Great Reads: Service (Fessenden Word of the Month for May)

Drop by the library to check out these inspiring reads about helping others.

LOWER SCHOOL

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen

by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan

A young boy joins his uncle helping out at a soup kitchen to try and understand why it is important to help out in the community. (fiction)

Aung San Suu Kyi

by William Thomas

A biography of a woman who feels such great duty and service to her country–Burma–she is willing to sacrifice her freedom.

Arthur’s Computer Disaster

by Marc Brown

When Arthur disobeys his mother by playing a game on the computer, he learns a lesson in responsibility. (fiction)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Storm Warriors

by Elisa Carbone

In 1895, after his mother’s death, twelve-year-old Nathan moves with his father and grandfather to Pea Island off the coast of North Carolina, where he hopes to join the all-black crew at the nearby lifesaving station, despite his father’s objections. (fiction)

Nathan Hale: Courageous Spy

by Rachel A. Koestler-Grack

A biography of Nathan Hale, who spied on British troops and faced death without fear during the American Revolution.

Rifles for Watie

by Harold Keith

Jeff Bussey joins the Union volunteers in 1861 in Linn County, Kansas, learns what it means to fight in battle in the American Civil War, makes friends and enemies, and gets to know the fierce Stand Watie, leader of the Cherokee Indian nation that raids behind the Union lines, all too well. Newbery Medal winner, 1957. (fiction)

UPPER SCHOOL

I’ve Got Things to Do With My Life

by Mike Towle

The life story of Pat Tillman, a National Football League player who quit to join the elite Army Rangers and serve his country in the war against terror.

Season of Life: A Football Star, A Boy, A Journey to Manhood

by Jeffrey Marx

Tells how Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL star and volunteer coach for the Gilman high school football team, teaches his players the importance of empathy, integrity, and living a life of service to others.

Real Time

by Pnina Moed Kass

Sixteen-year-old Thomas Wanninger persuades his mother to let him leave Germany to volunteer at a kibbutz in Israel, where he experiences a violent political attack and finds answers about his own past. (fiction)

Fessenden’s Amazon.com link

 

Use this link to make any purchases through Amazon.com and support Fessenden’s Wheeler Library.

GREAT READS: Perseverance (Fessenden word-of-the-month for April

Drop by the Wheeler Library to check out these books on being persistent and steadfast.

LOWER SCHOOL

Baseball Saved Us

by Ken Mochizuki

Boys held in a Japanese internment camp learn to play baseball to pass the time until the war is over. 

Bringing the Rain to Kaputi Plain
 
by Verna Aardema

A rhythmic tale of a herder’s patience–which pays off!

Waiting For Mama

by Lee Tae-Jun

A young boy waits at the train station for his mama to come home.

Twenty Heartbeats

By Dennis Haseley

A wealthy man learns how patience makes perfect.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tracker

by Gary Paulsen

John’s grandfather is dying and John reluctantly goes hunting alone.  But when he sees the doe, waiting, watching him, he knows he must track her; not to kill, but to find in the skill of the hunt a way to hold on to his grandfather’s life.

Anne Frank: Young Voice of the Holocaust
  
by Magdalena Alagna

Imagine being in hiding for two years, in a cramped annex with seven others, always afraid of being discovered by the Nazis.  “It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” (nonfiction)

Project Mulberry

by Linda Sue Park

While working on a project for an after-school club, Julia, a Korean American girl, and her friend Patrick learn not just about silkworms, but also about tolerance, prejudice, friendship, patience, and more. Between the chapters are short dialogues between the author and main character about the writing of the book. 

UPPER SCHOOL

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane

By Russell Freedman

Learn how these self-taught bicycle mechanics solved problems that had baffled generations of scientists and engineers, through patient trial and error. (nonfiction)

Nelson Mandela

by Samuel Willard Crompton

Jailed for 27 years for his passionate belief in equality, Nelson Mandela ended up serving as South Africa’s first black president and became one of the world’s most inspirational champopns of human rights. (nonfiction)

Out of Patience

by Brian Meehl

Twelve-year-old Jake Waters can’t wait to escape the small town of Patience, Kansas, until the arrival of a cursed toilet plunger causes him to reevaluate his feelings toward his family and its history.

Fessenden’s Amazon link
Use this link to make any of your purchases through Amazon.com and support Fessenden’s Wheeler Library.

