San Anton School Library

Marcus Sedgwick

2011-11-14T15:18:00.001+01:00

Popular children's author Marcus Sedgwick visited San Anton School last week. His books, amongst which are Floodland, The Book of Dead Days and My Swordhand is Singing, have won and/or been shortlisted for numerous awards.

He is also the author of The Raven Mysteries, a series of books featuring the Otherhand family, an assortment of charmingly bizarre characters who live in an old castle. Undoubtedly, the hero of these stories is Edgar, the pet raven who acts as the voice of reason amongst all the odd goings-on that happen in and around Castle Otherhand.

The Grade 7s knew about The Raven Mysteries and were keen to meet the author who created this marvellous world. In they trooped, and took a seat in the library. After a brief introduction, Mr Sedgwick took over.

(Images in the video were taken from http://www.petewilliamson.co.uk and http://www.ravenmysteries.co.uk/.
The song used is Roustabout by Beats Antique and remixed by Bassnectar.)

His soft-spoken yet confident manner won the children over immediately. He took them on an extensive and detailed tour of Castle Otherhand, discussing the strange characters and creatures that inhabit the numerous rooms. Such as Lord Valevine Plantagenet Vesuvius Ropey and his laboratory, the place where unfortunate frog experiments take place. Or else Solstice's knack for writing soporific poetry. Or Cuddleweed's perpetual hunger and bone-rattling nervous disposition. Or the gigantic, mysterious tail of the unseen creature that dwells in the darkest recesses of the castle.

Despite all the information that Mr Sedgwick supplied, the students still had loads of questions to ask. Some of them were about the Otherhand books, some were about his other novels for older readers, whilst others concerned the art and craft of writing. Mr Sedgwick was kind enough to answer all their questions. Afterwards he also signed their books.

It was a very successful visit that the students enjoyed immensely. Thank you Mr Sedgwick!

Marcus Sedgwick's visit was organised by Merlin Library and Books Plus.

Visit Marcus Sedgwick's website at http://www.marcussedgwick.com.

Visit The Raven Mysteries website at http://www.ravenmysteries.co.uk

The Ponds of Wonder

2011-10-26T12:20:00.000+02:00

This Tuesday, Mr Brian Abela, the new Assistant Head of the Middle Sector, presented his new book: The Ponds of Wonder.

The book tells the story of Tom Hanson, a boy who receives a mysterious package from a long distant relative. This occurrence sets in motion a series of events that send Tom and his friend Ben on the greatest adventure of their life.

Mr Brian explained how he had the idea for the book when he was a little boy. He had written an essay outlining the story, for which he got a pat on the back and a very good mark! As years rolled on, he kept on thinking about this story. One day he decided to put pen to paper (or rather finger to keyboard) and write it all down. The result became The Ponds of Wonder.

After his talk, Mr Brian took time to answer questions from the students and was also kind enough to sign their books.

(If you want to learn more about The Ponds of Wonder, or you have read it and would like to comment about it, you can visit the book's site on www.thepondsofwonder.co.cc.)

Christmas at the Flat

2011-06-10T10:29:00.001+02:00

I sat on the sofa playing with my rubber band. After a few minutes of doing nothing, I took another tour of my new flat.

It was hardly entertaining, seeing the same boring grey flat everyday. It had only been one week since I moved in with my mum. One week away from Christmas, one week after my parents decided to separate.

My mum did everything to cheer me up: she bought me clothes, took me to restaurants, stuff like that. It was kind of her, considering we were pressed for money.

Why would she think some clothes and my favourite ice-cream would cheer me up? Well, normally they would, but not this time.

I couldn’t sleep. Every night I lay in bed, tossing and turning. I even pinched myself to wake up from this nightmare of a life.

After what seemed like a century, Christmas Eve came. It was a special night. The first night I ever got some sleep. I woke up in the morning to see a colourful dining room with two bright chandeliers, the wall painted violet, stockings hanging up on the wall and I got a whiff of the roast turkey in the oven.

Hmm, maybe I’ll enjoy this Xmas after all!

World Book Week 2011

Short Story Competition FIRST PLACE

Christina Camilleri

Poem about Dogs

2011-06-10T10:28:00.002+02:00

I like dogs tall and small - they all like to play with a ball.

Doberman, Labrador, Pitbull or Pug, I like to give them all a hug.

Boxer, Daschound, Terrier, Alsation; but the one I love most is my Dalmatian, my Pepper, overall.

He's white with black spots like paper full of black ink dots, but with a special one right on top of his nose and tiny ones all over his paws.

He's now very frail as he's fourteen years old but if cats steal his food he's still pretty bold.

The dog is man's best friend I'm sure about that and I'll never exchange my dog with a cat.

World Book Week 2011

Poetry Competition FIRST PLACE

Adriel Camilleri

New Harry Potter 7 Part 2 Posters!!!

2011-06-09T12:00:00.003+02:00

Over at Yahoo! Movies there's quite a number of terrifyingly awesome pictures from the last Harry Potter film to hit the screens on the 15th of July. And these include a number of stunning new posters featuring the main Pottster protagonists.

Click HERE to have a look.

Chocolate

2011-06-09T09:15:00.000+02:00

Chocolate in my shoes

Chocolate in my hair

Chocolate in my ears

Chocolate everywhere

Chocolate is so good

Chocolate drives me mad

When I don't have chocolate

It makes me very sad

I want chocolate now

Chocolate in my plate

If I don't have chocolate

I will eat somebody's date

World Book Week 2011

Poetry Competition Runner-up

Emilie Gregory

A Change of Life

2011-06-09T09:00:00.000+02:00

I'm Katelynn, I lived at the Stonestars Orphanage. I have a dog called Pinny, she's a Labrador. So here's my story...

At my orphanage we were not allowed to keep dogs so I was playing with Pinny at the back of the building. Suddenly Mrs Peterson, the Orphan Mother, called me for lunch, and Pinny ran away because she knew that voice!

Later, after lunch, I brought a hoola hoop and held it low. Pinny managed to jump through. I put it higher and higher and she managed every time!

Strangely enough, there was a circus director standing nearby watching me and Pinny, and he told me: 'Dear girl, you and your dog have a great talent, you are what I am seeking for my circus!'

I told him: 'Yes, I would love to! But I must ask the Orphan Mother first.' So I ran off to Mrs Peterson. I asked her and she said: 'Of course, but who is Pinny?'

I answered very quietly: 'My dog.'

She shouted at me and sent the director away but behind her back he gave me a telephone number. The next day I packed some clothes, wrote a letter, left it on my cushion and the director helped me out of the window.

When we arrived at the circus, I was shown to my very own wagon. As I was settling in, I heard somebody shouting outside.

Moments later, Mrs Peterson came in and hugged me goodbye.

I started practising new tricks with Pinny and three months later I had my first show. I did my hair red and curly. I put on a glittery tourqouise hair-band with a pink rose, and the same for a bangle. I wore a silver leotard and silver ballerinas.

I noticed that the entire orphanage came to see my number! I saw them in the audience and I waved!

At the end of the show I asked for a microphone and said that I missed my friends at the orphanage very much and that they should come visit me one day.

When everyone left I lay down in my wagon and thought about how happy and lucky I was and that I had a wonderful future ahead of me.

I guess this really was a change of life!

World Book Week

Short Story Competition Runner-up

Lisa Hirth

I saw a Cat

2011-06-08T09:41:00.004+02:00

I saw a cat chasing a rat.

The cat was so fat

That he fell and went Splat!

He gave up. Then saw a bat.

He tried to jump but he was

too fat.

The cat was hairy;

to the rat and the bat he was scary!

World Book Week 2011

Poetry Competition Runner-up

Zak Muscat

The Mystery of the Mummy's Treasure

2011-06-08T09:12:00.000+02:00

Joe, Lee, Samantha and Catherine went on a trip to Egypt with their parents. They had been waiting eagerly for this holiday and it was the one they would never forget.

It was Saturday and Lee stepped out of the plane. He was so glad to be in Egypt. Lee loved studying history and his favourite topic was Ancient Egypt.

He was joined by the others and they called a taxi. First they went to the inn where they were staying and then left to go to the Egyptian Museum.

There was a lot of information about mummies. On display there was a note that was written to the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. It said that when he would die he would be gifted with lots of gold.When the children had a look at it and read it they had an idea, an adventurous idea.

The next day the children were supposed to go to visit the Capital City but they asked their parents to go see the pyramids instead. After ten minutes of pleading, their parents said yes so they were off to the pyramids.

When they arrived the children were amazed! They couldn't believe how big the pyramids were! Their parents went around the pyramids slowly, talking to each other. While they were distracted, the four children ran away.

They looked for Tutankhamun's pyramid and when they found it they entered. They looked around the pyramid but saw nothing special. They kept on walking and they fell into several traps but after they finally managed to reach the tomb of the Pharaoh. The four children opened the tomb and out came a mummy.

Trembling with fear, they hid behind the throne. But the mummy didn't come for them, it just kept on walking. After the mummy was out of sight they looked inside the tomb and found the treasure. They carried it back and showed it to their parents who were surprised.

Then they went back to the inn for a nap.

This was the best adventure they had ever had! They will never forget this day!

World Book Week 2011

Short Story Competition Runner-up

Adrienne Gatt

The Funny Bunny

2011-06-07T12:13:00.000+02:00

There was a bunny bunny bunny

who was very funny funny funny.

He had a lot of money money money,

he kept it all in his tummy tummy tummy.

But he missed his mommy mommy mommy,

so he got married married married,

his wife in his arms he carried carried carried.

He had a baby baby baby,

who was called Maybe Maybe Maybe,

but he ran away from home home home,

and went all the way to Rome Rome Rome.

So there was this bunny bunny bunny...

World Book Week 2011

Poetry Competition Runner-up

Nicholas Galea

The Magical Chair

2011-06-07T11:51:00.002+02:00

Once there was a boy called Oswald and he had an old chair in the darkest corner of his room. It was decorated with wonderful gold leaf all around. One day he invited his friend over to his big lovely house. They went up to his room.

As soon as Oswald sat down on the chair, it started to glow. There was a flash of light and the room changed into what seemed to be a study with books of all kinds.

Books about dragons and giants and all sorts of magical creatures.

The boys were startled. They had no idea where they were and wondered whether they were ever going to see their parents again.

They opened the door and saw a huge staircase that looked like it went on forever. Oswald looked back and saw that the chair had gone. They took a few books with them as they knew it was a magical world.

When outside they realised that they were in a forest. This odd creature came up to them and said: 'I know where your chair is. Follow me on a quest and go back home.'

So the boys followed him. They got out of the forest and found the chair but one leg was missing. Oswald saw a creature running away with the leg. Luckily, the creature was friendly and gave them the leg back. He glued it back on and left.

