Books, Bytes & Big Ideas

07/03/2026

When Mel Robbins introduced the world to “The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit,” readers found an empowering guide packed with insightful wisdom and practical strategies. This remarkable book emphasizes the power of self-belief, positivity, and the transformative magic of high fiving oneself. Here are the top ten things you can learn from this inspiring book.

When Mel Robbins introduced the world to "The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit," readers found an empowering guide packed with insightful wisdom and practical strategies. This remarkable book emphasizes the power of self-belief, positivity, and the transformative magic o...

06/30/2026

📚 Our Top 10 Summer Reads for High School Students (2026)
🥇 1. The Hunger Games - A modern classic that still sparks conversations about power, media, and society.
🥈 2. Project Hail Mary - Funny, suspenseful, and packed with science and problem-solving. A great choice even for reluctant readers.
🥉 3. The Hate U Give - An engaging novel that encourages thoughtful discussions about identity, justice, and community.
4. The Inheritance Games - A fast-paced mystery filled with puzzles, secrets, and twists that keeps readers turning pages.
5. Scythe - A thought-provoking science fiction novel exploring ethics, technology, and what it means to be human.
6. Long Way Down - Written in verse, this powerful and accessible novel can be finished in an afternoon but stays with readers much longer.
7. Atomic Habits - A practical nonfiction pick for students preparing for college, careers, or simply building better routines.
8. The Book Thief - Beautifully written historical fiction about courage, friendship, and the power of words.
9. The Martian - Science, survival, humor, and determination combine to make this an unforgettable read.
10. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - A gripping mystery that appeals to teens who enjoy podcasts, true crime, and page-turning suspense.

06/30/2026

☀️ Top 10 Summer Luxuries of a Teacher
1. ☕ Finishing your coffee while it's still hot.
2. ⏰ Waking up because you're rested... not because the alarm says so.
3. 📖 Reading a book simply because you want to.
4. 🍽️ Eating lunch whenever you feel like it—not when the bell rings.
5. 🚗 Going somewhere on a Tuesday morning without requesting time off.
6. 👕 Living in shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops for weeks.
7. 🌞 Spending an afternoon outside without thinking about tomorrow's lesson.
8. 📱 Turning off school email... and actually leaving it off.
9. 😴 Taking a guilt-free afternoon nap.
🔟 🌴 Remembering what weekends are supposed to feel like.

06/30/2026

🤖 AI Isn't Replacing My Creativity... It's Expanding It.
As an educator, librarian, and lifelong learner, people often ask why I use AI tools like ChatGPT to help create graphics, brainstorm ideas, and organize content.
The answer is simple... I don't use AI because I can't be creative.
I use it because it helps me think bigger, explore more possibilities, and spend less time on repetitive tasks.
Instead of developing one idea, I can quickly explore ten. Then I choose, refine, edit, and improve the best one.
AI doesn't replace my judgment, experience, or creativity.
It gives me more time to focus on what matters most—learning, teaching, writing, and creating.
I believe one of the most valuable skills we can teach students today isn't whether to use AI...
It's how to use it thoughtfully, ethically, and creatively.
💬 How are you using AI in your work, classroom, or daily life? Has it changed the way you learn or create?

04/10/2026

Ran a quick poll in the library this week—👉 Favorite season?
Completely unscientific… but also 100% accurate 😂
☀️ Summer dominated. Not even close.
Which makes sense because:
no alarms
no snow
and the general “I’ll deal with it later” energy
Fall held its own 🍁
Spring showed up 🌸
Winter… exists ❄️
One of my favorite parts of being a school librarian is stuff like this—
simple, low-key things that get people to actually stop, think, and interact for a minute.
💬 So now I’m curious—what’s your pick?

04/08/2026

📚🌲 Books & BIG Ideas. What if professional development didn’t feel like…professional development? The Forests of NH Teacher Tour is a 4-day, hands-on experience that takes you beyond the classroom and into the real world of forestry, sustainability, and environmental education.
🌿 Forests of NH Teacher Tour
📍 Based in Alstead, NH
📅 July 21–24
Spend four days immersed in:
The forest industry
Project Learning Tree (PLT) activities
Real-world connections to “green jobs”
Collaboration with educators from across New Hampshire
💡 Walk away with practical strategies, new resources, and a deeper understanding of how to bring nature-based learning into your teaching.
🎓 Earn 30 professional development hours
👥 Open to:
Educators, administrators, counselors, college students, and youth leaders
💵 $250 (register by 4/24/26) | $300 after
Includes lodging, meals, transportation, and a PLT curriculum guide

👉 Learn more and register:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/newhampshireprojectlearningtree/event/2026forestsofnhteachertour/

Sometimes the best ideas don’t come from sitting in a room…
they come from stepping into the forest.

TONE FOREST RECREATION ASSOCIATION, Alstead, NH Each participant will be certified as a Project Learning Tree Educator and will earn 30 hours of Professional Development credit.

04/07/2026

📚🌲 Books & BIG Ideas. What if learning didn’t just happen inside four walls? The “Teaching Youth about Nature with PLT” Workshop is all about getting students outside, thinking differently, and connecting learning to the real world.
🌿 Become a certified PLT educator
📍 The Rocks – Bethlehem, NH
📅 April 15 | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Spend the day exploring hands-on activities from the Project Learning Tree curriculum—designed to bring environmental education to life in any classroom or learning space.
💡 Real tools. Real ideas. Real engagement.
💵 $25 (includes a full PLT curriculum guide)
👉 Learn more and register:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/newhampshireprojectlearningtree/event/415workshop/

Sometimes the best lessons don’t come from a textbook…they come from stepping outside.

Receive PLT’s K-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide, correlated to national and state academic standards (or equivalent, if you have this one)