Synergy: Ocean Exploration

From amazing animals and high-tech gear to deep sea diving, oceans are exciting places to explore.

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

EXTREME OCEAN by Sylvia A. Earle shares the adventures of an American marine biologist. From deep sea dives to environmental disaster relief, Earle explores the ocean and its wildlife. Each chapter includes field notes, facts, and hands-on activities. Readers are invited to conduct their own investigations.

Sylvia A. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Visitors to the NOAA website can learn about this government agency and try out a variety of hands-on activities in the education section.

National Geographic Kids Ocean Portal
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/ocean-portal/

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
https://www.noaa.gov/education

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: World War II Spies

Espionage involves obtaining secret information. Spies help agencies uncover this confidential information. During World War II, strategists conducted a wide range of top-secret operations to help in the war effort.

Read the recently published middle grade book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

SPIES, LIES, AND DISGUISE by Jennifer Swanson tells the true stories of daring tricks and deeds that won World War II. From code-talkers to secret missions, each chapter tells the story of a different event or action. The work of middle grade nonfiction balances primary source documents such as historical photographs with black and white drawings. Covert clues, side bars, and other boxes provide detailed information and engage readers. The book concludes with notes, a bibliography, and further information.

The UK’s National Archives Secrets & Spies website contains information about codes and ciphers, spies, and activities for young code breakers. In addition to information about World War II, the website also explores the broader history of espionage through time.

Visit the Secrets & Spies at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/spies/.

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Synergy: José de la Luz Sáenz

José de la Luz Sáenz (1888-1953) was a teacher, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the League of United Latin American Citizens. The published diary of his World War I observations and experiences as a Mexican-American solider has become well-known.

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

SOLDIER FOR EQUALITY by Duncan Tonatiuh is the winner of the Pura Belpré Award and the Robert F. Silbert medal. Featuring Tonatiuh’s unique illustrations, this biographical picture book explores the life and accomplishments of José de la Luz Sáenz. This Mexican-American activist overcame prejudice to become a World War I hero and advocate for equality. The book concludes with an author’s note, timeline, bibliography, glossary, and index.

The José de la Luz Sáenz page at the Texas State Historical Association provides an in-depth examination of this author and activist.

Visit the Texas State Historical Association <https://bit.ly/37VD1gk>

ARC Courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Endangered Insects

When people think of endangered species, insects are often overlooked. From bees and butterflies to beetles, many species of insects are becoming endangered or extinct. The disappearance of species can have a serious impact on ecosystems.

Read the recently published middle grade book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

BUGS IN DANGER by Mark Kurlansky is a work of nonfiction that examines vanishing bees, butterflies, and beetles. This fascinating middle grade book focuses on the decline of species in recent years. The book concludes with a bibliography and index.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists dozens of insect species that are endangered. Readers can read about specific beetles, butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies, flies, moths, skippers, stoneflies, and bees.

Visit the Environmental Conservation Online System at https://bit.ly/3c7UWnm.

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Synergy: Little Women

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) is a novel originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. In this semi-autobiographical novel, readers follow the four March sisters from childhood to womanhood. Alcott’s books were a critical success and continue to be popular with young readers today. The recently released movie has brought a renewed interest in the story.

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

LITTLE WOMEN: THE OFFICIAL MOVIE COMPANION by Gina McIntyre explores the author, the movie, and the legacy of Little Women. The book includes perspectives from the movie’s director and discussions about how young women today can relate to the characters.

Go to LITTLE WOMEN MOVIE <https://www.littlewomen.movie/>

ARC Courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Drawing Aliens

People have been imagining what aliens might look like for generations. Are they little green men or otherworldly figures? No one knows, but children love to speculate.

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

RALPH MASIELLO’S ALIEN DRAWING BOOK is part of Masiello’s popular drawing series that provides easy-to-following instructions for drawing. Whether sketching robots and flying saucers or the Multimouthed Martian, kids will have hours of fun with this engaging how-to picture book. The book concludes with suggested readings and websites.

Use NASA’S SPACE PLACE to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. The website contains dozens of hands-on activities to explore space science topics.

NASA’s SpacePlace <https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/>

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Ocean Life

Ocean life includes the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the salt water of the ocean.

OCEAN EMPORIUM by Susie Brooks explores the many creatures that live in the ocean. Each two-page spread features an overview and several examples of a particular species such as crabs, jellyfish, or sharks. Both the common and scientific names are provided along with a simple, colorful illustration of each creature.

Use the book to brainstorm questions for ocean life inquiries. Then, use the website for photographs and more in-depth information.

OCEAN from the Smithsonian Institution provides hundreds of articles related to ocean topics. The ocean life section of the website will be of particular interest to students conducting inquiries related to marine life. The educators section contains dozens of lesson plans to extend the experience.

Ocean https://ocean.si.edu/

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

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.