Tuesday, September 20, 2011

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

Two years after being airlifted out of Vietnam in 1975, Matt Pin is haunted by the terrible secret he left behind and, now, in a loving adoptive home in the United States, a series of profound events forces him to confront his past.






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What is Operation Babylift:











The Adoption History Project:

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass


Ally, Bree, and Jack meet at the one place the Great Eclipse can be seen in totality, each carrying the burden of different personal problems, which become dim when compared to the task they embark upon and the friendship they find.





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Learn how a solar eclipse works. See pictures too:








 Check out the 2006 Solar Eclipse in Turkey:









How to safely observe an eclipse:

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Jacqueline Kelly

In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Tate is taught how to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from three of her older brothers, and makes an important discovery while studying the natural world with her grandfather.






Book Trailer: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate from Schofield Library on Vimeo.

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Read Darwin's Origin of Species Here:







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Smithsonian:









Learn about famous women scientists:

Friday, September 16, 2011

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

As letters flow back and forth – between the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of Afghanistan – sixth -grader Abby, ten-year-old Amira, and eleven-year-old Sadeed begin to speak and listen to each other.




 

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Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

During World War II, a light-skinned African American girl "passes" for white in order to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots.



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Learn more about the WASP here (games, pictures, and more):











More about the WASP:








Read real stories about passing for white:
 





Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane

Eighth-grader Molly's ability to throw a knuckleball earns her a spot on the baseball team, which not only helps her feel connected to her recently deceased father, who loved baseball, it helps in other aspects of her life, as well.




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Greetings from Nowhere by Barbara O'Connor

When some unexpected guests arrive at her Sleepy Time Motel in the Great Smoky Mountains, Aggie, a lonely widow, forms powerful friendships with these strangers that forever change her life--and the lives of those around her.


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Check out the Great Smoky Mountains:

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry


When his father is shipped off to Iraq with his reserve unit, Brother is left in charge to tend to the family ranch with his grandfather, so in the hopes of his safe return, Brother works in a way that would make his father proud and discovers his calling in the process during their time apart.

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Brother's Killer Hot Chocolate Recipe:









Learn how to play chess: 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka


Babysitting mishaps, lazy summer days by the lake, and silly childhood pranks are remembered in this amusing memoir of the life of an adventurous young boy growing up in a family with six brothers.


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And check out the incredible, Guys Read!











See more pictures of the young Jon Scieszka and his family:
 

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld


In an alternate 1914 Europe, Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from forces who are attempting to take over the globe with machinery, forms an alliance with Deryn, who is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts.

Amazing illustrations from Leviathan:




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Don't miss the next books in the series:




The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas


A young thief is drawn into a life of magic and adventure after picking the pocket of the powerful wizard Nevery Flinglas, who has returned from exile to attempt to reverse the troubling decline of magic in Wellmet City.


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