Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

¡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 forevermor...

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!

One of the things I promised myself as a librarian was to offer an alternative to "punitive punishments" so many kids endure. We have to escape the "school to prison" mentality. Sometimes that's showing a student mercy, how to ground oneself, and choose a different response to an emotional and/or environmental trigger. I think this blog post on " Revolutionary Mindfulness and Restoration " hits the nail on the head. Whether it's a contemplative practice on social justice like the wonderful leaders over at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and their " Tree of Contemplative Practices... " or something like what I plan to offer my students, kids need a safe, calm space to contemplate outside of academic thinking. Therefore, here's what I will DO: offer the best resource I can... presenting the ZEN DEN!!! Simply put, this is a safe place for every one. Students can reserve/request this space (scan the QR code...

It's the beginning of another school year! I have the fortunate blessing of working with my literary and spiritual sister, KC Boyd, for the BEST and most ENLIGHTENING professional development any librarian can ask for, hands down!!! The above slides are just the creative and visual graphics of the same titled lesson I wrote for PBS NewsHour . Please click on that link because I worked hard to ensure those primary resources were well researched and representative of two icons that used their platforms to change the world: Mrs. Ida B. Wells and Billie "Lady Day" Holiday!   Art has always been a passion of mine. Whether I'm painting, drawing, playing my cello, cooking, I will always interpret and release what is inside of me or provoking a response. That, in essence, is art in its multitudes of forms. I believe everyone has a bit of artist in them. It can be in a craftmanship like old school blacksmiths, sculpture carving like Michelangelo, or fashionable art li...