Disappointing--Fleischman tries too hard to write a la Twain, resulting in a narrative that doesn't flow. The disjointed narrative is also hampered by...moreDisappointing--Fleischman tries too hard to write a la Twain, resulting in a narrative that doesn't flow. The disjointed narrative is also hampered by picture placement, interfering with page turns.(less)
Another solid look at history by Brown. Teachers are going to love it; I'm looking forward to using it as a read-aloud when our 4th grade gets to the...moreAnother solid look at history by Brown. Teachers are going to love it; I'm looking forward to using it as a read-aloud when our 4th grade gets to the revolution!(less)
The plot to kill the president, the vice-president and the secretary of state will send chills down the spine of readers. While Swanson doesn't give m...moreThe plot to kill the president, the vice-president and the secretary of state will send chills down the spine of readers. While Swanson doesn't give many background details about the co-conspirators other than how they were connected, the actual events are amply detailed. Swanson strongly presents Booth as a criminal and racist who should not be glorified.Swanson uses many primary sources but doesn't document them in this edition. Fascinating reading, a real page-turner.
Stone has a strong point of view; the Sibert committee was accurate to call her writing "passionate." She makes it clear who are the good guys and bad...moreStone has a strong point of view; the Sibert committee was accurate to call her writing "passionate." She makes it clear who are the good guys and bad guys (or women) in the effort to bring women into the program. It is more a women's rights book than about the space program. (less)
Jim Murphy's done it again! In his usual engaging style, he briefly details the events and attitudes leading to the start of WWI, then focuses on the...moreJim Murphy's done it again! In his usual engaging style, he briefly details the events and attitudes leading to the start of WWI, then focuses on the extraordinarily widespread Christmas Truce of 1914. Soldiers discover their commonality and some extended the truce for days or even weeks. Archival photos, many take by the soldiers themselves, bring the time and situation to life. In his closing, Murphy shows how we can learn from history, drawing some parallels beteen WWI and the current war on terrorism.(less)
This is superb! Beautiful writing and amazing pictures bring you along with Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins as they prepare for and th...moreThis is superb! Beautiful writing and amazing pictures bring you along with Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins as they prepare for and then travel to the moon in July 1969. Readers, prepare for take-off!(less)
A multitude of clean, crisp photos and occasional drawings to extend the text and bring the plants, animals, and topography alive. The well-organized...moreA multitude of clean, crisp photos and occasional drawings to extend the text and bring the plants, animals, and topography alive. The well-organized text and visuals work well together to present an objective overview of the area. A pronunciation guide would have been helpful. The glossary, Fast Facts, Find Out More, and index will be useful to the young researcher. (taken from my review for CLCD)(less)
Both the writing and Floca's art are perfect for a book about Graham and her collaboration with composer Aaron Copland and artist Isamu Noguchi. They...moreBoth the writing and Floca's art are perfect for a book about Graham and her collaboration with composer Aaron Copland and artist Isamu Noguchi. They capture the hard work of creation and execution, while informing the reader about each of the three arts combined that created this beautiful ballet. Truly inspiring-- I'm off to the library to borrow the video!(less)
Montgomery has created another fascinating Scientist in the Field book, this time focusing on the "world's strangest parrot," a heavy bird that cannot...moreMontgomery has created another fascinating Scientist in the Field book, this time focusing on the "world's strangest parrot," a heavy bird that cannot fly. Her text combines science, drama, and personal insight based on her 10-day supervised stay in NZ, where she accompanies staff and highly trained volunteers working to ensure survival of baby kakapos. Bishop's photos are once again outstanding capturing the birds, the plants, and the people working to save them from extinction. (less)
Beautifully simple, simply beautiful. Little known artist, poet, slave, brought to life through Hill's words and Collier's paintings. Hill's words, li...moreBeautifully simple, simply beautiful. Little known artist, poet, slave, brought to life through Hill's words and Collier's paintings. Hill's words, like Dave's are poetic, starting with his repetitive "To us . . . But for Dave. . . " to his use of one of Dave's poems to close. A fold-over page using a larger font size, announces our first few of the magic coming from Dave's hands. The creamy color of clay on Dave's dark hands make the hands, and their magic, stand out. There are few details of Dave's life known, and even fewer in the text. Hill's words are about the artist, and it is in the afterword that he informs the reader more about Dave. Collier has chosen warm earthen tones for his paintings, which draw the viewer into Dave's simple yet beautiful world. Components of collage add depth and background. The well-designed book uses a solid or slightly textured colored page as background for the text, complementing Collier's paintings. Both an author's and illustrator's note complete this remarkable book.(less)
