Timely Take-Aways for Life-long Learning: History of the American West

Several new histories of the American West shed light on lesser known individuals and new ways of thinking about this fascinating time period and location.

Birthing the West: Mothers and Midwives in the Rockies and Plains
Jennifer J. Hill, March 2022, Bison Books, Longleaf Services   
Themes: American West, History, Women

Childbirth is an overlooked event that dramatically impacted the economic and cultural development of the American West.

Take-aways: From the changing role of midwives and physicians to the transition of births from homes to hospitals, teachers can use this book to help students better understand woman and families in the West.

The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of Little Bighorn
Chris Enss, June 2022, TwoDot                               
Themes: Biography, American West, History, Women

Told through diaries and other primary sources, THE WIDOWED ONES shares the story of seven officers’ wives whose husbands died at the Battle of Little Bighorn providing a unique look at western life.

Take-aways: History is often told from the soldier’s perspective. This text provides useful examples of the impact of military service on families.

Peace and Friendship: An Alternative History of the American West
Stephen Aron, July 2022, Oxford University Press     
Themes: American West, History, Revolutionary Era

This refreshing collection of inspiring stories focuses on instances of peace and good will often overlooked in favor of a focus on conflict and violent ends.

Take-aways: Students sometimes feel like history is just one conflict after another. Use anecdotes from this text to stress historical episodes that ended in cooperation, alliances, and peace. 

Continental Reckoning: The American West in the Age of Expansion
Elliott West, February 2023, University of Nebraska Press                     
Themes: American West, History

This engaging work of nonfiction shares both the physical transformation of the West along with the deep impact on the people who were displaced and those that reshaped the land.

Take-aways: This sweeping narrative highlights key events within the larger national and global contexts. These contexts are essential in helping students understand the significance of this pivotal period and place.

The Summer of 1876: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Legends in the Season that Defined the American West
Chris Wimmer, June 2023, St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan   Themes: American West, History

Wimmer uses the 100th anniversary of the nation to explore key figures and events in American frontier mythology. These interrelationships provide fascinating insights into a changing nation.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Mythical Places

MYTHICAL PLACES are locations that appear in tall tales, folklore, religious texts, and mythology. Atlantis and Shangri-La are examples.

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

AN ATLAS OF LOST KINGDOMS by Emily Hawkins and illustrated by Lauren Mark Baldo explores mythical places across cultures from around the world. Featuring detailed maps, and stunning illustrations, readers are immersed in both the lost worlds along with the stories of adventurers who sought them. ARC courtesy of Wide Eyed Editions from Quarto Group.

Wikipedia’s LIST OF MYTHOLOGICAL PLACES is a fascinating place to begin an exploration of the wide range of mythological places.

To visit the website, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mythological_places.

ORIGINS EXPLAINED is a YouTube channel exploring mysterious places. For instance, 10 MYTHICAL PLACES THAT ACTUALLY EXIST is a video that shares mysterious places people can actually visit.

To visit the YouTube channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/OriginsExplained. To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/WXakuaCnDXs.

Synergy: Lichen

LICHEN are a symbiotic organism combining filaments of fungi with algae or cyanobacteria. The resulting component life form may have tiny, leafless branches, flat leaf-like structures, crust-like features, powdery elements, or other forms.

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

THE SECRET WORLD OF LICHENS by Troy McMullin is a young naturalist’s guide to forty fascinating life forms that are often overlooked. This highly illustrated book features full-page photos, engaging facts, and  key concepts related to the science of lichens. ARC courtesy of Firefly Books.

LICHENLAND from Oregon State University provides an introduction to lichen, ideas for identification, and a useful synoptic key.

To visit the website, go to http://gis.nacse.org/lichenland/.

ENLICHENMENT is an online book and database containing endless examples for lichen lovers. Explore photos, keys, range maps, and checklists.

To visit the website, go to https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/.

