Inspiring Poems

We recently invited some students to create poems about someone or something that inspired them. Here are some of the results:

Her neigh is welcoming me to frolic
Ocean blue is her eye and I could lose myself in it
Running free in a field of green she looks like a gold blur
Suddenly she rears, majestic and beautiful
Every ride is a new adventure in a far off place in a wonderful new world
by Lisa

Forever they say for
Real they say
Inseparable they say
Enough is enough I say
Never listen to
Dumb rules people
Set. Listen to yourself. Ask.
For forgiveness
Open your heart
Reach inside yourself you’ve had
Enough of hearing their laughter their
Victory cries, you're
Envious, you want your friend back
Really, don’t wait, just ask!

The Weird Watson family

This month's pick for middle school students is The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. This very funny story of an African American family is told from the point of view of Kenneth, the ten-year-old "good" son in the Watson family. Thirteen-year-old Byron is Kenny's brother, the juvenile delinquent whose constant rebellions make his parents decide to take him to live with his strict maternal grandmother in Alabama for the summer, and possibly longer. Kindergarten age Joetta rounds out the family with their prankster father Daniel and loving but stern mother Wilona.

The book is not all comedy. The real-life bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church forms a central plot element, but what I loved about the book is its honest, hilarious portrayal of family dynamics. Pick it up today and I bet you'll be able to hear some echo of your own sibling spats. Along with the fighting and the teasing, though, the author reveals the depth of this family's ties and that's what I found inspiring.

Try it--you'll like it!

If you're looking for a well-written, thought-provoking, fast-paced book with characters you really care about, look no further than this month's pick for high school students: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The Book Thief is one of my daughter's favorite books, but it's one of my hardest sells when I try to get others to read it. Maybe it's the cover, maybe it's the subject matter. At any rate, Death narrates this award-winning story set in Nazi Germany. A young girl named Liesel stays with a foster family in working class Molching, Germany, where she learns a lot--how to read, how to survive, how to be part of a new family. You won't regret giving this book a try.

The Hero and the Crown

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley is one of our teen picks this month. Aerin is the daughter of the king, and one would think that puts her in a pretty sweet spot. But Aerin's mother was a witch, hated by the people in the kingdom, and she died while giving birth to Aerin, leaving the realm without a male heir. Aerin grows up wild, ignored, and when noticed, regarded with suspicion. This book tells the story of how Aerin finds her purpose and a place in the heart of the common folks when she becomes skilled at a task no one else wants--killing small but deadly dragon pests.

Astronaut Joe Tanner Inspires a Library Crowd

I'm sorry if you missed Joe Tanner at the library last Sunday, March 30. He spoke to a crowd of 165 at the library, and he was wonderful. Armed with fantastic photos of his 2006 mission to the International Space Station, Tanner shared inside stories of space flight and answered all kinds of questions. I thought it was interesting when asked if he was ever afraid during any of his four trips to space, Tanner replied "Only of failure."

NASA has a wonderful website, and it includes a short biography of Joe Tanner if you'd like to read more.

Helping Those in Need is the Rule, Not the Exception

Because of the library's "Get Inspired! Meet a Hero @ the Library" programs, I read the News-Gazette article by Greg Kline titled "Study: Heroism more prevalent than inaction" with great interest. A study by University of Illinois professor David Hyman found that for every ordinary person who ignores helping someone else, there are 740 others who do try to help--impressive odds. In a world where we are bombarded with news about the horrible things humans do to each other and the environment, I find this story extremely reassuring. The study is to be published in the Texas Law Review.

What are three heroic characteristics you'd most like to see in yourself?

Students in the library's reading program have shared some of the heroic qualities they'd most like to have:

Rachel would like to be amazingly witty, strong, and not shy.

Abi would like to be brave, fearless, kind, and a friend.

Vishal would like to have super powers, fly, and be strong.

Taylor would like to be braver, more helpful, and have a better self-image.

What about you?

Which Harry Potter character is most inspiring to you?

Here are some of the answers that have come in through the library's reading program:

Malik says Harry's most inspiring because he's determined to defeat Voldemort. Taylor voted for Harry too because he was extremely helpful and brave. Rachel is inspired by Hermione because she doesn't let anything stand in her way and she never gives up. Vishal also wrote about Hermione because she's so smart. Giovany and Abi were both inspired by Ron Weasley. Giovany was inspired because he was funny and Abi admired him because even though he knows he's not the best at magic and comes from a poor home, he doesn't give up. And he's a good friend.

It's a tough call, but count me in with the crowd: the character I find most inspiring from Harry Potter's world is Harry. I like his humility and the way he stands up for those who are less fortunate. I admire his struggle with things beyond his control and the way he accepts the burdens placed on him. But what's your take? Which character do you find most inspiring?

Wizard Rock really does...rock, that is

Sorry if you missed the library's Wizard Rock program last Friday night. Ginny and the Heartbreakers came from Oklahoma and Alex from the LA band The Remus Lupins entertained over 100 folks. Listen to some of their songs on the computer if you get a chance. My favorite part of the show was the enthusiasm of the band members. It was easy to just start dancing and not worry about looking silly. Many thanks to the performers for helping us loosen up. We had a great time.

All About Harry!

