Pick of the Week- Pax

is Pax by Sara Pennypacker. "Just because it isn't happening here doesn't mean it isn't happening." This is how the story of Peter, a boy, and Pax, a fox, begins.  Peter adopted Pax just after they had both lost their mothers. They had been a tremendous comfort to each other and nearly inseparable. But when war threatened the country, Peter is sent away from home and forced to release Pax back into the wild. Peter however, had a plan to runway back to the place where he left Pax and be reunited. Told in alternating chapters from Peter and Pax's points of view, this story is heartwarming and poinent.  Many readers will enjoy this National Book Award Longlist honoree.

Middle School Artist of the Month

The Southwick Regional School library is pleased to present the Middle School Artist of Month series. Mr. Bladyka, the new middle school art teacher selects the projects of one 7th grade and one 8th grade student each month to have the honor of featuring their art work in the library.  It has been great to see the library walls colored with the work of these talented students. Check out the slide show of this year's honorees so far. https://goo.gl/photos/u8QJze8Ac5oshTL9A

Pick of the Week- Room

is Room by Emma Donoghue. Is a thrilling psychological mind bender about a woman who is kidnapped and forced to live in a small room where she gives birth to Jack, who turns five a the beginning of the novel. Though he learns to read and is kept safe by his mother, he is raised to believe that the entire world is only the room. The story is told from his perspective as he discovers that another world exists outside he and his mother attempt a daring escape.

Pick of the Week- Climate Migrants

is Climate Migrants by Rebecca E. Hirsch. This book is a great primer for young people learning about climate change. It uses images and stories to illustrate the impacts of climate change on people around the globe.

Immigrants: we get the job done!

A hot topic in today's discourse is immigration. Why not check out one of these great stories about the immigrant experience or the history of immigration in the United States.

Non-Fiction:
From Immigrants to Americans by Jacob Vigdor

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

Coming to America by Roger Daniels

Russians in America by Alison Behnke

Fresh of the Boat by Eddie Huang

Fiction:
Nory Ryan's Song

What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

Out Run the Moon by Stacey Lee

West of the Moon by Margi Preus

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Pick of the Week- This Way Home

is This Way Home by Wes Moore. Elijah Thomas is an excellent basketball player with a bright future at a Division I college. He and his best friends have bonded over basketball and have kept each other safe through a sometimes dangerous Baltimore neighborhood. As they prepare to enter a tournament that could lead to tremendous opportunities, they receive a tempting offer of a sponsorship from a local gang. Each of the three friends has to choose his path forward. The decisions they make will have serious and long lasting consequences.

Pick of the Week- Mighty Jack

is Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke. This graphic novel is a modern take on Jack and the Bean stock. Jack is a teenager who is tasked with taking care of his little sister, who is non verbal, while his single mother works two jobs to keep the family afloat financially. When Jack buys some mysterious seeds at a flea market, he and his sister turn their backyard into a magical garden. He strikes up a friendship with Lilly, a neighbor who is intrigued by Jack and the garden. The three of them embark on magical adventures in their new exciting but dangerous escape from reality.

Pick of the Week- Ghost

is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. The first in a promising new series, Ghost is about a young runner struggling to prove himself on an elite track team. Castle lives in a poor neighborhood with his mother; they survived an attempt on their lives from Castle's father a year before he decided to running track. He uses his experience to drive his training to be the fastest sprinter on the team. Though the plot sounds like a typical sport narrative, the characters are written with nuance and dimension that make this story worth reading.

Pick of the Week- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. This unique story is told from the perspective of an autistic teenager, Christopher, who discovers that his neighbor's dog has been murdered. Despite his father's insistence that he stop investigating, he continues to search for the dog's killer. What he finds up ends his family life and threatens to affect his future. Though he attends a specialized school for people with developmental disabilities, Christopher insists that he take the national examination for math, a subject at which he excels. When he discovers a shocking family secret, his ability to take the test is in jeopardy. This story will make you feel for Christopher's plight and question your world around, just as Christopher is forced to question his.