When the boys got home Oswald said:'Phew, I'm glad we're back.'

World Book Week 2011

Short Story Competition Runner-up

Daniel Grech

Wildlife

2011-06-06T11:33:00.005+02:00

In the deep blue sea

there's a strange whale

in the cold blue water

deep and bright and pale.

On the white ice

there sits a sea-lion

not like the one in Africa

this is not a fierce lion.

World Book Week 2011

Poetry Competition Runner-up

Alexander Hawkes

The Absent-minded Scientist

2011-06-06T10:56:00.007+02:00

I am the best scientist in the world. I make a potion every day. Today's potion will bring dead flowers back to life. You just have to mix it with the water.

There, it's ready. I leave it on the table to settle. I need to go to the bathroom.

When my mother sees it and she puts it in the fridge. I come back from the bathroom. I am thirsty and I go to get a drink. There is some fruit juice, which is unusual, because my mother believes that it is unhealthy. I still drink it. A few minutes later I go for a nap.

When I wake up I go to the mirror to fix my hair and I have the biggest shock ever. I have become an old man! I have white hair, I am short, my face is wrinkly. And I am hairy all over!

I go to the doctor and he starts laughing. He tells me that since I am a scientist I should solve the problem myself.

I rush back home. It clicks that I must have drank the potion, thinking it was juice. I go back to my laboratory and do some more, keeping in mind that this time it has to work the other way round.

I drink it, hoping it will turn me back to my former self.

It does! I am back to being beautiful me. And, as my mum adds, stupid me.

World Book Week 2011

Short Story Competition Runner-up

Lisa Galea

Rita Antoinette Borġ and Marisa Attard visit San Anton

2011-05-26T10:28:00.016+02:00

As part of World Book Week activities, an award-winning author and illustrator visited San Anton School.

Rita Antoinette Borġ, the author of Taqsamx it-Triq, Fuxa and Rebecca's Choice, amongst other titles, accepted our invitation for the second year running.

She started off by introducing her parrot friend Pepito, a lively puppet that hails all the way from South America. The Grade 4s were keen to mention other animals that live in the same region as Pepito's, such as the caiman, the anaconda, the cougar and the macaw.

Ms Borġ then read her story about Fuxa, a timid hedgehog who tries to cross the road amidst the busy traffic of rush hour. After much trepidation and concern, the tiny animal finally makes it to the other side, to the relief of all her friends and family.

Finally, Ms Borġ read an excerpt from one of her favourite books by one of her favourite authors: The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Di Camillo.

It was a great way to spend a morning and the children enjoyed Ms Borġ's visit tremendously.

The Grade 5s were in for a surprise because Marisa Attard, one of the best local illustrators, came over and treated them to an art workshop.

Ms Attard's portfolio is vast and includes such titles as Bongi Wongi u versi oħra għat-tfal and Ir-Razzett tan-Nannu Turu. She brought a sample of her work to show around and the children were amazed to see that Ms Attard is the person behind some of their favourite illustrations.

Ms Attard introduced herself by drawing a self-portrait. She then proceeded to sketch some characters displaying a particular emotion, and the children had to follow suit. It was wondrous to see with what glee the students took to this task, and everyone was keen to add his or her particular touches to the characters.

What followed was a drawing-by-request session. The Grade 5s were asking Ms Attard to draw something for them, which she did, and then they had to copy what she did or do their own version. So the library was full of drawings of dogs, lions, cats and people doing fun things.

It was a great session and one that the children will surely treasure.

RITA ANTOINETTE BORĠ WEBSITE

MARISA ATTARD WEBSITE

Myths: The Story of Adonis

2011-05-12T13:10:00.000+02:00

There once was an eleven-year-old boy called Adonis and he lived in Ancient Athens. He was tall and slim with jet black hair and a dark complexion. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a clear day and he was very strong and good-looking.

Everybody loved him because he was very helpful and kind. Every day, on his way to school, he passed the twelve white columns that used to support the ancient building called the Pantheon. He was always amazed with this building and every day he took a look around inside. Even though he loved Zeus, he was always afraid to speak to him.

One day Zeus came upon him and said, ‘Naughty children will never be on my side but you are different...I might make you a God!’

Adonis was very happy and he went back home smiling, but Hades, the god of the Underworld, was overwhelmed with jealousy because he wanted him on his side. So Hades appeared to Adonis and tried to get him on his side with special gifts like a flying horse. He also sent spirits to make his wishes come true. Adonis started smelling something fishy, but it was not actual fish of course! He knew, from all the books he had read, that Hades was trying to trick him.

The next day, Adonis received more presents from Zeus and Hades, and very soon, the two started to fight over him. They hurled lightning bolts at each other and Athens was very stormy. Adonis had had enough. He decided to stop the lightning.

After thanking the two gods, he told them he would prefer to remain human. And both gods had no other option but to respect his wishes. Adonis knew that his happiness could not be achieved by power. And he died a happy man in his old age.

Kyle Cuschieri

The Apple Tree

2011-05-06T08:51:00.005+02:00

Once upon a time there was an apple tree. A little girl named Rebecca said: "I want an apple." But her mother said no. So then she went to her father. But her father said no too. So she felt very sad.

Then she remembered her cousin's house. But even he said "No, you can't have an apple." Then she remembered her other cousin but she said no too. Then she went to ask her grandma but it was no use because she said no too. So she went to her grandpa and finally (phew!) he said: "yes, you can have an apple from the apple tree."

When she went to pick an apple from the tree, her mother came and she told her she wasn't allowed to eat apples from the tree so Rebecca said that her grandpa had given her permission. Her mother was very angry. Rebecca told her father and even he was cross with her. Then she went to her cousin's house to tell him that she picked an apple from the apple tree. She expected him to be glad but he was furious. So she tried her luck with her other cousin. But she was as furious as her mother. So she tried at her grandma's house. She was VERY cross.

Finally she went back to her grandpa's house. Fingers crossed! When she told him he laughed out loud and said: "You silly girl! It was only a joke! You can't really have one!"

"Ok. Sorry for picking an apple from the apple tree. Goodbye!" she replied.

by Ylenia Coleiro

New THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA trailers!

2011-03-06T09:04:00.004+01:00

Two of the most popular comic titles will soon hit the cinema screens. Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger are sure to be great hits with superhero action film fans.

New Books for the Library!

2011-02-21T12:30:00.007+01:00

The nice people over at AUDIO VISUAL CENTRE have donated a number of awesome books to the library. The titles are varied: sports, history, science, entertainment, astronomy, biology. They are beautiful books (as one expects from DK) that will enrich the library's reference section and are sure to prove invaluable to the students.

The Gypsy

2011-02-17T09:11:00.010+01:00

Esmeralda and her puppy were hiding in the bushes, hoping that the angry crowd would go away. They were after the girl because they wanted to put her to death.

Esmeralda was a gypsy and people believed that all gypsies were thieves. But Esmeralda was not a thief and in order to earn pennies she organized shows and dances with Yuri. This angered the people so they decided to kill her, which is why she was hiding. There, in the bushes she stayed, until Mr. Dobblin spotted her.

She took her bundle of clothes and whispered to Yuri: “Someday this will end. The sooner we go, the sooner it will happen.”

They reached a field of wild horses. She looked for her horse, Bluebell.

Luckily she found him, and lifted herself up. Yuri and her bundle of clothes were with her and so they galloped off. Only when they reached France did they stop for a rest.

She knew she was safe here. In France they were celebrating the birthday of Captain Grainger, a famous captain who fought and won a battle against gypsies.

Actors and dancers were invited to perform. Esmeralda, who knew nothing of the captain’s hatred towards gypsies, wanted to join in the celebration and so she danced along with the French. She made a show that included singing, dancing and some tricks she had taught to Yuri.

Claude, one of Grainger’s friends, fell in love with the girl. They became good friends but she loved the captain and not Claude. The captain was in love with her too and soon enough, proposed to Esmeralda.

They were married and lived happily but one day the servant of the captain heard Esmeralda tell her awful tale to herself, while riding on a horse. The servant told the captain about it and the captain forgot all about his love for Esmeralda.

She was taken to prison with all the other gypsies. They were going to cut her head off.

She was puzzled and no longer loved the captain. But she didn’t stay in prison for long as Claude rescued her.

He bought a piece of land where they hid and built a high wall which only he knew how to go through. Then, together with Esmeralda and Yuri, he built a house. Claude took care of the two. Yuri guarded the house from wild animals and he slept on a cushion next to Esmeralda. Esmeralda made crafts that Claude sold at the market for 10 gold pieces.

Esmeralda started loving Claude the way he loved her. But alas, one day Grainger found Esmeralda. He grew suspicious seeing Claude selling all those crafts at the market, and followed him to the house. The captain arrested the three of them and wanted to have them hanged. But before the hanging, Esmeralda asked the people:

“Why should I be hanged. I did not steal, like the other gypsies, and I’ve been a good wife to the captain, but in his hatred, he forgot how to love.”

The people realised how unfair the captain had been to his wife and was punished. As for Claude, he married Esmeralda and the two of them and Yuri lived in their house. The wall was removed.

With all the money they earned from selling crafts, they bought a lot of new furniture.

They continued selling crafts and started making up shows.

Christina Camilleri

Horrid Henry Film!

2011-02-15T08:32:00.000+01:00

A live feature film (in 3D!) chronicling the adventures of our favourite naughty boy is in post-production. This means that Horrid Henry's first foray into film is ready and the technicians are adding the finishing touches. It should be out for Summer. :)

Here is what the people at IGN MOVIES have to say about it:

The film sees Horrid Henry, Lord High Majesty of the Purple Hand Gang, waging his ever constant battle against the tyranny of adults, only this time it seems the adults really are out to get him!

Horrid Henry was created by author Francesca Simon and is the most successful children's literary character in the UK after Harry Potter, with book sales of more than 16 million.

(Trailer below is courtesy of TrailerSpy.)

Free Books!

2011-01-28T08:54:00.003+01:00

Thanks to AGENDA's Books for Schools initiative, the library is now 203 books richer!! The shelves are teeming with information about far-off lands, domestic and exotic animals, awesome inventions, fascinating science and history. Also, tales of adventure, fantasy, horror, suspense and humour. Below is a taste of the stupendous books that are now part of San Anton's library!

The Three Promises

2011-01-20T13:11:00.010+01:00

Once there were three beautiful sisters: the youngest, Koseyapea, was the most beautiful and generous creature under the sun. Her elder sisters were jealous of her.

Their jealousy made them unkind and unfair and they never kept their promises .

One day Eleanor, their mother, said that she would give her most treasured jewels to the daughter she was proudest of. The first sister, Gold Eyes, went out to the woods to ask Spring for help.

