Book Discussion

The New Milford Public Library will have a book discussion on Tom Bodett's Williwaw at 2 pm on June 16th. We will try to podcast this so stay tuned to this blog.

Preserve the Planet "One Thing" Kids Contest

Kids in Grades k-12--combine with News Channel 8 and MyTV9 TV. Join the "One Thing" Idea Contest with your ideas to preserve the planet through energy conservation. If everyone does just "onething" everyday, what a difference we could make!!

Want to know more:
www.Onethingct.com.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS:
To enter, children ages 6-18 share their Onething idea (in 50 words or less) for conserving energy and saving the planet and either enter on-line at myzone.tv or send in their entry to News Channel 8/MyTV9 Marketing Dept, 8 Elm Street, New Haven, Ct 06510
There are 3 cateegories (grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12)
3 Grand Prizes in random drawing. One winner for each category.
Grand Prize includes winners appearing in an on-air television spot sharing their one thing idea plus a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble
57 Runner up prizes will be awared a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.


HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAVE THE PLANET?

Free Books

HarperCollins Publishers announces First Look Teen, a program to preview books in a variety of genres, with readers who make a difference – you!

Each month, HarperCollins will offer Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of great books by fabulous authors that you will have the opportunity to review. Reviewers are selected at random, but you must enter the program to be eligible. Join First Look Teen now – the sign up will take approximately two minutes. If you are already a member, sign in at right to continue. http://www.harperteen.com/firstlook/

Is copy-cat book cover art becoming an unwanted trend?

http://yalibrarian.com/
April 22, 2008

As a reader and frequent book store browser, I devote a degree of judgment towards book covers while downing an uppity-caffeinated beverage. When picking up an unfamiliar title, the presentation of a book is as important as appearing professional for a job interview. The book’s cover art introduces the reader to the story. Elements infused within the design, illustration, or photography heavily contribute towards the overall presentation and appeal. In fact, there are many times when a reader cannot recall the title or author, but is able to conjure a description of its cover. Once in a while, roles reverse and the consumer influences the cover. These titles become branded by the cover art due to momentous success i.e. Eragon, Twilight, Harry Potter. However, most titles receive a new makeover as the book transforms from hardcover to paperback to reprints, thereby creating a high expectation towards packaging.

Book cover art is a fine art as it attempts to attract its targeted audience. Those of us connected to the bookworld have a high regard for the efforts invested in printing high quality book covers, especially when we are booktalking titles to teens. Attractive and varied covers help us entice readers to expand their reading preferences. For publishers to package two different products with the same illustrations gives the impression of an impetuous company undermining current ethical standards. Whether copyright has been breached is not the immediate issue, rather consumers expect that their personal dollars are purchasing a unique product. To hinder the dystopian possibility that one day there may be several different titles displayed next to each other featuring the same cover art, please voice your opinions in the comments.

YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE

For students in grades 5-8
Hosted by Discovery Education & 3M
Prizes: all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the competition finals; 1st place: $50,000 U.S. Savings Bond; 2nd place–10th place: $1,000; Opportunity to appear on television -- and more!

This challenge, which I only discovered a day or two ago, is already about halfway over (entries must be submitted by June 15), so if you're a budding scientist, be sure to visit the Discovery page to grab the details of the contest http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/about/about.html It sounds wonderful. Here's a little bit about the contest:

Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science among America’s youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery Communications, LLC, launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. Over the past nine years, more than 540,000 middle school students have been nominated to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation’s top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences.

Good luck!

How Do You Write :)

According to AP internet writer Anick Jesdanon, two thirds of teens use emoticons and informal styles in their writing.

How about you?

The Pew Internet and American Life Project, in a study released Thursday found non-standard elements in assignments were much more noticeable in those who used social networking sites.

What does this mean?

Failure to use proper capitalization and punctuation, 38 percent carry short cuts in instant messaging over to their assignments.

Do you think rules will change completely in a generation or two?

How much do you write by hand?

The study found that the computer generation is shunning computer use for most assignments. Almost 2/3 of teen typically do their school writing by hand. And for personal writing outside, long hand is even more popular--the preferred form for nearly 3/4 of teens.

Based on article NY Times April 24, 2008

Earth Day

Recycle Your Computer for a Greener Tomorrow
April 22nd, 2008 will mark the 38th anniversary of the first Earth Day--April 22, 1970. For those of us old enough to remember, the first Earth Day was celebrated with spirited walks and demonstrations across our country, accompanied by promises to clean up the Earth. My first exposure to saving the environment was after reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. All of my friends walked the streets picking up litter and other debris. We were enthusiastic in our part to clean up the Earth. Over the years since, I have been a faithful recycler at home, separating paper trash from recyclable items, turning off lights when not in use, and keeping the heat to a minimum whenever possible during the winter months. But, back in the 70's, I didn't own even one computer, let alone several, and, like many of you, I'm now faced with the issue of what to do with old, out-of-date computers. It doesn't take a degree in environmental science to figure out that disposing of your old computer at the local dump is probably not the best idea. So, what to do? Well, here are some suggestions for those of you who, like me, remain passionate about preserving the Earth.

* Check with local non-profit groups in your community. Only good for computers with life left in them, charitable donations are a good way to give back to your community while taking care of Mother Earth. For profit, Staples in New Milford will take your old computer for $10.

* Check with your computer's manufacturer.
Many major manufacturers--Dell, Gateway, HP, and Apple for example--offer free or low-cost recycling programs.

* Check with your local environmental group. New Milford Recycling has special days to collect hazardous waste, which are posted well in advance.