students to continue to read and write and draw...they may be a famous writer or illustrator one day.

I have asked my students when their birthday is...and they are celebrated in the Birthday Book Club with the honor of checking out a new book and donating it to the library.

I have asked my students what they want to learn in technology...and we have downloaded many of these programs and found websites where they can learn more.

I have asked my students how they think other students would be best helped...and we have created school-wide contests and group efforts to make a difference and donate books around the world through Scholastic's One for Books and various other programs.

I have asked my students who their favorite characters are...and we have transformed students into these characters.

I have asked my students how they are involved in the community...and we have invited their local heroes to be a part of our reading program.

My motto is "Reading Rocks". When a student asks, "Why does reading rock?"...I tell them...come inside and let me show you.

I am proud to be a nosey teacher.
I am proud to teach nosey students.
They're always wanting to know what's going on in the library.
They checked out over 16,000 books last year alone in a school of less than 400. They kept a close eye on the library's blog.
They logged into My Capstone Virtual Library online...thousands of times.

Students at Odenville Intermediate School are nosey. They are knowledgeable. They are learning. How nosey are you?

If you are interested in learning how classroom management software can help you become a nosey teacher and manage students on computers more effectively, check out http://www.netop.com/products/education.htm

Get Free Books from Kellogg's!

2011-08-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Kellogg's has partnered with Scholastic to offer free books! Be sure to look on ALL Kellogg's products for a $5 book code! You need two codes to earn a $5 book certificate and there is NO LIMIT to the number of books you can earn! You're even able to pick out the book you want - awesome! And remember...if you're not interested...then bring the codes to your teachers and help your classroom earn free books!!

You can go here to see more information and to enter your codes and start earning books. Yay! Thank you, Kellogg's and Scholastic!

Welcome Back to School OIS!

2011-08-15T13:16:00.006-05:00

Welcome back! I am convinced this is going to be the BEST school year ever! I am so excited to announce our first library event, a back-to-school Reading Pep Rally by author, illustrator, musician...Chris Rumble! We are so excited to have Chris visit our school this Friday, August 19th.

Students, teachers, parents...you may purchase books from Chris for $6 each. This includes an autograph and personal note of encouragement. Be sure to send your money Thursday or Friday of this week.

Here's a special note from Mr. Chris Rumble:

Dear Parents,

My name is Chris Rumble. I am so looking forward to my Author Visit with the great kids at Odenville Intermediate on August 19, 2011.

I believe I was put on this planet to encourage the next generation to realize their greatness. Reading is a big part of that equation.

During our event, I will give all that is in me to get the kids fired up about diving into great books in order to feed their minds and broaden their horizons!

You can help by getting your child excited about our event. Letting them know what a GREAT DAY it is going to be and that we are going to have a lot of fun with music and illustrating and audience participation!

Also, let me encourage you to use this event as a reason to experience great books together with your child. Please see my “Seven Great Reasons to Read to Your Child” included in the post-script.

The day of our event, they will be especially motivated to explore the books that I have written and illustrated: The Adventures of Uncle Stinky! (Random House) Kids love these books highly illustrated chapter books.

At $6, my books are relatively inexpensive. If the school is doing a book sale, the books can be purchased there. I autograph every book and include a personal note of encouragement to each child. If the school is not having a book sale, you can obtain the books at my web site at chrisrumble.com.

Thanks for investing in your child by getting them excited about our event!

I can’t wait to see the great kids at your school face-to-face!

We are going to have a BLAST…and inspire your child at the same time!

For the kids,

Chris Rumble

Free Online Books from Barnes and Noble

2011-03-03T09:05:00.002-06:00

Barnes and Noble is offering a great selection of books online - there are 10 in all. They include Strega Nona, The Polar Express, Pinkalicious, Green Eggs and Ham (read by Rachel Ray) and several others. You can go here to check out the selection. Be sure to click on the "scale video" button to make them full screen.

Student Book Review: Addy Walker

2011-02-18T13:10:00.005-06:00

The following is a book review written by OIS student, Taylor A. Taylor is a big fan of American Girl books. She recently wrote a review on one of her favorite books, Addy Walker. Thank you, Taylor, for spreading the love of reading!! If you're looking for something new to read and you've never read an American Girl book, this might be the series for you!! Check out Taylor's review below:

The past couple of weeks I've been reading American Girl books. My favorite series is about a girl named Addy Walker. Addy had a rough life. She was colored so her whole family was sold as slaves. They worked hard and dreamed of freedom. Her dad and brother were sold and her mother and Esther stayed. Her mother decided she and Addy were going to get to freedom. Esther was too young to go so they left her. To find out the rest of the story, check out "American Girl: Addy Walker" in the library.

Thanks so much, Taylor! Great job!!

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2011-02-14T07:44:00.002-06:00

We're going to keep this one short and sweet...this is a 24 hour Valentine's Day giveaway and the winner will receive 6 books from the Magic Tree House series AND a surprise Valentine treat! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me what YOU love to read - as easy as that!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love...

Help OIS Get an IPad!

