The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Grades 7-12.
On her return to Alabaster Prep, her elite boarding school, Frankie attracts the attention of gorgeous Matthew, who draws her into his circle of popular seniors. When Frankie learns that Matthew is a member of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male Alabaster secret society to which Frankie’s dad had once belonged, she assumes a false online identity. By impersonating Matthew's co-leader over e-mail, Frankie takes control of the Bassets, secretly engineering campus-wide pranks such as fastening bras on paintings of the school's founding fathers. She hopes the boys will be awed by her ingenuity and finally acknowledge her brains. This is a funny and mischievous “chick lit” novel with a twist.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Grades 9-12.
Feared as a killer since her childhood, Lady Katsa uses her unusual Grace(superhuman gift) as an assassin in the service of her uncle, King Randa. She rebels by forming the Council, a sort of social justice league, and it is through this affiliation that she is drawn into a mystery involving the kidnapping of an elderly cross-kingdom prince, the secret Grace of the king of nearby Monsea, and the kidnapped royal's wicked cute, super-sensitive grandson Po. Po convinces Katsa that she can stand up to the brutal king and put her gift to better uses. When Katsa joins Po on a quest, she throws herself headlong into a rescue mission and finds romance, self-knowledge, and justice along the way.
If you have enjoyed Tamora Pierce, you will enjoy Graceling. Look for the sequel:

Need an idea for a new book? Check out the Scholastic book talks on YouTube.

Check out Google's Wonder Wheel

Check out the step by step instuctions at the following link (three clicks and you have a wonder wheel): http://www.googlewonderwheel.com/google-wonder-wheel-step-by-step

Check out the TIMELINE option too.

Amazing new database added to the library website: GREENR

GREENR Global Reference on the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources is available on the online databases page of the Library website.

If you have used Global Issues in Context, you will already know how to navigate this database.

Outbreak: Plagues that Changed History

Bryan Barnard, author. 614.4 BAR

Although the H1N1 virus isn't included, this is a timely and interesting read. Discover how we have been affected by deadly viruses over time and determine for yourselves if we have reacted appropriately as a society.

Chanda’s Wars by Allan Stratton

YA (Grades 8-12) PB Gold STR

The sequel to Chanda’s Secret (also in our library) is set in a fictional African country and revolves around Chanda Kabele, a young woman orphaned by AIDS who is the sole caregiver for Soly and Iris, her young brother and sister. Horrors of civil war are all around them and rebel attacks loom over them. When the ruthless General Mandiki crosses into the country, he and his men kill indiscriminately and capture all the children in their path, including Iris and Soly. The account of Chanda's tracking the children through the bush is intriguing and the brutality she witnesses is horrendous. The behaviour of the rebels and the traumas of the child soldiers are graphic and disturbing. Readers will wonder if these children can ever recover from what they have seen, what they have done.
Familiarity with the previous book isn't necessary as enough detail is given that Chanda’s Wars can be read on its own.

Nation by Terry Pratchett

PRA Grades 7-12

A tidal wave wipes out the population of a small island—except for Mau, who was paddling his dugout canoe home from another island. His family, his entire community and his simple happy life are gone. Mau struggles with his beliefs about his gods and how they, if they exist, could allow this devastation to happen. Before long, he finds that he is not alone; Daphne, a young royal and pampered English girl is shipwrecked on the island. Because it is a matter of survival, Mau and Daphne learn to communicate and to survive. They and their island become a haven for more “refugees” of the storm.

In this delightful and insightful novel, the author uses slapstick humour, action, plenty of villains, ghosts and gun battles to develop serious subjects and questions and to draw readers into the story.
Check out the seven other titles our library has by this author.

Trial of widgets

This is a map widget for Culturegrams. We are trying to see if it works.

A new gadget to try

Try vocaroo.com and have fun sending messages to your friends or posting them to your blog or wiki.

The Dewey Decimal Rap...Learn about the Dewey Decimal System

Check out this "fun" Youtube video...

Free graphic novel download...

Go to www.mediameltdown.net/freebies/MediaMeltdownFREE.pdf to download your free copy of the graphic novel, Media Meltdown....limited time offer!

