Welcome back girls!  I hope everyone had a great summer - though after browsing Miss Campbell's blog I can see that I definitely had the middle-aged version of summer holidays.  Lounge chairs and porch swings for me and my most exciting trip was to see the Crooked Bush in Hafford.   Very spooky, though.  Possible alien involvement, I think.   Life is just full of thrills when you're married to Mr. C.

Also visited the giant moose in Moose Jaw (anatomically correct, btw, to the fascination of my three-year-old nephew) which was also very thrilling.  Did enjoy some great coconut curry chicken fingers at this great diner there.  Those random people are my sister, nephew and parents.  You might recognize Quinn and Charlie.  I guess I could have done a bungee jump off of the moose antlers now that I look at it.  Maybe next year.

Anyway, I did read some great books and am looking forward to chatting about them at book club, or with anyone who sidles up to the counter down in the library!  I'm thinking we'll leave our book club days the same as last year, but let me know your feelings on that over the next few days.

I saw on another blog that there is a new book called "Romeo and Juliet and Vampires" and I'm going to try to be as fancy as my nemesis and insert a HarperCollins widget to allow you to browse inside the book here:

Browse Inside this book Get this for your site

I'm not sure if it will work but will test it later to see if it's actually functional!  Yay it is!!

I know we are "walking in the word" this year and I shouldn't be starting off with a zombie recommendation, but I am just finishing up "Never Slow Dance With A Zombie" and as strange as it sounds, it has some awesome messages in it about the true meaning of friendship, the false promises of popularity, and how to sort out your values as a teenager (all while coping with a zombie infestation of course.) A surprisingly good read.

In the non-fiction genre I LOVED "Med Head" by James Patterson. We talked about it at book club, but I actually read it in its entirety this summer. Wow, what a survival story with a great message for anyone who has struggled with fitting in at school. The young man in the book spent all of elementary and high school coping with both OCD and Tourettes and the horrible side effects of all of the medications he was prescribed for his conditions. I know a few of you would REALLY enjoy this book.

That's all for now - see you tomorrow!

Happy Summer Holidays!

Look at the beautiful cupcake Lauren T. gave me last week!  Thank goodness I snapped a photo before
Mr. C. thoughtlessly ate a petal.  (No appreciation for the hours of work that go into projects like this.)

I hope you all have a wonderful, fun-filled summer holiday and return rested and rejuvenated in the fall!  
Enjoy your summer reading - I just finished The Reckoning by Kelley Arnstrong (Book 3) in the Darkest Powers trilogy and loved it!  An amazing series,  if you enjoy a bit of the spooky stuff, which I have since I learned to read.  Her adult novels are excellent also, but definitely content for grades eleven and up.  Those you would have to get from the public library.  They don't have the same characters as her young adult trilogy, but there is a bit of overlap.
Today, saying goodbye to Pauline and Sayaka, and having said my farewells to Ayumi earlier I've been thinking what an amazing time you girls are growing up in  - when you will be able to keep in touch with these new friends, no matter how far away, on facebook or other social networking sites in ways I couldn't have imagined when I was in high school back in the late '70s and early 80's.  SO COOL!!  There is so much out there for you, and I, for one am so excited and hopeful for your futures.
But first, let's all have a wickedly awesome summer:)
And remember your sunscreen - melanoma is not cool.

Keep bringing in those books...and some mushy stuff

Yes, I will be nagging all of you about returning your books from now until I see the back of your backpacks leaving through the hedges for the last time this year.  PLEASE bring my babies back to me.  They want to come home to their cosy shelves for the summer and they will be waiting for you again in the fall.  I promise.  That's how libraries work if we all co-operate.  To the young reprobate who made off with the B volume of the World Book Encyclopedia last fall:  now would be an awesome time to discreetly return it to the shelf, or even just leave it lying around your classroom where it can be found and turned in.

