Do you know any 
good books…? 
Dr. Mika 
LRC Director 
Beebe Elementary
Yes, I 
do! 
Today’s lesson will help you: 
• Find a good book! 
• Search the catalog 
• Revisit popular series 
• Think about great authors 
• Use the Beebe Web Site 
• Discover other book lists
Library Catalog 
• Author, Subject, Title, or Series
Popular Series 
• Wayside School 
• Encyclopedia Brown 
• Boxcar Children 
• Cam Jansen 
• Bailey School Kids 
• A to Z Mysteries 
• Magic Tree House 
• My Weird School 
• Katie Kazoo 
• George Brown 
• Time Warp Trio 
• Junie B. Jones 
• Judy Moody 
• Amelia Bedelia 
• Charlie Bone 
• Ivy & Bean 
• Bunnicula 
• Marvin Redpost 
• Andrew Lost 
• Deltora Quest
Great Authors 
• Matt Christopher (sports) 
• Louis Sachar 
(humor & realistic fiction) 
• Judy Blume 
(fantasy & realistic fiction) 
• Beverly Cleary 
(fantasy & realistic fiction) 
• Gary Paulsen (survival) 
• Dan Gutman (realistic fiction) 
• Roald Dahl (fantasy) 
• Gordon Korman 
(humor & realistic fiction) 
• Andrew Clements 
(realistic fiction)
Great Books 
• Indian in the Cupboard 
• Clementine 
• Emma 
• Tale of Desperaux 
• Mr. Popper’s Penguins 
• The Chocolate Touch 
• How to Eat Fried Worms 
• Flight to the Mushroom 
Planet 
• Birdbrain Amos
Bluestem Award 
• In honor of Big Bluestem, 
IL’s state prairie grass 
• May include both timeless 
classics and current titles 
• Might have Monarch, 
Battle, and Rebecca 
Caudill books 
• Need to have read 4 
books in order to vote
Bluestem Nominees 
2014-2015 
PowerPoint created by 
Katie Lawrence and Brian Wilson 
Bluestem Steering Committee 
Original design by Michelle Johnson 
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a 
copy of this license, visit 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ or send a 
letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, 
Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.
Chained 
by Lynne Kelly 
In order to help his family, 
Hastin takes a job in a 
circus taking as an 
elephant caretaker. 
However, when he 
discovers that the circus 
owner is being cruel to a 
little elephant, he tries to 
find a way to save the 
creature! Can he? Set in 
India! (248 pages)
10 
A Dog Called Homeless 
by Sarah Lean 
Cally Fisher decides to 
stop speaking because 
talking won’t bring 
back her mother, or get 
people to listen to her 
either. After 31 days, 
Cally sees a vision of 
her mother, and meets a 
scruffy dog. Will new 
friendships and her new 
dog help Cally begin to 
hope again? (224 pages)
Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the 
Battlefield and Beyond 
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent 
Throughout history, 
dogs have helped 
soldiers on the 
battlefield. Learn how 
these canine helpers 
are trained to assist 
people in the military. 
Packed with 
photographs! (48 
Non-fiction! pages)
Drita, My Homegirl 
by Jenny Lombard 
Lonely Drita moves 
from war-torn Kosovo 
to New York City 
where she struggles to 
learn English. She 
meets funny rebel 
Maxie, who has a sad 
secret she tells no one. 
Will these two girls 
overcome their 
differences and become 
friends? (135 pages)
The Dunderheads 
by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David 
Roberts 
A bunch of misfit 
students have the 
meanest teacher in the 
world, Miss 
Breakbone! When she 
goes too far, they 
decide it is time to 
teach her a lesson! 
Will they pull off their 
plan? (56 pages) 
Quick read and funny!
Frindle 
by Andrew Clements 
Nicholas decides to play 
a trick on his dictionary-loving 
teacher by 
inventing a new word for 
“pen.” Soon everyone 
starts using the word 
“frindle” and his teacher 
is not happy! Will things 
spin out of control? (105 
pages) 
Funny!
