Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian!

Whether you celebrate Bohdi Day or Kwanzaa, this month's newsletter is stuffed with all sorts of goodies to make your holidays cheerful and bright! Enjoy!  

  ¡Felíz Día de los Muertos! Today, we celebrate the lives of our Ancestors in my culture. I do it always, but especially today. On October 26, 2022, I lost my beloved Aunt Pearl. She loved to cook, laugh and dance. On the outside, she held it together. However, she also tried mightily to survive domestic violence [1.800.799.7233, Domestic Violence Hotline.  Click here  for shelter information in the state of TX]. So many of our households suffer due to that dirty secret. She's at peace and free. I will remember her always and tenderly in my heart. She taught me so much about cooking and devoured my homemade cheesecake every time she could. Here's the my tribute to her:   On a lighter note, here's the November library newsletter with a special feature of Dr. Debbie Reese 's work as a fierce advocate for Indigenous Nations. Here's a wonderful article/interview of Dr. Reese on the topic Book Bans and Native Representation ." Enjoy!     I love you forevermore,

When I tell you that Halloween 2020 about broke my beloved 12 y/o (at that time), I promise you, it's the gospel. This was the 1st time, I allowed him to wear a scary costume AND give out candy. We decorated the bushes, changed the porchlight and purchased 25 lbs of candy...and not a single soul would approach him. He scared them all, grown folks, kiddos and teens. One parent argued he wasn't a kid. After 2 hrs, he came in and sobbed. He begrudgingly accepted that he was too scary. What say you, my friends?? Was he too scary? Before it slips my mind, Happy Birthday, JJ. You're the best soulmate for me! You, your brother, and our connection breathes life into the worst of my days! For those kiddos here looking for directions to the scary story contest, here are the details: Halloween Descriptive Writing Presentation by Eboni Darnell Everyone else, I hope you enjoy this October newsletter. It's full of resources, as always. Enjoy!

I can't preach inclusion, representation and diversity and not look out para mi gente. ! Este es mi primer boletín en Español! !Disfruta! Este es un video sobre la importancia de los hispanoamericanos via una "webinar":

Nothing like being banned to help a teenager select a worthy book to read!!! :) I'm not saying that I do my part in ensuring students have books that they WANT to read but...I promise you and my kids, they will read stories about them, their lives and whatever other reflection they need to guide and govern themselves with intellectual freedom! For those of us librarians in Texas, we've been ordered and CENSORED by the GOP party/Govenor of certain Texans to remove 850 books. Never mind the mindset of "putting kids first" and "diversity is the fabric of life," books that represent all Texans are being pulled from the shelves . But guess what? My hometown, the Bayou City of Houston, TX is on to these suckers. To read more excerpts, click here . Or if you want to hear more of my thoughts on this scandulous, trumped up foolishness, then by all means, here you go . P.S.A.: The truth doesn't have to censor, hide or deny its mission. Having said

It's September...where "sweat-hogs" line the football fields and summer scalds us for the last time in Texas! It's also the season of "new beginnings" as it relates to the start of a new school year! Here's our monthly newsletter at Dessau MS. Enjoy!