Mrs. McInnes – School Media Specialist Mrs. Forberg – Library Aide
1.) Type in the following website address (you may find and click on this link below) 2.) Scroll down and click on “Middle School Collection” 3.) Click on a specific database 4.) Enter school name and password School name: oakdale Password: objhs *Reminder – The World Book Encyclopedia is available through the VRC.*
The Internet is not always reliable. When using the Internet for research always consider the following: I. Authority Who is the author of the site? Does the author list his or her occupation, years of experience, or education? Is an address or email address given? II. URL What type of site is it?
III. Purpose How objective will it be?
IV. Currency Is it being updated to reflect current news and trends? What is the date of creation? Are the links up to date? V. Audience Who is this site written for? College students? Middle school students?
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg By Rodman Philbrick When his older brother gets conscripted into the Union Army, Homer runs away from his uncle, "the meanest man in the entire state of Maine." He sets out after Harold but has multiple misadventures along the way. He survives thanks to courage, luck, and his talent for telling lies when needed, since "old Truth ain't nearly as useful as a fib sometimes." Homer relates his own adventures in colorful language as he crosses paths with con men, rogues, and scoundrels of various types. The comic tone is reflected in character names, such as Stink and Smelt, the cold-blooded slave catchers, and the kind but shifty Professor Fleabottom. Things take a more somber tone when Homer sees the horrors of the battlefield up close. The final reunion of the brothers during the Battle of Gettysburg is bittersweet. Homer's escapades introduce some interesting features of the year 1863, including the Underground Railroad, a traveling medicine show, Civil War spies, and an early version of the hydrogen balloon. Homer runs into plenty of danger, but there's more comedy than suspense in most episodes. He also deals with some moral dilemmas as he tries to make sense of the wide world and find people and ideas to believe in. The engaging protagonist and mixture of humor and adventure make this a strong choice for fans of Sid Fleischman's tales. Grades 5-8 Charles and Emma: Darwin's Leap of Faith By Deborah Heiligman Beginning with Darwin's notorious chart listing reasons to wed and not to wed, Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Using the couple's letters, diaries, and notebooks as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives, friends, and critics, the author lets her subjects speak for themselves while rounding out the story of their relationship with information about their time and place. She shows how Darwin's love for his intelligent, steadfast, and deeply religious cousin was an important factor in his scientific work—pushing him to document his theory of natural selection for decades before publishing it with great trepidation. Just as the pair embodied a marriage of science and religion, this book weaves together the chronicle of the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. Published for young adults, this title will be equally interesting to adults drawn to revisit Darwin on his 200th birthday. Grades 8 and up