Spartan Book Blab

Moneyball

2011-09-23T10:29:00.002-05:00

One movie that is currently playing in theaters (and getting good reviews) is Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt.

The movie is based on the book by Michael Lewis titled Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.

The book is available in the GBN library.

Book Club!

2011-09-21T10:04:00.002-05:00

The GBN Book Club will be starting up again!
Please see Ms. P in the library if you would like to be a part of it.
Last year, we met about once a month during lunch and we discussed a variety of books-everything from historical fiction to non-fiction to realistic fiction.
The books we choose will vary, depending on your participation.

GBN Book Club Selection

2011-03-21T07:42:00.002-05:00

On April 11, the GBN Book Club will be meeting during lunch 1 to discuss the book The Other Boleyn Girl.

Feel free to stop by!

Movie Madness

2011-03-21T07:40:00.003-05:00

Over the past several weeks, GBN students and faculty have voted on their favorite movies.
The time has come for the final vote!

The final two movies are The Dark Knight and Toy Story 3.

Who do you think will win?

Vote today!

Book Club February Pick

2011-01-12T10:33:00.001-06:00

The discussion date will be announced soon!

Announcing: The GBN Boys' Book Club

2010-12-07T09:32:00.003-06:00

For 2,000 years, cadavers -- some willingly, some unwittingly -- have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. In this fascinating account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries and tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.

The Boys' Book Club will begin by discussing this fascinating book. Discussions will be facilitated by GBN Science Teacher Dr. F. Anthony Fiala. Dr. Fiala is a retired physician of Sports Medicine. Among the classes he has taught are: Anatomy and Physiology, Forensics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. Five meetings will be held beginning in late February. Exact dates will be determined later.

Book Club December Pick

2010-11-22T10:59:00.002-06:00

The GBN Book Club will be discussing Sandra Gruen's Water For Elephants at the next meeting. The meeting will take place on December 16 during lunch 1. All are welcome!

ExtravaCANza!

2010-11-05T14:20:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again-time for the GBN ExtravaCANza canned food drive!

Each year, Glenbrook North has a tradition of collecting canned foods to donate to the Northfield Food Pantry, the Ark, and the Vital Bridges food pantry in Chicago.

Canvassing in the Northbrook community will take place on Sunday November 7th and 14th.

There are also class competitions and various events taking place throughout November. Like last year, a point system will be used for each item donated.

November 23rd is the last day of the Canned Food drive.

Do your part and help make this year's ExtravaCANza the best food drive ever!

The GBN Book Club Selection

2010-10-28T10:54:00.004-05:00

Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, has been chosen as this month's selection for the GBN Book Club.

We will be discussing the book on November 15th during lunch 1.

Feel free to stop by if you would like to participate in the discussion and don't forget to bring your lunch!

For more information, please see a librarian

Halloween

2010-10-27T09:28:00.003-05:00

The GBN Library is ready for Halloween!
There is a display featuring a variety of frightening books-everything from Stephen King favorites to R.L. Stine to Neil Gaiman. Be sure to check it out!

Books Into Movies

2010-10-18T11:28:00.007-05:00

The latest book to be turned into a movie:

It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

"A humorous account of a New York City teenager's battle with depression and his time spent in a psychiatric hospital."

The movie stars Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, and Zach Galifianakis.

The book is available in the GBN library!

Lincoln Award 2011

2010-04-20T11:52:00.002-05:00

Looking for a fun summer read? Check out this presentation for some recommendations.

Lincoln Award 2011 (royal background)

View more presentations from Naomi Mellendorf.

Abe Lincoln Awards

2010-03-04T07:43:00.004-06:00

The votes are in!
The winner of this year's Abe Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award is:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2nd place--Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

3rd place-- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

All of these books are available for checkout in the library!

SADD Awareness Week

2010-02-16T07:43:00.003-06:00

The goal of this year's SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Awareness Week is to bring to light problems and issues that are especially relevant to the GBN student body. SADD believes it is important to not only address the causes of these problems, but also find ways to prevent and/or manage them in a non-destructive way.

Tuesday, February 16-Body Image and Self Esteem Awareness Day
Presenter Jill Zimmerman (MSW, LCSW) has given presentations on issues concerning young females for over 20 years. She has spoken to junior high school and high school students about body image, eating disorders, and stress management. Recently, she has written a book entitled Dealing with the Stuff That Makes Life Tough and has published numerous articles in magazines such as Fitness Magazine, Teen People, and YM. Jill will be discussing the importance for both men AND women to maintain a healthy body image and have high self esteem.

