Library News: New Books to Read

New year, new books to read!   Here are some new books that you can find in the GISS Library suggested by our librarian Frau Burkart.  Maybe you could set yourself a goal on how many books you want to read a week or month in the new year.

Older students might be more interested in Cartoons that shook the world – about the cartoons printed in a Danish newspaper, which aroused the ire of many Muslims worldwide because they defied the prohibition on depicting the prophet.  How did this controversy unfold and how has it influenced current affairs since?  The book questions our values – should respect and tolerance bend to the right to freedom of expression?

For younger readers non-fiction additions include a number of books about different Asian countries (in German and in English) as well as a series on topics from Australian history.

The Gone series by Michael Grant might appeal to young adults who like dystopian fiction; another newly added dystopian writer is Alex Scarrow with his Time Detectives who have to save history from herself – amazing, all the things that nearly didn’t happen or would have been worse if they had, once a fiction writer gets in on the case!  For those who like reality Anna Kuschnarowa or Lois Lowy might be a better choice.

Did all you Pippi Langstrumpf fans realise that Astrid Lindgren also wrote books for the young adult demographic?  Kati is a feisty young woman in her early twenties who decides to show her boyfriend he isn’t the only one with a little worldly sophistication – and so she travels to USA, Italy and France.  Her observations of life in these countries are very entertaining, as is the story that slowly unfolds – the point for contemporary readers being, of course, that the stories were written and set in the early 1950s; so they are also eye-openers for today’s readers to a time when travel was slower and even a trip from Stockholm to Italy was an adventure.

While we’re on the subject of historical fiction the sub-genre of fantasy-historical fiction throws up many very good reads.  The Attolia series is very well-written – not for dull elves: you have to read between the lines to keep up with the inner workings of the characters; and John Flanagan has added a prequel to his Ranger’s Apprentice which is absolutely as thrilling and absorbing as the best of his rest (even for those of us who aren’t coffee addicts).

What did you read during the holidays?  Email us or speak to Frau Burkart if you want your favorite book to appear on this blog!  See you next week! Zinnia and Gwendoline

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Reading Recomendation: The Mortal Instruments- Cassandra Clare

Fairy floss, a year 11 student recommends the series the Mortal Instruments to everyone.  A group of her friends were reading it and thought she would also enjoy it.  She says that it is hard to get involved in at first, but is well worth the effort if you persevere.  It took Fairy Floss only 2 days to read the book, she would suggest the book to any teenagers who enjoy a combination of action and romance.  The character Isabelle is one she relates to, since she is strong and sassy but also has a loyal and supportive side.  Another thing that Fairy Floss loves about Isabelle is the fact that she is always supportive of her friends, something we all hope to be.  The series of books has been turned into a movie series, so after reading all six books it might be interesting to compare them to their movie.

 

This is our last post before the Christmas break, we hope you all enjoy your holiday.  Keep busy reading over the break and let us know what you've been up to, maybe it will be featured on the blog!  See you next year- Zinnia and Gwendoline

 

Mortal [image]. Retrieved from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvRGTyQ89gA/UTFQcCJgWeI/AAAAAAAAAF4/7Sp5avl_YLc/s640/mortal.jpg

Library News: New Books to Read

Over 1200 items have been added to the Library collection this year, including DVDs, CDs and, of course, lots of reading material. 

New additions are usually displayed face front for a week or two – but with this number of items it hasn’t been possible to promote all of them in this way, so here’s a very brief roundup of what you might have missed.

Has it ever occurred to you that the Playground is like a jungle?  This is just one of the many picture books that the collection includes.  Among the newcomers there are many prize-winning titles from Germany such as Gute Nacht, Gorilla or Krikelkrakels: das bewegte Buch as well as some old and gold favourites such as Mama Muh.

Zac Power and the Rainbow Fairies are both very popular with beginning readers; as is Der kleine Drache Kokusnuss.  You can find them in the junior fiction section.

The collection has non-fiction for all years: Geschichte eines Bauernhofs and Geschichte eines Hafens as well as Leben am Nil take you visually through farmyards, harbours or down the Nile across different historical eras with lots of information in the pictures.

