Technology Review: Veritasium

VERITASIUM is a YouTube network focusing on science education topics.

This popular video series features experiments, interviews, demonstrations, and discussion focusing on everyday science topics. The channel features dozens of their favorite videos exploring science and engineering topics for those new to the network. Viewers can also choose from video collections that focus on science misconceptions, science experiments, and science songs. The developer has also created playlists on topics such as inertia and radiation.

Librarians will find these engaging STEM videos to be an effective way to motivate science students. Weave them into the science curriculum.

To visit the website, go to https://www.youtube.com/veritasium.

Book Review: Where are you going, Baby Lincoln?

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, BABY LINCOLN? by Kate DiCamillo is the third book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series.

This adventure focuses on Mercy Watson’s neighbors, the Lincoln sisters. Baby Lincoln is tired of being bossed around by her older sister and decides that she needs to go on a “necessary journey”. Although she doesn’t have a plan, her quest gives her the opportunity to expand her horizons and discover some independence.

Librarians will find lots of interest in this latest book in this sweet, humorous chapter book series. Children will easily related to Baby’s need to spend some time away from her older sibling.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.katedicamillo.com/.
Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Nautilus Live

NAUTILUS LIVE is a live ocean exploration project.

Follow Dr. Robert Ballard and the Corps of Exploration as they explore the world’s oceans. The Expedition section focuses on the current ocean exploration and mission. It contains hands-on ideas for educators along with text, photos, and video. The Photos & Videos section features photo galleries and short video segments. The Tech area shares information about the ship and the Section area contains information about marine science including biology, geology, and archaeology. The News area shares articles about current activities. The Live section allows users to watch the ship’s activities live.

Librarian will find this project an excellent way to connect the school’s curriculum with real-world STEM activities. Set up a bulletin board in the library and a station to track the expedition’s progress.

To visit the website, go to http://www.nautiluslive.org/.

Book Review: Still a Work in Progress

STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS by Jo Knowles follows a seventh grader navigating world of middle school.

Noah feels most comfortable in art class. Life outside the art room is filled with friendship complexities, a sister with an eating disorder, and family issues. A hairless cat named Curly provides a humorous subplot.

Knowles creates a believable world with realistic dialog and authentic situations.

Librarians will find that middle-grade youth enjoy the balance of realistic fiction and humor. The themes of mental health and eating disorders are popular with this age group. However, the male perspective makes this book particularly distinct.

To learn more about the publisher, go to http://www.joknowles.com. A discussion guide is available.

Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collection: Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
The New York Public Library

Contents: This collection is the largest and most comprehensive dance archive in the world. It focuses on primary sources related to dance including ballet, ethnic, modern, social, and folk.

Classroom Connections: Primary sources used in teaching history often explore topics related to conflict or war. Consider a unit on primary sources that examines materials such as dance scrapbooks, dance performance programs, oral histories, photographs, and video archives. These items provide a different perspective on the use of primary sources to learn about history.

Featured Digital Objects:
African Dance - https://goo.gl/UcFD0R
Costume and Set Design - https://goo.gl/MOX87D
Dance Programs - https://goo.gl/xuNHih
Alvin Ailey’s Blue Suite - https://goo.gl/Bsk7wj

To visit the collection, go to http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/…/jerome-robbins-dance-d….

Technology Review: VSAUCE

VSAUCE is a network of science education channels on YouTube.

The project involves three science video channels.

VSAUCE 1: THINK focuses on fascinating science facts and the world of mystery. Each video investigates an interesting question.

VSAUCE 2: FIND explores everyday topics that involve human creation.

VSAUCE 3: PLAY covers the real-world science of fictional worlds.

Librarians will find this video network to be an excellent way to promote science. Mine the videos for topics that align with the science curriculum. Or, use them to motivate learners and readers.

To visit the website, go to http://www.vsauce.com.

Book Review: Seven and a Half Tons of Steel

SEVEN AND A HALF TONS OF STEEL by Janet Nolan tells the extraordinary story of a navy ship built with steel from the World Trade Center tragedy.

After the World Trade Centers collapsed on 9/11, seven and a half tons of steel from the disaster site was transported to New Orleans and used in the bow of the USS New York. While Hurricane Katrina delayed the project, the ship was ultimately completed in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in New York.

Librarians will find this nonfiction picture book to be an age-appropriate story true story for elementary children. Rather than focusing on the tragedy itself, the author chooses to explore the uplifting story of rebuilding.

