Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 4

Patterson, James and NaRae Lee. Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 4. 2011. 240p. ISBN 9780759529700. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The stability that the flock has gained since Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 3 as they've been living with Anne has been helpful. They've been eating regularly, getting exercise, and even learning at school. But Max is antsy. She feels like it's time to go and not stick around too much longer. Erasers know they're here, and Iggy and Gassy keep bringing explosives to school, getting themselves in trouble. Plus, they're still trying to find more information about their parents, and Nudge comes up with a possibility to break the code. Unfortunately that doesn't pan out, and they're back to square one.

Hunting through the school, they discover that it has only be recently converted into a school, and it seems set up to trick them into a sense of normalcy. Another confrontation with  Ari forces Max's hand, and she tells the flock they have to move. But all of them want to stay, so they can enjoy their first Thanksgiving. A report on television reveal Iggy's parents, who reported he was kidnapped 14 years ago. Iggy is finally reunited with them, only to find out his parents see him as their ticket to wealth.

When the school turns out to be part of the experiment for Max and the rest of the flock, she's not surprised, but when Jeb informs her that Anne is the lead on the project, Max feels betrayed. Fleeing, the flock heads towards Florida, but Max is captured, and a copy replaces her, leading the flock into another trap ...

The story continues in Maximum Ride, the Manga, Vol. 5.

Impossible Creatures

Rundell, Katherine. Impossible Creatures. Book 1 of the Impossible Creatures series. 2024. 368p. ISBN 9780593809860.

Christopher loves to visit his grandfather, on the edge of the world, but he's often been warned not to wander by the lake. Disobeying his grandfather's wishes, Christopher visits the lake, only to find a magical creature struggling in the water. Jumping in, Christopher rescues a baby griffin, something that occurs only in fantasy. Yet the baby is here. Christopher is interrupted by a scrapping young girl who has been nursing the griffin and has been on the run since a murderer killed her grandmother. Introducing herself as Mal, the girl tells Christopher that the griffin comes from the Archipelagoes, a world of islands off the coast where magic still exists. But the magical tree that sustains it all is dying for an unknown reason.

Pursued by the murderer, Christopher and Mal embark on a dangerous adventure to discover what is ailing the tree and rescue the magical creatures that dwell in the Archipelagoes from certain death. Making friends along the way, the two children sail from one island to the next, piercing the mystery of the Immortal and the invader that has attacked the tree. Filled with challenges, Christopher and Mal must outsmart their opponents and save magic so that a world that desperately needs it can survive!

Fans of amazingly well written fantasy books like The Golden Compass or The Hobbit will thoroughly enjoy the world building and the memorable characters of Impossible Creatures. Christopher and Mal are both realistic, with relatable emotions and conversations at appropriate developmental levels. The story is engaging, and the magic does not overwhelm the challenges faced by the characters. If you love fantasy, you will love this book!

Running the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behavior

Bennett, Tom. Running the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behavior. 2020. 346p. ISBN 9781913622145.

Running the Room examines the crucial role positive classroom behavior plays in fostering successful learning environments. Effective behavior management is not about punishment, but rather about teaching and cultivating essential social and emotional skills in students. It highlights the importance of creating a calm and respectful classroom where all students feel valued and supported. Recognizing that every child comes to the classroom with unique experiences and needs, teachers must devise a tailored approach to behavior management.

Running the Room provides teachers with practical, evidence-based strategies and techniques for creating a positive classroom culture. Drawing on the expertise of educators worldwide, it offers valuable insights and guidance on building strong relationships with students, establishing clear expectations, and implementing effective classroom routines. By emphasizing the importance of viewing behavior as a curriculum, the book empowers teachers to create a learning environment where both students and teachers can thrive.

Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant. 2005. 192p. ISBN 9781591164456. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Ichigo's encounter with Ishida, in Bleach, Vol. 4 revealed that Soul Reapers were not the only ones who were out there hunting Hollows. Quincies, enemies of the Soul Reapers, also seek to fight Hollows, but unlike Soul Reapers, who hope to release the tortured soul for a peaceful eternity, Quincies aim to destroy those souls as corrupted and irrecuperable, and they don't care what the collateral damage is.

Ishida challenges Ichigo to a contest. He summons a horde of Hollows by spreading bait all over the city, and the one who defeats the most wins the contest. Ichigo finds he has no choice but to participate in this madness, since his friends and family are now likely to become victims of these Hollows.

