Website Review: C.G.P. Grey

C.G.P. GREY is a popular YouTube Channel featuring short, fast-paced animated videos on popular topics.

Each short video explores a specific problem or question such as who owns the state of liberty or how do machines learn?

Librarians will find youth enjoy the fast-paced style. Keep in mind that some videos contain humor and satire appropriate for older students. Of particular note is a video that explores the differences between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England. The fast-paced, humorous approach will be popular with sharp AP students.

To visit the youtube channel, go tohttps://www.youtube.com/user/CGPGrey.

Website: Global Oneness Project

The GLOBAL ONENESS PROJECT uses stories as a tool sharing world culture.

This standards-based, interdisciplinary project includes stories and lessons that address universal themes such as diversity, hope, empathy, and responsibility. These themes are connected to authentic global issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and sustainability. The website contains a free library of multimedia stories, films, photo essays, and article along with curriculum and discussion guides.

Librarians can use this website as part of a school-wide project. Share the stories and lessons with teachers, then build a plan for creating a “Global Oneness” display in the library sharing student work based on the universal themes.

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

Website: World's Largest Lesson

The WORLD’s LARGEST LESSON introduces students to sustainable development goals.

The website contains resources for introducing the seventeen global goals including lessons, videos, comics, and reproducibles. In addition, resources are available that address specific goals such as an activity focusing on making wise food choices. Users can also locate materials by type such as animated films and comics. Finally, social media resources provide lots of ideas showing what other schools are doing.

Librarians will find this website to be an effective way to explore global goals. Feature the seventeen goals in a display along with books connected with each theme. Be sure to put your school on the map and share your stories.

To visit the website, go to http://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/.

Book Review: Munmun

MUNMUN by Jesse Andrews is a quirky, imaginative young adult fantasy exploring social issues ranging from wealth to inequality.

Designed for mature teens, the story is set in an alternative reality where a person’s physical size is proportional to their money known as munmun. Warner and his sister Prayer are the size of a squirrel, while the rich may be the size of large buildings. The story follows Warner’s personal growth, literally.

Librarians will find an audience among teens who enjoy dystopian fantasy with a social message. From the unusual vocabulary to the wacky world building, Andrews’ approach isn’t for everyone. However, it’s perfect for those seeking a thought-provoking, humorous, face-paced read.

Published on April 3, 2018 by Harry N. Abrams. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: C-SPAN

C-SPAN is a public service providing audio and video access to proceedings related to public policy.

Providing over a quarter million hours of content, this free service includes regular series along with the proceedings of Congress, the Executive Branch, and the US Supreme Court. Series include American History TV, Book TV, and more. Viewers can check their regular schedule of events or search by key word. Users can also narrow their search by videos, clips, people, organizations, mentions, and bills.

Librarians will find this video library to be an excellent resource across the curriculum. Use videos to jumpstart questioning related to public policy and social issues. For classroom resources, go to C-SPAN Classroom for bell ringers, lesson plans, and more.

To visit the website, go to https://www.c-span.org/.
To vist C-SPAN classroom, go to https://www.c-span.org/classroom/.

Book Review: This is Not a Love Letter

THIS IS NOT A LOVE LETTER by Kim Purcell tells the heart-wrenching story of a teen dealing with the disappearance of her boyfriend.

When her boyfriend disappears, Jessie immediately suspects foul play. As the story unfolds, readers explore issues from their interracial relationship to mental illness and addiction. Told as a letter to her missing boyfriend, readers become immersed in the local community and are challenged to look beyond racism for answers.

Librarians will find this interracial love story to be popular with a youth who enjoy contemporary, realistic fiction. The compelling mystery and authentic characters make this an engaging young adult thriller.

Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 30, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Unfairy Tales

UNFAIRY TALES is a collection of animated stories exploring the plight of Syrian refugees.

Produced for UNICEF, the website contains three sections: Malak and the Boat, Mustafa Goes for a Walk, and The Story of Ivine and Pillow. In addition, videos show the children telling their stories.

Librarians will find this website to be useful in talking with children about issues regarding child refugees. Students will be particularly interested in how the children narrated the stories themselves.

To visit the website, go tohttps://www.unicef.org/em…/childrenonthemove/unfairytales/en.

Website Review: I Spy (with my Five Eyes)

I SPY (WITH MY FIVE EYES) is an interactive website documentary focusing on global privacy issues.

This engaging documentary explores the tensions among citizens, governments, and intelligence groups related to government surveillance. Specifically, it examines the Five Eyes Alliance surveillance program established during the Cold War that continues today. Each of the five interactive video chapters focuses a specific aspect of government surveillance such as cyberwarfare and the search for terrorists. Each video includes interactive elements such as embedded questions and additional content. Further information is also available.

Librarians will find this interactive documentary to be an effective way to teach high school students about global privacy issues. Social studies teachers will also be interested in weaving the content into their social issues and history curriculum.

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

Website Review: The Hidden Dangers Project

THE HIDDEN DANGERS PROJECT teaches children about the importance of clean water around the world.