2011-02-03T08:47:00.002-06:00

Now through the end of the school year you can send your used CDs and/or DVDs to OIS and help us purchase Kindle Readers and/or an IPad for our school! Both CDs and DVDs must be in a case with the original paper cover AND they must be readable - no damaging scratches. With your help...we can do it! Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who have already sent in DVDs and CDs. We appreciate your support!! Spread the word OIS family!!

Free Recordable Book - A Story Before Bed

2011-02-03T08:41:00.001-06:00

Record a free book “What are Little Boys and Girls Made Of?” ($9.99 value) by Adam Herrington at A Story Before Bed – it’s free for a limited time. No coupon code is necessary, just login and all you need is a camera and microphone on your computer to make the recording of you reading the story. This 10-page story with illustrations is recommended for ages 1 to 3. Here’s more about this book:

“What Are Little Boys Made Of?” is a popular nursery rhyme dating from the early nineteenth century. It has been fabulously updated with clever illustrations and will delight small children and adults alike.

After you record the story, you can preview it before saving and access it at anytime. You can even access your recorded story from an iPhone, iPod, or iPad with their new free downloadable app. And you can share it on Facebook if you wish. This is a great way to have relatives who don’t live close by to read your kids a bedtime story virtually!

Five Readers Win!

2011-01-06T13:41:00.005-06:00

To celebrate the start of a New Year, we're giving away five copies of "The Tarantula in My Purse and 172 Other Wild Pets". This is a fun autobiographical account of acclaimed author-naturalist Jean Craighead George.

Imagine growing up with a skunk in your closet, a bat in your refrigerator, and a tarantula in your purse...living with a variety of animals - including a mischievous crow, a duck with an arrest record, and a Houdini-like boa constrictor - the George family learns just how entertaining life with wild creatures can be. These funny and touching animal stories from a master storyteller will speak to the animal lover in all of us.

Okay friends, all you have to do is leave a comment below (just click on comments and a box will come up where you can type) telling me something - anything - about a beloved animal in your life. It can be a pet, friend's pet, story you read, movie you saw...anything! Anyone can enter...if you're an OIS student, be sure to leave your first and last name in your comment. If not, be sure to leave your first name and an email address so I can contact you if you win. Thanks for reading along and be sure to follow The Need 2 Read so you don't miss out on more upcoming giveaways!! Leave 3 extra comments for following - that's 4 chances to win!

Giveaway will end January 21st and winners will be announced/contacted the following week. Good luck and happy reading!

Odenville Public Library Hosts Reading with Ringling

2011-01-06T09:32:00.006-06:00

Instilling a love for reading at an early age, Odenville Public Library has teamed up with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus to provide its young readers...Reading with Ringling! Reading five books from Odenville Public Library can earn children a ticket to The Greatest Show on Earth!!

Participants must read four books that come from the Odenville Public Library and are recorded on the circus book log with a special stamp provided by Ringling. When complete, they will receive a clown nose, bookmark, reading log and of course, a ticket to the circus. Interested readers can contact the Odenville Library at 205-629-5901 between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday to sign up for the program. The circus will be coming to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Wednesday, January 26, through Sunday, January 30. Sounds fun!!

If you're reading along but not located in the Odenville area, be sure to check your local library to see if they're participating! If not, let them know about Reading with Ringling so they can sign up for next year's program!

Information taken from the St. Clair County News, Thursday, January 6, 2011 edition (Amanda E.H. Pritchard).

Free Online Story Time: Strega Nona

2011-01-05T11:23:00.003-06:00

Enjoy Online Storytime by Barnes & Noble with this month’s featured story, “Strega Nona” read by the book’s author and illustrator, Tomie dePaola. Every month they feature a new popular kids story read out loud. You can adjust the volume, pause the story, and create a full-screen window. My son loves it! Enjoy!

New Books Worth Reading!

2011-01-05T09:00:00.013-06:00

Check out the selection below of cool new books...these are just a few you may want to look for in your public library or spend some of that Christmas money on...either at your local book store or online at Amazon. Let me know if you read one, I'd love to know what you think!

Stand-Alone Chapter Books

THE RISE AND FALL OF MOUNT MAJESTIC
written by Jennifer Trafton
illustrated by Brett Helquist
Dial Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780803733756
Ages 8-up
352 pages

Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge leads (much to her chagrin) a very dull life on the Island at the Center of Everything…until the night she overhears a life-changing secret. It seems that Mount Majestic, the rising and falling mountain in the center of the island, is not a mountain at all --- it's the belly of a sleeping giant, moving as the giant breathes. Now Persimmony and her new friend Worvil the Worrier have to convince all the island's other quarreling inhabitants --- including the silly Rumblebumps, the impeccably mannered Leafeaters, and the stubborn young king --- that a giant is sleeping in their midst, and must not be woken.

THE STAR MAKER
Laurence Yep
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780060253158
Ages 8-12
112 pages

If only Artie had kept his mouth shut.

But his mean cousin Petey was putting him down, so Artie started bragging.

Now he has to come up with enough money to buy firecrackers for all his cousins by the Lunar New Year.

Luckily, there's one person he can count on…Uncle Chester!