Now, on to the kind of mushy stuff.  I came across one of those books published by Blue Mountain Arts, called Required Reading for All Teenagers it's written by Douglas Pagels and full of  kind of inspirational blurbs.  So one of them in particular seemed appropriate for this time of year as we approach Grad, goodbyes for some friends and new beginnings.  Here is what the author wrote (and what I as a Mom and your librarian totally agree with):

Words to Help You Be Strong Along the Path of Life:

I  can barely begin to tell you of all my wishes for you.  There are so many of them, and I want them all to come true.  I want you to use your heart as a compass as you grow and find your way in the world, but I want you to always have an appreciation for the direction of home.  I want you to have self-esteem and self-confidence and to be self-sufficient, but also to be safe and smart and cautious.  I want you to be wise beyond your years.  I don't want you to grow up too fast.  I want you to come to me with your fears.  I want the people who share your days to realize that they are in the presence of a very special someone.  You are a wonderful, rare person with no comparison.  I want you to know that opportunities will come, and you'll have many goals to achieve.  The more that obstacles get in the way of your dreams, the more you'll need to believe.  Get your feet wet with new experiences, but be sure you never get in over your head.  I want you to realize how capable you are and that your possibilites are unlimited.  I hope you never lose your childlike wonder, your delight and appreciation in interesting things.  I know you'll keep responding in a positive way to the challenges life always brings.  I want you to set the stage for living in a way that reflects good choices and a great attitude.  I want you to honor.. the wonder of you.

Keep looking for all those library books please!

Another rainy day today made me think, why God, why? Which made me think of that really great book we have, "God's Blogs," so I thought I'd check out the author's website (not actually God) and he had posted this really cool stop-motion video.

Which kind of cheered me up, so I thought I'd post a more cheerful rainy day quotation:
"I'll walk down the lane with a happy refrain
And singin', just singin' in the rain." Arthur Freed
Of course, I haven't been outside at track all day ;)

I can see summer from here!

Can you believe it's June 1?  The year always seems to drag a little right after Christmas and then, boom: here we are looking at the end of another school season.  So, once again, time to start looking under beds, car seats, in lockers, desks and backpacks for all of those books (signed out and "borrowed") you've been enjoying this year.  June 10 is the date I'd like them all  back and after that I will be after you like an old-school librarian.
Now, some fun stuff for my girls who love play-doh time in the library: a few new ideas for you to think about next time you're in a creative mood.

No, I'm not making you all of those colors.
Here's an easier one on how to make a nice play-doh rose:

A little help for the dance...

For any of you worried about your dance moves tomorrow night I found this amazing video with some great tips so you won't have to worry about looking awkward out on the dance floor!

Now you can appreciate the level of normalcy I have achieved in life when this is the type of education we all received in social skills when I was your age!
Now, what to wear for the big night? Short on cash? I have a few solutions for you creative Rivier students. Have a look at these photos: Just remember to add straps and fill in any areas showing exposed flesh!
Nothing but a few old paper bags or balloons around the house?  No problem - you can whip up a perfect dress for the dance in a couple of hours.  (The last dress is made from old phone books!)  Just remember to accessorize with the right shoes!

Something to do at the lake this weekend!

Who doesn't like making sandcastles?  But a Rivier Girl should always aspire to go above and beyond - so here's a little inspiration.  I'm sure, being a long weekend, that you can come up with something at least as fabulous as this example (found at http://www.funonthenet.in/.)
Now, on to library business:   The year is rapidly drawing to a close and it will soon be time to return all of your library books for summer holidays - can you believe it?!  I know we are still waiting for some amazing new titles to arrive, and I will do my best to get them out to you as soon as they get here - but for those of you who don't get them before school's out, it does give you something to look forward to in September, right?

Poetry Slam Was Awesome!

Congratulations Grade Tens! I am truly amazed by the talent ALL of you displayed at the first annual (perhaps semi-annual?) Rivier Poetry Slam. The courage it took to stand up there in front of your friends and share what you had written was amazing, and I so appreciated being included.  As you all saw, I was very touched by the depth of emotion you expressed, and the amount of thought you put into your writing.
I haven't talked to Mrs. Trumier yet, but I've been thinking that if all of you agree, maybe I could type up your poems and we could "publish" them as a volume for the library - then add to it each year with poems from future poetry slams.  Just an idea - let me know what you think.
Now, for fun: I can't resist posting some robot poetry. Here's Data from Star Trek with a poem about his cat Spot. :D

Something to look forward to...and look at my Mother's Day Shoes!

