"The library is a good place to look

                Open your eyes and open a book.

               The library is a good place to listen.

                Open your ears and hear what you're missing."

Parent Notes

A tip for parents:  This may be helpful in locating books, great activities, and resources for you and your children.  Many children's authors and illustrators have websites now.  Often you can try the author's name,    such as "www.janbrett.com".  Try out any authors name and you will often find wonderful information.  I know you are  interested as I am to find the best  influences available for the children.  

RESEARCH Help For Students

In November 2007 CTK won the use of a new research database.  Websites are organized by readability and appropriate grade levels.  These websites are screened for use specifically by students.  These are wonderful

features which are much easier than larger search engines such as GOOGLE. This database also  contains

dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, timelines.  Topics can be researched in a variety of ways through

 subject areas as well as by key words.  There are also features that will read information to the students. The

 web address for this site is www.school.nettrekker.com.   STUDENTS MUST GET THE USER NAME AND

 PASSWORD FROM THEIR TEACHERS OR MRS. SNOW.

                                                          Library Routines               

        Library Rules

• Careful                                                 
• Courteous
• Quiet
• Quick

 PROGRAMS  : What happens in the library? 

WELCOME KINDERGARTNERS!  The first half of the year we will be learning about the library, books, and how to sit and listen to stories and explore books about many topics.

FIRST GRADERS through THIRD GRADERS:  Students in these grades will check out books from the library EACH week.  Our automated system has made checking out books much faster, allowing us to borrow books EACH week and still have a story or library lesson during the half hour library period.

FOURTH through EIGHTH GRADERS:  Students will alternate between check out books every other week, and on alternate weeks, Mrs. Snow visits the classrooms to read or teach library skills. 

Scholastic Reading Counts

The older students (grades 3-8) are trying out our computer program for reading comprehension.  Students select books, read, and then take computerized tests to check how much they REALLY understood. 

Students are being challenged to read several books at grade level to work on reading skills.  Each book is valued at a set number of points and students reach their goal by getting points equaling ten times their grade. 

Monarch Book Award

2007 Winner - Superdog: Heart of a Hero

The Illinois School Library Media Association created this Illinois K-3 Children's Choice Award.  Each year books are nominated by teachers and librarians.  A selection process identifies 20 books to be on the Monarch Book Award master list.  Children in grades K-3 are invited to read or listen to as many titles as possible.  Then the children are allowed to vote for their favorite book.  This award introduces students to voting and making decisions.  Last year the children at Christ the King loved these books and they had a great time voting.  We will read the following books and vote again in 2008!!

                               Arnold, T.                                       Hi! Fly Guy.

                                Best, C.                                           Sally Jean, The Bicycle Queen

                                Brett, J.                                          Honey, Honey Lion

                                Bruel, N.                                        Bad Kitty

                                Byars, B.                                         SOS File

                                Fleming, C.                                   Boxes for Katje.

                                Grey, M.                                         Traction Man

                               Gutman, D.                                     Miss Daisy is Crazy!

                               Hatkoff, I.                                       Owen & Mzee:  The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

                                Kalman, M.                                    Fireboat

                                McMullan, K.                               I Stink

                                Monks, L.                                       Aaaarrgghh! Spider!

                               Noda, T.                                           Dear World

                                O'Connor, J.                                  Fancy Nancy

                                Park, L.                                            Firekeeper's Son

                                Schanzer, R.                                  How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightening

                                Silverman, E.                                Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners.

                                Urbigkit, C.                                   Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs

                                Van Dusen, C.                               If I Built a Car

                                Zweibel, A.                                     Our Tree Named Steve.

Rebecca Caudill Reading Program 

The 2007 Rebecca Caudill Winner

is

So Be It!

by Sarah Weeks

                            All students in Grades 4-8 are invited to participate in the Rebecca Caudill Reading Award Program.  Each spring a new list of 20  books nominated by students in Illinois is distributed to participating schools.  Any student who reads at least 3 of these books may vote in the February election for the Rebecca Caudill Award winner of the year.  Students may also nominate  books with specific criteria in mind. Students may register for this program in the library.

                                New Rebecca Caudill Reading List 2008

Author                                                                     Title

Birdsall, Jeanne                                                                        The Penderwicks:  A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy

Bruchac, Joseph                                                                       Code Talker:  A Novel  About the Navajo Marines of World War Two

Couloumbis, Audrey                                                              The Misadventrues of Maude March or, Trouble Rides a Fast Horse

DiCamillo, Kate                                                                        The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

kDowell, Frances O'Roark                                                     Chicken Boy

Evans, Douglas                                                                          MVP*  *Magellan Voyage Project  

Flanagan, John                                                                          Ruins of Gorlan

Hahn, Mary Downing                                                             The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story

Hale, Shannon                                                                            Princess Academy

Harlow, Joan Hiatt                                                                    Thunder from the Sea

Hobbs, Valerie                                                                            Defiance

LaFaye, A.                                                                                    Worth

Pattou, Edith                                                                                East

Pearsall, Shelley                                                                           Crooked River

Rodman, Mary Ann                                                                    Yankee Girl

Shusterman, Neal                                                                        The Schwa Was Here

Sonnenblick, Jordan                                                                   Drums, Grils, & Dangerous Pie

Whelan, Gloria                                                                               Listening for Lions

Winerip, Michael                                                                          Adam Canfield of the Slash

Happy Reading!