Dear Students & Families,

It's hard to believe Memorial Day weekend is over and the countdown to summer has really begun! This issue includes an invitation to attend the second Readers' Roundtable. We had a terrific time at the first one, and we all walked away with new book recommendations. There are also two book recommendations. Finally, there is an activity to make your own soap. Enjoy!

Take Care,

Mrs. Amanda Tagmire

We had such a great time at last week's Readers' Roundtable, we're doing it again! Our next date is Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM.

Readers' Roundtable is an online chat (via Zoom) where you can share what you are reading. All HTHS & RMS students and faculty are welcome! Only people who reply to the RSVP below will be sent the Zoom code.

NOTE: I must be able to identify you by your name in order to admit you to the group. Make sure it is clear.

Graphic Novel

Grades 5 and up

The Invisible War is a graphic novel that tells the story of two wars. Set during World War I (France, 1916) it is the story of a battlefield nurse named Sister Annie Barnaby. Her duties include treating wounded soldiers, assisting with surgeries, and other gruesome tasks. One day, while treating a violently ill soldier, she realizes he has dysentery. This is a deadly intestinal virus, which is also highly contagious. The book then delves into the second war--the war inside of Annie's gut when she catches dysentery. The characters switch from human soldiers and nurses to microbes and bacteria. Will Annie survive her personal war?

The book is interesting, but students looking for a war story will be disappointed. The fictionalized account of the medical stations are not well-developed nor include many details. There is an appendix at the end that includes photographs and summaries. The creators of the book appeared to have a much stronger interest in the scientific portion of the story. Scientifically-minded students may find this book appealing.

Adult Memoir

Grades 11 and up

Fans of Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle will devour this memoir. Educated is Tara Westover's life story as the child of survivalists from rural Idaho. One of several children, Tara's parents do not believe in contributing to traditional society. Tara and her family do not use doctors, medications or attend school. She was seventeen before she entered a traditional classroom for the first time. Therefore, there was no one to help her when her brother turned dangerously violent, harming not only Tara but others around her. Despite these difficulties, Tara broke away from her family and attended Harvard University and Cambridge University. Yet she could not help asking the book's central question: once you leave home, can you ever truly return?

This hugely popular book will appeal to older students who are willing to engage in longer texts. The story moves quickly, but does contain a lot of graphic and sad scenes that may be difficult for younger readers. Students who have asked for books similar to The Glass Castle can be assured this is an excellent book to try.

You probably have most of the required materials at home, with the exception of pure glycerine soap. Plan ahead! You will need to order it from Amazon or a craft store. I found this project at PBS Kids. While this project is not difficult, you should NOT do this activity unless there is an adult at home. Some of the materials get very hot and could be hazardous to pets if left out.

Materials

• Plastic soap molds or plastic cups

• Vegetable cooking spray or petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
• Pure glycerin soap (sold in blocks or cubes at craft stores/Amazon)

• Microwave-safe measuring cup

• Red, yellow, and blue soap dyes (found at craft stores)

• Small plastic animals or trinkets (optional)
  

• A chopstick or popsicle stick

Steps

1. Spray the interior of the plastic molds with a small amount of cooking spray. Make sure to cover all areas. If you use too much spray, wipe away the excess with a paper towel. Likewise, if you are using petroleum jelly (Vaseline), use just enough to lightly cover the mold.

2. Melt smaller amounts of glycerine soap; you can always add more. Place cubes of soap in the measuring cup. Put the cup in the microwave and set to high for 30 seconds. If some solid soap still remains, microwave in 10-second intervals until it is melted, but not boiling.

3. Remove the melted soap from the microwave. Be careful. This will be HOT.

4. Add a drop or two of the liquid soap dye to the melted soap. (Too much dye will make your soap dark). Mix colors to get the desired shade. Stir the dye into the soap using a chopstick or popsicle stick.

5. Carefully pour the hot soap into the molds about a third of the way to the top. Let the soap cool for about 20 minutes, then place a plastic animal or trinket on top of the hardened soap (optional).

6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to melt and color the remaining soap. Pour a second layer of soap into the mold, covering the plastic animal or trinket. Let it cool and harden for at least 2 hours. Once it’s cool, turn the mold upside down and pop the soap out. Use hot water to clean the molds.

7. Optional: If you would like a layered, rainbow look, pour small amounts into the molds and let them harden before adding another color layer. You can also add fragrance to the soaps with a drop or two of essential oils, or natural elements like poppy seeds or citrus peels.

The Paul F. Gilligan III Media Center is the Library Media Center for both Haddon Township High School and Rohrer Middle School. We are located in Westmont, NJ. We service students from grades 6-12.

Email: atagmire@htsd.us
Website: www.haddontwpschools.com
Location: 406 Memorial Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 856-869-7750
Twitter: @HaddonTwpLMC