Wednesday, February 17-Substance Abuse and Reckless Driving Awareness Day
Speakers include:

Officer Curt Cornier, GBN's liaison to the Northbrook Police Department. He will be speaking about underage drinking, drunk driving, and substance abuse, with a focus on the legal ramifications for such actions.
GBN's Mr. Mike Piskel will discuss the effects of substance abuse on the brain.
Glenbrook North alumnus Peter Kline will share his tragic story of a drunk driving incident.

Thursday, February 18-Teen Suicide and Depression Awareness Day
Speakers include:

Laura Downey (MA,DTR,LPC,GLCMA). She works as a part time faculty member, community outreach coordinator, assessment coordinator, and dance/movement therapist in the counseling department at Columbia University. For SADD Awareness week, she is presenting her “Making Connections Workshop”, which she has presented many times, although never at GBN. The workshop will be focused on education and de-stigmatization of mental illness and suicide, but also help teach life-skills such as effective communication.
Sandy Ryndak (MA, LPC) and Rachel Nathan (MS,MSW,LSW), both from Youth Services in Glenview and both youth workers. Sandy has been working with Youth Services for years, as Rachel recently graduated college. Youth Services helps many schools and children all around the area, who are struggling with a variety of problems, from drugs to abuse. Youth Services offers many outreach programs for kids or teens who need help or for families that cannot always support them.

SADD Links- This website, sponsored by the SADD National Organization, has many resources on a variety of SADD topics.

New Year, New Look!

2010-01-11T12:42:00.003-06:00

Welcome back!
In the coming weeks, Spartan Book Blab will take on a slightly different look. GBN students will be contributing to this blog. They will be writing on a variety of topics, from book reviews to events going on at school and in the community. Keep an eye out for them!

Empty Cups

2009-12-10T08:30:00.002-06:00

The GBN NAHS (National Art Honor Society) is selling hand painted ceramic cups during all lunch hours on Monday December 14.

The cups will be sold for $6 and all proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots.

Pick up a cup-they make a great gift and benefit a worthy cause!

Movie

2009-12-08T10:36:00.003-06:00

The Lovely Bones, the 2002 bestseller written by Alice Sebold, and one of the top 25 most popular books at GBN, is now a movie that is premiering on January 15 in theaters everywhere.

Here is the review from Library Journal:
"Brutally raped and murdered by a deceptively mild-mannered neighbor, Susie begins with a compelling description of her death. During the next ten years, she watches over her family and friends as they struggle to cope with her murder. She observes their disintegrating lives with compassion and occasionally attempts, sometimes successfully, to communicate her love to them. Although the lives of all who knew her well are shaped by her tragic death, eventually her family and friends survive their pain and grief."

The book does have graphic content, and the movie is rated PG-13, so be sure to check with parents before viewing it.

The movie website featuring a trailer, is available here: The Lovely Bones Movie Site

Macs Now Available!

2009-12-04T09:25:00.004-06:00

The library now has four Mac computers available for student use in the library. These computers are especially helpful for those designing projects, such as digital stories, PowerPoints, and movies.

Students who need help on these projects can contact Mr. Bretag or Mrs. Bitter.

We CAN Make a Difference

2009-11-09T14:02:00.003-06:00

The GBN Canned Food Drive has started and will run until November 23rd.

The canned food drive this year will focus on the quality of foods donated. The 2-3 block class competition will continue, but a point system will be used to evaluate the donations.

5 Points will be awarded for canned meats/fish, boxed dinners, cereal, and oatmeal

4 Points will be awarded for canned pastas, cake mixes, dessert mixes, and pancake mixes

3 Points will be awarded for canned soups, stews, chili, rices, and pastas

2 Points will be awarded for canned vegetables, pasta sauces, canned fruit, and boxed potatoes

1 Point will be awarded for other miscellaneous canned/boxed goods

Food in glass containers will not be accepted.

November is Native American Heritage Month

2009-11-05T12:34:00.003-06:00

"The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans."

The theme for this year's heritage month is "Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors ."

Explore resources, exhibits, and events at the Native American Heritage Month website, pictured below.

Native American Heritage Month via kwout

Halloween

2009-10-28T09:47:00.007-05:00

Halloween is this weekend....what will you be?