Chanda's Wars by Allan Stratton

PB GOLD STR [Grades 8-12]

The sequel to Chanda's Secret (also in our library) is set in a fictional African country and revolves around Chanda Kabele, a young woman orphaned by AIDS who is the sole caregiver for Soly and Iris, her young brother and sister. The horrors of civil war are all around them and the rebel attacks are more than frightening. When the ruthless General Mandiki crosses into their country, he and his men kill indiscriminately and capture all of the children in their path, including Iris and Soly. The account of Chanda's tracking of the children through the bush is exciting and the brutality she witnesses is horrendous. The behaviour of the rebels and the trauma suffered by the "child soldiers" are graphic and disturbing. Readers will wonder if these children can ever recover from what they have seen, what they have done.
Familiarity with the first book is not necessary as enough detail is given so that Chanda's War can be read on its own.

Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji

Governor General's Award nominee 2009.
Ms Nanji is a former STS parent. Grade 6-9

Fifteen year old Sabine lives a life of luxury with her family in Kampala, Uganda. When Idi Amin comes to power, he decrees that all Indians must leave Uganda and the countdown begins. All Indians, Ugandan born or not, are at risk. This becomes a reality for Sabine when her uncle disappears and her best friend turns against her because she, like most African Ugandans, feel that the Indians have exploited them. This book is a stirring portrayal of the rising terror and violence in 1972 as the radio continues the countdown and Sabine and her family try to escape.

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

Location: PB GOLD MYE

Vietnam. Iraq. Different generations. Different wars... but the experiences of the soldiers who fought in them are hauntingly familiar. Watch a video booktalk about Sunrise Over Fallujah... http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541&bclid=1557820328&bctid=1751349518

Dewey: the Small-Town Library Cat Who touched the World by Vicki Myron

January 18, 1988...a two month old kitten was abandoned in the drop box at the public library in Spencer, Iowa. For the next 19 years, Dewey Readmore Books lived at the public library and became the soul of the library for the residents of Spencer (10,000) during the economic bust that was destroying the spirits of the people across the country. Dewey's influence soon extended outside of the town and even the state and he became an icon as far away as Japan. Visitors to the library came from all over often driving hours out of their way to visit this extraordinary cat. [Located at 636.8 MYR]

Books I have read this summer...

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
(Book 1 of a trilogy; PB PURPLE COL; grades 7 and up)

In the not-too-distant future, the United States has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. The Capitol keeps order by demanding an annual tribute for its Hunger Games, in which two contestants, a boy and a girl, are chosen from each of the districts to fight to the death in an event televised from an arena. Only one contestant can survive and win. Katniss Everdeen, from the impoverished District 12, volunteers when her younger sister is chosen. In this fight to the death, this book's violence is cringe-worthy and the exploitation of the desperate and impoverished for the entertainment of the wealthy and powerful is a disturbing theme. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

New online database for you...

Check out the latest addition to our online databases: World Conflicts Today. This database gives in-depth coverage of current trouble spots around the world and would be an asset to any student with a global interest.

Look for it on the Online Databases page of the library website. Ask Ms Ropchan for help if you need it.

Check out Google's new SEARCH OPTIONS

Watch the video here or on Youtube:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-search-options-and-other-updates.html

Timeline: limit your search down to the date you want. Check out this tutorial from Clarkson Secondary School in Mississauga: http://clarksonss.peelschools.org/library/googlenewstimeline.htm

Wonder Wheel: use the wheel to drill down to subtopics related to the main search.

Two new book displays...check them out

Books With Bite...

New non-fiction titles...

New databases to preview

Check out the library website for your chance to preview some databases (possible future purchases).

Check out these blogs by your favourite authors!

YA Author Blogs
Adrienne Vrettos
Ally Carter
Anthony Horowitz
Blake Nelson
Carolyn Mackler
Cecil Castellucci
Darren Shan
David Levithan
E. Lockhart
Edward Bloor
Gail Giles
Gene Yang
Holly Black
Jane Yolen
Jenny Han
John Green
Justina Chen Headley
Lauren Myracle
Laurie Halse Anderson
Libba Bray
Lisa Yee
Mary Pearson
Maureen Johnson
Meg Cabot
Melissa Marr
Mitali Perkins
Neil Gaiman
Rick Riordan
Sarah Dessen’s Blog
Shannon Hale
Stephanie Meyer

Alexandria of Africa, by Eric Walters

For Alexandria Hyatt having a fabulous life is easy: she knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. Being glamorous and rich is simply what she was born to be. When Alexandria is arrested for shoplifting, having to drag herself into court to face a judge just seems like a major inconvenience. But Alexandria has been in trouble before–and this time she can’t find a way to scheme out of the consequences. Before she knows it, she’s on a plane headed to Kenya where she has been ordered to work for an international charity. Over 7,000 miles away from home with no hot water, no cell phone reception, no friends or family, Alexandria is confronted with a land as unfamiliar as it is unsettling. Over the course of her month in Africa, Alexandria will face a reality she could never have imagined, and will have to look inside herself to see if she has what it takes to confront it.

