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Prior to the sessions in our school's
library, Mr. Don Magyaris and Mr. Butch Kruger spent extra time relocating the furniture.
They set up
temporary seating and placed the library back in order
for the next day. |
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Ms. Newman visited with Mrs. Young
and one of our school library's
student aides. Our student worked as a student
ambassador and helped Ms. Newman with anything she may
have needed. They chatted about the experiences in Lesléa Newman's life and how it influenced her books. |
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| To read a book is one thing, to
listen to an award winning author share her work is
another. Lesléa Newman read from a rough draft for the
opening of Hachiko Waits. Most of the school's 6th grade
students had the opportunity to listen to a classroom
teacher read Hachiko Waits. Students then compared
earlier versions of the 23 drafts of Hachiko Waits to
the finished product. |
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To write a fiction book, even the
best writers need to study. Ms. Newman shared an article
about Hachi as well as how she found other details for
her book. |
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What's in the furoshiki? A
furoshiki is a colorful scarf that is used to carry
items or hold a gift. Ms. Newman demonstrated how one
was used. When opened it revealed her gold medal from
the
Dog Writers Association. Throughout
her entire presentation, she share bits of Japanese
culture that appear as important details throughout the
book. |
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At the end of each session, Ms.
Newman spent some time chatting with students while she
signed copies of Hachiko Waits for the student as well as the school's
library. |
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20 students from our sister school,
Oak View Elementary joined us for this celebration of
quality children's literature. Their visit to Brooks was
made possible by the coordinated actions of Mr. Holtz
and Mrs. Peterson. Each of these students independently
read the book to qualify for the visit. |
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Ms. Newman's visit was coordinated
by Mr. Holtz, the Librarian at Brooks Middle School.
Ms. Newman visited Brooks, Martinez Middle School, BJ
Ward Elementary School, Beverly Skoff Elementary School,
Fountaindale Public Library, and Willow Springs School.
Her visit to Brooks Middle School was made possible by
fundraising efforts of various parent volunteers. |
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November 28th, 2007 was a special day for Brooks Middle School's
students. The day filled with energy and
excitement in anticipation of a visiting gifted author. It is amazing how eager our students
were to be involved in this special program.
Ms. Newman's book, Hachiko
Waits is an award winning children's novel. Recently, it has
placed 3rd in the Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book
Choice Award and was recognized by the Dog Writers Association
of America Maxwell Medallion, Best Book of Fiction in 2005. The
book has been popular with young readers throughout the United
States and has won numerous awards.
Brooks Middle School's 6th graders were prepared for Ms. Newman's visit by reading
Hachiko Waits in a variety of ways. Mrs. Hurder's, Mr. Emig's,
Mrs. Adkin's, Mrs. Wiese's and Mrs. Gabriel's classes spent time reading
the book aloud, sharing it in groups as well as reading it independently
over the weeks prior to Ms. Newman's visit.
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