Pick of the Week- Challenger Deep

this week is Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman.  This is a powerful novel that is a collaborative effort between Shusterman and his son, who like the protagonist, struggled with mental illness as a teenager.  The reader follows Caden through his path from high school honor student to an in-patient psychiatric hospital.  The novel creates characters that you genuinely care about while bringing you through a journey you will never forget.

Pick of the Week- Aftermath

The wait is almost over for Star Wars fans; The Force Awakens opens this week. This is a great reason to pick up Aftermath by Chuck Wendig.  This takes place immediately after Return of the Jedi and follows the story of Nora Wexley, a veteran pilot from the battle of Endor.  She returns to her home planet to find herself again at the center of the war to control the galaxy.  Follow quest to reunite her family, rescue another hero of the Rebellion, and choose what is right in a galaxy still in the midst of furious conflict.  

Pick of the Week- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  This is an enthralling and creepy mystery with a bit of fantasy.  The story surrounds Jacob and his quest to discover the truth about his grandfather's past.  As a child, Jacob was fascinated by his grandfather's photographs about an orphanage that took him after fleeing the Holocaust.  After his grandfather dies under mysterious circumstances, Jacob travels to the island where the orphanage was located to look for answers. What he finds will take him on a path that he never expected.  Check out this book that is first in a popular series.

Pick of the Week- El Deafo

is El Deafo by Cece Bell.  This graphic novel is the true story of the author growing up hearing impaired in a small Virginia town in the 1970s. The students and teachers in her town were not accustomed to interacting with a deaf student.  She struggled to make friends.  When she did find friends, they always treated her like she was different, when all she wanted was to be treated like a normal kid.  This is a funny, touching memoir that will be enjoyed by all.

Pick of the Week- Shadowshaper

for this week is Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older.  This book is a fabulous debut novel by Older.  He has created an extraordinary heroine in Sierra Santiago and a fascinating mythology of the shadowshapers.  The story of how Sierra discovers her powers is intriguing, but so is her dedication to preserving her family and heritage through threats of gentrification and cultural appropriation.  Equally interesting is her romance with fellow artist Robbie and the unraveling mystery of magic and spiritual connection.  This book will leave you wanting a sequel.

Pick of the Week- The Book Thief

is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.  This is an historical fiction novel set in World War II Germany. Interestingly, the narrator is something like the grim reaper.  He first meets Liesel, the book's protagonist, at age eleven when her brother dies while they are on their way to live with a foster family.  Her father was a communist and taken by the Nazis immediately before the war, and her mother has no way to support her children.  After stealing her first book from the graveyard where her brother is buried, Liesel is taken in by an older couple, the Hubermans, who live a few miles from the Dachau concentration camp.  Rosa is foul mouthed harsh woman who nonetheless has a big heart; while Hans is an endlessly caring and warm father figure.  The family, who secretly hate Hitler and the Nazis, decide to hide a Jewish teenager and live in constant fear of discovery and punishment. This griping tale will be sure fascinate students of World War II and the Holocaust.

Pick of the Week- The Only Game

is The Only Game by Mike Lupica.  Baseball is the love of Jack Callahan's life.  And he is very good at it. His team might even make it to the Little League World Series this year with his phenomenal pitching and hitting. But after the first day of practice, he quits the team. Jack's brother had died the year before, and through his guilt and grief, he gave up the sport he loved. While is best friend and team mates are furious, Jack finds new friends that help move back towards playing the game he still loves.

Pick of the Week- I Hunt Killers

is I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga.  This crime thriller will delight fans of the TV show Dexter. Seventeen year old Jasper, or Jazz, is the son of one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. He lives with his elderly grandmother in the same small Florida town where is father grew up, but he was raised by his father. Jazz believes his mother is dead (killed by his father) but isn't sure.  When a woman is found dead in the sleepy Florida town, he feels a responsibility to help solve the crime. Though his father wanted Jazz to follow in his footsteps, he is committed to battling his demons and constantly strives to do the right thing.  But his traumatic history follows him as more people are murdered and it becomes clear that there is another serial killer bent on a reign of terror.  Can Jazz live down the reputation of his father and make amends to the world? 