So,because Sister Mary is awesome, she has approved another book order for this school year. Therefore, if it arrives soon enough you just might be able to squeeze in a few more great reads before everything is due for the end of the year. In addition to lots of great fiction, I've mixed in a few non-fic picks this time (a couple are pictured above - come and ask me for more info.) A few books are already spoken for by my book club girls, so if you're also interested, make sure to let me know!
And, of course, a picture of my new shoes. They are actually the same style as my purple shoes, but these ones are black. The perfect Mother's Day gift:D I think this picture may be much bigger than the book pictures, but shoes will be shoes...

I was just looking for cupcakes...

And look what I found!!! You have got to watch this video. I know I am getting a little over-excited about the whole steampunk genre, but OMG this stuff is so cool. The instruments, the outfits and even a little steampunk bellydancing. If I wasn't so ancient I would so totally be on the road with a steampunk band. Alas, now I have to wait for my nursing home days when Quinn can dress me up in a corset and goggles in my tricked-out wheelchair. Anyway, you guys can still modify your violins and keyboards - don't tell anyone I'm encouraging you to dress like this but SERIOUSLY COOL - look:)

Exciting New Book! Look at the Trailer!!!

Okay, For those of you who like edge-of-your-seat reads, I think I have a book for you.  I thought this one might be kind of similar to The Hunger Games, but my first reader (thanks HT) tells me it's not.  Anyway, this trailer won an award at Kirkus Reviews, so have a look and see if you want to read the book:)

Just For Fun - Sort of Technology Related

So as I've been looking more and more into the many wonderful ways to use all of the technologies available to us every moment of our lives, I came across this video of these crazy sheep guys herding their sheep into works of art.  There truly are all kinds of amazing, wacky people out there which is why you just have to absolutely love this world we live in!  Plus, their dogs are obviously awesome too.  So watch the video - it's impressive and pretty funny I think.

For those of you doing projects for Mr. C's biology class - I do not condone attaching LED lights to your household pets or any other animals.  Your friends however...

Steampunk!

Book Clubbers and those of you in study who don't tune me out when I drone on about my latest interest will have heard me talking about steampunk. I just received some great links to images in an anonymous comment under my Sarah Dessen post and thought I would devote a post to it.  It's a genre in books and film where (as I understand it) the idea is that the Victorian era had access to our technology, or that those advances took place at an earlier time. Sort of an alternate history where steam power would still be widely used. Now, any of you who are closet steampunkers may want to elaborate or correct me on my interpretation.

Is this stuff cool, or what?  The movies Wild Wild West and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen are considered to be examples of steampunk, as is the book Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (which we have in our library.)  Saskatchewan author Arthur Slade has written The Hunchback Assignments, pictured here with the American cover (Canadian cover has a guy with goggles) which he describes as a  "a new Victorian-era, fantastical steampunk series."  Hopefully coming soon to our library - if you girls are interested.

For Fans of Sarah Dessen

I know many of you have been enjoying Sarah Dessen's books, so I thought I would share with those of you who don't come to Book Club meetings that we have another of her novels, The Truth About Forever This title was actually voted a Teen Top Ten book, so it is sure to be a good read for those of you who enjoy realistic fiction. Fans of the author may want to visit her website at www.sarahdessen.com for more insight into this writer and her novels.

Who likes fun?

So once again I've had my attention drawn to a really interesting video, which led me to look into the project itself, which REALLY intrigued me! So watch this clip and then I'll post the link so you can investigate further.


I think we should have all of the Rivier stairs refinished just like this! So cool! Anyway, the idea behind this project is to come up with fun, new, innovative ways of doing things in order to encourage positive behaviours in people. So what can we come up with, girls?
Check out the website - lots more videos of contest submissions to watch.
thefuntheory.com

It's Still National Poetry Month!

So what does Mrs. C do on her day off? Yes, I am kind of a nerd, because here I am on the internet looking at the PBS website, which led me to a link to a healing poetry site. I'm going to paste a quotation from them here, because their words are just so perfect - I truly could not say it better myself!

