Author: Amber Dykeman
Welcome, to Between the Lines!
Each Month (except July and August) we have new reading challenges and other activities for grades K to 8 with all kinds of different themes and adventures. Print out our reading log, or pick one up at the library to let us know what you've read this month. Bring us a completed log or share one with the social media hashtag #MPLBTL and you can recommend any book to all our library users with a special bookmark. You can also use our new reading app Reader Zone and the code c25e1 to see all of the reading and beyond book challenges.
Between the Lines will be back in the Fall of 2022. Have a great summer!
Summer Reading Challenges
Read a book by a Canadian author
On July 1, we celebrate Canada Day, the anniversary of Canada’s Confederation on July 1, 1867. On this day, the country of Canada was formed with the signing of the British North America Act, 1867 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The first provinces to sign the Act were the Province of Canada (which is now Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In honour of this anniversary, read a book by a Canadian author.
Read a book about the Indigenous community
In June, we celebrate National Indigenous History Month and on June 21 National Indigenous People’s Day. For both we recognize the rich heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across all of Turtle Island (the continent of North America). Long before Canada became a country, Indigenous peoples were on this land. In fact, the name Canada comes from the Iroquoian word “kanata”, which means village or community. This summer pick up a book about an Indigenous tribe or a book with an Indigenous character in it.
Read a book about someone who inspires you
Who inspires you? August 31 is “We Love Memoirs” Day. There are so many inspirational people that we can read about that influence us, teach us and inspire us to do great things. Pick someone and read a biography (written by someone else) or autobiography (also called a memoir, written by the person it is about). Here are a few amazing people who we celebrate between June and August:
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- Harriet Tubman led a group of 150 Black soldiers along the Combahee River in South Carolina on June 2, 1863. She freed more than 700 enslaved people during America’s civil war.
- During the Holocaust, Anne Frank wrote about her and her family’s experience hiding from Nazi soliders. Her diary's first entry was on June 12, 1942, when she was just 13 years old. Her father, the sole survivor from the Frank family, published Anne’s diary in June 1947 as “Het Acherhuis” (“The Secret Annex”). It has been translated into 70 different languages and published around the world.
- Malala Day is July 12. Malala Yousafzai is an activist for female education and won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, at only 17 years old!
- Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and was the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
- Sir Edmund Hillary was born on July 20, 1919. He was a mountain climber, explorer and philanthropist. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest (which is the highest point on Earth, above sea level), in 1953.
- In August of 1936, Jesse Owens won four gold medals in track and field at the Olympics in Germany, despite the growing racial tensions in Germany at the time. He is to this day still considered the best athlete in track and field.
- Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918. She was a mathematician from NASA whose calculations of orbital mechanics made it possible for NASA and the U.S. to send people into space.
- On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. (an American civil rights activist) gave his famous “I have a dream” speech in Washington, D.C., calling for the end of racism in the U.S. This speech is one of the most iconic speeches in American history and a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Other inspiring people with milestones this month are: Queen Elizabeth II, E.B. White, Babe Ruth, Rembrandt, Dr. Frederick Banting, Walt Disney, Neil Armstrong, Beatrix Potter, Lucille Ball, and Mary Shelley, just to name a few.
Read a fairytale or myth from a different culture
In celebration of Multicultural Day on June 27, read a fairytale, myth or legend from a different culture. These stories are passed down, often in the oral tradition, from generation to generation and shape cultures. Not sure what the difference is between myths, legends and fairytales? Myths are tales that help a culture understand the natural world and usually contain a belief system (e.g. explaining how the Earth was created). Legends are similar to myths, except the characters and story are borrowed from real historical events. Fairytales have fantastical elements (e.g. unicorns and talking animals) and usually weave in a moral lesson (e.g. respect your elders). Try finding a book about myths, legends or fairytales in our “Legends and Fairytales'' section.
Read a book that takes place in the Summer
June 21 was the first day of Summer. Enjoy warmer weather, sunshine, and the beach through the eyes of a fictional character!
Read a book with an insect in it
On June 3, 1969, The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle was published. To celebrate this influential story, read any book with an insect in it. Try one of Eric Carle’s other books, like The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Busy Spider and What’s Your Favourite Bug?. What is your favourite insect?