Meanwhile, both Orihime and Chad have their own experiences with Hollows. Orihime can see them and tries to protect her friends. Chad cannot see them, but he develops a massive weapon on his right arm, which he puts to effective use with guidance from Ichigo's little sister against a Hollow determined to kill her friends....

The story continues in Bleach, Vol 6. 

Orphaned Worlds

Cobley, Michael. Orphaned Worlds. Book 2 of the Humanity's Fire series. 2010. 480p. ISBN 9781841496337. 

The deployment of Brolturan troops on Darien in Seeds of Earth was followed by a stiffening resistance as the humans on the planet sought to defend their home against a ruthless invader. Greg Cameron finds himself the unlikely leader of the resistance defending against mech attacks and assaults from Brotulran troops. A Knight of the Legion of Avatars, an ancient sentient race that long ago merged with machines to transcend the bounds of flesh, reaches Darian and diverts control of a Sendrukan mech factory for its own nefarious purposes. Ambassador Robert Horst, who traveled through hyperspace to meet with the Construct and then on to request the Godhead's help, seeks to transport the Zyradin, an ancient ally of the Forerunners, back to Darien to shore up the defenses of the forest entity that protects the planet and its moon.

When religious fanatics destroy the Brotulran's flagship and land troops on Darien and its moon, the human warship is forced to withdraw. Meanwhile, a group of humans known as the Enhanced have been captured by another human, who serves the Spiral but has devious plans of her own in place. As AI takes control of the Brolturan positions and battle strategy, the Sendrukan ambassador is isolated in a shifting political situation. With forces gathering on Darien, the Legion's ancient evil seeks to escape from its prison deep in hyperspace. Will Catriona's transformation into Guardian thanks to the Zyradin help shift the balance of power?

Helium

Gardner, Jane P. Helium. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238417.

Helium, a lightweight, inert noble gas, is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties as the second lightest element after hydrogen. Its low density, high thermal conductivity, and non-reactive nature make it ideal for a variety of applications.

In the field of medicine, helium is used in a technique called helium-oxygen therapy. This therapy involves breathing a mixture of helium and oxygen, which can improve lung function and reduce breathing difficulties in patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Helium's low density allows it to flow more easily through constricted airways, making it easier for patients to breathe.

Helium is also essential in many technological applications. Its low reactivity and high thermal conductivity make it an excellent coolant for superconducting magnets used in MRI machines and particle accelerators. Additionally, helium is used in leak detection, welding, and as a carrier gas in gas chromatography. In the aerospace industry, helium is used to pressurize and purge fuel tanks in rockets. Its low density and non-flammable nature make it a safe and efficient choice for this application.

Despite the fact that it continuously escapes into the atmosphere, helium remains one of the most important chemicals in our daily life!

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Part 1: Phantom Blood, Vol 2

Akari, Hirohiko. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Part 1: Phantom Blood, Vol 2. 2015. 319p. ISBN 9781421578804. In the graphic novels section of the library.

At the end of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 1: Phantom Blood, Vol 1, Dio attempted to escape capture by putting on the stone mask, but he was shot several times after jumping through the window and falling to the ground. Presuming him to be dead, one of the police officers reveals he knew of Jonathan's father forgiving Dio's father for stealing his dead wife's ring, and adopting Dio to give him a chance.

But Dio is not dead, and as he raises, his wounds already healing, police officers fire their weapons, but are unable to stop Dio. An epic battle ensues, and Jonathan's incredible efforts and stamina thwart Dio's plans. Despite suffering multiple wounds, JoJo relentlessly pursues Dio through the Joestar manor, and he elaborates a trap that is ultimately successful in catching Dio and killing him.

With the manor in smoldering ruins, Speedwagon and his men take Jonathan to the hospital. Despite his wounds, Jonathan has survived the encounter with Dio, and he is reunited with his childhood love, who nurses him back to health. Under the manor, however, Dio has survived, and when someone comes to retrieve the stone mask, Dio emerges from the ruins and turns him into a zombie. Now a powerful vampire, Dio sets forth to accumulate loyal servants, acquiring Jack the Ripper as his first follower.

Having recuperated from his wounds, Jonathan meets Zippeli, a strange man who has mastered the art of breathing, allowing him to focus strength on specific points. Zippeli volunteers to train Jonathan, because he feels responsible for the stone mask ending up in Dio's hand. Jonathan is a fast learner, and he soon masters most of the techniques Zippeli showed him. On their way to a small town where Dio is rumored to be hiding, they are first confronted by Jack the Ripper, then by Dio himself, who's even more powerful than before!