History is Our Future

 by Pam Everhardt Bloom Rowan Public Library

For children, success in life can sometimes seem totally foreign and out of reach or conversely, unrealistically achievable. True stories can provide them with factual information about life’s accomplishments and an introduction to a real hero. Consider browsing the shelves of biographies with your favorite child, no matter their age. I recently pulled a selection of beautifully illustrated books with enough substantial text to spark additional research and reading for older children and plenty of picture book appeal for the younger set and their favorite adult.

Who doesn’t love a story of adventure? Barnum’s Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World by Tracey Fern and pictures by Boris Kulikov tells a tale of an unusual boy, Barnum Brown, who loved fossil hunting from an early age. This is the story of the man who eventually discovered the world’s first Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Don’t miss the author’s note with a more detailed biography of Brown’s part in the American Museum of Natural History. Another child fossil hunter born in England in 1799, Stone Girl, Bone Girl: the Story of Mary Anning by Laurence Anholt and illustrated by Sheila Moxley describes young Mary’s discovery of the Great Ichthyosaur at the age of 12. Her continued fossil finds throughout her life are still displayed in museums around the world. While Barnum and Mary may be a bit obscure to many, the next adventurer, John Smith, is one most children will recognize. Smith’s numerous exciting adventures, however, may surprise you. John Smith Escapes Again, written and illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer illustrates a life journey of heroics far beyond being rescued by Pocahontas. In the words of the author, “John Smith loved America and all its possibilities. He spent most of his life trying to make this beautiful world into a place where class rank didn’t matter and where anyone willing to work hard could become a success. That sounds like a hero to me.”  His is a life story well worth a further look.

Other unsung heroes in the biography section with stories waiting to be told include Only Passing Through: the Story of Sojourner Truth by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. To describe Sojourner’s choices, “When evil rules a time and place, certain good people are called upon to tell the truth to those who don’t want to hear it.” Sojourner’s bravery should not be missed.  Equally compelling, Banneker’s life reveals what may be a surprising story. A free person of color, born in 1731, Benjamin Banneker was a curious boy, always looking for answers.  A self taught astronomer and mathematician, Banneker published the first almanac by a black man in 1792. Concerned about the lack of opportunity of those enslaved to study and learn, he also wrote an important and heroic letter to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Banneker’s story is an excellent example of both successes and frustrations faced in life.  

In addition to these lesser known heroes, learn new facts about those you may already know. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer captures an important moment in science and its continuing influence. The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham is based on the biography of Twain written by his 13 year old daughter and provides a unique perspective. Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, the official picture book of his bestselling autobiography, provides lesser known facts of Mandela’s remarkable life. (Illustrated by Paddy Bouman and abridged by Chris Van Wyk.)

Determination, an admirable trait, is illustrated in the following books. Come See the Earth Turn; the Story of Leon Foucault by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Raul Allen tells the story of how a supposedly low intelligence student and medical school dropout stuns Paris with his demonstration that the earth truly rotated. This story of perseverance is timeless. Other stories with a similar vein include Blockhead: the Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D’Agnese and illustrated by John O’Brien and Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher, illustrated by Greg Couch. Whether learning about a man who made mathematics more accessible to the masses or discovering the first African-American, man or woman, to ever compete in and win Wimbledon, these biographies tell a tale of achievement in spite of difficulties, failure and opposition.

Speaking of persistence and spunk, don’t miss The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tony Persiani. Through trial and error and following totally different paths, “…neither brother ended up where he wanted to be. But… the Switzer brothers began to look at the world in a different light.” This book resonates with the realistic story of many achievers, their ability to continue their passion despite difficulties, opposition or discouragement.

Biographies can be an overlooked selection for many children and adults. These books offer valuable and useful lessons, providing authentic stories and heroes as exciting as fictional characters in a favorite novel, TV show or movie. Explore juvenile biographies and catapult into a bit of history. You may discover a new favorite hero while also forging realistic expectations for success.

Zinio at Rowan Public Library

by Dr. Betty Middleton Rowan Public Library

  

 ZINIO!  Zinio is now available through the Rowan Public Library.

            What is ZINIO?  It is a multi-platform distribution service for digital magazines,

with more than 5,500 magazines from a wide range of publishers.  Magazines, including

back issues, may be purchased individually or through subscriptions, with new issues

downloading automatically.

In 2011 Zinio began partnering with Recorded Books to offer “Zinio

for Libraries” a service that allows public libraries in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the

US to grant patrons access to full digital issues of selected magazines via a digital

catalog.  These magazines can be accessed with the patron’s library card and password.

            Zinio also offers custom apps for Adroid mobile devices, the Apple iPad and

iPhone, BlackBerry PlayBook, Windows8, Windows Phone and Windows RT.  A user’s

reading list is accessible through any device they set up with their Zinio account.

            You can access ZINIO from the Rowan Public Library’s Home Page.  On the

left side of the screen, search for and click on Online Tools.  Information about Zinio

will appear on the right side of that page.  You can also click on FAQ to discover  

additional information about the application.

            When you click on Access with your Library Card and Pin you will go directly to

the Online Resources Page where Zinio is listed at the top of our new acquisitions.  

