New Graphic Novels

Bone : Rose - Jeff Smith
Princess Rose musters up courage to face the dragon that threatens the small towns in the Northern Valley, only to discover the dragon is actually the Lord of the Locusts.

The Storm in the Barn - Matt Phelan
In Kansas in the year 1937, eleven-year-old Jack Clark faces his share of ordinary challenges: local bullies, his father's failed expectations, a little sister with an eye for trouble. But he also has to deal with the effects of the Dust Bowl, including rising tensions in his small town and the spread of a shadowy illness. Certainly a case of "dust dementia" would explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the Talbot's abandoned barn - a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a land where it never rains, it's hard to trust what you see with your own eyes, and harder still to take heart and be a hero when the time comes.

New YA Books

The Lost Conspiracy - Frances Hardinge
When a lie is exposed and their tribe turns against them, Hathin must find a way to save her sister Arilou--once considered the tribe's oracle--and herself.

Riot - Walter Dean Myers
In 1863, fifteen-year-old Claire, the daughter of an Irish mother and a black father, faces ugly truths and great danger when Irish immigrants, enraged by the Civil War and a federal draft, lash out against blacks and wealthy "swells" of New York City.

Odd and the Frost Giants - Neil Gaiman
An unlucky twelve-year-old Norwegian boy named Odd leads the Norse gods Loki, Thor, and Odin in an attempt to outwit evil Frost Giants who have taken over Asgard.

Going Bovine - Libba Bray
Cameron Smith, a disaffected sixteen year-old who, after being diagnosed with Creutzfeld Jakob's (aka mad cow) disease, sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital in an attempt to find a cure.

By Darkness Hid - Jill Williamson
Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan's owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince--more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan's head cause him to fear he's going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison--only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.

New DVDs

Newton's 3 Laws of Motion
Newton's Three Laws of Motion are at work in virtually every Disney theme park ride and attraction. The Walt Disney Imagineers demonstrate how they use Newton's Three Laws to create some of the most exciting ride experiences possible. From the thrilling rockets of California Adventure's Golden Zephyr to the wild twists of California Screamin', students will learn to define acceleration, friction and motion. Best of all, they'll be able to see first-hand the relationship between the motion of objects and the forces that act on them.

Animal Adaptations: Communication
Walt Disney Imagineers do more than create wild rides. They also study wild animals to create environments, activities and educational programs at Disney's Animal Kingdom that are tailored to the species' physical and behavioral adaptations. How do naked mole rats identify family members, and why is the toilet chamber so important? How do dolphins recognize each other in murky water? How do meerkats communicate it's safe to come out and forage for food? They all rely on communication adaptations -- olfactory, auditory and visual. Students will learn to define and identify key adaptations, and listen in on amazing elephant communications that most humans have never heard.

Bill Nye's Solving for X: Pre-Algebra
Discusses infinite fractions, exponents, signed numbers, and proportional reasoning.

Bill Nye's Solving for X: Algebra
Looks at variables, balancing equations, dimensional analysis, and linear equations.

New Children's Books

Waddle! - Rufus Butler Seder
Text asks if the reader can move like a variety of animals. Striped acetate overlays on board pages give illustrations the illusion of movement.

A Pop-Up Book of Nursery Rhymes - Matthew Reinhart
Matthew Reinhart adapts Mother Goose's nursery rhymes, as the characters spring to life as intricate pop-up surprises.



Otis - Loren Long
When a big new yellow tractor arrives, Otis the friendly little tractor is cast away behind the barn, but when trouble occurs Otis is the only one who can help.

Robot Zot - Jon Scieszka
On a mission to conquer planet Earth, tiny but fearless Robot Zot and his mechanical sidekick leave a path of destruction as they battle kitchen appliances.

The Lion and the Mouse - Jerry Pinkney
In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry - Cindy Neuschwander
When the Zills family is summoned to Egypt to help find the hidden burial site of an ancient pharaoh, Matt and Bibi are locked into an adventure they did not expect. Stuck inside a pyramid with only each other, their dog Riley, and geometric hieroglyphics to help them find their way, the twins must use their math knowledge to solve the riddles on the walls and locate the burial chamber. Luckily, the two know their stuff when it comes to geometric solids.