"Poems stir us, encourage us to wake, breathe deeply and experience life! Poems are alive. They hold energy. You can discover this life and energy in your words, in the cadence of your voice, and the feeling inside your body upon reading a poem. There are indeed hints inside of poems that become available to you as you write and hear them.

What poems offer relates not only to the present moment, but may come as messengers from the past and clues important for your future messages for you and for humanity. Poetry joins the personal with the universal.

Writing allows us to discover how vulnerabilities and strengths can co-exist, even thrive together. Poems can reveal deep insight and compassion. They can give voice to what is raw and wounded in your life and that honesty, creatively expressed and explored, can bolster and guide you through rough times. Your writing can transform you at profound levels."
You didn't think I'd make you read all that without a picture, did you? These are the totally awesome Miz Mooz boots I just received in the mail yesterday!! I drove home from the post office wearing one boot and one sandal:) It was, of course, too hot to wear both boots.

Okay, back on topic - I'm hoping the above quotation (or my boots) might inspire you to think about taking a few moments to either read a poem (call numbers start around 811 down from the pink flowers on the file cabinet) or write one of your own. Do it in your journal, or if you feel like sharing you know I am always SO happy to receive anything in my comments!!!

New Twilight Novella

So I just found out about this new Twilight novella called The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella. I guess the fact that I haven't had a lineup at my counter begging to be first when I get it tells me that the Twilight fever has died down somewhat! It's going to be released June 5, I think, and here is the product description from Amazon: "Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion."

Only 192 pages, though, since it's a novella - a little disappointing. I know some of you say you are sick of Twilight, but this one doesn't sound all Edward-y, so we'll see.

Girls Rule And Boys, Quite Possibly, Drool

(Just kidding;}) You have to watch the cutest video ever of these grade one girls inspiring all girls to catch up with boys in the field of technology. Ain't gonna hold us back girls! Look at all of the stuff they are using IN GRADE ONE and then let's keep encouraging our fabulous school to continue incorporating more of these tools into your lessons!

Any Grade Elevens Out There??

Another one of my semi-crazy ideas (often cooked up with Mrs. Bonneau!) If any of the Grade Eleven Travel Group happen to be following the blogs - because I know you're doing a great job of updating the travel one - how about some poems or haikus about your experience over there? Just add them to my comments section - you may remain anonymous if you prefer. Check out the comments under my previous posts to see what some of the other girls have submitted so far! I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon and hearing what I am sure will be some fascinating stories:)

P.S. If anyone has purchased any awesome shoes they would like to tell me about, feel free to add that to comments as well!

This week's student book recommendation

Good morning everyone! Cassidy just returned her book, Somebody Else's Kids, and told me it was, and I quote, "a darn good book!" Coincidentally, one of the sisters also just read it and donated a new copy to the library, so we have the updated version now. It was written by Torey L. Hayden and originally published in 1981 (she also wrote One Child.) Cassidy has also read A Child Called It and found this book even better because there are four children's stories to follow. So if you like these types of true stories, come and check it out!

Poetry Slam

Continuing with our poetry theme, I'm posting a link to a video of some students who are involved in writing and performing poetry - I think it's in New York. Anyway, gives you a sneak peak into a different school, some different lives, and a different way of experiencing poetry. Have a look!

Grand Slam: Performance Poetry Engages Students | Edutopia

Remember I'm still hoping that some of you will add your own poetry to my comments - I've received one haiku already!

National Poetry Month

I have just (better late than never) realized that April is national poetry month and that this week is, in fact, Youth Poetry Week. So, what should we do to celebrate? Well, I do have a link to the very cool poemflow site which you should definitely check out if you haven't already, and then you could look at this kind of funny random haiku generator I've added as a new link.
Also, I had this thought that possibly some of you who have that writer's spirit might maybe, maybe post a poem as a comment here on the blog. You could be anonymous,of course if you choose. It's just an idea - I thought it might be a fun way for you to share some of your writing in a different forum. Totally up to you girls whether you want to try it or not. If you do, feel safe in knowing that I check all comments before I allow them to be posted, so there will be no criticism of your writing!

