October Picks

After weeding through many of our old VHS tapes I have begun to replace many with new DVDs. I started replacing VHS tapes last year, so scroll down to see even more new DVDs we have this year to be check out. Also, I have worked hard to complete or add new series to our collection. Come to the Media Center and check them out today!


DVDs

Really Wild Animals, by National Geographic
DVDs in the series:
Deep Sea Dive
Dinosaurs and Other Creatures
Farmyard Friends
Awesome Animal Builders
Swinging Safari
Polar Prowl



Secrets of the Titanic, by National Geographic
 
In Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard, Dr. Ballard revisits the ship in an entirely different way from the perspective of those who set sail on her some 100 years ago. Traveling to the shipyards of Northern Ireland to retrace the path of the doomed ship from her very incarnation, Ballard is driven by one personal question throughout his journey--will the Titanic survive another 100 years? As evidence mounts that the ship is under siege by natural forces, careless visitors and even rogue salvage operators, the man who found her teams up with the families of victims and survivors to protect the legacy of history's most famous ship.

Great Migrations, by National Geographic

Three years in the making, and from award-winning National Geographic cinematographers, Great Migrations takes viewers around the world on the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species.  Shot from land and air, in trees and cliff-blinds, on ice floes and underwater, Great Migrations tells the formidable, powerful stories of many of the planet's species and their movements, while revealing new scientific insights with breathtaking high-definition clarity. Narrated by Alec Baldwin.

Sunnylands Seminars 

DVDs in the Series
Key Constitutional Concepts
Mandate: The President and the People
Our Constitution: A Conversation


The Sunnyland Seminars are funded by the Annenberg Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to education through electronic media. This entire DVD series clips right along in top-quality TV documentary fashion. It will interest people from about ten to ninety years of age. 

Books

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo: Book 1-- We now have books 1-5! (Grades 5-6)

Two teens, a small, furry "sycophant," and a talking toothpick try to prevent evil forces from destroying two worlds in this lighthearted fantasy. "Foo" is the world from which all dreams come, and the villainous Sabine wants to find the gateway from there into our world. This would destroy both worlds, so the reluctant title hero and his magical companions try to prevent it. The complicated plot unwinds through a playful narrative that tries, often unsuccessfully, to mix humor and suspense. There are some funny moments, but many attempts at comedy seem forced or distracting. An urgent race to Germany includes some clever plot twists, as when Leven's friend Winter uses her ice-creating power to turn an ocean into a road, but their quest never becomes truly exciting. When it turns out that the ominous "Shadows" under Sabine's command can be dismissed by a simple hand clap, it's mildly amusing, but detracts from the sense of true danger that makes an involving adventure. Leven's self-doubts and changes of heart are almost tedious, and there's little chemistry between him and Winter. Adult characters are mean, dull, and unattractive, which results in some Dahl-like humor, but soon gets repetitive. Despite some solid humor and an occasionally intriguing plot, there's not enough cohesion or consistency here to make this a rewarding fantasy.–Steven Engelfried, School Library Journal

Summary is for book 1: Lone Wolf

Wolves of the Beyond by Kathryn Lasky -- We now have books 1-4! (Grades 4-6) 

A wolf mother has given birth, but the warm bundle snuffling next to her brings only anguish. The pup, otherwise healthy, has a twisted paw, and the mother knows what the harsh code of the pack demands. Her pup will be taken from her and abandoned on a desolate hill. The pack cannot have weakness - the wolf mother knows that her pup is condemned to die. But alone in the wilderness, the pup, Faolan, does not perish. This his story - a story of survival, of courage, and of love triumphant. This is Faolan's story, the wolf pup who rose up to change forevever the Wolves of the Beyond. 

Summary is for Goldie 

Puppy Place, by Ellen Miles -- We now have 25 books in this series! (Grades 3-5)

Welcome to the Puppy Place! This new Little Apple series stars a lovable new puppy in every book! And it's Charles and Lizzie Peterson's job to find every puppy the perfect home. Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. They want a puppy of their own more than just about anything. They know dogs are a lot of work. But their mom still doesn't think their family is ready for a puppy. Then, Goldie arrives. She is a sweet golden retriever that needs a home. Goldie is very young. She doesn't know how to be a good puppy yet. Will Charles and Lizzie be able to help her? 

Ballpark Mysteries, by David Kelly--we now have all 4 books in this series! (Grades 2-4)

Summary is for book #1: Fenway Foul-Up

 

Now leading off the line-up—book #1 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

Thanks to Kate's mom, a sports reporter, cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins have tickets to the Red Sox game and All Access passes to Fenway Park. But as they're watching batting practice before the game, the lucky bat of Red Sox star slugger Big D is stolen . . . right in front of dozens of people. Without the bat, Big D can't seem to hit a thing. Can Kate and Mike figure out who pinched the babe before Big D and the Sox chalk up a loss?

Llama, Llama Home with Mama, by Anna Dewdney -- we now have 5 Llama, Llama books! (Grades K-3)

Amazon's Best Book of August 2011: Llama Llama is feeling crummy, sneezing, achy, head all stuffy. No school today for Llama, he’s sick at home in his red pajamas. As the day wears on and Llama starts feeling better, boredom sets in--along with Mama Llama’s coughs and sneezes. Llama Llama knows just what to do, bringing Mama tissues, a fluffy pillow, and books to read. Anna Dewdney’s latest is a welcome addition to her bestselling Llama Llama picture book repertoire, perfectly capturing the challenges of a little one home sick from school and the big dose of love that makes the best medicine. --Seira Wilson