Learning to Fly by Paul Yee

 I've just finished my third Orca novel-Learning to Fly- Overall, I thought this story was fairly good. At the beginning we meet a Chinese immigrant by the name of  Jie-xin, Canadian name, Jason. He has recently moved to the town of Milson with his mother and his younger brother Josh. Jason's mom runs a deli in the mall, and Jason works there for free as the family doesn't have much money. Despite what his mom promised him, there are no other Chinese people in Milson, and Jason faces racism and loneliness on a daily basis. How does he decide to cope with all these issues? He smokes pot, which he purchases from "The Man", and he doesn't smoke alone. He has a few pothead friends that smoke with him- Chief (named because of his First Nations background), Pinhead, Danny, and Danny's girlfriend Shawna.
With everything going on, Jason is desperate to move back to China, but his mother wants them to make a life in Milson. One day, Chief asks Jason to pick up some "stuff" for the group, and things go from bad to worse.
I like how this book explores the immigrant experience, and how Jason and Chief connect over their shared isolation and experiences with racism. I think it's worth reading especially if you are a Chinese immigrant or of First Nations descent. My only criticism would be that I would have liked to learn a little more about the backgrounds of all the different characters.

Final Thoughts: I hope this book will make everyone take a moment and think about what you're doing to make our immigrant students feel welcome, and how much of an effort you make with students who may feel like they don't fit in. Please take the time to get to know these students! They're probably a lot more like you than you think, and kindness and compassion don't cost a thing!

Research (Essays, Projects)

Hello Spartans!

If you require help with research for a paper or project come see me in the library. I can help you to proofread your essay, and/or help you with in-text citations and citing your sources for your reference or works cited page. (APA and MLA).
In addition, you may email me at jennifer.lane@rbe.sk.ca and I will get back to you asap!!

Overdrive!

Hello all,

As I'm sure many of you are aware, Sheldon has recently acquired the new Overdrive program for e-book reading. What this means to you is, if you download the Overdrive app, either from the App Store, or the Playstore, you will be able to read new books right off of your tablet or mobile device. There are lots of great new books to choose from, and you also have access to Project Gutenberg, which will allow you to read classic literature, lots of Shakespeare,and much more! Come see Ms. Lane for more information on how to download Overdrive onto your device, or read the instructions below.

Overdrive/ebooks Steps to Sign Up

*You will need to know your student ID

*You will need your smartphone, iPad or tablet

**bring iPads if some students do not have a device

*MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE RPS GUEST NETWORK- AGREE TO THE TERMS

*YOU NEED TO GET AN ADOBE ID. IT’S FREE, AND YOU CAN USE YOUR IGO NAME AND PASSWORD. (Go to adobe.com>Get Started>Don’t have an Adobe ID>Create an Adobe ID>/Create).

1. Go to App store or Playstore

2. Download the Overdrive Media Console app (library) It’s a blue background with a white O.

3. Open Overdrive

4. Swipe

-THREE HASHES AT THE TOP

5. Add a library

6. In search box type in Regina

7. search

8. Choose Sheldon-Williams

-Choose Regina Public Schools

9. Tap to add a book

10. Enter your library card number which is your student ID.

*You can sign out up to 3 books at at time.

* You keep your book for 21 days

*It’s more convenient to download your books rather than read them in your browser, because you can read them off line.

?- HELPS YOU WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT HOW TO USE OVERDRIVE.

LITTLE PERSON- WILL GET YOU TO PROJECT GUTENBERG. THESE BOOKS DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR 3 BOOK MINIMUM, AND YOU CAN HAVE AS MANY AS YOU WANT FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT.