Gregor the Overlander 
by Suzanne Collins 
In this action-packed 
fantasy, Gregor and his 
2-year-old sister fall into 
an underground world. 
There they meet bats 
and cockroaches…and 
evil rats who want to 
take over the world! Can 
Gregor save humankind 
against these vicious 
rodents? (311 pages) 
First in a series!
If You Lived Here: 
Houses of the World 
by Giles Laroche 
Imagine living inside a 
mountain, or in a home 
where you could catch 
fish from your bedroom 
window. This book 
takes you all over the 
world, showing you the 
coolest of houses! 
Which house would you 
choose as your favorite? 
(32 pages) Non-fiction!
Liar & Spy 
by Rebecca Stead 
After he moves into a 
new apartment 
building, Georges 
meets Safer, a boy who 
says he is a great spy. 
They start spying on 
neighbor Mr. X, who 
may or may not be 
completely evil! What 
will they discover 
about this possibly 
dangerous man? (180 
pages)
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute 
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka 
The new substitute 
teacher seems to be up 
to no good! Who will 
save the school? Why, 
the crime-fighting 
Lunch Lady and her 
brave assistant Betty 
will! Which supercool 
gadgets will she use to 
save the day??? A funny 
graphic novel! (95 
pages) Funny, first in a series, and a quick read!
Niagara Falls, or Does it 
by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver 
Hank Zipzer does not 
like to read or write. 
When asked to compose 
an essay about his 
summer vacation, he 
decides to build a model 
of Niagara Falls 
instead! What happens 
when he shows off his 
epic project? (137 
pages) 
Funny and first in a series!
20 
Night of the Twisters 
by Ivy Ruckman 
12-year old Dan Hatch 
finds himself at home 
with his baby brother 
and his best friend 
Arthur when tornado 
sirens begin to go off. 
Hiding in the basement, 
the three boys face 
multiple twisters in a 
night none of them will 
ever forget. An exciting 
story about survival and 
strength. (160 pages) 
Based on a true story!
21 
The One and Only Ivan 
by Katherine Applegate 
Ivan has spent most of 
his life in a circus-themed 
mall. He has his 
art, his friends and he 
can even watch TV. 
When a baby elephant is 
brought in to draw in 
more customers, Ivan 
begins to view his life in 
a new light. Can he find 
a way to save them all? 
Newbery Medal Winner. 
(320 pages) 
Based on a true story! Short 
chapters and illustrations.
22 
Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel 
Book 
by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by R. 
Gregory Christie Dyamonde Daniel 
cannot wait to enter the 
library’s poetry contest 
with her friend Free. 
They could do so many 
great things with the 
$100 prize! When they 
discover their classmate, 
Damaris’ secret, they 
have to decide whether 
winning, or helping their 
new friend is more 
important. (95 pages)
23 
Shiloh 
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 
When Marty discovers a 
beagle in the hills behind 
his house he falls in love 
at first sight. 
Unfortunately Shiloh 
belongs to a cruel man, 
Judd Travers. As Marty 
protects Shiloh the 
secrets and danger grow 
greater. Read this classic 
to find out if Marty can 
ever have Shiloh for 
good. (144 pages)
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio 
by Peg Kehret 
24 
The true story of how 
Peg Kehret battled polio 
when she was twelve 
years old. Surviving the 
initial paralysis brought 
on by the illness, Peg 
then had to learn how to 
walk again. A story of 
strength and courage in 
the face of an uncertain 
future. (179 pages)
The Stonekeeper 
by Kazu Kibuishi 
When a terrible creature 
lures their mother away 
from their new home, 
Emily and Navin find 
themselves on a 
dangerous mission. They 
must rescue her from an 
underground world full 
of talking animals, 
robots and demons. (192 
pages) 
25 
First in a graphic novel series!
The Truth About Poop 
by Susan E. Goodman, illustrated by Elwood H. 