Eric Walters is one of Canada’s most prolific authors for middle school students; our library has 24 of his titles in our collection. Generally, the protagonists in Eric Walter’s books are boys. This is probably his first book in which the main character is a young girl.
Eric Walters takes you on a journey through Kenya while reading passages from Alexandria Of Africa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHuWYK02qs

Check out a cool book promotion...this librarian has guts!

Click here to hear a librarian rap about books:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkLPrSjT6Q

How it Happened in Peach Hill, by Marthe Jocelyn

(Gr. 5-9) During the 1920s, 15-year-old Annie travels from town to town with her mother who proclaims to be able to see the future and communicate with the “dear departed”. Annie has been longing for a permanent home for years, especially after their last scrape with the law, but her mother seems to care little for Annie’s wishes. She uses her instead in her scam to make money. In the town of Peach Hill, Annie poses as an idiot so she can eavesdrop on conversations around town and gather information for Madame Caterina's fortune-telling sessions. Annie sees no way out but knows she needs to do something to change where her life is headed. Chapter headings include “old wives' tales” that hint at how the plot will unfold.
AWARDS: CLA 2008 Notables

The Triskelia Trilogy by Carrrie Mac

From the author's website http://www.carriemac.com/

The Droughtlanders, by Carrie Mac - The Triskelia Series Book One
Twin brothers Seth and Eli Maddox are Keylanders brought up within the privileged and protected Eastern Key. Keylanders, the boys are told, must keep within their walls to avoid the filth and disease spread by the Droughtlanders—those who struggle to survive on the parched land between the Keys. But when Eli sees their mother helping one of the wretched Droughtlanders, a chain of terrible events begins to unravel the life they’ve all known and will pit brother against brother in a life-or-death struggle between two worlds. The first book in the Triskelia trilogy, The Droughtlanders is a brilliant blend of futuristic fantasy and gritty social realism, with unforgettable characters and a compulsively readable story. (Grades 8-12)
Awards: • Canadian Library Association Young Adult Canadian Book Award: Shortlist 2007• The Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic: Shortlist 2007• Young Adult Library Services Association - Best Books for Young Adults: Nominee 2006

Retribution, by Carrie Mac - The Triskelia Series Book Two
The Maddox siblings’ world has been ripped from them yet again.
With thousands of Triskelians dead at the hands of the Keyland Guard, Eli and Sabine flee with the survivors to the safety of Cascadia. Seth, missing for days before rescue from beneath the rubble, is horrified to discover that he is presumed guilty for the ambush. And so he goes into exile. As the devastated Triskelian survivors recuperate at a safe mountain retreat, and grieve their terrible losses, Seth finds his way to the wretched city of Triban. There, he begins amassing an army of orphan boys and children from the street. When the time is right, he and his child soldiers will fight the war that will topple the Keys once and for all—proving to Triskelia and, most importantly, to his siblings that the massacre wasn’t his fault. Meanwhile, Sabine, as the Triskelians’ new leader, must deal with the pressures of organizing an angry, desperate, vengeful people, as well as Eli’s increasing resistance to her plans. Justice or revenge... As the three siblings struggle separately with tragedy and its aftermath, they will each discover their destiny, their own form of retribution. And all three will be left with blood on their hands.
(Grade 8-12) CLA Notable Book 2008

Look for book three in the series, Storm, and check out the Triskelia website at http://www.triskelia.ca/

Mistik Lake, by Martha Brooks

Secrets in her mother’s past affect Odella more than she knows.