Hello to our readers, just a reminder about the competition. Its still on and we're still taking your book recommendations, you can enter more than once!
Stay tuned for next weeks update :) Gwendoline and Zinnia


LibraryNews[image]. Retrieved from: http://mukileto.publishpath.com/Websites/mukileto/images/Events-art/LibraryNews.jpg

Student Favorites- Your Opinion

Do you want to see your favourite book on the library blog?    Let us know the name of the book, why you started reading it and who you would recommend it to.  Hand it in to or give it to Frau Burkart by word of mouth and she who will pass it on to us so that we can put it on the website.  If you don't feel comfortable having your name on the post you can submit it anonymously and pick a fake name.  We can't wait to see what you all come up with! Zinnia and Gwendoline ☺

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Reading Recommendation: Embers - Sándor Márai

“Candles burn to the end”, was the original title that was lost in translation. This would have been better suiting, because it emphasizes the novels message, how the strongest emotions last a lifetime. Set during and after the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

This novel written by a Hungarian depicts the scene of two lifelong friends who meet again, after 41 years of being apart, for the last time. Something happened all those years ago that drove them apart. It illustrates the struggles of betrayal and abandonment, of being old with bottled feelings from decades ago. Embers demonstrates the horrible feeling of understanding too late, but also accepting the past.

Sándor Márai has a way of describing everything in such a delicate and elegant manner, it’s safe to say that he truly is an artist. There are quite a few monologues; however they aren’t boring in the slightest. In fact they reveal the most intimate thoughts of the characters and slowly bit for bit reveal the mystery of what happened so long ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel; it changed me, by saying this I mean certain views I had changed. I would recommend it to anyone who seeks a new perspective, or anyone looking for an absolute page turner. 

Check in next week for more :) Zinnia and Gwendoline. 

embers [image]. Retrieved from

http://www.mrbsemporium.com/index.php/books/9780141004310/embers

Student's Opinion: Spy Glass- Maria V. Snyder

Ryan, a year 11 student, was introduced to the series to which Spy Glass belongs when he was looking for new books and knew that he would enjoy it since he previously had read similar books.  As an avid reader he is always on the lookout for new material to read.  Maria V. Snyder, the author, tells a story of a girl who has lost her powers and observes them being used by others and embarks on a mission to get back what she previously had.  Each character has his or her own personality, which Ryan really enjoyed. In particular he related to Lief, who enjoys eating anything and everything, something Ryan also feels passionate about. Lief also has a skill for interpreting people’s emotions, which comes in handy in some situations.  The book can appeal to people with varied preferences as, according to Ryan, it has aspects of fantasy and adventure which are complemented by the problems and triumphs in the relationships of characters in the book.  Maria V. Snyder does a good job of conveying the emotions of the characters, especially in the scenes which revolve around characters’ feelings.  Ryan recommends it to everyone who enjoys fantasy novels, with a softer undertone and some emotion involved.  He warns that if you don’t have a good imagination, you may struggle to read the book.

 

Spy Glass (Glass #3) [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7970273-spy-glass

 

See you next Wednesday - Zinnia and Gwendoline

Student's Opinion: The Wind in the Wilows by Kenneth Graham

The Wind in the Willows

A year 6 student at our school, who would prefer to be called Dugong-101 (his absolute favourite animal), read “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Graham. He picked it up, because a friend recommended it and it looked inviting, it has been his favourite book since. Dugong-101 described the book in 3 words friendship, teamwork and adventure, all of these being real life issues that are relatable. All characters have their individual points of views and express them thoroughly throughout the book, which he enjoys. In particular Duging-101 relates to Mr Badger, who doesn’t like change and would rather settle down and create roots. Even though Dugong-101 finds that all characters are agreeable, he doesn’t identify with Mr Rat’s optimism. It took him 2 days to read, “It’s the sort of book you can read laying in bed”. It’s an easy read and he would definitely read it again, because it calms him and makes him happy.

 You can find this book in the Library :)

Tune back in next week for more fun posts yours truly, Zinnia and Gwendoline.

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http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/book/1~CS~CSP~3249/the-wind-in-the-willows.aspx