New Nonfiction Books

The Great and Only Barnum: the Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum - Candace Fleming
Biography of P.T. Barnum, showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Readers can visit Barnum's American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only 39 in. tall) and his tinier bride (32 in.); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum's legacy.

Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 - Charles C. Mann
This study of Native American societies is adapted for younger readers from Charles C. Mann's best-selling 1491. Turning conventional wisdom on its head, the book argues that the people of North and South America lived in enormous cities, raised pyramids hundreds of years before the Egyptians did, engineered corn, and farmed the rainforests.

New Activity and Idea Book

The Inclusive Learning Center Book for Preschool Children with Special Needs - Christy Isbell and Rebecca Isbell
A resource book for preschool teachers, containing information for creating an inclusive learning center classroom and adaptable activities for children with various special needs.

New September 11 Curriculum

September 11 Education Program
Set includes : 2 DVD-ROM discs, 7 complete print lessons with reproducible student handouts (pdf), 1 remembrance presentation discussion questions (pdf), 1 Google earth (kmz) file and 1 complete 9/11 Commission Report (pdf), all in a 3-ring binder.

October 2009 Newsletter

Children's Author Visits the CMC
Children’s and young adult author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel visited the Centennial Library on September 22, 2009, addressing over 30 students, faculty, staff, and guests in the Curriculum Materials Center. Kimmel spoke about her experiences in the book publishing business, from the time she worked as an assistant to a well-known literary agent, through her early years as a struggling young author, to her present day successes, providing valuable insight and suggestions to those in the audience who aspire to being an author. Kimmel’s 28 published books represent a wide array of genres, including simple picture books (Glamsters, My Penguin Osbert), early-teen fiction (Spin the Bottle), biography (Boy on the Lion Throne: The Childhood of the 14th Dalai Lama), and nonfiction (Ladies First: 40 Daring American Women Who Were Second to None). Following her talk, audience members took advantage of the opportunity to ask a number of questions relating to Kimmel’s work and to the publishing industry in general. A reception was held in the CMC following her presentation. Mrs. Kimmel’s visit to Cedarville was made possible by Rebecca Stroble, elementary librarian for the Xenia Community Schools, where Kimmel was serving as Xenia’s 2009 Visiting Author.

Websites of the Month

Ohio on iTunes U was launched in February 2009 and now contains over 2100 digital resources (video, pictures, etc.) from 37 content providers. The website states, "Noted as the first state to launch a comprehensive statewide iTunes U site, the State of Ohio has compiled a collection of digital media assets categorized into areas of education, government and community. The *Ohio on iTunes U project allows Ohio to share educational resources, professional development materials, and student videos which have been produced by members of higher education, the K-12 community, and community partners free of charge with unlimited access."

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has compiled an excellent website and curriculum on The Great Depression. According to the website, "the curriculum is designed to provide teachers with economic lessons that they can share with their students to help them understand this significant experience in U.S. history." It includes videos, interviews, activities, pictures, lesson plans, and much, much more.

Children's Book News

After more than eight decades, Winnie-the-Pooh is back! The first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne's classic children's tales, "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood," was written by author David Benedictus. It goes on sale Oct. 5 and picks up where Milne's "The House at Pooh Corner," first published in 1928, left off. Read more about the book...

Several notable children's books are set to hit the big-screen in the next few months. Notable among these are Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Where the Wild Things Are, and A Christmas Carol. Read more...

New Materials

During September, over 90 new items were added to the CMC collection. This includes several excellent nonfiction series for grades 1-3, a number of books by Robert Munsch, the Berenstains, picture books, young adult books, and much more.

New Children's Book

Brown Bear, White Bear - Svetlana Petrovic
Alice likes the teddy bears she receives for her birthday from each of her grandmothers, but soon the bears are fighting for her attention.

The series How Did They Build That?