Mrs. C's Haiku
boots or shoes? both tempt;
but today one must sadly
remain at the store

(Inspired by my latest shopping experience at Frontrunner Footwear)

Today's student book recommendation

So Megan D. has kindly reviewed yet another book for me. I think I may have mentioned this one in a previous post about new books - it's called "Just Another Girl" by Melody Carlson. Many of you will be familiar with her previous books, though this one seems a bit of a departure from her other series. The summary inside reads, "Sixteen-year old Aster, caught between a self-absorbed older sister and a mentally-disabled younger one, yearns for a normal life and, with her first boyfriend's encouragement and trust in God, she begins to make things better."

Melody Carlson has been a favorite author of many of you in the past, so this may be a good book to try. It's listed under the subjects of middle children, dating, and single-parent families. Megan's comments were, "Another amazing book. Really easy to relate to with very good wording. Very teenager approved."
So there you have it. Once again, look for it next to the lava lamp!

Book Review

For those of you interested in a bit of a moody read for these rainy days, I think I have a really great one for you. One of our students read "Ways to Live Forever" over the break and left me a note saying, and I quote, "This book is amazing. I loved it. I think lots of girls will love it - it's so touching and it really gives you something to think about."

So what is this wonderful book about? Well, here's how it starts:

My name is Sam.
I am eleven years old.
I collect stories and fantastic facts.
By the time you read this,
I will probably be dead.

As you may have guessed, Sam is sick - he is in the last stages of leukemia, and he wants to experience everything he possibly can and answer all of the questions nobody ever answers. The book is written as a collection of his journal entries, lists, questions, and pictures, so it's a quick read. And don't think it's all doom and gloom because it has funny moments too. So come give it a try - I'll keep it on special display by the lava lamp!

What I Did Over Easter Break.

Welcome back girls! I hope everyone had a nice break and hello to any grade elevens who may be following the blogs from Europe! I will not be at school Monday as I have a medical appointment in Saskatoon, but will be back in action Tuesday. I did buy some lovely new sandals last week and since it's too cold to wear them will have to share them here instead:)

My friend also indulged herself with a new pair and I am very tempted to buy the same ones! She was more adventurous and bought the green - very springy!


So that's the shopping part of this post, now on to the book part: Tuesday will see the re-launch of SENIOR BOOK CLUB! That's right, we will once again have both junior and senior book clubs, with senior meeting on Tuesday at 11:40 and juniors meeting on Thursdays. Remember, you can come to talk about books, movies, music, art, or just to keep me up to date on what's happening in the world of teenage girls! Come on down to the library - all the cool people will be there.

Amazing!

Always check the information you find on the internet!

Gotta love this kid!

Okay, he's a little hard on schools, but I like his rant..

The Maximum Ride Saga Continues!

Yes, I have book 6!
Yes, it might be signed out already, but ask me and I'll put you're name on the reserve list!

The Girls

For those of you who have read the girls, here's an interesting interview with the author, Lori Lansens. For those who haven't read it yet, it's a great book for anyone in grade 10 and up - plus she's a Canadian author, so bonus points! Find it in the fiction section under FIC LAN.

New books!

Hi girls! I've been getting new books ready to go out and thought I'd share a few of them with you on the blog. I know many of you are fans of Melody Carlson (she writes the TruColors series and the Carter House Girls) so you may be interested in her latest, #7 in the Carter House Girls, Spring Breakdown. Also by Melody Carlson we've purchased A Not-So-Simple Life, which is another in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, as well as Just Another Girl and Anything But Normal, two novels dealing with difficult teen issues.
For those who like fast-paced thrillers, we have a new series called Conspiracy 365. Each book's title is a different month and the pages run backwards as the books count down to the end. "Callum Ormund has been warned. He has 334 days. The countdown continues...12 books. 12 months."
Finally, fantasy fans may enjoy a new series by Australian author Alison Croggon called Pellinor - check out the website at www.booksofpellinor.com.
This is what the author says on the book jacket of The Singing, The Fourth Book of Pellinor, "the books are about the things that I think matter - what it means to grow up and find out who you are, what it means to be part of a society, to love, to hate, to encounter difference. Most of all, I think they're about the struggle to be humane in a world that is too often inhumane. I hope that if those things matter to me, they might matter to others too." Those of you who have read Tamora Pierce's books will be interested to know that she describes these books as "epic fantasy in the Tolkien tradition, with a strong girl hero who is entirely believable in her struggles...I couldn't put it down!" If that's not enough endorsement, I have a book club member currently reading the series who can give you her opinion - just come and talk to me!
So keep your eye on the new book shelf - these and more will be appearing soon!

