Mellon Library

Library Due Dates & Summer Checkout

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:37:30 EST

These past two warmish days in London remind us that summer is just around the corner. Please mark your calendars with the following dates:

All library books are due no later than 28 May.

Summer checkout begins 3 June and runs through 12 June.

Also, don't forget to stop by if you need help downloading and using the app for Overdrive, our audio and ebook library, so you can check out books all summer long from anywhere in the world.

Author Michael Grant to Visit

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:20:24 EST

Author Michael Grant is visiting ASL on 23 April and speaking to sudents in grades 5 through 8. He's here to promote Light, his newest book in the Gone series.

Visit the author's website for more information. Click here.

Books will go on sale starting tomorrow in the Mellon Library. Light will be available for £12.99 in hardback. Other books in the series will be also be available in paperback for £7.99. The Children's Bookshop will have a table set up next week Monday and Tuesday as well. Books can be set aside for Grant to sign for those who are interested.

Author Event at St. John's Wood Library

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:19:06 EST

Author Liza Klaussmann will speak at the St. John's Wood Library from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 11th December. Born in New York, Klaussmann now lives in Primrose Hill and is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Herman Melville.

Her first novel, Tigers in Red Weather, has already sold in a dozen languages. In it, Tiger House, newly inherited by the beguiling Nick, is where the beautiful and the damned have always come to summer in Martha's Vineyard. World War II is just ending, and Nick's husband is coming home. Everything is about to change. Tigers in Red Weather is a simmering novel of passion, betrayal and secret violence beneath a polished and fragile façade.

The event is free. Please ask the St. John's Wood library staff to reserve your copy of the book stjohnswoodlibrary@westminster.gov.uk.

Mrs. Dyer-Westacott Tweets

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:17:40 EST

When the question, "What should I read next?" comes up in the Mellon Library, everyone knows that Librarian Joan Dyer-Westacott is the go-to person.

Now you can keep up with what she's reading by following her on Twitter: JDWreadsagain.

Support ASL Libraries through Your Amazon Purchases

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:11:36 EST

The American Memorial Collection (AMC) has started a program where you can help to support the ASL libraries when you purchase items through Amazon. It is very easy and costs you nothing! All you need to do is enter Amazon (either the US or UK sites) using our links below. When you make a purchase, a percentage of the total sales (all items are included, not just books) will be credited to the AMC account--the more items that are purchased, the more AMC earns! AMC will forward the earnings on to both libraries so the librarians can make purchases which are vital to maintaining their collections. Please create a bookmark so that every time you go to Amazon, you will go through the AMC link. These links are also on the AMC page on asl.org. Anyone can use these links, so please forward them to your family and friends and let them know that this an easy way they can help to support ASL! Questions to amc@asl.org.
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=amerschoinlon-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=19450
Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=amerimemorcol-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Upcoming Literary Festivals

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:55:35 EST

You can find wonderful literary festivals all around England throughout the year, but here are a few of the more local options this fall.

The Blenheim Palace Literary Festival at Woodstock 2012

The Blenheim Palace Literary Festival gets underway this week, September 12-16 and features such speakers as poet Roger McGough Lord Ashdown, Geza Vermes and Diarmaid MacCulloch, Hannah Rothschild, and Liz Earle. For more information, see the festival website.

The Soho Literary Festival

The Soho Literary Festival will take place at the Soho Theatre from September 27-30. Speakers include: John Major, Michael Palin, Ruth Rendell, P D James, Michael Frayn, Kate Summerscale, Charlie Mortimer, and Fay Weldon to name a few. To see a complete listing, visit the festival website.

The London History Festival 2012

The London History Festival is scheduled from November 19-28 at the Kensington Central Library and Waterstone's Kensington. Speakers include Sam Willis, Keith Lowe, Leonie Frieda, Antony Beevor, Susan Ronald, Helen Rappaport, Kate Williams, Tom Holland, Hugh Thomson, Sonia Purnell, Paddy Ashdown, and Patrick Bishop. More information can be found on their website.

Which? Magazine

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:58:09 EST

Which? magazine was mentioned during Scoop and many of you have been interested in accessing the magazine from home. This publication can be very helpful as you look at purchasing the best goods and services for the best prices.