When she reached the deepest part of the forest she cried:

“Spring, Spring, come help me

And a good friend to you I shall be

If you grant me this wish

Three promises will be yours “

Spring came to see what this young maiden wanted and promised to grant her wish. Gold Eyes wished for a huge piece of land, in which she would organise grand balls and parties .

After Spring gave her the land, she told her:

“ Promise me you shall share with me some food from the land ,

Promise to say I gave you the land if anyone asks were you got it from

And lastly, be grateful that I did so”

Gold Eyes gave her word and went home. The same thing happened with Silver Eyes, the second sister who wished for a jewelery shop. It also happened to Koseyapea, who wished for a farm.

It didn’t take long for the two elder sisters to break their promises. Koseyapea remained faithful to Spring .

Spring made Koseyapea a goddess, and her sisters regretted that they hadn’t kept their promises.

Christina Camilleri

The Baby Monkey

2011-01-14T08:58:00.008+01:00

Once upon a time there was a baby monkey. His name was Cheeky. His mum and dad were called Cheechy and Cheeko.

One day two men came to the forest where Cheeky, Cheechy and Cheeko lived. And those two men worked at the zoo. They wanted three monkeys. So they went hunting till they found the three-monkey family. They caught them with a net and then they put them in a box. They put the box in the truck. The monkeys were afraid but luckily Cheeky had very long nails so he could use them to escape through the hole.

When they got out Cheeko and Cheechy gave a slap on the men's faces with their tails. The two men became unconscious so the truck was out of control. So Cheeky decided to drive the truck himself. He quickly jumped into the driver's seat, took hold of the steering wheel and began driving. After a while he stopped the truck leaving the men unconscious locked in a box.

The monkeys got out through the windows and started swinging happily from one tree to another. They were free again.

Three months later Cheeky went to school and made lots of friends. He told them all about what happened. The other monkeys all stared at Cheeky because they had never heard anything like that. When school was over, he didn't want to leave because he had so much fun. But when Cheechy and Cheeko told him that they had bought lots of bananas he wanted to leave. When they got home and Cheeky saw the mouth-watering bananas he wanted one immediately. He took one and started peeling it.

When he finished eating it, he told his mum and dad that he made lots of new friends at school. Cheeko and Cheechy were so proud of Cheeky that they gave him another banana. Then he told them that he made lots of paintings at school. So they gave him another banana. He told them that his best friends were Bingo, Bango and Jango.

Next day when he was at school, he heard a noise coming from outside. He looked out of the window and saw two men in a truck. Cheeky recognised them. They were the two men who had captured him and his parents. So he told his friends to go and help scare the two men away. So they jumped on the truck and frightened the men. The men went away and were never seen again. So he went home and told his parents and they lived happily ever after.

by Ylenia Coleiro

2011-01-10T10:13:00.001+01:00

MERLIN LIBRARY have kindly donated a SIGNED (!) copy of Darren Shan's latest book called The Thin Executioner:

Jebel Rum is a thin, scrawny boy. His father is the famed executioner in the city where they live. When Jebel is humiliated in public, he sets off on a quest to gain great strength and invincibility. If successful, he will be able to compete in a gruelling contest to prove himself and replace his father as the wielder of the axe. Failure, on the other hands, means certain death.

To win the favour of a fire god, Jebel must make a human sacrifice. He finds a slave who is willing to pay this grisly price, and the pair set off on a trek through lands deadly and unwelcoming. In the course of their travels they will encounter hatred, bigotry, slavery, death and a whole lot more. It is the nightmarish adventure of a lifetime…

(Source: Darren Shan's site)

Thanks! :)

Clare Azzopardi żżur San Anton

2010-12-09T12:55:00.000+01:00

Clare Azzopardi, waħda mill-iktar awturi maħbubin, żaret San Anton fil-1 ta' Diċembru. Iltaqgħet l-ewwel mal-istudenti tal-Grade 10 u kellmithom dwar il-ktieb tagħha li ħareġ is-sena l-oħra, Il-Każ Kważi Kollu tal-Aħwa De Molizz. Il-ktieb jirrakkonta l-ġrajja ta' żewġt aħwa, Saver u Klawdjo De Molizz, li għandhom mibegħda kbira lejn tfal intelliġenti. Tant ma jistgħux għalihom li jiffurmaw aġenzija għat-twaqqigħ tal-iskejjel: kull m'għandhom bżonn huma l-firem ta' diversi studenti u l-iskola ssir frak. Pero' l-affarijiet ma jmorrux kif basru fil-bidu...

Clare qrat xi siltiet mill-ktieb u wara l-istudenti kellhom l-opportunita' li jistaqsuha domandi, dwar l-istorja tal-aħwa De Molizz, dwar il-karriera tagħha bħala kittieba u anki dwar xi xogħol li qed taħdem fuqu bħalissa.

Immedjatament wara ġew il-Grade 6. Clare ippreparat xi affarijiet fuq is-sensiela ta' Jake Cassar, it-tifel li flimkien m'oħtu Melanie, jivvjaġġa ta' sikwit fir-Renju tar-Re Pankrazju IV. Hawnhekk ikollhom diversi avventuri u jiltaqgħu ma' kreaturi bħall-furuni u s-sriek.

Wara li qratilhom xi siltiet mill-kotba u rrispondiet għall-mistoqsijiet li kellhom, Clare għamlitilhom eżerċizzju ċkejken. It-tfal kellhom stampa ta' sħabha li fiha kellhom ipinġu l-affarijiet li l-iktar jieħdu gost jaħsbu dwarhom. Meta lestew, il-librerija mtliet kollha sħab bil-ħolm tal-istudenti.

Fl-aħħarnett, Clare ġentilment iffirmat il-kotba tat-tfal u wegħdithom li la jkun hemm avventuri oħra ta' Jake Cassar, terġa' tiġi żżurhom!

Din iż-żjara ġiet organizzata minn MERLIN LIBRARY.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

2010-11-19T14:05:00.004+01:00

The first part of the final Harry Potter film adaptation is finally out! Check the trailer of the film below!

Visit the Official HARRY POTTER site.

First pictures from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

2010-05-26T12:50:00.006+02:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is surely one of the most eagerly awaited films. It is going to be in two parts and although everyone has read the book, the film production is being quite secretive about it. However a couple of pictures have been leaked from the set and they look mighty interesting! :)

Photos taken from the Oclumencia site.

World Book Week 2010 - Lauren St John

2010-05-10T12:30:00.023+02:00

Lauren St John's visit was originally planned for World Book Week. However, seeing that Eyjafjallajokull (aka the Iceland volcano) decided otherwise, the visit had to be postponed by a couple of weeks.

In the meantime the students had much to keep them occupied. The school participated in a model competition aimed at raising awareness about endangered animals, an initiative coordinated by Lauren and Merlin Library. The Grade 8s took this task to heart and submitted three models: a panda, a tiger and a snow leopard. The models were then exhibited at St James Cavalier which at the time was hosting the first ever Children's Literature Festival. Some of the students, accompanied by the school librarian, attended this event in which they also got to meet, virtually (by means of a webcam), Lauren.

This did not mean that they were denied the opportunity to meet her in person. The children were really looking forward to her visit and, right enough, a fortnight later, Lauren visited the school. The students were in awe: you could hear a pin drop. They were completely absorbed by the tales of Lauren's youth spent in Africa surrounded by many exotic animals. She also told them of her work towards relocating zoo animals back to their natural habitat, and raising awareness about species that risk extinction.

Lauren also spoke about her books, four titles collectively known as the White Giraffe series. These were inspired by tales of her childhood, reworked and reshaped with heavy doses of imagination. They feature the adventures of Martine, who after the demise of her parents, goes to live with her grandmother in Africa. The books are spiced with drama and adventure, making them veritable page-turners.

Lauren St John is a truly inspiring person. Besides being an author, she also finds the time, energy and commitment to promote an extremely worthy cause. It was great getting to know her.

Visit LAUREN ST JOHN's site

World Book Week 2010 - Rita Antoinette Borġ

2010-04-20T09:56:00.000+02:00

Local author and story-teller Rita Antoinette Borġ visited the school and had a session with the Grade 4s and 5s. Ms Borġ started off by introducing Pepito, a cheerful and colourful parrot who lives in South America, and who loves to share his knowledge of geography and animals with children.

Next came a story session, during which Ms Borġ read one of her stories, Taqsamx it-Triq Fuxa! The children were engrossed as Ms Borġ narrated the adventures of little Fuxa who discovered that crossing a busy road is far from easy! The students loved the particular format of the flip-over books, where the same story is told in both Maltese and in English.

Ms Borġ also spoke to the students about the importance of reading. Besides it being a great past time, it also helps with getting ideas for stories and learning new words.

Click HERE to visit Ms Borġ's website.

World Book Week 2010 - Marianne Tabone

2010-04-16T09:23:00.002+02:00

This year's World Book Week kicked off with a visit by Marianne Tabone, a local author whose books chronicling the adventures of Anġlu Piżellu are quite popular among the students. Ms Tabone started her session by talking about herself, what inspires her and how important it is for writers to keep on reading as much as possible. She also mentioned some characters from her childhood who, with a bit of tweak here and there, found themselves sharing the lively angel's adventures.

After her talk, Ms Tabone allowed a few minutes for questions, an opportunity upon which the students pounced. They asked a myriad of questions but the one which seemed to interest them most regarded the ever elusive issue of ideas: where do these come from? Ms Tabone answered that one can find ideas anywhere, you just have to look around. A quirky gesture or a random comment from a stranger can be enough to spark off an idea for a character or a story.

Ms Tabone concluded her session by reading one of her stories to the students.

Awesome Film based on Awesome Book

2010-03-12T10:36:00.007+01:00

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole is an epic fantasy about owls who live during a time when humans have gone extinct. Owls can read, write and do other things that were previously done by humans. It is the tale of Soren who, together with other owls, is captured by the evil Skench and forced to do things against his will. He manages to escape and on his journey he makes new friends. Together they are looking for a mythical tree and once they find it new enemies emerge...

It is an awesome series of books and a must-read for fantasy lovers. It is coming out as a film (based on the first three books) on September 24th 2010...

Review by Ariane

Official Site for the Books

TRAILER:

Percy Jackson Film Preview

2010-03-02T12:22:00.011+01:00

Merlin Library were kind enough to supply the school with 15 free tickets for the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief film preview. The lucky winners, whose name was pulled out of a hat (or rather, a box) had a whale of a time. These are some of their comments:

I really enjoyed the film. Percy Jackson was my favourite character. I loved it when he fought against the hydra and then when he went to Las Vegas. The scene of Camp Half-Blood is very cool too. I really enjoyed this film and wouldn't mind watching it again.