If you want to learn a little bit about the history of Halloween and Halloween traditions, take a look at the History Channel's website on the Real Story of Halloween. It is full of interesting costume ideas, cool Jack O'Lantern stencils, videos about the haunted history of Halloween, and interactive games.

The GBN Library is also dressed up for Halloween...

Check out a scary book and have a Happy Halloween!

Teen Read Week

2009-10-19T09:01:00.005-05:00

The GBN Library is celebrating Teen Read Week, which is sponsored by the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

This year's theme is Read Beyond Reality @ your library, which encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it.

Click here to vote on a theme for next year!

Check out the display in the library and refer to this website to find book suggestions!

Homecoming Week

2009-10-12T09:34:00.007-05:00

Throughout the week, GBN will be hosting various activities related to Homecoming. The theme this year is "Kids 'R Us".
Monday, October 12-Dress up theme: "My Mommy didn't dress me today" Dress in colorful mismatched clothing.
Tuesday, October 13-Dress up theme: "When I grow Up, I wanna be..." Dress up as your childhood dream job.
Wednesday, October 14-Dress up theme: "I just woke up from my nap" Dress in pajamas.
Thursday, October 15-Dress up theme: "My favorite childhood character is..." Dress as your favorite character, from Winnie the Pooh to Batman.
Friday, October 16-Dress up theme: "Green & Go Bananas Friday! Wear green and gold and be sure to purchase a bananas shirt for a BANANA OUT at the Football game!
Friday afternoon: Homecoming assembly.
The football game begins at 7:30 pm and fireworks will follow.
On Saturday October 17th, the Homecoming Dance will be held in the GBN student cafeteria.

The GBN Library has created a display to help bring back happy memories from those carefree days!

Nothing says "kid" like a Lego table!

Check out the center display to re-acquaint yourself with the classics of children's literature-from Dr. Seuss to Maurice Sendak!

Barney encourages you to read!

October is National Information Literacy Awareness Month

2009-10-06T08:32:00.003-05:00

On October 1, 2009, President Obama issued a statement declaring October to be National Information Literacy Awareness Month. Here is an excerpt:
"Every day, we are inundated with vast amounts of information. A 24-hour news cycle and thousands of global television and radio networks, coupled with an immense array of online resources, have challenged our long-held perceptions of information management. Rather than merely possessing data, we must also learn the skills necessary to acquire, collate, and evaluate information for any situation. This new type of literacy also requires competency with communication technologies, including computers and mobile devices that can help in our day-to-day decisionmaking. National Information Literacy Awareness Month highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age." <http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-National-Information-Literacy-Awareness-Month/>

Want to brush up on your information seeking skills? Check out these Internet Search Challenges sponsored by the 21st Century Information Fluency Project. The challenges will test you on everything from finding the source of an image of Kermit the Frog at a graduation speech to evaluating the credibility of the British Stick Museum website. Try a game and see how you measure up!

Netbooks are here!

2009-09-30T08:18:00.002-05:00

Looking for a computer? Need to finish writing that paper, but all the labs are full?

Have no fear, netbooks are here!

The GBN Library has netbooks available for your use in the library. All you need is an ID. Netbooks may be checked out for use in the library only. Try one out today!

GBN Goes Pink!

2009-09-29T13:37:00.002-05:00

This Friday, October 2, GBN will go pink in support of breast cancer research!
T-shirts are on sale in Student Activity Center
Short sleeve- $10.00
Long sleeve -$15.00
Wear your t-shirt to school on Friday. Oct. 2 and then to the football game that night!
All week a variety of athletic teams will wear GBN goes PINK t-shirts as warm ups or uniforms.
Don't forget to check out the display in the Library!

Books and Movies

2009-09-23T11:21:00.012-05:00

Many movies based on popular books are premiering this fall. Links to the official movie websites are featured on the display bar at the top right of this page.
The books that the movies are based upon are available for checkout at the library. Here is a guide to some of them:

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
"A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant. An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come."

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan
"After traveling with Mr. Crepsley, the vampire who made him into a half-vampire, Darren returns to the freak show known as the Cirque du Freak and continues to fight his need to drink human blood."

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
This needs no introduction! But for those who are curious, here is the description:
"When the Cullens, including her beloved Edward, leave Forks rather than risk revealing that they are vampires, it is almost too much for eighteen-year-old Bella to bear, but she finds solace in her friend Jacob until he is drawn into a "cult" and changes in terrible ways."

