Pictured above are just a few of the fun pictures from the trip...I'm pretty sure Texas is the only state that provides a waffle in the shape of itself! The large star is made of all different cowboy hats and many are signed by famous Texans including singers, politicians and other notable people. And finally I had the opportunity to see my favorite professor at the Sam Houston booth! Tricia Kuon is a kind and caring individual and makes for a great professor too. It was such a blessing to see her again!
Last week I had the privilege of attending the Texas Library Annual Convention in Fort Worth. I met authors, attended sessions about technology, received new books to preview, and shared ideas with fellow librarians. Fort Worth welcomed us with open arms and took great care of us as we explored their downtown area.Many thanks to the SBMS PTA who graciously paid my conference fees and gas for the trip. Thank you for being so supportive! Pictured above are just a few of the fun pictures from the trip...I'm pretty sure Texas is the only state that provides a waffle in the shape of itself! The large star is made of all different cowboy hats and many are signed by famous Texans including singers, politicians and other notable people. And finally I had the opportunity to see my favorite professor at the Sam Houston booth! Tricia Kuon is a kind and caring individual and makes for a great professor too. It was such a blessing to see her again! Pictured to the left are just a few of the great authors I got to see and meet while at TLA. Nia Vardalos starred in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and has now written a book about her journey through adoption and motherhood. Neil Gaiman is an amazing young adult and children's author - we all laughed throughout his presentation! Caroline Cooney wrote many books, but the most famous is The Face on the Milk Carton. Ruta Sepetys wrote Between Shades of Gray, an amazing story about Lithuania and Russia during World War II. I so enjoyed meeting these authors and many more! I was fortunate to have a special guest travel with me to Fort Worth, my boyfriend, Rich. He enjoys hearing authors and is working on his own great book ideas! We stayed an extra night, had dinner with friends, and then went to the Fort Worth Zoo on Sunday. We had beautiful weather and got to see amazing animals! I got to see a kangaroo up close for the first time and loved watching the elephants. It is a great destination if you're ever in the Fort Worth area.
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I just finished reading Wish last night and it was a great book! This book was on the 2012 Lone Star List and I finally got a chance to read it. It's a great story about Bee and her brother, Tommy. Tommy has Cystic Fibrosis and has been awarded his dream trip by a Wish Foundation to swim with Great White sharks. Tommy, Bee, and their mom leave the east coast and head west to sunny California for the experience. Tommy and Bee bond together throughout the trip while their mom does her usual "stuff." I would recommend this to anyone who likes a sad, but hopeful story. R.J. Palacio's book, Wonder, is a great read! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. A few students had recommended it to me, and I finally got a copy back in the library to read it. August Pullman is a young boy who is born with a cleft palette and another rare facial deformity. He grows up thinking he is a regular kid...until he goes to school with 5th graders. Read this great story of hope, family and friendship to find that beauty truly is more than skin deep. I've heard from a few colleagues that The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen was a great read, so I had to try it out. I started and finished over Easter weekend. The main character, Sage, is spunky, boisterous and full of life. He and two other orphan boys are bought and being tested to see who will make the "best" prince to replace the long-lost prince of the kingo I read the first book in this series, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, about a year ago and loved it! I found the second at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale in December and just finished it last night. The second book definitely kept me on the edge the whole time. Queen Elisa proves herself more than worthy in this book to be in power over her kingdom. Now I just have to wait until fall until the third and final book comes out! It all started back in 2010 when I first read Matched by Ally Condie. I loved it and could not wait for more! Then came Crossed and to be honest I was a bit disappointed in the story, but I persevered because I knew the characters so well. Finally the last book in the trilogy came out - Reached! I got a chance to read it over the past week and all was redeemed. The main characters, Cassia, Ky, and Xander were just as vulnerable and daring in Reached as they were in Matched. It was a great story and a terrific end to the series! Well done, Mrs. Condie! This book has been recommended to me several times, and I finally got a chance to read it over Christmas break. It's about a young girl named Melody. She is a genius, but not many people would know because she also has cerebral palsy. Her story is a unique one because she has a strong support system of family, a great neighbor and a couple of friends. Reading about Melody's life gave me a new perspective on what many people with disabilities must face...they have so much to say and do, but are not often given the chance. A great story of hope, love, and forgiveness! Pictured here - Ms. Smith, Mr. Douglas, and seated Mr. Lee Bacon! Blue Willow had an Educator's Event Monday night and Random House graciously gave out free books! Lee Bacon published his first novel, Joshua Dread. I have not had the chance to read it yet, but I am super excited! The Blue Willow staff said if you like The Lightning Thief series, then you will enjoy this book! I will keep you posted once I start! I am currently reading John Green's book, The Fault in Our Stars. It's about a young girl with cancer and how she copes with her friends, parents, and support group. Early on she meets a spunky support group member named Augustus and so her journey of self-discovery begins. Not finished yet...but a great read so far! Right now I am reading The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen. It's a great read! The story starts out with a young girl who is in a star track athlete...then she is in a car accident and one of her legs has to be amputated below the knee. Her running dreams are crushed. Along the road to recovery, she meets new friends and feels the support of old friends as she faces this new challenge. I highly recommend this book, plus it's on the Texas Lone Star list! |
AuthorMs. Smith, SBMS PhotosArchives
January 2017
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