THE STORM BEFORE ATLANTA
Karen Schwabach
Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780375858666
Ages 8-12
320 pages

At a time when most people have grown weary of the war between the states, two young children are desperate to find their way to the battlefields. Jeremy DeGroot wants nothing more than to join a troop as a drummer boy. For Dulcie, a runaway slave, freedom means she must head directly toward the fighting in the hopes that she'll become "contraband," that is, property of the Union troops. Both Jeremy and Dulcie find a place with the 107th New York Volunteer Regiment and even start to forge a friendship. But all that is threatened when they keep crossing paths with the mysterious Charlie, a young Confederate soldier, who may look like the enemy but feels more like a friend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Series Books/Sequels

Alcatraz

ALCATRAZ VERSUS THE SHATTERED LENS
Brandon Sanderson
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780439925570
Ages 9-12
304 pages

Alcatraz Smedry is on a mission to save the day! In his final adventure in the series by bestselling adult fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz has a lot to prove and, as always, little time in which to do it.

Lunch Lady

LUNCH LADY AND THE BAKE SALE BANDIT
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780375867293
Ages 7-10
96 pages

The Breakfast Bunch is excited for the upcoming bake sale --- and the best part is that it's raising money for an awesome field trip. But when all the snacks go missing, it's no laughing matter. Someone is sabotaging the bake sale. But why?

Lunch Lady and the Breakfast Bunch are hot on the trail…one brownie crumb at a time.

Spaceheadz

SPHDZ Book #2!
written by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Shane Prigmore
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781416979531
Ages 7-10
240 pages

The campaign is going well. The SPHDZ word is getting out. Thousands of kids have signed up to say they are SPHDZ. But things haven't gotten any easier for Michael K. The SPHDZ are still trying to blend in to our Earth culture, but not very successfully. They're still mixing up Thanksgiving, cartoon plots, holidays and commercials. This makes it especially hard for Michael K. to both hide the SPHDZ from Agent Umber and accomplish the SPHDZ Mission. He's forced to enlist the help of fellow fifth graders Venus and TJ.

When they (Michael K. and the SPHDZ) are given the assignment to write and perform the school play, Umber thinks he's closing in on the aliens...the kindergartners playing the turkeys.

Sequel to A WHOLE NOTHER STORY

ANOTHER WHOLE NOTHER STORY
Dr. Cuthbert Soup
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
ISBN: 9781599904368
Ages 8-12
304 pages

The plan was simple. Ethan Cheeseman, along with his three smart, polite and relatively odor-free children, would travel back in time to end an ancient family curse and save their mother. Now that the LVR (a super-secret time machine) is in working order, it should be easy peasy. Except they didn’t account for one basic rule of science: Murphy’s Law, where everything that possibly could go wrong, does. So the Cheeseman family finds themselves on another madcap adventure, this time through stormy seas and haunted castles. And though their narrator, Dr. Soup, has a ton of unsolicited advice to offer young readers, he doesn’t have much to say to help the Cheesemans, except this one thing: Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Picture Books

A BOY NAMED FDR: How Franklin D. Roosevelt Grew Up to Change America
written by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780375857164
Ages 6-10
48 pages

Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America, yet this ultimate rich kid grew up to do more for ordinary Americans than any other president. This appealing picture book biography shows how, from childhood on, FDR was compassionate, cheerful, determined, and enormously likable. Though he had private tutors as a young boy and later attended an elite boys' school, he played pranks and had down-to-earth fun just like any boy today.

I’M NOT.
written by Pam Smallcomb
illustrated by Robert Weinstock
Schwartz & Wade/Random House Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780375861154
Ages 4-8
32 pages

Our shy narrator lists all the things that her best friend, Evelyn, is good at --- from jumping on the bed to roller skating really fast. Luckily, Evelyn points out what makes her so special: she's a one-of-a-kind true blue best friend. Robert Weinstock's hilarious illustrations wonderfully complement Pam Smallcomb's simple text, perfect for young children. This sweet depiction of friendship shows --- in a completely fresh, original way --- that everyone is special.

ODETTA: THE QUEEN OF FOLK
written and illustrated by Stephen Alcorn
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780439928182
Ages 4-8
40 pages

She was a beautiful girl who plunged head-first into the world with a song to sing. Born in Birmingham, this child soon learned to make a whole heap of noise on her auntie's piano. Then she discovered her own instrument --- a voice full of brass and thunder! And, oh, did she have a song to sing --- spirituals, gospels, work songs. She sang joy. She sang sorrow and struggle. She sang triumph. Her songs told stories of America's history. And, with the help of Baby, her guitar, Odetta blazed a musical trail that served as the roadmap for many folksingers who followed in her footsteps.

List made available from Kidsreads.com

OIS Library Schedule

2011-01-05T08:49:00.004-06:00

The OIS Library is open to students weekly: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The library is closed each Thursday in order to complete administrative tasks, technology requests, new book orders/preparation, lesson planning, etc.

Library hours are 8:00-2:00. Be sure to visit us, check out new books and magazines and see the library displays. You never know...there may be a contest or two taking place. We love to see your smiling faces!!

Last year we checked out over 16,000 books!! Can we top it this year??

Keep reading!

