THE MIDDLE FILES
the e-newsletter for middle schoolers

Middle School Events
Looking for something to do? The library has some great programs designed just for you.  Here are some highlights.


Chopped! Summer Challenge
Wednesday, July 24 | 4-5 pm
Kids will get a bag of five ingredients and have a limited amount of time to create an edible dish! Brian from the 3/7 Pathway CafĂ© will be our guest judge and determine the winner. For grades 6-8.  Register for Chopped! Summer Challenge .

The Middle Squad
Through Saturday, August 3
Fill out the Middle School Volunteer Application to join The Middle Squad this summer and work with library staff to prepare for programs, pull books, and help as needed. 

The program includes an orientation, choice of specific times to work, and an end-of-summer party on Monday, August 5. 

Members may register online for up to six two-volunteer shifts and can choose to receive text or email reminders. Available shifts include: Monday through Thursday 10:30 am - Noon, 1:30-3 pm, 4-5:30 pm, or 7-8:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 10:30 am - Noon or 1:30-3 pm; Sunday 1:30-3 pm. Learn more about The Middle Squad.
New Book Spotlight

Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading-anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father-by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.

The story is told in tanka form. Tanka is an ancient poetry form from Japan. I highly recommend this book as it deals with the pressures we get from our parents and how finding common ground can open the lines of communication and understanding. - Tom

Peer Review

My name is Judah and I'll be a 6th  grader at Hadley Junior High this Fall. I'll be reviewing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

The book was interesting because it was full of plot twists like when the characters switch roles from being the bad guy to the good guy. The main character, Harry Potter, faced challenges like the Dementors as well as the prisoners of Azkaban. 

I recommend this book for everyone because it has everything a book needs. I give it five stars.
LANGUAGES
Students now are fortunate to be able to learn foreign languages at a young age.

Did you know that learning a new language
 - Boosts your confidence
 - Deepens your connection to the world
 - Improves your memory 

One of the suggested activities for Game On! Summer Challenge is to Learn to count to ten in another language. Use one of our online digital resources to learn to count to 10 (and more)!

Mango Languages  - C ount to 10 in Italian (Unit 2, Chapter 2, Lesson 3), French (Unit 1, Chapter 4, Lesson 2), Mandarin (Unit 1, Chapter 4, Lesson 3), or any of over 50 other languages! 

We also have resources to help you build and reinforce your language 
skills. 
 
Audio Book Cloud  - Select Spanish Audio Books to listen to audiobooks in Spanish.
Teen Book Cloud - Select Fiction and scroll to the bottom of the page for French.
BookFlix - Select a Category and choose books with the red ES corner to watch and listen to books read in Spanish.

Thanks for reading and see you next month!

Tom Malinowski, Middle School Librarian
Glen Ellyn Public Library | 400 Duane Street | Middle School Web Page
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