GREAT READS: Humility (Fessenden Word of the Month for March)

Drop by the Wheeler Library to check out these books about being humble.

 

LOWER SCHOOL

Henry Builds a Cabin

by D.B. Johnson
Young Henry Thoreau appears frugal to his friends as he sets about building a cabin. Includes biographical information about Thoreau.

The Old Red Tractor

by Andreas Dierssen
Tony loves his hand-me-down tractor until he sees his neighbor with a fancy new one, but discovers the pleasure of his old jalopy when he fixes it up after a crash.

The Stonecutter

by Gerald McDermott
Based on a Japanese folktale where a stonecutter asks for increasing power only to realize how powerless he is.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Quiet Hero: The Ira Hayes Story

by S.D. Nelson

A biography of Native American Ira Hayes, a shy, humble Pima Indian who fought in World War II as a Marine and was one of six soldiers to raise the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, an event immortalized in Joe Rosenthal’s famous photograph.

Aaron Brooks: Rise Above

by Greg Brown
Aaron Brooks, a native of Newport News, Va., tells how he used his positive vision, goal-setting, and hard work to rise from humble beginnings to a successful career as a starting quarterback in the National Football League.

Ten Amazing People and How They Changed the World

by Maura D. Shaw
Introduces the lives and work of ten influential religious leaders from around the world: Black Elk, Dorothy Day, Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Janusz Korczak, Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Albert Schweitzer, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu.

Home: A Journey Through America

edited and illustrated by Thomas Locker
Robert Frost, Abraham Lincoln, Jane Yolen and others reflect upon the wonders of nature and the concept of home.

Into the Deep Forest with Henry David Thoreau

by Jim Murphy; illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Thoreau gave up many material possessions to live a simple life, close to nature. This book uses quotes from his journals to show the wonder he experienced in the untouched forests of Maine.

UPPER SCHOOL

Gandhi: A Photographic Story of a Life

by Amy Pastan
Uses photos and text to present the life of the Indian leader who used nonviolence and civil disobedience to win his country’s freedom.

Life is So Good

by George Dawson & Richard Glaubman
The inspiring reflections of George Dawson, grandson of a slave, who learned to read at the age of 98.

Tuesdays with Morrie

by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom had a second chance to connect with his college mentor, Morrie Schwartz in the year before he died. Their rekindled friendship turned into one final class: lessons on how to live.

Fessenden’s Amazon.com link   Use this link to make any purchases through Amazon.com and support Fessenden’s Wheeler Library.

Winter Grey & Fallin’ Rain…..Resi-Life Winter 2012

The boarding boys of Fessenden are experiencing a rare New England phenomenon; a Snow-less Winter! Typically the winter brings numerous ski trips, sledding opportunities, snow-fort building, and all the like. However, this winter, boys have been enjoying the chance to play outside when the opportunity presents itself. On the few occasions that the campus has been blanketed with snow the boys have made the most of it. We have had a few sledding trips and thanks to the snow making capabilities of many of the local mountains, ski trips have been continuous. At this rate, the pool might be open in March! As the winter drags on the boys find themselves competing in “dorm vs dorm” dodgeball tournament. Mr. Howe structures a dorm dodgeball league that competes twice a week for twelve weeks. Tuesday will feature the two ninth grade dorms, Hart House and Sanderson, pitted against one another for the school championship and dodgeball immortality.

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As the winter wears on, the boys at a Fessenden will continue to come up with creative and fun ways to stave off the cold weather blues. Speaking of dodgeball, this weekend will feature an epic dodgeball marathon of 25+ boys battling it out until they can no longer throw. As usual this time of year there will be ski trips to various mountains. With a forecast of snow for tomorrow, perhaps a sledding trip or two will happen this weekend.

Winter Weekend Trip Slideshow

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GREAT READS: Courage (Fessenden Word of the Month for February)

Drop by the Fessenden library to check out these books about bravery.

LOWER SCHOOL

Buffalo Soldier

by Sherry Garland
A fictionalized story of one Buffalo Soldier, former slave who heads West and fights in the Spanish American War. 

Facing West 

by Kathleen Kudlinski
Heading out on the Oregon Trail in 1845, Ben wonders whether he can overcome all the odds, including his debilitating asthma.

Hooway for Wodney Wat

by Helen Lester
Rodney can’t pronounce his Rs–they come out sounding like Ws. When the class bully follows his directions in a game of Simon Says, Rodney discovers that his voice is something to celebrate. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Portraits of African-American Heroes

by Tonya Bolden
Presents twenty outstanding African Americans in words and pictures.