Candace Fleming was obviously equipped to tackle writing a biography of a person as well known as Amelia Earhart. Using tons of primary sources, she a...moreCandace Fleming was obviously equipped to tackle writing a biography of a person as well known as Amelia Earhart. Using tons of primary sources, she acknowledges the myths (often untrue or exaggerated) but then carefully peels away the layers of story to reveal the real person. It's clear Earhart isn't the most skilled pilot (either male or female) of her time, but she was one who was willing to do the work, put up with the self-aggrandizement, and dream! We all know what happened to Earhart, but Fleming manages to set up tension--and hope--through chapters alternating from her chronological life story and the search for her when she doesn't land on Howland Island. Also interspersed are accounts of ordinary folks with shortwave radios picking up her radio signals during the course of the search. Meticulously researched, Fleming breaks down her sources by topic in the bibliography. Fleming makes it clear that Amelia's greatest achievement was making clear to women everywhere that they are every bit as capable as men in any and all fields.(less)
His father's insight into world events, engineering knowledge, and negotiating acumen allowed Young's family to live reasonably comfortably and safely...moreHis father's insight into world events, engineering knowledge, and negotiating acumen allowed Young's family to live reasonably comfortably and safely in China during the Depression, occupation, and World War II. Visually gorgeous mixed media combine with Libby Koponen's lyrical text to draw readers into the safe environment created by his parents. Young includes old family photos, sketches of siblings,relatives, and refugees, and diagrams of the house, using the book's large format and fold-out pages to full advantage. We learn of childhood games played, family fun, accommodation of others needing shelter, bombs and fighter planes in the distance, and food shortages. Back matter includes a map of contemporary Shanghai, a family timeline, and Young's telling of the evolution of the book to its present form. This is an outstanding combination of history and personal tribute to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
With its conversational tone and muted pencil and oil illustrations, Jenkins provides brief information on numerous endangered animals and more detail...moreWith its conversational tone and muted pencil and oil illustrations, Jenkins provides brief information on numerous endangered animals and more details on a selected few. Thoughtful, easily understandable presentation.(less)
Using William Carlos Williams’ famous non-apology poem to his wife, Levine carries his formatting to a humorous high with her spoofs of nursery rhymes...moreUsing William Carlos Williams’ famous non-apology poem to his wife, Levine carries his formatting to a humorous high with her spoofs of nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and school and family issues. There is even humor in the book’s design, with the Table of Contents repeating “This is Just to Say” a multitude of times as if in the cloud, followed by several poems, and then the Introduction on page 18, to Levine’s editor’s chagrin: “Instead of at the beginning/I slipped/this introduction/in here/where/my editor excruciating loudly/screeched/ it does not belong/Forgive me/I also shredded/her red pencil and stirred/the splinters into her tea”. All of the poems have a similar snarky tone as she takes on Jack and the Beanstalk (“I have chewed through the tall beanstalk/which/you recently/stepped off/way up there/Forgive me/I think/I’m worth/more than five magic beans”), and the prince in Rapunzel (“Forgive me/you’re not worth/the pain/in my scalp”). The Little Engine that Could, Red Riding Hood and the Woodsman, Pinocchio, Jack and Jill, Beauty and the Beast are all fair game, as are siblings (“. . . I sanded off/your Barbie’s face/. . .Forgive me/her beauty/was only/skin deep”), school, the dentist, neighbors (“. . . Forgive me/next time/pay me/for mowing”), as well as the reader who “may be jumping around/and skipping/pages/in this book/. . . Forgive me/I put the curse of the mummy/on anyone who reads out of order”. Cordell’s line drawings capture the mischievousness, mocking nature of the poems and sometimes aid in the understanding of the satire. Levine’s introduction includes Williams’ poem and explains it’s formatting. Teachers will find several uses for this book, from simple identification of the often-unnamed stories and rhymes to more complex writing assignments; but first, they should just share it for its fun play with words. The fun cover will draw readers to this delightful book; and once opened, they will be totally drawn in.(less)
This gripping account of the Halifax Explosion mixes historical fact with personal history. Walker follows several families, from their early morning...moreThis gripping account of the Halifax Explosion mixes historical fact with personal history. Walker follows several families, from their early morning routines before the explosion to the immediate impact of the explosion on them, through recovery and rebuilding (if survivors), and even to their lives as adults. Walker maintains objectivity throughout, even during her recounting of the first rounds of blame. There is a most helpful map of the Halifax area and a bounty of photographs showing the city before and after. (less)
