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Laptops: If your student is planning to return to RMS, and has not been using the district issued laptop, it’s time to dust it off, charge it up, power it on, and make sure your student remembers the password!
Battle of the Books News: Congratulations to The Fanfic Fruitcakes!!
Yesterday was another epic Battle of the Books--and proof of our students' adaptability, perseverance and sportsmanship! 13 teams of 73 students have been reading, meeting online, sharing books and practice questions, and cheering each other on since October. They have kept a steady course while the district middle school librarians tested out different ways to host the battle. ALL participants deserve accolades! Yesterday's competition was on track for a three-way tie when, in the last few minutes, The Fanfic Fruitcakes came in with the winning score! Congratulations to Anisha Balahara, Navya Bhandari, Sri Sahasra Kandula, Aditi Karthikeyan, Julia Pasca, and Carla Roberto, who will represent Redmond Middle School at the district-wide Battle, which will be held on May 12, 2021!
**Thank you to Lake Washington Schools Foundation for the grant that paid for multiple copies of all books used in the Battle of the Books 2020-21.
Do you need book suggestions for your student? Try these recommendations by fellow students:
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt: This book will appeal to more advanced readers and tells the story about Joseph, a thirteen-year old boy who is a father who has never met his daughter, Jupiter. He is placed in a foster family on a farm after he spends time in a juvenile facility for previous actions. Joseph meets Jack, 2 years younger than him and the narrator of the book, telling the tragic and heartbreaking story of a teen who wants to find his daughter at all costs. Along the way, Joseph and Jack find the true meaning of family and what it means to have each others backs, no matter what. This is a story that will break your heart, only to put it back together stronger than before. (Isabella Reed)
The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: This book is historical fiction, set in England during World War II, when the war was just starting. Ada, a 10-year old girl who lived in London during this time, was harshly treated by her mother, like beating Ada and never letting her out of the apartment, because she was embarrassed by Ada's clubfoot. Even when they were starting to evacuate kids from London because of the war and stay in a village where they would be safer with the residents, Ada's mother (or Mam) decided to send Jamie, Ada's little brother, but not Ada because Mam thought no one would ever want her. But Ada was discreetly learning how to walk behind Mam's back, and one day she decided to go with Jamie, without Mam's knowledge, to the train going to the village. There they met Susan, a much kinder guardian who taught Ada many things like reading and writing and she had a horse, whom Ada learned to ride. And most importantly, Susan taught Ada to accept who she is, and having a clubfoot should not stop her from doing anything. I think that this is a feel-good book, and the author makes it like you are in the story with her, you can feel Ada's frustration in one part and her happiness in the other. I definitely recommend this book! (Shriya Kapila)
I would highly recommend Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This historical fiction book is set in WWII Lithuania and tells a story we don't hear much about--how Lithuanians were treated by Stalin in WWII. Fifteen-year-old Lina and her ten-year old brother Jonas are one day taken from their home in Kaunas with their mother, but they have no idea where they are going. The story follows them through cramped carts, trying to find their father, and Lina using her drawings to inspire people and help find her father. They meet Andrius, a boy Lina's age who managed to avoid draft into the army, a librarian, a postman, and so many other people who come together and you come to love in the book. The story is incredibly sad, but it sheds a new light onto world war II. I would highly recommend this book but also give a disclaimer that many of the topics described in the book are hard to read. This book is great for people who are okay with a book that is sad but paints a picture and makes you feel for the character. (Uma Yaga)
In addition, Salt to the Sea, also by Ruta Sepetys, is the sequel to this book and also is amazing. This book takes on four perspectives--one of Joana, Lina's cousin, Florian, a German teen with a secret, Emilia, a Polish girl, and Alfred, a German sailor. The novel tells the untold story of the Wilhem Gustloff--a refugee boat that sunk, ten times deadlier than the Titanic. This story also sheds a different light on WWII and is also sad (though not as sad as Between Shades of Gray) and describes heavy topics. This book is great for people who are okay with a book that is sad but paints a picture and makes you feel for the character. (Uma Yaga)
Did you know that the RMS library has a WISH LIST!? If you would like to send a book to the RMS library, we will put a label in the front thanking your family or your student. Check it out! Amazon link
RMS library books are available through Curbside Checkout every weekday and on SORA. Both collections have many new and old favorites. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Elizabeth Metcalf, RMS Teacher-Librarian
emetcalf@lwsd.org
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Redmond Middle School
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