Summary: This over-sized, coffee table style book provides an illustrated overview of knitting. FolloTheme: Instructional Book/How to do it; knitting
Summary: This over-sized, coffee table style book provides an illustrated overview of knitting. Following an introduction, there are five sections: Tools and Materials, Stitch Pattern Gallery, Techniques, Projects, and Stitch Patterns.
The Tools and Materials section provides an overview of types of yarn, knitting needles, a variety of other useful tools, materials used for embellishing, and instructions on garment care. Within the stitch pattern gallery, each page has up to four large photographs of different patterns, captioned with the name and a page number where instructions can be found. The techniques section is the largest. This is where the reader actually learns how to knit, from getting a first row started, to more complex stitching methods. This section is followed by sample projects. The book closes with a section containing specific instructions on how to create a wide variety of patterns.
Strengths/Weaknesses: The book is filled with large, colorful photographic illustrations. The sections are color coded, and the patterns introduced in the stitch gallery are cross referenced with instructions in the patterns section. There is also a broad range of difficulty within the patterns presented. However, while the techniques are broken down into steps with matching photographs, they could be intimidating for a novice.
Illustrations: As previously mentioned, there are many close up, color, photographic illustrations to support the text.
Target Audience: While the introduction claims that this book would be appropriate for all levels, it would probably be most appealing to less experienced knitters.
Personal Critique: I was interested enough in this book to buy it for myself. I was attracted by the photographs and the clear organization of the pages. However, I feel that as one new to knitting, I will be using it in conjunction with YouTube videos. ...more
Main Characters: Josie Brant; Peter Maxx, pop star; Christopher, boy BFF; Ashley Rogers, Josie’s alleged friend; Sandy Jones, Peter’s former girlfrienMain Characters: Josie Brant; Peter Maxx, pop star; Christopher, boy BFF; Ashley Rogers, Josie’s alleged friend; Sandy Jones, Peter’s former girlfriend; Delilah, Josie’s friend and neighbor
Setting: Current day Bakersfield, CA
Theme: High School High-Low; Growing up; friendship and betrayal; adoration of celebrities
Summary: Josie is an average fourteen year old high school student from Bakersfield. She is a good student, is on the swim team, and likes to write songs during her free time. Her favorite musician is a sixteen year old performer named Peter Maxx.
Things begin changing the day after attending a Peter Maxx concert with her friend Ashley. The two girls were escorted to a room where they learned that Ashley has won the “Sing it to the Maxx” contest with a video of her singing one of Josie’s songs. Josie learned about this as she watched her friend hug their favorite celebrity. Ashley admitted that the song was actually written by Josie, which prompted Peter to start up a conversation with Josie, resulting in his getting her twitter information.
An online relationship began between Peter and Josie. At this same time, Josie’s dad was arrested for growing medical marijuana on his farm, destroying Josie’s relationship in the process. Peter offers to pay for her to spend a weekend in Las Vegas, if she will come out to meet him. Josie jumps at the opportunity. She lies to her mother, and convinces her neighbor, Delilah, to drive them both out.
The first night in Las Vegas is wonderful, until someone makes an anonymous tip to a tabloid news source that Peter is cheating on his “girlfriend” with a fan. In the morning, Peter accuses Josie of betraying him, and sends her home, forcing her to walk past hostile reporters on the way out of the hotel. She returns home to an even more battered reputation, a furious mother, even her loyal friend Christopher refuses to talk to her.
After being so cruel to Josie, Peter investigates the messages sent to the media. As it turns out, his ex-girlfriend, Sandy, was the anonymous tipster and had hacked into his phone messages. Josie’s reputation is publically cleared, and she resumes her relationship with Peter. He posts bond so that Josie’s family can be reunited, and the couple collaborate musically.
Strengths/Weaknesses: This is an easily decodable story dealing with issues that could appeal to preteen and teenaged girls, such as the need to express oneself, bullying, idolizing celebrities, and divorced families. The plot is a stretch, particularly the happy ending where everything turns out perfectly.
