March Picks

Well it's March, and let's all hope this month comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb- spring should be on it's way! Here are some new and noteworthy books that have recently been added to the library. Please feel free to share with your students. Come and check one out today!


The Unwanteds: Island of Silence by Lisa McMann (Grades 4-6)

Following the life-altering events at the conclusion of The Unwanteds, the stark world of Quill and the magical haven of Artimé are now home to whoever wants to live there, whether they are Wanteds, Unwanteds, or Necessaries. In Artimé, Alex Stowe and his friends continue to hone their artistic magical spells while welcoming newcomers, wondering how long this peace between Quill and Artimé will last. Alex is stunned when Mr. Today comes to him with a very special request—one Alex questions his readiness for, until circumstances offer a dramatic answer. And back in Quill, Aaron Stowe, Alex’s twin, faces a very different path. Devastated by his loss of status after Justine’s defeat and seething with rage toward Alex, Aaron is stealthily planning his revenge and return to power. Alex and Aaron’s separate stories proceed with suspenseful pacing, colliding in a stunning climax that elevates sibling rivalry to epic proportions and leaves the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance.


Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Grades 4-6)

You've heard the fairytale: a glass slipper, Prince Charming, happily ever after...Welcome to reality: royal genealogy lessons, needlepoint, acting like "a proper lady," and -- worst of all -- a prince who is not the least bit interesting, and certainly not charming. As soon-to-be princess Ella deals with her newfound status, she comes to realize she is not "your majesty" material. But breaking off a royal engagement is no easy feat, especially when you're crushing on another boy in the palace.... For Ella to escape, it will take intelligence, determination, and spunk -- and no ladylike behavior allowed.







Son by Lois Lowry: Book 4 in The Giver Quartet (Grades 5-6)

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice. Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver,　as well as Gathering Blue　and　Messenger　where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.


Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood (Grades 4-6)

A Mississippi town in 1964 gets riled when tempers flare at the segregated public pool. As much as Gloriana June Hemphill, or Glory as everyone knows her, wants to turn twelve, there are times when Glory wishes she could turn back the clock a year. Jesslyn, her sister and former confidante, no longer has the time of day for her now that she’ll be entering high school. Then there’s her best friend, Frankie. Things have always been so easy with Frankie, and now suddenly they aren’t. Maybe it’s the new girl from the North that’s got everyone out of sorts. Or maybe it’s the debate about whether or not the town should keep the segregated public pool open. Augusta Scattergood has drawn on real-life events to create a memorable novel about family, friendship, and choices that aren’t always easy.





Infinity Ring Book 1: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner (Grades 3-6)

Scholastic's next multi-platform mega-event begins here! History is broken, and three kids must travel back in time to set it right! When best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste stumble upon the secret of time travel -- a hand-held device known as the Infinity Ring -- they're swept up in a centuries-long secret war for the fate of mankind. Recruited by the Hystorians, a secret society that dates back to Aristotle, the kids learn that history has gone disastrously off course. Now it's up to Dak, Sera, and teenage Hystorian-in-training Riq to travel back in time to fix the Great Breaks . . . and to save Dak's missing parents while they're at it. First stop: Spain, 1492, where a sailor named Christopher Columbus is about to be thrown overboard in a deadly mutiny!


Penny and Her Song by Kevin Henkes (Grades 1-3)

When Penny comes home from school, she is ready to sing her song. But the babies are sleeping, and Mama and Papa are worried that Penny will wake them up. Oh, but it is a good song, a really wonderful song . . . and Penny wants more than anything to sing it. What do you think will happen?








Alfie is Not Afraid by Patricia Carlin (Grades K-3) 

 A boy and his brave puppy are ready to camp out in their backyard! The boy's not scared because if things go bump in the night, he knows Alfie will protect him: from space invaders, boa constrictors, and even alligators! Alfie's not afraid of anything! Right, Alfie? ....Alfie? In  her picture book debut, Patricia Carlin introduces readers to Alfie and his boy, a lovable duo who will leave everyone howling with laughter.

A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead (Grades K-3) 

While out foraging for interesting things, Vernon the toad finds a new friend - a small blue bird who is curiously silent. Vernon shows Bird the river and the forest and some of his other favorite things, but Bird says nothing. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends, Skunk and Porcupine, but Bird still says nothing. "Bird is shy," says Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Vernon worries that Bird is silent because he misses his home, so the two set off on a journey to help find a home for Bird.

Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace (K-3)

 Oh, to be a ballerina! It’s a challenge for any little girl, but even more so if you happen to be a vampire like Vampirina. First of all, you have to find a class that meets at night. Then you have to figure out how to perfect your form when you can’t see yourself in the mirror?  And then there’s wearing pink (not the most flattering of colors if you happen to be undead) and that nagging urge to take a little nip out of the other dancers. And worse of all… STAGE FRIGHT!!!

*****NEW*****
FEATURED APPS OF THE MONTH! 

(all these apps are available on the Media Center Lab iPads)

Unit A: 

Feed Me!

http://www.pencilbot.com/feedme

Feed Me, a PencilBot Preschool series, taps into your child's natural desire to learn by providing a fun way to acquire basic knowledge and skills as well as expose them to multiple languages. Students can practice skills in an easy, interactive format.  Skills include:

*Rhyming
*Colors
*Opposites
*Letter Sounds
*Sounds in Words
*Beginning Letter Sounds
*Time
*Colors
*Shapes
*More or Less
*Counting
*Sorting
*Reading
*Segmenting 

Unit B: 

Scribble Press

www.scribblepress.com

Get what reviewers call "hands-down the best story creation App", now with great new features for kids and classrooms! With over 500 tools and stickers, you can create and share as many books as you like — all free. You can also create simple drawings and insert text, photos or color. Teachers can easily create group accounts and manage them from this website. 

Unit B: 

ShowMe

www.showme.com

ShowMe allows you to record voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online. Uses and features: 

*Record your ShowMe tutorial instantaneously

*Drop in images onto the whiteboard
*Easily switch between drawing and erasing (as well as pausing and playing) to make your ShowMe flow from concept to concept

*You can make your ShowMe as long or as short as it needs to be, and record as many ShowMe’s as you want.

*Once you’re finished recording, upload your ShowMe to share with the community (or keep it private if you prefer)

*Discover awesome tutorials created by other members of the ShowMe community