Wonder author, R.J. Palacio, visits the BCS Mock Newbery Club!

"It was really cool to have the author here to talk about the book." (Rory S.)

"I thought it was really great.  Especially people asking really distinct questions about the book’s characters.” ( Kate S.)

“Made me look at the story from a different perspective.  I saw a lot more of why in the book.” (Henry S.)  

“It made Wonder an even better book for me!” (Ben S.)

This is just a sampling of students' enthusiastic responses to the author's visit.

R.J. Palacio (second from left top row) with the BCS Mock Newbery club grades 5-8

Wonder was awarded the top honor by this year's BCS Mock Newbery club and spirits were high in anticipation of Mrs. Palacio's visit. Here are a few excerpts from her responses to student questions:

Why didn’t you tell part of the story from Julian’s perspective?

"As a mom and a reader, I didn’t want to give a bully a platform to talk. There would be kids who looked like Augie and I didn’t want them to hear something mean especially since it wouldn't advance the story."

Are you going to write a sequel?

"It doesn’t seem like that kind of book. The fact is that we know as the reader, that life is not going to be easy for August. I choose to end the book on a moment of triumph but we know that’s just one moment of his life and he’ll face many more challenges. Hopefully, he will find enough Summers and Jacks that he’s gonna be okay. That’s the point of the story."

Is there another book on the way?

Yes but we didn’t expect this book to take off like it did. It’s been a great opportunity to travel across the country and talk to middle schooler’s about choosing kind...."

Dear Mrs. Palacio,

As a group, we would like to say a big THANK YOU for taking the time out of your busy schedule to drop by and talk to us. We are all eagerly awaiting your next book! No pressure...

WONDER wins BCS Mock Newbery Award

And the 2013 BCS Mock Newbery medal goes to Wonder by R.J. Palacio!

"I absolutely loved this book. You could really see from August's (the protagonist) point of view as he told the story, but as the story progresses, you get to see from a lot of other people involved in his life, like his sister Via, his friend Summer, etc.... The book was well written, very emotional, and very much based on Berkeley Carroll. It was exciting when they went to the Performance Space, the Teacher Pages, and even did the 5th grade Egyptian tomb. While reading this book, I feel like the author's choice of words really connects you to the story. Overall,  I thought it was an amazing book, you should read it! Jori C.

"I thought that Wonder was an amazing book!!! The plot was great, and I felt so much sympathy towards August by the end of the book. The characters are really developed, and the setting is great! I love how the school he goes to is based off of Berkeley Carroll, and I can really see that from the little things that only someone who went to, goes to, or works at Berkeley Carroll could understand. I thought that I could really feel for the characters, maybe not August as much, but for the other kids who don't know how to react to him. Overall, I thought it was an amazing book, and I'm definitely going to be voting for it this year! Sophie M.



The following titles were awarded honors:

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
"Chomp had a very interesting and strong plot. All the characters were like none I have ever read. It made me think about how I really wish that I were closer to animals. At times I found myself not believing what I was reading. Every chapter has something unexpected in it and it makes you want to read more and more. This book was exciting, adventurous, funny, and a joy to read to the end." Sophie

The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
"Suspense, adventure, secrets, friendship, and roller derby! Minty, Raymond, and Paz solve mysteries, annoy older sisters, and play the harmonic. I loved this book because I could really relate to it. A secretive story of friendship and secrets...an amazing tale. READ THIS BOOK!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
"I thought this book was amazing! It was well written, emotional, and sad but one of the best books I ever read!" Natalie H.

"Reading the book, it's like Ivan is talking to you and not pushing you to believe something." Mac O.

Mock Newbery Club grades 7&8

Mock Newbery Club grades 5&6

Berkeley Carroll Skypes with St. Ann's

Members of Berkeley Carroll's 5th & 6th grade Mock Newbery Club had a virtual meeting with  member's of St. Ann's Mock Newbery Club during lunch break. Individual students took the opportunity to highlight their favorite titles, emphasizing why their top choice should be a serious contender for the most distinguished contribution to children's literature in 2012.