The user name and password are case sensitive and are as follows:

Username: asleagles

Password: AMERICANSCHO

Reminder to Return Summer Library Books

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:56:21 EST

Just a friendly reminder to please return your now overdue summer library books.

Overdrive Ready for New and Returning Patrons

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:54:31 EST

All new and returning students, parents, facutly and staff should now have accounts in Overdrive, the Mellon Library's audio and ebook library. You will use your school user name and the last four digits on the back of your school ID as your pin. If you need help downloading the app or setting yourself up, please stop by the Mellon Library.

Thanks to AMC & Our Generous Donors

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:42:58 EST

We'd like to thank the AMC volunteers who work so tirelessly throughout the 2011-2012 school year to organize book donations for the Mellon Library. A special thanks to Co-chair & Treasurer Michelle Guralnick who has worked for many years with the AMC in leadership positions. We also owe a special thanks to Judith Morrissey, Sue Cielinski and Molly Ashford who worked on AMC for many years.

Co-chair
Michelle Guralnick
Melissa Janssen

Database
Judith Morrissey

Publications
Sue Cielinski

Webmaster
Liz Bengis

Volunteer Organizer
Molly Ashford

Committee Members
Leslie Herron
Anne Spar
Marie Ware
Monica Ruiz-Noriega
Sara Carpenter
Kim Kotov
Rochelle Larson
Karina Kalb

End-of-Year Dates

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:08:17 EST

As we try to wrap up the end of the year, make sure to put these dates on your calendar:

May 28 -- All library materials due to ASL Libraries

May 29 - June 5 -- No check out of materials

June 6-12 - Summer checkout

Summer Reading Lists Now Available

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:05:06 EST

Check out our summer reading lists under Suggested Reading. Middle School lists give a wide range of books from new titles to classics, fiction to non-fiction. Teachers will talk to students about these lists before the end of the year.

The High School English teachers created this year's HS list, and again, teachers will talk to their students about the reading requirements for summer.

If you have any questions about the books, please let us know... and don't forget to stop by the Mellon Library for summer checkout starting June 6.

Books for Sale: Bergeron Fellow Kevin Crossley-Holland

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:18:43 EST

The Children's Bookshop will be at ASL selling books by this year's Bergeron Fellow, Kevin Crossley-Holland. Although he will work mostly with students in grades 5 and 6, Kevin Crossley-Holland will speak to all Middle School and High School students and the community at large during his visit.

Monday, 27th February

All day in the main lobby at the Waverley Place entrance
From 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room during the Welcome Reception

Tuesday, 5th March

Morning until end of MS lunch outside the School Center

Wednesday, 7th March

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mellon Library for the Bergeron Fellowship lecture

The following titles will be on sale:

Bracelet of Bones - £6.99
Arthur, The Seeing Stone - £6.99
King of the Middle March - £6.99
At the Crossing Places - £6.99
Gatty's Tale - £7.99
Waterslain Angels - £6.99
Short - £5.99
Short Too! - £5.99
Storm - £4.99
Thor & the Master of Magic - £5.99
Anglo-Saxon World - £7.99
Beowulf - £6.99

Author Sarah Brennan to Help Celebrate Chinese New Year

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:17:04 EST

Just in time for Chinese New Year, Hong Kong-based author Sarah Brennan will speak to Grade 6 and Grade 3 students on 26 January about her best-selling series, Chinese Calendar Tales. Her mission "is to bring Chinese culture, history and landscape to young English speakers everywhere through humor, verse and funny illustrations."

Sarah's books are known not just for their great writing (she's been called "Hong Kong's answer to Dr. Seuss") but also the great illustrations by cartoonist Harry Harrison.

Those interested in purchasing books should see Ms. Field for details or download and complete the attached form. Five titles in the Chinese Calendar Tales series will be available for £6.99 each. Although orders will be placed after her visit, Sarah will sign bookplates for these purchases during her time here.

For more information about the author, visit her website and blog.

MS Community Read Author to Visit ASL

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:35:10 EST

The author of this year's MS Community Read will visit ASL on Thursday, 3 November. Beverley Naidoo will meet with all teachers and students in the morning and then with smaller groups throughout the day. In the evening, from 6:30 to 7:30, she will speak to parents in the Mellon Library. There will be a book signing beginning at 6 p.m. and again afterward.