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

Published by Peachtree on August 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collections: Afghanistan Digital Library

Afghanistan Digital Library
New York University Libraries

Contents: This collection focuses on preserving the cultural heritage of Afghan publications from 1871 through 1930.

Classroom Connections: When exploring world history, it’s useful for students to see primary sources from around the global Although students won’t be able to read most of the texts, they can see what these works looked like and the importance of communication during the time periods represented.

Featured Digital Objects: 
Afghan Progress https://goo.gl/DWjvxY
History of Aryana Club https://goo.gl/a4isCR

To visit the collection, go to http://afghanistandl.nyu.edu/.

Technology Review: Journey into the Arctic

JOURNEY INTO THE ARCTIC is an exciting interactive video experience for all ages.

Users watch a series of short videos and make choices along the way. Each choice presents success or failure to the expedition. Designed as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary, this interactive journey helps youth better understand the plight of early explorers. Bonus videos provide additional background information about a wide range of topics.

There are two ways for users to participate. First, students can use a web-based version that presents text on a web page along with the videos. Second, students can go directly to the videos.

Librarians will find this beautifully produced video experience to be an effective way to explore the history of arctic exploration. User the interactive tool to jumpstart an inquiry-based learning experience. Ask students to learn more about some aspect of the exploration.

To visit the website, go to http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1435340710904.
To explore the web-based experience, go tohttp://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1435072634918/1435072693723.
To go directly to the videos, go to https://youtu.be/MAB_cRMbxvI.

Book Review: Let Your Voice Be Heard

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD by Anita Silvey explores the life of folk musician Pete Seeger.

From young folk-singer to Grammy winner, this well-researched work of nonfiction traces the career of this singer, songwriter, and banjo player. The book is most effective when discussing his social and environmental activism.

Librarians will find a middle grade audience for this biography among children who enjoy music and activism. Connect this work of nonfiction with the Smithsonian Folkways website to see and hear Seeger’s works. Go to http://www.folkways.si.edu/peteseeger.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.anitasilvey.com/. A teachers guide is available.

Published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Ask Smithsonian

ASK SMITHSONIAN is a weekly video series exploring a wide range of topics.

From ancient history to contemporary science topics, this video series answers questions through very short videos. Around a minute in length, each video addresses a different question. Viewers can extend the experience by reading interesting articles.

Librarians will find that these question and answer videos will inspire young people to create their own inquiry-based projects. Rather than a traditional written assignment, ask students to explore a question of interest and create their own video project.

To visit the website, go tohttp://www.smithsonianmag.com/vid…/category/ask-smithsonian/.

Digital Collections: NINES

NINES: Nineteenth-Century Scholarship Online

Contents: This collection contains nearly 900,000 digital objects from 139 federated sites. It includes well-known materials by Jane Austen along with books, letters, diaries, and other fascinating primary sources. Tags are used to explore areas of interest.

Classroom Connections: The NINES Classroom area allows teachers to set up accounts for classes to create exhibits and discuss objects. Although it’s used primarily by colleges, any educator can set up an account.

Featured Digital Objects:
Costume resources - https://goo.gl/Qe1Qfu
Frankenstein resources - https://goo.gl/V8Gpjg
American Civil War resources - https://goo.gl/vKlCqc

To visit the collection, go to http://www.nines.org/.

Book Review: Be Light Like a Bird

BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD by Monika Schroder tells the authentic story of a twelve-year-old girl dealing with the death of her father.

When her dad dies, Wren and her mother must move to Michigan and start a new life. Along the way, Wren deals with a wide range of issues from bullying and peer pressure to environmental issues and themes of lies, forgiveness, and hope.

This poignant story realistically describes Wrens’ struggles with the death of her father. The author skillfully weaves age-appropriate experiences and actions into the storyline.

Librarians will find middle-grade, realistic fiction readers drawn to the wide range of topics and themes. From birding and anthropology to bullying, encourage youth to select an issue of interest and learn more about it.

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

Published by Stone Arch, and imprint of Capstone on August 1, 2016. Courtesy of the author.

Technology Review: PBS Digital Studios

PBS DIGITAL STUDIOS is a YouTube Channel containing educational programming on a wide range of topics.

This video channel features short-form videos showcasing the best of Internet and PBS. From philosophy and technology to history and science, the programming incorporates topics across the curriculum. The project features content housed at a number of YouTube channels including Deep Look, PHS Idea Channel, The Art Assignment, It’s Okay to be Smart, CrashCourse, Space Time, Physics Girl, BrainCraft, Cross Science, and more.

