Kenneth Oppel

www.kennethoppel.ca

2014 The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel. Cover features a long steam train traveling through pine trees at night. The silhouettes of a girl and boy are shown running along the top of the train. Spooky yellow eyes watch the train going through the forest. Multiple awards. Great audiobook. Other info: Canada History 1867 - 1914 Adventure fiction How long will it take him to travel the 9 miles back to the locomotive while in disguise and being chased?!

Award winning historical fiction.
A story of intrigue on a 9 mile train after Will witnesses a murder while searching for a circus girl.

Full of circus tricks, fantasy creatures, and personal relationships. A good story told well.

Appropriate for ages 8+
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#railroadfiction
#circusfiction

Thankful always for active parents who take a deep interest in their child's life and development. How I love witnessing you all singing along at storytime, listening quietly to book club discussions, and gently wrangling on field trips. You are making a difference in this world.

#librarylife
#win

Nine Nasty Words English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever Black type on an orange background. Large typeface of H*LL, SH*T, and D@MN take up the entire cover. White text boxes highlight Nine Nasty Words, John McWhorter, and New York Times bestseller

Like an expansion of George Carlin's 7 Dirty Words

McWhorter, a linguist, goes deep into academic etymologies to explain where several of our favorite *taboo words came from.

He is very funny and a huge theater nerd. I learned so much!

Highly recommend!
*Listen with headphones in public!

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Three large buttons. Make Love not War, Bans off our Bodies, When Injustice Becomes Law Resistance Becomes Duty

Made it to No King's today!
I hope you did, too.

A staffer sent this to me:

Once upon a time...a long long time ago...I wrote some rhyme and told you so:
Children's librarians are a breed apart from all the rest
They have a sharing congenital spirit as vast as Everest
Stay happy stay blest...I wish you all the best!

for Boss's Day
#poetry

if a miniature service horse EVER came into the branch, NO MATTER WHAT MY LOCATION, EVEN ON MY DAY OFF - I was to be alerted immediately.

I don't think it was too much to ask.

#goals
#managing
#librarylife

Under the ADA, only dogs and miniature horses can be considered "service animals."

Official service animals are allowed into the public library.

Every staff member I have ever managed was well acquainted with and reminded of this rule:

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A still life arrangement of a tote bag, vase with flowers, scarf, apple, orange, package of honey, a bumblebee pin, and two bottles of perfume on a white round placemat. There is a posted sign that says, Art Installation. Do not touch."

A friend and I set to work adding and rearranging. As the day wore on, several items mysteriously joined the scene.

A coworker met me in the hall by the staff room and asked while pointing, "Did you do this?"

"Um.....yeah."

How did she know?

#workgoals

On Wednesday, I took 3 apples from our kitchen and put them on the "free" spot at work. By that afternoon, only 1 remained - on a white placemat.

When I got to work this morning, the one apple and placemat had been joined by a small orange. It was clearly the beginning of a still life.

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Turns out, he, Spencer, won a game, and when asked about his "costume," he said, "Nope, this is just me."

He made it into the final costume contest anyway and received a fair amount of votes.

#conversationswithstrangers
#BINGO

The next event was Drag Bingo with an 80's rocker wig theme. We encouraged them to come. I said, "Sir, you can just come as you are!" and they both laughed.

They showed up! She in an 80's pink sweatshirt and he in a long brown suede coat with fur trim and, of course, that gorgeous hair.

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We were finishing up a game of bingo at our hippie grocery store when a young couple came in to eat dinner. She was lovely and he had a glorious head of long reddish-blonde hair and a trim beard ala Gregg Allman.

They asked about the bingo schedule, and we invited them to join next time.

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I said, "There are lots of avenues and specialties you can try in librarianship - think about it."

We eventually parted ways and resumed our shopping.

Just doing my best to swell the ranks of incoming professionals.

#conversationswithstrangers
#librarianinginthewild
#librarylife
#libraryschool

I laughed and said, "Yeah, it worked out to be a good choice. You know, if you ever wonder what to do with your career...consider library school."

The original reader said, "You know, my friend did that after getting her English degree and now she's a librarian in Atlanta."

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I said, "I've told many kids they don't have to finish a book they aren't enjoying...EXCEPT for school. Finish those- and take notes on what you didn't like so you can have discussions in class. Your teacher will love it!"

They both laughed and one said, "No wonder kids here are so smart!"

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"Since 1998." I said.

This interested them - I assume since they were both in their early 20s. What followed was a barrage of questions about the job and my tattoos and books I've read.

These polite young adults commented that I must have read to a lot of kids. To this, I agreed.

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She smiled and said, "I guess I know that- but I'd feel guilty."

I said, "I'm a librarian. I can assure you there is zero guilt. If it's not working for you, move on."

She considered this and said, "Coming direct from a librarian means something. Thank you. How long have you been a librarian?"

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I was in the clearance books when two young woman came over. One pointed to a title and said, "I tried to get through this one, but I just couldn't do it. I mean, I really tried."

I said in a friendy/conspirtorial voice, "You know, you don't have to finish a book you don't enjoy."

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100 year old poster for the American Library Association. "Library work the professiin on which all other professions and occupations depend" "Library work puts the librarian in touch with every human interest."

Looking for something in your life? Let me talk you into going to Library School. Seriously.

#librarylife
#nerds
#LibrarySky
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Today, staff got to see (not touch) a 28-star American flag that was in use from July 4, 1846 to July 3, 1847 - the one year between Texas and Iowa becoming states.

It will be framed and on display for the America 250 celebration at the State History Museum.

#librarylife

Yes, yes it does.

#babygoats
#blueskygoats
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Our State Archivist handed me an original copy of the excerpts of the first Continental Congress. 1774.

Tears. I was overcome!

Also, reaffirmed in my choice of public service librarian because clearly I would get *zero* work done in the archives.

#nerd
#librarylife
#booksky
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3

I love bookstores.
And books.
And readers.

#conversationswithstrangers
#strangerswhoarealreadyfriends
#librarianinginthewild

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2

First excitedly asked if I'd read the spin-off series. I had.
Second asked if I'd read Gregor the Overlander. I had.

Age and generations faded away while we spent the next 10 minutes excitedly talking about titles we loved, libraries, and volunteer work.

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I was standing near two twenty-something men at Half Price Books when I overheard one telling the other about the Ranger's Apprentice series. He said, "It's really good." I turned and agreed with him. I loved that series.

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He's not wrong.

Have you?

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#fundlibraries
#keepreading

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Make the time, asshat.

Guess what we did today - I'll give you some hints:

"Mime is money."

"These go to 11."

"You know what I n-n-neeed."

"None more black."

"To the stage!"

"He was the patron saint of quality footwear."

"Have a good time...ALL the time."

41 years old. Still holds up (to 11).

#ThisisSpinalTap