In 1981, three teenagers died while joyriding on frozen Mistik Lake in Manitoba; the only survivor was Sally, Odella’s mother. This novel follows Odella’s life from the time she is 9 until her 18th birthday and alternates in the telling between Odella, her great aunt Gloria and later Odella’s boyfriend, Jimmy. When Odella is 15, her mother leaves them and the devastated family struggles to function without her. During the summer when Odella turns 18, she gets a job at the local grocer’s in Mistik Lake so she can be near Jimmy. It is during this time that all of the incidents from the past, and the secrets that were kept, finally come to light. This reads like an adult novel and is sure to be a favourite among high school girls. Grades 9-12. [Mature episodes]

The Juvie Three, by Gordon Korman

When Douglas Healey, a former juvie, persuades authorities to let him try an experimental juvenile detention program, Gecko, Arjay and Terrence get a second chance to turn their lives around. Gecko is in detention because his brother has always bullied him into making poor decisions. Arjay, who has professed his innocence all along, is in adult prison for manslaughter and Terrence is a tough gang member who doesn’t want to be rehabilitated. It is a gamble for Doug Healey and a real struggle for Gecko and Arjay who see their chance being jeopardized by Terrence. When Healey falls and hits his head (in a tussle with his boys), he ends up in a coma and the boys are on their own. How can they keep out of trouble (especially Terrence) and make sure the authorities don’t find out what has happened? Grade 7-10

My Mother is a French Fry and Further Proof of a Fuzzed-up Life, by Colleen Sydor

Eli Smyth…she’s hard to figure out. Does she really have such a bad home life or is she just being a really obnoxious teenager? Check out the girl who can’t bring herself to swear (hence her use of the letter z) but who can be SO cruel to her mother…is that a contradiction or what? Eli is mortified by her mother’s behaviour. Their furniture is often “reclaimed” from garbage cans in the neighbourhood. Eli never knows who her mother will drag home or what she will wear out in public (especially the French fry costume she wears in her new job). How embarrassing!!! Unfortunately, there are deeper issues than anyone realized and these threaten to consume Eli. What started out as a fun, light read turns out to be a really good read for teenage girls. Grade 8 up.

For Speech Day 2010...titles on order

The library collection of monologues and duets was certainly popular this year as students got ready for Speech Day. We have ordered the following titles to augment the collection. Look for them soon.

• 100 Great Monologs: a Versatile Collection of Monologs, Duologs and Triologs for Student Actors
• 101 Monologues for Middle School Actors: Including Duologues and Triologues
• Encore! : More Winning Monologs for Young Actors: 63 More Honest-to-life Monologs for Teenage Boys and Girls
• Famous Fantasy Character Monologs: Starring the Not-so-wicked Witch and More
• Millennium Monologs: 95 Contemporary Characterizations for Young Actors
• Sixty Comedy Duet Scenes for Teens: Real-life Situations for Laughter
• Tell It Like It Is: Fifty Monologs for Talented Teens

News: MLA format for Works Cited pages has changed!

MLA citing of sources:

As of April 2009, several changes will be required when creating Works Cited pages.
These include using italics instead of underlining titles and no longer including the URL when citing internet sources. These changes will be updated in early April on our school library website (REFERENCES AND CITATIONS).

For more information on the changes, ask Ms Ropchan or check the following sources:
Diana Hacker's Documenting Sources: A Hacker Handbooks Supplement
Purdue OWL's MLA 2009 Update

Runestone Saga by Chris Humphreys

Book 1: The Fetch
For grades 9-12. Through the power of his grandfather's set of Norse runestones and the advice of his grandfather's ghostly "fetch," or double, Sky struggles to solve the mystery of the draugr haunting him and discover what his destiny holds for him. His cousin, Kristin, also of the same bloodline, guards him as he travels to the past. In their quest, Sky and Kirstin, end up in Norway only to face some very serious decisions. This tale is, at one time, a horror and fantasy novel with the occult, a runic puzzle, and a feel of hictorical fiction thrown in. This is a good read!


Book 2: Vendetta
Grade 9 up. Having escaped his grandfather Sigurd's (on his mother's side) nefarious plans, Sky March is now on a quest of his own. In book 1 of the saga, Sigurd has possessed Sky's cousin Kristen's body, and Sky is unable to fight back. He decides to travel to Corsica, where his father was born, and learn something Sigurd doesn't know to use to defeat him. Once there, Sky finds himself trapped in a centuries-old blood feud.

If you enjoyed these two titles in the Runestone Saga by Actor/author, Chris Hmpreys, you will enjoy #3: Possession.

Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

In book 3 of the Temeraire series, Will Laurence and his crew journey overland from China to Istanbul to collect three dragon eggs to be delivered to England. Disaster threatens the mission at every turn and culminates in the daring rescue of thousands of Prussian soldiers from the clutches of Napoleon's advancing forces.