CSN Review

2010-12-13T17:17:00.005-06:00

I've been given a GREAT opportunity by CSN Stores to review a product available on their site! CSN sells everything under the sun. Where else can you buy a bean bag chair, a new coffee table and a new skillet all in one place? They have a great assortment of luggage - specifically briefcases and lap top bags. I'm loving a leather briefcase I found on their site - perfect for work and travel! What better place to stash your...BOOKS?? Text books, recreational reading books, laptops, school gear, work gear, etc...anything and everything...AND they're STYLISH!! I'm loving that CSN has a category specifically for women's briefcases - you can't get much better than that! Since I'm on the computer a good bit for work and of course, reading is my job (which I love!)...I was super excited that CSN gave me a chance to check out all of their cool briefcases - totes, messenger bags, so many varieties!

I will be perusing CSN Stores to decide what item to review in the next few days. It might be a hard decision, but I think I can handle it! How can I turn down the opportunity to get a $35 credit towards one of their items? I know I'll be more than pleased with whatever I purchase - I've made three purchases from them already and have LOVED each item! Thank you CSN!

NEW Barnes and Noble Kids' Club!

2010-10-29T10:15:00.003-05:00

What parent wouldn’t want their kiddos to join a book club that’s fun, free, and offers rewards?! For this reason, I was super excited to hear about the new Barnes & Noble Kids' Club.

As members of this free club, your kids (ages 12 and under) will snag the following…

* 30% off the list price on any one kids’ book or toy (this 30% off coupon will be sent via email).

* $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores (qualifying products include most children’s books, toys, games, puzzles and workbooks); you can receive up to 4 rewards every year.

* Special Birthday Offer: You’ll receive a coupon via email for a FREE cupcake or cookie from the Barnes & Noble Café that you can use anytime during your child’s birthday weeks, and a FREE create–a–book project on Tikatok.com (their partner website that allows children to create their own books).

* Every month, you’ll receive an email newsletter with additional offers and savings. Just for signing up, you’ll be able to get 25% off every day on Tikatok.com.

**To join the Kids’ Club, fill out an enrollment form at your local store and then hand your completed form to a bookseller. You can also sign up for the program online by clicking the “FREE! Join Now!” button here. Your loyalty card will arrive approximately 10 days after it is requested.

Book Reviewers Needed - 8-12 Year Olds!

2010-10-29T10:10:00.002-05:00

Are you an 8-12 year old who loves to read and share their opinions? If so, consider signing up for the Bella Books Young Reviewers Circle. Bella Books is looking for young readers to share their thoughts about The Sword of Darrow (a book that is set to be released next year) and what you’d like to see in the sequel to make it even better than the first.

Here’s what kids who participate will receive…

* A special, personalized pre-release edition of the magical new children’s book, The Sword of Darrow

* An official BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle membership certificate

* A signed copy of The Sword of Darrow when it’s officially released next year.

* Their name, actually printed in the book, recognizing them as a member of the BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle.

Sounds pretty cool!

Click here for more information!

Ready to sign up?! All you need to do is send an email to youngreviewers@benbellabooks.com. Be sure to include your child’s name and mailing address to send the book. Parents, please help with the sign up process! Kiddos, be sure to ask before you sign up! Have fun and let me know if you participate by leaving a comment below...

Local Heroes Save the Day

2010-10-08T10:33:00.003-05:00

Lydia Lewis, seated, is a 3rd grade teacher at OIS. Mrs. Lewis and her students raised the most money during the book fair through the One for Books program. Local Super Heroes were honored at a celebration breakfast for Mrs. Lewis' class. Local heroes were, standing, from left, Jenny Seals, Gary Hanner, Bob Talley, Mike McCullars, Ralph Glover, Robert Sutton, Adam Pardue, Buck Christian and Constance Seymour.

Click here to see this article in its entirety. We're so proud of our students, teachers AND local heroes. Thank you for helping to make our book fair a success!!

The OIS Fall Book Fair was $1 away from surpassing the school's all time book fair record! In 2008, the school sold over $6,000 in books and that was with 500 students. THIS YEAR, the school sold over $6,000 in books with an enrollment of approximately 325 students. THANK YOU to the parents, students, teachers and community of Odenville for supporting us in helping to raise funds for our school library!

Target Reads

2010-10-08T10:25:00.002-05:00

Target has a GREAT program where they want YOU to pledge time to read with a child...your child, ANY child. Read at home, read at work, read at school, volunteer. It makes all the difference in the world when a child sees YOU reading. So, turn off the TV and pick up a book. For each pledge, Target will donate a book to children in need.

Go here to make your pledge and see Target's book suggestions, reading tips and commitment to reading. You'll be glad you did!

OIS READS!

2010-10-08T08:17:00.002-05:00

As of today, Friday, October 8, 2010, the students of OIS have checked out 3,357 books from the school library during the 2010-2011 school year. Way to go! Keep reading OIS!

Join the Birthday Book Club!

2010-09-13T12:21:00.004-05:00

OIS students...remember to sign up for the Birthday Book Club for yet another extra special way to celebrate YOUR special day AND help your school library at the same time! Here's how it works:

*During the month of your birthday, you may choose a book from the Birthday Book Club Book Selection in the library.

