This paper reports findings of a qualitative collective case study and single case study that explored student reading motivation. This research focused on school librarians' perceived value of one children's choice award--the Bluestem Award--and its effect on school librarians' promotions and student behavior in the school library. Data were…

Schools and teachers act to a limited degree in "loco parentis", thus assuming the role of parents, especially in the health and safety of minors in attendance at public school, but also in setting educational standards. Public schools have been delegated this role and implement policies, programs, and procedures that sometimes, unintentionally,…

In this paper the author relates how the thing he enjoys most about his job as a school librarian is nurturing lifelong readers, in particular readers of children's literature. In talking about nurturing lifelong readers and, referring to students, staff and school librarians, the author discusses: (1) The Southwell Library Programme; (2) The Lit…

The one year the author was an elementary librarian, she organized a Read Across America (RAA) celebration involving three different elementary campuses. This included bringing in community members to read, free books for students, and the piece de resistance--campus principals dressing up in the Cat in the Hat suit and reading to the entire…

Because they're quick and fun to read, riddles can "hook" even reluctant readers and keep them coming back for more. Riddles also improve vocabulary, comprehension, and oral reading; enhance deductive and inductive thinking skills; and promote libraries as places for fun. Drawing on her work with children in schools and public libraries, Dee…

This guide features booktalks for elementary grades of recently published (1998-2001) fiction and nonfiction titles that are either award winners, written by award-winning authors, positively reviewed in national reading advocacy journals, or representative of an emerging trend in children's literature. Each booktalk entry consists of…

Offers suggestions for building school library collections in English and language arts. Discusses how the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) tests for proficiency in three purposes of reading and how it can be used to evaluate a library collection; and includes four annotated bibliographies of books suitable for elementary…

Designed as an integrated package for thematic instruction, this book helps librarians and teachers select appropriate reading materials to use in specific areas of study and promote reading to students in primary grades. Sixteen chapters include such popular themes as: (1) "Risky Reading: Adventure Stories"; (2) "Old MacDonald's Place: Farm…

Suggests activities for library media specialists or teachers that use food to encourage students to interact with literature. Includes researching recipes or food items that appear in the book, incorporating Internet searching skills if desired; planning meals, either real or imaginary; edible art projects, including fortune cookies; and creating…

Illustrates through examples how elementary and secondary students can be motivated to enjoy books by making a connection to reading through listening to audiobooks. Sidebars include comments from fifth-grade English-as-a-Second-Language students about audiobooks, selection/usage tips for librarians, and a list of selected audiobook publishers.…