Author Archives: Jennifer Sniadecki

Youth Media Awards – I Was WRONG!

Full disclosure: I’m usually wrong about these book awards. I pore over the criteria, talk to students and friends, read all the predictions, and still…I don’t chose the medal winners. Today, I was WRONG, and that’s fine with me. I am so happy for Jerry Craft, Kwame Alexander, Kadir Nelson, and all the other winnersContinue reading “Youth Media Awards – I Was WRONG!”

Youth Media Awards Announcements Are TOMORROW!

I am excited to see what the committees chose for the Youth Media Awards medals this year. From the http://www.ala.org website: The 2020 Youth Media Award announcements will take place on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at 8 a.m. ET from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia. Fans can follow the action live at http://ala.unikron.com , @AmericanLibraryAssociation or by following #ALAyma20 .Continue reading “Youth Media Awards Announcements Are TOMORROW!”

Book PREview: Seven Clues to Home

Joy and Lukas had been friends ever since second grade, when Mr. Carter told each student with a summer birthday to stand up and be recognized before the end of the school year. “August…How weird is that? What are the chances?” (p.15) Lukas loved math, so he tried to figure out the chances. Joy playedContinue reading “Book PREview: Seven Clues to Home”

IMWAYR: Last Week’s Lines and a New ARC

Reading just gets better and better! This year I’m working on staying on pace, and I’m failing miserably already. Through this first part of January, I’m learning that it’s not too bad — I’m savoring some great titles a little longer. This week, I’ll finish The Fountains of Silence (audiobook by Ruta Sepetys), The FirstContinue reading “IMWAYR: Last Week’s Lines and a New ARC”

“One Little Word” Reflection 2019 – GROW

Lean…Dream/Do…Progress…Venture…Grow. This was my 5th anniversary writing “One Little Word.” Time flew by in 2019. I cannot believe it’s over. I had a nice year of growth: more reading, more learning, more writing, and some new projects that turned out to be good moves. As much as 2019 was good for me, I’m looking forwardContinue reading ““One Little Word” Reflection 2019 – GROW”

Best Books of 2019 – What a Year of Reading!

Here it is! The Best Books of 2019! What a Year of Reading! I pored over my book lists and reviewed my book stacks to create this “Best of 2019” list. I found it difficult to decide which books are “best,” since I (pretty much) like everything I read. I’m also a reader who readsContinue reading “Best Books of 2019 – What a Year of Reading!”

TOP TEN Circulated Books in the Middle School Library – 2019 (Semester 1)

Here’s the TOP TEN Circulated Books for the First Semester in the Library – 2019: Number 10! Awkward, by Svetlana Chmakova Number 9! Claudia and Mean Janine: A Graphic Novel, by Raina Telgemeier Number 8! Stop That Bull, Theseus! (Myth-O-Mania Series), by Kate McMullan Number 7! The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson, Book 1), by RickContinue reading “TOP TEN Circulated Books in the Middle School Library – 2019 (Semester 1)”

Book Thoughts: White Bird by R.J. Palacio

After reading Wonder for the “ump-teenth” time, I was adding it to my list of “Books of the Decade” today and I WONDERED how this book has stayed at the top of “kids’ favorites” lists for so long. Of course, it’s the story, which is universal and “real” for students in schools (and their parentsContinue reading “Book Thoughts: White Bird by R.J. Palacio”

Book Review: 7 Ate 9 by Tara Lazar

I just love using picture books for my middle school classroom! This book will help both math and reading teachers spread the book love. This is 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, by Tara Lazar, and illustrated by Ross MacDonald, and it is comic genius in picture book form.  Private I tells the story of hisContinue reading “Book Review: 7 Ate 9 by Tara Lazar”