Media Literacy

For today's tech-savvy kids, here's the go-to resource for navigating what they read on the internet. Should we believe everything we read online? Definitely not! And this book will tell you why. This fascinating book explores in depth how real journalism is made, what "fake news" is and, most importantly, how to spot the difference. It's chock-full of practical advice, thought-provoking examples and tons of relevant information on subjects that range from bylines and credible sources to influencers and clickbait. It gives readers context they can use, such as how bias can creep into news reporting, why celebrity posts may not be truthful and why they should be suspicious of anything that makes them feel supersmart. Young people get most of their information online. This must-read guide helps them decide which information they can trust --- and which they can't. Author and journalist Joyce Grant is an expert on how young people interact with and think about online media. Never judgmental, and often hilarious, she encourages readers to approach what they find online with skepticism and helps them hone their critical thinking skills to make good choices about what to believe and share. Engaging text is broken into manageable chunks, with loads of Kathleen Marcotte's playful illustrations on every spread to help explain tricky concepts. Two fake articles are deconstructed step by step using the information found in the book, and an additional article allows readers to test their skills. This comprehensive book has strong curriculum connections in language arts and social studies. Endmatter features a glossary, an author's note, sources and an index.

A hilarious, timely conversation about the differences between facts and opinions, by the creator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight Goon Do you know the difference between a fact and an opinion? It can be a hard thing to understand. Some things are facts--like the number of robots in this book. Other things are opinions--like which robot would make the best friend, or which robot dances best. And sometimes to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion, you need to wait to get more information--that's because facts can be proven true or false, and opinions are things you feel and believe--but that you can't prove. Mike Rex introduces young readers to the very important distinction between facts and opinions, and he reminds us that it is nice to listen to one another's opinions, and to stand up for the facts!

A hilarious and timely tool to help kids learn how to tell what news is true and what isn't.   Can peanuts give you super strength? Were unicorns discovered on the moon? Did Martians really invade New Jersey? For anyone who has ever encountered outrageous stories like these and wondered whether they were true, this funny, yet informative book breaks down what fake news is, why people spread it, and how to tell what is true and what isn't. With quirky illustrations and a humorous tone, Elise Gravel brings her kid-accessible wit to the increasingly important subject of media literacy and equips younger readers with the skills needed to interact with global news.   SERIOUSLY FUNNY: While the topic is serious, the funny text and wacky pictures will tickle any reader's funny bone.   IMPORTANT: Misinformation and disinformation are everywhere. It is increasingly important that parents and educators help kids learn how to navigate the confusing, modern media landscape.   JUST THE FACTS!: Rather than tackle specific news stories, this book teaches kids how to research and judge information in order to make their own decisions about what to believe.   BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR: Whether deciding what products to buy, which organizations to support and what scientific information to believe, being a smart media consumer helps keep ourselves and our communities safer.   Perfect for: Grandparents Parents Educators Librarians

In this hilarious installment of the Tales from the Locker series, Babymouse has a smartphone, and she's not afraid to use it. . . . Ping! Ping! The sound of texting is in the air. Everyone at middle school has a cell phone. Babymouse just has to get one, too. But having a phone is a lot of work! Building up a following on SoFamous, learning text lingo, keeping up with all the important koala videos . . . Babymouse is ready to tear her whiskers out. Why does it suddenly feel like she has no friends? Somehow, Babymouse needs to figure out how to stop worrying and love her smartphone . . . if Locker doesn't eat it first. #Typical.

Introduce children to the basics of online safety in a story-based, conversational style. Using real-world examples set within the context of a child who is using the internet for the first time and watching an older sibling interact with social media, Dr. Roberts takes readers through several common scenarios around parental supervision, online bullying and anonymity. She also includes examples of people who use the internet to make the world a better place. On the Internetaddresses common safety concerns in a child-centered way and offers easy-to-understand rationales for why it's important to maintain boundaries online just as in real life. The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues that they may encounter outside their homes, in an accessible way. Sidebars offer further reading for older children or care providers who have bigger questions. For younger children just starting to make these observations, the simple question-and-answer format of the main text will provide a foundation of knowledge on the subject matter.

The graphic novel tells the story of a brother and sister who learn (sometimes the hard way) about the privacy risks related to social networking, mobile devices and texting, and online gaming.

A new smartphone is a big responsibility for kids, who have a lot to learn about using them safely, especially when it comes to protecting their privacy. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has created a graphic novel, Social Smarts: Nothing Personal! to help young Canadians to better understand and navigate privacy issues in the online world.

This important book explains how the code behind social media networks connects people around the world. Young readers will learn how networks are built using algorithms, how they communicate using messaging systems, and how privacy settings, IP addresses, and cookies work. The dangers of talking to strangers online are discussed, and readers are encouraged to think about how to participate on social networks safely and responsibly.

Only three students had access to a teacher's racy photos before they went viral. There's Mouse, a brainy overachiever so desperate to escape his father and go to MIT that he would do almost anything, legal or not. Then there's Drew, the star athlete who can get any girl's number-and private photos-with his charm but has a history of passing those photos around. And finally there's Jenna, a good girl turned rebel after her own shocking photos made the rounds at school last year, who is still waiting for justice. All three deny leaking the photos, but someone has to take the fall. This edgy whodunit tackles hot-button issues of sexting and gossip and will have readers tearing through the pages to reach the final reveal.