Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Back Issues of The Archon Online

Back issues of The Archon, the Governor's Academy newsletter, are now available online at the Internet Archive. The Archon was first published in 1906, and once served as both the school newspaper/magazine as well as the alumni publication. We are glad to say it is still going strong!


Yearlier this year, the school received a grant through the Digital Commonwealth and the Boston Public Library to have our entire collection of Archons digitized.

Please read more at the Governor's Academy Archives blog!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Essex Result on Display


Essex Result on Display
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library
Theophilus Parsons may be one of our most noteworthy alumni. In 1778, during the American Revolution, Massachusetts submitted a draft of a state constitution to the various towns for approval. Criticism of this initial document was widespread. Theophilus Parsons wanted to do more than criticize; he wanted to suggest an alternative. Gathering representatives from towns throughout Essex County, Parsons led meetings to discuss the proposed constitution and possible alternatives. The group published their political thoughts in a document that came to be known as The Essex Result. The document and ideas contained within formed the basis of the new Massachusetts Constitution, adopted in 1780, and the US Constitution of 1787.

On display here is our archives' version of this document - an original! Visit the Governor's Academy Archives blog for more information, or come in to see Mrs. Slater's display on Theophilus Parsons.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Author Visit Tonight: Tom Perrotta


Author Visit Tom Perrotta
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library
"Laurie Garvey hadn't been raised to believe in the Rapture. She hadn't been raised to believe in much of anything, except the foolishness of belief itself. (...) And then it happened. The biblical prophesy came true, or at least partly true. People disappeared, millions of them at the same time, all over the world."

This excerpt is from Tom Perrotta's 2011 novel The Leftovers. Interested to hear more by Mr. Perrotta? He will be on campus tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Wilkie Center. He will read from his novels and talk about writing.

Mr. Perotta will be available to sign books after his talk. Please also drop in to see our display at the front desk!

Friday, November 09, 2012

Story Cubes


Story Cubes
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library
As Miss Driskill left, she gave us all a gift - Rory's Story Cubes. Nine cubes have 54 images that are tossed into opportunities for many, many stories Students shake them, scatter them and start spinning wondrous tales. Stop by and regale us with your story!

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Author Visit: Tom Perrotta


Author Visit Tom Perrotta
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library
Tom Perrotta, award winning author and screenwriter, will be on campus on Monday, November 12, 2012. He will speak at 7:30 p.m. in The Wilkie Center for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Perrotta’s novels include The Leftovers, The Abstinence Teacher, Little Children, Joe College, Election, The Wishbones, and Bad Haircut. Two of Mr. Perrotta’s novels, Election and Little Children, were turned into an award winning films. His latest novel, The Leftovers, was named one of the "Best Books of 2011" by O the Oprah Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Amazon.com, GQ, NPR (Fresh Air), The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and The Book Page.

He is a very entertaining speaker, and - in the words of our Mr. Searles - the evening "will be most enjoyable."

After his talk / reading, Mr. Perrotta will be available to sign books. The public is also invited to attend the talk; the evening is free of charge.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Latest Reviews: November 2012


Nonfiction - 100s - May 16
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library
Reviews to some of the books recently read by our staff are published in our LibraryThing pages. If you are looking for a read for the upcoming break, why not have a look at one of the reviews?

The latest reviews linked to our "virtual collection" include Deception Point by Dan Brown, Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.