Synergy: Learning with Objects

An object is a material thing that can be seen or touched. An artifact is an object made by humans. From an arrowhead to a piece of clothing, objects are useful in the study of history.

THE APARTMENT by Alexandra Litvina chronicles the history of Russia from 1899-2018 through the people and objects in an apartment. Using a scrapbook approach, the author and illustrator follow the Muromtsevs who live in an apartment in Moscow. Readers learn about how the family and Russia as a whole changes from generation to generation through the 20th century. The Bolshevik Revolution, two World Wars, the rise of the USSR, the Cold War, the space race, and the rise of the Russian Federation are seen through the eyes of the Muromtsevs. Filled with engaging illustrations, primary source documents and fascinating artifacts, readers are invited to participate in the story by examining objects in the apartment as they change over time.

TEACHING HISTORY WITH 100 OBJECTS from The British Museum provides 100 objects to inspires students’ interest in history. Users can search for objects by date, place, or theme. Resources are also available by age and curriculum topic. For instance, the collection includes a Jesse Jackson for President badge from 1984. Background information, the larger context of the item, teaching ideas, and classroom materials are available.

Teaching History with 100 Objects http://teachinghistory100.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Endangered Animals

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants. Endangered animals are in danger of extinction, while those listed as threatened are likely to become endangered species in the near future.

WHO AM I? by Tim Flach is a peek-through picture book introducing the concept of endangered animals to young readers. Each two-page spread contains a photograph representing the animal’s habitat, a clue about the animal, and a peek at a part of the animal’s body. In some cases, no habitat is provided but additional visual clues are provided instead.

A second two-page spread reveals the the animal and its name. Children will identify some creatures immediately and others that will be a challenge. The book concludes with information about what makes each animal special and why it’s endangered. Use this book as a fun way to jumpstart an exploration of endangered animals.

ENDANGERED.ORG is the website of a group that strives to stop human-caused extinction of at-risk species. The blog contains up-to-date information of species currently in danger. The campaign focuses on key events such as the Endangered Species Day celebrated in May each year. The endangered species section features pages for key animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, and invertebrates. Information and an infographic details the specifics of the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Coalition https://www.endangered.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Women’s Suffrage

Women’s suffrage is the right of women to vote. Beginning in the late 19th century, women sought to change the voting laws to allow them to vote. Women gained the right to vote in the United States after ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. In the United Kingdom, women had equal suffrage with men in 1928. Most Canadian women gained suffrage between 1917-1919, however it wasn’t until 1960 that aboriginal women gained the right to vote. Native American women and women of color were often denied the right to vote in the United States until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Read the recently published children’s book on this topic, then learn more at the website.

SUFFRAGETTE: THE BATTLE FOR EQUALITY by David Roberts celebrates dozens of key figures in the suffrage movement both in the US and the UK. Told chronologically, this highly illustrated work of nonfiction takes readers step-by-step through the long process. The book concludes by exploring key figures from around the world.

SHALL NOT BE DENIED is an online exhibit at the Library of Congress. The online resources are divided into five sections. Each section explores a time period in the Women’s Movement including key events, people, and primary sources.

Shall Not Be Denied https://bit.ly/3aJhEln

ARC courtesy of Walker Books, a vision of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: Holocaust Survivors

Holocaust survivors are people of Jewish descent who survived persecution and attempted genocide by Nazi Germany and its allies during World War II. The term is also used to describe others who were targeted for annihilation because of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political views. Survivors include people who survived concentration camps, stayed in hiding, or escaped to safe territories.

Read the recently published work of graphic nonfiction, then learn more through the websites:

SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST: TRUE STORIES OF SIX EXTRAORDINARY CHILDREN edited by Kath Shackleton and illustrated by Zane Whittingham recounts the true experiences of six young people who survived the Holocaust. Each chapter tells a powerful story through sparse text and compelling illustrations. The book concludes with photos and “what happened next stories”, a glossary, a timeline, and suggested resources.

The BBC Newsround contains a page titled “What was the Holocaust/“ with easy-to-read information and a short video based on the book. Go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16690175

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum at https://www.ushmm.org/ contains learning and teaching sections useful for students and teachers.

ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks eXplore.

Synergy: Outdoor Adventures

Children are increasingly disconnected from nature. Immersing children in nature is essential in nurturing physical and mental well-being as well as encouraging environmental stewardship.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more through the websites:

THE NOT-SO GREAT OUTDOORS by Madeline Kloepper tells the story of a city dweller who reluctantly learns the joys of adventures in nature. Featuring a diverse family, this colorful and visually rich story will feel familiar to many city and rural dwellers alike.