With book sales in the hundreds of millions, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has grabbed the attention of the world unlike any other book in recent history. What is it about this series that makes it so incredibly popoular? As we spend March re-reading and thinking about these very special books, please share your thoughts. Which series character do you find most inspiring and why? What's your personal favorite book in the series?

Heroes found close at hand

Students participating in the teen Get Inspired! Meet a Hero @ Your Library program shared their heroes:

Superman, Batman, and my dad by Malik

My mom because she is always there for me and my sisters. She is the height of compassion and bravery. She is noble and kind. by Caitlin

Wolverine by Travyon

My sister because she was the first to go onto college. by Margie

Martin Luther King Jr – for all African Americans by Kenneth

My dad by Lisa; April

A hero of mine is my mom. by Gorgeous

Who's a hero of yours and why? I'd love to hear.

Bilbo vs. Frodo

I was in middle school when I first met Bilbo Baggins. The meeting was unexpected. He arrived in the form of a Christmas gift from my brother: a beautiful boxed set of four books by J.R.R. Tolkien edged in gold.

I read The Hobbit first, being a “read-things-in-order” kind of person and I quickly got a crush on Bilbo. What was there not to love? I could relate to his fondness for the comforts of home and his reluctance to venture from his cozy hobbit hole. I admired his sneakiness in outsmarting trolls and dwarves alike, and I laughed out loud over his many narrow escapes. Bilbo was a first-rate hero in my eyes: resilient, courageous, loyal, and practical.

Then I read The Lord of the Rings trilogy with Bilbo’s relative Frodo Baggins and I found myself disappointed. Frodo was a very different character, obviously, serving a different purpose, but argh. His whining, melancholy, and indecision irritated me no end and while Sam, Merry, and Pippin were worthy hobbits, I never quite warmed up to Frodo. I missed Bilbo’s more bubbly nature and his stubbornness, his inner strength and his firm belief in himself, misguided as it sometimes was.

So my dark secret is revealed. Frodo fans, convince me of the worthiness of your champion. And if you’ve not read the series, now’s a perfect time to start.

Usagi Yojimbo: Hero or just a killer for hire?

The high school book club met last night, and we discussed "Usagi Yojimbo" by Stan Sakai. This book is the high school selection for February in the "Get Inspired!: Meet a Hero @ Your Library" program.

Well, the discussion got a little heated. Most of us in the group are not graphic novel readers, so that might have been part of the problem. One member liked the book a lot, especially enjoying the Japanese setting. Two members gave the book a weak "ok," with both of them mentioning the lizards as their favorite part of the book (and the lizards are more comic relief than vital to the story). One member felt very strongly that the book was an inappropriate choice for the "Get Inspired!" series. She thought the main character Miyamoto Usagi was not heroic in any way since he mainly acted as a hired gun, killing for payment.

If you've read Usagi Yojimbo, what do you think? Do you find anything heroic in this character?

Wabi: The hero who happened to be an owl

The Middle Pages, the library's middle school book club, met this past Monday to discuss "Wabi: A Hero's Tale" by Joseph Bruchac. This book is one of the library's picks for teens to read in February for the program "Get Inspired! Meet a Hero @ the Library."

Wabi is the story of a runt owl who meets his great-grandmother when he is pushed out of the nest by his older brother. She then takes care of Wabi, and he discovers that he is able to talk to and understand other animals, including humans. Wabi begins watching over a human village, saving them from monsters they don't even realize exist. He also discovers he has the ability to turn into a human, and he takes human form after falling in love with Dojihla, an outspoken young lady from the village. The novel is an interesting mix of Native American monster tales, the study of Wabi's coming of age, and a look at how families can be built.

Only one middle schooler braved the extreme fog to discuss Wabi with me, and Erica gave the book two thumbs up. She enjoyed the fantasy elements of the book and thought it was exciting all the way through. I agreed. The book's short chapters and fast action make it appealing.

Erica and I talked about what made Wabi a hero. Along with bravery and selflessness, listening was important to Wabi's success. It struck both of us as unusual for a hero to value and practice listening as much as Wabi does. The author emphasizes Wabi's ability to sit silently, observe, and really hear what's going on as a major factor in his ability to conquer the variety of monsters that attack in the story.

If you've read Wabi, please add your thoughts. And if you haven't read it yet, pick up a copy today.

Welcome! (and please jump in...)

Join me in reading the teen books we've picked for the community-wide program "Get Inspired! Meet a Hero @ Your Library." The program will run February through April 2008 and is coordinated by the Champaign Public Library in Champaign, Illinois.

The books for February are “Wabi: A Hero’s Tale” by Joseph Bruchac, “Usagi Yojimbo, Book 1: The Ronin” by Stan Sakai, and “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. Middle school students are invited to an in-person book discussion meeting at the library on Monday, Feb. 4, at 7 pm to talk about “Wabi.” High school students can share thoughts about “Usagi Yojimbo” on Monday, Feb. 11, at 6:45 pm. No registration is required and we've always got cookies--come!

What do you think of the first month’s choices? What books would you have chosen and why? Let your voice be heard about the inspiring books you've read.

--Betsy, Teen Librarian

Funding for the Meet a Hero @ Your Library grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Partners in the project are the Champaign Public Library, The Urbana Free Library, Parkland College Library, University of Illinois Library, Champaign Unit #4 School District, Urbana School District #116, and The News-Gazette.