Books will be on sale in the MS office throughout the day starting at morning break. Naidoo will sign books for students who would like to meet her individually from 3 to 3:30 p.m. in the Middle School.

The Children's Bookshop will have the following titles available for sale:

Web Of Lies (sequel to Other Side of Truth) £6.99
No Turning Back £6.99
Out of Bounds £6.99
Burn My Heart £6.99
Journey to Jo'burg £5.99

For the parents in the evening session, her books for younger children will also be on sale: S is for South Africa and Aesop's Fables, as well as a selection of books by other authors that she will recommend for reading with teenagers.

Halloween @ the Mellon Library: Books to Sink Your Sweet Teeth Into

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:47:51 EST

Attention High School Students:

This Halloween, Monday the 31st October the Mellon Library's introducing a candy-clad plan that will delight all. On the occasion you check out a book (and genuinely read it!) you'll have a lovely piece of candy bestowed upon your intellectual self.

It's a win-win situation; you dive into the silky pages whilst tantalizing your tastebuds...and you shall be haunted by empty wrappers if you don't.

- The Library Advisory Board

Access Accelerated Reader Now

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:41:34 EST

5th and 6th graders:
You now have access to Accelerated Reader through a new library webpage. Log in today to keep track of your recreational reading.

Grades 6 & 7 to Welcome Author Madaline Herlong

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:13:38 EST

Madaline Herlong, author of the award-winning novel A Great Wide Sea, will speak to students in Grades 6 & 7 on Wednesday, Sept. 28th. Her second novel is due out in 2012 under the title Buddy.

Please visit the author's website or listen to a radio interview with Herlong to find out more.

Free Trial to America's Historical Newspapers 1690 – 20th Century through Newsbank

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:10:45 EST

We would love for anyone studying American history to visit our month-long free trial to Newsbank's historical newspaper database to explore a wide variety of sources from 1690 to the 20^th Century.

Visit the Mellon Library's "Find articles/databases" page for a link to the trial.

Please contact Ms. Field with comments.

Free Trial Gives Access to Thousands of Images

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:28:02 EST

For the next month you have access to Bridgeman Education, a database of images from a huge collection of sources. Visit the Mellon Library's "Find articles/databases" page for a link and temporary username and password for access.

Please contact Ms Field at karen_field@asl.org with your comments.

Author Tony DiTerlizzi to Visit 5th Grade

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:08:37 EST

Tony Diterlizzi, author of the popular series The Spiderwick Chronicles, will visit 5th graders during a morning assembly on September 23. His newest book, The Search for Wondla, was released earlier this month in paperback and is the first of an exciting trilogy, which has garnered rave reviews.

Visit the author's website and listen to the first chapter of The Search for Wondla.

Books will be on sale September 22-23 in the LS reception area, and the author will be available to sign books after the event.

Thanks to the AMC

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:31:41 EST

The Mellon Library would like to thank the members of the American Memorial Collection for their hard work and dedication providing the library with great books throughout the year. A special thanks to co-chairs Niki McCarthy and Linda Lakhdhir for making this a great year.

No AMC thank you would be complete without acknowledging all those who generously donated books to the Mellon Library in the name of family, friends, faculty and administrators. This program's support brings so many great books to the shelves of the ASL library, and we thank you.

End of the Year and Summer Checkout

Mon, 23 May 2011 13:26:06 EST

It's that time of year when we ask patrons to return their library books so we can complete our inventory.

All books should be returned by May 27th if possible. Students who need books for assignments should make arrangements with one of the librarians.

If you would like to see a list of the books you have checked out, stop by the Mellon Library or drop us an email. Students can log into the library catalog to see a list of resources they have out.

If you've lost a book, please make sure to stop by the circulation desk to pay the replacement cost.

Summer checkout in the Mellon Library begins June 6th. Checkout limits are as follows:
MS students = 10 items
HS students = 15 items
Parents = 25 items

Please don't forget to use Mellon's Digital Library (Overdrive) throughout the summer. If you need help setting this up before you leave for vacation, stop by and see us.