KIDS IN THE PARK from the National Park Service introduces young people to the national parks. Help a child become a Junior Ranger. Go to https://www.nps.gov/kids.

PARKS CANADA XPLORERS has a program that encourages young adventures visiting Parks Canada locations. Go to https://bit.ly/36ETw0w.

ARC courtesy of Tundra an imprint of Penguin/Random House.

Synergy: Bird Counts

Bird counts are a way to get the “big picture” of what is happening to bird populations around the world. Through the participation of hundreds of thousands of citizen science volunteers, scientists are able to better understand the complex distribution and movement of bird species.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more through the websites:

BIRD COUNT by Susan Edwards Richmond and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman takes picture book readers on a Christmas Bird Count adventure. Readers follow young Ava and big Al as they carefully record and share their observations. The book concludes with information about the birds identified in the story. For lesson ideas, go to https://bit.ly/2QyDAHC.

Go to the Audubon website at https://bit.ly/302AYEX for information about the Christmas Bird Count.

Held each February, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a citizen science website where bird watchers of all ages can count birds, share their results, and create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located.

Great Backyard Bird Count https://gbbc.birdcount.org/

ARC courtesy of Peachtree.

Synergy: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a public servant who became the second woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more through the video:

RUTH OBJECTS: THE LIFE OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG by Doreen Rappaport is the latest addition to the Big Words picture book series featuring legendary figures.

The Biography channel produces short video biographies on well-known individuals. Check out their video on Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg https://youtu.be/eY9OE-Eq4TE

ARC courtesy of Disney-Hyperion.

Synergy: Moths and Natural Selection

The Peppered Moth is an example of evolutionary biology. The frequency of dark-colored moths increased as a result of the air pollution from coal plants during the Industrial Revolution.

Read the recently published a science picture book, then learn more at the website:

MOTH by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egneius explores the science of natural selection and evolution using the peppered moth as an example.      

The Story of the Peppered Moth from SciShow Kids is a short video that explores the peppered moth and natural selection.

SciShow Kids  AZZ

https://youtu.be/jD8w3SOlYOk

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Synergy: Carter G. Woodson

Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) is best known as the father of Black History Month. However, he was also a scholar who sought out and preserved the story of Americans of African descent.

Read the recently published a picture book biography, then learn more at the website:

CARTER READS THE NEWSPAPER by Deborah Hopkinson traces the life of Carter Woodson from his childhood and life as a coal miner to his education and creation of Negro History Week in 1926.

The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site from the National Park Service is a website that explores the life of this important historian.

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

https://www.nps.gov/cawo

ARC courtesy of Peachtree Publishers.

Synergy: Cryptography

Cryptography is the study and practice of sending and receiving private messages. The discipline connects computer science, mathematics, and other subject areas.

Read the recently published middle grades nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

CAN YOU CRACK THE CODE? by Ella Schwartz explores the history of ciphers and cryptography. Each chapter introduces a piece of history along with engaging activities.

Journey into Cryptography from Khan Academy examines hidden messages through history along with modern cryptography. Users are presented with real-world code breaking challenges to try.

Journey into Cryptography 

https://bit.ly/1wyWwlP

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury.

Synergy: Vaslav Nijinsky

Vaslav Nijinsky (about 1889-1950) was known for his ballet dancing and choreography. Considered the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century, he was part of the Ballets Russes.

Read the recently published young adult biography, then learn more at the website:

THE GREAT NIJINSKY: GOD OF DANCE by Lynn Curlee traces the life of a dance prodigy and cultural icon from the early 20th century. Using original paintings along with artwork, documents, and photographs, the book chronicles his tragic story including his obsession with artistry and famous love life.

Vaslav Nijinsky: Creating a New Artistic Era is a website from the New York Public Library that provides a biography, information about Ballets Russes, Nijinsky’s experiences as a choreographer, his time in America, and an essay about his life and work.

Vaslav Nijinsky https://on.nypl.org/1Oa5DUd

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge Teens.

Synergy: Internment of Japanese Americans

During World War II, 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were incarcerated in concentration camps in the United States. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 authorized the military to round up both citizens and non-citizens alike.

Read the recently published graphic memoir, then learn more at the website:

THEY CALLED US ENEMY by George Takei, Eisinger Scott Becker, and Steven Scott tells the true story of Takei’s childhood in American concentration camps during World War II. The book’s stunning illustrations capture the celebrity’s experiences and reveal lessons that are still relevant today.

