Audiobooks, Biographies, and Copyright

As I was scrolling through my Twitter feed, I came across this article, 15 Great Audiobooks for Helping Kids Read Better .   I was reminded of my Masters project on the value of audiobooks in supporting literacy.  The article identifies several benefits including the "modeling of good interpretive reading" and helping to "teach critical listening".  Just a reminder that the Marshall Public School media centers have Playaways, Kindles, and there are also online resources such as Tumblebooks (available at Park Side School).  The article lists 15 audiobooks that come highly recommended by teachers for students in K-8.  If you're looking for more titles, YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) also posted a  list of 29 outstanding audiobooks for teens, Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults 2014.

One of my favorite genres is the biography.  Biographies give the reader an intimate view of another life.  The reader may develop perspective and/or tolerance, learn empathy, recognize how persistence and hard work can allow a person to overcome obstacles, learn about history, be inspired, and much more.  While looking through biography trailers online, I came across the memoir Taking Flight:  From War Orphan to Ballerina - Book Trailer .  It tells the story of a young lady adopted from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone, West Africa by an American family, and her rise to stardom in the ballet world.   This book was actually co-written by Michaela DePrince and her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince.  

YALSA also publishes a list of recommended non-fiction titles for young adults that includes several biographical titles YALSA Non-fiction 2014 Finalists and Winner .

Copyright Morsel by Diane Konjura

30+ Websites to Download Free Photos is a great collection of websites that offer free photos. If you or students decide to use photos from these websites, be sure to read if credit needs to be given or if the rights by the creator are such that you can use the photos as you wish.  Consider this resource when asking students to include photos in a project.