📕✎Graphic Novel Showcase: Exploring Stories through Art & Text

Today's Graphic Novel Showcase brought nearly 20 students together to explore the incredible variety of stories told in this format. With six different categories of graphic novels featured, students had the freedom to rotate through groups at their own pace, discovering new titles and styles along the way. From the newest additions in the collection to action-packed adventures, from diverse perspectives to true stories, there was something for everyone—whether they were longtime graphic novel fans or just starting to explore the format.

To make the experience even more interactive, students could participate in a scavenger hunt, working independently or with a partner to find specific elements within the books they browsed. This encouraged close reading and an appreciation for how art and text work together to tell a story. 

What made the event even more dynamic was the mix of participants—enthusiastic graphic novel readers shared their recommendations alongside students who were new to the format. Seeing these conversations unfold, with students pointing out favorite moments or talking about the story, was a reminder of how engaging graphic novels can be for readers.

This event was all about choice, exploration, and community, and it was amazing to see students discover books they might not have picked up otherwise. With so much enthusiasm in the room, it’s clear that graphic novels continue to be a valuable and beloved part of our library’s collection!

📖✨ 6-Word Book Talks: Quick Hooks for Engaging Reads

In a recent advisory session, students were introduced to more than two dozen books in a fast, engaging format—6-Word Book Talks. Each book was distilled into just six words, offering a quick glimpse into its core themes, intrigue, or emotional impact. These short but powerful teasers were presented in a series of Slides, giving students an easy way to preview a wide range of books across all eight fiction genres, as well as graphic novels and nonfiction selections.

After viewing the presentation, students had time to browse the featured books, flipping through pages, reading summaries, and seeing which stories sparked their interest. 

Students looking online or already reading with the featured books in the background.

Other students browsing the cases as time allowed.

With something for everyone—from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt contemporary reads, epic fantasies to eye-opening nonfiction—this session encouraged exploration and discovery. Sometimes, all it takes is six words to spark curiosity, and this format proved to be a fun, effective way to get books into students' hands! 

📋📚 Top 10 Titles

Now that we've wrapped up Semester 1, here's a look at the Top 10 titles based on circulation numbers. With the addition of a "Throwback Reads" section in the library, several old favorites, like titles from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and Space Case, make an appearance. Also on this semester's list are popular authors with new releases, as well as YA literature debut authors. Take a look!

📚✨ Quarter 2 by the Numbers: A Look at Our Library Stats

The second quarter was a busy and exciting time for the library! The infographic below highlights some of the happenings and key stats:

• New Books: Our collection grew with 133 new titles, featuring a mix of fresh fiction, nonfiction, and highly requested reads.
• Advisory Sessions: More than 20 sessions--both library related and led by Student Services--brought students into the library for engaging activities, from book talks and hands-on projects to college visits.
• Class Visits: A large increase in class visits this quarter meant 94 times classes were in the library. These opportunities allowed students to explore the library, expand their learning and research skills, and discover great books.
• Circulation: With more than 1200 books checked out, it’s clear our students are staying connected with reading!

These numbers reflect the vibrant role the library plays in supporting students and staff! We're excited about Quarter 3 and are eager to see everyone after the semester break!

🎨🌌 Art & Inquiry: Exploring the Northern Lights

This week in advisory, students embarked on a dazzling journey to learn about the Northern Lights! (Thank you to The Book Wrangler's online content years ago for the inspiration!) Using engaging resources like Wonderopolis and PebbleGo, they discovered the science and stories behind this natural phenomenon. These resources provided the perfect balance of information and wonder, sparking questions and discussion.

After diving into the facts, it was time for creativity to take center stage. Students used paper and pastels to craft their own vibrant interpretations of the Northern Lights. As different YouTube videos about the Northern Lights played in the background, like the one below, students' creativity took over.

With soft hues blending across dark backgrounds, their artwork captured the magic of the auroras. This hands-on activity connected inquiry with artistry, leaving students with both knowledge and a personal art piece. Activities like these showcase the power of combining literacy, creativity, and discovery in library spaces!

📕📕English I Book Talks

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting freshman English classes to deliver two engaging book talk presentations. Each session introduced students to an exciting mix of historical fiction, realistic fiction, and fresh titles by both popular and debut authors. From interesting narratives set in the past to contemporary stories that reflect students' challenges and achievements, there was something for every kind of reader.

In both presentations, we explored gripping tales from history—Bluebird by Sharon Cameron and The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson. Other titles spotlighted included realistic fiction mysteries and adventures alongside buzz-worthy new releases that students won’t want to miss. After the presentation, students had time to browse the shelves and connect with stories, checking out books, and sharing their excitement with one another. How awesome it is to match students with books!

🎃👻 Dark Tales and Digital Reflections: A Halloween Activity

Yesterday’s Halloween advisory session took a spine-tingling turn as students gathered in the library for a read-aloud from Things That go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman. 

We kicked things off with an introductory video before diving into the story “Heart of Stone,” a creepy, captivating short story. After the read-aloud, students watched the story’s wrap-up video, setting the perfect atmosphere for a reflective activity. Using Padlet, students responded to the prompt “Whatever you do…” with creative, eerie responses that tied directly to the story. To bring their words to life, students typed their thoughts and used the Padlet AI image generator to create visuals related to their statements, resulting in a hauntingly engaging mix of text and imagery.

CLICK HERE to access the full Padlet of students' responses.

Here are a few of the students' responses close up:

This activity not only added Halloween fun to an advisory session but also supports my professional development goal of promoting positive relationships, mindfulness, and bibliotherapy in the library. By choosing thought-provoking stories and prompts, students engaged in reflective thinking and shared their creative responses with their peers in a supportive environment. The visual component helped them connect with the story on a deeper level, allowing for self-expression and opening doors to conversations that promote empathy and connection. A big "thank you" goes to my teacher librarian colleague Dani whose work with Padlet and image generating inspired me to give this a try!