*A special bookplate will be placed in the book with YOUR name and birthday - so that students for years to come will know YOU donated that book to the library on your birthday.

*Your photo will be posted on the Birthday Book Club Bulletin Board and possibly in the newspaper, in the yearbook and/or right here on our library's website!

*Enjoy some time in the library reading your book and munching on special birthday treats - this book will be checked out to you for two weeks in ADDITION TO your other two library books.

This is a FUN way to not only honor your child by placing a book in his/her name in the OIS library, but it also helps update our school media center. Cost for the Birthday Book Club is $10.00. Please see Mrs. Champagne for a Birthday Book Club form.

We WANT Your Sunny D Labels!

2010-09-13T12:13:00.003-05:00

Remember to save those Sunny D Labels and send each label to the library. We can then cash them in for free books! For every 20 labels we collect, we'll earn 20 free books - sounds easy enough, but we need your labels!! If we're one of the top ten schools, we'll be entered into a chance to win HUNDREDS of free books - and boy do we need books - so start collecting those labels!

Labels will be collected NOW through November.

Need a coupon to go out and buy your yummy Sunny D? Go here to print out a coupon - save money AND help your school!

Thanks Sunny D!

OIS Teacher Feature: Friends Make Reading Fun!

2010-08-26T20:17:00.012-05:00

Reading is a focus at Odenville Intermediate School. With so many wonderful teachers and students, you can always find something exciting going on as you walk through the halls, seeking out readers. Take for example, Mrs. Wonert's Class. Mrs. Wonert teaches reading to both a fabulous group of third graders AND to a beloved group of Beanie Baby Friends. During independent reading time, you will see a room full of engaged student readers...why are they so engaged? Well, because they're reading to their "friends"...a Beanie Baby animal friend of their choice. The Beanie Babies seem to enjoy being read TO almost as much as the students enjoy reading! When asked about her flock of readers, this is what Mrs. Wonert had to say:

I "borrowed" this idea from another teacher at Steele Junior High School. However, she allowed students to read to any stuffed animal. I collected beanie babies when I was a child and I came across them again when I was moving houses. I hated seeing them boxed up and put away so..... I thought they would come in handy for silent reading in my classroom. Brilliant idea! I have never seen children get so excited about reading!! Reading with the beanie babies is a reward. Sometimes if my class (as a whole) has been good for the day, I let them read with a beanie baby. I also let them read with them on test days once they have finished taking their test. Seeing my students silently read to them is precious. Some of them put the beanie babies on their shoulders and read; while others have them in front of them reading and showing the book as if they were a teacher! Priceless!

Keep up the great work, Mrs. Wonert. You ARE making a difference...creating life-long lovers of reading!

Remember to Turn in Your Summer Reading Logs!

2010-08-11T20:36:00.004-05:00

If you're a student of OIS, be SURE to turn in your Summer Reading Log! You have until the end of the month to get them sent to the library and be eligible for some fun reading rewards. If you've lost your log, you can always write down the books you read and the approximate dates you read them on a sheet of paper. Let us know what you've been reading. It's so good to see all of your smiling faces back at school. We're going to have a great year!

Kohl's Cares - Help OIS Win $500,000!

2010-08-06T11:44:00.004-05:00

I love Kohl's. Shopping there is fun and the time, effort and funds they spend giving back to the community are even better. They currently have a program called Kohl's Cares. They're using the month of August to tally votes on Facebook for schools entering the race to win $500,000!!! Here's what you need to know:

*$500,000 will be donated to 20 eligible schools nationwide, for a total of $10 million. Donations are made possible by the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program.

*You, your school and your community can go to www.facebook.com/kohls to vote and submit program funding ideas.

*The 20 schools that get the most votes and meet eligibility criteria will receive half a million dollars each!!

That's amazing!! The good news is, you can vote for your school up to five times AND you have 20 votes - which means you can vote for 4 different schools - or more schools if you want to spread the love. This is GREAT for people like me who work at one school and have a child at another - I was able to vote for both schools, be fair and not feel guilty - because it only allowed me 5 votes for each. PLEASE - we would love for you to cast your five votes for Odenville Intermediate School. There are things we, our students and community, are in need of desperately...a play ground, cafeteria, music program, art supplies, and of course...materials for our library and classrooms. Won't you do your part and vote today?

Just go here to vote. The children of Odenville THANK YOU! Spread the word!

Free Book App - Plus Free Downloadable Books!

2010-08-04T09:28:00.003-05:00

I'll take reading anyway I can get it. To me, there's nothing quiet the same as having an actual book in your hand. However, as an educator of children, it's important to remember that we are CONSTANTLY competing against a vast assortment of technology. If you own a Kindle, you can find a ton of free reading materials online...and even if you don't...you can download an app for reading to your computer, BlackBerry, Android, iPhone or iPad. Cool, huh? Here are a few links to get you started...

Free App for Reading (get this first, then download your books to view)

Books for Kids and Classics

The Velveteen Rabbit

Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know

Free Beatrix Potter Books

The Jungle Book

Children's Hour with Red Riding Hood and Others

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Treasure Island

Dracula

Gulliver's Travels

Enjoy!