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
This children's classic has been made into a full length feature film! The library has several copies available for checkout for those who are feeling nostalgic.

Welcome Back!

2009-09-14T07:34:00.006-05:00

Welcome back to school!
The GBN Library is, of course, open, and we are ready to help you find a book or give you the research help that you need.

As you may have noticed, the library web page has a new look! Check it out!

We have also been hard at work creating new class resources pages and a page for book recommendations. If you are looking for something fun to read, take a look at Good Reading Resources. This website has a variety of resources featuring book trailers, blogs from authors, reading recommendation links, and information on the newest books in the GBN Library. There is even a page on Vampires, Werewolves, and other fantastical creatures!

Glenbrook North High School LibGuides - Good Reading - Good Reading via kwout

Book Recommendations

2009-06-03T09:29:00.004-05:00

Have you read all of the Twilight books? Are you looking for something, anything, to fill the void?
Maybe you enjoy reading about princesses, but you feel like you have read every princess book in the library?
Or perhaps you really like zombies and mysterious ghost stories...

If you find yourself struggling to find a good book, I highly recommend the blog written by the Northbrook Public Library's Young Adult Librarian, Karen Cruze. Ms. Cruze updates the site regularly with all kinds of book suggestions, from the ones similar to the books mentioned above to graphic novels. Take a look at it, and maybe you will be inspired to check out some of the books recommended on the site!

GBN Distinguished Alumni

2009-06-03T09:10:00.004-05:00

Recently, GBN honored author Robert Kurson with the Distinguished Alumni award. Kurson graduated from GBN in 1981, and since then, has been published in numerous magazines.

He has also written two books:

Shadow Divers is the true story of several divers who discovered the remains of a German U-Boat buried deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

Crashing Through is the amazing story of a blind man who gained the ability to see after receiving stem cell implant surgery.

Both books are available for checkout in the GBN Library.

Summer Reading

2009-06-03T08:57:00.007-05:00

Summer time is almost here, and you know what that means....sun, lounging around, and reading for fun!
The Northbrook Public Library is hosting a summer reading club for teens in grades 6-12.
Read on the Wild Side-Join the Rebellion!
Sign up begins June 1 and you can collect prizes through July 31.
For more information, visit the Northbrook Public Library teen loft or pick up a flier in the GBN Library!

Final Four Tournament Contest Results

2009-04-08T07:47:00.001-05:00

The votes have all been counted and the grand prize winner of the library’s March Madness contest is Eddie D., who correctly predicted 3 out of the top 4 Final Four teams!

Runner-up prizes will also be awarded to the following students and staff, who predicted 2 teams in the Final Four:

Danny C.

Josh S.

Zach G.

David L.

Colin S.

Paul J.

Jeff S.

Corey O.

Arik W.

Scott M.

Mrs. Eddington

Mr. Rubin

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated!

See you next year!

NCAA Tournament

2009-03-17T08:32:00.005-05:00

Hurry up before it's too late-submit your picks for the NCAA Final Four by March 18!

Forms are available in the library.

Winners who correctly predict the final four teams will win a prize!

Available under Creative Commons License by Elia Diodati

Senior Art Show

2009-03-17T08:23:00.004-05:00

Check out the Senior Art Show currently on display in the GBN Library. The show features the work of several GBN senior art students and will be on display until March 20th.
There is a wide variety of materials on display, from tea sets to paintings to fantastic photographs. The display adds a welcome note of color and fun to the library. Thank you to all of the seniors for their hard work!

March Madness!

2009-03-04T11:49:00.003-06:00

March Madness has arrived at the GBN Library!

Many basketball related books are on display, from "A March to the Madness" by John Feinstein to "Bird Watching" by Larry Bird.

All books are available for checkout!

Abe Lincoln Book Awards

2009-03-03T10:09:00.005-06:00

Recently, the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) completed the voting process for the Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award. According to the ISLMA website, "The Abraham Lincoln Award is awarded annually to the author of the book voted as most outstanding by participating students in grades nine through twelve in Illinois. The award is named for Abraham Lincoln, one of Illinois' most famous residents and himself an avid reader and noted author. The Abraham Lincoln Award is designed to encourage high school students to read for personal satisfaction and become familiar with authors of young adult and adult books."

To be eligible to vote, students must read at least four of the nominated books and complete a short evaluation form.

