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November News in the Media Center

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Jr-Sr High School Book of the Month: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, (2013).

Right on the tale of Halloween, The 5th Wave is November’s Book of the Month. This Sci-Fi novel will captivate readers, early on. While I am not a huge fan of “alien” stories, I have been challenging students to read outside their “comfort zones” and favorite genres, so I have done the same with this selection. Yancey makes it clear that the aliens in this story are not the stereotypical kind, they are not the little green beings with large heads and black eyes…… they are far worse.

The book begins in the midst of chaos and destruction. Cassie is tasked with staying alive after her father is killed and her little brother has been taken away. Meanwhile, Ben a boy that went to the same high school, before the takeover is also doing what he can to stay alive. He is nursed back to health and made into a soldier to fight the enemy. Ben and Cassie share an important connection, one that neither of them are aware of.

Yancey builds background early in the novel and does answer questions but he does so in a way of telling the tale through Cassie's point of view.  Yancey will keep readers guessing. There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming so that's always a good sign. For those who really enjoy this novel, there is good news. It has a sequel and…… the movie is currently being filmed.

The 5th Wave is the 2014 Red House Children’s Book Award Winner. It was also the Best Book of 2013, Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror 2013, Perfect Tens-The Top Books Reviewed in VOYA 2013, YALSA Teen’s Top Ten 2014, and Young Adult’s Choices 2014.

Elementary Book of the Month:  Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story, by S.D. Nelson (2012). 

From the publisher: “This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839. Through her true story, readers will learn what it was like to be part of this Native American community that lived along the Missouri River in the Dakotas, a society that depended more on agriculture for food and survival than on hunting. Children will relate to Buffalo Bird Girl's routine of chores and playing with friends, and they will also be captivated by her lifestyle and the dangers that came with it.

Using as a resource the works of Gilbert L. Wilson, who met Buffalo Bird Woman and transcribed her life's story in the early 20th century, award-winning author-illustrator S. D. Nelson has captured the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl and her lost way of life. The book includes a historical timeline.”

October Accelerated Readers:  Congratulations to the following students who have met their point requirements.

6th
Davi Dodson
Garrett Foster
Matthew Jacobs
Angel Padilla
Reagan Williams
Jaden Wolfe

7th

Nolan Benjamin
Asher Kahler
Makena Roberts

8th
Mariah Schneider

9th
Ethan Plummer
Amanda Smith
Connor Williams

10th
Bryar Gerlach
Kaely Perkins

12th
Keri Blackler

Website of the Month: In honor of the rich historical traditions we celebrate this month, please check out http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/

EyeWitness to History is an extensive collection of historical articles, pictures, videos, primary sources and links from ancient to modern times. For those interested in all things history, this is a very comprehensive site. A warning: time disappears while you are on here!