Synergy: Tree

A tree is a woody perennial plant generally containing a trunk and lateral branches. A root system serves as an underground anchor using moisture and nutrients from the soil. Leaves grow from the shoots. Trees usually reproduce using seeds.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

BE A TREE! written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Felicita Sala skillfully balances poetic connections between trees and humans with useful facts for young scientists. This combination is intended to inspire young people to be kind members of their community as well as environmentally aware global citizens. This beautifully illustrated picture book concludes with an author’s note, anatomy of a tree illustration, additional resources, and calls for environmental and community action.

THANK YOU, TREES! from PBS KIDS PLUM LANDING provides a digital nature sketchpad where children can draw their own trees.

To draw a tree, go to https://to.pbs.org/34AFWMm.

THE TREE GUIDE from the Arbor Day Foundation provides a tree database, glossary, and a page about the anatomy of a tree.

To explore the website, go to https://bit.ly/2RbMmhU.

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers. 

Website Review: Youth.Gov

YOUTH.GOV is a U.S. government website designed to help educators and others create, maintain, and strengthen youth programs.

A joint project of agencies across the government, the website explores 26 youth topics from after school programs to suicide prevention. Clicking a topic from the list leads to a starting point for information related to the subject or issue. Links are provided to agencies, announcements, data sources, departments, feature articles, hotlines, programs, publications, resources, technical assistance, tools and guides, videos and podcasts, and websites. Web badges and social media tools are provided to share information.

The Youth Voices part of the website focuses on how young people can be change makers in their communities. Examples of teen change makers are provided as well as the chance to nominate youth. The Young Engaged 4 Change area of the website is designed specifically for youth and focuses on change makers. It provides opportunities and tools to help young people explore important topics and get involved in their communities.

The website provides funding search tools that can be used to seek out grants and other approaches to funding youth programs. The collaborations section includes profiles of those involved with initiating, implementing, and sustaining youth programs. The evidence and innovation area of the website provides examples of evidence-based programs and information about the need to build an evidence base. Finally, the website provides search tools for accessing youth information by keywords, agencies, departments, and topics.

Librarians will find this website useful when working with activities that bridge classroom and community projects.

To visit the website, go to http://youth.gov/.

Book Review: Bookopolis

BOOKOPOLIS is a website designed to ignite a passion for reading in children ages 7-12.

Intended to build a community of readers, this social network provides a safe environment for elementary and middle school youth to connect with other book lovers. Youth can find books to read as well as share their book reviews.

Students can explore new books, create a bookshelf, share with friends, and earn points. The website also offers book suggestions and features new releases.

In addition to being a resource for children, the website also provides resources for teachers and librarians including lesson ideas, book recommendations, and standards connections. Educators can sign up for a teacher account to set up classes.

To explore the website, go to https://www.bookopolis.com.

Book Review: This Side of Home

THIS SIDE OF HOME by Renée Watson is an inspiring YA novel following a young woman facing the timely issues of racial, ethnic, cultural, and community identify.

Her neighborhood is changing and Maya is concerned about the impact this evolution will have on her school and community. The Portland, Oregon setting is perfect for a discussion of changing neighbors and reflects the urban renewal pressures facing many American cities.

Watson brings the difficult topics of race and community alive through authentic, teen characters. The book is successful as both a coming-of-age story as well as an examination of larger, contemporary issues.

Watson’s debut YA novel deserves to be considered for the Coretta Scott King Book Award. However, this isn’t a “black” book or “white” book, it’s an powerful work about changing America. Librarians will welcome this emerging author with a strong multicultural voice.

For librarians participating in We Need Diverse Books campaign events at http://weneeddiversebooks.org/, I strongly recommend adding this work to your list.

To learn more about Renée Watson, go to http://www.reneewatson.net.

Published by Bloomsbury February 3, 2015. Publisher ARC used for review.