Caitlin Gooch: The Black Cowgirl

I have met a lot of interesting people on Twitter since the beginning of quarantine. I recently began following a young woman from North Carolina who travels through her town in a truck with a trailer delivering books to children. As an adult who has fond memories of being privileged to have a home library as a child, went on regular visits to the local library throughout elementary, middle and high school and eventually became a classroom teacher turned librarian, her work holds a special place in my heart. Here is a poem that I wrote today as I reflected on the lifelong positive impact she is having in kids' and their families' lives:

Caitlin Gooch: 

The Black Cowgirl

Head held high, truck and trailer in tow

Not on a midnight mare but in her mobile machine

She's traveling through town on a mission:  it's about to go down!

This melanin queen, filled with hope and enthusiasm, brings gifts more valuable than a king's ransom, worth more than their weight in gold

Her saddlebags are full of knowledge, wisdom, insight

Yes, Ms. Gooch, NC's beloved cowgirl, is coming through and bringing books to you and you and you!

 

 

 

Darkness and Despair: Dystopia 2020

We've been on a bewildering journey through an inexplicably strange yet all-too-familiar place--the COVID Corridor. Find your favorite fictional dystopian universe from which you'll eventually be able to escape.

https://padlet.com/martinl33/lsxi9znewfesm6va

Juneteenth: What It Means To Me To Be Free

On Friday, June 19th, I made a statement on Facebook to share how I have been feeling about the current sociopolitical and racial climate in this country. I needed people to know my stance on the issues, my intolerance for racism and my determination to continue to love myself and to be open to courageous cross-cultural conversations.

"Over the past few weeks, I have thought and thought about the perfect poignant post for Juneteenth. I was looking for something hopeful that did not undermine the anger, frustration and pain many of us are feeling. Using my education and talents as a school librarian came to mind. But, then I decided against such an elaborate explanation.  Here is what I see as plain and simple findings of such complicated issues:

1. No matter how loving and kind, "good and obedient" black people are, people will hate us simply for being black,

2. we must continue to love ourselves realizing that those who hate us hate themselves. Why would we expect anything different from them?

3. we must never repay hatred with hatred, and

4. everyone will have to answer to God, sooner or later.

Self-proclaimed Christians who contend that they are taught to love everyone as they continue to fall silent and condone the racism hurled at black people will be held to a stricter/higher level of accountability. Throughout the Bible, God has told us, as spoken through His prophets, that He wants us to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God". Jesus reminds us often that loving one another is loving Him. 

I am doing what I can to stay positive and productive by:

1. having courageous conversations with people who are willing to learn and grow,

2. ridding myself of complacent and toxic people who refuse to accept the truth about themselves and the role they play in systemic oppression, and 

3. being open to being educated and empowered by people who love God and all of his children as seen in their commitment to seeking justice for all.

Happy Juneteenth, Everyone! May we all seek freedom from the spiritual and social bondage that keeps us from being united!"

I urge you to free your heart, mind and soul from the bondage of hatred. Listen. Think. Learn. Grow! 

Building Bridges By Having Courageous Conversations: Discourse During The (Current) Black Lives Matter Movement

I'm going to keep it simple. Consider reading books from any of these lists to start courageous conversations about race and racism in America. Don't worry if you can't find another person to talk with right now. The one that you see in the mirror every morning is the perfect person with whom to start serious reflection and communication.


Young Adult (6th through 12th grades) to Adult 
Race, Racism and Being Anti-Racist

Kindergarten through Young Adult
Through Their Eyes:  A Look At Being Black In America

Make That Move Monday

It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted. My absence doesn't mean there's been inactivity, though. A lot of cool things have happened. I just have to share some of them with you!

Let's see... 

• I created several iMovies for my school district's summer reading program (even though I thought I would never be able to slice and dice audio and video footage)
• I finally joined the SCBWI (The Society Of Children' Book Writers and Illustrators)
• I signed up for an online class that will help teachers create sustainable development goals in their classrooms and libraries
• I told myself (and I believe myself!) that I can do whatever I put my heart and mind to

So, what have you been up? What goals have you accomplished? Today is the day. It's Make That Move Monday!

El Cinco De Mayo

!Buenas Tardes A Todos! Good Afternoon, Everyone!

Today is El Cinco De Mayo, or The 5th Of May! This is significant in Mexican and Mexican-American history because on May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French in the town of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The victory is especially remarkable because the Mexican army was outnumbered 3 to 1: The French had 6,000 soldiers; the Mexicans only had 2,000!

Let's take a virtual trip to Puebla, the 4th largest city in Mexico! When you come back, don't forget to stop by the National Museum Of Mexican Art right here in Chicago, IL. Be sure to let me know what you think. You can post here or send me an email detailing your experiences.

May the 4th Be With You!

Simply say "Han Solo. Princess Leia. Yoda. Luke Skywalker. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Chewbacca. Darth Vader" and most people will shout, "Star Wars!!"

The first Star Wars movie hit theaters back in 1977. Created by American filmmaker George Lucas and considered a space-opera, Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over forty years! 

