Library Media Center

How can I find out what I want to know?

Find your grade and class/project, and then use these links to help with your research.

 

Grade 7:  Exploration 

Mariner's Museum

John Cabot

Kiddle:  Search Engine

 

 

Dominican Music

Tango in Argentina

Tango - Part 1  --watch until 1:53.

Tango - Part 2  --watch from  :16 to :58 and  from 1:10 to 1:45.

 

 

Grade 7:  Exploration 

Mariner's Museum

John Cabot

Kiddle:  Search Engine

 

 

Grade 8:  Infozones

 

Opinion -  Video     |     Examples

News -  Video     |     Examples

Propaganda -     Examples

Raw Information  -  Video     |     Examples

Advertising -  Video     |     Examples

Entertainment -  Video     |     Examples

 

 

 

Grade 8:  Las Islas Galápagos

 

Grade 5:  Biomes

National Geographic:  Five Types of Biomes

Biomes of the World (ASU)

Virtual Biomes (ASU)

Mission:  Biomes

World Biomes

Biomes of the World

 

 

Grade 7:  Exploration 

Mariner's Museum

John Cabot

Kiddle:  Search Engine

 

 

 

 

 

Grade 5:  Poetry - Station 1

I Didn't Go Camping

Pirate Pete

Night Flight

 

 

Grade 7:  Exploration 

Mariner's Museum

John Cabot

Kiddle:  Search Engine

 

Grade 8: Decades Project

Decades:  Links and Sources of Information

Grade 7:  Women of the Civil War

Women of the Civil War:  Links and Sources of Information

 

 

Gr. 5 - Latin America

Use these sites to search for information on your Latin American country:

World Atlas

 

Infoplease:

Puerto Rico

Costa Rica

Mexico

Chile

 

National Geographic Kids:

Costa Rica

Mexico

Chile

 

Ducksters:

Puerto Rico

Costa Rica

Mexico

Chile

 

Grade 5:  Complex Societies - Maya, Aztec, Inca

Inca Resources

Maya Resources

Aztec Resources

 

If you are looking for a good book, consider one of these!  Click on the book's title to access OPALS and see if the book is available now in the library.  Happy Reading!

Historical Fiction

Nory Ryan's Song, by Patricia Reilly Giff
When a terrible blight attacks Ireland's potato crop in 1845, twelve-year-old Nory Ryan's courage and ingenuity help her family and neighbors survive.

A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park
Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters' village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate ceramics himself.

Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly

In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery.

Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool
Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past.

 

Mystery / Adventure Fiction

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library, by Chris Grabenstein
Twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.

The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen
In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to impersonate the king's long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war.

Absolutely Truly, by Heather Vogel Frederick
Twelve-year-old Truly Lovejoy's family moves to a small town to take over a bookstore. Soon, she has to solve two mysteries involving a missing book and an undelivered letter.

Floors, by Patrick Carman

Leo, the son of the maintenance man of the Whippet Hotel, opens a series of cryptic boxes which reveals hidden floors, strange puzzles, and unexpected alliances and lead him on an adventure to save the building and his future.

The Mystery of the Martello Tower, Jennifer Lanthier
In their attempts to solve the mystery of their father's disappearance, Hazel and her brother, Ned, find themselves involved with a trio of art thieves and uncover some disturbing family secrets.

Stolen Children, by Peg Kehret

Amy, babysitting for little Kendra, must use her wits to save herself and the child after they are kidnapped by two men who are demanding money from Kendra's wealthy parents in exchange for the lives of the girls.

The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan
Amy and Dan, members of the powerful Cahill family, try to uncover the thirty-nine clues which will reveal the secrets of their lineage and find out what really happened to their parents.

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall, by Mary Downing Hahn

In the nineteenth century, ten-year-old Florence Crutchfield leaves a London orphanage to live with her great-uncle, great-aunt, and sickly cousin James, but she soon realizes the home has another resident, who means to do her and James harm.

Eleven, by Patricia Reilly Giff

When Sam, who can barely read, discovers an old newspaper clipping just before his eleventh birthday, it brings forth memories from his past, and, with the help of a new friend at school and the castle they are building for a school project, his questions are eventually answered.

Scary Stories for Young Foxes, by Christian McKay Heidicker

Seven young fox kits love a good scary story, but the tale of young Mia and Uly puts their courage to the test.

 

Kidnap on the California Comet, by M. G. Leonard

While on a journey from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Comet with his uncle, amateur sleuth Hal Beck stumbles into a mystery when the daughter of a billionaire tech entrepreneur goes missing.