Get Great Images from New Database

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:45:12 EST

The Mellon Library recently purchased a subscription to Britannica Image Quest, a database that houses more than a million images you can use in school projects and research. These rights-cleared images come from some of the best collections in the world including Bridgeman Art Library, National Geographic, Ambient Images, the National Portrait Gallery and SuperStock.

Advantages to using Britannica Image Quest include:

Image quality--no worry about pixelated or poor-quality photos
MLA citiation information given for each picture
Breadth of the collection means you can use this when creating projects in all your classes: science, history, architecture, art, photography, technology and more.

To use Britannica Image Quest, visit the library's Articles/Databases page on the library website.

Books Still Available

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:41:05 EST

If you didn't get a chance to buy one of Rebecca Stead's books, there are a few signed copies still available for sale (£6) at the Mellon Library. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

2010 Newbery Winner Rebecca Stead Visits ASL 9 February

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:21:14 EST

Rebecca Stead, winner of the 2010 Newbery Award for her novel When You Reach Me, is touring London for the UK release of her award-winning title. Stead said she always enjoyed writing, but believed "being a writer was impractical," so she went into law and became a public defender. But she continued to write and here she is today, published and acclaimed. For more information about Stead, visit her website.

The author will speak to grade 5 and 6 students during morning assembly and then to grade 7 students during their first block on Wednesday, 9 February. Grade 7 students will have the opportunity to interview Stead for their journalism unit in their Humanities classes.

Her book is on sale Monday-Wednesday, 7-9 February, in the Lower School Reception for £5.99. Copies can be left there for the author to sign after the event.

Great Reading List for HS Students

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:33:05 EST

The Library Advisory Board recommends another great website for book ideas called teenreads.com... a nice mix of newer titles and a few classics, most of which you'll find in the Mellon Library.

Reading over the Break

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:45:59 EST

It's time to dig out those books you've been wanting to read but haven't had the chance with all that homework hanging over your head.

If you don't have anything yet, you might try a favorite website of some of the Library Advisory Board members... The Ultimate Reading List. Stop by the Mellon Library where many of these titles are on display in the fiction area and check out something good to read.

Now Get Audio and eBooks Online from the Mellon Library

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:06:33 EST

Students, staff and parents can now check out audiobooks and ebooks from Mellon's Digital Library powered by Overdrive. Visit the link and check out up to three books using your ASL username and the last four digits of the number on the back of your school ID.

Thanks to the PCA and a PCA mini-grant, students are able to choose from a wide variety of titles that can be read or listened to on your computer, ebook reader, MP3 player or Smartphone. See the Mellon Digital Library webpage for details or ask one of the librarians for help. If you are interested in a title that doesn't appear, leave a note in the suggestion box or drop us an email.

Excitement Builds: Rick Riordan to Visit Nov. 2

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 06:46:12 EST

Principal Peg Mongiello has been inundated with essays, videos, photos and letters from students eager to introduce author Rick Riordan when he visits ASL on November 2nd. While not everyone will be making introductions, all 5th, 6th and 7th graders will get the opportunity to see the wildly popular author of the Percy Jackson series.

The Children's Bookshop will sell books outside the middle school office during student conferences on Oct. 28th and 29th. They will also be set up outside the Student Center on Monday and Tuesday morning, Nov. 1st and 2nd. The author will be signing books the day of the event.

See us in the Mellon Library if you have any questions, and visit Rick Riordan's website for more information about the author.

Goal!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:22:44 EST

We've scored a brand new subscription to football (soccer) magazine FourFourTwo. This month's issue, which features 70-year-old football legend Pele on its cover, is filled with interviews, articles and photos about the game. And if you enjoyed sports psychologist Bill Beswick's talk last week, you might enjoy FourFourTwo's article, "The Talent Myth" by Matthew Syed, which tries to answer the question whether athletes are born or made.

The Mellon Library also has Bill Beswick's book Focused for Soccer ready for checkout. Although geared for soccer, Beswick's message speaks to all athletes and includes player assessments and advice on how to improve your attitude, confidence, self-control, communication, competitiveness, mental toughness and concentration.