Synergy: Giraffes

GIRAFFES are African hoofed mammals. Their extremely long neck and legs along with their spotted coat makes them easy to recognize. Giraffes are a vulnerable species and some subspecies are critically endangered.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book, then extend the experience through websites:

ANNE AND HER TOWER OF GIRAFFES written by Karlin Gray and illustrated by Aparna Varma shares the true story of the first giraffologist, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg. Picture book readers will enjoy following the successes and challenges faced by Anne on her quest to learn about and save the giraffes. The book concludes with additional information and an interview with Dr. Dagg. ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

JUNIOR GIRAFFE CLUB provides information about Dr. Dagg and facts about giraffes. The website encourages children to get involved in special events.

To visit the website, go to https://www.juniorgiraffeclub.org/.

THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES is a documentary about the life and work of Dr. Dagg.

To learn more, go to https://thewomanwholovesgiraffes.com/.

Synergy: Paper Balloon Bombs

During World War II, incendiary paper balloon weapons were deployed by Japan against the United States. One of these bombs dropped in Oregon causing the only fatalities from enemy action in the continental U.S. during the war. Teen girls in Japan were conscripted to construct the paper balloons.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then extend the experience through websites:

PEACE IS A CHAIN REACTION by Tanya Lee Stone tells the story of how World War II Japanese balloon bombs ultimately brought people of two nations together. Within the larger context of the war and its aftermath, Stone skillfully shares the complex challenges facing teens during wartime and the long term implications. The true story explores three intersecting stories of peace and forgiveness.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

JAPANESE PAPER BALLOON is a video from the National Archives and Records Administration. Published during World War II, it’s available through the Internet Archive.

To video the video, go to https://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.13084.

The MITCHELL MONUMENT brochure from the US Forest Service shares the story of the attack and the aftermath.

To read the brochure, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5374039.pdf.

An article in Smithsonian Magazine tells the story of the bombing.

To read the article, go to https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1945-japanese-balloon-bomb-killed-six-americansfive-them-children-oregon-180972259/.

Synergy: Zoology

ZOOLOGY is the study of animals including their behavior, structure, classification, and distribution. This branch of biology studies the entire animal kingdom.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for children, then extend the experience by viewing a video series:

5,000 AWESOME FACTS (ABOUT ANIMALS) from National Geographic Kids features thousands of fascinating facts along with hundreds of amazing animal photographs. This fact book is designed for readers who enjoy browsing, as well as those who prefer to deep dive into specific animals or creature categories. Visually stunning, this large format book will be popular with young zoologists and trivia nerds alike.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

WHAT IS AN ANIMAL? is the first in a series of Crash Course Zoology videos. This short video provides an introduction to zoology. The fourteen-episode series is perfect for young people interested in the biology of animals.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/zgM0F6UmC70.

To watch the entire Crash Course Zoology playlist, go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNRgJI4gHRLFtOD_r4hfJaF.

Timely Take-aways: Medicine and Medical History

Timely Take-aways for Life-long Learners: Medicine and Medical History

From natural remedies and inoculations to surgical practices, several new works of nonfiction explore the history of medicine and its impact around the world.

Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery
Ira Rutkow, Mar 2022, Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: Medical, History

Tracing the fascinating story of surgery through global history, EMPIRE OF THE SCALPEL shares the key people and breakthroughs that established the foundations for today’s life-saving medical practices.

Take-aways: Educators will find useful examples of how the science of surgery evolved over time. Use these people and practices to demonstrate the importance of ongoing research and perseverance. 

The Empress and the English Doctor
Lucy Ward, Jun 2022, Oneworld Publications, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: History, 18th century, Medical

THE EMPRESS AND THE ENGLISH DOCTOR is a fast-paced, nonfiction narrative telling the story of Catherine the Great’s quest to inoculate the masses against smallpox. Rather than focusing on the science itself, the true story explores the challenges of preventative health care in the 18th century.