This week's laugh!

Mr. Jalbert Rocks!

Big news! Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Jalbert, we now have a fully functioning printer in the library. No more running upstairs to retrieve your documents - Hurray! Thank you Mr. J.!!! Now let's all remember to be patient and send our print jobs only once, please - we don't need things printing out 8 times!

Book Club Thursday

A reminder to all bookclubbers that we will be meeting Thursday at 11:40 in the library. I do have some new books to show you this week, so bring your lunches and we'll have some fun!

Feel beautiful this week, because you are!

New week, new link!

Welcome to a new week everyone! I want to point out what I think is a really awesome new link. It's called Shahi Visual Dictionary and it combines Wiktionary content with flickr images, for a start. This is particulary useful for our students who are learning English as their second language, but has some great (and fun) applications for everyone. So next time you need to look up a word, just click on the Shahi link to the right of the screen to get the definition plus a visual representation of its meaning!

Check out my links!

You may have noticed that I now have a list of links - some are useful, like the resources through the school division and the Cuelenare library, but some are really cool. If you haven't seen it before you should check out poemflow - it's a whole new way of experiencing poetry and is also available as a free app for your ipod. Bookseer is also kind of fun - if you have just finished a great book and don't know what to read next it will give you some ideas. Also Fluevog shoes - just because.

Book Club Cancelled

Hi girls! Good luck to all of you participating in music festival this week and next week. As you may have heard, we will be welcoming the Rivier Band into the library for practices and as a result there will not be a book club meeting on Thursday as our tables will have been replaced by instruments! Also, while the instruments are in the library, it will remain closed for the noon hour. Thank you for your understanding!

Book Club Meeting Thursday

A reminder to everyone that we will be having a book club meeting tomorrow, Thursday, February 25 at 11:40 in the library. We haven't acquired any new books since last meeting, but I am looking forward to hearing about what all of you were reading over the break! If anyone went to see the Percy Jackson movie we can also discuss how it compares to the book(s).

Who wants to make a Rivier video?

I think this looks like so much fun - so who thinks we should clear out the tables in the library and go for it?
I do wonder who had to put all those books back on the shelves!

Food (or beverage) for thought...

I hope all of you have a fun-filled February break! Here's a video that reminds us all of what's truly important in life (although I claim a special exemption for my little shoe habit!)

Lord of the Techno Rings

For fans of Tolkien (or of handsome elves, cute hobbits, and dashing heroes..)

Good Books

Looking for a good book to read over the break? Rivier's own Carolyn C. recommends The Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Book 1, Found, features two adopted children who begin receiving mysterious letters telling them that they are each "one of the missing." Add some FBI involvement, a plane that appears out of nowhere and you get a "can't put it down" thriller of a book. Book 2, Sent, follows the adventures of Jonah and Chip once again, but in this book they end up transported back to the fifteenth century for the adventure of a lifetime.
Any of you who have read the Shadow Children Series by this author will enjoy this new series - just ask Carolyn!

Yo! Here's How You Find Stuff In the Library!

Not sure how the dewey decimal system works? Watch and learn!

Check out this video

A thought-provoking look at your education!

Just a reminder to everyone to please return any books you are finished with before the break. (Remember that I am not at school Friday, so try to do your returning and borrowing on Thursday.) Also, there are a few books missing that have not been signed out to anyone, so if you notice stray books in a classroom please bring them to the library!

Keep in mind that I am able to renew your books for you even if you don't have them with you, so don't hesitate to ask me to extend your loan if you need extra time.

Book Club

We will be having our weekly meeting Thursday, February 11 in the library at 11:40 a.m.

Bring your lunches and I will look forward to seeing you! Grade 10's and 11's may want to share their insights on the documentary Food, Inc. and also have a look at the book The Omnivore's Dilemma, written by one of the contributors to the film.