South Amherst Middle School Library SAMS Library E-News Literature-Information-Technology-Education

Volume 5, Issue 8 April 2012

Language Arts Classes & Computer Lab Library Curriculum for April ♦ Brain Buzz game (Fiction Area and use of Fiction Shelf Guides) ♦ Brain Buzz game (Non-Fiction Area and use of Non-Fiction Shelf Guides) Inside this issue: ♦ Brain Buzz game (Biographies)

Language Arts Classes & 1 The Library Computer Lab was very busy during March. The following teachers had great Computer Lab assignments that students worked on: National Library Week 1 ♦ Mrs. Baumbick (Holocaust Projects) ♦ Unsinkable 2-3 Mrs. Post (Careers & Creating Poems) ♦ Mrs. Martin (Civil Rights) Historic April 3 Anniversaries ♦ Mrs. Muth (Zoo Plaques, suited to various audiences)

About Us 4 ♦ Mrs. Neal (Civil Rights) ♦ Miss Hartman (Math) Book Review 4

National Library Week

Service The theme for National Library Week this year is “You Belong @Your Library”. National Library Week events include: April is School Library Month: School Library Month (SLM) is the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) Is Our celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to create activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student's educa- Business tional career.

• Monday, April 9 - 2012 State of America’s Libraries is released

• Tuesday, April 10 —National Library Workers Day: National Library Workers Day is a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

• Wednesday, April 11 —National Bookmobile Day: National Bookmobile Day (Wednesday, April 11, 2012) celebrates our nation’s bookmobiles and the dedicated library professionals who provide this valuable and essential service to their communities every day. National Bookmobile Day is an opportunity for bookmobiles fans to make their support known—through thanking bookmobile staff, writing a letter or e-mail to their libraries, or voicing their support to com- munity leaders.

• Thursday, April 12 —Support Teen Literature Day: Books for Teens' mission is to empower the nation’s at-risk teens to achieve more by providing them with free high quality, new, age-appropriate books. As an age group teens receive the least financial support from government, philanthropic and non-profit agencies. Books for Teens seeks to reverse this trend by raising funds to help teens have a brighter future. Funds raised through Books for Teens will be distrib- uted to libraries in communities with a high level of poverty, where teen services librarians will purchase and distribute new books, encourage teens to get library cards and provide teens with reading-focused events and activities. Books for Teens is an initiative from the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Associa- tion (ALA). Page 2 SAMS Library E-News Literature-Information-Technology-Education

"The greatest gift is the passion for Titanic: Unsinkable reading. It is April 2012 marks the centennial of the off the coast of Newfoundland. Even after 100 years, cheap, it consoles, the disastrous loss of the White Star Line’s premier ship continues to fascinate. Over the course of 10 decades, the it distracts, it calamity has inspired a show, multiple books, and several movies, including the 1997 blockbuster film excites, it gives starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, which will be rereleased in 3-D for the anniversary. But why do you knowledge of students remain interested? the world and experience of a Dr. Robert D. Ballard, the president of the Sea Research Foundation’s Institute for Exploration in Mystic, CT, wide kind. It is a found the Titanic on the seafloor in 1985. In an interview on immersionlearning.org, a website devoted to ocean- moral illumination." science education, Ballard says, “To children, it’s the stuff of legend—heroes, villains and above all adventure.” Commenting on the vessel’s enduring appeal when he returned to it in 2004, Ballard adds, “Everyone can relate to Elizabeth someone’s story from the ship,” and he mentions plucky survivor Molly Brown and brave Ida Straus, who left her Hardwick lifeboat to join her husband as the ship sank. The Titanic spurs curiosity about how the touted ocean liner was built, the people who strode its decks, and the details of what happened after it struck a North Atlantic iceberg. Word of the Month Questions remain about every aspect of the demise of this “unsinkable” ship. Today there’s controversy about whether the wreckage deep in the sea should be salvaged or left as a sacred burial site, fueling the desire to learn From the Merriam-Webster and speculate about it. Given the storied ship’s broad appeal, fiction and nonfiction materials listed in this Online Dictionary collection of new and venerable titles span all grades. Incunabulum Fiction