Jolted by Arthur Slade

Jolted by Arthur Slade.
Newton's quest to escape being killed by lightning, like the rest of the Starkers, takes him to Jerry Pott's Academy of Higher Learning and Survival. He knows it's the only chance he has. Along the way to his survival OR NON-SURVIVAL, he encounters a new friend, an arch enemy (who happens to be a girl) and a pet pig (secreted away in his room) who seems to be more intelligent than any of them. Does Newton have a hope? This book, which reminds me of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is a fun read, especially for grades 7-8.

EBSCOHost database interface has amazing features

Check out EBSCOHost on the ORC and see what great features it
has to help you with your research.

Fantasy series set in Napoleon's time

If you are a fan of fantasy and enjoy history as well, then you might enjoy the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik.

Book 1: His Majesty's Dragon:
When Laurence's ship captures a French frigate, the ultimate prize turns out to be a dragon's egg meant for Napoleon Bonaparte. To his dismay (because an aviator's life is not a desirable one), Laurence is chosen by the dragon to be its partner. This enjoyable book chronicles the training of dragon and rider and includes some mighty battles between the dragons owned by the British and the French, who are at war. Temeraire (Laurence's dragon) proves why he is a unique and superior breed.

Book 2: Throne of Jade:
In the sequel to His Majesty's Dragon, Lawrence and the dragon crew find themselves on a long sea journey to China. The Chinese have demanded the return of their celestial dragon but Lawrence refuses to be separated from Temeraire. Along the way,the ship is attacked by the French who also want the dragon for their army as the dragon was originally promised to Napoleon. Political plots and intrigue abound.

NEW! Prizewinning fiction titles...

The following are additions to our KIRKER Collection. This collection includes only the titles from the following prize categories: the Man Booker Prize, the Giller Award, The Governor General's Award (for fiction) and the Newbery Award.

Recent additions include:
Man Booker:
The Line of Beauty, by Alan Hollinghurst
The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga

Newbery Award:
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, by Laura Amy Schlitz

New books for IB History and Senior high Social Studies

The library has purchased additional copies of some of the ACCESS TO HISTORY series that is so popular with the senior high students for IB History and Social Studies. Check these out via the OPAC (http://stslibrary.sts.ab.ca).

New titles in the series include the following:
Bartley, Paula. Votes for Women
Farmer, Alan. The Unification of Germany 1815-1919
Layton, Geoff. From Second Reich to third Reich: Germany 1918-1945
Sanders, Vivienne. Civil Rights in the USA 1945-68
Tarr, Russell. Luther and the German Reformation 1517-55

A new series called AQA History has been included in our collection:
Staniforth, James. Totalitarian Ideology in Theory and Practice, c1848-1941
Waller, Sally. A Sixties Social Revolution? British Society, 1959-1975
Farr, David. Britain, 1625-1642; The Failure of Absolutism?

Create an account on Destiny, our online library catalogue (OPAC)

With an account, you can set holds, renew books, write reviews and rate books, create lists of books, and recommend books for purchase.

See Ms Decker in the library to set up an account and login. Be sure you have clicked on the name of our library before you login.

*****
Click on the My Info tab to see what you have out. From here, you can renew books (up to two times). You can also see any reading recommendations here.

*****
When you conduct a book search, you will be able to see if we have the title you want and if it is in. Click on the title to access the following screen.
*****
Here you will be able to recommend this title to another patron, place a hold or recommend a book for purchase.

Click on the Reviews tab and write a review or rate the book.

Click on copies to see when unavailable copies are due.
*******

If the library does not have what you are looking for, click on the Wish List link to recommend the title for purchase.

The new eLibrary (on the ORC)

eLibrary has changed its look. Check out the video to see how to use this database.


http://www.proquestk12.com/downloads/recordings/0109_eLibrary_New_Tour.m4v

New database for Senior High: Global Issues in Context

Global Issues in Context is an amazing portal for you to access information about significant issues and events happening now. It provides background information, current statistics and other relevant information on a wide range of topics and on countries around the world. Enjoy the tutorial to find out how to use GIC to your benefit.

Below is a link to a webinar about Global issues in Context.

http://www.gale.cengage.com/media/training/Global%20Issues%20In%20Context%20Recorded%20Webinar%20ST/GIC_2_Recorded_Webinar/GIC_2_Recorded_Webinar.htm