Densho is a digital collection chronicling incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The site includes the core story, an encyclopedia, digital archives, American concentration camp information, and many other resources.

Densho http://densho.org/

ARC courtesy of Top Shelf.

Synergy: Opioid Crisis

For the past couple decades, pharmaceutical companies have pushed prescription pain relievers leading to their misuse. An Opioid Crisis has emerged leaving over 50,000 Americans dead and millions suffering from substance use disorders.

Read the recently published nonfiction young adult book, then learn more at the website:

DREAMLAND: THE TRUE TALE OF AMERICA’S OPIATE EPIDEMIC by Sam Quinones is a young adult adaptation of the popular adult book. Using a community in Ohio as an example, the author explains the rise of painkillers in America, their promotion by pharmaceutical companies, and the increase in illegal drugs from Mexico.

The Opioid Overdose Crisis website from the National Institute on Drug Abuse provides an overview of the epidemic, summaries by state, and related resources including reports, plans, videos, and infographics. 

Opioid Overdose Crisis https://bit.ly/2j6YEE1

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury.

Synergy: Makerspaces

Makerspaces are areas where people can create products using traditional arts and crafts supplies or technology tools such as 3-D printers or digital studios.

Read the recently published nonfiction children’s book, then learn more at the website:

MAKE THIS! by Ella Schwartz explores building, thinking, and tinkering projects for youth. Chapters feature facts and projects for topics including simple machines, materials, systems, optics, energy, acoustics, forces, and motion.

The Maker Education website provides starting points for over a dozen affordable tools and technologies for use in makerspaces. Each category includes a suggested web resource, project ideas, video links, and documents.

Maker Education http://www.makereducation.com/ 

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Woodstock

Woodstock was a three-day music festival held in the summer of 1969. The counterculture generation event is considered a key moment in rock music and 60s culture.

Read the recently published young adult nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

WOODSTOCK: 50 YEARS OF PEACE AND MUSIC by Daniel Bukszpan explores the people and groups that made this festival such as memorable event. The highly illustrated book is divided into chapters that explore festival planning, the performers, and the aftermath.

The Museum at Bethel Woods website tells the story of Woodstock. Of particular note is the online photoarchive that includes images and archives of the event.

Bethel Woods Collection Online Archive https://photoarchive.museumatbethelwoods.org

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Orangutans

The only great apes of Asia, orangutans are found in the island rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. They are one of the most intelligent primates and are critically endangered.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more at the website:

UNDAUNTED by Anita Silvey tells the true story of Birutė Mary Galdikas and her quest to save the orangutans. Each of the highly illustrated chapters connects the world-renowned primatologist with her quest to protect orangutans. 

The Orangutan Foundation website contains fascinating facts about orangutans, information about Galdikas and her work, and recommendations for taking action to save the orangutan.

The Orangutan Foundation https://orangutan.org/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Moonwalks

The first moonwalk happened fifty years ago. Between 1969 and 1972 a dozen men walked on the moon during NASA Apollo missions.

Read the recently published children's picture book, then learn more at the website:

DARING DOZEN: THE TWELVE WHO WALKED ON THE MOON by Suzanne Slade takes picture book readers chronologically through a dozen Apollo moonwalks. Including both paintings and photographs, the book concludes with background information about each mission.

NASA’s The Apollo Missions website contains information about each mission along with images and videos.

Apollo Missions https://go.nasa.gov/2nedbB6

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Biography

From farmers and factory workers to celebrities, biographies tell the stories of people.

Read the recently published children's books, then learn more at the website:

THE BOOK OF KINGS and THE BOOK OF QUEENS are companion reference books from National Geographic that explore the lives of people from around the world. Each thematic chapter includes visionaries, leaders, or scholars who made major contributions. The colorful illustrators and short articles provide a useful introduction to kickstart a deeper exploration of people from all walks of life.

Biography.com explores the lives of thousands of people from around the world. Although the ads can be annoying, the website is well-organized and easy to use. Users can search for individuals or browse by people, nostalgia, celebrity, history and culture, or crime and scandal. Videos are also available.

Biography https://www.biography.com/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: The Stonewall Uprising

The Stonewall Uprising included a series of protests by the gay community in the summer of 1969 after a police raid in New York City. Many historians consider this event to have sparked the LGBTQ+ movement that continues today.

Read the recently published middle grades children's book, then learn more at the website:

THE STONEWALL RIOTS: COMING OUT IN THE STREETS by Gayle E. Pitman tells the story of the 1969 demonstrations that launched the LGBTQ+ movement.