How to Create an Addiction to Reading

2010-07-14T20:11:00.000-05:00

When a student says, "I don't like books" or "I hate reading", my response? You just haven't found the right book yet! The key to creating readers is to find what interests each particular child - and give ample opportunities to read. Reading should be cherished and time to read created - and made fun. Make a visit to the book store or library a privilege, a family outing. Seek out author visits, special events and reading reward programs. Best of all? You can find most events through libraries and book stores that are FREE - offering inexpensive family fun - take advantage...and watch your child's love of reading grow.

So how do you create a reading addict? Here are a few suggestions:

First and foremost, set a good example! Parents should be the reading model for their children. Keep lots of books and various reading material around your house. Turn off the TV and designate reading time in your home.

Find reading material that fits your child's interest - do they play sports? Cheerleading? In the band? Do you have animal lovers? Crafty critters? What do they spend their time doing, what do they love and what excites them? I assure you, there's a book about it!

Be in the book know. Read the same book as your child / teen so that you can have fun discussions about it. This helps them to work on comprehension - you could even create a parent child book club! An added bonus? You'll know what your child's reading, gain an insight to their likes and dislikes AND you'll be reading the same book, so if the book contains something you disagree with, whether it be morally/spiritually - you'll find it because YOU'RE reading it!

Read aloud together every day. Add fun by reading outdoors , at a park, in various rooms around the house - and don't forget to let your children read to you! Encourage them to ask questions and interject...get their imaginations flowing!

Purchase magazine subscriptions in your child's name, like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children, or National Geographic World. Encourage older children to read the newspaper and current events magazines. You can even subscribe to some magazines for free, such as Lego Club (you can find it in the "free reading" section of the website. Magazine subscriptions make GREAT year long gifts - and they can be used after they're read...for school projects and crafts!

Take your children to Book stores and libraries as fun outings - it makes for a great family outing and is often FREE.

Telling the kids their bed time is at 7:30 - when you really don't mind if it's 8 allowing them time to read in bed. They are happy to stay up "late" in bed to read!

Place books in all areas of your home - sitting around in baskets, on book shelves and out as displays on tables or even between book ends on dressers and night stands. It's always a good idea to have books in your purse and/or car for times when you get caught in traffic or have to wait at the doctor's office.

Create a COMFY reading place in your home or their rooms - one that is a special place to cuddle up with a good book.

Purchase or make your child book plates. Personalizing a book with a sticker or name label creates a sense of pride and belonging - and also helps when a favorite book is lost at school or a friend's.

And most importantly, make reading a privilege, not a requirement. If you make a child read "for pleasure" in order to earn TV time, toys, gaming time, etc...you will only create a resentment for reading that will build over time. Most adults who do not enjoy reading, my husband included, have been forced as a child to read material they did not choose in order to "earn" time doing things they DID enjoy. THIS is never the answer.

Remember...read to succeed...it truly is the key to knowledge.

Best Book Blogs for Kids

2010-07-14T20:10:00.000-05:00

Looking for a creative way to get your children interested in reading? Maybe you need some ideas on the "in" books out on the market...or better yet, maybe you have a computer junkie who you want to move away from Internet games and toward more valuable web sites? Maybe you ARE a kid and you're looking for new books to read. Well, check out the blogs listed below...these are specific to kids and the books they're reading NOW. Hope you'll find something you like! Let me know!

Books for Your Kids

The Children's Book Review

A Year of Reading

Dog Eared (National Geographic Kids)

Books for Kids

Kids Lit

Kids' Comics

Kids Book Blog

Green Books Blog

Spaghetti Book Club

The Reading Tub

Reader Views

Curled Up With a Good Kids Book

Enjoy!

What do Boys Want?? NON-FICTION!

2010-07-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

Our school libraries will remain largely unused by boys if we don’t have what they genuinely want to read. There may well be many books in our libraries that will benefit boys, broadening their experience, helping them mature, widening their vocabulary, giving them confidence, and aiding the rest of their learning; books achieve such things not by their high literary quality – though some of them will have this – but by being read.

Our challenge is to value boys’ reading tastes, whatever they are; to feed demand for the popular; and to tempt boys by the very best.
We can never be confident that we know enough about which books boys want to see in their school library – or even more crucially, about which books would draw in those who never visit it. Our own guesswork is not good enough – we need to learn from the users. Talk to boys; if you are genuine about your need to know their reading tastes, they’ll respond to this: boys long for what's real...the gross, the unexpected, the astonishing...the TRUTH. That's why boys tend to lean more toward non-fiction. Now, don't get me wrong. Each child is different. However, research shows that the vast majority of boys prefer non-fiction reading material. So why do boys, on average, tend to read less than girls? Think about the number of female educators we have. Females have reading habits far different from boys..and while never done purposely, female teachers do not always offer what appeals to male students in the area of reading. I have been guilty of this myself. What do you see women reading while waiting at the doctor's office or on a plane? Fiction. Romance novels, mystery novels, etc. Men? Non-fiction. Time magazine, Sports magazines, newspapers... Eye opening, isn't it?? Therefore, find non-fiction to put in your son's hands...or that student who is a reluctant reader...and you might just have something.

