This Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., at our local independent bookstore Pages, there will be a panel of YA authors speaking in particular about their writing processes and paths to publication. Because YA books often include mature content, I do not know that this event would be suitable for elementary-age students; however, for teens or adults interested in writing, I think this would be a very interesting event.

The next STEM Saturday at the Manhattan Beach Public Library is on "Aero-Structures." It is at 11:00 on Saturday, October 10, and pre-registration at the children's information/reference desk is required to attend. Also at our local public library, save the date: Saturday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m., for Buster Balloon's Halloween Spooktacular, described as "full of creepy comedy, spooky magic, and monstrous balloon creations." The public library's bookmark contest continues until the end of October. 

Right here at the Pennekamp library we are focusing this week on the five senses. Sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell connect us to our wonderful world. The books we will hear this week are either about those senses or involve readers in using one or more senses in particular. Many related titles are on display.

Kindergarteners will begin on October 7 to check out and return books during their weekly class visit. Each kinder may check out one book at a time and is permitted to bring his or her book home. Parents of all students receive a weekly email showing what books their students have checked out and when the books are due. There is no overdue fine, but dear parents, if you can help your students (especially the youngest ones!) to remember their books on library day, that would be great. A replacement fee is charged for any book that is lost or damaged beyond repair.

Grade 3 is completing an introduction to the Dewey decimal system. As classes do year after year, they will get to hear the very entertaining "Dewey Rap," which can be viewed below. (Please be advised, though, that other YouTube content and comments attached to videos may be inappropriate for children.)

This week in the library we are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. On display and being read aloud are books about Spanish-speaking cultures, books featuring words in Spanish, biographies of notable Hispanic people, and books about shared experiences between the United States and Spanish-speaking places.

According to the official website of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the dates of the event (September 15 to October 15) are significant: "The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period."

Two grades will not be hearing about Hispanic Heritage Month but, rather, will be practicing catalog skills. Grade 3 begins a two-week introduction to the Dewey Decimal System. Grade 5 will learn how to submit book reviews that become part of a book's record in our district online catalog.

The L.A. Public Library's bookmark contest is going on right now. Entry forms can be picked up at the Pennekamp library and the school office as well as L.A. County Public Library branches. Due dates are: October 24 if the form is mailed in, October 30 if it is returned to Pennekamp, or October 31 for forms that are brought to branch libraries. 

I am putting here at the bottom a video I will show to our TK students, to accompany our reading of Waiting for the Biblioburro, by Monica Brown. I hope you enjoy it. As always, please be mindful that sidebars and comments that accompany YouTube videos are not always age-appropriate for students.

This week all classes will be hearing about friendship. Studies, and everyday observation, confirm again and again the value of friendship. Having even one friend can make an important difference in the life of a child. Adults can promote social practices that help children make friends. I hope that the books we are reading this week encourage the students to think about, talk about, and value friendship. A great many books about friendship are on display, if you'd like to check some out and continue the conversation at home.

Is a picture book about friendship "too young" for 5th grade? Not when the book is Amos & Boris, by William Steig. Consider this passage, describing the friendship between Amos (a mouse) and Boris (a whale): "They developed a deep admiration for one another. Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse. Amos admired the bulk, the grandeur, the power, the purpose, the rich voice, and the abounding friendliness of the whale." Upon reading that, I found myself reflecting on what I treasure in my friends (although my thoughts didn't quite attain the precision and beauty found in William Steig's prose). What qualities do you value most in your friends?

This Friday, September 18, from 4 to 10 p.m., is the Dragon Jamboree, a fun-filled event for Pennekamp families. There will be food, games, and a movie. Don't miss it!

The County of Los Angels Public Library's bookmark contest is on! Please go to the Contests page of this site for information and an entry form. Entries are due at the end of October.

September 17 is Constitution Day, so on display this week are many books about the United States Constitution. Haven't heard the Preamble lately? Here it is--those of us who are of a certain generation can surely sing along! (As always when on YouTube, beware of sidebars, ads, and inappropriate comments visible below the video.)

This week I will be reading aloud to all classes. Our theme is books, reading, and libraries. For specific selections, please visit the Weekly Readalouds page of this website. 

We will also take this initial readaloud experience to review some book basics. All students at Pennekamp are acquainted with the parts of a book (cover, spine, title page, endpapers, and the like) as well as the distinction between fiction and nonfiction. 

Last week most students began checking out books. Each student can check out the same number of books as his or her grade, and last week most did! The first class visit each month for grade 5 will be devoted to circulation to make sure the students have time to choose books for their assigned book reports. Parents, please note that you can check out books too--up to 10 at a time. The library is open most days before and after school for a while for anyone who needs that time for browsing and circulation.

Our beautiful new public library sure has a lot going on these days! Of special note: Saturday, September 12, at 11:00 a.m. there will be a "STEM Saturday" presentation on tide pools. Tuesday, September 22, from 3:30 to 5:00, the library will be hosting a "Back to School Bash for Tweens," for grades 5 to 8 to meet, decorate binders (bring yours), have a snack, talk about the public library's upcoming tween book club, and learn how to browse the library's catalog. And it's very exciting that our public library is now open Sundays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. What a delightful way to spend an afternoon. 

This week all classes are visiting the library at their scheduled times. Students, teachers, and parents are all checking out materials. Everything is pretty much up and running! 

I am not reading aloud this week except to the kindergarteners, who are not yet checking out during class visits. For the first couple of months they will practice with the paintsticks and figure out what interests them most in our library. They will begin checking out with their classes in January.

With other classes I am talking about what we'll do in library this year, circulation, and reviewing use of the catalog with students who have learned it already. Grade 3 will begin really learning the Dewey decimal system and our catalog software around the beginning of October.