Target Audience: Girls, ages 11 to 15
Personal Critique: This book was just a bit too much of a stretch for me to truly enjoy it. However, it fills a need. In addition to its being easy to decode, it also deals with emerging sexuality without sex, which keeps it more appropriate for the target audience. While it may not be my cup of tea, this book may be a great choice for someone else. ...more
Summary: This book attempts to document the entire life of George Washington in only 101 pages. The text is predominTheme: Elementary level biography
Summary: This book attempts to document the entire life of George Washington in only 101 pages. The text is predominantly chronological, with anecdotes scattered throughout.
George Washington is introduced as he became the first president under the U.S. Constitution. The text then flashes back to his childhood in Virginia, the death of his father when he was eleven, his move to his half-brother’s home on Mount Vernon when he was fourteen, and then on to his joining the militia and entry into local politics.
About half way through, the book moves on to the colonial discontent regarding taxation that lead to the Revolution. George reenters following the Second Continental Congress, when he agreed to lead the Continental Army. Little is mentioned of specific battles, with the author focusing more on his relationship with his troops and obstacles faced. The struggled during winters at Valley Forge and Morristown were addressed over a few pages, and the Revolutionary War was wrapped up with the battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris.
George was called back to duty from his home in Virginia once again, following the creation of the Constitution. For some reason, the Articles of Confederation were not named. Very little of the events of his two terms were described. The reader learns that he passed away at the age of 67 at his own on Mount Vernon after developing a throat infection. The book closes with a look at different ways that George Washing has been memorialized, followed by a timeline of his life.
Strengths/Weaknesses: For a biography, this book really doesn't contain much specific information. However, it is an easy read and this series may be a good tool to introduce the genre.
Illustrations: The book is filled with simple, black and white illustrations, including numerous drawings, with subjects such as people, places, and maps. The drawings are helpful in guiding the reader to visualize the text.
Target Audience: Upper elementary aged students
Curriculum Ties: There is a direct correlation to the fifth grade CA Social Studies standards regarding U.S. history.
Personal Critique: While I didn't love this book, it serves a purpose. It is a good introduction to the biography as a genre, but it was a bit too vague regarding particular events for my liking. ...more
Topic: An introduction to terms and concepts relating to chemistry
Summary: This book provides a very basic introduction to chemistry. It is broken doTopic: An introduction to terms and concepts relating to chemistry
Summary: This book provides a very basic introduction to chemistry. It is broken down into eight chapters, plus an introduction, index, and glossary. The chapters are further identifiable by color coding. Each section within a chapter has a combination of text and cartoonish illustration, with key concepts identified by bulleted lists.
While some of the chapters have irreverent titles, such as “Nasty Boys” and “Obnoxious Organics,” they contain quite a bit of information in a limited amount of space. The text is written in first person, from the point of view of whatever is being discussed. Each section generally contains one page of text, containing scientific terminology written in an informal style, with a full page illustration following. The illustrations are designed for enjoyment and engagement as opposed to being strictly informational. For example, on pages 22 to 23, the Periodic Table talks about himself, and is illustrated as a smiling table, complete with legs and a strange little man standing on it.
Strengths/Weaknesses: This book would be a fun supplement for a student studying chemistry. While the style is fun and informal, quite a bit of complex vocabulary is introduced. While this is good, there is not much room for depth. The book is visually appealing, with it’s clearly laid out text and whimsical illustrations. However, while entertaining, the illustrations don’t add much conceptually.
Illustrations: The illustrations are fun to look at, but are not particularly helpful for concept development. Each concept has a related illustration in which that concept is personified. For example, melting point is portrayed as a smiling, singing, apparently melting candle, with a thermometer sticking out of the top.
Target Audience: Upper elementary to middle school aged chemistry students.
Curriculum Ties: This book would be a fun addition to a chemistry or science teacher’s classroom library. It could be used as an introduction or review of concepts, as a supplementary material.
Personal Critique: I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to classroom teachers. While the scientific vocabulary is advanced, it is embedded in simple, playful text. The illustrations are fun and approachable, and the format is appealing, making it a less intimidating option for those science-phobic students....more
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