As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, November ushers in Knowvember—a month dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. Embrace the season of learning by immersing yourself in a curated list of informational texts. Make this month a continuous self-improvement. Below is a list of fantastic non-fiction books for everyone that can be found in the secondary library:

Here is the list of IB-leveled fiction and non-fiction books that can be found in the library. Access is only available for IB students and teachers. 

by Janika Ramirez

By Hannah Lee

1. "A book is a gift you can open again and again." - Garrison Keillor

2. "If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book." – J.K. Rowling

3. "Read, read, read." - William Shakespeare

4. "Books are uniquely portable magic." - Stephen King

5. "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader." - Margaret Fuller

6. "Think before you speak. Read before you think." – Fran Lebowitz

7. "We read to know we are not alone." – C.S. Lewis

8. "One glance at a book, and you hear another person's voice, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time." – Carl Sagan

9. "Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you." – Carlos Ruiz Zafón

10. "We tell ourselves stories in order to live." – Joan Didion

11. "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." – Frederick Douglass

By Hannah Lee

The DP1 students of GEMS American Academy (GAA) embarked on a learning journey at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) from November 13th to 15th. Guided by esteemed Librarians, Ms. Grace Oluwaseyi Itiola and Science and Engineering Librarian Ms. Amani Magid, the trip provided an immersive learning experience focused on refining research skills, learning advanced search techniques, and exploring professional research databases such as JSTOR and EBSCO.

During the trip, the students were divided into three groups based on their topic preferences. On November 13th, students interested in EE subject Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Business Management/Economics/Psychology) visited NYUAD. The following day, students intrigued by Group 4: Sciences (Biology/Chemistry/Computer Science/Physics) and Group 5: Mathematics went, while those interested in Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (Category 1, 2, or 3) visited NYUAD on the last day.

Ms. Grace Oluwaseyi Itiola and Ms. Amani Magid initiated the students into the world of professional research databases, teaching them how to access and navigate vast amounts of information efficiently. They introduced the students to the treasure troves of knowledge housed within these platforms, refined their search skills using advanced options, and helped them apply their newfound knowledge to their Extended Essays through practical sessions.

This immersive experience was instrumental in empowering students with university-level research skills. The trip served as an immersion into advanced research, equipping the students with the tools necessary to excel in their academic endeavors. The lessons learned, and skills acquired during the excursion will continue to guide the students as they engage in academic inquiry at GAA and beyond.