Smith 
26 
A fascinating look at one 
of the more private 
bodily functions. Learn 
how far a skipper 
caterpillar can shoot its 
poop as well as about all 
of the substitutes there 
have been for toilet 
paper in history. Full of 
hilarious illustrations 
too! (48 pages)
Wild River 
by P.J. Petersen 
Ryan, a video game 
addict, finds himself in a 
real life adventure when 
a camping trip with his 
older brother Tanner 
goes horribly wrong. 
Can Ryan save his 
brother and brave the 
wilderness on his own? 
(128 pages) 
27
Wonderstruck 
by Brian Selznick 
28 
This is the story of Ben 
and Rose. Though they 
live 50 years apart, both 
wish for different lives 
and set out on quests to 
find what they are 
missing. Ben’s story is 
told in words, while 
Rose’s is told in 
dynamic illustrations. 
(608 pages) 
By the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret!
Which book will you read first? 
Be sure to read at least four 
so you can vote!
ALA’s Newberry Award 
• Named for the 18th century 
bookseller John Newberry 
• First children’s book award in 
the world (1921) 
• Awarded annually to the most 
distinguished children’s 
literature published the previous 
year.
Other Lists 
• Anderson’s Bookshops 
– Kid’s Picks 
– Mock Newberry List 
• Naperville Public Library 
– General Book Lists 
– Children’s Book Awards 
• Lisle Public Library 
– Literature Links
Mr. Mika’s Favorites 
• Hey, you’re the librarian! 
What are you reading? 
• Library Thing 
• Do you have a 
recommendation? 
– Alex Rider Series 
– Geronimo Stilton 
– Warriors Series 
– …and more!
LRC Online 
• Book Lists 
• Series Books 
• Books made into Movies 
• Rebecca Caudill 
• Anderson’s Book Lists 
• Naperville Public Library 
• Mr. Mika’s Favorites!
References 
• Berkeley Township Elementary School. "Battle of the Books." 
Cartoon. Berkeley Township Elementary School. Zumu, n.d. 
Web. 5 Sept. 2012. 
http://www.btboe.org/bts/BTES/Media%20Center/Battle%20 
of%20the%20Books/. 
• Book covers used without permission for promotional 
purposes in educational setting only. 
• Book summaries retrieved from Follett’s Titlewave Database: 
http://www.titlewave.com/login/ 
• “More old books…” by guldfisken (Creative Commons 
License: Attribution) 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92269864@N00/398144161 
• “Stack of Books Design Template” available from Microsoft 
Online Templates http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ 
templates/TC011594401033.aspx?pid=CT101427471033 
• School Clipart. "Pupil, Student Reading a Book." 
Cartoon. Clip Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2012. 
http://www.clipproject.info/Clipart_Schule_Seite_3.html.

Needgoodbook3

  • 1.
    Do you knowany good books…? Dr. Mika LRC Director Beebe Elementary
  • 2.
    Yes, I do! Today’s lesson will help you: • Find a good book! • Search the catalog • Revisit popular series • Think about great authors • Use the Beebe Web Site • Discover other book lists
  • 3.
    Library Catalog •Author, Subject, Title, or Series
  • 4.
    Popular Series •Wayside School • Encyclopedia Brown • Boxcar Children • Cam Jansen • Bailey School Kids • A to Z Mysteries • Magic Tree House • My Weird School • Katie Kazoo • George Brown • Time Warp Trio • Junie B. Jones • Judy Moody • Amelia Bedelia • Charlie Bone • Ivy & Bean • Bunnicula • Marvin Redpost • Andrew Lost • Deltora Quest
  • 5.
    Great Authors •Matt Christopher (sports) • Louis Sachar (humor & realistic fiction) • Judy Blume (fantasy & realistic fiction) • Beverly Cleary (fantasy & realistic fiction) • Gary Paulsen (survival) • Dan Gutman (realistic fiction) • Roald Dahl (fantasy) • Gordon Korman (humor & realistic fiction) • Andrew Clements (realistic fiction)
  • 6.