\in-kyuh-NAB-yuh-lum\ Noun BISKUP, Agnieszka. Exploring Titanic : An Isabel Soto History Adventure . Through bold images and a short, fact-based text, a time-traveling, female archaeologist brings a new twist to the Titanic story. Readers follow her as Definition she interviews the ship’s creators and survivors. The book concludes with a description of improved safety measures instituted after 1912. A great choice for reluctant readers. 1 : a book printed before 1501 KORMAN , Gordon . Unsinkable . Four very different young people are sailing for America. Paddy, Alfie, Sophie, 2 : a work of art or of industry of an and Juliana are engaged in dangerous adventures long before an iceberg brings drama to everyone onboard. Date early period. and time divide each title into short but lively chapters with vivid action and personalities both historical and fictional. Examples LAWSON, Julie. Ghosts of the Titanic . A young seaman who plucked floating bodies from the debris is connected to a contemporary 12-year-old boy from Vancouver, British Columbia. Based on post-disaster records from The tiny college has a library that Halifax, Nova Scotia, and told from both points of view, the title incorporates fact-finding with mystery-solving. boasts an impressive — and surpris- MONE, Gregory. Dangerous Waters: An Adventure on the Titanic . Collector actually did sail ing — collection of incunabula . on the Titanic with a rare edition of Francis Bacon essays. This fact is neatly woven into a carefully researched mystery/adventure that centers on a fictional 12-year-old steward drawn into danger even before the ship sinks. A "This painting, which now resides in helpful author’s note clarifies invented versus real characters. the Museo del Prado, has come to be venerated yet again, this time by art Nonfiction historians, as the incunabulum of an independent landscape genre." ADAMS, Simon. Titanic . Complemented by a bonus clip art CD and a poster with views of the ship, the informa- tion- and illustration-intensive two-page entries touch on the “Captain and crew,” “A deadly collision,” “End of an Did You Know? era,” and other related subjects. Perfect for an overview or for report topics. BALLARD, Robert D. Exploring the Titanic : How the Greatest Ship Ever Lost Was Found . In one of the best ex- The invention of the mechanized planations of the technology and magic of discovering the ship’s watery resting place, historical background is printing press in the 15th century amplified by underwater photos compared with illustrations of the 1912 vessel. Ballard’s passion and careful revolutionized the way books were research prove fascinating for all age groups. produced, dramatically increasing DENENBERG, Barry. Titanic Sinks!: Experience the Titanic ’s Doomed Voyage in This Unique Presentation of Fact and Fiction . Primary-source articles from the cleverly constructed but fictional magazine Modern Times delve into the number and variety of works to the Titanic’s construction, Captain Smith, and the voyage through an imagined correspondent’s journal and the be published and distributed to real tales of survivors. Staff statistics, a dining menu, and the gymnasium schedule add valuable detail. Oversize, awaiting readers. "Incunabulum" and with captivating photos, this title is ideal for reports and pleasure reading. first appeared in English in the 19th DK Publishing Staff. Story of the Titanic . Generous spreads such as “Ship of Dreams,” “The Last Port of Call,” and century, referring retroactively to 15 other topics follow the Titanic from Belfast and beyond the sinking to modern exploration. Minimal text adds those books produced in the first key facts and connects nicely with this visual treasure trove of illustrations rich in details, cutaway views, and decades of printing press technology archival photos. — specifically those printed before LANDAU, Elaine. Heroine of the Titanic : The Real Unsinkable Molly Brown . While is the year 1501, a date that appears to remembered for her fortitude as a Titanic survivor, she also used her determination to stand up for others and to have been determined only arbitrar- run as a candidate for Congress. Myths about her nickname are debunked. Brown’s direct quotes about the lifeboat ily. In Latin "incunabulum" is sin- and black-and-white photos from the period round out the portrait of this colorful persona. gular of "incunabula," which trans- MCPHERSON, Stephanie Sammartino. Iceberg, Right Ahead!: The Tragedy of the Titanic . Filled with fascinating lates literally to "swaddling clothes" details, this well-researched and well-written account opens with the ship’s fatal collision. Coverage of the crew, or "bands holding the baby in a passengers, and rescuers makes absorbing reading for general interest or reports. Sidebars provide additional cradle." The "baby" in this case is a information, and black-and-white historical photos are useful for all age groups. figurative one, referring to a book WILKINSON, Philip. Titanic: Disaster at Sea . Complete with a four-page foldout of the ship inside and out, a that was produced when the art of stellar collection of images covering all aspects of the Titanic legacy is presented with brief explanatory text. The well- printing was still in its infancy. executed layout, bold photo endpapers, and embossed cover add visual appeal. Volume 5, Issue 8 Page 3

Titanic: Unsinkable continued On The Web

Marconi Calling www.marconicalling.co.uk/introsting.htm Click the search button on this interactive site maintained by the Marconi company to access “Titanic Messages.” Ice warnings and survivor reports, “original Marconigrams that were sent before, during, and after the time of the tragic sinking of the Titanic,” are presented along with images of the original documents.