Database Page Gets a Facelift

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:43:58 EST

The Mellon Library's "Find Articles/Databases" page recently got a facelift, which includes three different views of the databases. When you first log in, the page is organized by user needs. For example, if you need a primary source for your research, find the section called, "Best for Primary Source Documents."

There is also a subject view which lists the best databases for subjects such as history and social sciences, science and health, and art and music.

Finally, there is an A-Z listing of databases for those people well aware of the type of information each database provides.

Please contact Ms. Field if you have suggestions or notice problems with the new system.

Teen Health & Wellness Database

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:18:23 EST

After a 30-day trial, the Mellon Library has decided to add Rosen's award-winning database, Teen Health and Wellness, to its list of resources. Teen Health and Wellness covers such topics as developmental disabilities and disorders; diseases; drugs and alcohol; eating disorders; friendship and dating; green living; grief and loss; and nutrition and fitness. All articles are reviewed by professionals in the field and are geared toward teens and teen issues.

To access the database, click on Find Articles/Databases or visit the database directly: www.teenhealthandwellness.com

For off-campus access, check the library's website for the username and password.

Newbery Author Kate DiCamillo to visit ASL -

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:39:36 EST

The Mellon Library is excited to welcome children's author Kate DiCamillo to ASL on 16 September. Kate is the author of many well-loved children's books including Newbery winner The Tale of Despereaux, the Newbery Honor book, Because of Winn-Dixie, and the Mercy Watson series.

Kate was born in Pennsylvania, but grew up in Florida. Her father left the family when she was five years old, and in her writing she explores the recurring themes of loss, redemption, and trying to fit in. Her books also exemplify the healing quality of friendship. According to Kate herself, she is short, loud, hates to cook, but loves to eat! She also thinks of herself as an extremely lucky person as she gets to tell stories for a living.

She will be talking to 5th graders about her life, her craft, and her recently published a new book, The Magician's Elephant. If you would like to learn more about Kate DiCamillo, you can visit her website.

The Children's Bookshop will be selling a selection of Kate's books to be signed by the author in the LS Reception on 15 and 16 September.

Authors Scott Westerfeld and Sarah Rees-Brennan Help Close Out the Year

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:10:53 EST

Authors Scott Westerfeld and Sarah Rees-Brennan will visit ASL 7th and 8th graders on Tuesday, June 15th. Both authors are in the UK to promote their latest novels: Leviathan and The Demon’s Covenant.

Books will be on sale the day of the event and include: Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras and his latest novel Leviathan, as well as Sarah Rees-Brennan’s The Demon’s Lexicon and its sequel The Demon’s Covenant. All the books are £6.99 or students can purchase any three titles for £18. Students should bring cash or checks made payable to ‘Tales on Moon Lane’.

HS Community Read

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:28:07 EST

The list for the high school community read has been posted on the Mellon Library website under "Suggested Reading." There's a great list of titles to choose from!

Summer Reading

Tue, 25 May 2010 15:21:29 EST

Check out the suggestions for summer reading for rising 5th through 8th grade students posted under the "Suggested Reading" section of the library webpage. Hopefully you will find something of interest on the list. Please see one of the librarians if you would like help finding suggestions beyond these books. The important thing is to keep reading!

Due Dates and Summer Checkout

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:01:24 EST

All books checked out from the Mellon Library are due on June 7th. Lost books will also need to be paid for by that date as well. Students in the Middle School will not receive their yearbooks until they take care of their library obligations. High school students will not receive their records and report cards until all is clear.

Summer checkout begins June 9th. Please feel free to stock up for the break.

Summer hours for the Mellon Library are Tuesdays from 12 to 4 beginning July 6th and running through August 10th.

New Books in February

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:48:36 EST

The Mellon Library adds links each month to our "Suggested Reading" page showing the new books received. The February list just went up and on it you'll find not only books for student research but some other great reads... starting with several interesting non-fiction titles.

Methland by Nick Reding is the true story of a small Iowa town that became a mecca of crystal methamphetamine production when it fell on economic hard times. Although Reding, a writer and journalist, focuses on one small town, this is really the story of a problem seen throughout the U.S.A. However, in Oelwein, Iowa residents are fighting back, trying to take back their town. Visit the book's website to find out more about Methland and its author.