Sixteen poems, three of which were commissioned for this book, inform and entertain readers. Poets include Hopkins, X. J. Kennedy, Marilyn Singer, J....moreSixteen poems, three of which were commissioned for this book, inform and entertain readers. Poets include Hopkins, X. J. Kennedy, Marilyn Singer, J. Patrick Lewis, Alice Schertle, Douglas Florian, and several other well-known poets. Their creatures bite and suck their ways through plants, animals, humans, and stuff like wood in poems of free verse or tight rhythm and rhyme. The vocabulary is marvelous, with inventive words such as “yum-yucky,” and “pediculous,” descriptive terms such as writhing, stealthy, and blood-filled, and rich language filled with words like armament, marbled, gobble, genealogy. These poems aren’t just for fun, though, as they are packed with information about the bugs’ modus operandi and/or consequences of their action. Many familiar insects, including bedbugs, fleas, lice, mosquitoes, and wasps, are included along with some less familiar (boll weevil, potato beetle, chigger). Will Terry’s brightly colored illustrations mostly fill the pages, with the poems lying over each illustration. His bugs feature exaggerated eyes, legs, and stingers as they skitter, crawl, or eat their way across each page. His focus is always the bug’s line and shape, but each drawing is filled with other details to add to the ick-factor. His perspectives vary and draw the reader into the situation. I guarantee these poems and illustrations will have you scratching before the end of the book! Three pages of information on each bug are an added plus; this backmatter includes a thumbprint size illustration, a one-liner from the poem, the bugs scientific name or order, and facts about each bug. The poems read aloud well and offer some opportunities for dramatic readings. This isn’t just for budding entomologists; even those grossed out by bugs of all shapes and sizes will be smiling as they learn. (less)
Blind, orphaned Yuko-Chan is able to help her village recover from the effects of a volcanic eruption through the making of Daruma Dolls to be sold. T...moreBlind, orphaned Yuko-Chan is able to help her village recover from the effects of a volcanic eruption through the making of Daruma Dolls to be sold. The bilingual text reads awkwardly and has too modern a feel for the times. I question the fictional Yuko-Chan's freedom and her sauciness, especially with her elders. Seki's illustrations are lively and colorful while giving a detailed look at life in a Japanese village. Classrooms learning about Japan may want to use this to help introduce Buddhism and Japanese emphasis on perseverance and optimism. (less)
Never in a million years did I expect to be so impacted by this book. When I closed its cover, I actually spoke "Wow!" aloud! Grandin has succeeded be...moreNever in a million years did I expect to be so impacted by this book. When I closed its cover, I actually spoke "Wow!" aloud! Grandin has succeeded because of her autism, not in spite of it. Montgomery weaves a good explanation of what autism is and how it can affect people through her account of Grandin's youth and college years. Grandin's approach to life is different than many; not only did it work for her, it brought her to a successful and meaningful career. Her ability to recognize pain and fear in animals as a teen has led to her working for more humane treatment of animals her entire adult life. Her "fixation" coupled with a common sense approach allowed her to face sexism, disrespect, denial, and sabotage in the workplace. Grandin's advice for kids on the spectrum offers concrete tips for those living with autism and for those whose lives are touched by them. Backmatter includes books, articles, and websites, some of which are appropriate for young people. Lots of possibilities for booktalking (gross factor), biography assignments, career studies, bullying discussions, and more.
Words and text blend well to show Helen's ever-expanding world and accomplishments. The occasional use of Helen's words is a nice touch, but it's Tava...moreWords and text blend well to show Helen's ever-expanding world and accomplishments. The occasional use of Helen's words is a nice touch, but it's Tavares' dramatic paintings that bring the book alive--otherwise it's just another bio of Keller. Endpaper of finger spelling and visual representation of the title in Braille are useful (too bad it's not actually in Braille instead of painted); informative back matter. (less)
Sheinkin successfully weaves politics, the 1876 Presidential election, counterfeiting, and the formation of the Secret Service into this fact-filled t...moreSheinkin successfully weaves politics, the 1876 Presidential election, counterfeiting, and the formation of the Secret Service into this fact-filled telling of the attempted grave robbings of the beloved, late President. A Secret Service officer stumbles across information of the plot and painstakingly gathers evidence before trying to catch the thieves in the act. The book reads like a crime thriller, with touches of humor coming through as Sheinkin details some of the bumbling efforts of these amateurs . As always, his pacing is perfect; readers will quickly be drawn into this page turner. Intriguing photographs are included as are source notes.(less)
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