Beyond Books Challenges
Join the Summer Reading Club
Join Markham Public Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Club running July 1 to August 1 or participate by completing the activities on the TD Summer Reading Club website. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Time: Myths and Legends”. Registration for the Summer Reading Club program at MPL began June 18, through the ReaderZone App, using code 0367a (the same app we use for Between the Lines, just a different code). Kids (from Kindergarten to Grade 8) can read any book they like and can track their reading through ReaderZone. We will be doing a hybrid of in-person and virtual events with all the meetups held on Zoom. Visit the Markham Public Library-Summer Reading Club page, https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/src2022/ for more details.
Visit the Markham Museum or another educational institution
Spend a day at any attraction where you can learn and have fun! Learning about the community around us through fun activities is a great way to experience new things. Markham attractions include: the Markham Museum, the Varley Art Gallery, Flato Markham Theatre, Toogood Pond Park, Bob Hunter Memorial Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park, and Pride of Canada Carousel in Downtown Markham. Other attractions in the GTA include: the Toronto Zoo, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Ripley’s Aquarium of Ontario, the Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower, catch a Blue Jays baseball game at the Rogers Centre, the Hockey Hall of fame, Bruce’s Mill, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto Botanical Gardens, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Toronto Railway Museum, just to name a few.
Visit the Anwebi Aki - Seven Grandfather Teachings Installation
In honour of Indigenous Heritage Month (June) and National Indigenous People’s Day (June 21), visit Anwebi Aki: A Place to Rest and Reflect at the Aaniin Community Centre. The installation consists of seven carvings that were completed in partnership with the Indigenous community, York Region District School Board (students of Unionville High School, led by Shane Chodd) and the City of Markham and were unveiled on June 23. The carvings represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are principles of character and a part of Indigenous culture. The Seven Grandfather Teachings are love (Zaagi’idiwin) represented by the eagle, respect (Manaaji’idiwin) represented by the buffalo, bravery or courage (Zoongidi’ewin) represented by the bear, truth (Debwewin) represented by the turtle, honesty or integrity (Gwayakwaadiziwin) represented by the raven, humility (Dabasendizowin) represented by the wolf and wisdom (Nibwaakaawin) represented by the beaver. Learn more about this art project and the seven grandfather teachings:
Go for a picnic
July is picnic month. Pack up some fresh Ontario grown food and a picnic basket and take it to one of Markham’s great parks or trails. While there, why not go for a hike/walk, ride your bike, or just sit back and enjoy a good book.
Try our online database TVO Learning
School is done for the summer, but learning never stops. To keep the momentum going, visit TVO Learning, one of Markham Public Library’s online databases which contains Ontario-based curriculum lesson plans for different grade levels. The lesson plans contain multiple activities and videos. Give one a try this summer!
Keep a summer journal
Journal writing can help you build writing skills, communicate your ideas and feelings, and improve reading and comprehension. Write and/or draw out what you did this summer. Write/draw daily, weekly or once this summer, you decide! Having an open-ended writing journal, instead of writing for a school assignment, will allow the words to flow more easily.
Featured Markham Public Library Online Resource
This month we are featuring Hoopla and Kanopy. Both of these online databases are streaming platforms. Hoopla has movies, audiobooks, music, e-books and comics. Kanopy has movies and documentaries. All for you to enjoy with your library card!
Why did we pick these databases to feature this month? Well, the first movie theatre opened on June 19, 1905. Try and have your own movie night this summer with popcorn and a movie streamed through Hoopla or Kanopy.
Programs
Markham Public Library Programming
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- MPL’s variety of “Books and Reading” Programs
- Reading Buddies
- Ride ‘n’ Roll with Science on July 6 from 11:00am to 12:00pm, online program
- Good Clean Fun! August 3 from 11:00 am to 12:00pm, online program
The City of Markham Programming
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- Programming for all ages. All programming requires registration through EZreg. How to register for a program with the City of Markham: City of Markham program registration.
- Visit the Varley Art Gallery. They also have a great variety of programs to offer.
- As the weather gets nicer, consider visiting Markham’s parks and trails.
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