Gregor and the Code of Claw

by  Suzanne Collins
When 12-year-old Gregor learns that an ancient prophecy foretells his death, he must gather his courage to defend the land of Regalia from the army of rats, take his mother and sister home safely, and fight his own dark side. (fiction)

Profiles in Sports Courage

by Ken Rappoport
Profiles 12 athletes who have faced and overcome significant challenges in their personal and professional lives.

UPPER SCHOOL

The Hero Project : 2 Teens, 1 Notebook, 13 Extraordinary Interviews

by Robert Hatch & William Hatch 
Two teens set out to interview accomplished people in a variety of fields, ranging from musician Yo Yo Ma to film star Jackie Chan.

The Right Stuff

by Tom Wolfe
Portraits of brave astronauts Chuck Yeager, Pete Conrad, Gus Grissom, and John Glenn.

Overboard

by Elizabeth Fama
Escaping from a sinking ferry in the waters off Sumatra, 14-year-old Emily fights for survival for herself and a young Indonesian boy, who draws courage from his quiet but firm Islamic faith. (fiction)

Profiles in Courage

by John F. Kennedy
This Pulitzer Prize-winning collection explores the meaning of courage through stories of integrity in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Fessenden’s Amazon.com link Use this link to make any of your purchases through Amazon.com and support Fessenden’s Wheeler Library–at no extra cost to you.

GREAT READS: Honor (Fessenden Word-of-the-Month for January)

Come by the Fessenden library to check out these books on honesty, fairness, and integrity.

LOWER SCHOOL

A Day’s Work 

by Eve Bunting
When a young boy makes a mistake by lying, his grandfather teaches him the importance of acting honorably. 

The Barefoot Book of Knights
  
by John Matthews
Through their courage, honor, strength, wisdom, patience, and humility, the knights in these stories illustrate what it takes to be a great knight.

Lou Gehrig : The Luckiest Man

by David Adler
Traces the life of the Yankees’ star ballplayer, focusing on his character and his struggle with the terminal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World

by Ken Beller and Heather Chase
Brief essays on Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Anderson Sa, Mother Teresa, Thich Nhat Hanh, Colman McCarthy, Oscar Arias, Bruno Hussar, Desmond Tutu, Riane Eisler, the Dalai Lama, Henry Salt, Albert Schweitzer, Astrid Lindgren, Jane Goodall, Rachel Carson, David Suzuki, Nadar Khalili, and Wangari Maathai.

The Ballad of Sir Dinadan

by Gerald Morris
Though he would rather pursue his talent as a musician, Dinadan is forced to become a knight, and he finds that while minstrels sings of heroic deeds, honor is often found in simpler, quieter ways.

The View from Saturday

by E.L. Konigsburg
Four students develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher, a paraplegic, who chooses them to have the honor of represent their sixth-grade class in the Academic Bowl competition. (fiction)
 

UPPER SCHOOL

Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty
Peter Collier; photography by Nick Del Calzo

“Paints 116 portraits of men whose incredible bravery in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam is the embodiment of the very term hero.” (from dust jacket)

Crooked
by Laura and Tom McNeal

Two ninth graders, Clara and Amos, suddenly find their lives turned upside down by their families, by each other, and by the two meanest brothers in town. They discover that honesty may be the answer, but it’s hard to find. (fiction)

Desmond Tutu: Fighting Apartheid

by Samuel Willard Crompton

A biography of the South African cleric and civil rights activist who fought against apartheid and was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

Fessenden’s Amazon.com link

Use this link to make any purchases through Amazon.com and support Fessenden’s Wheeler Library.

The Bear Paw Vol. I

The Bear Paw

Vol. 1

An interview with Fessenden’s new headmaster, Mr. Stettler

Harry Breault Interviews Mr. Stettler

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An interview with Fessenden’s new Latin teacher, Mr. O’Donnel

NFL Season Review Through Week 10

Red Sox Year End Review

The Jelly Awards

A look at Halloween

The Fessy Boy Fashion Column

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” Movie Review 

‘Unknown’ Movie Review

“The Blind Side” Movie Review

Legend of Fire

Getting Ready for Winter

The Fessenden School–November 16, 2011 The Fessy boys are enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of year. They have found plenty of activities and amusement outside and around campus. However, the N.A.P trips are starting to take on their annual holiday theme. This most recent weekend the boys were happy to enjoy a three-day break as Friday was Parent Teacher Conferences. The Fessenden boarding community was in full motion from Friday morning on through Sunday night. Mrs. E, ever the contrarian, bucked the holiday theme and invited a group of Fessy boys to the indoor water park, Cocoa Key. The water soaked all-day adventure was a huge hit.

