
Ink & Imagination
Literary Adventures, Library Insights & Resourceful Reads

Dear Hawthorn Community,
February is here, and that means it’s Library Lover’s Month! Our library is a place to explore, connect, and grow—a true sanctuary for readers and learners alike. This month, we’re excited to celebrate with a special event during parent-teacher conferences: Blind Date with a Book! Stop by the library to pick up a free book, and discover your next favorite read. Let’s share the love of reading together!
Best regards,
Sarah Lill & Valerie Cohen
Question of the Month 🤔
How will you celebrate Library lovers' month?
👫 Blind Date a Book! 📕
🫖 Join us in the MSN library during parent-teacher conferences for a unique experience – "Blind Date with a Book!" Explore undiscovered reads wrapped in mystery, handpicked to captivate and surprise. Don't miss the chance to discover your next favorite book! ☕
Book Fair! 📚
Your student will be coming to the library with their ELA class from February 24th-February 28th to visit the Book Fair. Please feel free to sign-up for an eWallet so your child doesn't have to worry about remembering cash!
Interested in volunteering at our Book Fair? Here is our Sign-Up Genius! Thanks in advance!
Stories of Impact: Celebrating Innovation in the Library 📝
Lights, Camera, Learning! 🎥
We’re spotlighting the 6th-grade team, who embraced creativity and took a bold step into filmmaking! Instead of a traditional informative essay, they reimagined the assignment as a visual essay.
Students transformed their research into compelling scripts and used the Clips app to bring their ideas to life. By combining visuals, narration, and evidence, students created dynamic videos that showcased their learning in an entirely new way. Way to go 6th grade!
Creativity in Collaboration 📲
Our library recently hosted all 7th-grade students for an incredible research experience with Mrs. Balmes. She reimagined her traditional approach to studying immigration during the Industrial Revolution, turning it into an interactive and collaborative learning journey.
Using a Freeform board, students explored specific immigration groups, becoming experts through a creative blend of images, drawings, shapes, political cartoons, and writing. This hands-on approach not only encouraged deeper understanding but also fostered collaboration as students shared their learning with one another.
Mrs. Balmes’ innovative redesign inspired creativity and critical thinking, showing how technology and collaboration can transform research into an engaging, meaningful experience.
Fun in the Library 😀
Explore the highlights of January in our library!
Speed Debating 🗣️
Ms. Jahn’s and Mrs. Davidson’s students brought energy and critical thinking to speed debating, using ethos, logos, and pathos to build persuasive arguments!
Speed Racing 🚁
Mrs. Stahl’s students took to the skies! Working in teams, they piloted drones in a high-stakes rescue mission, gathering supplies and providing aid in a natural disaster simulation.
Speed Dating 💞
Love at first read! 📚💙 Ms. Salerno and Ms. Jahn’s 6th graders went on multiple book “dates,” exploring titles from our library and Aspen Library to find their perfect match for their technology unit.
Celebrate Black History Month! 📖
Celebrate Black History Month with the power of storytelling! Dive into captivating narratives that illuminate the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals. All books are at the MSN library and on SORA.
Author Spotlight- Nic Stone
Stone's storytelling is a poignant exploration of identity, race, and the complexities of the human spirit. With compelling characters and thought-provoking plots, her books offer not just stories but windows into diverse perspectives.
"Great Lives in Graphics- Mandela" by David Motsamayi
Great Lives in Graphics: Mandela is a graphic retelling of Mandela's story which gives a visual snapshot of his life and long fight for freedom, while educating them on everything from the history of racial segregation to the importance of equality.
Author Spotlight- Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds is one of my favorite authors. Embark on a literary journey with Jason Reynolds, a master storyteller who weaves narratives that resonate with authenticity and raw emotion.
Lesson Inspiration ✨
Resources Available to You 💻
Scholastic Go Database
1. Visit Scholastic Go
2. Type in our school library card #- 21122003450480
3. Use your research question and claim to pick out keywords to start your research.
4. Skim and scan to find evidence to support your research.
How To Read eBooks & Listen to Audiobooks
You have not one, but two libraries supplying you with ebooks and audiobooks when you use Sora. Take books along as you commute, exercise, or travel.
- Log in with your school Google account.
- Check out up to 2 ebooks or audiobooks per month.
- Click Add a Library to access the collection at CMPL.