Visit the official Star Wars website at StarWars.com to learn up-to-date information about the franchise, films, fellow fans and more! 

For all of you book worms like me, check out these Star Wars books that will take you on an intergalactic adventure!  You will find many of them through your local library's ebook/digital media platform, including Hoopla or Overdrive. 

It's OK, Saturday!

Hey, Soggy Saturday!

You. You! What a rainy day! But, it's OK. I wasn't going out anyway. I'm enjoying myself inside while you make it chilly and wet outside. 'Getting my Netflix fix!

Thanks!

Lounging Lori

Freaky Friday, Or Switcharoo!

Have you ever seen the movie, Freaky Friday? It's about a mom and a daughter who woke up one day to find that they had switched bodies. They couldn't switch back, so they were forced to live each other's lives. I think that just happened in nature.

Winter wanted to make a comeback! He told Spring to step aside and let him have the spotlight on center stage. As I look outside my window, I wonder if it's really mid-April. It looks more like early December.

In a way, it's kind of a cool rewind. For a while, it makes me think that we can turn back time. What if we can find that place of health and safety, work and play and more importantly, peace of mind?

Think about something strange that has happened to you in the past week. Was it funny? Did it offer you a good laugh? Was it a problem that needed to be solved? Consider sharing the story with a friend or family member. No matter what, stay strong!

#factsandfaithoverfear
#quaranteam

Happy Good Friday! Chag Sameach!

Granted, we are experiencing some very sad and terrible times. It is hard to be happy when people are sick, bills are due, and there seems to be only darkness at the end of the tunnel. However, if we search our hearts and souls, I am sure that no matter the day, whatever our religious beliefs, we will find that every day is a great day to be joyous and thankful!

Here are some highlights from this week. Be sure to let me know yours. 

I...


talked with a few friends every day for a couple of hours


                                  watched a lot of movies on Netflix
  (pretended to be at the drive-in movie theater when it got dark outside)


cooked more tasty meals than yucky ones


                                   cleaned a section of my room (that's a start!)


          focused on positive, peaceful things to 
      alleviate anxiety and promote productivity

"Spring Break" 2020

Where will you go during your spring break? I know, that's kind of a silly question since we are in #quaranteam. But, it is not an impossible thing to do. Join me in letting stories of all kinds take us to fantastic and faraway places like Hogwarts, Narnia, Neverland, New York City and more! Click on the link below, search for these book in your local library's e-book collection, and let your journey begin!

                     Where Will You Go During Your Spring Break?

Hump Day, April Fools' Day, Or Whatever You Want To Call It Wednesday

It's been a week since my last post. I have experienced many positive things in the past seven days. Amidst this pandemic, I hope something good, exciting and noteworthy has happened to you since then, too! 

Let's see...

I have been making some pretty tasty meals lately--baked chicken and broccoli with a cheese sauce, lamb chops with rice cauliflower and northern bean soup with smoked pork. Yum!

A friend in Michigan keeps me in stitches (laughing until my belly aches) with the Tik Tok videos she texts me all hours of the day and night

I reconnected with a friend that I met about 10 years ago. She is planning to start crocheting (I've been crocheting for over 10 years!) to pass the time. Yay! 

It's been three weeks since schools were closed and we were told to shelter in place. I have been able to adapt and accept the circumstances because I have adjusted my mindset. Amidst this pandemic, I have realized that I may be inside the house, but I am not alone. I am spending quality time with myself. I hope you can come to this realization, too!

We Got This Wednesday (or rather Thankful Thursday)!

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was nice and warm. I went for a long walk, enjoying the sun that continuously shined down upon me. In addition to getting exercise, I was able to get some important things that my mother and I needed. Mission accomplished. I said to myself, "This is a 'We Got This' Wednesday!

What a difference a grateful heart makes! Though, it's chilly and rainy outside today, there is still cause to be thankful! I had great conversations with my cousin and co-workers, my grilled cheese sandwich and veggie soup made for a tasty lunch, and more importantly, everyone in my household feels fine. It's definitely a Thankful Thursday!

What things have made your Wednesday or Thursday noteworthy? Think of three things that you feel good about. Maybe you accomplished a goal. Were you kinder in words and deeds? Did you take time for yourself and give a family member some space, too? Act it, dance it, draw it, or sing it out!

It's Technology Tuesday!

Even though most parents, students and teachers are currently working and learning from home, it may be even more difficult to monitor non-school-related screen time. Video gaming with friends often takes precedence over video conferencing with classmates. Don't worry! Here are some fun, teachable moments that can become daily habits:


1. Turn on the closed captioning feature on computers and TVs. Take turns reading (and acting out!) commercials. Role play--become your favorite character on that Netflix show you've been binge-watching.

2. Each one teach one. Find your favorite app on your phone or computer and become an expert at it. Grab a few "students" and teach them how to use it. For Android users like me, Keep Notes is great for grocery shopping for the family!

3. Keep screens visible to monitor usage. The Internet offers plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun. Unfortunately, each click can expose children to the dangers behind the dot coms. Have frequent conversations about the appropriate way to search and interact with others on the world wide web. Grown-ups, feel free to apply filters, block certain sites and check search histories. Have fun! Be safe! Check out the link below:

                                                   How To Chat Safely Online

We Will Get Through This Together!