The interactive website contains four stories focusing on clean water hazards including the bacteria monster, trash monster, metal monster, and chemical monster. Each section includes text, images, video, and interactive elements. The project also features a case study video discussing the project, a downloadable experience, and a 360 video.

Librarians will find this to be an effective resource in teaching about clean water. Collaborate with both social studies and science teachers for an interdisciplinary unit focusing on this global issue.

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

Book Review: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker

BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER by Shelley Johannes is the first book in a new chapter book series exploring friendship and social issues.

Beatrice is a fun-loving child who loves to do everything upside down. However, she’s disappointed when her best friend shows up to school with a new look and a new friend. She must find a way to fix her friendship without losing herself.

Librarians will find this easy-to-read chapter book perfect for readers who enjoy stories of friendship, school, and home. Many children will empathize with a girl who likes to be “upside down” and the book’s frequent, quirky illustrations will keep children reading.

Published by Disney/Hyperion on September 19, 2017. ARC courtesy fo the publisher.

Website Review: The Climate Explorer

THE CLIMATE EXPLORER provides a toolkit for exploring historical and projected climate trends.

A collaborative project of US government agencies, this online tool allows students to easily explore climate data from every county in the contiguous United States. The projections let students see how climate change will impact local areas. Data is access by searching locations, viewing variables such as temperature and precipitation, or by exploring topics including coastal, tribal nations, transportation, ecosystems, and water.

Librarians will find the tools easy for upper elementary through high school students to use in data literacy projects. Connect with math, science, and social studies teachers for projects that connect data literacy across the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to https://toolkit.climate.gov/climate-explorer2/.

Website Review: The New Europeans

THE NEW EUROPEANS from National Geographic explores the voices of a changing continent.

This interactive web project presents the stories of dozens of Syrian and other refugees who streamed into Europe in the past couple years. The website includes dozens of videos along with a news story and photographs.

Librarians will find this website to be an interesting way for students to explore issues related to immigration. Use this website to jumpstart an inquiry into global immigration issues. Ask students to make comparisons with immigration issues in the United States. This website could also be used as part of an informational reading experience in social studies.

To visit the website, go to https://www.nationalgeographic.com/…/europe-immigration-mu…/.

Website Review: Global Gender Gap Report

The GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT BROWSER tells an interactive story based on an award-winning data visualization from the World Economic Forum and Two-N.

Users scroll through recent global data showing gender equality data by nation. The story of gender issues is told through a series of compelling, interactive charts and graphs. This easy-to-use tool allows students to explore particular areas of interest such as regions of the world and changes over time.

Librarians will find this engaging tool to be useful in teaching concepts related to data literacy. Involve youth in using this dynamic tool to address their “big questions” related to gender equity. Of particular interest is the ability to visualize data by country.

To visit the website, go to http://projects.two-n.com/world-gender/.

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.

Website Review: Daughters of Paradise

DAUGHTERS OF PARADISE is an interactive website telling the powerful stories of female Syrian refugees.

The website experience tells the story of Noor, Najlaa, and Reem. Each story includes text, still images, sounds, videos, and other elements to bring each person’s story to life.

Librarians will find this to be a useful tool in helping teens understand the impact of the Syrian War on women.

To visit the website, go to http://www.refinery29.com/syrian-refugees/.

Website Review: Picture This: New Orleans

PICTURE THIS: NEW ORLEANS explores over a dozen stories about the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

A photographer traveled to New Orleans to document how the people of New Orleans recovered in the ten years since the disaster. Told through photographs, video clips, and short articles, this interactive experience shares the diverse experiences that emerged following this epic disaster.

Librarians will find this visual storytelling website to be useful for exploring the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pair it with the many books available on this topic.

To visit the website, go to http://money.cnn.com/katrina/.

Website Review: Cagle

CAGLE is a comprehensive political cartoon website.

The Cartoon’s page features the latest political cartoons by a wide range of popular columnists.

The Blogs page traces the latest postings of popular cartoonists. These blog postings generally including cartoons.

The Featured Topics page explores issues currently in the news such as world conflicts, political candidates, natural disasters, and social issues related to politics around the world.

The Cartoonists page provides quick access to dozens of political cartoonists.

Librarians will find this website to be useful for a variety of classroom activities. Involve youth in comparing the cartoons on a particular topic or trace changes over time. Use the cartoons to kick off writing activities in government, history, and language arts classrooms.

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

Book Review: The Memory of Light

THE MEMORY OF LIGHT by Francisco X. Stork traces the experience of a teen dealing with mental illness.

After a suicide attempt, Vicky ends up in the mental disorders ward at the hospital. Through the help of her peers and a supportive doctor, Vicky gradually learns to understand her depression and takes the first steps toward recovery.

Based on the author’s experience with depression, this work of contemporary fiction provides a realistic and honest view of life with a mental illness including the reactions of family and friends. The first-person perspective includes fascinating insights into Vicky’s thoughts and voyage of self-discovery.

Librarians will find a large audience among young adults seeking realistic fiction and this timely social issue. Fans of Stork will not be disappointed.

The author’s website contains discussion questions and a teacher’s guide.

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

Published by Levine, an imprint of Scholastic on January 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.