We've added several interesting war titles this month, including Jon Krakauer's Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman and Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War by Evan Wright.

Where Men Win Glory is about professional football player Pat Tillman, who gave up everything to serve his country in Iraq and later in Afghanistan where he would die before completing his personal commitment of three years. Krakauer looks at the controversy surrounding Tillman's death and the government's coverup. As always, Krakauer's research is applauded as is his compelling writing style.

Evan Wright's Generation Kill, which some of you may know as a movie, is about the two months the author spent embedded with an elite group of Marines in Iraq. First written as a series of articles for Rolling Stone magazine, this account tries to look past the typical war coverage of today to give a human face to the conflict. Wright describes the "new pop-culture breed of American warrior," following closely several young soldiers to give us an intimate portrait of war from this generation's perspective. Like Krakauer, Wright receives praise for his reporting and writing style.

What to Read Next...

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:06:00 EST

One of the most important jobs of the librarian is to help students find that next great book to read. But what do you do when the librarian isn't around to help? Well, you might want to turn to the Internet and several sites that generate lists of books based on something you've just read and enjoyed.

This One Next (the new name for what used to be known as What Should I Read Next?) asks you to type in the title or author of a book that you enjoyed and it will generate a list of titles that you might like based on suggestions by other users. For the most part this site is very useful, but there are times when results seem a bit off. You might find an adult book listed alongside a list of children's books, for example. But it can be a great place to start.

The Book Seer is another web application that generates lists based on the author and title of a book you enjoyed. These lists are generated from Amazon, The Library Thing and Book Army by using publicly-available APIs. These lists seemed pretty reliable, and each title directs you to a link on either Amazon or The Library Thing, so summaries and reviews depend on those sites for information.

Finally, WhichBook allows readers to choose books based on their mood. Do you want a book that's happy or sad, gentle or violent, funny or serious? You can select several of the descriptors given to find a book that might suit you. Or, by clicking on an alternate search method, you can search by character, plot or setting. For example, if you choose "setting" you are given a map of the world to click on or you can choose "imaginary." After the list is generated, for each title you see a reader comment, an extract from the text and similar titles. It seems like an extremely helpful site.

So if the librarian isn't around and you need to find something to read, give one of these a try... you might find something great.

Helping Your Child Become a Life-Long Reader

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:47:35 EST

Don't forget to add Diane W. Frankenstein, author of Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read, to your calendar. She will speak in the Mellon Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday evening, February 1 and will discuss what reading can do for our children from teaching values to developing critical thinking skills as well as enhancing creativity and imagination, and building emotional intelligence and confidence.

She will also be at school the next day, Tuesday, February 2, to lead a workshop for parents of students in grades 4-6 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the LS reception. In this session she will talk about age-appropriate books and great authors and will help parents more effectively talk to their children about the books they read.

Diane holds a Master Degree in Children's Literature and Language Arts and has worked for many years as an educational consultant in children’s and adolescent literature. Her educational consulting business specializes in children’s literature and provides school communities — parents, teachers, and librarians, as well as individual families, and private organizations — the tools, resources, and knowledge that ensure children become the readers they deserve to be and become lifelong readers.

To learn more about Diane’s work, visit www.dianefrankenstein.com

Everlost Author, Neal Shusterman, to Speak to 7th Graders

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:09:25 EST

Author Neal Shusterman will speak to 7th graders during their Flex block on Monday, January 25th.

Shusterman has written many books, including Unwind, Everlost and most recently Everwild. Fans of Everlost will be happy to hear Shusterman is currently working on the screenplay for Universal Studios.

On Shusterman's website he says that when he was a kid, he wanted to be everything when he grew up. His "teacher said, 'You can't do that? you'll be a jack of all trades and a master of none!' But I had it worked out: I'd be a jack of seven trades, and master of three." And Shusterman seems to have done just that. Besides being an award-winning author, Shusterman busies himself creating games, and writing scripts for films and television.

Shusterman's books will go on sale Monday before and after the event and will cost £6.99 each.

Author Jack Gantos Returns to ASL

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:12:41 EST

Seventh and eighth graders will get a chance to meet Jack Gantos on Monday, 11 January. Gantos has authored books for all ages and has created such memorable characters as Rotten Ralph, Joey Pigza, and Jack Henry. He also has written books for young adults, which include The Curse of the Rumbaughs, Desire Lines and his memoir Hole in My Life.