Visit the Stonewall National Monument National Park Service website to learn about the site of the Stonewall protests. The website contains a history of the events and connections to the people, parks, and places associated with LGBTQ heritage.

Stonewall National Monument https://www.nps.gov/ston

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: 1919

From the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to race riots, labor protests, and the Communist scare, the year 1919 has become known as a transformative year in American history.

Read the recently published children's book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

1919: THE YEAR THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Martin W. Sander explores six transformative events that have had a lasting impact on American history. This engaging work of nonfiction features photographs, primary source documents, and short narratives.

Wikipedia’s “year” pages provide a useful quick-reference for the key events of each year. In addition each year page contains births, deaths, Nobel prizes, and other useful information to jumpstart an investigation of a particular year such as 1919.

1919 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1919

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury Children.

Synergy: Tyrannosaurus rex

The Tyrannosaurus rex is a bipedal carnivore with powerful legs and short forelimbs. This popular dinosaur lived during the Cretaceous Period.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more at the website:

WHEN SUE FOUND SUE by Toni Buzzeo is a picture book telling the story of Sue Hendrickson and how she discovered a T-Rex in South Dakota now housed at The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

The Field Museum houses Sue the T. Rex from the picture book. Read a blog entry at their website about the dinosaur’s history at the museum.

The Field Museum Blog https://bit.ly/2DMHmaf

ARC courtesy of Abrams for Young Readers.

Synergy: Native American History & Culture

Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of the United States and represent over 570 federally recognized tribes.

Read the recently published reference book, then learn more at the website:

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY & CULTURE from National Geographic includes stories, timelines, maps, and more. Through full color illustrations and short engaging articles, the book explores seven regions including the Arctic and Subartic, Northeast, Southeast, Plains, Southwest, Great Basin and Plateau, Northwest Coast, and California. 

The National Museum of the American Indian website contains information about the museum as well as many online exhibits and resources. The Native Knowledge 360 section focuses on transforming teaching and learning about Native Americans.

National Museum of the American Indian website  

https://americanindian.si.edu/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic.

Synergy: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer from the Baroque Period who composed a wide range of music.

Read the recently published children's book, then learn more at the website:

BACH TO THE RESCUE by Tom Angleberger uses colorful illustrations and a humorous approach to tell the story of how Bach composed Goldberg Variations.

Sponsored by Cincinnati Public Radio, Classics for Kids presents short biographies of composers including Bach from throughout history. In addition to background information, the website also includes a short audio clip, links to audio programs, and a lesson plan.

Composers for Kids https://www.classicsforkids.com/composers.html 
Johann Sebastian Bach https://bit.ly/2J4wWEO

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Books + Websites = Lamb's Synergy

SYNERGY is a new column written by Annette Lamb that connects recently published books for youth with engaging Internet resources to encourage reading and exploration.

Web Project Review: LOC By the People

BY THE PEOPLE CAMPAIGNS from the Library of Congress is the starting point for the library’s crowdsourcing projects.

Participants of all ages are encouraged to participate in transcribing historical documents as part of the Library of Congress’ BY THE PEOPLE campaigns. Visitors are invited to transcribe, review, and tag digitized images of manuscripts and typed materials from the library’s collections. The purpose of the project is to improve search, readability, and access to historical documents.

Currently campaigns include documents related to Women’s Suffrage, the American Civil War, Walt Whitman, and Abraham Lincoln.

Librarians will find this authentic citizen action project to be an innovative way to involve youth with primary source documents and history. It’s also a useful way to implement and model service learning concepts.

To learn more, go to https://crowd.loc.gov/campaigns-topics/.

Book: The Nature Craft Book

THE NATURE CRAFT BOOK by Clare Beaton is an arts and crafts book for nature lovers.

Part of the Read, Learn & Create series, this nature book contains fifteen crafts and two recipes. Colorful collage illustrations help users learn about birds, insects, plants, and animals while providing easy-to-follow directions for engaging projects. After an introduction to nature and the format of activities, users explore over a dozen topics. From birds to twigs, children read about the topic. Then, follow directions to create finger puppets, apple chips, leaf prints, and other fun activities.

Librarians will find this book to be popular with children who enjoy nature crafts. Teachers will find useful activities for the classroom. Several of the projects will be new too librarians and worth a look.

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Book: Leaf It to Dot

LEAF IT TO DOT by Randi Zuckerberg is part of a developing reader series.

When Dot, Hal, and Dad go on a scavenger hunt, they find using a tablet useful but also a distraction. This engaging short chapter book provides a timely lesson about the importance of balancing screen time and nature exploration.