Tunnel - Vicky Franchino
Why do people build tunnels -- Getting ready -- Making the walls and ceiling -- Keeping people safe -- Glossary -- Find out more









Airport - Matt Mullins
Looks at the different parts of an airport, explains who decides how an airport should be built,and examines the role of architects, engineers, electricians, contractors, and other people involved in building an airport.

Stadium - Matt Mullins
Looks at the different parts of a stadium, and introduces the various people and machines that play a role in building a stadium.


Road - Sharon Nittinger
Moving vehicles forward -- Making the path flat -- Many layers -- Glossary -- Find out more

Bridge - Vicky Franchino
How do bridges help us? -- Types of bridges -- Getting ready to build -- Building the bridge -- Glossary -- Find out more

Skyscraper - Vicky Franchino
Explains what is involved in building a skyscraper, describing the materials that are used and the people involved in the construction process.

Dam - Matt Mullins
What is a dam for? -- Moving the river -- Sealing the floor -- Building the wall -- Releasing the river -- Glossary -- Find out more

School - Matt Mullins
Explains the process of building a school, describing the materials that are used and the different rooms schools may have.

New YA Books

Morning in a Different Place - Mary Ann McGuigan
In 1963 in the Bronx, New York, eighth-graders Fiona and Yolanda help one another face hard decisions at home despite family and social opposition to their interracial friendship, but Fiona is on her own when popular classmates start paying attention to her and give her a glimpse of both a different way of life and a new kind of hatefulness.

If I Grow Up - Todd Strasser
Growing up in the inner-city projects, DeShawn is reluctantly forced into the gang world by circumstances beyond his control.

Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness - Nahoko Uehashi
The wandering female bodyguard Balsa returns to her native country of Kanbal, where she uncovers a conspiracy to frame her mentor and herself.

New Children's Books

Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes - Alice Schertle
From undies to jammies to a much-loved hand-me-down sweatshirt, the talking clothes in these poems know just who they are and who's wearing them.

Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind - Lorena Siminovich
Meet best friends Alex and Lulu. Alex loves having noisy, exciting adventures, and Lulu likes painting and making things. Even though they are different, they always have fun together. Until Alex begins to worry that they might be too different, that they might actually be opposites! Discover what opposites really are in this quirky story that celebrates differences.

The series How Did That Get to My Table?:

Cereal - Pam Rosenberg
Explains the process by which grain is grown and harvested, looks at how grain is transformed into cereal, and discusses how the cereal gets from the factory to homes.

Pasta - Emily J. Dolbear
Explains what pasta is, describes a wheat farm, looks at how pasta gets from factory to market, and discusses some of the ways in which pasta is used.

Peanut Butter - Pam Rosenberg
Easy-to-follow text teaches children how peanut butter is made.

Pumpkin Pie - Emily J. Dolbear
Looks at how pumpkins are grown and harvested, explains how the fruit is processed at the factory and made into pies, discusses how pumpkin pies are made at home, and shows how pies get to stores.

Ice Cream - Pam Rosenberg
Photographs and simple text describe how ice cream is made.

Salad - Emily J. Dolbear
Discusses where vegetables that are used for salads are grown and describes the steps it takes to get them from fields and greenhouses to the table.

Ketchup - Emily J. Dolbear
Explains what ketchup is, describes tomato farms, follows the process by which ketchup is made, and looks at some of the ways in which the condiment is used.

Orange Juice - Pam Rosenberg
Easy-to-follow text teaches children how orange juice is made.

New Teaching Aids

Mas Palabras e Imagene Tarjetas (More picture words flash cards)
Contains picture flash cards showing 96 Spanish words. For ages 5 and older.

Verbos
Contains 94 cards showing Spanish verbs and instructions for use. Instructions are in Spanish. For ages 6 and up.

Match-It! Mathematics
Contains 30 self-correcting two-piece puzzle sets teaching basic mathematical skills. For ages 3 and up.