Take-aways: Use this story as an example of the importance of political leadership in promoting science. 

The Physick Garden: Ancient Cures for Modern Maladies
Alice Smith, April 2022, Frances Lincoln, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: Medical, Natural Remedies, Herbs, History

THE PHYSICK GARDEN shares information about 80 plants used in natural remedies and alternative medicine. Each two-page spread explores a plant, its medicinal uses, along with both ancient tales and modern research about its use in healing.

Take-aways: This book provides a fascinating interdisciplinary approach to medicinal plants. Use it to identify engaging examples that connect science and history topics.

Healing a Divided Nation: 
How the American Civil War Revolutionized Western Medicine
Carole Adrienne, August 2022, Pegasus Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: History, United States, Civil War period, Medical

HEALING A DIVIDED NATION examines the revolutionary advances made in medical science during the Civil War. These innovations transformed healthcare along with a wide range of related areas from education and culture to technology.

Take-aways: The long term impact of the medical advances during the Civil War era are found across disciplines. Demonstrate the key connections between science and history.

Heroes and Scoundrels
Moira Dolan, August 2022, Quill Driver Books, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services
Themes: Biography, History, Science, Medicine

Part of the Boneheads and Brainiacs series, HEROES AND SCOUNDRELS explores both honest and dishonest medical researchers (1951-1975) connected with the Nobel Prize.

Take-aways: Reflect on both the positive and negative decisions made for medical progress.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Celia Thaxter

CELIA THAXTER (1835-1894) is an American author, artist, and naturalist known for her love of gardens and the islands off the coast of New England.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for children, then extend the experience with the websites:

CELIA PLANTED A GARDEN written by Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt and illustrated by Melissa Sweet shares the life of American author, artist, and naturalist Celia Thaxter who wrote and painted about her passion for island life off the coast of New England. The book’s illustrator skillfully weaves in quotes from Thaxter’s writings and features her passion for flowers and nature, while the authors explore the key events of Celia’s life and conclusion with a useful note, timeline, and bibliography. 

ARC courtesy of Candlewick.

ABOUT CELIA THAXTER is a series of web pages from Shoals Marine Laboratory that explore the life, writing, and gardens of Celia Thaxter on Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire.

To visit the pages, go to https://www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org/about-celia-thaxter.

CELIA THAXTER’S GARDEN INSTALLATION AT SHOALS MARINE LAB is a short YouTube video that shares the process of re-creating the naturalist’s gardens on Thaxter’s beloved island.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/y_3L6DmThps.

Many of Celia Thaxter’s works are available at Internet Archive including An Island Garden.

To read An Island Garden, go to https://archive.org/details/islandgarden00thax.

Synergy: The Tin Woodman

The Tin Woodman is a character created by L. Frank Baum as part of the fictional Land of Oz. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy befriends the tin man and together they experience adventures. The character shows up in other Baum books as well as the novel by Gregory Maguire titled Wicked.

Read the recently published graphic novel, then extend the experience with two digital books:

TIN MAN by Justin Madson is a graphic novel featuring the Tin Man made famous in the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. In this story, the tin woodsman is still seeking a heart, but teen Solar and her brother  Fenn are the ones who befriend this man made of metal. They help each other heal and find out where they belong. The limited text, attractive illustrations, and compelling story will engage even reluctant readers in this unusual friendship. ARC courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Teachers and librarians may use this title to encourage children to revisit the classic works of L. Frank Baum or the newer novels of Gregory Maguire.

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ is available digitally at Internet Archive.

To download, go to https://archive.org/details/wonderfulwizardo00baumiala.

THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ is available as an audiobook at Librivox.

To download, go to https://librivox.org/the-tin-woodman-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum/

Synergy: Dinosaurs

DINOSAURS are reptiles that lived primarily during the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Over 1,000 species of these enormous creatures have been identified. Dinosaur fossils have been found around the globe.