Librarians will find this website to be a useful starting point for locating educational videos. Spend some time aligning videos across the curriculum. Or, feature selected videos in a showcase along with selected books and other resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios.

Digital Collection: Bass Field Notes

Bass Field Notes Collection
University of Tennessee Knoxville Special Collection

Contents: This collection focuses on forensic anthropology and how it’s used to resolve medical and criminal cases. It specifically contains field notes and other artifacts from investigations involving body decomposition.

Classroom Connections: Students love “real world” applications of science such as CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). Although some students might find the topic “gross”, others will love diving into the primary sources materials related to science. Use the information at this website to create your own library CSI project.

Featured Digital Objects:
Arrows Used in a Study https://goo.gl/SWxXf4
Sketch of Cliff https://goo.gl/cTPr7a

To visit the collection, go to https://www.lib.utk.edu/…/featured-colle…/drbass-collection/.

Digital Collection: Pioneers in Your Attic

Mountain West Digital Library
Pioneers in Your Attic

Contents: Launched in 2013, this collections explores a wide range of topics related to the 19th century overland migration including transportation, trail and camp life, encounters with Native American tribes, diseases, medicine and surgery, politics and government, gold rush, religion, and perspectives from multiple viewpoints.

Classroom Connections: Involve youth in tracking the the westward movement from various perspectives. Ask each student to explore a different aspect such as transportation, camp life, or encounters with Native Americans. Or, explore resources by primary source type such as diaries, letters, and photographs.

Featured Digital Objects:
Drawing of Wagon Master https://goo.gl/6aZf02
Crow, Black Lodge Camp https://goo.gl/7p2ggY

To visit the collection, go to http://mwdl.org/portals/pioneers.php.

Technology Review: Full Time with Mya

FULL TIME KID WITH MYA is a series of videos from PBS.

This adorable YouTube Channel features videos on topics such as crafts, songs, and learning experiences. From science experiments and math tricks to how-to videos, young Mya shares ideas for children, parents, and teachers. The short, focused videos are quick to watch.

Librarians will find these videos to be a fun way to introduce youth to video production. Get children involved with creating their own short videos on topics of their choice.

To watch the videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/FullTimeKid/.

Book Review: Tokens and Omens

TOKENS AND OMENS by Jeri Baird is the first book in an exciting new adventure fantasy series filled with secrets, challenges, and a quest for survival.

The sixteen-year-olds in a rural village spend months preparing for a dangerous “rite-of-passage” known as “The Quest”. During this time, they receive tokens and omens based on their behavior. Although the quest is intended to test individuals, the teens soon discover that Fate may have something else in mind that has implications for the entire village.

Told in alternating chapters through the eyes of two teens, the story addresses thought-provoking questions about fate, friendship, and choices making the novel much more than your typical fantasy fare.

Librarians will find this fast-paced fantasy popular with teens who enjoy Hunger Games along with the many other recent titles that incorporate quest and game components. With well-developed characters, refreshing magic elements, and believable world-building features, this book can stand-alone. However, most readers will be looking forward to the next installment of this engaging young adult series.

To learn more about the author, go to https://jeribaird.com/.

Published by Jolly Fish Press on July 19, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Spotlights

Along with book, app, and website reviews, we’re going to begin sharing digital collections with fascinating primary sources and other types of objects. While many of these collections were developed by academic and public libraries, they’re useful for school libraries and classroom teachers seeking out interesting primary sources to share with youth. You’re probably familiar with the Library of Congress, National Archives, and other large collections, so we’ll explore some smaller, more focused collections.

Website Review: Mawah

MAWAH: WHEN EBOLA CAME TO OUR VILLAGE is an amazing, interactive storytelling experience.

This true story is told in ten engaging chapters. The experience begins in the summer of 2014 with a prologue explaining the beginnings of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Then, readers work their way through ten, interactive chapters featuring a narrative along with background information, videos, photographs, infographics, and links to additional information.

The subdued watercolor illustrations weave the narrative together in this ground-breaking approach to nonfiction storytelling.

Librarians will find this online experience to be an excellent way to introduce high school students to both the science and social issues associated with Ebola. The mixture of the compelling narrative with the informational segments will attract many students to this important and timely topic.

To visit the website, go to http://www.mawahtale.com.