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November / December 2023
By Alice N. Johnson, Library Media Specialist | ajohnson@dedham.k12.ma.us
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm | DHS Library Website
Cozy up with a good book during December break.
Stop by and see us for suggestions!
From the Librarian
From the Librarian
Seasons Greetings! In this month’s newsletter you can check out our display of winter-themed books, find out about the best books of 2023, learn about the winner of the MA Teen Choice Book Award, and read about some new books just added to our collection. If you are a student interested in writing book reviews for the library, please see that article and complete the google form. 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
“Winter was made for warm blankets and large books."
“Winter was made for warm blankets and large books."
—Anonymous
Winner!
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
MA Teen Choice Book Award Winner!
MA Teen Choice Book Award Winner!
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson is Our Top Teen Pick!
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson is Our Top Teen Pick!
"Over 1,000 teens in the Commonwealth have voted and the winning book for the second Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the novel The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson (Katherine Tegan Books, 2022). The first runner-up is I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (Philomel Books, 2022) and the second runner up is The Getaway by Lamar Giles (Scholastic Press, 2022). The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books. " (https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/)
All three of these titles, and many of the other nominees, are available in the DHS Library (print) or through Sora/MLS Commonwealth Collection (ebook &/or audiobook).
This is the only book award in Massachusetts that invites young adults to select their top new books of the year. To learn more about the program, and see the other nominees, please visit the Mass Teen Choice Book Award website.
To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.
To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.
—Aristotle, Greek philosopher (384 BC - 322 BC)
Makerspace Activity: Make Your Own Snowflakes!
Makerspace Activity: Make Your Own Snowflakes!
Create your own snowflakes! 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 use your creativity, and have some FUN! The only requirement is to keep your design symmetrical, just like actual snowflakes.
Join us during for one or both X-BLOCKS this week (TUESDAY, DEC 19 AND/OR THURSDAY, DEC 21) for this activity. We will be working in the DHS Library's Makerspace area (high-top blue tables).
If interested, you MUST SIGN UP for this activity in advance. PLEASE SIGN UP ON THIS GOOGLE FORM.
There is a 20 person limit for this activity.
Mrs. Johnson will create a FlexTime pass for you to attend.
All About Snowflakes!
All About Snowflakes!
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!
Snowflake Photography
Snowflake Photography
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.
Make Your Own Snowflakes at Home!
Make Your Own Snowflakes at Home!
Create your own snowflake at home! Decorate your windows, make one for a friend, or send one in the mail to someone as a surprise! If can't join us for the makerspace activity on Dec. 19 or Dec. 21 and/or 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. Remember to keep your design symmetrical, just like actual snowflakes.
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
Want to Learn More?
Want to Learn More?
Learn the science behind how snowflakes are created and why no two ever look alike.
“A book is a gift you can open again and again."
“A book is a gift you can open again and again."
—Garrison Keillor, American author, storyteller, humorist, voice actor, and radio personality (1942- )
Snow is Falling, Books are Calling!
Snow is Falling, Books are Calling!
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.
Cozy up with a good winter-themed book. Stop by to see what's available and check out the beautiful display set up by Ms. Ellakkis.
Cozy up with a good winter-themed book. Stop by to see what's available and check out the beautiful display set up by Ms. Ellakkis.
View our book list for a complete list of titles.
New Books!
New Books!
So many new books have just arrived. We are working hard to get them on the shelves so that they are ready for you to borrow for vacation. There are a variety of books available, both fiction & nonfiction.
Opening a box of new books is one of my favorite things and I can't wait to see which new titles become popular with DHS students.
This photo is only a small sampling of what we have recently received. Please stop by to see what's new!
Tell us about your favorite books of 2023 on this Padlet.
Best Books of the Year - 2023
Best Books of the Year - 2023
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:
I don't think I'll be able to help you find that.
I don't think I'll be able to help you find that.
—No librarian, ever.
We Are Thankful for Good Books!
We Are Thankful for Good Books!
For November, we asked DHS staff members to suggest favorite books that they would recommend to high school students and Ms. Ellakkis created a beautiful, seasonal display based on these suggestions. If you're in search of a good book to read, stop by the Library to check out these recommendations.
What books are YOU thankful for?
Hey Readers & Writers! We need YOU!
Hey Readers & Writers! We need YOU!
We are looking for students interested in writing book reviews which may be featured in our library newsletters, included in our library's online catalog, and/or displayed in our library.
Help promote great books to our school community while also improving your writing skills.
Complete this form if you are interested and would like to learn more!
StickTogether Pixel Art - Create Your Own Design
StickTogether Pixel Art - Create Your Own Design
Our larger mosaic sticker posters have been a popular cooperative project in the library and it is always fun to see what the image
If you're for something to do over vacation, how about trying to create a mosaic pixel picture of your own. Check out this online pixel art creator where you can create images with pixels. Give it a try!
“Life is a gift. Don't forget to live it.”
“Life is a gift. Don't forget to live it.”
– Nicola Yoon, YA author, from her book Everything, Everything
Cite Your Sources!
Cite Your Sources!
I am sure you are all aware at the importance of citing any sources you use when writing a paper or creating a project. Give credit where credit is due. The library is happy to help you with any citation questions you might have; you can stop by the library or email Mrs. Johnson.
Please be aware that we have replaced our use of NoodleTools with the built-in Google Citation Tool to generate citations and Works Cited pages. For help in using this tool, please visit our Citing Sources page.
Attention DHS Teachers!
Attention DHS Teachers!
Did you know that . . .
Did you know that . . .
you can locate content-related articles in most of our library databases and then share them with your students directly through Google Classroom? It's really easy!
you can locate content-related articles in most of our library databases and then share them with your students directly through Google Classroom? It's really easy!
Teachers, contact me if you'd like a demonstration!
RESEARCH DATABASES
RESEARCH DATABASES
*Share Articles Via Google Classroom*
*Share Articles Via Google Classroom*
“December is the time for remembering the past and reaching toward the future.”
“December is the time for remembering the past and reaching toward the future.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist and poet (1803-1882)
Students! Families! Staff! We're Looking for Your Input!
Students! Families! Staff! We're Looking for Your Input!
We would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions about our library program and/or any suggestions on what we can offer, please let us know by completing the appropriate form.
Tech Support
Tech Support
I forgot my Chromebook . . . My Chromebook isn’t charged . . . Something isn’t working on my Chromebook . . . I can’t connect to the network / WiFi . . . I forgot my password . . .
Reminder: The library is your first stop for any technical problems.
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
― A. A. Milne, English Author (1882-1956)
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