Look Behind You

What do you do when the life you have known inexplicably changes? Suddenly, you have to leave your friends behind, change your name, radically alter your physical appearance, and move to an unknown destination. Zach Granger and his family must enter the Witness Protection Program, carve out new identities, and always look over their shoulders for any possible sign of danger. However, Zach too quickly discovers that the most foolproof plan can become breached. Can Zach and his family survive an uncertain fate and the terrors of the unknown? If you enjoy heartracing suspense, then read Zach's Lie by Roland Smith, a superb craftsman of adventure stories, and be sure to read Jack's Run, the exciting sequel.

A Dystopian Nightmare

Do you want to read a book that will change the way you think about freedom and the power to make choices?

 

Imagine a society where all of your choices are made for you - job, spouse, children, hairstyle, and clothing - in a meticulously planned manner where there are no mistakes. Jonas, a twelve year-old member of this futuristic society, is nervous, because at today's Ceremony of Twelve he is given his lifetime assignment: he will be the Receiver of Memory for his community. When he begins his training with a solitary elder called The Giver, who also holds the society's memories, Jonas slowly realizes the sinister and unexpected ramifications of this job, and his future. What is the devastating truth about the Community that he is only now starting to realize?

I have read and re-read this powerful and insightful book numerous times, and always find something new to ponder. It is a shattering account about a dystopian society and what it means to be free.

The Giver is the first in a series of books called The Giver Quartet, and is a Newbery Award-winning title.

The titles in the series are: The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
 

Treasures From The Public Library

 

 

Welcome To The World Of Queens Public Library Databases!

A wealth of resources for our school community is The Queens Public Library's website!

Here is where you will find databases on a variety of subjects to fulfill your research needs.

1. Access the website: www.queenslibrary.org

2. Navigate to Research.

3. Go to Articles And Databases.

Some of my favorite databases are:

a. Biography In Context - Provides thorough biographical material about individuals from all time periods with a worldwide scope.

b. Literature Resource Center - Highlights information on literary figures from all time periods and numerous genres (fiction, drama, and journalism, etc.)

c. Opposing Viewpoints In Context - High-quality materials (articles, primary source documents, and websites, etc.) present both sides of controversial topics.

Disaster At Sea

Meticulously researched and engagingly presented, The Watch That Ends The Night: Voices From The Titanic by Allan Wolf, offers a fresh perspective on the sinking of this luxury liner in 1912. Written in superbly crafted poems which resound with a variety of emotions (from hope to fear), intensity, and prophetic overtones, the reader hears the voices of carefully delineated characters representative of all social classes, the Captain and crew, "The Unsinkable" Margaret Brown, the Iceberg itself, and a ship's rat. Other unique touches are actual telegrams and how shipbuilder Thomas Andrews' poem seems to sink on the page. A detailed section of Character Notes, Morse Code message translations, Titanic Miscellany, and a comprehensive bibliography of books, articles, periodicals, government documents, and Internet and Audio Resources enhance this outstanding volume.

Taking A Stand

Were you ever the new kid in school? Eric is in the seventh grade, and is trying to fit in. When he is befriended by Griffin, a seemingly popular boy, Eric is glad, until he sees that Griffin is not what he seems to be. If Griffin doesn't like you, be prepared for trouble. Will Eric find out that he is the next target?

Welcome To The IS 141 Library Webpage!

 

Our library webpage is the home of a treasure trove of resources for the school community.

www.is141.org-->Departments-->Library-->Resources

 

Please take the time to familiarize yourselves with some of my favorite and most visited links:

 

A) Destiny Catalog - Visit our online catalog which displays resources that our library owns.

 

B) Mrs. Goldstein's Blog - This blog reviews current young adult literature, discusses new electronic resources in the library, and lists upcoming events.

 

C) Weblinks To Academic Subjects - If you have questions about ancient civilizations, The Holocaust, math and science, and government, these are some web resources to help you.

 

D) Databases - The library has many subscription databases that can be accessed at any time of day. Ask the librarian for the passwords for excellent resources such as GALE and PROQUEST.

 

E) Reader's Advisory - If you are not sure what you would like to read next, please allow these librarian-generated lists to assist you in your quest.

 

F) Research 411 - Here are weblinks to receive assistance in the evaluation of websites and the creation of bibliographies and citations - fundamental steps in the research process.

Struggle For Survival

Who can predict the exact moment when a disaster can strike? When a blizzard begins, high school student Scotty Weems' biggest concern is that his basketball game will be cancelled. However, this issue is quickly forgotten when Scotty and six other students are left behind at school because their parents are caught in the storm and can't pick them up. At first, the group feels that staying overnight at school is a big adventure as they raid the cafeteria's food supply and "camp out" on the hallway floor. Eventually, their high spirits deflate as the heat and power go out, the roof threatens to cave in, anxiety mounts, and days pass without any interruption in the snowfall or rescue attempts from the outside world. When a teacher walks out into the storm to try and find help, he does not return. As the students attempt to figure out what to do next, only one question remains: How can an ordinary day at school turn into a struggle for survival? Read Trapped by Michael Northrop to see who escapes from the blizzard's unyielding clutches. What would you do in this situation?