Synergy: Biomimicry

Biomimicry applies models from nature to human problems in areas such as energy, agriculture, architecture, medicine, transportation and more.

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

BEASTLY BIONICS by Jennifer Swanson explores how nature inspires a wide range of inventions and technologies. From the night vision of cats and shape of a bird's beak to the skin of frogs, this fascinating work of nonfiction explores dozens of examples in the areas of solutions, helpers, energy, and healers. It concludes with a glossary and resources.

The BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE develops tools that apply nature-inspired strategies to design and innovation. Examples of biomimicry in a variety of fields are highlighted. The website also includes information about over 1800 applications of biomimicry and provides lessons and challenges for youth.

To learn more, go to https://biomimicry.org/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Trapezoid

A trapezoid is a shape with two parallel sides. The parallel sides are called bases, while the other two sides are the legs. The term trapezoidal is used when describing the shape of some creatures.

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A TRAPEZOID IS NOT A DINOSAUR written and illustrated by Suzanne Morris teaches children about shapes within the context of a play audition. The trapezoid must convince the other shapes that it deserves a place in the Shapes in Space show. This adorable story is a fun and effective way to kick off a lesson about trapezoids.

MONSTER MANSION SHAPE MATCH from ABCya is an educational game that provides practice in identifying 2D and 3D shapes including the triangle, sphere, trapezoid, cube, hexagon, crescent, cylinder, cone, heart, rhombus, half circle, circle, oval, octagon, star, pyramid, rectangle, parallelogram, square, and quarter circle.

To play the game, go to https://www.abcya.com/games/shape_match

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Animal Communication

Animal communication is the transformation of information from one animal to another. This connection between sender and receiver can be intentional or a natural reaction.

Read the recently published adult work of nonfiction with young adult cross-over interest. Then, learn more at the website.

OUR WILD CALLING: HOW CONNECTING WITH ANIMALS CAN TRANSFORM OUR LIVES - AND SAVE THEIRS by Richard Louv immerses readers in a text that connects humans with the natural world. Louv is effective in helping readers rethink their connection with animals and the natural world. Told through interviews providing a wide range of perspectives, Louv demonstrates the need for compassionate conservation practices that consider the needs of both humans and animals.

THE ANIMAL COMMUNICATION PROJECT is an online version of an interactive text. The project focuses on the science of animal communication and is divided into sections on cephalopods, insects and spiders, fish and frogs, and birds and mammals. Some sections incorporate visuals, audio and video elements.

To explore the website, go to https://acp.eugraph.com/.

ARC courtesy of Algonquin Books.

Synergy: Radium

Radium is a highly radioactive element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. Because of its luminous qualities, it was used in painting watch dials so they would glow in the dark. Unfortunately, many factory workers were harmed by this metal.

Read the recently published young reader's edition, then learn more at the websites:

THE RADIUM GIRLS by Kate Moore is a young reader's edition of the best-seller exploring the true stories of everyday young women who fought for labor regulations, advanced science, and saved lives in the early 20th century. Divided into three sections focusing on knowledge, power, and justice, the book weaves in less-known stories and primary sources. It concludes with a glossary, timeline, photos, and additional resources.

The book's website contains additional information about the individual women featured in the book along with other information.

To learn more, go to http://theradiumgirls.com/.

ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

Synergy: Pet Training

Whether training a dog to sit or teaching a cat to roll over, pet training involves teaching an animal to react to specific conditions. Most trainers use reinforcement such as a food treat to increase a behavior or punishment such a squirt of water to eliminate an undesirable behavior.

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

National Geographic Kid’s TRAINING GUIDES series encourages readers to get to know their pets. FETCH! by Aubre Andrus and Gary Weitzman and POUNCE! by Tracey West and Gary Weitzman help children train their dog or cat.

YouTube pet training videos can supplement the experience. For instance, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution has nearly 3 million subscribers and Cat School has 10 million subscribers.

