A Post About Overdrive

Image from:  http://pausd.lib.overdrive.com/

Overdrive is an online borrowing service that is used by the Halton District School Board as well as many public libraries including the OPL. Using Overdrive, you can download audio and e-books with the click of a mouse. You can read or listen to the books using a variety of devices and I just wanted to share what a lifesaver Overdrive was for us this summer!

My family went on a two-week road trip. My boys, aged 7 and 10, were happy and calm every time we had an audio book on. We were able to listen to the first two Harry Potter books, the first 39 Clues book and about half of Rick Riordan's new book The Trials of Apollo. The Trials of Apollo expired before we finished but both boys really liked it. When you have a lot of driving to do and four people in a small car any diversion or entertainment is welcome and our best times driving were when an audiobook was playing.

HDSB Library Services has catered their Overdrive selections for students in Grade 5-12 so I always give out student barcode information near the beginning of the year so that everyone in Grade 5-8 can access books online if they want. If you ever want your barcode again, I am happy to write it down for you. If you ever need help getting started on Overdrive I am also happy to do that.

Overdrive is a great way to take advantage of a ton of resources and you can never lose a book or incur late fees because everything is digital. If you haven't gotten started on Overdrive yet and would like to, come and see me in the Learning Commons and we will get going.

Say You Will

Image from: www.ericwalters.net

by Eric Walters

One word. Promposal!!

This book is a great story of how Sam sets up an amazing promposal for the one girl in school he wants to go with. All through the book there are two possible people he might ask - Taylor - one of the most popular kids in school - or Brooke - one of his best friends.

Eric Walters does a great job of keeping us guessing and I LOVE the actual promposal that Sam comes up with! I also love that Eric Walters is such a diverse author - one minute he is writing about the end of the world and the next he puts out a light and fun book like Say You Will.

I would recommend this book for Grade 5-8 and would love to hear your thoughts on Sam's great promposal if you take the time to read this book!

Fish in a Tree

Image from: www.lyndamullalyhunt.com

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

I have been dying to read this book since one of our grade 3 students told me it was the best book she ever read and my son read it with his grade 5 class this year. I wasn't disappointed!

Ally has always felt that she is dumb and tries to hide the things she can't do, like read, from others. When her new teacher, Mr. Daniels, recognizes that Ally might have dyslexia and tries to help her she begins to see herself in a new light. She also starts to open herself up to the possibliity of having friends and letting people know about her struggles instead of hiding them all the time.

I would recommend this book for kids in Grade 3-7. Like some other books I've reviewed lately if you like Wonder or Mockingbird you will probably like this one as well.

The Thing About Jellyfish

Image from: www.alibenjamin.com

Ali Benjamin

I found out about this book through the website www.theglobalreadaloud.com. They are currently having a vote on the shortlist of books for next year and this is one of the books they are recommending for middle school. I decided I am going to read them all and see if there are any real standouts that we can use next year.

This is a great story about loss, grief, and sadness and how we process all three. If you are looking for a good cry, the last part of this book will definitely provide it. This book reminded me of Mockingbird by Katherine Erksine and Wonder by Palaccio so if you liked either of those books you will probably like this one too!