The winner of the 2009 Abe Lincoln Book Award is:

Crank
by Ellen Hopkins

Runners up are:

Such a Pretty Girl
by Laura Wiess

The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan

The GBN Library would like to thank all students who participated in the award selection process!

And the winners are....

2009-02-23T10:34:00.004-06:00

Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Best Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Six participants in the GBN Library guessing game picked all three choices. Congrats!
Thanks to all who participated....better luck next year!

It's Oscar Time!

2009-02-17T14:14:00.007-06:00

Who do you think will win big at the Oscars this year?

Join in on the guessing!
You can submit an entry two ways:
1. Come to the GBN Library and fill out a form with your picks for best Picture, Actor, and Actress.
2. Submit a comment to this post with your picks for best Picture, Actor, and Actress along with your name and ID number. (this will be kept confidential)

Here are the nominees:
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
The Reader

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Anyone who correctly predicts all three winners will get a prize!
The Oscars will be televised on February 22nd, so make sure to get your guesses in before 7pm Sunday night!

February: Black History Month

2009-02-17T14:01:00.006-06:00

February is certainly a busy month! The GBN Library is now displaying a variety of books related to the history of the African diaspora in the U.S.

A few facts about Black History Month:
*It was started in 1926 as Negro History week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He chose a week in February because it corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
*In 1976 Black History Week was expanded to Black History Month and it is used as a platform for people of all ethnic and social backgrounds to discuss the Black experience in America.

The photo on the left is of Dr. Carter Woodson, the founder of Black History Month. For more information, visit the ASALH website: http://www.asalh.org/index.html.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Darwin!

2009-02-04T11:49:00.011-06:00

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were born on February 12, 1809? 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of their births!

Abraham Lincoln - Many states and organizations in the Midwest have connections to Lincoln. Here are some of them:

The Lincoln Bicentennial website is the official US Government sponsored website dealing with all things Lincoln. Check out the podcasts featuring stories on how Lincoln has inspired others.

Illinois is known as "the Land of Lincoln", so if you are interested in local Lincoln info, take a look at the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission website.

Indiana also has a webpage with resources and events on Lincoln's 200th birthday.

Kentucky is the birthplace of Lincoln, and the Kentucky Lincoln Bicentennial events webpage provides information on Lincoln's Kentucky roots.

Charles Darwin - His impact on science is worldwide and events celebrating his 200th birthday are worldwide as well.

The Darwin Day website features a countdown and links to information on Charles Darwin, his life, and his works.

Darwin 200 is a website sponsored by The Natural History Museum in London and details various events and programs. Darwin 200 celebrations continue through November 2009.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

2009-01-30T07:57:00.001-06:00

If you like quirky and interesting stories, you might want to check out Neil Gaiman's book Coraline. The story is like a modern day Alice in Wonderland, in that young Coraline finds a mysterious door that leads to a wonderful world with everything Coraline ever dreams of....but is it as perfect as it seems?

The book was originally published in 2002 and it is available for checkout at the GBN Library. A movie based on the book will be premiering February 6th. The movie promises to be interesting, as it is directed by Tim Burton, who is well known for his unique style. The movie was filmed using stop motion animation and was shot in 3-D. For more information on the movie, take a look at the website: http://www.coraline.com/.

If you enjoy the works of Neil Gaiman, you might want to explore his website http://www.neilgaiman.com/.

Several copies of Neil Gaiman's books are available in the GBN library. Feel free to ask a librarian if you would like to know more.

Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-05T12:15:00.007-06:00

The Inauguration of President-Elect Obama will take place on January 20, 2009.

The GBN Library has several copies of Obama's two books. Please ask a librarian if you would like to check one out.

Dreams from My Father ~ "In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father--a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man--has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey, first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother's family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father's life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance."

The Audacity of Hope~"Senator (now President-Elect) Obama calls for a different brand of politics--a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the "endless clash of armies" we see in Congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of our democracy. He explores those forces--from the fear of losing, to the perpetual need to raise money, to the power of the media--that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats--from terrorism to pandemic--that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a broken political process, and restore to working order a government dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans."

Here is a link to the official website of the Presidential Inauguration: http://www.pic2009.org/content/home/
The website has a blog, a schedule of Inaugural events, and information on press coverage.

For information on past Presidential Inaugurations, you might want to check out "I Do Solemnly Swear.... at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/. This is a collection of videos, photographs, and other memorabilia presented by the Library of Congress. The information goes all the way back to the Inauguration of George Washington!

