To the Editor:

My dad passed away this fall, and I thought I would do something in his honor. I remembered contributing online to the school library last year, and thought I would do so again. I looked for contact info on a North Tama School Library book drive or fundraiser and couldn’t find anything, so I contacted Brenda Jensen, the head librarian at the North Tama schools. She replied that there were quite a few fundraisers going on at the school, and they decided that the library would try every other year to request for funds so as not to interfere with other fundraising currently in place. They were working on a wish list for a next year when they again hold a fundraiser. I requested to obtain a copy of this wish list, and asked her if I could share. She was thrilled. She mentioned that she was anxious to fill some request by students for books on farming in Iowa, trains, and World War II history. They do receive an amount of taxpayer dollars, but it doesn’t go very far with all the needs they have.

So here I am, writing a letter to the editor, so that other people who may have a dollar or two to put towards a good cause, may know about what I think is a great place to invest- our school libraries (elementary and secondary). We do have a wonderful public library which is used A LOT, but some kids, especially rural, aren’t able to use the public library any time they wish. We need some good reading material for our students at school. If you would care to help with this list, I would suggest contacting Brenda to see if they have received a specific book. Of course, a cash donation is the most efficient way to help, and donations don’t need to be limited to these selections, as any assistance is appreciated! But it IS nice to know what the students are interested in, and Brenda knows what she does and doesn’t have.

The following is a “wish list” of the North Tama Secondary from Brenda:

The Hunger Games (need at least 2 copies), by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (1 copy), by Suzanne Collins

Mocking Jay (need at least 2 copies), by Suzanne Collins

One copy of the following:

Black Jack Vol. 2 by Osamu Tezuka.

The Night She Disappeared, by April Henry

The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1), by Rick Riordan

Scorch Trials, by James Dashner

The Fate of Ten, by Pittacus Lore

United as One, by Pittacus Lore

Daniel X, by James Patterson

Starbreaker, by Viola Grace

The Nest, by Kenneth Oppel

Skybreaker, by Kenneth Oppel

The Boundless, by Kenneth Oppel

Such Wicked Intent, by Kenneth Oppel

The Longest Ride, by Nicholas Sparks

Non-fiction needs are books on trains and farming (which I have not had a chance to pick out yet, but I would welcome all suggestions)!

The following is a “wish list” of the elementary library from Julie Cufr. Some of the books have a series name which is in parenthesis.

The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1), The Stonekeeper’s Curse (Amulet #2), The Cloud Searchers (Amulet #3), The Last Council (Amulet #4), Prince of Elves (Amulet #5), and Escape from Lucien (Amulet #6), all by Kazu Kibuishi; Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10) by Jeff Kinney; Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins; Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein; The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan; The Villain Virus (NERDS) and Attack of the Bullies (NERDS) by Michael Buckley; The Dot by Peter Reynolds; What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss; Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School (Ellie McDoodle), Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel (Ellie McDoodle), Ellie McDoodle: Best Friends Fur-ever (Ellie McDoodle), Ellie McDoodle: Most Valuable Player (Ellie McDoodle), and Ellie McDoodle: Ellie for President (Ellie McDoodle), all by Ruth McNally Barshaw; Max by Jennifer Li Shotz; Tales from a not-so-glam TV Star (Dork Diaries #7), Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After (Dork Diaries #8), and Tales From a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter (Dork Diaries #10), all by Rachel Renee Russell; Lara’s Leap of Faith (RoyalBallet School Diaries), Sophie’s Flight of Fancy (RoyalBallet School Diaries), all by Alexandra Moss; and The Only Game, Fast Break, and Hero, all by Mike Lupica.

Again, if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Brenda Jensen by phone (478-2265) or email (bjensen@n-tama.k12.ia.us). Donations can be mailed to the school at 605 Walnut St. She would LOVE to hear from you!

Sharon Stoakes

Traer, IA

478-2574

redhawk8223@yahoo.com