Titanic Inquiry Project http://www.titanicinquiry.org My April Lady Dedicated researchers have completely transcribed both U.S. and British inquiries into the sinking of the Titanic, by complete with individual testimonies. Other sections include “Limitations of Liability Hearings,” with links to depositions from surviving passengers and crew members. Henry Van Dyke

Encyclopedia www.encyclopedia-titanica.org Cross-referenced and hyperlinked lists lead to brief biographies of survivors and casualties of the disaster. Articles, When down the stair at deck plans, photos, and a message board widen the range of detailed information. morning The sunbeams round her Online Titanic Museum http://onlinetitanicmuseum.com float, Sweet rivulets of laughter Set up as four themed exhibitions, including “The Unsinkable Titanic” and Disaster Strikes,” collected images with Are bubbling in her throat; brief explanations range from the ship’s coal to a White Star Line teaspoon. The gladness of her greeting By Barbara Wysocki (School Library Journal, April 2012) Is gold without alloy; And in the morning sunlight Historic Anniversaries in April I think her name is Joy.

April 1, 1987 U.S. President Ronald Reagan declared AIDS ‘public health enemy No. 1 ′ When in the evening April 5, 1992 Balkan conflict – the Siege of Sarajevo, Bosnia began. twilight The quiet book-room lies, April 9, 1942 World War II: the Bataan Death March. The Japanese forced 75,000 captured Philip pines We read the sad old and American troops to march for 6 days without food or water to a prisoner of war camp. ballads, Thousands died. While from her hidden April 11, 1970 NASA launches Apollo 13 eyes The tears are falling, April 14, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. falling, That give her heart relief; , 1912 The British liner ‘RMS Titanic’ sank in the Atlantic after hitting an iceberg on her maiden And in the evening voyage to New York. More than 1,500 people were killed twilight, April 16, 2007 In one of the deadliest shooting incidents in United States history, a gunman killed 32 I think her name is Grief. people and wounded over 20 more before committing suicide at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. My little April lady, Of sunshine and of April 17, 1937 Daffy Duck made his debut appearance in the Warner Brothers’ cartoon ‘Porky’s Duck Hunt’ showers, She weaves the old spring April 18, 1775 Colonists Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott began a "midnight ride" magic, from Boston to Lexington to warn residents about the impending arrival of British troops. And breaks my heart in April 19, 1993 & April 19, 1995 This is the anniversary of both the violent end to the Branch Davidian standoff flowers! at Waco, Texas, and the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma But when her moods are City two years later by Timothy McVeigh, in a twisted act of retaliation for ended, Waco. She nestles like a dove; Then, by the pain and April 20, 1997 & April 20, 2010 April 20 th is both the anniversary of the tragic Columbine, Colorado, shootings rapture, and the anniversary of the tragic BP Oil Spill which began with the Deepwater I know her name is Love. Horizon explosion. April 22, 1970 The first Earth Day is celebrated.

April 25, 1986 The 26 th anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster happens on April 25 th . April 28, 1789 Sixteen months after the HMS Bounty leaves England on a venture to transplant bread fruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies, master's mate Fletcher Christian takes over the Bounty , consigning Captain Bligh and his supporters to a 23-foot launch. April 30, 1789 George Washington, 57, elected the first president of the United States by a unanimous vote of the electoral college, takes the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City, April 30, 1789. The purpose of our Library News Letter is to further the goals of the Library Media Center which are to support the curriculum, teach successful research strategies, and foster lifetime literacy.

If you have any suggestions for the library staff please let South Amherst Middle School Library us know. We hope you will find this and future issues helpful. 152 West Main South Amherst, Ohio Vtà{ç eâÑÄx WxÇ|áx _x|Åutv{ 44001 W|áàÜ|và _|uÜtÜ|tÇ _|uÜtÜç gxv{ Phone: 440-986-7021 Email: [email protected] [email protected]

We are on the Web http://www.firelandsschools.org

Book Reviews Synopsis & Review powerful ruler with magic of his own— VOYA all he needs is the magic powers of The Resistance efforts of Wisteria Rose Whit and Wisty. This is an action- and Whitford P. Allgood against the filled story that contains some twists New Order, a brutal totalitarian along the way. Whether Whit and regime, continue in The Gift. Whit and Wisty are successful will depend on the Wisty find themselves at the head of next highly anticipated book in this the Resistance, trying to find and save series. their parents, who have been arrested Patterson and Rust send a very for the practice of magic, and trying to powerful message to children to believe restore freedom of reading, music, and in themselves, each other, and their creativity of all kinds while being own special talents. The allusions to chased, arrested, and punished by The books, artists, and music are an added One Who Is The One. Fortunately for bonus. The topics of children vs. Whit and Wisty, they have special adults, violence, magic, music, and powers that grow stronger as the story romance make this an edgy novel sure unfolds. Whit, Wisty, and the children to please many readers . . . boys and of the Resistance face physical and girls alike. emotional brutality, yet they are able to work together and fight against the AR evil and very powerful The One Who Is The Gift The One. Learning who to trust and Interest Level: MG+

By who to fear becomes very difficult as they are attempting to understand Reading Level: 5.2 James Patterson exactly what the New Order ruler wants, why he wants it, and how far he Points: 9.0 is willing to go to get it. World control is within the grasp of this evil,