Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Marine Life

The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It
Helen Scales, Jul 2021, Grove/Atlantic
Themes: nature, ecosystems, marine life, oceans, deep seas

Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher’s Extraordinary World
Craig Foster & Ross Frylinck, Nov 2021, Mariner-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Themes: nature, marine life, ecology

Whether exploring the deepest oceans or learning about life from sea creatures, new works of nonfiction are examining the natural world in new ways.

THE BRILLIANT ABYSS takes readers on a voyage of discovery revealing the mysteries of the deep ocean. Scales’ rich narrative shares fascinating information about the bizarre creatures and diverse ecology increasingly threatened by pollution, mining, and climate change.

UNDERWATER WILD examines the marine science and incredible adventures that led to the award-winning documentary MY OCTOPUS TEACHER. Through stunning photos and engaging narrative, readers learn about the authors, their personal relationships, and the sea creatures that inspire them.

Let’s explore seven timely take-aways for life-long learners:


1) Deep-diving submersibles and other new technologies have opened up a “golden era for deep-sea exploration”. While scientists have detailed maps of the moon, much of the world’s deep seabed mountain ranges remain a mystery. A 2019 study suggests that large areas of the deep seafloor aren’t rocky. Instead, they’re covered with mud that’s one to six or more miles deep.
2) Recently, photographers captured 347,000 deep sea creatures and only 1 in 5 was previously known. These creatures thrive in extreme conditions. The diversity of life in the Pacific deep sea is immense.
3) Animal illuminations have led to some surprising adaptations among life in the deep. While some creatures have adapted by making light, others have evolved ultra-black skin packed with melanin.
4) The sea is warming much more rapidly than anticipated. This heat is flowing much deeper than anticipated. The melting ice caps are reducing the salinity of the seawater.
5) Every ocean has hydrothermal vents containing endemic creatures that thrive only near these vents. These ecosystems flourish because of chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.
6) In addition to climate change, plastic pollution and deep sea mining are other concerns. Deep sea sediments are filled with micro plastics that are consumed by marine life. Of particular note is the long range impact of tailings from mines.
7) From observing pyjama catshark reproduction to tracking otters, each individual creature plays an important role in the ecology of the sea. No creatures are insignificant. Simple observation shows the complexity of marine life.

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: Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is an annual Fall event celebrating the freedom to read. Launched in 1982, it seeks to promote awareness of book challenges and express support for intellectual freedom. The event is intended to draw attention to the harms of censorship.

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

YOU CAN’T SAY THAT! compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus shares the experiences of thirteen authors for young people who have dealt with censorship. Each writer discusses their thoughts on free expression through interviews by the book’s compiler.

The BANNED BOOKS WEEK website is maintained by the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom and Banned Book Weeks Coordinator in partnership with a coalition of groups supporting intellectual freedom. The website contains news, promotional tools, event information, virtual read-out videos and other useful resources.

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

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: Do-It-Yourself

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) involves creating, modifying, or repairing things without the help of professionals. Coined in the early 20th century in the area of home improvement, today’s DIY projects include a wide range of topics that reflect growing interest in self-sufficiency. Makerspaces are an extension of this movement that often includes technology-based projects.

Read the recently published works of graphic nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

The MAKER COMICS series combines the graphic novel genre with the step-by-step instruction of a DIY book. Books include FIX A CAR, BAKE LIKE A PRO, CREATE A COSTUME, DRAW A COMIC, and GROW A GARDEN.

SURVIVE IN THE OUTDOORS by Mike Lawrence is the latest release in the MAKER COMICS series. After a brief a safety reminder, readers follow siblings who are reluctant to leave their electronic devices for an outdoor adventure. From fishing and outdoor cooking to first aid and shelter, their grandfather helps them learn the basics of survival. The book concludes with additional tips.

Other upcoming titles in the series include CONDUCT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT and LIVE SUSTAINABLY.