Librarians will find this short book to be a great way to talk with youth about enjoying nature. Weave it into the information literacy curriculum when discussing screen time and limiting device use. Children may recognize the characters from the television series.

ARC courtesy of the publisher.

500 Women Scientists

500 WOMEN SCIENTISTS is an online project focusing on women scientists.

This online database contains information and resources about female scientists from around the world. The resource also includes ideas and resources for building leaders. In addition, users can locate female scientists across the globe.

To learn more, go to https://500womenscientists.org/

Website: International Fact Checking Day

INTERNATIONAL FACT CHECKING DAY draws attention to the importance of accurate information world-wide.

Although April 2 is the day for global conversation about fact-checking, the website contains useful information that librarians, classroom teachers, and students can use everyday.

The resource includes dozens of articles exploring tips, myths, and resources associated with fact finding activities. The Educheckmap shows projects, resources, investigations, activities, and organizations world-wide that are examining topics such as critical thinking and media, data, and misinformation literacy.

Educators can download a role-playing card game and lesson plan that stimulates critical thinking, fact-based dialogue and analytical skills.

A Fake News Trivia Quiz is a great way to jumpstart discussions about misinformation and fake news.

Librarians will find this website weaves seamlessly into the information literacy curriculum.

Go to https://factcheckingday.com/.

Book Review: Something Rotten

SOMETHING ROTTEN by Heather Montgomery takes a “fresh look” at roadkill.

After a note from the author to jumpstart the topic, the eleven chapters each deal with a different aspect of roadkill science. The book concludes with an epilogue, project ideas, and a bibliography. Montgomery’s conversational style and compelling real-life stories bring the topic to life for young readers. While the book explores the study of dead animals, it also shares ways researchers are preventing roadkill. Although the informational text contains several basic illustrations, it would benefit from a more detailed visual component.

Librarians will find this fascinating, irreverent examination of animal remains to be a hit with intermediate and middle grade students who enjoy the macabre. However, it will also be of use to young scientists seeking career options. Pair it with books dealing wildlife forensics and other titles dealing with wildlife science.

Published by Bloomsbury on October 26, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Poetry of US

THE POETRY OF US from National Geographic contains over 200 poems celebrating the United States.

Celebrating the diverse people, places, and passions of the United States, this beautifully illustrated poetry book is organized by regions of the United States. After presenting several poems exploring American in general, the book features poems connected to eight regions including the US territories. While the book contains many well-known favorites, it also contains some lesser-known poems and poets.

Librarians will find this book of poetry useful for social studies and literature activities. The colorful photographs and large format may appeal to children who might overlook other books of poetry. Feature the book in curriculum activities exploring regions of the United States. Use the poems as an innovative way to jumpstart inquiries of states and regions.

Published by National Geographic on September 25, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Sanity & Tallulah

SANITY & TALLULAH by Molly Brooks is the first graphic novel in a new science fiction adventure series.

Best friends Sanity and Tallulah live on a space station and enjoy conducting science experiments. When Sanity’s top secret bioengineering project escapes, she and Tallulah try to find their three-headed kitten that’s being blamed for station-wide technical issues.

Librarians will find this humorous work well-received by both graphic novel and science fiction fans alike. Filled with STEM references, use this new series to promote an interest in science and technology. The diverse cast of characters, STEM themes, and space station setting will be a hit with readers.

Published on October 16, 2018 by Disney/Hyperion. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Begone the Raggedy Witches

BEGONE THE RAGGEDY WITCHES by Celine Kiernan is the first book in the Wild Magic fantasy trilogy.

After her father is taken hostage by witches, Mup and her family must avoid the raggedy witches to save him from the queen who also happens to be Mup’s grandmother. Along the way, she meets magical creatures and people in her quest to find her father.

Librarians will find this intermediate grade fantasy popular with children who enjoy folk fantasy, forbidden magic, and Irish mythology. This quick read can be enjoyed as both a standalone and book one of a trilogy.

Published on September 11, 2018 by Candlewick. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Dog Science Unleashed

DOG SCIENCE UNLEASHED by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen contains engaging activities for dog owners.

Featuring 22 hands-on science activities, this colorfully illustrated informational activity book is designed for children with access to a canine companion. The introduction describes how to use the book including safety guidelines. Four chapters feature a series of activities ending with a professional lab project. The book concludes with a glossary, information, and an index.

Librarians will find this book to be popular with dog fans as well as those interested in careers associated with animals.

Published by National Geographic Kids on September 1, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.