Timothy

I liked the movie because there are two worlds and one of them is full of Greek gods. Many people don't know about it. Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon and he goes on a quest to bring back his mother and to bring back Zeus' lightning bolt. It was a very exciting story.

Matthew

Percy Jackson is a teenager who goes on a quest with his friends. They have special powers and they need to save Percy's mother from an evil Greek god. But the gods think that Percy is the lightning thief. It turns out he's not.

Max

I think that Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief had amazing graphics! Also I think that if I was in the movie I would have loved to try and throw Poseidon's trident. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was such a good movie that I want to read all the books and watch the next movie!

Paul

The film is adventurous and based on Greek mythology. Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen and Percy Jackson blamed for the theft. In the meantime his mother is kidnapped and Percy has to go to the underworld to save her. He needs to find three objects to get out of the underworld.

Rebecca

I really liked the film because it was adventurous. My favourite part was when Percy Jackson fought against Medusa. It was funny when Medusa's head was cut off but her eyes kept turning people to stone!

Christian

Percy Jackson is a very interesting and adventurous movie. It is one of the best films I have seen so far. Percy Jackson is a boy who is half human and half god as he is the son of Poseidon. This is what I found really interesting.

Emma

Percy Jackson books and film official site.

The Grand Prix Final (Story)

2010-03-02T11:00:00.001+01:00

Fifteen years ago, my brother had gone to hospital because he was in a bad car crash!

It was the Grand Prix Final and he was the driver with the best chance to win. But in the last few seconds, someone crashed into his car from behind.

Now, it is my turn to take his place in the Grand Prix Final. I have a chance of winning, just like he had.

I was very careful so the same thing wouldn't happen to me. I kept checking my rear view mirror. There was this driver who was coming closer to me. I recognised that he was the brother of that other driver that crashed into my own brother!

I made sure that I wouldn't fall for the same trick so I swerved to the right and put him off track.

It paid off cause I won the race! I dedicated this victory to my brother.

Paul - 7.1

Hetty Feather

2010-02-22T15:22:00.000+01:00

Despite her being a very prolific author, Jacqueline Wilson still manages to elicit a sense of excitement whenever one of her books is due to be released. Hetty Feather proved to be no exception.

This time round, Jacqueline Wilson's story takes us to London during the year 1876. Hetty is still a baby when her mother leaves her on the doorstep of an orphanage. However she must first live with a foster family before she is old enough to go to school. Hetty goes to live in the countryside where she spends a large amount of time with her 'brothers' Gem and Gideon. One day a travelling circus passes by and Hetty is mesmerised by the show.

The time comes when Hetty has to go back to the orphanage and she finds it really difficult to adapt to this kind of new life, involving school and terrible lunches. There is one positive side to this - now she can start looking for her real mum.

Jacqueline Wilson official site

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

2010-02-05T09:02:00.004+01:00

Author Rick Riordan's series of books featuring Percy Jackson are amongst the most popular titles with children. The thrilling adventures of this young boy as he tests his wits and courage against mythological creatures, have captured the imagination of many.

The story is as follows: Percy Jackson is always up to mischief and trouble, and in fact has been expelled from several schools. One fine day, during an outing, one of his teachers turns into a monster and tries to kill him. However he manages to stay alive thanks to a pen that magically transforms into a sword. Understandably, this disconcerts Percy quite a lot and a string of similarly odd occurrences does nothing to dispel his nervous mood. Going back home offers no solace either as his mother is at the moment living with this despicable man known as 'Smelly Gabe'. Some time later she is kidnapped by a minotaur. Percy does not know what to do but one of his friends, Grover, who turns out to be a satyr, takes him to Camp Half-Blood, which is a training ground for demigods. And the adventure continues.

As you can see, Percy Jackson's stories are breathtaking and leave one craving for what's coming next. Once you start reading a story, you simply MUST keep on at it till the very end. So imagine the reaction of many at the news of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief being turned into a movie! The trailer has been released and it looks awesome. The director, Chris Columbus, is the same one behind the first two Harry Potter installments. So this should be extremely good. :)

Percy Jackson Official Site

Rick Riordan

Author Visit

2010-01-23T12:18:00.003+01:00

Ms Faye Cukier visited San Anton School to promote and talk about the book she's written called Fleeing the Swastika, a gripping true tale of her youth spent travelling all over war-torn Europe.

World War Two was a gruesome chapter in the history of the Twentieth Century. There was the rise to power of the Third Reich which eventually led to the beginning of a terrible war that embroiled all the countries of the world. However, as time goes by, events tend to move farther and farther away from memory. Sometimes this is beneficial, at other times it's not. Very few persons who lived through this terrible ordeal are still alive, and therefore it was quite a privilege to have the author of Fleeing the Swastika coming to school.

Ms Cukier is a charming and elegant lady of Jewish origin, whose gentle manners belie a difficult past replete with adventure and hardship. She remembers vividly the hasty moving from one city to another in order not to be discovered by Nazis during World War Two. But things had not always been like this.

Ms Cukier's life started full of promise. Her father was a successful businessman who could afford to raise his family in relative comfort. However, as the Nazi government gained in popularity, the Cukiers found it more and more difficult to get by. This forced Ms Cukier and her mother to leave Germany for Brussels. They made their move just in time as a few months later saw The Night of Broken Glass, in which Jewish homes, shops and synagogues were demolished.

Life in Belgium wasn't easy either. First of all Ms Cukier was told that she had to wear the Jewish yellow star, something she refused to do. However, acting upon the suggestion of a friendly policeman, she dyed her hair blonde so as not to look Jewish. During this time she also got involved in the diamond trade in order to help her family survive. It was an arduous period in which Ms Cukier had to be constantly on the alert.

But with the end of the war, her family was liberated and eventually got her lifelong dream of going to America. Still, some sad moments persisted as Ms Cukier had friends who had perished in the streets and in concentration camps. And this was one of the reasons why she ventured to write this book - as a tribute to all those who suffered during such a terrible war.

World Book Week 2009 - Short Story Poster

2009-04-22T06:37:00.009+02:00

The theme for this year is A Picture and a Thousand Words. Nowadays the world is being literally bombarded by larger than-life-images in the form of billboards, commercials, animations, logos, etc. The book industry is no exception and it has seen an increase in the use of visual aids to get the message (or story) through. Illustrators like Quentin Blake and Nick Sharrat, have work that is immediately recognised and associated with a particular author. Many books are being accompanied by DVDs and, for the older ones, links to interactive sites where the story is developed beyond the pages of the book. This also explains the increased popularity of comics (or graphic novels).

----------

Grades 4 - 7 had a related activity going on. The librarian read a short story to each grade during a library session. The stories were the following:

Grade 4 - Henry and Margaret by Francesca Simon

Grade 5 - Something Different by Anne Fine

Grade 6 - The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde

Grade 7 - Don't Ask Jack by Neil Gaiman

Each class was then divided into groups and each group had to come up with a poster. These posters are now on display in the library. :)

World Book Week 2009 - Trevor Zahra & Mikiel

2009-04-20T22:31:00.014+02:00

World Book Week kicked off with a very special guest. Local author Trevor Zahra met the Grade 9 students to talk about his books. At the moment they have Fuklar Qadim u Bnadar Imcarrta as a class reader and therefore they were very excited at the idea of meeting the author. In conjunction with the librarian, they also prepared a small Powerpoint presentation about one of the chapters in the book.

Seeing that this year's theme is A Picture and a Thousand Words, Mr Zahra placed special emphasis on the illustration of his books, which he does himself. He brought with him some samples of work he'd done and explained the various intricacies that such work entails.

At the end of his talk Mr Zahra was kind enough to sign books (and t-shirts sporting a logo in Maltese) for the students.

The younger students of the Junior Sector where on the other hand treated to story-telling sessions courtesy of Rita Antoinette Borg and Mikiel, the lovable mascot of Agenda Kids Club. The children were enthralled during the whole time and absorbed every single word. They simply loved looking at the big books and participating in the story as it unfolded. And after each session, they simply had to go and hug Mikiel and Ms Borg!

Gnomes in the Garden

2008-06-14T08:56:00.000+02:00

One morning, Jake wakes up and looks out of the window. He sees that his two gnomes in the garden are trashed. He wonders why but can't get an answer.

In the middle of the night, Jake wakes to the sound of a disturbing noise. He creeps out of bed and goes into the garden with his flashlight. He goes behind a bush, and in front of the bush he sees the two gnomes fighting. Jake is terrified. The gnomes are alive! So that's why they were trashed to bits. Then Jake jumps out and shines his flashlight on the gnomes. At once, they freeze and turn back into statues.

The following night Jake is ready for them. When the sun is down and the moon is up, Jake prepares himself behind the same bush. Then he hears them. The gnomes start fighting, as usual. Jake counts to three and jumpsout of the bush. But this time the gnomes are quick and run into the bushes. But Jake follows them. He crushes through the bushes and catches up with them.

Suddenly, Jake stops. In front of him is a porthole. The gnomes are on the other side, ready to jump in. Jake tries to shine the flashlight on them, but they have already gone through the porthole. Jake closes his eyes and does the same.

He falls to the ground and gets up. He looks around and realises that he is right outside his house in the garden. Then Jake quickly turns around expecting to see the gnomes. But instead he sees two statues. They are his parents. How can this be? Is this another world? He hears noise coming from the house. And then he understands. He has jumped into a porthole that transported him into another world. A place where everything is switched around. His parents are the gnomes frozen outside in the garden, and inside the house are the two gnomes alive.

Jake knew what he has to do. He opens the front door and waves at the gnomes. And they see him. Then Jake runs into the garden and waits. The two gnomes run out and stop, rooted to the spot. They are frozen. They have turned back into statues.

Jake knows this was happening because this world is the other way round and his parents are frozen in dark not sunlight, like the gnomes. So the live gnomes that are in the house will get frozen in the dark. Then Jake starts feeling stiff. He can't move his legs. He is turning to stone! Into a statue!

Julian - Grade 7.3

WINNER of WORLD BOOK WEEK 2008 Short Story Competition

Good Deeds Bounce Back

2008-06-14T07:13:00.001+02:00

One bright sunny morning in July, a man named Alan McGregor was walking on the beach. The sun shone in his face as he walked across the golden beach. As he was staring out at a calm, blue sea he spotted two bobs of gold paddling their way across the waves. As they came closer, Alan saw that they were two dogs. He jumped into the sea and rescued them. When he brought them back, he saw that they had name tags. He returned them to their owners and to say thank you, the owners gave Alan one of their puppies. He named the puppy Pink.

Alan went everywhere with Pink and they soon became the greatest of friends. Alan felt secure when Pink was with him. In the afternoons, Alan took Pink to the beach with him and used to meditate. Alan felt even more secure beacuse cars could not drive through to the beach. That afternoon, a car drove through the beach without noticing the signs. Since Alan was meditating he could not see or hear the car coming. Only Pink noticed the car coming their way. Pink barked, but Alan was still lost in his meditating.

