Marcia Stepanek's Weblog

August 9, 2008, was the culmination of over 4 years of hard work at USF. “I did it!” Now I’m proud to be a USF Alumni! Go Bulls.

Today I graduated from the Year 4 of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute in Tallahassee. Graduation was held at the Florida State Library and Archives.

Tonight I retold the fable, A Whale of a Tale, in class!

I am happy to report that Summer 2008 is my last semester in the SLIS program at USF.

On May 9, 2008, I co-presented a “Kick up your readers’ advisory skills for kids and teens” session at the VIP Conference at the St. Pete Community College with Diane, the Homosassa Public Library youth librarian. I had never presented at a conference and it was a great experience.

Comps is coming June 9–that’s about 4 weeks from now!

August 1, 2008, I graduate from the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute at the Florida State Library in Tallahassee. Only 3 more trips to Port Orange, FL–like I’m counting.

August 9, 2008 is graduation at USF in Tampa! Wish me luck– the next 10+ weeks will be extremely challenging for me. Hang on–I’m in for a wild ride!!

A classic from C. S. Lewis. I listened to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on CD. I have the movie on DVD and will watch it soon. Similar to Harry Potter, I image the characters myself, then watch the movie to see how Hollywood brought them to life.

Genre: Fantasy

Twilight is tThe first book in the Twilight Saga. A must read–I can’t wait to read Book #2, New Moon and #3 Eclipse.

Genre: Horror/Romance

1994 Newbery Medal winner.

From Amazon.com “In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community’s Receiver of Memories.”

Excellent! A must read.
The Giver is also a challenged book.
Genre: Science Fiction

My introduction into YA fantasy was Magyk by Angie Sage. It is the first in the Septimus Heap series (Flyte is #2 and Physik is #3. Coming in April ’08 is #4, Queste). I listened to the book on CD in my car.

Grade 4-8, Ages 9-12.
Genre: Fantasy

This Spring 2008 semester I am taking Dr. Linda Alexander’s young adult literature class. I have been saving young adult literature and children’s literature as my last two classes in the SLIS program. I will report on my readings, as well as what other’s in my class are reading in my blog, so come back and visit often.

In August 2007, I was accepted into the 4th class of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute. I’ll be attending monthly classes in Port Orange, FL at the Port Orange Public Library.