To learn more go to https://www.youtube.com/c/zakgeorge

For cat training, go to the CAT SCHOOL YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/30qi7W8

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Feathers

Feathers are appendages that form an outer covering on vertebrates. They provide birds with waterproofing and thermal insulation along with aiding in flight. Feather coloration helps birds communicate and can also provide protection.

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LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia tells the charming story of a child who finds a feather and shows her bird friends all its uses. Set in India, this universal story is both inspirational and imaginative.

ALL ABOUT FEATHERS is an interactive learning experience from The Cornell Lab. Users learn about how feathers are built, what feathers do, and the role of feathers through time. Readers even meet a feather scientist.

To learn more, go https://bit.ly/3jeApRN.

ARC courtesy of Peachtree.

Synergy: Amphibians

From frogs and toads to salamanders and caecilians, amphibians are found around the world. However, they require specific moisture and temperature conditions. They are vertebrates who typically start out as larvae living in water, but become air-breathing as adults. They’re often used as ecological indicators and have experienced a dramatic decline around the globe.

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

AMPHIBIAN ACROBATS written by Leslie Bulion provides an engaging combination of poetry with scientific facts. Featuring twenty poems, each two-page layout includes an illustrated poem along with background information about frogs, salamanders, or caecilians. The book concludes with a glossary, notes about each poem’s form, a world map, and an illustration comparing the size of amphibians.

AmphibiaWeb includes over eight thousand amphibian species and provides a searchable database, educational resources, and information about amphibian declines. Involve youth in learning about a creature and writing their own poems.

To learn more, go to https://amphibiaweb.org/.

ARC courtesy of Peachtree.

Synergy: Moviemaking

Also known as filmmaking, moviemaking is the process of making a film for theatrical release. The production process includes development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution.

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THE MOVIEMAKING MAGIC OF STAR WARS is a nonfiction series focusing on the process of moviemaking. Each book uses interviews, photographs, original artwork, and behind-the-scenes stories to engage readers. In addition, accordion folds and interactive folds add an addition layer of fun. CREATURES + ALIENS and SHIPS & BATTLES are the first two books in this highly illustrated series.

The STAR WARS DATABANK is part of the official movie series website. Users can browse for information by character, creature, droid, location, organization, species, vehicle, weapon, technology, and more.

To learn more, go to https://www.starwars.com/databank

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Voter Suppression

Voter suppression is a strategy used to discourage or prevent individuals and/or entire groups from voting. Intended to influence the outcome of an election, tactics include both mental and physical intimidation. Voter suppression is illegal, but it still occurs in the United States and around the world.

Read the recently published young adult adaptation, then learn more at the website:

ONE PERSON, NO VOTE by Carol Anderson is a young adult adaptation of the award-winning adult work of nonfiction. The author explores how voter suppression negatively impacts democracy. It is divided into five parts representing themes such as as voter ID and voter rolls. Within each section, chapters explore specific historical and contemporary examples. The book concludes with discussion questions, ways to get involved, and notes.

11 BARRIERS TO VOTING from the Carnegie Corporation is a web-based project describing the most common approaches to voter suppression. For more in-depth information, readers can explore the full-report and learn how to advocate for voting rights.

To learn more, go to https://bit.ly/3gYvG4F.

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury.

Synergy: First Names

From Malala to Amelia, many famous individuals are known by their first name. Over the past 100 years, James and Mary are the most popular names. However during the past decade, Noah and Emma have been number one. Often called a “given name”, a first name identifies an individual person while a surname generally identifies a family.

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

The FIRST NAMES biography series are highly illustrated nonfiction books featuring well known people from the past and present. Middle grade readers already know many of these well-known people by their first names. These works of narrative nonfiction feature short chapters that highlight key events and ideas in the person’s life. Most books end with a glossary and timeline. Their use of mini-comics and humor are likely to engage reluctant readers. The series kicks off with Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart, followed by Malala Yousafazai, Ada Lovelace, and Ferdinand Magellan.

GET READY FOR BABY from the Social Security Administration features the top baby names of each year along with baby names by decade, state, and territories. It also explore changes in popularity of names over time. Use this website to kickstart an exploration of famous people and their names.

