READING SPOTS
It is important to have an area in your home where you can escape, relax and read a book. A cozy and special spot where you find peace and enjoy flipping through the pages of the book you are reading. Read this article for some tips on creating a relaxing reading nook in your home.
Have a look at some of our wildcat bookworms cozy reading spots in their homes. Feel free to add yours!
STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH
What is the book you are reading currently?
I am currently reading Black Coral by Andrew Mayne. It is the second book in the series.
What do you like best about the book?
This type of book is not like the usual ones I read, but it is about scuba diving and it's a just fun read. I like scuba diving a lot; I was just out this weekend. The other people I was diving with had actually been the ones who had gotten me into this series. Anyways, sometimes I read heavy books and I need a break so I started this one.
Can you give us a quick summary of the book's plot?
It's about a female scuba diver and she works in Florida with an organization called the UIU, the Underwater Investigation Unit.
How would you rate the series out of 5 stars?
I would say like a 3 and a half. There are little things that bug me about it, but honestly sometimes you just need good escapist kind of reading. The scuba diving parts are really good in the sense that the author seems to know what he's talking about.
What age group would you recommend this book to?
Middle school and up. A kid in middle school that liked scuba diving would probably like it. It's a book about adults but anybody who enjoyed scuba diving would like this book the most.
Aside from this book, could you recommend another book to students during distance learning to read between classes?
I've said this before, but my favorite book that I think a lot of people should read is called Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. He's a comedian, so that's cool. It's called Born a Crime because his mother was black and his father was white, which was a crime at that time in South Africa. He kind of had to hide the fact that his mother was his mother. It's all a true story, and he's honestly hysterical. He puts a funny spin on all these things that you almost can't believe happened. If I could recommend one book, that would be the one. But honestly i love to read in general, so sometimes it's hard to pick just one book.
DP2 PSYCHOLOGY ANALYSIS
This year, the DP2 Psychology class conducted an analysis on some of the books available in GAA Libraries. They studied the concept of enculturation, which is the gradual acquisition of norms of a culture or person.
Their tasks were to identify gender norms surrounding women in children's or Young Adult books. They then conducted their own research to find books that they think are beneficial to purchase, or to read if the library already has them, for our school community.
We interviewed a student from the class to find out more about what she learned.
Abeer Qureshi, Grade 12
Why is it important to recognize cultural norms in books?
It is important to recognize cultural norms in books because they are a major component in the developmental stages of young children. They look up to characters and messages portrayed in books; this is where they get some of their understanding of norms within society (enculturation). If we pay attention to the norms that may be hidden and imposed onto young children, we can understand the potential harm to the growth of the kids. From here, we can learn to create stories will better-suited messages that can help the growing generation.
Why was it important to realize cultural norms surrounding gender in children's books specifically? What difference does it make?
The trends among the books regarding stereotypes unjustly assigned roles the boys and girls. The books teach children their designation and role in society and what their limits are; this does not just include roles like jobs, but also how their personalities are meant to be. It tells kids that if they display a certain trait, it is the only way to be accepted as a part of that gender.
What was the most difficult part of this assignment?
The most difficult part of the assignment was taking on censorship alongside the search for gender stereotypes or norms. To respect and follow the rulings of the country we live in, the library has the responsibility to censor what they deem necessary and in some cases, we did not know whether what was censored had any role in a gender norm or religious conservatism.
The following are the books that they think would be beneficial to our students to read in light of what they have found in their analysis. The books are available in our library, feel free to check them out!
Brave by Svetlana Chmakova
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
NEW YEAR, NEW READS!
The Library added new books this new year! You can still borrow any library books or textbooks even we are on remote learning. You may check out a book through BOOK REQUEST CLICK & COLLECT and pick up the book from the school gate.
Send your book requests now!
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