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

DINOSAUR ATLAS: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME TO THE PREHISTORIC WORLD written by Tom Jackson and illustrated by Maggie Li uses simple color illustrations and engaging short text blocks to explore dozens of well-known and lesser known dinosaurs. The atlas begins with background information and concludes with what happened after dinosaurs reigned. Excellent for reading or browsing. 

ARC courtesy of Quarto Publishing Group. 

DINOSAUR ATLAS from National Geographic Kids takes young paleontologists on an adventure through time to explore the Mesozoic world of dinosaurs. Large text, a variety of illustrations, and open-space on each page will attract rather than overwhelm young readers. After an introduction, the readers explore three time periods and dozens of spotlight locations around the globe. The atlas concludes with what happened after extinction, a dictionary, glossary and additional information. Of particular note is the newly interpreted dinosaur information and stunning, full-color illustrations including artwork, photographs, and maps. 

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

DINOSAURS from the American Museum of Natural History web page features articles, exhibits, collections, and educational materials related to dinosaurs. Of particular interest is the PaleontOlogy section designed for children.

To visit AMNH, go to https://www.amnh.org/dinosaurs.

Synergy: Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird is an omnivore often found in open areas and forest edges of North America. Known for its mimicry and intelligence, the bird is able to recognize individual people and imitate a variety of animal sounds. They can be found in both urban and rural habitats.

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

DUET: OUR JOURNEY IN SONG WITH THE NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD by Phillip Hoose takes an interdisciplinary approach to telling the story of the relationship between humans and mockingbirds through history. Written for young adults, Hoose uses the Northern Mockingbird to demonstrate the resilience of both birds and humans. Concluding with an emphasis on climate change and other environmental challenges, readers are invited to explore ways to help mockingbirds and other songbirds. ARC courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint go Macmillan.

The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD from All About Birds provides an overview to the life, location, and sounds of the Northern Mockingbird. Visit the page at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview.

The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD from Audubon shares background information about the bird along with information about its climate vulnerability. Visit the page at https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-mockingbird.

Timely Take-aways for Life-Long Learning: Birds and Birders

Several new and upcoming books explore the world of birds and birders. From naturalists and scientists to backyard birders, these books explore the wide range of ways people connect with birds.

Best Little Book of Birds: The Oregon Coast

Sarah Swanson, 2022, Timber Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group

Themes: Nature, Birds

Organized into 25 short chapters, readers learn about bird families found on the Oregon Coast. The first book in a new series of pocket-sized birding guides, this book provides quality photographs, useful icons, and short text blocks with key bird information.

Take-aways: Introduce students to birding through this appealing new field guide series. 

Audubon at Sea

Edited by Christoph Irmscher & Richard J. King, 2022, University of Chicago Press

Themes: Nature, Birds

Weaving together Audubon’s writings and artwork, the editors explore this famous artist and naturalist’s connect with the sea and waterbirds.

Take-aways: Explore this book for examples of the challenges educators and students face in addressing the legacy of naturalists such as Audubon who killed for his art.

Woman, Watching: Louise de Kiriline Lawrence and the Songbirds of Pimisi Bay

Merilyn Simonds, 2022, ECW Press, an imprint of Baker & Taylor Publisher Services

Themes: Biography, Naturalist, Birds

While living in an isolated cabin in Ontario, Canada, Louise de Kiriline Lawrence worked as a nurse then devoted her life to studying birds. The author connects the life story of this pioneer of ornithology with her own passion for songbirds.

Take-aways: Use Lawrence and Simonds as examples of how naturalists yesterday and today contribute to our understanding of birds through their observations and citizen science.

Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration

Rebecca Heisman, 2023, Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins

Themes: Nature, Birds

From bird banding to DNA markers, explore the little-known story of the scientists who pieced together the puzzle of bird migration. Crossing generations and disciplines, this fascinating discovery was made possible through the synergy of collaboration to address a complex problem.

