Library News 2022-2023
Summer Reading
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | June 12, 2023If you need help locating books for summer reading, whether assigned or just for fun, your AHS Library has you covered.
See our guide to Finding Your Summer Reading Books for suggestions on where to get copies, what to read next, and more.
Not sure whether you have an assignment? See Summer Reading and AP Assignments via the AHS website for details.
YFA Book of the Month
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | June 5, 2023The YFA’s Book of the Month for June is HAPPINESS, LIKE WATER by Chinelo Okparanta.
HAPPINESS, LIKE WATER is a series of short stories set in Nigeria. Diving into topics surrounding feminism and LGBTQIA+ life, the stories discuss narratives too often ignored.
We hope you enjoy it! Brought to you by the Young Feminist Alliance (YFA).
And a huge thank you from the AHS Library to our friends in the Young Feminist Alliance (YFA) for all of the great book recommendations this year! We can't wait to hear what you read next.
Civil Rights Buttons
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | May 30, 2023We had so much fun today helping press student-designed buttons on social justice topics with Ms. Tonachel's classes!
Students researched causes of their choosing and created original artwork as part of their exploration of the civil rights movement in United States history.
College & Career Planning Resources
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | May 26, 2023The AHS Library is happy to introduce a new subject guide to our College & Career Planning resources, including many great new books and digital content.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Library System, we are also able to offer free access to Peterson's Test Prep and Peterson's Career Prep platforms. Let us know what you think!
YFA Book of the Month
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | May 8, 2023The YFA’s Book of the Month for May is GREAT OR NOTHING by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe, and Jessica Spotswood.
Great or Nothing is an adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott. The novel is set in 1942, at the start of World War II. The March family splits after the death of sister Beth, and the story follows their individual paths.
We hope you enjoy it! Brought to you by the Young Feminist Alliance (YFA).
So You Want to Write a Children's Book?
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | April 28, 2023Please join us for SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK with special guest Margaret Muirhead on Monday, May 8 at 3:15pm at the AHS Library.
Meet local children's author and school librarian Margaret Muirhead and learn about what it takes to write and publish children's books! Whether you've dreamed of making your own or are just curious about the process of writing, working with illustrators, and being published, Margaret will talk about her experiences and share her work.
This event is sponsored by the Student Library Advisory Committee (SLAC). Our long-running but newly-named annual speaker series INFO @ WORK connects AHS students with information about careers in libraries, publishing, and information sciences.
Robbins Library Presents Pride Prom
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | April 27, 2023We are so happy to share that Pride Prom is back after a pandemic hiatus:
"Arlington’s annual celebration of joyful self-expression for teens returns! Teens aged 13-18 of all genders and sexualities are welcome to celebrate their authentic selves by enjoying music, food, and a live interactive drag performance."
Pride Prom, presented by Robbins Library, is on Friday, May 19 at 6-9pm at Arlington Community Center, 27 Maple Street.
Poetry Open Mic @ Your Library
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | April 10, 2023April is National Poetry Month!
Join us Mon. April 10 after school for our annual POETRY OPEN MIC @ YOUR AHS LIBRARY.
Come to read or just listen! Snacks and poems will be provided, or bring your own treats (of the culinary or literary variety) to share.
YFA Book of the Month
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | April 5, 2023The YFA’s April Book of the Month is ALIAS GRACE by Margaret Atwood, check it out today!
Based on the true, grisly murderers of 1843, this novel follows the life sentence of Grace Marks. Marks, convicted of two murders, claims to have no memory the night. She connects with a group of reformers who seek to liberate her and unlock her memories.
We hope you enjoy it! This book recommendation is brought to you by the Young Feminist Alliance (YFA).
The MTCBA Nominees Are Here!
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | March 27, 2023The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) has just announced the 2023 MTCBA Nominees!
This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to select YOUR top new books of the year. The list of 21 nominees was curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists, and educators. Teens are invited to read the titles this spring and summer and vote for their favorite books in September!
The books are already available through Sora and many are available in print at your AHS Library, with the rest on their way soon.
Which will YOU read first?
Arlington Mourns Judy Heumann
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | March 7, 2023We join those around the world mourning the recent death of Judy Heumann, lifelong disability rights advocate and author of the memoir BEING HEUMANN, which is this year's Arlington Reads Together selection. Judy's work had a tremendous impact on all our lives, including the rights codified in the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). Judy died on Saturday, March 4.