Pink put herself directly in the way of the car. Just as Alan became aware of what was going on, the man in the car saw Pink and dodged her. This further strenghtened Alan and Pink's friendship. This just proves that since Alan saved the dogs and brought them back to their home, Pink, the daughter of the dogs saved Alan's life. It proves that every good deed that we do bounces back at us.

Matthew - Grade 7.3

RUNNER-UP WORLD BOOK WEEK Short Story Competition

The Day Everything Disappeared

2008-06-14T06:09:00.005+02:00

One day there was a lovely blue bird in an oak tree, there was a flock of sheep running in a meadow. There were pretty pink buterflies flying in the air.

The following day there was a magician at a boys' birthday party. The magician wanted to make a ball disappear but the trick went horribly wrong because he was so so rushed by the children, that he made everything disappear.

The children in the party disappeared, the blue bird disappeared, even the oak tree disappeared, the sheep stopped running and disappeared, the pretty pink butterflies disappeared, every living creature, every country, state, continent and planet disappeared, the whole world disappeared. Everything in the universe disappeared. So there was nothing else to disappear, not even a pretty pink butterfly.

Max - Grade 7.1

RUNNER-UP WORLD BOOK WEEK 2008 Short Story Competition

Me and My Books

2008-06-13T13:18:00.005+02:00

I am sometimes teased,
and not very pleased
because I read books
which don't improve my looks.

I just can't help it,
I'll go and sit
take a book,
and give it a good look.

Time flies when I'm reading a book,
so I don't bother to give the clock a look
when we go back to class
I wonder how the time passed so fast.

On Book Day,
some children try to stay away
when books are such fun
especially if you have more than one.

In the end it was their loss,
I showed them who is boss;
with books I am always on top
that's why I will never stop.

Dawn - Grade 6.1

WINNER of WORLD BOOK WEEK 2008 Poetry Competition.

The Wizard's Story

2008-06-13T12:22:00.001+02:00

Once, there was a wizard,
who swallowed a lizard
and got caught in a blizzard.

His name was Fay,
he was born in May,
and, they say,
was born in a barnyard of hay.

He lives in a number of flats,
his neighbours have rats
and lots of bats.

He flew to the moon
on his broom
while holding a spoon.

Later, he went to Pluto,
and found a creature called Muto,
which was half hog and half dog.

Then, he coughed the lizard,
so more bad luck for the Wizard!!

If you look at the sky,
you will see someone saying bye,
on a star so far,
on the Milky Way;
if you look closely,
that is Fay.

Bettina - Grade 6.1

RUNNER-UP for WORLD BOOK DAY 2008 Poetry Competition.

My Dream

2008-06-13T11:29:00.001+02:00

Last night I had a dream,
of dolphins in the sea.
Strange creatures in their team
all waiting for their tea.
Shining diamonds in the sky
and aliens flying by
all waving me goodbye.
Hope I'll see them again next time.

Andrew - Grade 6.4

RUNNER-UP for WORLD BOOK DAY 2008 Poetry Competition.

In The Name Of Science

2008-05-05T13:10:00.007+02:00

As dawn crawls quietly across the morning sky

The hounds pretend to sleep; silent they lie.

They know that when the door will let in rays of light

The one that will be taken won’t live another night.

When sudden brightness comes and overwhelms the room,

It brings with it the shadow of one unlucky hound’s doom.

They choose at random; any animal will do.

The one that is chosen has eyes of brightest blue.

Men take him to a place where surfaces gleam bright.

The hound struggles and thrashes with all his might.

Then he feels the needle; it’s way too sharp and cold

And he’s engulfed in blackness, far too vast and bold.

And those who’ll finish like him yowl in despair,

Because their grief and sadness is too much to bear.

Their howls cleave the silence, but the world pays no heed.

For people only care about what people need.

Over the hound which for the sake of science died,

No soul, no person, no one has ever cried.

Giulia 9.3

World Book Week

2008-04-24T12:01:00.010+02:00

Last week was World Book and Copyright Day. The 23rd of April was chosen to celebrate books and reading for a very specific purpose. William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright ever, was born on this day. He became famous for his absorbing plots and superb command of the English language. Therefore it seemed quite fitting that his birthday would be chosen to make people more aware of the wonderful world of books.

San Anton School decided to go a step further and instead of devoting just one day to this event, a week full of activities was planned. All the school was involved, from the very young ones in the Junior Sector to the oldest students in Senior Sector. A number of guest authors also visited the school... but let's go through the whole event day-by-day.

On Monday, Mikiel, the popular children's mascot of Agenda Kids Club, together with story-teller Rita Antoinette Borg, visited the Junior Sector. Children and teachers were thrilled at the sight of the big friendly giant dog and his companion. After much cheering and clapping, Ms Borg then proceeded to read a story to the children.

As this was going on, the Grade 5 were busy with their Class Atlas. This consisted of a worksheet wherein each class had to put down the topographical details of their classroon. Width, height, number of chairs, doors and windows, subjects they study - EVERYTHING. By the end of the activity they had a fact sheet of their classroom.

Next was the Grade 7s turn. They were treated to a very interesting talk by Joe Attard about the goings about of publishing a research book. Mr Attard is one of the local authorities about Maltese flora and fauna and his talk proved to be a stimulating experience.

The Grade 7s were busy the following day as well. They had a Short Story Competition. The librarian visited each class and expalined the rules of the competition, after which the students had an entire lesson in which to write their own, original story. The best one of the Grade shall win a prize.

Local children's illustrator Marisa Attard visited the school and did a workshop with the Grade 5s. This proved to be a huge success as the children were awed at Ms Attard's dexterity with her pen and were very keen to try their own illustrations. The library was transformed into a hullaballoo of activity as children posed, sketched and giggled at each other's drawings.

On this day, the Write-A-Story activity kicked off as well. This is activity consisted of a big book with the beginning of a story. Starting from Grade 0.1, the book is going through all the classes in the Junior Sector, and each class has to read the story so far, add its bit, and pass it on to the next class. Thus, in the end, there will be a story written by the entire Junior Sector.

On Wednesday, Trevor Zahra visited the school. He is undoubtedly the most prolific of children's authors and well-loved by readers of all ages. It was quite an honour to have him over to speak to the Grade 9s. The latter, in collaboration with the librarian and the Maltese Department, prepared a surprise for Mr Zahra. A number of students stayed after school hours and filmed a trailer for Fuklar Qadim u Bnadar Imcarrta, the book they are presently doing in class. Mr Zahra was extremely pleased with this and congratulated everyone involved on doing a great job.

Later on the Grade 6s had a Story-Telling Session with Ms Vicki, the Head of San Anton School. She chose a beautiful and challenging story written by Malorie Blackman that dealt with bullying. The children were absorbed in the story throughout the entire session and one could tell that they were paying attention to every single word.

During break there was a book sale. This proved to be an enormous hit. The stand was literally stormed by children, eager to buy a book. The selection, supplied to us by Merlin Library, was superb and therefore there was something for everyone. There were many students who left the stall with a satisfied grin and a book clutched in their hands. (A big thank you goes to all the members of staff who volunteered to help during this activity.)

Thursday kicked off with the Grade 6s Poetry Competition. Once again, the librarian popped over to each class and explained the rules. The students had one lesson in which to write their original poem., which was then collected by the class teacher. The best one of the lot shall be awarded a prize.

As this was going on, Ms Vicki was conducting a workshop for parents. She used her own experience both as a mother and as an educator to share strategies on how to get children enamoured with books and reading. The parents found this extremely helpful and their enthusiasm was obvious during the group exercise at the end of the session.

A couple of hours later, Ms Vicki was once again on the centre stage as she read a story to the Grade 11s. She chose a supernatural story by Ray Bradbury. It was a very intense experience and there were a couple of students who actually jumped during some moments of the story. So kudos to Mr Bradbury as a writer and Ms Anastasi as a story-teller.

On the last day of World Book Week, the school in general and the Grade 10s in particular were given a very special treat. Merlin Library chose San Anton School to launch a week-long tour by authors Simon Bartolo and Lorrane Vella, whose book Wied Wirdien hit the bookshops that very day. It was a very special moment as their previous book, Sqaq l-Infern, had sold over a thousand copies in a couple of days. Also, a television crew came over to film the event. It was a special moment that was enjoyed by everyone around.

Next came Spot the Dog. The latter is a very popular and much beloved character amongst the younger students of the Junior Sector. Merlin Library had kindly supplied the school with a number of Spot the Dog beanies, together with a certificate of adoption, and therefore, the librarian, together with Ms Maria Pia Galea, the Head of Administration, went round the Grade 0 and Grade 1 classes to give a Spot the Dog to each class. He will be the class mascot and whenever they read a story, they can use him to animate his adventures.

Last but not least on the agenda, were the Grade 4s. Each class came to the library and they did a session about bookmarks. The librarian explained what a bookmark is and how to use it and then proceeded to give each student an empty bookmark. They had to draw on it pictures about their favourite books. Not only this, but Merlin Library supplied the school with a number of freebie books, and therefore each child went home with a book and a bookmark.

Besides the above activities, there were other sessions being held throughout the school. The French and Italian departments had book review and book author projects going on, which are at the moment being displayed in the library. The English and Maltese departments, on the other hand, had short stories and fairy tales which are also beng displayed in the library.

It was an eventful week packed with activities and it was clear that the children were enjoying every single bit of it. Reading and story-telling is an enjoyable experience that stimulates and excites one's imagination. Nurturing the latter is as important as having food on the table. Imagination is an essential tool towards the intellectual and emotional development of any individual.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

2008-03-06T10:07:00.000+01:00

The Spiderwick Chronicles will soon be released in the local cinemas. This is a fantastic adventure based on the series of books by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The film tells the story of Simon and his brother Jared who, together with their sister Mallory and their mum, go to live in the secluded mansion owned by their great great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. There is some seriously creepy stuff going on and everyone seems to be blaming Jared. However, when he and his brother and sister start to investigate the strange occurences, a sinister explanation is unraveled...

To go on the Official Movie website CLICK HERE.
To go on Holly Black's site CLICK HERE.
To go on Tony DiTerlizzi's site CLICK HERE.
To go to the Spiderwick site CLICK HERE.

And here is the Trailer:

New Titles in the Library!

2008-03-05T08:57:00.013+01:00

My Brother's Famous Bottom Gets Pinched!

by Jeremy Strong

'Now then, where's my fabulous bottom?' 'It's behind you,' said Dad. 'Where else could it be?'