If you are interested in learning more about the Congressional Inauguration activities, try this site: http://inaugural.senate.gov/

Cool Winter Reads

2008-12-16T12:35:00.000-06:00

Stuck inside? Snuggle up with a good book and pass the time away....
Here are a few suggestions. All are available for checkout from the GBN Library

As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway-"This strange tale manages to creep deeply under your skin, and to stay there for some time."~People.com

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See-"In nineteenth century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, or "old same," in an emotional match that will last a lifetime."

Snow Mountain Passage: A Novel by James D. Houston-"In 1846, a group of families from Illinois set out in covered wagons for a new life in California -- and rode full-tilt into disaster. The ordeal of the notorious Donner Party is probably our nation's most harrowing pioneer story. Stranded in the mountains and battered by terrible storms, the party -- men and women, adults and children alike -- were forced to contend with unimaginable circumstances in their struggle to survive."

Open Ice by Pat Hughes-"Hockey has been Nick Taglio's life since he was five years old, so when a massive concussion benches him--possibly for good--everything seems to fall apart, including his schoolwork, his family relationships, his friendships, and his love life."

The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy- "It is 1978 in the Twin Cities, and Kevin Doyle, a high school senior, is a marginal student in love with keggers, rock and roll, and-unbeknownst to anyone else-a boy in his class with thick eyelashes and a bad attitude. His mother Eileen died two years earlier when her car plunged into the icy waters of the Mississippi River, and since then Kevin's relationship with his father Patrick has become increasingly distant. As lonely women vie for his father's attention, Kevin discovers Patrick's own closely guarded secret: he had planned to abandon his family for another woman."

The Man in the Ice: The Discovery of a 5,000 Year Old Body Reveals the Secrets of the Stone Age translated by Ewald Osers-"In September, 1991, a German couple hiking near the Austrian-Italian border stumbled on a mummified body at the edge of an alpine glacier. This book is the detailed, day-by-day account of the discovery, recovery, and investigation of that body, considered one of the most important scientific events of the century. The well-preserved Neolithic man was a hunter carrying tools, equipment, and clothes that have provided new insights into the nature of daily life in the Stone Age."

The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team by Wayne Coffey-"A masterfully told narrative of the team's gold medal victory at Lake Placid, NY."

The Center of Winter by Myra Hornbacher- "Arthur Schiller takes a gun to his head, he puts an end to his sorrow over his unhappy marriage, his mentally ill son, and failures real or imagined. His wife, Claire, had just told Arnold that she was going to leave him, and naturally blames herself for his death. His 12-year-old son, Esau, recently committed to the state mental hospital, blames himself, too. Even six-year-old Kate somehow feels responsible in this eloquently evocative portrait of how one family copes with tragedy."

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
" In Washington State, the trial of Kabuo Miyomoto, a Japanese-American fisherman accused of murdering another fisherman, Carl Heine. The prosecution charges the murder was committed as revenge for the Heine family taking Miyomoto's land at the outbreak of World War II and the novel traces the different reaction of the white and yellow communities."

Twilight Poll Results

2008-12-11T12:42:00.003-06:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in our informal poll! We had over 40 respondents!

Here is a breakdown of the results:
Question 1:
Did you watch the Twilight movie?
51% said Yes, multiple times
37% said Yes, just once
6% said No, but I want to
and 4% said No, and I do not plan on seeing it.

Question 2:
How many Twilight books have you read?
13% said one
4% said 2
15% said 3
59% said 4
and 6 % said I have not read any

Stay tuned...more polls will be coming out in the future!

Win the Twilight Poster!!

2008-12-05T09:11:00.014-06:00

Win this poster!

To enter into the Twilight READ poster drawing, simply submit a comment at the bottom of this entry!

Click on the "comments" link , choose "Anonymous", and in the comment box include your NAME, STUDENT ID NUMBER, and a brief sentence on what you thought of the movie or the books.

Please remember to include your name, or we will not be able to include you in the drawing.
Your name will be kept confidential.

Hurry-the drawing will take place on December 17th!

Twilight: The Movie vs. The Book

2008-12-01T10:12:00.003-06:00

What did you think of the Twilight movie? Was it as good as the books? Were the characters the way you imagined them?

If you didn't read the books, but saw the movie, are you motivated to read the books?

Take the polls and let us know!

Share your thoughts on the movies or books by clicking on the "Comment" link at the bottom of this post!