Website Review: Confronting Violence

CONFRONTING VIOLENCE: IMPROVING WOMEN’S LIVES is an online exhibition exploring the history of women’s health issues.

Produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this fascinating online exhibition explores issues in domestic violence and women’s health through history. The exhibition contains six sections: introduction, generations of reformers, nurses take a stand, medicine confronts violence, change is possible, and the work continues. Each section features a short narrative along with primary source documents. The digital gallery provides easy access to a wide range of documents, images, and other materials. The education section connects with lesson plans, higher education resources, online activities, and other resources.

Librarians will find this resource useful in history, social studies, and science classrooms. Students will find the exhibition easy to use and provides inspiration for extended activities. Teachers will find the lessons to be useful for both in-class and out-of-class assignments.

To visit the website, go tohttps://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhi…/confrontingviolence/index.html.

Book Review: This Savage Song

THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab is the first book in a new monster fantasy series.

Kate Harker is the daughter of a ruthless leader and August Flynn is a monster trying to find his place in a divided city. When their lives intersect, they must decide whether they’re enemies or friends.

Librarians will find a large audience for this young adult fantasy. From the world-building elements to the sympathetic characters, teens will easily immerse themselves in Schwab’s dystopian world. Fans will be lining up for the next book in the Monsters of Verity series.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.victoriaschwab.com/.

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: In the News: Refugees

IN THE NEWS: REFUGEES by Annenberg Learner provides high-quality curriculum resources for teaching about refugees.

The web-based resource is divided into student and teacher sections.

The Student Section provides links to content resources about the refugee crisis and the connection issue of immigration. Students can hear stories of ordinary people forced to flee their homes to escape violence and persecution. Links are provided to online exhibits that explore the lives of refugees from around the world, collections of stories about refugees that made their way to the United States, and art exhibits focusing on cultural connections. Finally, two resources explore maps related to displacement of people and immigration patterns.

The Teacher Section provides links to activities, lesson plans, and other professional development resources focusing on the refugee crisis and the related topic of immigration. Activities connect youth to photographs, literature, and writing projects. Lesson plans focus on the connection of migration to population and resource distribution. Articles explore the history of human migration, ancient immigration, immigration law, and public empathy for refugees.

Librarians will find that the topic of refugees and immigration can be woven across the curriculum. From map and data literacy to social issues projects, this hot-button issue works well for digital and information literacy curriculum connections.

To learn more, go to the website athttp://www.learner.org/resources/refugees/.

Book Review: I See Reality

I SEE REALITY: TWELVE SHORT STORIES ABOUT REAL LIFE presents a dozen short works of realistic fiction aimed at mature young adults.

From contemplating a breakup to surviving a school shooting, the widely varied stories in this collection will drawn in new readers to realistic fiction. With contributions from both well-known and lesser known authors, the thought-provoking and sometimes funny stories will connect with teens readers.

The stories are well organized alternating very short stories and graphic works with longer prose. Timely topics including addiction, violence, sexuality, and immigration will add to the appeal.

Librarians will find this anthology to be an effective way to feature realistic literacy fiction and draw readers to some new authors. Consider starting a short story club that focuses on reading short works rather than longer novels.

Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan on January 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: This is Where It Ends

THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp is the gripping fictional account of a school shooting.

Told in “real-time” from the perspective of friends, family, and classmates of the teen shooter, this quick read takes place in one harrowing hour. The tragic story immerses readers in the thoughts, reflections, and actions of people facing the unimaginable horror of a gunman in their high school auditorium.

The author’s use of time stamps for each chapter, flashbacks, text messages, and other literary techniques adds interest for teen readers.

Librarians will find that students are attracted to this timely topic and drawn to the universal themes of revenge, heroism, and hope.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.mariekenijkamp.com/

Published by Sourcebook Fire on January 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Tightrope Walkers

THE TIGHTROPE WALKERS by David Almond is the coming-of-age story of a boy torn between two very different friendships in the mid-20th century. While Holly represents artist freedom, Vincent reflects the wild, violent side of life.

Based on the memories of the author growing up in northern England, this work of realistic fiction is told through very short chapters making it a quick read. The well-developed characters, use of local dialects, and authentic settings add to the appeal. Although technically a work of historical fiction, the story transcends time.

From beauty and creativity to violence and death, Almond’s exploration of both the dark and light side of everyday life make this book special. The novel’s many metaphors and other literary elements make it an excellent book for young adult discussions. However because of the mature themes this book is not designed for children.

Published by Candlewick Press in March 2015.

Book Review: Razorhurst

RAZORHURST by Justine Larbalestier is an absorbing chase novel from beginning to end.

Set in the gangster-filled slums of 1932 Sydney during a time of extreme poverty and violence, a young orphan stumbles upon a murder involving organized crime. This bloody discovery sets off a non-stop thrill-ride filled with fascinating characters. From the ghosts she’s been able to see since birth to the wide array of criminals put in her path, Kelpie doesn’t know who to trust and who to follow.

What makes this young adult historical suspense particularly intriguing is the way it weaves in ghosts as a fantasy element. Many young adults find the idea of ghosts alluring. While most novels use ghosts as a one-dimensional plot element, Larbalestier has built a complex ghost world complete with rules that guide their existence.

Readers will find the glossary at the end of the book useful in explaining some of the lesser-known vocabulary. Although some readers may find the use of archaic terms distracting, most lovers of history and fantasy will find that the rich vocabulary brings the world alive for readers.

From history and fantasy fans to those that enjoy a heart-pounding suspense-thriller, librarians will easily identify readers for this well-written young adult novel.

This book was influenced by the real-life gangs of the twenties and thirties in Sydney. To learn more about what sparked the author’s interest, go to http://justinelarbalestier.com/books/razorhurst/influences/.

To learn more about the author and the book, go to http://justinelarbalestier.com/.

Published by Soho Teen, March 2015.

Book Review: Grasshopper Jungle

GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE by Andrew Smith is an edgy, hilarious, science fiction comedy that brilliantly merges coming-of-age with end-of-the world themes. Look for it on the 2014 Printz shortlists.

Much more than an apocalyptic thriller, this intense tale is told from the point of view of a young historian named Austin Szerba. Backstories of the main characters’ ancestors are skillfully woven throughout the story providing readers with fascinating and bizarre insights and connections that extend well beyond the monster theme.

Austin is an extremely horny sophomore who hangs out with his girlfriend and gay best friend. The realistic approach to teen sexuality and frequent use of potty humor will be particularly appealing to teens. However like many of the most edgy books in the YA collection, it’s likely to offend some readers.

Austin’s already confusing life is turned upside down when an unstoppable army of six-foot-tall praying mantises are unleashed in his small Iowa town.

The combination of teen sex talk, a deranged mad scientist, an underground “bunker of Eden”, and gory alien creature violence are sure to be a draw for teens. Those who enjoy the creative mind of Andrew Smith will also be happy with the result.

The movie rights to the book have already been purchased, so the novel will remain popular in YA and school libraries for at least the next several years.

To learner about the author, go to http://www.authorandrewsmith.com/