Judy was scheduled to visit Arlington via Zoom on March 19. Library staff are organizing a celebration of her life to take place during this time. Library Director Anna Litten says, “We will not be able to hear from Judy on March 19, but we will be coming together to share stories of Judy’s impact on the lives and experiences of disabled community members. May her memory be a blessing.” Full details will be available soon, and a full list of Arlington Reads Together events is available here.
If you'd like to learn more about Judy and her work, considering signing up to watch the documentary Crip Camp during AHS Inclusion Workshops in April.
YFA Book of the Month
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | March 1, 2023Did you know the Young Feminist Alliance (YFA) displays a Book of the Month in the AHS Library?
The YFA’s March Book of the Month is THE WRATH & THE DAWN by Renée Ahdieh.
THE WRATH & THE DAWN follows the life of sixteen-year-old Shahrzad. Shahrzad challenges Khalid, the oppressive ruler of Khorasan. The book follows her journey of vengeance and self-discovery as she learns more than she may have wanted. We hope you enjoy it!
The YFA Book of the Month in January was THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Katherine Arden and in February it was BRAIDING SWEETGRASS by Robin Wall Kimmerer (now also in a young reader's edition). All are available in the AHS Library!
Arlington Reads Together 2023
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | February 28, 2023It's that time of year when our community comes together in reading a single story! This year's Arlington Reads Together book is BEING HEUMANN: AN UNREPENTANT MEMOIR OF A DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST by Judith Heumann with Kristin Joyner. Judy's story is also available in the young reader's edition, ROLLING WARRIOR, and a picture book, FIGHTING FOR YES. Copies are available at the AHS Library and Robbins Library.
In this powerful memoir, one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.
There are many fantastic events scheduled throughout March for us to learn together, including a moderated discussion with Judith Heumann herself via Zoom on March 19. Be sure to check them out!
Take a Break @ Your Library
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | February 13, 2023We had so much fun in December that we've decided to do it again!
The AHS Library will be hosting another Week of Wellness leading up to the February vacation with a variety of crafts, games, and de-stressing activities available throughout the day.
Take a break with us!
ALA Youth Media Awards
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | January 30, 2023The American Library Association Youth Media Awards are like the Oscars of the library world. This year's winners were announced this morning!
Congratulations to Sabaa Tahir, who won the Michael L. Printz Award, recognizing excellence in literature written for young adults, for her novel ALL MY RAGE.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named: SCOUT'S HONOR, written by Lily Anderson; ICEBREAKER, written by A.L. Graziadei; WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY, written by Sacha Lamb; and QUEER DUCKS (AND OTHER ANIMALS): THE NATURAL WORLD OF ANIMAL SEXUALITY, written by Eliot Schrefer.
Check out the complete list of winners on the ALA website.
National News Literacy Week
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | January 23, 2023News literacy is an urgent and essential life skill for the 21st century. Credible, standards-based news outlets play an important role in helping citizens recognize what news and information to trust.
Do YOU have what it takes to stop the flood of misinformation online?
National #NewsLiteracyWeek, presented by the News Literacy Project and The E.W. Scripps Company, is January 23-27, 2023. Learn how to get involved at NewsLiteracyWeek.org.
Happy Public Domain Day
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | January 1, 2023As of January 1, 2023, copyrighted works from 1927 entered the United States public domain, meaning that they are free for all to copy, share, or build upon.
This year's highlights include TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf, the final Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, NOW WE ARE SIX by A. A. Milne, and early works by Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, as well as the German science fiction film METROPOLIS and Alfred Hitchcock's first thriller.
For more works that are now available to all and a great intro to the history and cultural significance of public domain, see this great post from the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke Law.
Wellness Week in the Library
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | December 19, 2022Join us for a Week of Wellness in the AHS Library from December 19 to 23 where we will reprise several popular activities from the Wellness Workshops including coloring, friendship bracelet making, board games, and more!
Stop by during a free block to participate and help us promote individual and community wellbeing leading into winter break. Activities will run throughout the school day, including lunch, so come anytime. We hope to see you soon!
The AHS Library would like to especially thank Virginia Sanzo ('24) for her hard work to make this Week of Wellness programming a reality and the Arlington Education Foundation for their generous support of our Library of Games.