It is 2020. 20/20. It is supposed to be a time of perfect vision. Can you recall how many people really believed, more than ever, that is would be "a new year, a new me!"?  Ready. Set. Goals in sight. Go achieve them, right?! Well...

We are living through incredibly scary and uncertain times. There are no hard and fast answers that will make us instantly feel better. Being kind, patient and sensitive will help create a less stressful environment. Engaging in positive activities that bring us joy and those that may help us build better relationships with others are essential.

I have created this super short reading list to connect you with some characters who have had some extraordinarily challenging experiences. Maybe you can identify with some of them. The protagonists in the books below exemplify how--against the odds--human beings can be adaptive, innovative, resilient and self-reliant. Which characters give you a sense of hope? What can you do to offer that sense of hope to those around you?

(Summaries have been taken from amazon.com and Follett Destiny.)

Fiction

Holt, K. A. House Arrest. 

Timothy is on probation. It's a strange word - something that happens to other kids, to delinquents, not to kids like him. And yet, he is under house arrest for the next year. He must check in weekly with a probation officer and a therapist and keep a journal for an entire year. And mostly, he has to stay out of trouble. 

But when he must take drastic measures to help his struggling family, staying out of trouble proves more difficult than Timothy ever thought it would be. Enjoy the follow up book, Knockout.

Mbalia, Kwame.  Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky. 

Seventh-grader Tristan Strong tumbles into the MidPass and, with allies John Henry and Brer Rabbit, must entice the god Anansi to come out of hiding and seal the hole Tristan accidentally ripped in the sky

Reynolds, Jason. As Brave As You Are.

Genie thinks Grandpop must be the bravest guy he's ever known, but he starts to notice that his grandfather never leaves the house - as in NEVER. And when he finds the secret room that Grandpop is always disappearing into - a room so full of songbirds and plants that it's almost as if it's been pulled inside out - he begins to wonder if his grandfather is really so brave after all.

Then Ernie lets him down in the bravery department. It's his 14th birthday, and Grandpop says to become a man you have to learn how to shoot a gun. Genie thinks that is AWESOME until he realizes Ernie has no interest in learning how to shoot. None. Nada. Dumbfounded by Ernie's reluctance, Genie is left to wonder, are bravery and becoming a man only about proving something, or is it just as important to own up to what you won't do?

Tarshis, Lauren. I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919. 

One hundred years ago, a killer wave of molasses struck a crowded Boston neighborhood. Discover the story of this strange disaster in the next book in the New York Times best-selling I Survived series. 

There were warning signs that the molasses tank would break. The steel sides moaned and groaned. Molasses oozed from its seams. But the people of Boston's North End - mostly poor immigrants - were powerless to complain to the big molasses company. On a bright January day in 1919, the tank finally broke and almost three million gallons of molasses rushed the neighborhood. At 15 feet tall, 160 feet wide, and traveling at 35 miles per hour, the gooey wave was more destructive than any flood of water would have been. Lauren Tarshis tells the riveting story of one child who was swept up in the sticky storm and lived to tell the tale.

Non Fiction 

Bausum, Ann.  The March Against Fear:  The Last Great Walk Of The Civil Rights Movement and The Emergence Of Black Power. 

James Meredith's 1966 march in Mississippi began as one man's peaceful protest for voter registration and became one of the South's most important demonstrations of the civil rights movement. It brought together leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, who formed an unlikely alliance that resulted in the Black Power movement, which ushered in a new era in the fight for equality.

Burkhart, Jessica, ed. Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal 

Struggles. 

Have you ever felt like you just couldn't get out of bed? Not the occasional morning, but every day? Do you find yourself listening to a voice in your head that says "you're not good enough," "not good looking enough," "not thin enough," or "not smart enough"? Have you ever found yourself unable to do homework or pay attention in class unless everything is "just so" on your desk? Everyone has had days like that, but what if you have them every day?

Life Inside My Mind is an anthology of true-life events from writers of this generation, for this generation. These essays tackle everything from neurodiversity to addiction to OCD to PTSD and much more. The goals of this book range from providing home to those who are feeling alone, awareness to those who are witnessing a friend or family member struggle, and to open the floodgates to conversation.

Kamkwamba, William.  The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. 

African teenager William Kamkwamba explored science books in his village library when he was forced to drop out of school, and was able to change his family's life by creating a windmill to pump water for his family's farm.

Syed, Matthew. You Are Awesome:   Find Your Confidence and Dare To Be Brilliant At (Almost) Anything! 

Challenge the beliefs that hold you back! Whatever you want to be good at, the right mindset can help you achieve your dreams.

Times journalist, two-time Olympian, and bestselling author Matthew Syed demonstrates how grit, resilience, and a positive mindset can help in every aspect of your life―from school to friendships to sports to hobbies. Using examples of role models from Serena Williams to Mozart, You Are Awesome shows how success is earned rather than given, and that talent can be acquired through practice and a positive attitude.