Pick of the Week- March: Book 3

is March: Book 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. The last installment of the graphic memoir of John Lewis finishes the epic arch of John Lewis' story from the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement to his witnessing the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. The most dramatic of the three books, March: Book 3 takes you through the most tense and violent period of Civil Rights struggle- the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the murder of three Civil Rights workers in Mississippi to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Don't miss the epic conclusion of the masterpiece graphic memoir of a hero of the Civil Rights Movement.

Pick of the Week- Magnus Chase

is Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan.  This is a new series by the popular author of the Percy Jackson series. It follows Magnus, the child of a god and human as he navigates modern Boston and the Norse mythological world. After the death of his mother, Magnus has been homeless; proving that not everything is as it seems he is joined on his adventures through the supernatural word by two other seemingly homeless men who turn out to have special abilities of their own. They have been keeping a watchful eye on Magnus as they know that has special importance to the Norse other world. Kids and adults will appreciate the subtle humor and sarcasm of this exciting new story.

Pick of the Week- George

is George by Alex Gino. George is an awarding winning story about a transgender child who is struggling to make herself known to her family and friends. She struggles in school as she is bullied consistently.  But she finds comfort in her friends as she tries out for the school play, Charlotte's Web, and finds herself defying conventions.

Banned Books Week 2016

What is Banned Books Week? Each year the American Library Association raises awareness to the challenges that libraries face regarding their library materials. Banned Books week is a way to celebrate how your library promotes the freedom to read. The library is place where people can come for information to read about points of view that might be different from their own, and no point of view should be censored.

Celebrate Banned Books Week by reading a "banned book!"

Pick of the Week- The Marvels

is The Marvels by Brian Selznick. Is a stunning heart-warming book about a mysterious house and Joseph's journey to figure out its mysteries.  The book begins with an illustrated story of a famous family of actors. The author the masterfully weaves the two tales together in a stunning reveal.

Pick of the Week- Where You'll Find Me

is Where You'll Find Me by Natasha Friend.  Anna's life has taken a dramatic change. He just moved in with her dad and 20 something year old step mom and three month old half sister. Why? Her mother had tried to commit suicide. Anna tried to deal with this on her own. After all, her former best friend abandoned her for the"popular" crowd and her dad clearly cared more for his new family. But as she meets new people and even starts trusting her new step mom, she realizes she doesn't have to go through this alone. Anna is a strong sympathetic character that you cheer for throughout the book. You'll even find her quirky friends endearing and relatable.

Pick of the Week- Little Brother

is Little Brother by Cory Doctrow. Tech geek Marcus knows his way around the Internet. He and his friend love competing in an online/ physical game that pulls them away from the mundane routines of school. While cutting class one day, the worst terrorist attack in history rocks their hometown of San Francisco. Marcus to his great surprise suddenly becomes a suspect. He is detained for days by Homeland security, and when he is released he becomes even more committed to skirting the technology surveillance of the government and his school. Gamers and tech lovers will find a kindred spirit in Marcus and his motley crew.

Pick of the Week- Fourteenth Goldfish

is The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Ellie's life is taking a dramatic turn. She's starting middle school and her best friend suddenly thinks volleyball is more important than their friendship. Then a strange boy shows up on their doorstep with a surprising announcement. The boy turns out to be her grandfather who has discovered a cure for aging and looks thirteen! Ellie now has to help her grandfather break into her grandfather 's lab, discover the drama of science, and question the nature of life- all while trying to survive middle school.

Summer Reading for SRS Students

Summer vacation is here! Along with that is the SRS Summer Reading Program.  There are significant changes to the assignment this year, especially for high school students.

Details can be found on the SRS website and library page: http://www.stgrsd.org/strhs/library.htm
Note there are different requirements for students entering the 7th and 8th grades and for students entering grades 9-12.

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Summer Reading Recommendations

Summer will soon be upon us! Here are some recommendations for summer reading.

Pick of the Week- Lumberjanes

is Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson, Brooke Allen, Grace Ellis, Shannon Waters. This is the first in a comic book series about five girls at a summer camp in a mysterious forest where statues come alive, animals seemed possessed, and the camp director seems to know more than will tell the girls or their cabin leader. The eclectic mix of personalities and characteristics come together nicely as the Lumberjanes achieve their badges and try to solve the mystery of the forest at the same time.