Take-aways: Use this story as an example of the power of collaboration to tackle scientific challenges. Also, use it to share how scientific discoveries build on one another.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Insects

Insects are small arthropods with six legs. Generally, insects have one or two pairs of wings. These small invertebrate animals have segmented bodies, jointed legs, and external skeletons. They are sometimes referred to as bugs.

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

BUZZKILL: A WILD WANDER THROUGH THE WEIRD AND THREATENED WORLD OF BUGS by Brenna Maloney and illustrated by Dave Mottram is an informational picture book exploring the world of insects. Children will enjoy the humorous, conversational approach to the important role insects play in our lives. Of particularly note are the many fascinating examples and colorful illustrations sure to engage young readers. ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan.

INSECTS from DK Findout! provides photographs and information about a wide range of insects including ants, beetles, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, damselflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and crickets. In addition, readers learn about types of insects, useful insects, and more. A quiz provides the chance for readers to test their knowledge.

To visit the website, go to https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/insects/.

Synergy: Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people, products, or goods from one place to another. A vehicle such as a truck, train, bus, ship, or other form of transportation may be used as a carrier.

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

MEANS OF TRANSPORT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Tom Velcovsky explores the history of transport through key milestones in travel and transportation. From ships and air balloons to space travel, readers explore specific examples that represent key innovations through history. ARC courtesy of Albatros Media, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

AMERICA ON THE MOVE from the National Museum of American History examines transportation through American history. Over a dozen project pages use collection artifacts to share stories about travel and transportation.

To visit the website, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/america-on-the-move.

Synergy: Bigotry

Bigotry is the unreasonable attachment to or intolerance of a belief or opinion. Specifically, bigotry is prejudice against a person based on their membership in a particular group such as a race or religion.

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

DAYS OF INFAMY: HOW A CENTURY OF BIGOTRY LED TO JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT by Lawrence Goldstone is part of the True Stories in Focus series. This title examines iniquities of the American justice system and the history of racism. Although the emphasis is on the deportation and detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, this work of nonfiction also explores other key events in Japanese American history. ARC courtesy of Scholastic Focus.

The NATIONAL JAPANESE AMERICAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION website provides resources related to Japanese American history. The LEARN section explores the history of forced removal and incarceration, the American soldiers, discrimination, and the American Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The PROGRAMS area provides educational resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.njamemorial.org/

Synergy: Knots

Knots are a fastening made by tying a piece of rope or string. Interlacing, twining, looping, and other techniques are used for typing knots. Knots are used in tying shoes, hunting, camping, boating, and arts and crafts projects.

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

KNOTS FOR KIDS by Buck Tilton introduces young readers to step-by-step instructions for tying a wide range of useful knots. High-quality photographs and illustrations using a variety of rope and string make it easy to reproduce each knot. ARC courtesy of Falcon Guides.

ANIMATED KNOTS provides easy-to-use instructions and high quality photos to teach users how to make dozens of knots.

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

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Writers and Writing

Several recently published and upcoming titles explore writing and writers. From unconventional writing rules to new ways of presenting content, explore approaches to writing, spaces for creation, and techniques to jumpstart writing.

Robert’s Rules of Writing, Second Edition: 111 Unconventional Lessons that Every Writer Needs to Know

Robert Masello, 2021, Allworth, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Themes: Language Arts, Communication, Writing

Exploring problems and issues faced by writers across genres, the author challenges traditional approaches and provides over 100 useful and often humorous ideas.

Take-aways: Students will enjoy many of Masello’s practical writing suggestions. Weave them into classroom presentations or post “the rules” on a bulletin board.

The New Academic: A Researcher’s Guide to Writing and Presenting Content in a Modern World

Simon Clews, 2023, Sourcebooks

Themes: Language Arts, Communications, Writing

Although designed for academics, this book explores practical ways to think about sharing information for anyone interested in writing, speaking, profiling, and communicating. The hands-on approach provides useful examples and publishing ideas.