To learn more, go to https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Women’s Sports

Women’s sports have existed for centuries. However in the early 20th century, societal shifts began to make female participation more acceptable in mainstream society.

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

BREAKING THROUGH by Sue Macy explores how female athletes shattered stereotypes in the roaring twenties. After an introduction, Macy takes readers through the 1920s as women seek opportunities and recognition in athletics. Through photographs, biographical sketches, and primary source documents, readers examine specific examples of women took action to achieve change for themselves and others.

GETTING INTO THE GAMES is an online article from the National Women’s History Museum exploring women’s achievements in sports and the Olympic Games. This highly visual slide show examines different aspects of women’s athletics in the 20th century.

Getting into the Games
https://bit.ly/3dkXK0V

ARC courtesy of National Geographic.

Synergy: Body Image

Body image is a person’s perception of their own body. These feelings are impacted by other personal and environmental issues. Possessing a positive body image is important in healthy individuals.

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THE (OTHER) F WORD: A CELEBRATION OF THE FAT AND FIERCE edited by Angie Manfredi is an anthology of prose, poetry, and art celebrating body image. Each work in the collection explores a different aspect of body image acceptance. Designed for people of all sizes, the book encourages confidence and courage.

The JED FOUNDATION YouTube channel features videos that promote emotional health and positive body image. Of particular note is an interview with model and positive body activist Hunter McGrady sharing her experiences and what she wished she’d known when she was 16.

JED Foundation https://bit.ly/2XjMNXz
Hunter McGrady https://bit.ly/2MiKgGQ

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books.

Synergy: John Hancock and Samuel Adams

John Hancock (1736-1793) was a wealthy merchant and Samuel Adams (1722-1803) was a politician and activist. As a result of the Stamp Act, they joined forces to create a peaceful boycott of British goods. For a decade, they led protests in Boston prior to the Revolutionary War.

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

MOST WANTED written by Sarah Jane Marsh and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham explores the partnership of John Hancock and Samuel Adams in Boston. Readers follow Hancock and Adams through the ten years leading up to the Revolutionary War. The picture book features both well-known and lesser-known quotes from primary source documents. It concludes with additional background information, a timeline, and author notes.

THE COMING OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1764-1776 is a web project of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The project focuses on over a dozen key primary source documents. Many of these documents are featured in the Marsh’s picture book.

The Coming of the American Revolution
http://masshist.org/revolution

ARC courtesy of Disney/Hyperion.

Synergy: Working Dogs

Working dogs are trained to perform specific tasks such as detecting bombs or assisting a visually impaired person. In most cases, the dogs are breed to promote particular physical characters such as herding dogs.

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

CADI: THE FARM DOG by Lisa M. Gerry is part of the new DOGGY DEFENDERS series celebrating the experiences of real-life working dogs. Each book explores a different type of dog such as the fire dog, therapy dog, police dog, and search dog. Cadi is a farm dog that protects farm animals and assists humans. Each two-page spread contains colorful photographs and engaging, easy-to-read text. The book concludes with information about Cadi and his human family.

WORKING DOGS is a short video from National Geographic that introduces the concept of working dogs to viewers. A YouTube search for particularly types of working dogs returns lots of videos.

Working Dogs https://bit.ly/3cmxFx8

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Mister Rogers

Fred McFeely Rogers (1928-2003) was a beloved American television personality and producer who hosted a television series for children titled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from 1968-2001.

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

YOU ARE MY FRIEND written by Aimee Reid and illustrated by Matt Phelan tells the story of Mister Rogers. This beautifully illustrated biography explores the elements of Fred Rogers’ childhood that impacted his decision to create a television program for children that emphasized kindness and celebrated individual differences.

MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD is a website dedicated to Fred Rogers and his television programs. It features information about his message and music; his guests, puppets and colleagues; and key locations. The website also provides excerpts from the early television program.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
https://www.misterrogers.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Racial Equity in Education

Racial educational equity refers to fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity in schools. In the United States, many schools were segregated by race until this practice was declared unconstitutional in the 1954. As schools throughout the American South began the process of desegregation, many students found themselves in the middle of local conflicts.

