The Quirky Librarian: 2/27/11

3.02.2011

Book Club Begins

Next week I start a new book with my 5th grade book club. We are reading Al Capone Does My Shirts, which is a book selected by the PTA. I read the first chapter and I was a little taken aback by the language. Not that there were any "bad" words in the book. It was just a little crass, which isn't necessarily wrong or different from many other books. I think I'm just used to books like the ones I read when I was in elementary school. I don't think I'm a prude by any means, however I am a little uncomfortable with the attitude of today's literature for children. I understand that it is a reflection of the times, but I sometimes wish I could be a protected adult—in complete denial about what kids are doing and saying. The truth is however, that I know exactly what kids are doing and saying. It just seems funny to me that other adults do to, and they are writing about it! So my problem is not that the books are wrong, it's that they are too right. Wow, this should be an interesting book club!

Welcome

I started this blog to chronicle my journey as a graduate student in the School Library Media program at the University of Georgia. I have since continued the blog as first, an elementary school media specialist and then as a middle school media specialist. I am now at a high school and I feel fortunate to have worked at every level as it has given me a view of the entire reading journey for students. I added the reading endorsement when I got my MEd and I have had the chance to be a reading specialist in my librarian positions, but I felt that I needed to know more about literacy in order to best serve my students. So now I am back at UGA working on an EdS in Reading Education. I expect to graduate in May 2022.

Why Am I Quirky?

Note: After making this list, I decided I may be annoying rather than quirky. However, it doesn't sound very good to be called "The Annoying Librarian," thus I will stick with the quirky label.

When I sneeze, it's more of a yell.
I never chew gum—it makes me nervous.
I am afraid of rubber bands.
I do not hold a pencil the "correct" way—I do not believe there is a "correct" way either.
I laugh at my own jokes.
I could not snap my fingers until I was 18.
I am scared to go up escalators, but I don't mind going down.
I do not put lids back on pens, toothpaste, anything.
I cannot swallow pills, although I could for one year in my 20's.
I read magazines from back to front.
I never fold the newspaper back correctly.
I eat cereal before bed every night.
I cannot dance--"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" is too difficult for me.
I don't close boxes.
Tight clothes make me nervous, even if other people are the ones wearing them.
I NEVER go barefoot.
I cannot sleep if I don't have socks on.
I wear my watch on the wrong arm.
I often dream about things before they happen, but never big things (more like: I'm buying bread and green beans at Kroger—type dreams).
I didn't drink coffee until I was 36.
I didn't get my ears pierced until age 30—I was not ready to accessorize until then.
I never clean my plate even if there is only one bite left.
I shake when I laugh.
When I see a snake in a tank I talk baby talk to it because I know no one else does.
I have recurring dreams about losing my teeth.
I cannot whistle.
I worry about other peoples' problems more than my own.
I hate the taste of alcohol.
I cannot wear turtlenecks.
I cannot throw a stuffed animal away and I still hope they come alive when I leave the room.
Spiders do not bother me, but spider webs do.

I'm married to an even quirkier person—I could write a novel about that.

I'll add more when I think of them...it won't be hard.