Pick of the Week- Darth Plagueis

Ms. Y's pick of the week is Darth Plagueis by James Luceno.  For fans of the Star Wars universe, this novel will add color to the story of victory of Sith over the Jedi.  Darth Plagueis is mentioned briefly in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and this novel traces his career and mostly his training of Palpatine.  For fans of the Star Wars prequels, this novel will explain the Sith plot in more detail and provide more context to the plot to destroy the Jedi.

Pick of the Week- When I Was the Greatest

Ms. Y's pick of the week is the award-winning When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds.  First-time author Reynolds creates engaging characters who confront raw emotion related to abandonment, violence and true friendship.  The narrator, Ali, lives in a Brooklyn brownstone with his mother and sister.  He becomes friends with two brothers nicknamed Noodles, who acts tough but secretly loves to draw comic books and Needles, who has Tourette's Syndrome.  Though they are neighbors, Ali and brothers have vastly different families- Ali's mother is a social worker who is loving and nurturing to her children while Noodles and Needle live in a dilapidated building with a neglectful mother.  Though the three teenagers stay away from the drugs and gangs that surround their Bed-Stuy neighborhood, they get drawn into a conflict that rock their friendship and test their character.  This novel offers a window into inner city life- showing the challenges and strength of the community.

Pick of the Week- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

is the The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  As we finish banned books week, it is fitting that my pick this week be one of the most challenged books of this century. Basketball fans will love Alexie's semi-autobiographical novel about growing up on a reservation in Washington state.  The conflict Arnold feels between loyalty to his home and the mostly white high school he attends brings to light many of the social issues faced by young Native Americans today. Don't miss this modern classic.

Pick of the Week- Iron Trial

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare is this week's pick. This is the first in a four book series by these two local authors (they both live in Amherst). Fans of Harry Potter will enjoy the interesting world Black and Clare have created. Mystery surrounds Callum Hunt's past as he joins a the Magisterium, an underground school for magic. He and his friends are training to be mages in a world where everyone has been touched by the aftermath of a great struggle between magic of good and evil. As Callum works through his first year, he will face challenges and a surprising revelation that will want make you yearn for the next book in the series!

It's Banned Books Week!

"What!?!  The library is banning books?"
No.  Quite the opposite.  Banned Books week is a celebration of your right to read.  Every year, the American Library Association collects the titles of the most challenged books across the country in an effort to promote that we defend your freedom to read.
So check out a banned book today!

Pick of the Week- American Born Chinese

This week, my pick is American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.  This is a coming of age graphicnovel about Jin, Chinese-American who runs from his ethnicity.  But through a meaningful friendship, he comes to embrace his culture.  Yang artfully weaves together three stories and cleverly uses allegories to illustrate Jin's internal conflict.  American Born Chinese has won many awards and is an instant classic.  

Summer Reading update

This year, students have the option to do their summer reading assignment digitally.  Please note, that students who do a digital project cannot participate in the voting/competition for the Kindle or other prizes.

To submit your digital project:
1. Name your file: homeroom_lastname
2. Go to http://dropitto.me/msyanusk
3. Enter the password: gorams
4. Upload your document
5. Go to http://goo.gl/forms/ttH7rOhjJS to submit a weblink (for Prezi, Glogster, etc.) and to confirm your submission.

If you have any questions, see Ms. Y in the library.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to the 2015-16 school year!  Please be patient until September 21 as we get the library up and running.  The library will be open for after school and for lunch starting then.

In the meantime, don't forget summer reading is due September 15!

Summer Reading is back!

The STRHS Summer Reading program is back!  This unique program where students can choose their own age appropriate book to read over the summer.  There is a required project that goes along with this book.  Students may make a billboard or digital presentation promoting the book to other readers.  The full details of the assignment can be found below.

Happy Reading!