Nicholas's brother's bottom is so famous it's going on tour. The TV people are taking the family on the road - but somebody has to look after the goat! And when the Bumper Dumper tour bus is kidnapped by giant babies it's up to Nicholas to save the day - can he get there in time?

To go to Jeremy Strong's site CLICK HERE.

----------

Spiderman 3 : The Movie Novel
by Jasmine Jones

Everything's going great for Peter Parker - and Spiderman - until some mysterious black goo oozes into his life. It forms into a new black suit that leads Peter down a dark path of pride and revenge... and into the clutches of fearful villains Sandman and Venom. Will everyone's favourite hero ever be the same?

To go to Spiderman 3's site CLICK HERE.

----------

The Tide Knot
by Helen Dunmore

I can't go back in the house. I'm restless, pricking all over. The wind hits me like slaps from huge invisible hands. But it's not the wind that worries me. It's something else, beyond the storm...

Sapphire and her brother Conor can't forget their adventures in Ingo, the mysterious world beneath the sea. They long to see their Mer friends once more. But a crisis is brewing far below the ocean's surface, where Saldowr, the wisest of the Mer, guards the Tide Knot. And soon both Sapphire and Conor will be drawn into Ingo's troubled waters...

To go to Helen Dunmore's site CLICK HERE.

----------

Steven Gerrard : My Story
by Steven Gerrard

Have you ever wanted to be a football hero? To play for your favourite team, or even England?

This is Steven Gerrard's story - from kick-arounds woth his friends on the street outside his house to becoming captain of Liverpool and a vitally important player in the England team.

Did you know that when he was nine, just after he'd started training at Liverpool, Gerrard had an accident that nearly ended his career before it had even started?

Find out what it feels like to win the FA Cup, to walk up the tunnel at Wembley with the crowd going crazy and to score for England in Steven Gerrard's exciting autobiography!

To go to Steven Gerrard's site CLICK HERE.

----------

101 Fantastic Things To Do With Your Computer
by Tony & Liz Wheeler

Jam-packed with jokes and other activities, this book helpsyou get the most from your computer. Easy-to-follow instructions mean the book and CD-Rom work together, to help you have all the kinds of digital fun.

----------

The above information was copied from the blurbs of the respective titles.

Parents' Day Bookstand

2008-02-19T09:09:00.005+01:00

The Junior Sector had Parents' Day on Friday the 15th and, as usual, the Librarian put up a bookstand. The latter has by now become a familiar beacon amidst the steady current of mummies and daddies who eagerly rush to confer with their child's teacher. On their way back, most parents cannot resist taking a peek at the numerous titles on display and, hooray hooray, purchasing a book or two.

The Librarian gets the said books from a supplier (a different one for each Parents' Day) who would offer to pay a commission to the school for every book sold. These would then go towards purchasing more resources for the library. Therefore the students get a double treat: a book to read at home and more books to read from school.

Last Friday sales went extremely well. In all, the school made around €180 profit, which is one of the highest ever in the venerable history of Parents' Day bookstands. An enormous thank you goes to Maria Pia and Agnes who helped tremendously throughout!

Ħrejjef

2008-02-12T10:14:00.000+01:00

Il-klassi tal-Malti tal-Grade 8 ingħatalhom proġett li fih kellhom jagħżlu żewġt iħrejjef li jridu huma u jamalgamawhom flimkien. Għalhekk inkitbu stejjer fejn Sindirella u Pinokkjo ltaqgħu; fejn is-Sbejħa Rieqda u l-Qattus biż-Żarbun kellhom avventura; fejn Ġaħan u t-Tlett Iqżieqeż daħlu f’bawxata nobis; u ħafna u ħafna oħrajn.

Ix-xogħlijiet ta’ l-istudenti, apparti l-immaġinazzjoni fertilissima, għandhom preżentazzjoni mill-aqwa. Imżewqa b’bosta kuluri, disinji, stampi u rimiżolji oħra, fihom verament daqqa t’għajn sabiħa hekk kif tidħol fil-librerija.

Prosit tassew Grade 8!!

Innocent - Book Review

2008-01-16T13:09:00.000+01:00

Since I really like to read and it's one of my favourite hobbies, I'd like to write about a book which I really enjoyed.

Last month I read a book called Innocent written by Anne Cassidy. This book is really interesting. I had never read any books by Anne Cassidy before so I didn't really know what this book was about exactly. However I decided to read it because my classmate had suggested it. Before she gave it to me, she told me a bit about it, and I got really interested.

This book is about a family - a brother (Brad), a sister (Charlie) and their dad but there wasn't a mum. Their dad was trying to take care of them both. But one day the police came to their house and they took Brad to the police station. They were asking him questions about a crash that happened but he didn't know anything about it. Charlie was trying to help him but he didn't want and so she knew that he was innocent. She also knew who was the guy to blame - it was her brother's best friend, Denny, with whom she used to go out.

If you've never read the book, I suggest you do!

Thank you!

Emilia

A Note Of Madness - Book Review

2008-01-16T10:18:00.000+01:00

A Note Of Madness tells the story of Flynn, a talented young pianist who is reading for a degree at the Royal College of Music. One of his lecturers recommends him for a prestigious concert, which for Flynn would be the opportunity of a lifetime. He is eventually chosen but this means that there are hectic weeks ahead of him. Together with his mentor, Flynn opts for Rachmaninoff's 3rd concerto, one of the most difficult pieces ever written for piano. Therefore he has to cope with strenuous rehearsals, besides his coursework.

At first he is doing just fine, but before long, pressure starts mounting and Flynn finds it increasingly difficult to manage. He becomes hyperactive, moving from one thing to the next without ever pausing. These manic moments are intercut by episodes of extreme depression where he starts feeling that he is not good enough and will not be able to play properly. Flynn's mood swings drive Harry, his flatmate, nuts, and even his friend Jennah starts worrying about Flynn's lifestyle.

Tabitha Suzuma's book deals with manic depression. This is a condition where a person would be feeling on top of the world one moment, and very depressed the other. It is a good book that despite being derivative, tackles the issue of mental health in a very sensitive and humane manner. Recommended for readers 14+

The Mysterious Dog

2007-11-16T10:41:00.000+01:00

There is a dark alley close to our house. It is haunted by our dog.

Last year Emerald died. Emerald was our pet dog. We called him Emerald because of his emerald-like eyes. When he died we buried him in the garden and put a tombstone reading R.I.P. Emerald did not rest in peace - he came back in peace!!!

This time his dark black fur had disappeared but it had turned bright emerald green!!! I was shocked. My eyeballs felt like popping right out of their sockets with amazement!! But even though he was a ghost I still played fetch with him.

My neighbours were left with their mouths open. I do not blame them. Have you ever seen a boy with a ghost dog?

After two weeks he disappeared. We could not find him anywhere. Then I thought of the alley we used to walk through when he was alive. When I went there he jumped on me and licked my face.

I started visiting Emerald every day. You must know the saying 'A dog is a man's best friend'!!!

Gabriel

My Tear Drop

2007-11-15T08:30:00.000+01:00

My tear drop
Is going down my face
Down my cheeks
And past my lips

My tear drop
Is going down memory lane
When I first heard your name
When we first fell in love

My tear drop
Is on the tip of my chin
About to tumble
About to die

My tear drop is fallin
I'm calling your name
I'm losing everything about you
Even your smiling face

My tear drop has died
It crashed to the ground
Scattered into a million crystals
As I frown

I guess it will never be
Just you and me
You are lost
My tear drop is gone

Tamsin

BMXcitement

2007-11-14T14:10:00.000+01:00

I love doing tricks and combos on my custom-made BMX. I spend a lot of time practicing the barspin, and I wish I could do the tailwhip or a 360. I like Mike Spinner a lot because he is awesome on a bike and he manages to do incredible stunts.

My favourite trick is the frontflip tailwhip which was only landed twice last August, by the second best biker Scotty Cranmer. He is considered to be a machine because he can do practically anything and he is merely 21 years old. He is definitely my favourite rider cause he amazes me so much at what he does.

The worst fall I've seen was a crash on a double backflip on the trails. The biker who crashed was Stephen Murray, a sensational dirt rider who is truly a guy to watch.

The best trick I've learnt until now was a 180 fakie. The worst fall I've ever had was trying out a new gap. The trick I want to learn at the moment is a 360.

Andrew

Dark Angels and the Emperor

2007-11-06T14:34:00.000+01:00

Dark Angels are like any other Space Marines. They fight for the Emperor against chaos. Chaos are twisted marines who are being controlled by the Evil Emperor. There was once an epic fight between the Emperor and his son (who is in fact the Evil Emperor) and it was told that hundreds of thousands of years ago the Emperor's son walked away from the palace and got lost in the Forbidden Land. And after a while chaos corrupted his mind and when he went back to the palace the Evil Emperor and his father had a fight and the Evil Emperor the Emperor's heart and slashed down to the hip. (That's where two hearts come in handy.)

Dylan

Literacy Programme Presentation

2007-10-24T11:29:00.001+02:00

Yet another activity in the library. This time round, Ms Carmen Muscat delivered a talk about San Anton's Junior literacy programme, what it involves and how it is implemented by the staff. The presentation was intended for Grade 1 parents, of which there was a very encouraging turnout. Judging by their response and feedback after the session, the exercise was a success.

ACTS

2007-10-23T14:57:00.000+02:00

Members of ACTS visited the school and spent a very interesting hour and a half with the Grade 12 students. There was music, videos, games and, most importantly, much to think about.

A considerable chunk of the session was taken by the video presentation, which was powerful and to the point. ACTS tackled issues that are part and parcel of every adolescent's life but which, due to rampant media exploitation, might easily be misunderstood. Self-worth, peer pressure, drug abuse, intimacy, one's perception of his/her body image - these are topics that constantly challenge us and it is of utmost importance to have the right attitude to deal with them.

The overall message was staggeringly simple: when confronted with choice, one must apply a spiritual context to it, otherwise it becomes empty and meaningless.

Welcome Back!!!

2007-10-09T09:02:00.000+02:00

New look, new year and new stuff going on!

The blog, as you must have noticed, has changed look. The various colourful shapes that characterised the previous layout have now made way for a more relaxing blue. Relaxing, but no less fun. The blog will still house rambunctious ramblings about events happening in the library. The first of which was...

**********

... the Grade 8s meeting.

Activities in the library started earlier than usual as the newly promoted students of Grade 8 were rounded up for an orientation day. This took place one day before the rest of the students commenced the scholastic year. The idea behind this orientation day was to familiarise the students with the Senior School grounds prior to the hullaballo that obviously accompanies the beginning of the year.

The students were gathered in the library where they were addressed by Ms Vicki, the Head of School, and Mr Joe, the Assistant Head for the Senior Sector. Eventually they were assigned to their respective class and accompanied on a tour of the premises by the class teacher.