Here are some frequent conclusions from surveys and experience;
Boys are more likely to read for a purpose, if they can see the point in it. What am I learning? What facts can I find? THIS is why boys often prefer non-fiction, books with photographs and captions...and "fun facts" books. These non-fiction interests can then spark an interest in the fiction books - sports, cars, animals, geography...Boys often crave the subject of the moment, and switch to new ones fast.

Magazines are a big hit with boys: Lego Club Magazine, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Ranger Rick...because...they have articles about REAL stuff!

So, think non-fiction when you're trying to coax your son into reading...and if your son doesn't require coaxing...then you're one of the lucky ones!

Check out one of my favorite resources for boys, when it comes to reading: Guys Read. Bookmark it on your computer...you never know, you might learn something!

Capstone Kids: Interactive Fun!

2010-07-14T20:05:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of Capstone Kids? It's a great website with free games and activities SAFE for the whole family! The great thing is, the characters in the games are straight out of Capstone's books - so children are already familiar with the characters AND they get an opportunity for some interactive play...they won't even know they're learning!

Here's a little blurb from Capstone:
Capstone Kids is owned and operated by Capstone Publishers. We are a family-owned company that supports the reading needs of preK-12 students through Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books, and Red Brick Learning. We’re proud of the range of high-quality nonfiction and high-interest fiction we offer, and invite you to browse our collections!

We offer MANY Capstone titles to students in our library. What's better than getting "hooked" via an online game and then searching for the book in the library?? It's all about making connections. I highly suggest this website for students - check it out!

Capstone Kids

Here are a few characters your children will see at Capstone Kids Online that they may be familiar with from books they've read:

Buzz Beaker
Captain Cal
Damian Drooth Supersleuth
DC Comic Superheros

Eek & Ack
Gus
Isabel Soto
Jimmy Sniffles
Klooz
The Library of Doom (a favorite of OIS students!)
Max
Max Axiom
Pony Tales
Recon Academy
Tiger Moth
Zinc Alloy

Book Review: The Ghost, The White House and Me

2010-07-14T20:04:00.001-05:00

I recently finished reading the book, The Ghost, The White House, And Me. I'm a huge fan of mystery and suspense books and this one was great! Written by Judith St. George, this book is approximately a reading level of 4.7 with an interest level ideal for 9-12 year olds. It IS an AR book, but more importantly, it's a GOOD READ!

Here's a little summary:
KayKay Granger and her sister, Annie, have just moved into the White House after their mom's inauguration, and soon find out that it's not exactly as fun as it sounds. But things get a lot more interesting when the sisters find out that the White House may be haunted. Could Abraham Lincoln's spirit really be lingering in the Lincoln bedroom? KayKay and Annie want to get to the bottom of this mystery-but are they ready for what they might uncover?
*Taken from amazon.com*

I LOVED this book! It had a great air of suspense, complete with a few facts about past presidents and an inside look at what it might be like to live in the White House. It definitely held my interest as these excited yet reluctant girls set out on their mission to unveil a ghost in the White House! Did they do it?? You'll have to read it and find out!!

President Obama Urges Parents to Read

2010-07-14T20:01:00.001-05:00

President Barack Obama urges parents to read to their children. There is no replacement - video games, television, sports...we all enjoy these activities, but it is crucial to set aside time to read with our children...in school and at home.

Barack Obama:
"In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent – for a mother or father who will […turn off the TV, put away the video games,] read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That’s an American issue."

You can find President Obama's full speech to the Joint Session of Congress, Feb. 24, 2009, here.

*The National Children's Reading Foundation suggests reading aloud with your children for 20 minutes daily to build their listening and language skills - no matter what their age!

Thank You Cracker Barrel!

2010-07-14T19:58:00.003-05:00

Odenville Intermediate School was recently selected as a participating school in Cracker Barrel's Rockin' Reader Program. We are so excited to be a part of this program! Rockin’ Reader builds caring and literacy in the community by providing a comfortable space for volunteers to read with children. As a grant recipient, OIS was rewarded with Cracker Barrel double rockers and a barrel bookcase stocked with books. In the first year of the program, volunteers at 122 partner schools nationwide contributed 16,400 hours of reading time with children. That's amazing! To find out more about the program, click on one of the following links:

More information concerning Rockin' Reader

Reading tips for volunteers

List of 2008-2009 partner schools

Rockin' Reader in the news

If you would like to volunteer to read in the Rockin' Reader Center at OIS, please email Mrs. Champagne: jamie.champagne@sccboe.org

Book Review: Nim at Sea

2010-07-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the movie, Nim's Island? If you have, I'd love to know what you think about it! If you haven't seen it yet, you can go to the link above to learn more about it - then run out and rent it!! You can also do some cool things like build your own island and explore Nim's Island. I'll admit, I haven't seen the movie yet, but I DID just finish reading Nim at Sea - and it was great! Nim at Sea is the companion or sequel to Nim's Island. If you enjoyed the movie, you should definitely check out this book from your local library this summer. It's perfect reading material for the summer months - fun, friends and lots of island sun! So, I'm doing things a bit backwards by reading this book first, but now...I have to go rent the movie!! I would love to know your favorite character in the movie - did you like it? Give me some advice!

