Check out some of our Graphic Nonfiction titles on display this month.
Graphic Nonfiction
Month: January 2021
Documenting the Holocaust
The Holocaust is one of the most well documented events in history. Yet despite this, there are some who seek to distort or deny the facts of this terrible blight on human history. We must continue to fight against the evil that the Holocaust represents. To do so we must fight against lies, distortions and ignorance to ensure that the facts are preserved, as horrifying as the facts are, so that future generations know what happened, and what must never happen again.
#ProtectTheFacts is just one of many organizations dedicated to preserving the historical facts of the Holocaust, and fighting against the evil that is Holocaust denial or distortion. See more in the links below.
Come to the school library to find out more about the Holocaust. Check out some of the following resources:
Find out more:
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
United Nations Outreach Programme on the Holocaust
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Yad Veshem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
In 2005 the United Nations designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The term “Holocaust” refers to the period in history in which the Nazi regime of Germany murdered over 6 million Jews, as well as millions of other victims, including Roma, homosexuals, people with physical and mental disabilities, and more. The Nazi persecution of the Jews began in the early 1930’s and reached its most horrific and brutal peak during the period of 1941-1945, as the Nazis adopted as official policy the “Final Solution,” the attempt at completely annihilating the entire Jewish population.
The Holocaust is not the only example of genocide in human history. What makes the Holocaust stand out amongst the long and plentiful list of human atrocities and evil? Germany was amongst the most powerful nations of the world and a leader in science, technology, medicine and engineering. The German contributions to art, music, literature and philosophy put German culture at the heart of what we would call Western Civilization. And yet this supposedly civilized people turned their great achievements and progress towards planning and carrying out ruthless genocidal murder with scientific and economic efficiency.
source: wikimedia commons / public domain
The date of January 27 was chosen for this solemn observance as the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated on January 27, 1945.
source: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, License CC-BY-SA 3.0
For more on the Holocaust:
Hank Aaron
The world lost a true hero last week, as Henry “Hank” Aaron passed away at the age of 86. Hank Aaron was one of the greats of the sport of baseball, one of the best players ever to put on a major league uniform. More than that, he was a great human being. The legendary Muhammad Ali, in his day considered by many to be the world’s most famous, if not greatest, athlete, said of Aaron, that he was the “only man I idolize more than myself.” (Baseball Hall of Fame). In 1973 Aaron hit his 715th home run to pass the iconic Babe Ruth with the most ever. Aaron was under intense scrutiny as he approached the record, all the more because he was a black man who was about to break the record of a white hero, something that was unacceptable to the white supremacist ethos. Aaron faced intense racism, including death threats against him and his family. Remarkably, even in the face of such despicable conditions, he continued to perform on the field, crushing the all-time record, holding it for more than 30 years. For all who knew him personally, it was not surprising that off the field he continued to live a life of humility, dignity and integrity. Hank Aaron was an outspoken supporter of the Civil Rights movement, and spent his post-playing days working for many humanitarian and philanthropic causes.
Find out more about Hank Aaron:
School Library FAQ 2
In last week’s “School Library FAQ” we asked, “What is fiction? What is nonfiction?” Those are complex ideas and are most certainly “Frequently Asked Questions” that we have dealt with many times. Use the site menu or click here to go to our site FAQ page to see one answer that we came up with.
This week’s School Library FAQ: “How do I borrow a book? Where do I go and what do I need?”
Take some time to think about it. Click on “Leave a Comment” below to share your answer. Check back for a future School Library FAQ. We will also have a new question or two for you.
Wiener Dog
Because today is a good day to enjoy something awesome. Maybe you have seen it before or maybe today is the best day of your life.
source: Parry Gripp
Real News
There are many good resources available to help students learn more about how to find reliable sources of information. One of those is the BBC’s “Real News” which has materials that “aim to help secondary school students (11 to 18-year-olds) examine critically information they receive online through websites, social media, pictures and data and to develop skills and methods to help determine what is real.”
Go here to find out more: BBC Real News
Surrey Teens Read: Blood Water Paint
Come down to the School Library to have a look at Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough, and the other Surrey Teens Read selections for 2020-2021. You can also go online and borrow many of them as e-Books and/or Digital Audiobooks.
Click here to find out more about our e-Books and Digital Audiobooks
Click here to find out more about Surrey Teens Read
School Library FAQ
What is fiction? What is nonfiction? Even many Grade 12 students still have difficulty answering these questions. Give it some thought. Click on “Leave a Comment” (below) to share your answers. Check back for some of our answers in the next “School Library FAQ.”
We will also have a new question or two for you.
MLK Day
MLK Day is held on the 3rd Monday in January in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While this is a National Holiday in the United States, MLK Day is also significant to Canadians and other people around the world who recognize the role that Dr. King played in the cause of anti-racism and how his legacy continues to play a vital role in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the USA and around the world.
Check out our display of items on the life and times of Dr. King
Martin Luther King Jr.
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on this day in 1929.
Dr. King was the leading figure of the Civil Rights Movement, as African-Americans struggled for freedom and equality in the United States. Dr. King was a brilliant orator and an inspirational leader. Dr. King was committed to the principals to non-violence, in part based on the example of Gandhi in India. He believed that the only path towards a peaceful resolution of the plight of black people in the United States was through non-violence, civil disobedience, and peaceful protest.
For more on the life of Dr. King:
Black Shirt Day January 15
Show solidarity in the fight against racism. Help raise awareness for the ARC and other anti-racist efforts by wearing a black shirt to school tomorrow, Friday, January 15.
Find out more: Anti-Racism Coalition Vancouver
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 