John Schumacher (aka Mr. Schu) is a teacher-librarian at Brook Forest Elementary School in Oak Brook, Illinois. John graduated from St. Xavier University with a Masters in Teaching and Leadership and from Dominican University with a Masters in Library and Information Science. He has taught English in Seoul, South Korea, and is starting his eighth year at Brook Forest. John serves on ALSC’s Children and Technology committee, AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning, and two readers’ choice award committees. He was a judge for School Library Journal‘s 2011 Trailee Awards and recently became a FableVision Ambassador. In his spare time (ummm…what’s that?) he reads, travels, and blogs at Watch.Connect.Read.and Two Libraries, One Voice. John is a 2011 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.
The Skinny
I have the best job in the entire world. I love talking about children’s literature and helping a child find the perfect book. I could discuss children’s books twenty-four hours a day. The best part of my job is when students visit the library to tell me about what they read the night before or to share a cool website. I am very lucky.
Library Laughs
I wish I had photographs to accompany the story you’re about to read. Teni, an avid reader and aspiring writer, tells it best...
One of our 5th graders was strolling out the door. A nearby squirrel had been scurrying around the backside of the school. The squirrel must have been overwhelmed by all 19 of the kids in our class because before we knew it, the squirrel had sprinted through the door. Mrs. Grygienc yelled at the squirrel as if it would understand. “Get down, get down!”she said. Mr. Schu also chased the squirrel around the library. He had to explain to one of the third grade teachers about our squirrel incident. After a brief period of time, the startled squirrel bolted out the library doors. I bet we won’t be seeing that squirrel anytime soon. Maybe he came in to check out a Scaredy Squirrel book? -Teni, Grade 5
Take a Peek Inside My Library
Readers Roar
“My name is Syed. I am a fifth grader. My favorite thing about the library is the Best of Books display. It shows kids and teachers reading their favorite books. Each person tells about the favorite book..I use it to find new books. We get to meet many authors. I’ve met Dan Gutman, Marriane Malone, Kate Messner, Linda Urban, Harry Bliss, Jennifer Holm, Matthew Holm, and Ridley Pearson. I love to read fantasy. I really like Harry Potter, the Dragon Chronicles, and Ranger’s Apprentice.” - Syed, Grade 5
“Mr. Schu has a dramatic aura. He always greets us with a loud HELLO!-” Teni, Grade 5
“Our library has the best books. There are always new books for me to look at.” -Jasmine, Grade 3
“I love when we Skype with authors and illustrators.” Gabrielle, Grade 3
Book Brag: What three books are hot this year? Why?
Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett J. Krosoczka http://www.randomhouse.com/book/202853/lunch-lady-and-the-field-trip-fiasco-by-jarrett-j-krosoczka
Graphic novels rule in my school library! The Lunch Lady series was the most circulated series during 2011.
Any book featured in my Reading Road Trip video.
I Want My Hat Back-- I rarely read the same book to every class, but I Want My Hat Back screams, “READ ME ALOUD! DISCUSS ME!” Oh, the conversations we had.
Author! Author!
Thanks to Anderson’s Bookshop, the best bookshop in the world, authors visit our school throughout the year. We have hosted fifteen authors in three years. I love when an author connects with the audience, interacts with fans during the book signing, and inspires students to write. The pics below show just a few of the authors we've had visit us at Brook Forest Elementary.
DOREEN CRONIN
PETER BROWN
KATE MESSNER
KATEMESSNER and LINDAURBAN
RICHARD PECK
JENNIFER and MATTHEW HOLM
Library Lion’s Roar: ONE LAST BIG ROAR
Shannon McClintock Miller and I live 338 miles apart but connect our libraries, students, and teachers with each other on a daily basis. We use social networking tools and apps to create amazing and rich experiences for our students. You can follow our adventures at Two Libraries, One Voice. http://www.twolibrariesonevoice.com
Let’s Link
Blog(s)
Watch. Connect. Read.: www.mrschureads.com
Two Libraries, One Voice: www.twolibrariesonevoice.com
Thank you, Mr. Schu for the terrific interview!
Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.
Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.
That fifth grader said it best! Mr. Schu does have a dramatic (and wonderful!) aura. Great stuff. Love getting to know all these awesome librarians!
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