Transmedia Storytelling

Hovious, Amanda S. Transmedia Storytelling: The Librarian's Guide. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2015.
ISBN: 978-1-4408-3848-4

Definition 
"Transmedia storytelling takes the traditional art of storytelling to a whole new level, delivering a fictional story across multiple media platforms -- whether physical, digital, or both -- to create a truly immersive storytelling experience" (p. 3).

Publisher's Description
This practical and thorough guide offers clear explanations of what transmedia storytelling is and shows how it can be integrated into library programming that fosters multimodal literacy with K–12 learners.

When fictional worlds are brought to life in multiple media—via books and comics or through films, animated shorts, television, audio recordings, and games—it is called "transmedia storytelling." Transmedia storytelling offers children's and teen librarians at public libraries, K–12 school librarians, and educators an effective method for bringing story to youth—a perfect fit for today's media-saturated environment. This book demonstrates how to create new pathways to the future of stories and storytelling.

The book serves as a guide to integrating transmedia storytelling into library programs and services. It defines transmedia storytelling, identifies the key connections between it and 21st-century learning, discusses the role of librarians and libraries in supporting and promoting transmedia storytelling, and provides concrete examples of transmedia programs. The suggested programs—ranging from transmedia storytimes for early literacy learners to maker programs for young adults—can be implemented with different levels of technology capabilities and within numerous library settings. In addition, the book offers practical advice on technology planning for libraries that plan to incorporate transmedia storytelling.

Features

• Offers the first practical guide to transmedia storytelling that gives librarians new ways to create excitement in the library, engage learners, and foster multiple literacies
• Provides complete, step-by-step guidelines for transmedia-rich library programs
• Introduces new areas of research and best practices in technology integration wholly applicable to libraries
• Covers topics such as new literacies, participatory storytelling, learning through gamification, maker programs, using digital badges to motivate young learners, and more

The Common Core Approach to Building Literacy in Boys

Knowles, L., & Smith, M. (2014). The Common Core Approach to Building Literacy in Boys. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-61069-653-7

Publisher's Description
Written with a focus on the English Language Arts Common Core Standards, this book provides a complete plan for developing a literacy program that focuses on boys pre-K through grade 12.

Despite the fact that reading and literacy among boys has been an area of concern for years, this issue remains unresolved today. Additionally, the emphasis and focus have changed due to the implementation of the English Language Arts Common Core Standards. How can educators best encourage male students to read, and what new technologies and techniques can serve this objective? The Common Core Approach to Building Literacy in Boys is an essential resource and reference for teachers, librarians, and parents seeking to encourage reading in boys from preschool to 12th grade.

Providing a wide array of useful, up-to-date information that emphasizes the English Language Arts Common Core Standards, the bibliographies and descriptions of effective strategies in this book will enable you to boost reading interest and performance in boys. The chapters cover 16 different topics of interest to boys, all accompanied by a complete bibliography for each subject area, discussion questions, writing connections, and annotated new and classic nonfiction titles. Information on specific magazines, annotated professional titles, books made into film, websites, and apps that will help you get boys interested in reading is also included.

Features

• Examines and evaluates the most recent research about boys and nonfiction reading

• Addresses the intersections of Common Core Standards and literacy for boys

• Provides annotated bibliographies of recommended books as well as lists of apps and other software for boys

• Offers educators effective strategies to promote reading with boys and advice for parents in developing a home reading plan for their sons

Table of Contents 
Introduction
Boys and Literacy: The Research
Common Core English Language Arts: The Research
Read Like a Detective and Write Like a Journalist
Strategies for Change
Chapter 1: Action and Adventure
Chapter 2: Art and Music
Chapter 3: Comics and Graphic Novels
Chapter 4: Exceptionalities
Chapter 5: Explorations and Journeys
Chapter 6: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Chapter 7: History and Historical Fiction
Chapter 8: Humor and Poetry
Chapter 9: LGBT
Chapter 10: Math and Numbers
Chapter 11: Mechanics and Technology
Chapter 12: Nature, Environment, and Animals
Chapter 13: Realistic Fiction and Social Issues
Chapter 14: Science and Space
Chapter 15: Sports
Chapter 16: Thriller and Mystery
Appendix A: Apps
Appendix B: Authors -- Just for Boys
Appendix C: Books Made into Films
Appendix D: Magazines -- Just for Boys
Appendix E: Web Sites
Appendix F: Annotated Professional Resources
Works Cited
Index

Reading in the Wild

Miller, Donalyn, with Susan Kelley. Reading in the Wild: The Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-47090-030-7

Publisher's Description

A companion to the bestselling The Book Whisperer, Reading in the Wild explores whether or not we are truly instilling lifelong reading habits in our students and provides practical strategies for teaching "wild" reading. Based on survey responses from over 900 adult readers and classroom feedback, Reading in the Wild offers solid advice and strategies on how to develop, encourage and assess key lifelong reading habits, including dedicating time for reading, planning for future reading, and defining oneself as a reader.

