Inuits

Harper, Judith R. Inuits. 2000. 32p. ISBN 978-188706874-1. Available at 973.04 HAR on the library shelves.

The Inuit people of Canada have struggled for thousands of years to eke out a living amid an unforgiving landscape. Yet, despite the elements, or maybe because of them, they have been able to create and sustain a distinct culture. Now, however, this culture is threatened both by modernity and by climate change.

This short book introduces the reader to the world of the Inuits, from the distant past to today. Their way of life is discussed, and the impact that colonization has had on them is explored. Finally, the world of today’s Inuits is presented.

With a glossary of terms, a further reading page, and an index, this book provides a good overview of the challenges still facing the Inuit in Canada and beyond.

Islam, Law, and Human Rights

Melman, Anna. Islam, Law, and Human Rights. Part of the World of Islam series. 2010. 64p. ISBN 978-1-422-1362-9. Available at 342.167 MEL on the library shelves.

Islam has been present in many of the political discussions over the last decade, and no aspect of this world religion is more debated in Western societies than Sharia law. In this volume, law and human rights are examined from Western standards, from Sharia, and from actual application in Muslim countries.

The greatest differences between Western and Sharia law systems appear in freedom of expression and in relations between men and women. Sharia law is considered the word of God, and is therefore perfect. It is subject to interpretation only by learned clerics, and there is no appeal. This becomes problematic when issues that did not exist during the prophet’s time are attempted to be abjudicated.

This book thus provides a good overview of this issue, and helps to explain how Muslim societies operate.

The Shield of Kuromori

Rohan, Jason. The Shield of Kuromori. Book 2 of The Sword of Kuromori series. 2016. 336p. ISBN 978-1610673563. Available at FIC ROH on the library shelves.

In the Sword of Kuromori, Kenny destroyed a dragon and acquired a unique sword. But Kiyomi, the girl he likes, died, so he fused her soul with that of an oni, a Japanese ogre, to bring her back. Kenny’s new adventure begin with him having to deal with the consequences of his action. Kiyomi is slowly turning into an ogre herself, eating raw meat and losing her temper. Now Kenny must bargain with deities to rescue her whole soul, and each deity wants something from him. Meanwhile, a new plot to take over the world is afoot as a silver oni leads a gang of other onis and steal large telescopes. 

It is once again up to Kenny, the foreigner, to save Japan from itself. Using his abilities to manipulate matter and energy, Kenny and Kiyomi encounter many mythological creatures on their way to confront their biggest enemy yet. With millions of people's lives at stake, Kenny will once again need ingenuity to thwart the conspirators.

Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence

Athans, Sandra K. and Robin W. Parente. Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence. 2015. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4777-77539-4. Available at 372.47 ATH on the library shelves.

How do you read a text? The Common Core has transformed reading, focusing more on supporting evidence with textual information than relating the text to one’s own experiences and emotions. But close reading a text require a different set of strategies than required for pleasure reading.

This book provides the reader with specific techniques and advice on how to successfully analyze text and cite evidence from both informational and literature texts. Two chapters of the Odyssey are examined, along with two informational texts on the possible existence of Atlantis. The authors demonstrate these techniques as they read through the texts, writing down ideas, concerns, and questions they still have. They provide examples of summaries that draw on specific evidence from the text as well as questions that allow the reader to check their understanding. These techniques better prepare the reader for school and career readiness.

This is a great way for readers to refresh their reading techniques as well as acquire new ones and examine how reflecting on their own reading skills can help them become better readers.

Other books in this series include:

• Tips & Tricks for Comparing and Contrasting Text
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Ideas, Events, and Individuals
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating an Argument and its Claims
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Structure and Evaluating Ideas
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence
• Tips & Tricks for Determining Point of View and Purpose
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating Multimedia Content
• Tips & Tricks for Summarizing Text

Fairest: Levana’s Story

Meyer, Marissa. Fairest: Levana’s Story. Book 3.5 of the Lunar Chronicles. 2015. 220p. ISBN 978-1-250-06055-6. Available at FIC MEY on the library shelves.

Levana was never supposed to be queen. As the second child of the royal family, her role was to always be a princess, in the background, ready to be married off to cement an alliance. At fifteen, the Lunar King and Queen are assassinated, and Levana’s sister, Channary, ascends to the throne. But Channary is more interested in being the most beautiful queen Luna has seen than by the political necessities of being a monarch. Levana gingerly steps in the role of advisor, wishing that it was she who made the decisions.

Smitten by one of her guard, she conducts an illicit affair with him once his wife dies, and she even adopts his daughter, the new princess Winter. But Evret is not interested in her, and she has to use her lunar gift to manipulate his mind and his emotions. She convinces herself that he loves her, and she forces a marriage on him. Queen Channary is not impressed, but she has her own issues to deal with now that she’s given birth to Princess Celine, who will succeed her. Levana’s hopes for the thrones all but vanish.

Channary, however, suddenly dies due to a particularly virulent disease, and Levana becomes Regent until Celine grows up to take her rightful place. Celine and Winter are best friends, and Evret loves them both. However, Levana’s dreams of being queen are threatened by Celine’s existence, and she comes up with the most dreadful plan to get rid of her. She will do to Celine what Channary did to her, burn her in the flames of a fire. But unlike Channary, who was stopped on time by attendants, Celine will die in this purifying fire and Levana will be forever queen.

This short novella exposes the Lunar Queen’s darkest secrets and explain her character and who she has become. Fans of Cinder, Scarlet and Cress will enjoy witnessing the life of the most terrifying queen Earth has ever seen, and will enjoy the connection to Meyer’s newest entry in the Lunar Chronicles, Winter.

Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 4

Arakawa, Hiromu. Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 4. 2002. 185p. ISBN 978-1-59116-929-1. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Edward Elric has fought many enemies and always triumphed. But faced with Lust and Envy, he finds himself unable to defeat them. Injured, bleeding, and broken, Edward senses that the end is near. However, both Lust and Envy let him live, telling him he plays an essential part in their overall plan. They destroy the secret laboratory and Alphonse barely manages to rescue Edward before the building’s collapse.

Once again hurt, Edward contacts Winry and asks her to come to Central to fix his gear. While she works, the Elric brothers return to their investigation, now aware of the vast conspiracy that surrounds the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone.

Meanwhile, Scar is rescued by Ishbalans who dwell in a refugee camp, and he is slowly nursed back to health.

When Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes makes a connection between the Ishbalans, the riots, and the Philosopher’s Stone, he suddenly places himself and the state alchemists in danger...

The story continues in Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 5.

The History of Rock

Rosen, Steven. The History of Rock. 2009. 32p. ISBN 978-0-7787-3823-7. Available at 781.66 ROS on the library shelves.

Rock and roll music evolved out of country music and blues music as the young adults who grew up at the end of the Second World War began to hunt for a sound all of their own. The mixing of these two types of music, combined with the use of electric guitars and bass allowed Bill Haley and His Comets to record (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock, the first rock and roll song.

Over the next decades, rock and roll adapted to a new generation of young people, first giving us Elvis and his gyrations then the Beatles and the Rolling Stones before morphing into a fight against the system with punk and grunge. Metal bands appeared, singing about love, and post grunge era bands sang about social problems.

This short book is a concise history of rock and roll, and clearly explains the changes in society that affected the music played. Fans of music will enjoy this short introduciton.