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

THIS PROMISE OF CHANGE by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy tells the story of a girl’s fight for school equality. The book begins by providing a context for readers about the time leading up to the summer of 1956. Author Jo Ann Allen was one of a dozen students enrolled at Clinton High School in Tennessee in August of 1956. As the school year began, outsiders joined by locals rioted causing conflict in this small town through the Fall. This middle grade novel weaves together free-verse with primary source documents to immerse readers in this true story of risk and courage. The book concludes with information about the key people and a scrapbook of photos and other resources.

CLINTON DESEGREGATION CRISIS is a web page telling the story of desegregation in the town of Clinton, Tennessee. This short article provides useful background information for youth reading the story of the Clinton Dozen.

BEFORE LITTLE ROCK is a photo gallery from Life Magazine telling the story of mob violence through a set of photographs.

Clinton Desegregation Crisis
https://bit.ly/2ZW4sGG

Before Little Rock
https://bit.ly/3ewEr4E

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury Children.

Synergy: Collections

A collection is a group of things someone has gathered. A person is a collector when they bring things together into a group. People collect many different types of things. Collecting is a popular hobby.

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

FINDING TREASURES written by Michelle Schaub and illustrated by Carmen Saldaña is a picture book about collections and collecting. When the class is given the assignment of sharing their personal collection, one student goes on a quest to learn about the collections of friends and family. From teapots and coins to baseball cards, the exploration leads to the discovery of her own passion.

THE LEARNING LAB from the Smithsonian invites youth to discover, creative, share, and learn using the Smithsonian collections.

THE LEARNING LAB
https://learninglab.si.edu/

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Abraham Lincoln and Poetry

Most people know Abraham Lincoln as the 16th president of the United States. But, most aren’t aware that he was also a poet. Abraham Lincoln enjoyed reading and sometimes even writing poetry as a young man.

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

THE SUPERLATIVE A. LINCOLN by Eileen R. Meyer and illustrated by Dave Szalay contains eighteen poems about Abraham Lincoln along with background information and an illustration for each poem. An author’s note encourages children to write their own poetry.

LINCOLN AS POET is a web guide from the Library of Congress that explores Lincoln’s life as an avid reader of poetry. It also shares surviving verses written by Lincoln as a teen including both digitized documents in his own handwriting along with transcriptions.

LINCOLN AS POET
https://bit.ly/35eVhSf

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: The Cenozoic Era

The Cenozoic Era is the most recent age beginning about 65.5 million year ago. Known as the Age of Mammals, this era reflects the emergence of small then large mammals after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The period is divided into the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary.

Read the recently published graphic science book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

MAMMAL TAKEOVER! by Abby Howard is the third book in the EARTH BEFORE US graphic science series. Readers are emerged in a journey through the Cenozoic era. Told through colorful comic panels, science teacher Miss Lernin and her student Ronnie explore wooly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and even early humans.

CENOZOIC ERA from MooMooMath and Science is a short video explaining where the Cenozoic era fits in the overall geologic time scale.

In FROM THE FALL OF DINOS TO THE RISE OF HUMANS from PBS Eons is a 13 minute video featuring Hank Green exploring the Cenozoic Era. The journey features the appearance of the mammals and birds we know today.

FROM THE FALL OF DINOS TO THE RISE OF HUMANS
https://youtu.be/yR8cR75iKGU

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams.

Synergy: Self Expression through Dance

People of all ages use dance as a form of self expression. From living room dance parties to dancing for exercise, dance is a way to express creativity, enjoy music, and release tension.

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

HOW DO YOU DANCE? by Thyra Heder is a picture book exploring the joy of dancing. Readers learn that dancing is a form of self expression for all ages. Dancing allows participants to enjoy creativity and humor while having fun.

DANCE RESOURCES from ARTSEDGE is a website containing dozens of teaching and learning materials related to the topic of dance such as lessons, collections, articles, videos, tips, field guides, interactives, and much more related to the topic of dance.

ARTSEDGE: DANCE RESOURCES
https://bit.ly/35cneKz

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Abrams.