Elanor reviewed Deadendia by Hamish Steel:
I adore this book so much! I've loved it for 2 years now. It's an incredibly meaningful book for me and has as show along with it. It's about a group of young adults investigating demonic/paranormal activity. It's like Scooby Doo but autistic and queer. |
Thank you Elanor for introducing and promoting this book. It is always great to mix many different moral and societal perspectives to understand different view points of our world. I always enjoyed our talks in the library and hope many other students will read it because your insightful review.
-Mrs. Bauer (Librarian) |
Modified from Canton Public Library December 15, 2023
Have you ever been in a reading slump? Try one of these tried-and-true tips from librarians to help you sneak more reading into your life in 2024.
1. Stay home with SORA
Winter has arrived! The slick driving conditions often make it difficult to get the motivation to go outside to get a book. SORA has very popular e-books and e-audiobooks available on-demand with no holds queue. It's the perfect resource when you want to browse for something to read or listen to now.
2. Audiobooks Count
As librarians, we are often asked if listening to audiobooks "counts" as reading. It sure does! As we read (or listen to) books, we experience new worlds, synthesize and contextualize new information, regardless of whether we listen or read (or both!).
3. Engage Different Parts of Your Brain with Graphic Novels
According to the Association for Psychological Science, "Traditional text is limited to presenting the same information sequentially. But when we read comics, we simultaneously interpret a multitude of visual information such as setting, mood, time, emotions, dialogue, and action."
This combination engages different parts of the brain at the same time and encourages understanding of the text via visual processing, critical thinking and more. For example, the text may have a unique, challenging word in it and the visuals provide a clue to its meaning.
4. Track Your Books
Use a reading tracker can be a great addition to your reading routine. Some folks like to use reading trackers to start conversations about books with friends near and far.
5. Move On If It's Not for You
There is an old saying in the library world that "every book has its reader", but the flipside of the saying is that you don't have to be the reader of every book. Unless the book is an assignment for class or part of a book group you like, if you're no enjoying it about 50 pages in... move on!
6. Picture Yourself in a Picture Book
Picture books are small and take less time to read which can help keep your attention span when your brain is overloaded. Graphic Novels, short stories and poems can have powerful messages without taking up too much time to read. They are also good to read with friends, young siblings or elderly grandparents, or pet or in a pet shelter.
7. Join a Book Group Sponsored by the English Department
Recently the English Department sponsored a book group that read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. This group will allow you to meet new students and connect over a book. You may be introduced to a new author or genre you may not normally read but sparks your interest. Get a group of friends together and try Reading Theater. Each friend is assigned a character or is the narrator and act out a book.
8. Spill the Tea with a Celebrity Memoir
Celebrity live prestigious and sometimes not-so distinguished lives, which are often much different from our own. Getting a glimpse into the glitz, glamour and grime can be fascinating.
9. Ask For Suggestions
Ask family, friends and students in your classes what books they enjoy. You may find your connect with a certain author, subject or genre to make a new reading friend.
Have you ever been in a reading slump? Try one of these tried-and-true tips from librarians to help you sneak more reading into your life in 2024.
1. Stay home with SORA
Winter has arrived! The slick driving conditions often make it difficult to get the motivation to go outside to get a book. SORA has very popular e-books and e-audiobooks available on-demand with no holds queue. It's the perfect resource when you want to browse for something to read or listen to now.
2. Audiobooks Count
As librarians, we are often asked if listening to audiobooks "counts" as reading. It sure does! As we read (or listen to) books, we experience new worlds, synthesize and contextualize new information, regardless of whether we listen or read (or both!).
3. Engage Different Parts of Your Brain with Graphic Novels
According to the Association for Psychological Science, "Traditional text is limited to presenting the same information sequentially. But when we read comics, we simultaneously interpret a multitude of visual information such as setting, mood, time, emotions, dialogue, and action."
This combination engages different parts of the brain at the same time and encourages understanding of the text via visual processing, critical thinking and more. For example, the text may have a unique, challenging word in it and the visuals provide a clue to its meaning.
4. Track Your Books
Use a reading tracker can be a great addition to your reading routine. Some folks like to use reading trackers to start conversations about books with friends near and far.
5. Move On If It's Not for You
There is an old saying in the library world that "every book has its reader", but the flipside of the saying is that you don't have to be the reader of every book. Unless the book is an assignment for class or part of a book group you like, if you're no enjoying it about 50 pages in... move on!