**********

As for the other stuff... you just keep on watching this space!!

A Way To Freedom

2007-05-22T13:43:00.000+02:00

To be liberated
To be emancipated
To get away
To find a way

To be freed
We're all in need
Of freedom some day
We'll find a way

To be free to leave
Not one of us is a thief
We will not stay
We'll find a way

This dream we've got
We will not let it rot
Come what may
We will find a way

To be let out
And be able to shout
"We're free today!"
We will find a way

Marco

Blessing

2007-05-18T13:42:00.000+02:00

Splashing, slopping, lashing, swishing, sweeping,
gushing, whistling, crashing, bashing;
the watery depths - swallowing,
and the angels - weeping.

Continuously, for months, the water plumes,
indulging in its gleaming wet world.
The day is cold as the night, and just as dark and dreary
and the lightning curls, flickers piercing,
and the wind and rain are never weary.

On and on, this deluge seems to be without refrain
the land drunk, lifeless and cold in the February rain,
and the gale beats a rhythm upon the window panes
and viciously rips the catkins off the poplar trees
as an entire nation waits for the sun...

Yes, there is such a longing that blossoms for the mellow breeze!
Trapped inside, all day children huddle in corners, praying
and peering woefully at the storm outside:

The storm which twists and coils and clutches at the shrieking panes
and brings seas of wan white mist to enfold the land,
swirling slowly as they feign a tender embrace...

The same storm which leaves the few, pitiful vultures,
those too feeble to fly away,
harping mournfully as they look upon the drunken land
and see reflections of only desruction in the rippling puddles,
puddles like a looking glass,
where everything seems upside down as the black clouds overhead pass...

Aye, 'tis the self same storm which savages and ravages the helpless trees
and brings the sick leaves reeling down in throngs
pained shreds of the tattered, tumbling skies that,
like a dream,
seem to be falling into the skyline...

The Lord Thunder roars a solo in clashes of angry voices
and the Lady Wind shrieks back a chorus -
treble, tenor and bass.
It is a wild call, wailing heart-break in its song
as the stage, once thriving, turns desolate.

Then comes a queer, silent hushing...
The chill wind becomes languid as though in pain,
and the silver, liquid drops slow to a whispering lullaby.

Frantically they search for someone to hear their story,
their first and last secret before they hit the ground -
like precious pearls that, from heaven, fall amid squalor -
Listen. Listen Hear their tales of fleeing clouds, storm-bruised and frightened...

Disbelieving, a crowd seems to magically appear,
heads upturned as all ages surge out over the saturated fields.
Kneeling in the sodden loam, arms raised to the sky,
the beaten people hail the first, glorious sunbeams, mouths open,
tasting heaven on the little rainbows that peek shyly from the clear, blue sky.

Hillary

My Shadow

2007-05-18T12:43:00.000+02:00

The black shadows came over me
They controlled my mind and soul
My body is being covered by the shadow
Whilst the light of the angels die out
Hell is winning
And heaven is losing
Let my life turn into hell
And bring me darkness
My loving heart
Lost in the dark
Hoping to see the light again
God backs out and turns away
My hatred is too powerful and strong
Satan tries to win me over
But he is killed by me
The universe goes black
I am lost in eternal darkness
Walking alone
There is no speck of light
Just a black dark shadow with no feelings
Behind my back
Haunting me forever...

Tamsin

Down a hole

2007-05-16T14:14:00.000+02:00

Down,
Down,
Down,
into the Dark,
into obscurity.
I can't see,
I can't touch,
I can't hear,
I'm gone...
I'm Down...
I'm away...
The wind lashes
my face like a whip.
The wall compresses me...
I can't breathe
I'm plunging deeper, and
I feel as though I'm on
a rollercoaster
Will it stop?
Will it end?
One wild Rollercoaster!

Raquel

Morning

2007-03-30T13:54:00.000+02:00

The Secret Room

2007-03-27T12:36:00.000+02:00

One day Jack went to his Grandma who lived in a cottage in a forest. It was sweltering hot because the sun was high up in the sky. Jack was very keen on chess and always carried a chessboard with him. He especially liked to play with his Grandma.

After walking for what seemed to be 3 hours, he finally arrived to his Grandma's house. She was not at home and he jumped at the opportunity to go to the secret room.

Grandma had this secret room and told Jack never ever to go in there. Jack was curious and crept slowly to the door of the secret room. He opened the door. The door creaked. He saw a huge bookshelf and an armchair which was stained.

Jack walked slowly down the broken steps and sat down on the stained armchair. After a small while he got up and looked around him. He saw a black cat but when he tried to pick it up, it jumped and ran away.

Jack walked to the big bookshelf and chose a book. The book was called Zack The Genius. Jack started reading the book.

Then Jack's Grandma returned home from the shop. Jack quickly put the book back on the shelf and sprinted upstairs. He opened his book and started doing his homework. And Grandma never found out that he had gone inside the secret room.

nicky

Changes

2007-03-26T10:38:00.000+02:00

I sat all alone, while watching
In an almost complete darkness
The feeble, faint, flickering flames
Casting shadows. Oh! Wahat sharpness!

The fire was almost dying,
When a gust of wind, whirled around
The flames, leapt like a fierce snake
Attacking whatever was found

Just like some people fire can change.
From warm, gentle and colourful
To something terrible, savage
Destructive, dangerous, hurtful...

Victoria

Space Marines

2007-03-15T08:38:00.000+01:00

Space Marines are super human empires that are trying to fight for the sake of the earth. There are many armies they must fight in order to do so but with the help of others they will come out victorious. Some of the dark armys are: Ork, Dark Eldar, Tyranids and Chaos Space Marines. All of these armies have one goal: to rule the world and enslave humanity. So the Space Marines have to make sure this does not happen. Some of the Space Marines' strongest machines are the Land Raider and the Land Raider Crusader. Another strong vehicle is the Dreadnought which can be used for far and close range attacks. All this will help the Space Marines to achieve victory. The Space Marines can be very weak if they do not use their special units like the Librarian or the Commander or even the Chaplain. These are all really strong units especially the Librarian who has psychic powers. The army that is always trying to cleanse the earth from Space Marines is Da Boyz. These are orks. They are somewhat weak but at the same time can be really dangerous. Da Boyz will find any piece of metal and use it as armour. These are no match for the mighty Space Marines. What Space Marines really find hard to defeat are the Chaos Space Marines. These are possessed marines that have fallen to the dark forces of chaos. But as is always the case, good triumphs over evil. Unless you have a very small army.

Written by Pascal and Dylan - Grade 9

What I will do for a friend

2007-01-26T12:42:00.001+01:00

I will take the pain
I will take the blood
I will take your heart
And mend it all up.

I will take your tears
I will take your mind,
I will make you happy
And hope you smile

I don’t care what happens to me
I do care what happens to you
No matter what
I’m always here for you

I will go through pain
I will go through tears
All I want is for you to smile
And see that glimmer of happiness in your eye!

Tamsin

Locked up inside

2007-01-26T12:37:00.000+01:00

So many feelings locked inside
So many feelings which I hide
I can’t let them out
I can’t let them be

Beating myself up
I cry
Kicks and punches
Are tormenting me inside

So many pains
Which I can’t let go
So many pains
Which will hurt me even more

All this anger
All this depression
Locked inside of me
Waiting for my confession

No where to go
No where to let out
My death will be my feelings
Just waiting to come out…

Tamsin

Back-Stabbers

2007-01-26T11:54:00.000+01:00

They stab you in your back

They take your mind and soul

They want all the gossip

That’s what there for

They want you to trust them

You say you’re not sure

But at the end of the day

You trust them even more

You tell them your life

You tell them your soul

You give away your heart

And they know it all

They throw your life

They throw your soul

They rip your heart

And leave you there all alone

You are lost in your own words

Crying what’s left of their trust

Until there is nothing left

You are just all washed up…

Tamsin

Book Review

2007-01-09T13:11:00.000+01:00

Anne Frank’s Diary

This book is about a girl named Anne Frank who one day during the War decided to go to a place and start writing her diary. Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt in 1929 and died in Bergen-Belsen in 1945. When she was only sixteen years old she went to a Concentration Camp where Anne Frank died. After a few years her father published her diary and now it is famous.

I like this book a lot as it is interesting. I won’t say anything to the people who told me to read the book as it is fabulous and beautiful.

Christina

Another Villain Identified!!

2006-11-20T13:22:00.000+01:00

Another villain from the Gallery has been identified:

Count Olaf from The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket!

And it was Dylan M. who apprehended him!

Y4J

2006-11-14T09:46:00.000+01:00

Last Wednesday there was a hubbub of activity going on in the library. The Christian youth group Y4J (Youth for Jesus) were invited over by the Senior School Religion Department to animate a Mass for the Grade 11s. There was singing and praying; there were some games and a lot of general good feeling. The students enjoyed themselves immensely as did the animators. The response to the activities was fantastic and it was obvious that the students enjoyed every second of it.

It was a great two hours! Well done to all involved!

SIX VILLAINS IDENTIFIED!!!

2006-10-09T08:39:00.000+02:00

Another six villains from the display have been identified:

LEX LUTHOR from Superman created by Simon Schuster and Jerry Siegel (identified by ALEX P.)

ARTEMIS FOWL from the Artemis Fowl series written by Eoin Colfer (unmasked by DAVID T. & PETER K.)

COUNT DRACULA from Dracula by Bram Stoker (staked by LAWRENCE G.)

THE JOKER from the Batman comics created by Bob Kane (apprehended by TOM P.)

MRS COULTER from the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman (detained by NICKY D.)

SAURON from The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J R R Tolkien (captured by DYLAN C., STEVE C. & PASCAL H.)

So now there have been seven villains in all whose identity has been unmasked.

Three more to go!

Find more about these villains by clicking here:
Lex Luthor Artemis Fowl Dracula
The Joker Mrs Coulter Sauron

ERAGON

2006-10-02T14:37:00.000+02:00

Eragon, the novel written by Christopher Paolini proved to be a great success. It was the first instalment of The Inheritance Trilogy and Christopher started writing this story when he was merely 15 years old! Imagine that!

Seeing that the book was a success it was not long before they decided to adapt it into a film.

And it's coming out this December 15th!

And it looks awesome!

And you can watch the trailer over here!

For information about the books, click HERE.
For the film's website, click HERE.

Welcome Back!!!

2006-09-29T09:17:00.000+02:00

And we're all back to school once again. As always, Summer flies like crazy. Some might take this badly, wanting the holidays, the sea, the sun and the sweet-doing-nothing never to end. But the fact that these three months passed so quickly means that you have been enjoying them... and deservedly so. After a whole scholastic year juggling between homework and study, a nice long break is a just reward. And this goes for the teachers as well!