Fantasy Fiction / Science Fiction

A Rover’s Story, by Jasmine Warga

Built to explore Mars, Resilience begins to develop human-like feelings as he learns from the NASA scientists who assembled him, and as he blasts off and explores Mars, Resilience must overcome different obstacles as he explores the red planet.

 

Willodeen, by Katherine Applegate

When the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, dwindles and no one knows why, Willodeen, armed with a magical birthday gift, speaks up for the animals she loves and vows to uncover this mystery.

 

Jinx, by Sage Blackwood
A young boy named Jinx encounters magic and danger as he grows up in the deep, dark forest known as the Urwald and discovers that the world beyond--and within--the Urwald is more complex than he could imagine.

The Emerald Atlas, by John Stevens
Kate, Michael, and Emma have passed from one orphanage to another in the ten years since their parents disappeared to protect them, but now they learn that they have special powers--and a fearsome enemy--and embark on a prophesied quest to find a magical book.

Museum of Thieves, by Lian Tanner

Goldie, an impulsive and bold twelve-year-old, escapes the oppressive city of Jewel, where children are required to wear guardchains for their protection, and finds refuge in the extraordinary Museum of Dunt, an ever-shifting world where she discovers a useful talent for thievery and mysterious secrets that threaten her city and everyone she loves.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

On the Blue Comet, by Rosemary Wells

When the Depression hits in Cairo, Illinois, and Oscar Ogilvie's father must sell their home and vast model train set-up to look for work in California, eleven-year-old Oscar is left with his dour aunt, where he befriends a mysterious drifter, witnesses a stunning bank robbery, and is suddenly catapulted onto a train that takes him to a different time and place.

A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat

All light in Chattana is created by one man--the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. 

 

Realistic Fiction

Grounded, by Aisha Saeed

Four unlikely friends' lives are changed forever when their flights are grounded by weather following a convention.

Absolutely Almost, by Lisa Graff
Ten-year-old Albie has never been the smartest, tallest, best at gym, greatest artist, or most musical in his class, as his parents keep reminding him, but new nanny Calista helps him uncover his strengths and take pride in himself.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, by Gennifer Choldenko

When eleven-year-old Hank's mother does not come home after a week, he and his toddler sister, Boo, seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact, even though it means social workers, a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he has been trying to keep secret.

 

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger

Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. Includes instructions for making Origami Yoda.

The Homework Machine, by Dan Gutman

Four fifth-grade students-a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker-as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.

 

If you are looking for a good book, consider one of these!  Click on the book's title to access OPALS and see if the book is available now in the library.  Happy Reading!

Historical Fiction

Freewater, by Amina Luqman-Dawson

After fleeing the plantation where they were enslaved, siblings Ada and Homer discover the secret community of Freewater, and work with freeborn Sanzi to protect their new home from the encroaching dangers of the outside world.

One Came Home, by Amy Timberlake
In 1871 Wisconsin, thirteen-year-old Georgia sets out to find her sister Agatha, presumed dead when remains are found wearing the dress she was last seen in.

Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai
Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.

Phantoms in the Snow, by Kathleen Benner Duble
Fifteen year old Noah Garrett, sent to live with his uncle in Camp Hale, Colorado, following the death of his parents in 1944, finds himself struggling between his upbringing as a pacifist and life on a military base in the middle of World War II.

Countdown, by Deborah Wiles
As eleven-year-old Franny Chapman deals with drama at home and with her best friend in 1962, she tries to understand the larger problems in the world after President Kennedy announces that Russia is sending nuclear missiles to Cuba. Features historic quotations and photographs.

Revolution, by Deborah Wiles 
It's 1964 in Greenwood, Mississippi, and Sunny's town is being invaded by people from up north who are coming to help people register to vote. Her personal life isn't much better, as a new stepmother, brother, and sister are crowding into her life, giving her little room to breathe.

90 Miles to Havana, by Enrique Flores-Galbis
When unrest hits the streets of Havana, Cuba, Julian's parents must make the heartbreaking decision to send him and his two brothers away to Miami via the Pedro Pan operation. But when the boys get to Miami, they are thrust into a world where bullies seem to run rampant and it's not always clear how best to protect themselves.

Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo
When Thomas Peaceful's older brother is forced to join the British Army, Thomas decides to sign up as well, although he is only fourteen years old, to prove himself to his country, his family, his childhood love, Molly, and himself.

Traitor's Gate, by Avi
When his father is arrested as a debtor in 1849 London, fourteen-year-old John Huffman must take on unexpected responsibilities, from asking a distant relative for help to determining why people are spying on him and his family.

