iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

"Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world." Indeed.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

There is something incredibly moving about this simple act.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Why do I feel like the headline in today's NY Times will be praising the administration for its new reef construction initiative?

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

LSTA, the funding mechanism for federal.aid to libraries, archives, and museums comes up for renewal every 20 years. This August, Congress needs to reauthorize the act or it will expire and with it, the funding.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

I had an amazing week at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair. So much to think about. Information literacy is one primary issue I am pondering. We teach kids how to decode fiction, but non-fiction isn't taught the same way and the 2 should be on par. 🧵

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

2 books, perfect for late elementary/middle grade readers, & stand up for adult readers. Most heroic books feature super heroes, but these are normal boys who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances. Both are translated from the original Spanish. We need more stories about ordinary heroes. 📚

A picture of the cover of 2 books:

Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan is the story of a 12-year-old boy discovering a family secret. It propels him into a perilous journey to help save another child, and, along the way, he discovers himself, his strength, and what the true meaning of the secret really is.

Johnny, the Sea, and Me by Melba Escobar is also a story of self-discovery focusing on a 10-year-old whose family is splitting up and whose mother will not let him grow up. During a vacation, Pedro runs away and, in being lost, finds himself, some new friends, and a lot of confidence.

Both books are excellent reads for any late elementary/middle grade kid, but particularly for boys, they provide examples of heroism that doesn't require super powers or technology. The messaging is that normal kids can be heroes by virtue of the choices they make and their own strength and intellect.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I was in a training about a statewide program rollout last week. The thing that struck me and that I keep coming back to is that all of the materials had to be written for a 5th or 6th grade reading level because that is the level a majority of Americans can comprehend. I know it, & yet, shocking.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

This book is really fantastic. Themes of coming of age, the transition from little kid to bigger kid, and learning that there are many paths of self-determination. Great for later elementary age kids but relatable for older kids, teens, and adults too. It's a very enjoyable and fast read.

A picture of the cover of a book called "Johnny, the sea, and me" by Melba Escobar, illustrated by Elizabeth Builes, and translated from Spanish into English by Sara Lissa Paulson.

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Reposted by MaryEllen

Michael LaBorn @michaellaborn.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Someone has claimed this! But tell you what, I am currently 139 away from my goal. If I get to under 100 TONIGHT, I’ll give away a set of the Broken Earth Deluxe Editions! Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com

Image is a cover of the Broken Earth series

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Let's get this guy past his goal, shall we? $5/month who else has it to spare or can share his message to those that can? In dark times, let's make a dream possible.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

I'm looking for recommendations of YA and middle grade books by African authors. What'cha got?

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Hats off to Kendrick Lamar. That was an art piece. And also, an Everest level diss track.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I was expecting this to be a good read, but it's so much more than that. Middle grade, graphic novel filled with diverse characters, an interesting world build, and themes of finding yourself and your place in the world. Great for kids, but also, great for adults in this challenging now.

A picture of the cover of K. O'Neill's graphic novel, The Moth Keeper. A middle grade novel out of New Zealand with a heartwarming message about finding your place in the world that features a diverse character set and an interesting world build. Beautifully illustrated and written. The image includes a picture of the main character, Anya, a fox/human holding their hands up under a moon moth in mid-flight.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

If you're looking for a palate cleanser, check out French children's book author/illustrator Blexbolex' work. These genre expanding books seem simple at first, but the depth to them, the misleading simplicity, and the joy and anguish of childhood make them relatable for all and worth the read.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Has your library received a Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading or Literacy Grant? What was the program?

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Quicksand, man, growing up in the 70s and 80s, you'd think the stuff was lurking around every corner, waiting to swallow you up. Do kids today even know it exists?????

A pencil sketch by a child of a playground with one child sinking into a pit of quicksand, asking the other to get help because they are sinking.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

“We create a world that is better when young people can explore literature that speaks to them authentically and meets them where they are at—not where adults imagine they should be,” Magnussen said.

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Reposted by MaryEllen

Laurie Halse Anderson @halseanderson.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Many hearty congratulations to @tasslyn.bsky.social for being honored with the Free Speech Award given by the Children's Book Council! Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners. tinyurl.com/547hx36r

tinyurl.com

Children's Book Council, Every Child a Reader Name Winner of Inaugural Free Speech Award

Tje Children’s Book Council and its charitable arm, Every Child a Reader, have decided to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those working behind the scenes, and are honoring Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson as t...

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

In the times we live in, perhaps the old chestnut, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", should be changed to if you can't verify that what you are saying is true, don't say anything at all. Repeating bad information drowns out the voices of good information.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

I've seen a lot of posts lately saying that to support a library, you should get a card. Other things you can do: 1. Be promiscuous in using that card 2. Go to board meetings 3. Join the Friends 4. Demand the books that represent you, you can challenge absent books as much as present ones 5. Donate

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

"But stoking curiosity is the library’s major purpose"

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Since kiddo's first Christmas, our elf brings holiday/winter themed books each day of December. Right now, kid gets 3 easier nostalgic books a day and one longer read a week. He's getting tonthebage when this may be the last believing year. I hope not, but I think our elf will still be here. I hope.

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Just curious, who has had the pleasure of a First Amendment audit in their library? What happened? Any insights to share about what to do and not do?

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Nobody on here that I've seen is talking about the swarms of car-sized drones that seem to be hovering over key infrastructure and military bases in NJ. I saw them last night hovering over my neighborhood. Anyone else seeing them by you? Also, there's this, so....

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Reposted by MaryEllen

The Book Shepherd @thebookshepherd.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

If you as a parent do not want your child to read about something, that is your job as a parent to oversee their reading. It should absolutely not affect what children who are not yours are reading.

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Reposted by MaryEllen

Becky Calzada @becalzada.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Want to stay in the loop about book challenges in your community? Follow @uabookbans.bsky.social & sign up to receive their updates #UniteAgainstBookBans

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

My town is a pretty quiet place. The longest lines I've seen here are for the library's used book sale opening day and this morning, the Ambulance Corp.'s annual soup sale. #WelcometoMayberry

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Can't sleep. My mom died 11 days ago, and I am deep in it. I miss her so much. I just wanted more time. I wasn't ready. 💔 I just needed to tell somebody and everyone's asleep. She was such a good Mom. #Mom

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MaryEllen @mecd.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I was at a presentation about International Children's Literature last night. Does anyone have a source for international picture books that would ship to the US? Language not important, the diverser, thdiverse, #picturebooks #librarian

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