My Books

Linking Picture Biographies to National Content Standards

by Liz Deskins & Christina Dorr

Over the past ten years or so, quality nonfiction written for children and young adults has flourished, and there are now many picture book biographies that can help engage students and meet national content standards. The authors begin the book by describing the great resurgence of quality nonfiction in education and the many options available to teachers.

Additionally, they detail the researched benefits of reading aloud to students of all ages. The picture book biographies listed in the book meet national content standards in science, social studies, English, fine arts, and physical education. The book is broken down into chapters by subject and each chapter shows the standards a particular picture book biography meets as well as bibliographic information, a short description of the book, essential questions that could be paired with a unit, and additional biographies. This could be a great resource for the teacher resource section of a school library or for anyone looking to incorporate read-alouds and picture books into existing curriculum.

School Library Connection

Many great picture book biographies I need to add to my library's collection... and many great ideas for content collaboration!

This slim, informative volume will be helpful to new and more experienced librarians alike.It is particularly helpful, and necessary, to those for whom dealing with LGBTQAI+ literature and/or issues poses a challenge. The foreword, introduction, and "Final Thoughts" sections are must-reads, as they provide support for librarians concerned with any aspects of LGBTQAI+ and make many salient points that practitioners can take to heart as they serve these demographics in their library communities. The history of LGBTQIA+ literature for children and teens is discussed. The authors acknowledge that society as a whole has "turned a corner" regarding acceptance, but still has work to do. Readers need to see themselves reflected in the literature they read as well as be able to engage with characters that are different than they are in order to develop empathy and fully experience the diversity of the real world. The books included in this volume, along with others, will provide mirrors, windows, and doors for readers into an important and vital subject. There is a wealth of professional support and collection development assistance here.

LGBTQAI+ Books for Children and Teens

by Christina Dorr & Liz Deskins

An excellent book full of thoughtful ideas and important points about why selecting LGBTQAI+ books is about diversity and inclusiveness. Including of a broad range of books from board books through YA nonfiction with summary details and author websites, an excellent resource for everyone from those starting a collecting [sic] to those who just need a few more title suggestions.

A solid resource of book lists of children’s/teen books with LGBTQAI+ themes, all published in or before 2017. Great arguments about why these books belong in libraries and why teachers and librarians should treat having them available as a basic patron right.

Citing powerful research and quotations from other advocates for diversity, the authors argue in their introduction that including LGBTQAI+ literature in libraries and curricula is part of taking a stand for basic human rights. A history of children’s and YA LGBTQAI+ literature is followed by ways to address book challenges ... This volume does a superb job on many fronts. An essential purchase for public and school libraries, especially given that few other selections on this topic exist.

LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens (Second Edition)

by Kathleen Breitenbach & Liz Deskins

Comprehensive ... This book is an excellent reference guide for school and public youth librarians looking to improve representation of the LGBTQAI+ community in their library's collection.

[T]he book’s tone is warm and its advice universally applicable to school and public libraries large and small, rural and urban ... A solid starting point for someone new to LGBTQAI+ literature.

Content-Area Collaborations for Secondary Grades

by Liz Deskins

This book provides lessons as part of larger project-based learning units that assume librarians are an integral part of unit planning at secondary schools. That being said, if that's not a possibility or general practice at your school, most of the lessons (organized under AASL standard domains within each shared foundation) can be adapted and revised to work within the collaborative options you might have. I think there are some lessons, even units, I could market to teachers as a spin on current units they have. Many of the documents are worth recreating and adapting to current lessons I've already taught to students or units teachers have implemented. Some useful stuff in here. Our secondary librarians read this as part of a book study. We have had one initial reflective discussion and are now adapting and adding lessons that coincide with current units taught in our buildings to our secondary librarian toolkit.

Contributing to the publisher's ongoing series, Deskins's practical and valuable guide highlights opportunities for librarians and teachers to collaborate on lessons based on the six shared foundations: inquire, include, collaborate, curate, explore, and engage. The author and a team of librarians together built clear, concise, and accessible units. Each chapter focuses on a foundation and begins with an overview, essential questions, and pre-assessment, followed by three units geared toward middle or high school students. Each of the units has four lessons that progress logically through the four domains (think, create, share, and grow) and follow a consistent organizational template that includes both objective American Association for School Librarians standards and content-related standards. Worksheets, organizers, and rubrics accompany the lessons. Most of the resources are readily available with minimal preparation, with the exception of copies of shared texts. The standards are the keys to opening conversations with teachers about opportunities to collaborate. The well-organized lessons give librarians specific ideas with which they can approach classroom teachers. An appendix of additional resources supplements the featured resources throughout the book. Librarians will find this accessible and useful collection of lessons beneficial in building collaboration. The book is an invitation for librarians and classroom teachers to find common ground built on shared standards and a foundation that strengthens their ability to work together on dynamic lessons that will resonate with students.

VERDICT Highly recommended for secondary school librarians.

Read my interview with the American Library Association here.

Excerpt: A school librarian for 30 years, Liz Deskins is an adjunct professor for Kent State University as well as a very active speaker and presenter. She's also written several books, including (with co-author Christina Dorr) 2018's best-selling LGBTQAI+ Books for Children and Teens: Providing a Window for All. We had such a great time interviewing her for that book that speaking with her again about Content-Area Collaborations for Secondary Grades, her newest title, felt like a no-brainer. The book uses the AASL Standards Framework for Learners to demonstrate ways to collaboratively plan personalized learning experiences with content-area educators, and incorporates contributions from secondary school librarians across the country. In this interview we discuss how she came onboard the project, tips for successful collaboration, and what she misses most about being a school librarian.

How did you first become involved in this project?

I’ve been passionate about the new AASL National School Library Standards since their inception and being asked to write this gave me an opportunity to really dive into them and create unit/lesson ideas that will provide support and ideas to secondary school librarians.