Community Wraps with Henry Bear
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | December 6, 2022The Student Library Advisory Committee will be wrapping gifts and accepting donations at Henry Bear's Park on Sunday, December 11 from 10am to 5pm.
Shop and support your AHS Library at the same time!
Bookplate Design Contest
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | November 22, 2022Thank you to everyone who entered our annual bookplate design contest! It is a joy to see how much talent we have in our school community.
Congratulations to all our winners: Nathaniel Christie, Emma Cox, Nick Dorgan, Prekshya Lama, Helly Leber, Alyssa Mikkelson, Toni Mueller, Ray Posner, Charlotte Sanzo, Isabel Schumacher, Melanie Selva, Nina Stockwell, Emily Wang, Gael Willems Cleetus, Molly Yi, and Gabriella Zulueta.
Click on the thumbnail to see all the winning designs. Then read more about how you or your family can Adopt a Book for the AHS Library featuring one of these beautiful bookplates today!
Bookplate Design Contest
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | October 18, 2022It has become an annual tradition to invite students to "make their mark" on the library with our bookplate design contest.
Your artwork becomes part of our Adopt a Book fundraiser and used in bookplates placed inside library books.
Download the Bookplate Design Contest entry form today!
For full consideration please submit your designs by Friday, November 4.
And the Winner Is
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | October 14, 2022Nearly 3,000 teens across the Commonwealth voted and the winner of the first ever Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is ... drumroll, please ... the graphic novel HEARTSTOPPER by Alice Oseman!
If you haven't read it, stop by the library today, where we will probably show you how to place a hold or borrow it on Sora because HEARTSTOPPER is so popular we can't keep it on the shelves. If you've already read it, come by and check out one the sequels!
Watch the super cute announcement video, see all the nominees, and follow the action at the Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award website or follow the the MTCBA on social media at #MTCBA.
Get Your Vote On
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | October 12, 2022Robbins Library is hosting an event, "Who Votes, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters" that may be of interest to AHS students:
Kelly Siegel-Stechler, Ph.D. and Senior Researcher at CIRCLE, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement, at Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University, will discuss the major trends in voter participation and turnout across the US and locally in Massachusetts, some of the causes behind these trends, and implications for democratic society. Finally, we will consider some potential solutions for policy and individuals to work toward ensuring a more just and inclusive democracy.
Join them for this special discussion on Tuesday, October 18 at 7:00pm in the Robbins Library Community Room.
Test Prep Got You Down?
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | October 4, 2022Test prep got you down? The library has your back.
As fall standardized test season approaches, we are excited to share a new resource with our students. Find all the tools you need to discover your passion, ace your exams, and excel in your career with Peterson's Test Prep!
Check it out here: Peterson's Test Prep (Gale Presents)
This resource is funded by the Massachusetts Library System. To see all our new databases visit Resources A-Z.
Free Tutoring in the Library
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | September 16, 2022Starting Monday, September 19, student members of the National Honors Society (NHS) will offer free drop-in tutoring both before school (8:00am-8:30am) and after school (3:00pm-4:30pm and during X block) every school day in the AHS Library. No appointments are needed. Just stop by and look for the NHS tutoring signs to get help with homework questions or preparing for a quiz or test!
NHS members are also available to set up regularly scheduled, free one-on-one tutoring outside of school hours. Students can fill out our the online request form, including the subject(s) where they need help and they will be matched with a private NHS tutor who best fits the student’s needs, interests, and availability. Adult caregivers and/or teachers can also fill out the form if they think a one-on-one tutor would be beneficial for their child/student.
Email the NHS students at nhsarlington@gmail.com with any questions.
It's Teen Choice Time
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | September 12, 2022Teens across the state are invited to vote in the first annual Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA). This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books. Voting is open now and closes on September 23, 2022.
The list of current nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists, and educators. The winners will be announced in November 2022 at the Massachusetts Library System’s Teen Summit.
You only need to have read ONE book to vote, that's right, ONE book, so click the link to vote online today!
Welcome Back to School
Posted by Stacy Kitsis | September 6, 2022Do you have that "new box of crayons" feeling? We do! The AHS Library is excited to welcome students and staff back for a great school year.
Need help finding your way? A quiet spot during the day? A copy of that summer reading book you so diligently read all the way back at the beginning of July? Some technology for your classroom? A new bestseller to read because of all that extra free time you have now that school is back in session?
We got you, come on by!
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