2013 Mock Newbery Club Finalists - The Vote Is In!

Members of this year's club have voted. The top five contenders for this year's BCS Mock Newbery Award are:

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Stay tuned for our top choice! We'll vote mid-January, 2013!

Berkeley Carroll Students Celebrate the Freedom to Read with Banned Books Week

Middle and Upper School Banned Books Week Display 2012

In honor of Banned Books Week (September 30−October 6, 2012), the library created a display that educates students about the importance of free speech and the harmful effects of censorship.

First launched in 1982 by the American Library Association, Banned Books Week is an annual event that draws together the entire book community in order to highlight books that have been banned or challenged across a number of institutions, including schools, libraries, bookstores, and more.

Initially, many students thought that our library had banned these books, and they stormed in, outraged. But once they understood, many of them were shocked to learn that books are still challenged and banned in our current society.

The BCS students were especially shocked to learn that such books like Anne Frank and The Giver have been challenged for various reasons over the years.

Bernie, a 5th grader who frequents the library said, “A lot of those [books on the display] were totally irrational. I don’t know how The Giver was sexually explicit. I don’t know what the point of banning Anne Frank is? I mean, it’s the Holocaust; what are you expecting it to be, My Little Ponies?”  

Fellow 5th grader, Dora, agreed, saying, “I think people should be able to read whatever they want.” For her, she can understand why some people might ban movies, which she describes as very visual, but since “books allow you to create your own picture in your head,” it’s harder for her to conceptualize.

The students disagreed with banning and challenging books, and were adamant that all books, despite their content, had a place on the shelves.   

When asked, “If you could save one book from being banned or challenged, which one would you save and why?” many middle-schoolers answered: the Harry Potter series. As middle-schooler Bernie put it, “because it’s Harry Potter and everyone in the world deserves to read [it].”

According to the American Library Association, there were 326 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2011, and many more that went unreported. By their definition, a challenge is, “an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice.”

The top 10 most challenged titles of 2011 were:

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group

2. The Color of Earth (series), by Kim Dong Hwa

Reasons: nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group

3. The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins

Reasons: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence

4. My Mom's Having A Baby! A Kid's Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy, by Dori Hillestad Butler

Reasons: nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group

5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Reasons: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group

6. Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Reasons: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint

7. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

Reasons: insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit

8. What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones

Reasons: nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit

9. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Reasons: drugs; offensive language; sexually explicit

10. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Reasons: offensive language; racism

While this list includes some classics, many of the most frequently challenged books in recent years have been popular young adult and middle grade novels, such as The Hunger Games and the ttyl series.

Click here for more information on Banned Books Week or to see a timeline of significant banned and challenged books titled, “30 Years of Liberating Literature,” click here.

What do YOU think makes these books so threatening to the people who want to ban them? Do you agree or disagree with banning books?

Reading Rules At Break Time

September is here and middle schoolers are flocking to the Middle School Book Nook to read. The graphic novels that were new to the shelf this past June are being devoured by eager readers, along with select nonfiction, and perennial favorites.

Middle schoolers in the Library at mid-morning break

Origami Yoda Madness Hits the Library

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by 
Tom Angleberger was the inspiration for a week of origami in the library. A popular title with our middle-school crowd, kids were drawn to the character of Dwight, a quirky 7th grader who shows up at school one day wearing a paper Yoda finger puppet that begins dispensing advice in a very Yoda-ish -- but not the least bit Dwight-ish way. Who is Dwight really, and how does he know so much?

BC kids customized their own Yodas with different colors and facial expressions, and never hesitated to help classmates who were having trouble with tricky folds. Some kids were experienced origamists and contributed intricate cranes, boxes, inflatable balls, and an alligator to the the project. 

At the end of the week, the library’s origami “tree,” whose branches had long been quite bare, was brought back to life with Yoda and his many friends.

• Check out the website for THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA and learn more about Tom Angleberger's other books, including DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK, and the upcoming THE SECRET OF THE FORTUNE WOOKIEE. www.origamiyoda.com
• For instructions on how to make very cool origami Star Wars characters, check out, www.umeorigami 
• Finally, be sure to explore the extensive selection of origami books in the Berkeley Carroll library's arts and crafts section!