Library Newsletter 4: Winter 2016
New Titles Welcome to the winter 2016 edition of the library’s newsletter.
Fiction
This edition gives an overview of some library activities since September, highlights some new arrivals in stock, gives news on our pupil book group, and provides advance information on a poet visit for Year 8 in the New Year. I’ve also given you some suggestions for new books if you’re a Guinness World Records fan, as well as a selection of books that should please anybody who finds them under the tree on Christmas day. Finally, we finish with a few quick library statistics for the year so far, and some book-ish dates for your calendar. Have a lovely break over Christmas, and a very happy and peaceful New Year. Miss Skipper.
Non-Fiction and Biography
Book Group Following a disappointing turn out at the start of the year, Book Group will re-launch in the New Year, with the Excelsior Book Awards.
The Excelsior Book Award has run since 2011, and is the only award that deals exclusively with graphic novels and manga where 11-16 year olds choose the winner. Book group will meet on week 2 Monday lunch times. Bring a packed lunch with you, and join the discussion!
Excelsior Award Shortlist Captain America: White
Yona of the Dawn, Volume 1
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet
Audubon: On the Wings of the World
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Mizuho Kusanagi
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze
Fabien Grolleau and Jeremie Royer
Clear Blue Tomorows
Shuriken and Pleats, Volume 1
Superman: Lois and Clark
We Are Robin: The Vigilante Business
Ralph Meyer, Bruno Gazzotti and Fabien Vehlmann
Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks
Matsuri Hino
Lee Bermejo and Jorge Corona
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University of Ulster Visit
Scholastic Book Fair
The library was very pleased to welcome a group of post-graduate Library and Information Studies students and their course tutor, Dr Jessica Bates, from the University of Ulster on the 20th October. This was a great opportunity to discuss the common work that professional librarians do across all sectors, but also to highlight the opportunities and enjoyment that comes from working as a school librarian.
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair has just left, and I am very pleased to report that we took just over £600 in the two weeks that it ran. This has resulted in £300 of commission for the library, which will be used to replace and refresh the junior fiction section over the next year. As the fair was also open during the Christmas Charity Fair and Continental Markets, it is intended to once again use a portion of the £300 in commission the library raised to make a donation of books to the Clark Clinic. Thank you to everyone who supported the book fair this year.
Winter Reading The Snow Spider - Jenny Nimmo
A World of Information - Richard Platt
A Boy Called Christmas - Matt Haig
This is the first in a classic trilogy, first published in 1986 - but still as good today.
This gorgeous non-fiction hardback contains a wealth of information on a range of topics – from knots to the layout of an orchestra.
This is a modern day Christmas classic from Matt Haig, beautifully illustrated by Chris Mould.
Inspired by Welsh mythology, The Snow Spider tells the story of Gwyn, who discovers he has magical abilities after his grandmother gives him five mysterious gifts for his ninth birthday. Armed with this new-found skill, he sets out to try and find his sister, Bethan, who has been missing since she set out to rescue a lost lamb four years previously.
Each section is beautifully illustrated by James Brown, and is crammed full of facts and trivia related to the subject. This is a fantastic book, which can be enjoyed by all ages time and time again, although younger readers may benefit from reading it together with an adult. This book is guaranteed to spark the imagination and stimulate discussion!
This is the story of Nikolas, a boy who, along with his father, lives a life of hardship. After being left in the care of his mean Aunt Carlotta while his father embarks on a mission to make some money, Nikolas decides to try and follow him. But has he a higher destiny?! A magical tale of elves, reindeer…and Father Christmas himself.
Will Gwyn succeed?
Irelandopedia - Fatti and John Burke
Peter Pan - JM Barrie/MinaLima
Written by retired teacher John Burke, and illustrated by his daughter Fatti, this is a fun and fascinating county by county guide to the island of Ireland. Did you know, for example, that there are 29 bridges in Cork city? Or that a first edition of Gulliver’s Travels can be seen in Armagh city library?
MinaLima are a design studio, possibly best known for their work on the Harry Potter films. However, they have also produced a number of lavishly illustrated books, and this version of JM Barrie’s classic is no exception.
Each county is afforded a double page spread which gives a basic map, filled with small snippets of information and illustrations of landmarks, people, food and nature that can be found in each.
This beautiful book is packed with interactive elements, such as maps, pop-ups and cut-outs, which really enhance the text, and make reading this book a real experience that any book lover would enjoy.
A Poem for Every Night of the Year – Allie Esiri This is a lovely collection of poems, chosen to reflect the changing year. Each poem has a small introductory paragraph that gives a piece of information about the date, or about the poem or poet, and each poem has been selected to tie in with the date on which they appear. This is a varied introduction to a range of poets writing on an assortment of themes, and would be a welcome addition to any shelf.
Other books in this series are The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast.
Books Like… If you like the Guinness World Book of Records, you may also like the following:
Upcoming Poet Visit
Paul Cookson We are very excited to have Paul Cookson visit the college on Thursday 26th January 2017. Paul is a renowned poet and author of a number of poetry books and anthologies.
CCB Library in Numbers
Total loans so far this year: 1359
Year group with the most loans: Year 8 (364 items)
House with the most loans: School House (237 items)
Top 5 titles 1. Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things) by Liz Pichon 9 loans 2. Demon Dentist by David Walliams 7 loans 3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney 7 loans 4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 7 loans 5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling 8 loans
Librarian: Cath Skipper Campbell College Library Belmont Road Belfast BT4 2ND Tweet: @ccb_library
Paul will visit both the Junior School and Senior School as part of his visit, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming him. A selection of his books will be available for sale on the day.