The Kids' Scoop from the Swoop
Bringing the Library to You!
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The Youth Services Department understands that many of us may be finding the days really long right now and we want to help families fill those hours with enriching and stimulating activities. Writing is an activity your children can pursue outside of school - writing stories, letters, poetry; keeping a journal; and blogging are all wonderful ways to exercise the brain. Even if your child is not yet in school, you can help your child understand how writing works, that it connects to reading, and that it communicates information through words and symbols. It may not always be easy but we’re here to help make it fun!
Looking for a way to motivate and inspire your tween or teen to write? Look no further!
The Youth Passion Project
(YPP) has free classes in Creative Writing, Analytical Writing, and Songwriting.
Taught by Scarsdale High School Students, t
he YPP fosters the passions of younger learners. Session two starts next week, so don’t hesitate to learn more about the 20 different courses taught by 17 passionate high school students!
Speaking of inspired teens, congratulations to all that participated in the
2020 GPL Teen Poetry Contest
! The judges were quite impressed with the level of emotion and passion contained in each of the nearly 60 poems submitted. This year’s winners are as follows:
1st Place - Aaliyah Ali - "to whom it least concerns"
2nd Place - Sophie Gustin - "Edge of Adolescence"
3rd Place - Norah Baldwin - "Tea(ch)"
Honorable Mentions:
Iris Liang - "Diluted Darling"
Justin Friedberg - "Addiction"
Darren Amona - "The Box"
We are considering some rule changes, so look out for that for next year. Again, congratulations to all who participated. Poetry is alive and well at GPL. Hey, that rhymes!
We have included a small sampling of writing-related resources from our wonderful
E-Library
to help inspire and guide your budding writers! And don’t forget to send us your child’s poetry to include on our
Virtual “Poetree”
!
Thank you for
subscribing
to
Kids' Scoop from the Swoop.
We are looking forward to seeing you in person but until then, check-in with us as some of our virtual
programming
.
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Rocket loves books and he wants to make his own, but he can't think of a story. Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story.
George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There's just one thing that the two friends don't know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?
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Bestselling author Dan Gutman helps kids master this important skill with this fun, informative writing guide.
Elementary: Writing is an important skill that kids use almost every day. Whether they're working on a school report or writing about their day, here are some series with tips and tricks that will help them become writing experts:
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Tween:
Aspiring writers will be pointed in the right direction to start a variety of writing projects. From poetry to persuasive essays, each book in these series guides readers through a different writing process:
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What makes a writer? The desire to tell a story, a love of language, an eye for detail, practice, practice, practice. How well should you know your characters? Do you need to outline before you write? How important is length? Walter Dean Myers, a former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, walks you through the writing process.
The most important skill you can have in any field or subject is the ability to express yourself with eloquence and confidence in writing. The tools and rules needed are simple and easy to remember. Learn everything you need to know to write engaging and informative essays, stories and research papers. Find ways to take the writing skills you have learned in school and apply them to real world tasks, be they work related or personal.
This book is an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to create comics, improve their knowledge of the industry and the craft, and/or be simultaneously entertained and informed by this remarkable, forthright and ultimately charming writer as he openly discusses how to overcome the odds and create comics – even if you can't draw them yourself.
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Newbery Award–winning author Jack Gantos shares advice for how to be the best, brilliant writer in this funny and practical writing guide perfect for all kids who dream of seeing their name on the spine of a book.
Author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing with humor, honesty, and wisdom. You'll see that you, too, can make magic with your writing.
Poetry is more than rhyming words on a page. A poem is crafted by carefully selecting each word and rhythm. But how does a poet get started? Finding inspiration is as easy as looking at a picture.
Drama is more than dialogue written for actors. A piece of drama is crafted by carefully developing each character and scene. But how does a playwright get started? Finding inspiration is as easy as looking at a picture.
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Preschool and up: Check out one of Hoopla Digital
262 read-along
videos of children’s picture books!
Ruby needs absolute quiet while she tries to write a story. But Max wants to play cowboy.
Will, an enthusiastic young boy, meets a friendly alien from outer space who needs help passing on his message to humankind. In the process, Will teaches the eager alien how to write all of the letters of our alphabet. So, grab a pencil and sheet of paper and get ready to learn all about letter formation from A to Z in a program that is out of this world!
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A hysterical journal about the daily doings and the hidden world of a lovable underground dweller that will be sure to delight kids both young and old.
An exciting tale of self-discovery, this is the story about the exclamation mark. It's about fitting in and standing out, and with the help of others, finding your way. We all have an inner exclamation mark- the question is how to find it!
Dr. Hannah Blevins Harvey unpacks more than 60 of our most beloved stories, fables, fairy tales, and songs from around the world. Not only does she provide you with a fascinating in depth view into the history, context, and deeper meaning of the tales we know and love, she also treats you to dynamic, theatrical, and engaging tellings of these cherished tales.
Fans, readers and artists of all ages will thrill to watch this film about Eric Carle's life and creative process. Listen and watch as he creates his picture, remembers his childhood, reflects on the creative life he has led for decades as the creator of more than 70 books for children.
Whatever kind of learning style students have, all it takes to
strengthen and improve their writing is following a series of guidelines and techniques. They'll discover the secrets to choosing powerful words, building effective paragraphs, organizing entire essays, spending the right amount of time drafting and editing their work, and more.
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How to Enter: Describe your favorite book in a way that will convince a reader who doesn't know anything about the book to pick it up and read it – and write your recommendation as a haiku!
"Haiku" is a traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables.
Grades 2–6
Entries Must Be Received by 5/15/2020
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Author Jason Reynolds'
“
Write. Right. Rite.
,” a
“
GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story
” initiative, video series
encourages young people to tell their own stories. Each episode addresses young people directly and provide helpful ways to express creativity through various prompts and activities. Videos are posted twice a week (Tuesday and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. EST) through April and May 2020, with more videos to be posted throughout the summer. Viewers are encouraged to share their projects on social media using the hashtags -- #WriteRightRite and #tellyourstorywithjason !
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Creating a Hobby Book is slightly different from keeping a traditional writing journal but there are the literacy benefits of writing, labeling and storytelling.
Making and Keeping a Hobby Book
- Blog written by Erica@What We Do all
Day.
How to Begin with Lauren Wolk
Newbery Honor-winning author of WOLF HOLLOW, BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA, and ECHO MOUNTAIN, helps students begin their own writing projects.
READsquared
help you turn that blank page into an unforgettable story! F
or Teens
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