    Great Books •Indian in the Cupboard • Clementine • Emma • Tale of Desperaux • Mr. Popper’s Penguins • The Chocolate Touch • How to Eat Fried Worms • Flight to the Mushroom Planet • Birdbrain Amos
  • 7.
    Bluestem Award •In honor of Big Bluestem, IL’s state prairie grass • May include both timeless classics and current titles • Might have Monarch, Battle, and Rebecca Caudill books • Need to have read 4 books in order to vote
  • 8.
    Bluestem Nominees 2014-2015 PowerPoint created by Katie Lawrence and Brian Wilson Bluestem Steering Committee Original design by Michelle Johnson This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.
  • 9.
    Chained by LynneKelly In order to help his family, Hastin takes a job in a circus taking as an elephant caretaker. However, when he discovers that the circus owner is being cruel to a little elephant, he tries to find a way to save the creature! Can he? Set in India! (248 pages)
  • 10.
    10 A DogCalled Homeless by Sarah Lean Cally Fisher decides to stop speaking because talking won’t bring back her mother, or get people to listen to her either. After 31 days, Cally sees a vision of her mother, and meets a scruffy dog. Will new friendships and her new dog help Cally begin to hope again? (224 pages)
  • 11.
    Dogs on Duty:Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent Throughout history, dogs have helped soldiers on the battlefield. Learn how these canine helpers are trained to assist people in the military. Packed with photographs! (48 Non-fiction! pages)
  • 12.
    Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard Lonely Drita moves from war-torn Kosovo to New York City where she struggles to learn English. She meets funny rebel Maxie, who has a sad secret she tells no one. Will these two girls overcome their differences and become friends? (135 pages)
  • 13.
    The Dunderheads byPaul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts A bunch of misfit students have the meanest teacher in the world, Miss Breakbone! When she goes too far, they decide it is time to teach her a lesson! Will they pull off their plan? (56 pages) Quick read and funny!
  • 14.
    Frindle by AndrewClements Nicholas decides to play a trick on his dictionary-loving teacher by inventing a new word for “pen.” Soon everyone starts using the word “frindle” and his teacher is not happy! Will things spin out of control? (105 pages) Funny!
  • 15.
    Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins In this action-packed fantasy, Gregor and his 2-year-old sister fall into an underground world. There they meet bats and cockroaches…and evil rats who want to take over the world! Can Gregor save humankind against these vicious rodents? (311 pages) First in a series!
  • 16.
    If You LivedHere: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche Imagine living inside a mountain, or in a home where you could catch fish from your bedroom window. This book takes you all over the world, showing you the coolest of houses! Which house would you choose as your favorite? (32 pages) Non-fiction!
  • 17.
    Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead After he moves into a new apartment building, Georges meets Safer, a boy who says he is a great spy. They start spying on neighbor Mr. X, who may or may not be completely evil! What will they discover about this possibly dangerous man? (180 pages)
  • 18.
    Lunch Lady andthe Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka The new substitute teacher seems to be up to no good! Who will save the school? Why, the crime-fighting Lunch Lady and her brave assistant Betty will! Which supercool gadgets will she use to save the day??? A funny graphic novel! (95 pages) Funny, first in a series, and a quick read!
  • 19.
    Niagara Falls, orDoes it by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver Hank Zipzer does not like to read or write. When asked to compose an essay about his summer vacation, he decides to build a model of Niagara Falls instead! What happens when he shows off his epic project? (137 pages) Funny and first in a series!
  • 20.
    20 Night ofthe Twisters by Ivy Ruckman 12-year old Dan Hatch finds himself at home with his baby brother and his best friend Arthur when tornado sirens begin to go off. Hiding in the basement, the three boys face multiple twisters in a night none of them will ever forget. An exciting story about survival and strength. (160 pages) Based on a true story!
  • 21.