• Includes advice for supporting the love of reading by explicitly teaching lifelong reading habits
• Contains accessible strategies, ideas, tips, lesson plans and management tools along with lists of recommended books
• Co-published with Editorial Projects in Education, publisher of Education Week and Teacher Magazine

Packed with ideas for helping students choose their own reading material, respond to text, and build capacity for lifelong reading.

For the Love of Reading

Baumann, Nancy L. For the Love of Reading: Guide to K-8 Reading Promotions. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61069-189-5

Publisher's Description

This insightful book reviews the current research on literacy programming, examines the latest standards for strengthening reading skills, and provides educators, families, and caregivers methods for building successful reading habits in and out of the classroom.

Research indicates that children need more than classroom instruction to become proficient readers. Unfortunately, few parents realize how simple, everyday practices can build a lifelong love of reading. Educators, diligent with employing mandatory literacy standards, may overlook families and support systems as tools for improving student performance. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the various methods of reading instruction, analyzing the pedagogy behind Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), the importance of reading aloud to children, and the necessity of working the home-school connection.

For the Love of Reading: Guide to K–8 Reading Promotions provides strategies and tips for setting up successful reading environments for children, including having a well-stocked library collection; engaging students through book clubs, reading lists, and prepared book talks; and involving student and adult volunteers. The author asserts that the entire school community—teachers, librarians, parents, caregivers, and administrators—must work together to promote literacy.

Features
• Includes a step-by-step implementation and explanation of each reading program
• Features forms, book talks, recommended book lists, photographs, and valuable websites
• Provides literacy workshop agendas for parents and caregivers
• Offers methods for soliciting and working with literacy volunteers
• Each reading program is described in detail to facilitate replication at public schools, public libraries, and home-schools
• An extensive list of vendors, professional development materials, and websites offer additional teaching support
• Prepared book talks, reading lists, and templates for programs provide the basis for immediate implementation
• Reading programs proven successful in inner city, rural, and suburban elementary and middle schools as well as public libraries are included

Sample Topics
Benefits of Book Clubs
Building a Reading Habit
Collaborating with Teachers and Administrators
Home-School Connection
Importance of a Professional Librarian
Importance of a Strong Library Collection
Importance of Reading Aloud at Any Age
Independent Reading Time
Involving Families and Caregivers
Literacy Skill-Building
Mock Newbery
Prepared Book Talks
Professional Development
Reading and Television Viewing Habits
Reading Lists
Reading To Children
Standards-Based Reading Programs
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)
Vocabulary Development
Working with Volunteers

Read It Forward

Kay, Linda. Read It Forward. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-59884-808-3

Publisher's Description

Most school librarians have experienced the phenomenon of suggesting a title to a young patron only to have the student unconditionally snub the recommended novel. Two weeks later, the same student returns begging for that title because, this time, a friend suggested it. Such is the power of peers—and of Read It Forward.

With this practical guide, it's easy to implement the proven fun—and learning—of a read-it-forward program in your middle school library. Teens recommend books to other teens, offering a surefire way to promote books and reading.

Finding the right book for each student is almost impossible if you serve several hundred students, as most school librarians do. Read It Forward offers an innovative way around that problem: a program that lets librarians saturate the school with a title that encourages middle school students to read for pleasure. As an added bonus, Read It Forward (RIF) creates learning opportunities that can be leveraged across the curriculum.

The program presented here is based on the author's experience with a community RIF project that was a collaborative effort among nine middle school librarians from schools with varying needs and socioeconomic levels. This thoroughly practical book takes librarians through the process step by step, offering specific examples of what worked and what didn't, then showing how the process can be extended to almost any book. The author also discusses other aspects of running a successful RIF program—such as getting buy-in from school administrators, the PTA, and department chairs—so that parents and teachers can collaborate in the experience.

Features
• An easy-to-follow process for creating an RIF program in any middle school
• Testimonials from those who have initiated and run RIF projects
• Specific examples of what works and what doesn't
• Resource lists from which librarians can draw in creating their own programs
• Offers librarians step-by-step guidance in running a read-it-forward project in which students are encouraged to read books then pass them on to others
• Shows how RIF encourages interest in reading for middle school students during a period when they often stop reading for recreation
• Discusses how RIF can provide a focus for library programming throughout the school year, connecting it to academics
• Demonstrates ways to get students excited about reading by connecting it to the curriculum they are studying

Sample Topics
21st-Century Learning
Curriculum Connections
Extra-Curricular Activity
Library Public Relations
Literacy
Pleasure Reading
Reading and Technology
Reading Program
Reading Promotion
Real-World Connections to Reading