The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

I just finished this amazing graphic novel and can't wait to get it in the hands of others.

First of all, I feel it's important to say that I am not a huge fan of graphic novels. It takes a certain something for me to truly enjoy one and this one had it!

This is the story of Jane. Jane was in the vicinity of the trade towers on 9-11. The book shares this moment of her life in such a beautiful way. While the madness is going on Jane notices a dandelion that has pushed it's way through the sidewalk. No one, with all the madness going on, has managed to step on this flower and Jane decides that if this flower can survive, so can she.

Her parents did not feel the same as her and they move to a suburb where it is "safer". Jane also knows that nowhere is safe and instead of letting her fear motivate her she becomes inspired by the unknown man in a coma she helped at the devastating scene she survived. She knows nothing about him except that he possessed a sketchbook with a cover that read "art saves". She decides that art can save her and tries to look for all of the beauty in everything. As we all know, this is not an easy job. She quickly comes up with a plan that can save her and the world and teams up with her unique and genuine group of misfits, which happen to all share the name Jane.

I won't give anymore away, but what transpires is the formation of a girl gang called P.L.A.I.N. (people loving art in neighborhoods). They perform guerrilla acts of art inspiring people to think, laugh and live. But of course, as with all thought that is unique and different, it is seen as threatening. The school and the cops and Jane's parents are determined to catch these art terrorists, but the Plain Janes have other ideas....

ALA...photos

The gathering of librarians sharing knowledge...

I totally geeked out on how amazing this was!

The Hollywood Librarian Movie Premiere:
I walked the Red Carpet! See my claim to fame!!(page 5)
My co-worker, Lindsey, looks simply smashing!

Fabulous friends

FREE BOOKS! AUTHOR SIGNINGS! OH MY!


Author Breakfast
John Greene

Laurie Halse Anderson (with tattoo of the first word of Beuwolf)

Lois Lowry

Jack Gantos


Some sights and experiences
A Library of course

The Metro

Chinatown



The Eva Perry Teens

Lunch with Marcus Zusak

The Printz Award Reception

My life in high school

It has been a very exhausting (but fun) week, and I still have 2 days to go!!
I have been booktalking to 9th graders all this week. I was a bit nervous because it was my first time to booktalk in a high school, but I am doing a great job!

The hardest part is being there at 7:30 in the morning. Another challenge, as an introvert, is finding time to restore my energy when I am done.

I have had the pleasure of working with 2 excellent teachers so far and I am very excited to meet the next 3 teachers I will be working with.

Here are the titles I have been talking about:
My Secret
Found
Generation T
Pick Me Up
Zine Scene
Girl Director
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Doing It
An Abundance of Katherines
So Yesterday

I am also telling them about programs we have done or will do in the future. I have mentioned:
Banned Books Week (this is their favorite)
T-shirt surgery
Teen Zine
Cyber Summer Reading
TV Production Workshop

Amazingly, I have done the best in the classes that are considered the "trouble-makers". It was an amazing compliment when the teacher told me if I could get through to them, than I had to know I was good at what I do.

The teens have been the most responsive to My Secret, Doing It, Banned Books Week and very eager to sign up for Cyber Summer Reading and the Teen Mailing List.

Hooray Me!

please don't go, we love you so...

Spike Jonze to direct "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. Hmmmm... I feel some programming ideas coming on...
a little blurb (it's apparently very 'hush, hush')

Library Trading Card

This was just to much fun!

You should make one too.

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/deck.php