Pick of the Week- Half a King

is Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. In honor of the return of Game of Thrones, this week's pick is highly reminiscent of the popular television series and accompanying books. Half a King is set in the world of the Shattered Sea where warring kingdoms vie for power. The story centers around Yarvi, the second son of the king of Gettland who was born with two fingers on one hand. In a society that values combat skills, Yarvi had been pushed to the side his whole life. Set on studying to be an adviser, his plans are derailed when his father and older brother are killed and he suddenly becomes king. After a shocking betrayal, he begins a journey around the Shattered Sea that will lead him back home to try to avenge his father's death. Fans of Game of Thrones will love this series.

Pick of the Week- Honor Girl

is Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash. This graphic memoir tells the author's experience at summer camp when she was fifteen in 2000. Though the camp is conservative and encourages Christian values, Maggie falls in love with Erin, one of the eighteen year old counselors. The story is touching and will remind all readers of lazy early teenage summers, lingering middle school drama, and longing of first love.

Pick of the Week- The Glass Sword

is The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. This is the second book in the Red Queen series (the first book was a pick of the week last year). After Mare's escape from the palace, she must decide what her role will be in the Scarlet Guard. She believes that Cal is just as eager to get revenge against the Silver royal family, but will the rest of the guard trust him as Mare does? As you learn more about the complex world This exciting continuation of last year's first installment, the Glass Sword will keep you on your toes wondering who to trust.

Pick of the Week- The Pluto Files

is The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Informative and funny, this book tells the story of Pluto from its discovery to its demotion to dwarf planet. It is littered with comics, illustrations, and solid science and history of Pluto. Aside from the comics, the writing is also funny and engaging. For example, Tyson points out that we could save on packaging materials if we used spherical containers, "...but practical matters prevail. Spheres don't pack or stack well and nobody wants to chase packaged goods down the aisle after it rolls off the shelves. We already do this for apples and oranges." You will chuckle at the dry humor while learning about the solar system.

Pick of the Week- Steve Jobs

is Steve Jobs: Insanely Great by Jesse Hartland. This graphic nonfiction book tells the story of Steve Jobs' life through the ages of technology that he helped define. For young people, it explains the dominant technology and how Jobs' innovation and leadership changed how we interact with music, information, and with each other. The book shows how volatile Jobs was and how his management style was sometimes difficult to contend with. Ultimately, it is an entertaining look at Steve Jobs' personal history and his impact on the world.

Pick of the Week- All American Boys

is All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. An emotional journey from start to finish, this book is contemporary and authentic in it's voice.  It tells the story of two boys, one black and one white as they deal with an instance of police violence. Rashad, who is black, is severely injured by a white police officer after he is falsely accused of stealing. Quinn, a white student at Rashad's school, witnesses the event and is shaken by what he sees. Both students wrestle with how race impacts their lives and closest relationships and decide that they need to take a stand to combat racism in their world.

Pick of the Week- The Porcupine of Truth

is The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg and the 2016 recipient of the Stonewall Book Award. This is a heart wrenching story of the friendship of two seventeen-year-olds. Carson and Aisha, who embark on an adventure to discover what happened to Carson grandfather. Carson returns to his hometown of Billings, Montana to help his mother care for his dying father. As he learns more about his father's childhood, he becomes obsessed with the idea of reuniting his father and grandfather. He and Aisha travel thousands of miles retracing the journey his grandfather took to San Francisco thirty years before. Carson does find the answers he is looking for an makes a life long friend in Aisha in the process.

Pick of the Week- Better Nate Than Ever

is Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle. This is a charming story about an eighth grade student that dreams of a life outside his small western Pennsylvania town.  His saving grace is his best friend, Libby, who is as obsessed with Broadway theater as he is. When she tells him about an open audition for E.T. the Musical, Nate sees his chance and buys a round trip bus ticket to New York. He encounters many interesting characters and identity shifting experiences along the way. This is great pick for students who love the theater and stories about pursuing your dreams.

Pick of the Week- Girl on a Train

is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. This best selling thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. Told from the perspective of three women with complex pasts, the mystery weaves together to form a thrilling tale of a terrifying disappearance. Rachel travels on a commuter train to London every day an watches a couple interact for a few seconds every morning and evening. She imagines they have the perfect relationship, but there is much more beneath the surface.