Summer Reading Assignment 2015

Pick of the Week- Doll Bones

is Doll Bones by Holly Black.  The title and cover of this book is a little deceiving; it looks like it might be a little scary.  In fact, this is a great story about three friends Zach, Alice, and Poppy, who love to make up stories around their action figures, but are starting to grow out of "playing with dolls."  The story of the doll bones takes a back seat to the bonds of friendship that are strengthened as they try to solve a mystery around a precious doll they think is haunted.  People of all ages will love this charming tale filled with adventure and camaraderie.

STRHS Literary Magazine

Hot off the presses! The 2014-15 edition of the literary magazine, The Probe, was released today.  It features poetry and short fiction from the work of STRHS students.  This eclectic mix of genre makes for a fascinating read.  Come pick up a copy in the library today!

Pick of the Week- Gone

is Gone by Michael Grant.  What would happen if all the adults in your town disappeared?  That's what happened in this small town.  Everyone over the age of fourteen "poofed" one day and no one knows why.  More strange things start happening: the teenagers are developing powers, animals are mutating.  How will the teens survive?

Pick of the Week- Crossover

is The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  This 2015 Newbery Award winning novel written in verse is a heartfelt story of two brothers who must triumph over great expectations and tribulations to succeed in their athletic pursuits and in their personal lives.  Written in verse, this is a great pick for reluctant readers.

Pick of the Week- Leviathan

is Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.  This is an exciting steampunk novel that takes place on the brink of World War I.  It features a fictional son of Archduke Ferdinand, Alek, who is the heir to the Austrian throne. He is trying to escape his rivals when he meets Deryn, a sailor on a British ship who must disguise her self as a boy in order to serve.  Alek and Deryn tentatively trust one another as they navigate the politics and complications of war.

Check out books from the Public Library at School!

Thanks to Lynn at the Southwick Public Library, there are now books from the public library right here at STRHS.  There is a great selection of new and modern classic books that the high school library does not have. The available books are:

• The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
• Geek Girl by Holly Smale
• Model: A Memoir by Cheryl Diamond
• Promise of Shadows by Justina Ireland
• Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen
• H2O by Virginia Bergin
• Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
• Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano
• Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin
• Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
• This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl
• The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity.

Pick of the Week- Red Queen

is The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.  This exciting new fantasy novel by a local author (she's from East Longmeadow) has spent 10 weeks on the New York Times best seller list!  The story follows Mare, a teenager who lives in a world divided ruled by silver blooded elites who have special powers and red blooded people who live in squalor and are forced to serve the Silvers.  Mare, born with red blood, discovers that she has a special power, too.  Can she use this power to change her world?

Pick of the Week- Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  This hilarious story of Arthur Dent, the sole human survivor of Earth's adventures around the galaxy will keep you laughing til the end of time. This is one of my all time favorite books.  If you like British humor, this is the book for you.

Do you love language? Try this great app: Duolingo

If you love the idea of learning a new language or improving on your skills that might be a little rusty, try the app Duolingo.

This is a great app that encourages you to practice a little each day.  It adjusts the difficulty of questions on your past answers, so you get a mix of skills that are challenging, yet possible.  Use it to improve your Spanish or French grade, or for fun!

Pick of the Week- March

is March: Book Two by John Lewis, Andew Aydin, and Nate Powell.  The second part of John Lewis' graphic memoir is packed with suspense and history.  John Lewis is a living treasure of courage and a testament to the power of non-violence.

Top Ten of STRHS

You've seen the best sellers- now take a look at the most popular books from the STRHS Library.

Pick of the Week- Boxers

is Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang.  This historical fiction graphic novel tells the story of two young people in the middle of a tumultuous time in Chinese history- the Boxer rebellion.  One of the two fight to hold on to traditional Chinese ways, the other has been converted to Christianity and embraces reform.  These two live weave together with tragic consequences.

Pick of the Week- Wonder

is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  It is a heart warming story of a boy born with a facial abnormality who starts attending school for the first time in the 5th grade.  People of all ages will enjoy following August's journey through his eyes and the eyes of his friends and family.

Steampunk

The advanced art class made some spectacular steampunk sculptures for their final projects last semester.  Check out the display in the gym hallway and read a book from the genre!