6. Picture Yourself in a Picture Book
Picture books are small and take less time to read which can help keep your attention span when your brain is overloaded. Graphic Novels, short stories and poems can have powerful messages without taking up too much time to read. They are also good to read with friends, young siblings or elderly grandparents, or pet or in a pet shelter.
7. Join a Book Group Sponsored by the English Department
Recently the English Department sponsored a book group that read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. This group will allow you to meet new students and connect over a book. You may be introduced to a new author or genre you may not normally read but sparks your interest. Get a group of friends together and try Reading Theater. Each friend is assigned a character or is the narrator and act out a book.
8. Spill the Tea with a Celebrity Memoir
Celebrity live prestigious and sometimes not-so distinguished lives, which are often much different from our own. Getting a glimpse into the glitz, glamour and grime can be fascinating.
9. Ask For Suggestions
Ask family, friends and students in your classes what books they enjoy. You may find your connect with a certain author, subject or genre to make a new reading friend.
CHECKOUT SOMETHING NEW!
sat preparation
It's never too early to prepare for the SAT test. It will be here before we know it. Here are some things that may hep you understand the test and get in the testing mindset.
MORE THAN JUST A TEST
Colleges use the SAT that measures a student's readiness for college. Colleges use the test scores, along with grades, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters and essays to make admission determinations. Although many colleges are weighting standardized tests like the SAT less than before, it is still important to do well if you want to attend high raking college.
CHANGES
The SAT has two main sections. One for reading/writing and the second for math. The science and history curriculum are embedded in the reading/writing sections.
Reading/Writing
Math:
SCORING
In 2002 the average high school score was 1050 out of 1600, but a 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test-takers.
TEST DAY PROHIBITED ITEMS
Get your mindset in the test taking mode and do some practice questions to squelch your nerves. Remember that the SAT is part of the review process to enter college and most colleges use many other factors to determine who to admit.
For more information and study resources please visit The College Board website.
Taken from Southern New Hampshire University and The College Board
MORE THAN JUST A TEST
Colleges use the SAT that measures a student's readiness for college. Colleges use the test scores, along with grades, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters and essays to make admission determinations. Although many colleges are weighting standardized tests like the SAT less than before, it is still important to do well if you want to attend high raking college.
CHANGES
- The SAT will be digital and adaptive this year. This means with each question answered, the test will determine the next question based on if the previous questions were answered correctly. This will prevent cheating and make the test shorter.
- Test scores will be released within days, instead of weeks on the College Board website and information about colleges and scholarships.
- Students can use a school issued computer, their own laptop or tablet but must be proctored taking the exam.
- There will be an embedded calculator that can be used in all of the math testing sections,or students may also bring their own calculator (including graphic ones).
The SAT has two main sections. One for reading/writing and the second for math. The science and history curriculum are embedded in the reading/writing sections.
Reading/Writing
- Reading: Passage reading with multiple choice questions.
- Vocabulary: Define college level reading words using context clues.
- Writing/Language: Identify and fix mistakes in reading passages.
Math:
- Algebra: Create/solve functions, linear equations, and systems of linear equations.
- Problem Solving/Data Analysis: Analyze percentages, proportional reasoning and ratios, and statistical data
- Advance Math: Understanding of STEM-focused equations and functions.
- Additional Topics: Geometry, trigonometry, radian measure and complex numbers.
SCORING
In 2002 the average high school score was 1050 out of 1600, but a 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test-takers.
TEST DAY PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Electronic equipment including phones aside from the test taking device.
- Examples of prohibited items include but aren’t limited to: smartwatches, fitness trackers, wearable technology, cameras, recording/listening devices, or any communication device that does not have prior authorization for accommodation purposes.
Notes, books, reference guides, compasses, protractors, dictionaries, highlighters or colored pencils.
- Examples of prohibited items include but aren’t limited to: smartwatches, fitness trackers, wearable technology, cameras, recording/listening devices, or any communication device that does not have prior authorization for accommodation purposes.
- Papers of any kind.
- Watches that beep, make a noise, or have an alarm.
- Calculators that are not acceptable.
- Detachable privacy screens for a Testing Device.
- Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions.
- Ear plugs.
- Headphones.
- Weapons or firearms.
Get your mindset in the test taking mode and do some practice questions to squelch your nerves. Remember that the SAT is part of the review process to enter college and most colleges use many other factors to determine who to admit.
For more information and study resources please visit The College Board website.
Taken from Southern New Hampshire University and The College Board