STEAMPUNK ...

STEAMPUNK ... what is it???

According to the blog, Steampunk For Kids, "STEAMPUNK is a made-up, fantasy period of history (or the future). Steampunk imagines what it would be like if the Victorians had used steam power and clockwork to make gadgets like we have today work."

Take a peek at their blog that not only defines STEAMPUNK, but gives examples of Steampunk costumes, novels, and more!!

In the near future, I'll post a few books and pictures that correlate with Steampunk.

ARC - Skinner's Breakfast Reading Club

YEAH!!  The day is finally here!  After having to postpone our first meeting due to the snow storm last week, ARC - Skinner's Breakfast Reading Club - is ready to get together!

We will meet at the front steps between 6:45-6:50.  The meeting will run from 6:50 - 7:20.  In addition to eating (or rather devouring) some delicious foods, we'll also get to know one another a bit and pick our very first book to read.

I cannot wait to see everyone!!!

If you have any questions, let me know via email @ dawn_lewallen@dpsk12.org!

Craft Books for the Holidays

Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa this winter season, here are some craft books you might find interesting:

Checkout Books from DPL ~ ONLINE!!

Did you know you can “borrow” books ON-LINE from the Denver Public Library?  All you need is a DPL card!  Already have a Denver Public Library Card?  GREAT!!  Go online to http://tinyurl.com/ntjezff and search their eBook collection!!  You can upload the eBook to any electronic device or computer as long as you have some type of eReader program (such as Kindle’s FREE eReader program)!

Don’t have a DPL card?  Register online @ http://tinyurl.com/nbx9shd. (FYI …You will be asked to list your “home” branch when registering … the closest “library branch” to Skinner is the Smiley Branch.)

Chasing Down This Book!

Brooklyn has suffered a lot in this past year ... the death of her boyfriend and one of her best friends.  What's more, she's being haunted by a ghost ... the ghost of her best friend.  Why is he there?  What does he want?

Nico is also being haunted, but he's being haunted by the ghost of his brother Lucca, Brooklyn's dead boyfriend. Nico knows what Lucca wants, but he isn't sure he can do it.

Chasing Brooklyn is an amazing story of survival, young love, and ghosts intertwined and shared via two character's voices through the words of poetry.

It is most definitely a book you want to pick up and devour!

LOTS to smile about in SMILE!

Middle school is tough!  Yesiree, just ask Raina in Raina Telgemeier's graphic novel Smile.

I remember getting braces when I was younger.  It was kinda a right of passage.  Most students were getting braces, so I wasn't too worried about being teased. But then again, I didn't have ANY of the issues that Raina faced!!

Telgemeier does an amazing job pulling the reader into Raina's drama.  You are right there with every tear, frustration, heartbreak, and hope.  And when Raina exclaims "being a teenager is no fun at all", you'll find yourself nodding in agreement.

THANKFULLY things work out for Raina, but not in an unrealistic-life-is-happily-ever-after-with-singing-and-talking-animals way ... you know there are going to be other issues in Raina's life, but you are confident she'll manage, AND you can't wait for the next book to be right there as she does.

New Books @ Your SKINNER LIBRARY!!!

They have arrived!!!  Yep!  Over 200 new books have recently arrived at Skinner Middle School!
Be sure to stop by and take a peek!   I hope to soon post reviews about these four (4) books:

I am REALLY excited to read these four novels!  They all come with GREAT recommendations! Let's see if I agree ...

Sorry for the poor lighting on these next pics.  For some reason my phone camera wouldn't access the flash.  Bummer.