Eyes on: Counting by 7's, by Holly Goldberg Sloan

This is the remarkable story of a girl named Willow, a 12-year-old genius who has the ability to quickly learn foreign languages (including Vietnamese), and also has a special talent for growing plants of all kinds.  One day Willow's life changes suddenly when both of her parents are killed in a car crash (this happens right at the beginning of the book, so I am not giving away anything).  Willow suddenly finds herself living in a completely different situation, with people that she barely knows.

Holly Goldberg Sloan creates an interesting mix of believable characters.  If you read this book, you will feel that you have gotten to know each of the characters personally.  I am hoping that there might be a sequel someday, so that I could find out what happened to each of the people in this book.

You can find out more about Holly Goldberg Sloan by visiting her website:  http://hollygoldbergsloan.com/index.php

Caldecott Award Given to Brian Floca

Last week at the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association, author/illustrator Brian Floca was awarded the Caldecott Medal for his book Locomotive.  I was very fortunate to meet this author at Vermont's Red Clover conference a couple of years ago.  At that time, he spoke about his work on Race Car Alphabet and other books.  He said that he feels very strongly that even with all or our electronic devices, nothing will replace the picture book.  Locomotive is a great example of why he is most likely right about this.   The large format is meant for sharing, and upon opening the book the pictures pull the reader into a time when the transcontinental railroad was just becoming a reality.  The Caldecott Award is given for the best illustrations in a children's book, but this book is also an example of outstanding writing. Read this book and you will feel as though you were there when it first became possible to travel across the United States by rail.

The World's Most Beautiful Libraries

Recently when a friend sent me a link to the 28 Most Beautiful Libraries, I immediately thought of The Library of Congress, which is by far the most beautiful library that I have visited.  But, the LOC did not even make the list.  There are some incredibly beautiful libraries all over the world.  This site also includes quotations about libraries from famous people.  I hope you enjoy looking at this as much as I did.

28 Most Beautiful Libraries

Promoting Financial Literacy through Reading is an Investment

For the third straight year, the Ottauquechee School is participating in Vermont’s financial literacy program, Reading is an Investment. This program is coordinated by the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office, and our school library receives 3 new “money books” each year that we continue with this program. There are many wonderful books on the list, all with lessons to teach about saving and managing money. One of this year’s favorites is Betty Bunny Wants Everything, a story about a little bunny who fills her shopping cart with toys even though her mother has said “just one.”

For the complete list of Reading is an Investment books, go to: www.MoneyEd.Vermont.gov 
Students must read at least three of the money books to start a reading log, then continue with
additional reading until they complete their chart.  All of our completed logs will be sent in
before the March 15 deadline. From all of the statewide entries, the Treasurer’s Office will then draw 20 names, and those students will each win a $250 college savings account.