Bluestone Olympic Reading Challenge

The challenge is on now so get reading.  The closing date is 17 August.  You can include anything you have read since May 17 as long as a parent or guardian will acknowledge you have read the books.  Books do not have to be from our library.  You can enter at Bronze, Silver or Gold level or all three but a book may only be used once at any level or in any sport.  You do not have to complete all sports at all levels but you must submit separate entry forms if you pick and choose your sports.  Each entry form must be signed by the student and a parent or guardian who must also add a supporting statement.  Entry forms can be picked up at the library or downloaded here.
Bronze Olympic Challenge
Silver Olympic Challenge
Gold Olympic Challenge

Return completed entries to the library to gain your medals and go in to the draw for prizes for the most points gained and medals awarded.  Good luck to all you champion readers.

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Bob's Booktalks

Captivated audience

The wonderful Bob Docherty, visited Bluestone on Friday to work his magic on our students by introducing them to the very best books for children and young adults.  Bob is so good at this that the students are begging for the books and finding it hard to wait for them to arrive.  The most popular request so far is for a book called Wonder by RJ Palacio.  Mrs Ross has managed to borrow a copy from the public library and is enjoying the story.  It's written with quite short chapters and is easy to read.  The main character is August, a boy with a severe facial disfigurement who is sent to school at the age of ten.  The story also allows us to get to know his sister Olivia who has had to put up with quite a lot having a brother like Auggie.

Reading to Creative Creatures

Bob with Team Explorer

Selling a story to High Fliers

Think Tank students engrossed

Thanks to Bob we have some great new books to enjoy.

LIbrary skills using ICT a hit

Today in the library Room 21 students used iPads as well as the library laptops to continue the library research skills programme for 2012. Students found the technology easy to use and were very engaged. They were able to build upon last week's activities by locating catalogue records and finding the required information. A very successful session.

Hunger Games movie trailer

Author visit

Tuesday 5 July we had author Kyle Mewburn at Bluestone for the day. He was so much fun and our students responded very enthusiastically to his presentation style. His books have been flying off the shelves since, especially his new Dinosaur Rescue series .

Some of our best writers also had the opportunity to eat lunch in the library with Kyle.

Keen writers should visit Planet Fabo2, a blog site that Kyle and other New Zealand authors have set up to interest young writers. You could have your work published online and win prizes. Each week there is a different writing challenge.

Support Staff Day

This wonderful card was delivered to the library this morning in recognition of Support Staff Day. It was made by the Creative Creatures children and teachers. Mrs Holden and Mrs Ross think it's the most marvellous card in the world. Thank you to all those who helped create it and for the kind words.