Books will go on sale Monday morning before the event and during break. Several Joey Pigza titles are available for £4.99 and Hole in My Life will be on sale for £6.99.

To learn more about Jack Gantos, visit his website.

Nicola Davies Talks Global Warming

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:03:56 EST

Nicola Davies, zoologist, one-time presenter on BBC's Really Wild Show, and author, will speak to 5th and 6th graders during their assembly on November 24th. She will also speak to 7th graders during their science classes.

Davies' most recent book, Gaia Warriors, is about people from around the world and in many different professions who are getting people to change their energy consumption and impact on the earth's resources in fun and innovative ways. In collaboration with James Lovelock, creator of Gaia Theory, Davies helps explain many of the frequently asked questions about global warming and what we can do to help.

Books will be on sale outside the Mellon Library on Monday, 23 November from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, 24 November from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is £9 and the author will be available for signing.

Enjoy this interview by Nicola Davies with James Lovelock.

Caroline Lawrence

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:02:42 EST

Caroline Lawrence, author of the Roman Mysteries series, will visit with students in grades 4-6 on Thursday, Oct. 8th.

Books go on sale in the LS reception starting Wednesday, Oct. 7th. Students should bring money before the event if they are interested in purchasing books. They will also be on sale in the LS reception and outside the Mellon Library on Thursday morning.

Older titles are available in paperback for £6.99, and the author's newest book, and last of the series, The Man from Pomegranate Street, is available in hardcover for £9.99.

Nexus Database Trial

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:50:13 EST

We have a one-month trial to the Nexus database, specifically for economics students to try. This database houses information from the biggest financial newspapers and journals from around the world as well as company information and public records from the US.

www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis

User name:TRIAL00LUYVTTFCD
Password: e6r4f5

Please give it a try. Send feedback to Ms. Field (karen_field@asl.org)

Help for Parents

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:46:21 EST

Should your 5th grader be reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight? Are the Clique books and Gossip Girl series for the same age group? Is a particular Nintendo DS game violent? Should my son or daughter be visiting a certain website? We field questions like this all the time from parents, but these questions are never easy to answer as each family is different. However, as parents we would like information to help make decisions about what our kids read, play, view and listen to. CommonSenseMedia.org is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that helps parents and kids make choices by giving ratings on different criteria such as educational value, violence, sex, language, consumerism and more. Start by looking at the Ten Common Sense Beliefs on the site's mission page, and then take some time to explore.

Science Database Trial

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:50:12 EST

Give the Cengage Gale Science Resource Center database a test run using the following link:

http://www.galeuk.com/trialsite/

Your username is: xasl
Your password is: science

This is only available until Sept. 30th so test drive it today and send your feedback to karen_field@asl.org.

Author David Whitley to visit ASL

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:18:47 EST

David Whitley, whose novel The Midnight Charter was released earlier this summer, will visit ASL's middle school on September 21st. This young author has already won several honors and awards for his writing, including being shortlisted for the Kathleen Fidler Award. Most recently he won the Cheshire Prize for Literature for one of his children's short stories.

Books will go on sale the week of September 14th in the Mellon Library for £7. Students can also purchase books directly following the event. Don't forget to bring your books that day to be signed by the author.

To watch an interview with David Whitley, please click here.

Boolify Yourself

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:29:20 EST

You've probably heard the librarians talk about "Boolean operators," but if you still need a little practice combining and/or/not to your keywords to get more effective results on your Google search, try Boolify. Search results appear at the bottom of the page. I had a hand in giving feedback on this project early in its development, so it's fun to see a more finished project.

New MLA Guidelines

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:20:11 EST

The Modern Language Association (MLA) has published new guidelines for citing sources that went into effect April 2009. The Mellon Library has purchased several copies of the new MLA Handbook. According to OWL, Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, these changes include no longer underlining titles (italicizing is now the preferred method), no longer including the URL for webpages unless there isn't enough information available to find the website again without it, and including the medium of publication such as Print, Web or DVD.

For more information and samples of new bibliographic entries check out OWL .