    21 The Oneand Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate Ivan has spent most of his life in a circus-themed mall. He has his art, his friends and he can even watch TV. When a baby elephant is brought in to draw in more customers, Ivan begins to view his life in a new light. Can he find a way to save them all? Newbery Medal Winner. (320 pages) Based on a true story! Short chapters and illustrations.
  • 22.
    22 Rich: ADyamonde Daniel Book by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie Dyamonde Daniel cannot wait to enter the library’s poetry contest with her friend Free. They could do so many great things with the $100 prize! When they discover their classmate, Damaris’ secret, they have to decide whether winning, or helping their new friend is more important. (95 pages)
  • 23.
    23 Shiloh byPhyllis Reynolds Naylor When Marty discovers a beagle in the hills behind his house he falls in love at first sight. Unfortunately Shiloh belongs to a cruel man, Judd Travers. As Marty protects Shiloh the secrets and danger grow greater. Read this classic to find out if Marty can ever have Shiloh for good. (144 pages)
  • 24.
    Small Steps: TheYear I Got Polio by Peg Kehret 24 The true story of how Peg Kehret battled polio when she was twelve years old. Surviving the initial paralysis brought on by the illness, Peg then had to learn how to walk again. A story of strength and courage in the face of an uncertain future. (179 pages)
  • 25.
    The Stonekeeper byKazu Kibuishi When a terrible creature lures their mother away from their new home, Emily and Navin find themselves on a dangerous mission. They must rescue her from an underground world full of talking animals, robots and demons. (192 pages) 25 First in a graphic novel series!
  • 26.
    The Truth AboutPoop by Susan E. Goodman, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith 26 A fascinating look at one of the more private bodily functions. Learn how far a skipper caterpillar can shoot its poop as well as about all of the substitutes there have been for toilet paper in history. Full of hilarious illustrations too! (48 pages)
  • 27.
    Wild River byP.J. Petersen Ryan, a video game addict, finds himself in a real life adventure when a camping trip with his older brother Tanner goes horribly wrong. Can Ryan save his brother and brave the wilderness on his own? (128 pages) 27
  • 28.
    Wonderstruck by BrianSelznick 28 This is the story of Ben and Rose. Though they live 50 years apart, both wish for different lives and set out on quests to find what they are missing. Ben’s story is told in words, while Rose’s is told in dynamic illustrations. (608 pages) By the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret!
  • 29.
    Which book willyou read first? Be sure to read at least four so you can vote!
  • 30.
    ALA’s Newberry Award • Named for the 18th century bookseller John Newberry • First children’s book award in the world (1921) • Awarded annually to the most distinguished children’s literature published the previous year.
  • 31.
    Other Lists •Anderson’s Bookshops – Kid’s Picks – Mock Newberry List • Naperville Public Library – General Book Lists – Children’s Book Awards • Lisle Public Library – Literature Links
  • 32.
    Mr. Mika’s Favorites • Hey, you’re the librarian! What are you reading? • Library Thing • Do you have a recommendation? – Alex Rider Series – Geronimo Stilton – Warriors Series – …and more!
  • 33.
    LRC Online •Book Lists • Series Books • Books made into Movies • Rebecca Caudill • Anderson’s Book Lists • Naperville Public Library • Mr. Mika’s Favorites!
  • 34.
    References • BerkeleyTownship Elementary School. "Battle of the Books." Cartoon. Berkeley Township Elementary School. Zumu, n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2012. http://www.btboe.org/bts/BTES/Media%20Center/Battle%20 of%20the%20Books/. • Book covers used without permission for promotional purposes in educational setting only. • Book summaries retrieved from Follett’s Titlewave Database: http://www.titlewave.com/login/ • “More old books…” by guldfisken (Creative Commons License: Attribution) http://www.flickr.com/photos/92269864@N00/398144161 • “Stack of Books Design Template” available from Microsoft Online Templates http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ templates/TC011594401033.aspx?pid=CT101427471033 • School Clipart. "Pupil, Student Reading a Book." Cartoon. Clip Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2012. http://www.clipproject.info/Clipart_Schule_Seite_3.html.