Dark Water Rising, by Marion Hale
While salvaging and rebuilding in the aftermath of the Galveston flood of 1900, sixteen-year-old Seth proves himself in a way that his previous efforts never could, but he still must face his father man-to-man.

Breathing Room, by Marsha Hayles
In 1940, thirteen-year-old Evvy Hoffmeister and her newfound friends struggle to get well at Loon Lake Sanatorium, where they are being treated for tuberculosis.


Realistic Fiction

No Place, by Todd Strasser

Dan's life should be amazing - he's a great athlete with a lot of friends, and he has a scholarship for college next year.  However, his life is NOT amazing, because his parents just lost their jobs, and now his family is losing their house, too.

Love & Gelato, by Jenna Evans Welch

After her mother dies, Lina travels to Italy where she discovers her mother's journal and sets off on an adventure to unearth her mother's secrets.

What About Will, by Ellen Hopkins

Trace's relationship with his older brother Will becomes increasingly complicated after Will suffers a traumatic brain injury and becomes addicted to pain pills

Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead
Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building

Travel Team, by Mike Lupica
After he is cut from his travel basketball team--the very same team that his father once led to national prominence--twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory.

Nobody Was Here, by Alison Pollet
Life in New York in the 1980s is made more difficult for a middle school girl by problems at home and at school.

Red Kayak, by Priscilla Cummings
Living near the water on Maryland's Eastern Shore, thirteen-year-old Brady and his best friends J.T. and Digger become entangled in a tragedy which tests their friendship and their ideas about right and wrong.

Bank Job, by James Heneghan and Norma Charles
Thirteen-year-old Nell and her friends risk going to jail by robbing banks to pay for renovations in their foster home.

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Daughter of the Deep, by Rick Riordan

Ana Dakkar, a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world, makes astounding discoveries about her heritage and puts her leadership skills to the test against deadly enemies from a rival school.

The Forgotten Book, by Metchthild Glaser

Emma finds an old book in an abandoned library at her prestigious private school, and things really start going her way: anything she writes in the book comes true. But the power of the book is not without consequences, and Emma soon realizes that she isn't the only one who knows about it. Someone is determined to take it from her, and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.

The Night Gardener, by Jonathan Auxier

Irish orphans Molly, fourteen, and Kip, ten, travel to England to work as servants in a crumbling manor house where nothing is quite what it seems to be, and soon the siblings are confronted by a mysterious stranger and secrets of the cursed house.

The Eighth Day, by Dianne K. Salerni
Jax Aubrey doesn't expect much on his thirteenth birthday, but when he discovers there's an extra day squeezed between Wednesday and Thursday whose origins are rooted in Arthurian legend, it's clear his life will never be the same.

Legend, by Marie Lu
In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.


Fever Crumb, by Philip Reeve
Foundling Fever Crumb has been raised as an engineer although females in the future London, England, are not believed capable of rational thought, but at age fourteen she leaves her sheltered world and begins to learn startling truths about her past while facing danger in the present.

Wondrous Strange, by Lesley Livingston
Seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, an understudy for a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," meets Sonny Flannery, who guards the Samhain Gate that connects the mortal realm with the Otherworld and is determined to protect Kelley as she learns about her own magical fate.

The Shifter, by Janice Hardy
Nya, a young woman who can take pain from people simply by touching their skin, keeps secret the fact that she can transfer the pain to others for fear she will be set to work as an assassin, but her hidden talent comes in handy when her sister goes missing and her search reveals dangerous events on her island home.

Hero, by Mike Lupica
Fourteen-year-old Zach learns he has the same special abilities as his father, who was the president's globe-trotting troubleshooter until "the Bads" killed him, and now Zach must decide whether to use his powers in the same way at the risk of his own life.

Mystery / Suspense


The Ghost of Graylock, by Dan Poblocki
Staying with their aunts over the summer, Neil Cady, his sister Bree, and their new friends Wesley and Eric, set out to explore Graylock Hall, an abandoned psychiatric hospital which is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of Nurse Janet.

Dark Waters, by Catherine MacPhail
Col McCann becomes a local hero when he saves a boy from drowning but when his older brother is suspected of a serious crime, Col must decide if he should be loyal to his family or tell the truth about what he saw while under the water.

Murdered, My Sweet, by Joan Lowery Nixon
Jenny and her mother hunt a killer while fearing for their own safety, after the reading of their millionaire cousin's will leads to the murder of another cousin.

I So Don't Do Mysteries, by Barrie Summy
Thirteen-year-old Sherry is visited by the ghost of her mother, who asks Sherry to help solve a case that involves rhinoceros poaching at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and Sherry's involvement not only helps save the rhinos, but it also brings mother and daughter closer together than ever before.