INSTRUCTABLES is a website containing endless DIY projects. Major sections of the website include circuits, workshop, crafts, cooking, living, outside, and teachers. The OUTSIDE area explores a wide range of outdoor project and contest ideas. The OUTDOOR SURVIVAL projects focus on activities such as filtering water, using a compass, and building shelter.

To visit Instructables, go to https://www.instructables.com/.

ARC courtesy of First Second, an imprint of Macmillan.

Synergy: Massacre

A massacre is the deliberate and brutal slaughter of multiple individuals. Often perpetrated against defenseless victims by those seeking political or social gain, these mass killings are often aimed at minority, racial, or ethnic groups. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is an example.

Read the recently published works of nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

BLACK BIRDS IN THE SKY by Brandy Colbert shares the story and legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Emphasis is placed on the larger history of violence against African Americans as well as the Native Peoples who came before them. Of particularly note is the focus on active suppression of information about the event and how it connects to broader discussions of systemic racism.

THE BURNING by Tim Madigan was recently adapted for young people by Hilary Beard. In addition to an account of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the book explores the larger historical context along with a discussion of the need for social justice.

The TULSA RACE MASSACRE is an interactive article from The New York Times. Using maps, historical photos, and the stories of individuals, the project explores the prosperous Black community known as America’s Black Wall Street and the tremendous loss of life and property street-by-street. By telling the story of the individual people and places, readers become immersed in the time and place of the massacre.

To explore the interactive, go to https://nyti.ms/3k8l1J4.

ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Harper Collins.

Synergy: Cold War Era

The Cold War Era is the time period from about 1947 to 1991 representing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union along with their respective allies. Although there was no large-scale war between these superpowers, many regional conflicts were backed by each side. The struggle for dominance was reflected in acts of espionage, rivalries, and propaganda.

Read the recently published work of intermediate nonfiction, then learn more at the website.

FALLOUT: SPIES, SUPERBOMBS, AND THE ULTIMATE COLD WAR SHOWDOWN by Steve Sheinkin is a riveting nonfiction narrative exploring the clash of the world’s super powers in the decades after World War II. A follow-up to his book BOMB, the story is told in three parts and concludes with an epilogue. By kicking off with the story of a young paperboy who stumbles on a spy, the author skillfully draws readers into true stories of intrigue set within the larger context of the Cold War era. The fast-paced narrative jumps around, so readers will need to pay attention. Encourage readers to extend the experience through exploring key issues and perspectives beyond the text. The book’s use of primary sources and end notes added credibility to these amazing stories.

COLD WAR HISTORY is a Wilson Center Digital Archive sharing archival documents focusing on the Cold War era. These digitized primary source documents include previously secret archives from former communist countries. The website includes an interactive timeline along with collections, biographies and essays.

To visit the website, go to https://bit.ly/3BUp0Qj.

ARC courtesy of Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan.

Synergy: Women’s History

Women’s history studies the role females played in history. This includes how women and their perspectives are (or aren’t) represented in standard historical references. Specifically, women’s history includes their struggle for equality and freedom along with recognition for contributions overlooked by traditional historical sources.

Read the recently published work of graphic nonfiction, then learn more at the website.

GOOD GIRLS DON’T MAKE HISTORY by Elizabeth Kiehner, Kara Coyle, and Keith Olwell is a powerful and visually stunning work of graphic nonfiction. Young adults will immediately connect with the contemporary issues of voter suppression including long lines to vote. Through short, focused vignettes, readers learn about women’s history while also exploring larger issues of enslaved people, indigenous people, and others facing challenges to their human rights. Weaving in lesser known stories along with well-known turning points, the graphic history includes images and references to primary source documents and quotes from key figures.

The WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE TIMELINE from the National Women’s History Museum contains dozens of key events in women’s history. The website also includes resources for students and educators along with biographies, articles, and online exhibits.

To explore the timeline, go to https://bit.ly/3x5lPSt.

To visit the National Women’s History Museum, go to https://womenshistory.org/

ARC courtesy of Wide Eyed Editions. Distributed by the Quarto Group.