Go to Surrey Teens Read to cast your vote.
Vote: Surrey Teens Read
Month: April 2021
Ali the Conscientious Objector
On this date in 1967, Muhammed Ali was arrested for refusing his conscription into the US military for the Vietnam War. Ali was the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, and arguably the most famous athlete in the world, perhaps of all time. Yet later that day he was stripped of his titles and effectively banned from boxing for more than 3 years, at the height of his athletic prowess.
Ali was already a powerful symbol for African-American Civil Rights. His decision to be a conscientious objector, refusing to be drafted for the Vietnam War, elevated his status in the US and around the world as a counter-cultural icon. He stated, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” (source) Ali would eventually box again, regaining his championship belts, but it is his status as a champion of peace and of human rights that make him a true hero.
Find out more:
Muhammad Ali and Vietnam- The Atlantic
Why Ali Refused to Fight in the War- Washington Post
Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction- History.com
New Non-Fiction
Chernobyl Disaster
On this date 35 years ago, in what is now the Ukraine, what was then part of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl Disaster began. This was the world’s worst nuclear power plan accident, resulting in incredible environmental destruction, hundreds of lives lost in the immediate disaster, and untold thousands of humans deaths as long term consequences unfolded over the years.
Find out more:
International Atomic Energy Agency
Chernobyl: National Geographic
United Nations Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance
Is nuclear power a feasible alternative to fossil fuels? The contribution of the burning of fossil fuels to the crisis of climate change must be accounted for, but are the risks associated with nuclear power too great? Check out the websites and books listed above, and then look for more resources to dig deeper to find out where scientists stand on these issues. Get informed and be a positive part of the decisions that will affect our future.
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. There are many ways to celebrate and observe this important day. Perhaps you can check out some of these books we have the look at Planet Earth. Find out more about our life on this planet, including ecosystems, climate change, and threats to our environment on this, our only home in the universe.
Earth Day
April 22 is Earth Day.
Although it is pretty insignificant in relation to the entire universe, less than a grain of sand in the ocean of space, the Earth is pretty important to us– it is the only home we have. All human beings should celebrate the Earth, and protect it.
Celebrate Earth Day tomorrow and every April 22. And celebrate life on Earth every day. Earth is the only planet we’ve got.
Find out more:
School Library FAQ 5
School Library FAQ 5: “Can I borrow Audiobooks?”
Click on “Leave a Comment” below to share your answer. Check back for a future School Library FAQ to see our answer. We will also have a new question or two for you.
In School Library FAQ 4 we asked, “Can I borrow magazines?”
Yes, you can borrow magazines from the school library. We have many magazines to choose from, including many for which we have a regular subscription.
Our most current magazines are on display on the periodical shelves, near the Zen Den. If you flip the display shelves up, you will see back issues that are also available for loan.
Click here to see a list of some of the magazines that we regularly subscribe to.
In addition, there are many online editions of magazines available through our district sponsored resources. Find out more about online access to magazines by clicking here.
Use the site menu or click here to go to our site FAQ page to see other Frequently Asked Questions.
Vote: Surrey Teens Read
Voting is open. Go to Surrey Teens Read to vote for your favourite amongst the ten nominated titles.
Vaisakhi
Sikhs in Canada and around the world celebrate Vaisakhi. Since 1699 Vaisakhi has been a central Holy Day for Sikhs, who celebrate the establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the “Ten Gurus” of Sikhism.
The majority of Canadians who trace family connections to India are part of the Sikh faith, although Hinduism is the majority religion of India. Hindus in Canada and around the world also celebrate Vaisakhi. Also rendered Baisakhi, the holiday has long been observed by Hindus as the celebration of the solar New Year, and a harvest festival, for the people of the Punjab and other regions of north-west India. In fact Indians and people of Indian heritage from many faiths, including Muslims, Christians and even non-religious people, as well as Sikhs and Hindus, celebrate Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi is generally celebrated on April 13 or 14, although some sources also suggest April 15 for 2021. Vaisakhi Parades in Canada are traditionally held on the nearest Saturday.
Vaisakhi parades and other gatherings and festivals have long been a highlight of the year for the Sikh communities of Surrey, Vancouver and other parts of Canada. Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of Vaisakhi parades in 2021.
For more on Vaisakhi:
Ramadan Kareem
The Islamic month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer and other acts for devotion for Muslims. Ramadan Mubarak!
Find out more about Ramadan:
April is Poetry Month
Enjoy poetry in all its forms. Read poetry. Listen to poetry. Write poetry. Speak poetry. Sing poetry. April is a chance to celebrate what we should be doing all year, enjoying poetry.
Come down to the School Library to check out our display for Poetry Month, including poetry collections, anthologies, books about poets, memoirs in verse, novels in verse, and more.
Surrey Teens Read
Voting for the Surrey Teens Read 2021 “Book of the Year” opens soon. Check out one or more of the nominated titles while you still have time to get in on the vote.
Check out our display of all 10 nominated titles. Find out more online at surreyteensread.weebly.com
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 