Anyhow, the library is in a pretty barren state. There are hardly any posters up, something that will be remedied soon enough in the coming weeks. The walls and the shelves will soon display students' work done during the library sesions.

There is just one exception to the overall barrenness: the display. For this term, the chosen theme is VILLAINS. One can find numerous books in which the baddie is just as interesting and charming as the goodie. And just as important to the story. Can you imagine a world without Captain Hook or Magneto or Cruella de Vil?

The villains on display in the library are the Top Ten as voted by an online poll, to be mentioned (and acknowledged) in a later post. This is because there is an activity related to this display. A picture of each of the ten villains has been put up. However, none of them have been named; the students of San Anton have to try and identify the rogues themselves. The person who will manage to identify a villain, will get credit underneath the picture. Some of them are pretty easy to figure out, but a couple of them might prove a bit tricky.

One of the villains has already been unmasked. It is the White Witch from the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The person to identify it was Mattia.

Well done, Mattia!!

NORTHERN GRAY WOLF

2006-03-22T11:10:00.000+01:00

Standing alone with a cold light breeze

Brushing against the coat of silk smooth fur

Smells the air waiting for some prey,

Walking… through the forest all night and day,

Still searching for some prey,

Finally he finds something to eat

Will he change his luck today?

As he closes in the lowers his body

Barely visible to the human eye

Yet he is spotted and it runs away.

He is lying on the icy cold ground…

Dying today under the sunset sky.

NICK DELIA

FROG

2006-03-22T11:08:00.000+01:00

A deep grumble runs over the still pond

A lazy eye runs over the cool green water

There’s a hum over the cool green water

A lone mosquito flies

Alone in the dark

Flying close to the water

The cool green water

The hum gets closer the patient hunter waits

In the water, the cool green water,

The hum is getting closer

A flash of his tongue and its gone

All over the water,

The cool green water

A deep rumble runs over the pond.

ALEX PACE

HILITNA : GRAJJA U IDENTITA`

2006-03-17T06:54:00.000+01:00

The Grade 11s are at the moment busy performing a play entitled HILITNA : GRAJJA U IDENTITA` at St. James Cavalier. The play is loosely based on the Maltese literature anthology called QAWSALLA.

The story, written and directed by Ms Aveline, tells of four friends who travel back in time to witness first hand some of the key moments in Maltese history. Amongst these are the Neolithic Era, the period when the island was under the Knights of St. John, and the Second World War. Through these travels the four friends manage to restore in themselves a lost sense of national pride.

Everyone involved in the production did a tremendous job. The play looks and feels right throughout. It really shows that the cast and the crew gave in their utmost towards the realisation of this production.

WELL DONE!!!!
:)

P.E. Department

2006-02-21T15:21:00.000+01:00

Hey!!! The P.E. Department of San Anton has just launched a fab website, full of info and photos. The address is the following :

www.freewebs.com/sanantonpe

I Have A Dream

2006-01-21T09:30:00.000+01:00

I have a dream that one day this world will end the disgrace of terrorism. What is it that we see? Innocent people dying, casualties all around us, what is it that we see?

There has to be an end to this and it will one day become true. I have a dream that the religions will one day bring a world of peace, filled with love for one another. I have a dream, that won’t be a dream anymore, it will be reality.

Trains blasting in suicides, places ruined, fortifications bombarded with writing. What is it that we see? Just think about this, why would we want it to happen?

The 11^th of September, a total disgrace… If only people would be people, if only they’d all agree to live a life. A life with no suffering! Attacks in Spain and London, not to mention others.

I do have a dream, a dream today. Let terrorism stop! Let it stop this instant! Let us all agree on at least one thing. The truth is we’ll all live in a better world. In a fresh forest, not a dry desert.

We’re all the same people; if we’re blacks and whites, or Jews and Gentiles, or Protestants and Catholics. We’re all the same. We’re equal. We are a living Earth. So let us live a life with no terrorism.

I have a dream. Let it be granted by us, the unification of people. Let it be done by time, and we will thank our Father at the end and say with no arguments: Terrorism stopped! Terrorism ended!

Claudia Sammut

FUNtastic Websites

2005-12-20T10:13:00.000+01:00

For The Very Young Ones:

The Noddy site is extra full with goodies. There are a number of sections that cover a wide range of activities, including games, print outs, information on different characters and even a section for grown ups where Noddy stuff is on sale.

The section covering Noddy's friends contains information about and pictures of Tessie Bear, Mr Plod and Sly, amongst others. For every character you also get to print an activity sheet and the option to put his or her pictue as a wallpaper on your desktop.

One of my favourite sections was Play and Learn. In it you can find a number of games that not only are fun to play but which also help you to learn about maths, spelling and colours.

To go to the Noddy website click HERE.

For The Not-So-Very-Young-Ones:

The www.show.me.uk is fabulous. The site is packed with games, resources and activities that cover a whole range of topics. You can find stuff about history, geography, science, art and many more topics. The clever thing about this site is that it acts as a portal to other websites maintained and produced by the 24-Hour Museum. The 24-Hour Museum is a gateway to the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.

I particularly liked the History Hunt game I accessed through the Vikings' section. Jasmine and Jamie travel through time to unravel mysteries and solve puzzles. It's a fun game and helps you to learn lots of interesting stuff as well.

To visit the site, click HERE.

For The Eldest Ones:

The website of the British Library is an awesome piece of work. In it you can look up a whole lot of information about all the books that have been published in the UK and are housed in the library. On top of this, there are a number of facilities that make the site informative and pleasant to browse at the same time.

For instance, it contains a digitised version of two copies of the famous Gutenberg Bible, the very first book ever to be published. It is known as the Gutenberg Bible because Jose Gutenberg was the person who invented the printing press and he chose the Bible as his first printing venture. Thanks to the British LIbrary's digitisation project, everybody who has access to the internet can take a look at the stupendous and meticulous work that went into publishing this book.

To access the British Library website, click HERE.

FINALLY!!!

2005-11-22T14:03:00.000+01:00

The much-awaited fourth instalment in the Harry Potter film series is finally out. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has hit our screens last Friday and hundreds of people have already stormed the cinemas to savor Harry's latest adventure.

Fans of the books and the films will surely lap it all up. The beginning shows us a slithering snake moving silently towards a mysterious house. Everywhere is dark and the atmosphere is terrifying. From this tense moment we move on to the roaring splendour of the Quidditch World Cup and the ensuing chaos when the Death Eaters make an appearance. The rest of the story is very faithful to the book even though entire chunks have been left out. But this was to be expected as the novel is over 600 pages long and to make a movie that includes everything is impossible. Unless it was a seven hour movie!!!

The special effects are dazzling. The dragon is awesome, as are the merpeople, the ship that travels underwater, the goblet of fire, the labyrinth. Watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is magic indeed.

All the familiar characters from the previous films are back. Apart from Harry and his gang there's also Fred and George Weasley, Professor Snape, Hagrid, Draco Malfoy and the rest. Then there are also new characters like MadEye Moody, Victor Krum and Rita Skeeter. We also get to meet the disturbing Lord Voldemort as he makes an appearance at the end of the movie.

Out of the four films, this is certainly the most spectacular and everyone should go and see it!!!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2005-11-04T16:03:00.000+01:00

Fans of Harry Potter are surely counting the days till November 18th, when the fourth instalment of the film series is going to be released.

The Story:
Harry, now 14, is feeling very uneasy due to a series of dreams he's been having regarding two men plotting murders. Despite this, he however accepts Ron's invitation to go to the Quidditch World Cup. Strange things happen during this tournament that suggest that Voldemort's followers are plotting something.

Upon returning to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry gets to know that the school is hosting the TriWizard Tournament, a competition between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy and Durmstrang Institute. Harry is chosen to participate in the tournament. Not only this, but he has to cope with a new teacher who shows far too much interest in him than what is normal.

The Film:
The film is directed by Mike Newell, who is the first British director involved in a Harry Potter movie, the previous two being American (Chris Columbus, who directed The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets) and Mexican (Alfonso Cuaron, the man behind The Prisoner of Azkaban).

Daniel Radcliffe resumes his role as Harry Potter whereas Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are back as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively. The rest of the characters are all there including Sirius Black, Dumbledore, Cho Chang, Professor Snape and the rest.

Ten more days... nine... eight... and counting...

For Daniel Radcliffe's website click here.
For Emma Watson's website click here.
For Rupert Grint's website click here.

Narnia Chronicles

2005-10-21T12:35:00.000+02:00

This December 9th will see the worldwide release of the film adaptation of one of C S Lewis’s classic tales of Narnia.

The film is called The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and it is going to be based mostly on the second book. The reason for this is simple. The first book of the series, The Magician’s Nephew, was in actual fact the sixth book that was published, way back in 1955. But the book is really a late introduction to the rest of the tales, so it has since been repositioned as book number one. The producers of the film decided to follow the original suit, and hence started filming with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

The story recounts the tale of the four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy who, because of the German air raids over London during World War Two, are sent to live with the eccentric Professor Digory Kirke. The Professor happens to own a very strange wardrobe. One day Lucy peers into it and is transported to the snowy land of Narnia. Here she discovers that this beautiful land is in actual fact under the evil influence of Jadis the White Witch who proclaimed that it shall always be winter (but with no Christmas) in Narnia. And the story goes on...

This film is surely going to be awesome, and people who enjoyed The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter movies are sure to lap this up. Just a small aside: the film is directed by Andrew Adamson, the same fellow who did the Shrek movies!

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The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)

Directed by Andrew Adamson

Starring :

Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie
William Moseley as Peter Pevensie
Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie
Tilda Swinton as Jadis the White Witch

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Information for this blog was taken from the following sources:

The Internet Movie Database
Narniaweb.com
The Official Website of the Movie

Into The Wardrobe : a C S Lewis Web Site

WELCOME!!

2005-10-20T13:59:00.000+02:00

Hi All!

Welcome to San Anton School Library’s blog!

In this blog there shall be regular updates regarding anything that happens in the library: activities, displays, exhibitions, lessons. Everything.

From time to time students approach me with stories that they would have written themselves. These stories end up on the library’s noticeboard, but as from now, they shall be featured on this blog as well, together with any drawings submitted.

The blog shall also feature important news items especially those related to the world of books. Therefore one is sure to find the hottest information regarding the latest Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia films; information about authors; the latest children’s bestsellers, and so on and so forth.

Another great thing about this blog is that whoever visits the site can leave feedback about a particular entry simply by clicking on the COMMENTS button.

Anyway. That would be enough for now.

See you!

To visit the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire website, click HERE.
For information about J K Rowling, click HERE.
To visit the Chronicles of Narnia website, click HERE.
For information about C S Lewis, click HERE.