October Newsletter

Kyffin Library News - October Edition

Kyffin Book Fair 2015 - The book fair is almost here!  We need lots of parent volunteers!  All volunteers will receive a coupon for 10% off their purchase.  If you volunteer for more than one shift, you'll receive more than one coupon!

Sign up to volunteer at the 2015 Kyffin Book Fair!




Google Google Everywhere! - Thanks to the PTA, I was able to attend a 3 day EdTechTeam Google Apps for Educators Summit in Boulder.  In three days, I learned more about Google Apps than I thought possible, and I am so excited to share that learning with students, teachers and parents.  If you are looking for opportunities to learn more about Google Apps (even if you aren't a teacher), please fill out this form so that I can start to develop some adult learning opportunities.  And if you can't wait, feel free to check out the Google Apps page that I have created as a part of our Library website.  All the answers aren't there yet, but we're working on it.

Google Apps Training Information Form

Design Thinking & Creating Prolific Readers - Our 5th graders have been challenged by their teachers to complete the "20 Book Challenge".  This challenge is intended to encourage students to read a variety of genres and explore the wide range of books that are available to them.  Often times students get stuck in "reading ruts" - where they find themselves reading the same types of books over and over again.  Young readers often struggle to see the value in reading new and different genres, so our 5th grade classes are currently following some design thinking protocols to create resources that will encourage us to be more prolific readers.  Some of our current ideas include creating book trailers, book reviews, book reading contests and audiobooks.  Stay tuned to see what our amazingly talented 5th graders create!

October Author Visit - Our 3rd grade students had the opportunity to visit with local author Michelle Barone.  Barone is the author of several young adult novels, including The Capitol Ghost Mystery, which takes place at our capitol building here in Denver.  Barone is an inspirational speaker who encourages students to write about their experiences and discusses the writing process with them.  We enjoy having her come visit each fall!

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeline L'Engle

Rating: 5 Stars - It's hard to imagine a better book!

Summary: Margaret is a little girl with a brilliant mom and a creative brother who meets three mysterious witches that take her brother, her and her friend into the fabric of time to a fantastic land that gives her a task to save her father who is trapped in time.

Review: This book is geared to 4th- 6th graders of all genders but it is truly enjoyable for all ages.

Reviewed by: Anonymous

Check Kyffin LMC for location and availability

13 Gifts

13 gifts

by Wendy Mass

Rating: 4 Stars - This book is better than most.

Summary: Amanda gets in trouble at school and during the summer she goes to a town to visit her cousin when she meets a mysterious woman that sends her out to find gifts

Review: If you like mystery and adventure, you would love this adventurous book. If you enjoy stories about friends and weird connections, then you would love this book.

Reviewed by: Meg, Grade 5

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100 Most Disgusting Things on the Planet

100 Most Disgusting Things on the Planet

by Anna Claybourne

Rating: 4 Stars - This book is better than most.

Summary: The book is about disgusting things on earth. It is a gross book. I think it is for 1th grade to 7th grade.

Review: It was so enjoyable because even though it was disgusting, I couldn't put it down.

Reviewed by: Kyle, Grade 5

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A Dog's Life

A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray

by Ann M. Martin

Rating: 3 Stars - This book is readable, but not fantastic.

Summary: This book is about a stray dog. This is his perspective pf being a stray. His name is squirrel

Review: That the dog told the story from his perspective.

Anybody who loved dogs or and dogs books.

Reviewed by: Delaney, Grade 5

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Quicksolve Whodunit Puzzles

Quicksolve Whodunit Puzzles

by Jim Sukach

Rating:  4 Stars - This book is better than most.

Summary: This book is about 10 mysteries where you solve them. Take these from the scene to the courtroom to the jury room. Can you solve the crime?

Review: This book is so good because it takes a lot of logic and facts to figure it out. You can see if you follow the facts right. (4th-12th)

Reviewed by: Anonymous, 100th Grade

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11 Birthdays

11 Birthdays

by Wendy Mass

Review #1 - Talisa, Grade 5


Rating: 5 of 5 Stars - It's hard to imagine a better book!

Summary: Amanda is turning 11 and wakes up to a day of surprises. But her birthday repeats, over and over. She needs to mend her friendship with Leo, until its too late.

Review: Wendy Mass is a awesome writer! "11 birthdays" is a story filled with friendships and surprises. Anyone from 4th-7th would enjoy this book.

Review #2 - Colette, Grade 5

Rating: 3 Stars - This book is readable, but not fantastic.

Summary: 11 birthdays is about a girl named Amanda who is and she keeps repeating her B-day over and over again see what happened next.

Review: It was kind of interesting. It caught my attention a lot and there was a lot of mystery and It caught my attention.

Review #3 - Kasey, Grade 5

Rating: 5 of Stars - It's hard to imagine a better book!

Summary: 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass is about a boy and a girl who share a birthday but it keeps repeating.

Review: this book was amazing because Wendy Mass used so much good wording that it took you to another world.

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