My personal opinion of Nim at Sea? Well, it has LOTS of action, cute monkeys (well, in my head I pictured them as being cute!) and let's just say - it starts off with a great theme from the beginning. In chapter one, Alex and Nim are separated. Soon after, Nim experiences city life for the first time...where she definitely feels a bit out of place to say the least!! So...you will DEFINITELY want to read it to see what happens. Let me know what you think!

Check out the following interviews from participants in the movie. Fun stuff! :)

Abigail Breslin

Katie Brock

Dircetors Mark Levin & Jennifer Flackett

Gerald Butler

Jodie Foster

Favorite Books of Celebrities

2010-07-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

Tim Allen, actor: Curious George by Margret and H.A. Rey.

Oksana Baiul, Olympic figure skater: Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton by Walter Payton and Don Yeager.

Clive Barker, author: collected works of T.S. Eliot.

Miranda Cosgrove, iCarly actress: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Gray Davis, California governor: A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt, John Adams by David McCullough.

Sharon Davis, first lady of California: Angle of Repose by Wallace Earl Stegner, Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain, Americans and the California Dream series by Dr. Kevin Starr.

Marshall Faulk, NFL star: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

Faith Hill, singer/composer: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

Beyonce Knowles, singer: Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan.

Tara Lipinski, Olympic figure skater: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.

Rob Lowe, actor: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

Randolph Mantooth, actor: Centennial by James Michener.

Marlee Matlin, actor: The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Matthew Modine, actor: The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono.

Deborah Norville, journalist and author: Villard by Alexandra deBorchegrave, On Writing by Stephen King, For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

Barack Obama, United States President: Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

Haley Joel Osment, actor: Sphere by Michael Crichton, The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.

Anne Perry, author: Dante's Inferno translated by Dorothy Sayers, The Ballad of the White Horse by G.K. Chesterton.

Heather Pringle, author: Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.

Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

J.K. Rowling, author: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.

Willard Scott, NBC weatherman: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.

Mira Sorvino, actor: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison.

Mike Stewart, author: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Powerhouse by Eudora Welty.

Charles Todd, author: Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household, Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James.

Lily Tomlin, actor, comedian: The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.

Barbara Walters, journalist: The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery.

Not surprisingly, Dr. Seuss can count legions of fans from various walks including Mariska Hargitay, Jim Carrey, Troy Aikman, Jamie Fox, Sarah McLachlan, Janet Jackson, Will Smith, and Michael Douglas who particularly enjoys Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Send Your Name to Mars!

2010-07-14T19:51:00.001-05:00

Scheduled to launch in the fall of 2011, Mars Science Laboratory is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. Mars Science Laboratory is a rover that will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."
Taken from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Website

Want to send your name to Mars?? Go here to fill in your information and include your name on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover heading to Mars in 2011! You can also see a cool chart showing the number of names submitted by each state. Who says you can't go to Mars?

While you're waiting on the rover to take off, you can find out more information about Mars using the following links:

Kid's Astronomy: Mars
NASA'S Mars Exploration Program
Space Place - Let's Go To Mars!
Paper Models of the Mars Pathfinder Spacecraft!
Check out this Solar Telescope!

Happy Learning!

Read Kiddo Read

2010-07-14T19:50:00.000-05:00

Looking for books to peak your child's interest? Or maybe you're a student, looking for books to peak your OWN interest? Check out Read Kiddo Read. A site created by James Patterson, Read Kiddo Read will break down books by interest and age, as well as catch your attention by subtitles such as, "Summer Reading Doesn't Have to be Punishment". Sign up for the newsletter, become a member of the community and even find lessons (for all you teacher folks)! Interested? Check it out!

Read Kiddo Read!

Links of Interest for Parents: Step Into Reading

2010-07-14T19:49:00.000-05:00
Listed below are some printable guides for parents to use when reading to and with their children. It's never too late to create an atmosphere of reading in the home. If it is important to us as parents, it will be important to our children.

Reading Aloud To Your Child

Choosing Good Books for Children of All Ages

Helping Your Children Become Readers

Talking With Your Struggling Reader

Get a Free Subscription to Lego Club Magazine!

2010-07-14T19:40:00.000-05:00

One of the ever-so popular magazines in our library is the Lego Club Magazine. Who doesn't love building with Legos?? The bad news? These magazines are SO loved, they often come back to the library torn, pages missing, hanging out of their protective covers. The good news? You can get your own subscription for free!

Parents, fill out the Lego Club Magazine form and you'll be seeing that magazine in no time!

Welcome!

2010-07-14T19:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the OIS Library's little corner of the blogosphere! I hope you'll check back from time to time for book reviews, videos, website reviews, links, student news, polls and just reading news in general! While this blog is primarily for parents, staff and students of Odenville Intermediate School, we welcome all lovers of reading! Feel free to participate and post comments so we'll know you're out there! This blog will serve as a tool to interact with students, parents and our community as we update on library happenings and reading news from A to Z!

Feel free to "follow" along via the follow button in the right-hand sidebar. Be sure to visit frequently to get the latest school library news, participate in giveaways, surveys and all the fun along the way!

Enjoy the blog!

Mrs. Champagne, Library Media Specialist