Book of the Day: This Savage Song

Book of the day (and Ms. D recommends):

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

 

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city; a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent, but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

Check it out today!

Check out our *stache* of books!

In honor of No Shave November, we have created a display of books written by authors with fantastic facial hair!

The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle. Go to no-shave.org to learn more.

Our display has books from Walter Dean Myers, Scott Westerfeld, Mark Twain, and more!

Do you have a favorite author with great facial hair? Let us know!

/>

"Horror-ble" books and Mad Science

Halloween is approaching and the BAA Library is ready!

For horror fans, we have a display of "horror-ble" books featuring classic monsters, bone-chilling non-fiction, great ghost stories, zombie hoards, vampire tales, and "spook-tacular" supernaturatories.

For our science-minded students, we have prepared a display of Mad Science and Scientists including many of the brand new science books thanks to a generous grant from the Frank M. Barnard Foundation.

Reminder: students can check out any book, DVD, CD, or music score in the BAA Library, including books on display, using their OneCard/M7 or their Boston Public Library card. Teachers and parents can check out any item with their Boston Public Library card. The BAA Library can request items from BPL and we receive shipments every Thursday morning. The BAA Library is open Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, and Friday 8am-1pm.

Questions? Ms. D can be reached via email at read@bostonartsacademy.org">read@bostonartsacademy.org

Banned Book Week 2016

It is Banned Book Week this week (Sept 25th - Oct 1st). 

There are some great books that have been challenged or banned in the past. The American Library Association has been keeping track since 1982. Here is a timeline of Banned/Challenged books that you might be interested in: Banned Book Timeline. The ALA states: "A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The number of challenges reflects only incidents reported. We estimate that for every reported challenge, four or five remain unreported." 

 

 

Some titles that have been challenged or banned, even since 2001, may surprise you, such as: 

1. Looking for Alaska, by John Green (in the top 10 challenged in 2015, 2013, & 2012. Published in 2005.)
   Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.


2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (in the top 10 challenged in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, & 2010. Published in 2007.)
   Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: “depictions of bullying”


3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (in the top 10 challenged in 2014, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2004. Published in 1999.)
   Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “date rape and masturbation”


4. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey (in the top 10 challenged in 2013, 2012, 2005, 2004, 2002. First book published in 1997.)
   Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence


5. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou (2007, 2004, 2002, 2001. Published in 1969.)
   Reason: sexually explicit

Teachers and students are encouraged to come to the BAA Library and browse our display of books that have been banned or challenged elsewhere to celebrate their freedom to read!

 

 

Lit Circles!

You may have noticed that there are two Lit Circle lists: one by the cafeteria and one by the library. We want your input for Lit Circles this summer. There are already some very good suggestions on the list by the cafeteria. Please keep adding more. We'll probably have a selection of 8-10 books to choose from this year.
Thank you!

[caption id="attachment_933" align="alignnone" width="300"] It's called "reading." It's how people install new software into their brains.[/caption]