Take-aways: Use this book to make real-world writing assignments and encourage students to think about audiences that go beyond the classroom. Consider about ways to collaborate across the curriculum for authentic writing projects.

Write Away! Poetry: Guided Poetry Journal with 75+ Writing Prompts

Editors, 2023, Chartwell Books

Themes: Language Arts, Writing, Journaling

With over 75 writing prompts, this guided-journal provides ideas for playing with memory, words, senses, and form. Although designed for poetry writing, the ideas can be adapted for other types of writing experiences.

Take-aways: Weave the writing prompts in the classroom as part of springboard or reflection activities.

Writer’s Retreat: Literary Cabins, Creative Hideaways, and Favorite Writing Spaces of Iconic Authors

Neil Burkey, 2021, Imagine, an imprint of Charlesbridge Publishing

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Exploring the writing spaces of over 50 authors, this fascinating quick-read provides unique insights into the writers, their works, and the places they create.

Take-aways: Personalize your examination of the authors already found in the curriculum by adding insights about the locations where they wrote.

Rooms of their Own: Where Great Writers Write

Alex Johnson, 2022, Frances Lincoln, an imprint of Quarto Group

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Readers explore the spaces, habits, and rituals of 50 famous writers. Going beyond the locations themselves, the book examines how specific spaces impact the writing process.

Take-aways: Use the examples in this book to talk with students about the connection between authors and place. Also, connect to personal habits and writing rituals.

...

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

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Synergy: Experiments

 

Experiments are procedures designed to support or refute a hypothesis. They demonstrate what outcome occurs when a particular variable is manipulated. To children, hands-on, scientific experiments can seem like magic.

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

THE SCIENCE SPELL BOOK: MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS by Cara Florance provides a fun way for children to learn about physics, biology, and chemistry through common household items. From using electricity to draw pictures to creating a fluorescent feast, readers explore the science behind magical experiments. Chapter titles such as illumination, sorcery, and alchemy enhance the magic theme, while the individual experiments keeping the focus on real-world science concepts. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

YOUTUBE features video channels that connect the science with the fun of magic tricks. For instance, 5-MINUTE MAGIC provides short videos on a wide range of topics. The playlists includes topics such as science experiments, magic tricks, and top experiments.

To watch videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/5MINUTEMAGIC.

Synergy: World War I

World War I (1914-1918) was one of the most deadly global conflicts in human history. In addition to the estimated 9 million people killed in combat, another 5 million civilians died as a result of the conflict. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book for young adults, then learn more at the websites:

WORLD WAR I: THE GREAT WAR TO END ALL WARS by Julie Knutson is part of the Inquire & Investigate series. This interdisciplinary text explores the events that led to the war along with key battles. Using photographs, graphic novel-style illustrations, and primary source documents, readers learn about both the home-front and global aspects of the war. Useful fact boxes, sidebars, and questions are likely to engage reluctant learners. ARC courtesy of Nomad Press.

1914-1918 ONLINE is an international encyclopedia focusing on the First World War. Readers can explore the website through a timeline, themes, regions, or article topics.

To visit the website, go to https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/.

Synergy: Anglerfish

Anglerfish are bony fish known for their bioluminescence that is used to lure prey. Found worldwide, anglerfish dwell on the sea floor, close to the sea floor or in the deep sea.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book, then learn more at the websites:

ANGLERFISH: THE SEADEVIL OF THE DEEP by Elaine M. Alexander and illustrated by Fiona Fogg dives 13,000 feet under the ocean to explore a primordial fish known for its teeth and bioluminescence. This informational picture book follows the life cycle of the anglerfish and concludes with additional information about its life and related fish. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISH from Monterey Bay Aquarium provides an overview of the fish along with photographs, video, conservation information, and cool facts. To read the page, go to https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/deep-sea-anglerfish.

Science Magazine from YouTube provides the first footage of deep-sea anglerfish pair. To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/anDIlMVgNwk.