Edge of Flight by Kate Jaimet

     Meet Vanisha. She's in grade twelve and she's not sure what she wants to do with her life. Her mom is a professor, and she wants Vanisha to go to university. However, Vanisha's not sure university is for her. Things aren't all bad though, despite the fact they've moved again, to Utah this time, Vanisha has made some new friends, Jeb and Rusty, and they've taught her all about rock climbing. Jeb is a football player and a bit crazy; his goals for the future are to, "Sign up for high-def TV...and watch lots of sports." Rusty, on the other hand, is more thoughtful, and strategic. He plans to be an ambulance attendant, and has already been accepted in a program.
     As the story begins, Vanisha has decided that today will be the day she finally climbs Edge of Flight, a difficult climb that requires committment, and tenacity. Unfortunately, it's raining, so the three climbers decide to look for a safer route which leads them to what they least expect- a marijuana field. Now, danger is not only  climbing the mountain, but coming into contact with the biker gang who owns the field and will kill anyone who gets in their way. Vanisha and Rusty are smart enough to walk away, but Jeb, being the risk taker, insists on a further exploration of the field. Before he knows it, Jeb is shot, and it's up to Rusty to keep him alive, while Vanisha risks her life to save them all.
     I thought I wouldn't like this book because I'm not very interested in rock climbing, but on the contrary, I found myself becoming quite interested in learning how climbs actually work, and all the equipment, and the strategy that goes into each climb.  There are several rock climbing terms that are mentioned, but thanks to the handy dandy glossary at the back, you won't have any trouble understanding all this lingo. From the interesting twist, to the beautiful descriptions of the Ozark mountains, and the actual climbs, I feel Edge of Flight is worth reading.
     Will Jeb survive? Will the biker gang find Jeb and Rusty before Vanisha can hike back to town? Will Vanisha make a decision about her life, or die before she has the chance? These are the questions you will ask yourself as you read Edge of Flight!
Final Thoughts: Maybe I will try rock climbing....someday.  :)

Crash by Lesley Choyce

     Cameron is having a bad day . He wakes up to hear his mom and dad are splitting up, and his dad is moving to a new town. Now, Cameron is expected to move in with his mom's new boyfriend Nick. Cameron doesn't like Nick, and he knows his mom doesn't really want him to live with her.  He thinks, "She would have her little love nest with Nick, and I'd be out of the way." So, Cameron refuses to leave home. He decides to stay with his dog Ozzie, but life becomes too difficult. He can't afford food or the rent, so he is forced to live on the streets. Luckily, he meets a street girl called Mackenzie, she's not too willing to talk about herself, but she is willing to show him "the ropes" on the streets, and as Cameron learns about street life, so do we.
     Street life is dangerous, scary, and desperate. People don't really "see" you, and panhandling for money is degrading and humiliating. It's no longer the simple question of asking mom, "What's for supper?" Now, you not only have to figure out what you're going to eat, but how far you're willing to go to get it. In addition, you have to decide where you're going to sleep at night, and each choice, possibly an alley, an abandoned building, or a shelter, carries its own risks. As a young person on the street, you are vulnerable and exposed. You are no longer seen as a human being, but as a problem or, at the very least, an annoyance.
     I think you will enjoy getting to know Cameron and Mackenzie as they try to survive together on the street, and you may wonder: Is school even possible when they don't know where their next meal is coming from? Will they be able to stay together? How do you take care of a dog when you're homeless? Will Cameron make up with his mom, and what is the real reason the mysterious, and secretive Mackenzie is living on the street?
     Final Thoughts:  I think Crash will make you think. Think more about how you treat the homeless people in your city, and what you can do to help.

Orca Books

Hello all,

I wanted to let everyone know that I have started on a personal/professional challenge for myself. I want to read all the Orca books in our library at Sheldon-Williams, and give them a small review. Orca books are high-interest low vocabulary books written for reluctant readers. I have already started by completing two Orca books: Crash by Lesley Choyce and Edge of Flight by Kate Jaimet. I will post my mini reviews as I finish the books.

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

And the Mountains Echoed Book Trailer- Mia

The Book Thief | Trailer US (2013)

Allegiant Movie Trailer