By Alice N. Johnson, Library Media Specialist | ajohnson@dedham.k12.ma.us
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm | DHS Library Website
Seasons Greetings! In this month’s newsletter you can check out our display of winter-themed books, find out about the best books of 2021, learn about the 2022 finalists for the Morris Award, and read about some new books on order for our library. There is also information about our December makerspace activity: Make Your Own Snowflakes.
As always, I welcome any suggestions and feedback on how we can make the library better for our school community. Please email me or use the appropriate feedback form on our library's website.
Let me know if you need to grab a print book (or two or three) for the break! You can also borrow eBooks or audiobooks online at anytime. Happy Holidays!
― Mrs. Johnson
Cozy up with a good winter-themed book!
Our December book display includes a bit of everything: holiday and winter-themed fiction, true survival stories set in cold climates, winter sports books, and books about snowy and icy places.
Stop by to see what's available!
View our book list for a complete list of titles.
Tell us in this Padlet above!
I don't know about you, but I really enjoy browsing all the best books lists that come out this time of the year. I like to see if any of my favorites made it onto these lists and I also like to discover new books to read. If you're looking for some great book ideas, check out these lists:
If you are looking for print books ..... search our catalog.
If you want to borrow ebooks or digital audiobooks ..... search Sora. (Log in with school email address to borrow books.)
If you would like to suggest a book for us to add to the DHS Library collection .... complete this suggestion form.
If we don't have what you're looking for, you can also check to see if it is available through the Dedham Public Library.
The William C. Morris Award, first given in 2009, honors the year’s best books written for young adults by a previously unpublished author. The five finalists for 2022 were just announced in December and the winner will be named in January.
You can learn more about the award and view a list of all the previous winners and finalists here.
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.
Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.
All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.
Or does he?
An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going. —from the publisher
Failing up : how to take risks, aim higher, and never stop learning
by Leslie Odom, Jr.
Leslie Odom Jr., burst on the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton. Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sung for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before he landed the role of a lifetime in one of the biggest musicals of all time, Odom put in years of hard work as a singer and an actor. With personal stories from his life, Odom asks the questions that will help you unlock your true potential and achieve your goals even when they seem impossible. What work did you put in today that will help you improve tomorrow? How do you surround yourself with people who will care about your dreams as much as you do? How do you know when to play it safe and when to risk it all for something bigger and better? These stories will inspire you, motivate you, and empower you for the greatness that lies ahead, whether you’re graduating from college, starting a new job, or just looking to live each day to the fullest.
—from the publisher
Miles Morales shock waves : a Spider-Man graphic novel
by Justin A. Reynolds; illustrated by Pablo Leon.
Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother's birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles' fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?
—from the publisher
Plastics and Microplastics : a Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues)
by David Newton
Part of the Contemporary World Issues series --
Beginning with a history of plastic--from the first scientific discovery of the material to its diversity of forms and uses in the present day [this book] discusses the history and evolution of plastic and its many uses, both in the United States and around the world. Importantly, it delves into the problems and controversies concerning plastic and microplastics, such as the pollution of oceans, rivers, and streams; its exceptionally long shelf life; its contribution to air pollution; and ingestion of microplastics by marine life.
One of the most valuable aspects of the book is its survey of the history of plastics and microplastics conducted in a manner that helps readers to identify key issues to address. Moreover, it discusses both implemented and proposed solutions. A perspectives chapter includes a broad range of voices, allowing crucial, diverse perspectives to round out the author's expertise.
—from the publisher
― from the YA novel, Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Have you ever really examined a snowflake? They're amazingly beautiful and intricate. I thought it would be fun to explore these amazing little ice crystals. Read on to learn more!
Find out about "Snowflake" Bentley, the first person who ever photographed a single snow crystal, and then went on to capture the images of over 5000 snow crystals (never finding two of the same). His work helped benefit the study of meteorology during his time. Also, check out the work of a contemporary Russian photographer, Alexey Kljatov, who rigged together his own camera setup to take beautiful close-up images of snowflakes.
Create your own snowflake! Use paper! Use string! Use craft sticks! Use any of the available materials; the choice is yours. All supplies will be provided. All YOU need to do is stop by our makerspace table the week before December break, use your creativity, and have some FUN! The only requirement is to keep your design symmetrical, just like actual snowflakes.
Decorate your windows, make one for a friend, or send one in the mail to someone as a surprise!
If you want to work on this at home, you can try your hand at creating some snowflake designs by visiting the links below. Some involve supplies that you might have around the house, but I've also included a link to a virtual option as well. For inspiration, check out some of "Snowflake" Bentley's incredible snowflake images, as well as Kljatov's amazing macro photography of ice crystals.
Paper Snowflake Templates | Snowflake Coloring Pages | Online Virtual Snowflake Maker
Pop Culture Paper Snowflake Patterns: Star Wars | Guardians of the Galaxy | Disney's Frozen | Harry Potter
Learn the science behind how snowflakes are created and why no two ever look alike.
― William Hamilton Gibson, American illustrator, author and naturalist (1850-1896)