Healthy Hurdles: A Nutrition & Fitness Game
Helps students learn to identify multicultural foods and which food groups they belong to according to the USDA food pyramid. For 2-6 players, ages 6 and up.

New Children's Books

Stuff!: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Steven Kroll
Pinch is a pack rat who does not want to give up the possessions that are cluttering his house, but when he finally is persuaded to sell them at a neighborhood tag sale, he discovers the beauty of recycling. Includes tips on "reducing, reusing, and recycling."

My Uncle Emily - Jane Yolen
In 1881 Amherst, Massachusetts, six-year-old Gilbert finds it both challenging and wonderful to spend time with his aunt, the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson, who lives next door.

Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt - Don Brown
As a young boy, Theodore "Teedie" Roosevelt was small, had weak eyes, and frail muscles. But Teedie was also inquisitive, brave, and self-sufficient. Determined to overcome his childhood ailments, Teedie changed from a timid homebody into an adventurous man. He explored the Wild West, fought in the Spanish-American War, served as president of the United States, and helped build the Panama Canal.

Sandy's Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder - Tanya Lee Stone
As a boy, Sandy was always fiddling with odds and ends, making objects for friends. When he got older he started creating wire sculptures. Sandy made a lion. Next came a lion cage. Before he knew it, he had an entire circus and was traveling between Paris and New York performing a brand-new kind of art for amazed audiences.

Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens: A Math Adventure - Cindy Neuschwander
When Sir Cumference and his wife, Lady Di of Ameter, host a massive surprise birthday party for the king, they must figure out quick a way to count all the guests that are in attendance.

New Children's and YA Nonfiction Books

Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration - Ann Bausum
An award-winning author examines the history of American immigration--a critical topic in 21st century America--particularly those lesser-known stories of immigrants who were denied entrance into the States or detained for security reasons.

Lucy Long Ago - Catherine Thimmesh
This story of scientific sleuthing invites readers to wonder what our ancestors were like and recounts the discovery of the remains of Lucy, the world's most famous hominid.

Every Human Has Rights
This photographic essay offers kids an accessibly written list of the thirty rights set down in 1948 by the United Nations with commentary by other kids and richly evocative photographs illustrating each right. At the end of this deceptively simple book, kids will know that regardless of individual differences and circumstances, each person is valuable and worthy of respect.

How Animals Use Their Senses - Pamela Hickman
Describes the remarkable senses of such animals as bats, dolphins, deer, and ants, explaining how each uses its unique power of sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch to survive.

Baseball Science - James Bow
Pitchers put their entire bodies into their pitches, and batters hit balls that fly toward them at 100 miles per hour. Find out how pitchers throw curveballs, learn about the training techniques and nutritional requirements of professional players, and much, much more.

Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl - Albert Marrin
Before global warming, there was dust. In the 1930s, dangerous black storms swept through the Great Plains. Created by drought and reckless farming, these lethal storms were part of an environmental, economic, and human catastrophe that changed the course of American history. An acclaimed historian explains the causes behind the disaster and explores the Dust Bowl's impact, from a rich cultural legacy to the visionary conservation that would finally offer hope to the Plains.

Pharaoh's Boat - David Weitzman
This book describes the building of Egyptian pharaoh Cheops's funeral boat.

Secret Subway: The Fascinating Tale of an Amazing Feat of Engineering - Martin W. Sandler
In 1869, Alfred Beach wanted to build America's first air-powered railway below New York City, but Boss Tweed, powerful politician and notorious crook, opposed. Working under night cover, Beach and his crew carved a three-hundred-foot tunnel beneath a department store. Before long, the project was discovered and the public raved about its potential. But no further tunnels were ever built. What happened to Beach's railway, and where is it now?

The Time Book: A Brief History from Lunar Calendars to Atomic Clocks - Martin Jenkins
This book explores what time means and how it has been measured, from the waggles of a honeybee to the workings of an atomic clock.

Cars on Mars: Roving the Red Planet - Alexandra Siy
Follow the course of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Mission. Learn how scientists determined that there was once water on Mars and how they resolved problems with the rovers in order to prolong the mission.