Next you enter your Rowan Public Library card number and password, and click  

Create Account (necessary only the first time).  The password must be 7 characters and

a combination of letters and numbers.  A confirmation notice from RBDigital/Zinio will

be sent to  your e-mail box. 

At this time you will be asked to create a Zinio.com account (first time only).  Use

the same email/password combo you used for your RBDigital account.   

Click Register. 

A list of digital magazines that are available through Rowan Public Library will

be displayed.  Choose a title you want to read and click on the cover of a magazine to

download it.  Click the Complete Checkout button. This selects magazines for your

personal reading list which can be retained as long as you wish and can be deleted from

your collection by clicking the “Edit your reading list” at the top of the page.

                       

Learn4Life Offers Career Training at Rowan Public Library

By Edward Hirst Rowan Public Library

Would you like to learn a new skill or enhance existing skills for professional development or personal enrichment? Instead of pulling out your credit card, reach for your library card instead because Rowan Public Library has partnered with Gale/Cengage Learning, to offer free access to hundreds of online, instructor led courses for members of the library. The Learn4Life subscription service provides courses and career training programs such as: Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2010, Beginning Writer's Workshop, Medical Terminology, and QuickBooks 2013 for Contractors. There are courses for preparing for tests such as the GED, GRE, and the SAT. Courses are also provided for ESL students and teachers.

Online courses from Learn4Life offer the flexibility to study at your own pace, and yet have enough structure and support to complete the course. Access to the classroom is available 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection. All of the courses provide well-crafted lessons, expert instruction, and interaction with fellow students.

New sessions of each course begin every month. They last for a total of six weeks, with two new lessons released weekly, for a total of twelve lessons. The next class session begins January 15^th.  Each course requires a time commitment of two - four hours per week. The courses are entirely web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignments. An expert instructor leads every course; answering questions, providing feedback, and facilitating discussions. Students will receive a certificate after successfully completely the course and the 36 question final exam.

Registering for a class is quick and easy.  Just visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org, click on the link for Online Tools, then scroll to Learn4Life.  The first time you register for a class you will need to create an account using an email address, contact information, and your library card number. With over 300 courses available in the catalog you are sure to find more then one you would like to take. So get that library card out, or get a new one and get ready to learn.

New Adventures for a New Year

by Marissa Creamer Rowan Public Library

                It’s a new year and Rowan Public Library has new adventures to help you through the doldrums of winter. Curl up with one of these stories featuring young people (and a “space cat”) who embark on a journey and experience exciting adventures:

“The Theory of Everything” by Kari Luna blends realism, science fiction, fantasy, and eighties rock music into an unusual story with heart. Sophie has started yet another high school, but that hasn’t stopped her “episodes.” One minute she’s talking to “Fab Physics Boy,” and the next thing she knows she’s in the middle of a panda marching band. Or watching birds in the wallpaper pattern peel off the wall and fly away. Like her missing theoretical physicist father, Sophie has no control over these visions, and her mother fears she may be suffering from a mental illness. Determined to figure out her visions once and for all, Sophie sets out for New York City to search for her father and learn about his string theory of parallel universes.  Has he become lost in one of these alternate worlds?  Guided by her shaman panda Walt, Sophie learns more about her travel episodes, love, and acceptance.

 Another fourteen year old girl embarking on a journey is featured in the latest Fairyland book by Catherynne Valente. In “The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two,” September is beginning to fear that she will never find her way back to Fairyland when the Blue Wind arrives and winks her “out of the world like a firefly.” Soaring to the moon in her Model A Ford, which seems to be coming to life, September hopes to be reunited with her old friends Elle and Saturday. First, however, she must deliver a package to the Whelk of the Moon. She soon learns that the moon is in danger of being destroyed by the terrible Yeti Cinderskin, and sets out to confront him. Along the way September meets many creatures that guide her as she searches for her path in life.  As usual, Valente’s descriptions are magical: “his clothes flashed—long periwinkle trousers with teal patches and curling cornflower shoes like a jester’s. But what his coat hid within flashed brighter. September gasped. Planets hung on the lining of that thick jacket—small globes full of swirling clouds or shifting seas, continents like tiny chunks of ruby or topaz, cool silver moons and boiling purple suns. Light poured out from the depths of the coat, bathing her in colors.” If you are new to Fairyland, make sure you begin with September’s first visit: “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.”

In the latest “Binky the Space Cat Adventure” by Ashley Spires, Binky is embarking on a journey as well. In “License to Scratch,” Binky, his assistant space dog Gordie, and commanding officer Gracie see disaster on the horizon at the appearance of “SUITCASES!”  Their humans are about to set off into deep space unprotected! Binky and Gracie are loaded into portable space pods for the long “flight” to the “pet hotel, “which turns out to be...the vet! Will their humans ever return? Agonizing days of boredom lead to an escape attempt and the discovery of sinister goings-on involving aliens (bugs). Sadly, this fifth title is reported to be the last Binky Adventure. Don’t miss out on the trademark combination of dry humor, slapstick, and heart in this graphic novel series for all ages.

Journey to Rowan Public Library for these adventures and find many more.