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For the Fessy boys who were gearing up for the holiday season Ms. Westman offered a trip to the Freeport Outlets, in Freeport, Maine. Ms. Westman’s bargain hunting crew had the entire day to enjoy L.L. Bean and the many new stores and renovated outlets Freeport has to offer. During the same weekend Ms. Westman found the time to

 bring a lucky group of Fessy boys to the Tazo Chocolate factory for a tour. The sweets did not stop there, Ms. Printzlau offered an apartment evening where the boys relaxed and learned how to make Apple Crisp. Not to be outdone, Mr. Fawcett offered a Fessy favorite, Go-Karting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Halloween at Fessy!

Fessenden celebrated Halloween in a big way this week.  The holiday fell on a Monday this year, so the weekend before saw a string of Halloween related trips. The boys had a great time choosing from trips like a halloween make-up tutorial, costume shopping, haunted cornfields, and the annual favorite, Mr. Lyons “Fright Night.”  The recent snow flurry did not discourage the boys from coming out in full force to celebrate Halloween all weekend and right into Monday night.  As cold as it was, the boys put together great costumes and had an even

better time trick ‘o treatin’ around campus.  Over 40 faculty members opened their doors and handed out candy around campus.  As this tradition went on, other unheralded traditions continued as well, like Mr. Howe’s handout of choice, Cup of Noodles. The boys went back to their dorms with plenty of candy and good stories to share, many of which now look at Fessenden in a different light, thanks to Mr. Lyons stories of the haunted bygone eras of the school. As old stories are told, new ones were emerging this week, and it looks like the unexplained remained that way, seen here in Mr. Murphy’s photo from the headmasters office.  Who knows what  happened, but let’s hope Mr. Stettler is ok.

There were pink gorillas, super heroes, goblins, ghouls, and all the like skulking around campus Monday night. The festivities were initiated at dinner on Monday night. There was a wonderful Halloween dinner laid out for all in attendance by our own friendly Fessenden food service staff. Everyone came to dining hall in costume and ready to trick o’ treat.  The boys were not the only ones in costume, the faculty came out in everything from drag to star wars.

What a great weekend and celebration of Halloween. This turned out to be a great community wide event. Fessenden families, staff, faculty, and friends came together to have fun and enjoy themselves. The gallery below has many of the photos and activities that the boys joined. Next weekend is a cultural weekend and the boys are back to their regular routine. More will be on the way, as well as exclusives on the weekday routine of Fessenden residential life.  Please enjoy and comment!

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Resi-Life Weekend #5!

This weekend found the Fessy boys having a grand ol’ time.  With no classes on Monday, there were plenty of trips to choose from.  The weekend got off to a great start on Friday night with a ping pong tournament, Cheesesteak and Movie apartment evening, Haunted Hayrides, and more.

Thankfully this weekend had great weather and allowed the boys to go mountain biking at Highland Park. With the NFL season in full swing some of the Fessy boarders found themselves at the “Patriot Place Museum,” honoring the New England Patriots.

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  While some boys were checking out their favorite football team, others were checking out their favorite sports cars at the Lars Anderson Auto Museum.

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 The day was not complete without a trip a Corn Maze with Mr. Hansen, with that in mind has anyone seen Mr. Hansen lately? Saturday night saw one the boys favorite trips, “Fessy Minute to Win It!” based on the hit show “Minute to Win It” 

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 The other featured trip that day was the Boston Tap Dance Show.  The boys had an opportunity to watch the most talented tap dancers in the area.

Sunday was another beautiful day, the boys enjoyed a variety of off campus trips.  One of the most talked about trips that day was the “Monster Food Truck Festival”.  Since the boys had a day off from classes on Monday it was another opportunity for great trips.  The boys signed up for the Museum of Science, Pitch and Putt Golf, Harvard Square, Legacy Place, and they addressed the need for many overdue haircuts.  All in all, it was a fantastic three-day weekend; no doubt the Fessy boys would agree!