Howling Hurricanes

This is a 32 page Heinemann Info Search non-fiction book all about hurricanes for grades 4 and up.  This book explains the formation, movement, hazards and weakening of  hurricanes and typhoons or cyclones.  There are case studies included which highlight specific hurricanes in recent history.  The photographs, maps, charts and diagrams illustrate and support the well-written text.  This book does a good job of explaining the human and environmental impact of hurricanes and touches on how technology is being developed to help predict and minimize hurricane-related devastation.  It is AR level 5.6 worth 1 point.

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book

Our students love graphic novels and they are wonderful for introducing these students to the classics in a very accessible and non-threatening way.  I often have students ask for the original text of a classic after reading the graphic novel version.  This version of the Jungle Book should be no exception.  Engaging and exciting pictures and storyline draw in the reader and the length keeps him/her reading to the end.  At an AR level of 3.0 and .5 points, this book will also appeal to the reluctant reader.

Simplicity How to Use a Sewing Machine

This 144 pg book is a wonderful addition to our non-fiction sewing section.  It is thorough and clearly-written with pictures and diagrams to demonstrate throughout the text.  The chapters include: choosing a machine; knowing your machine; using your machine; sewing seams; sewing hems; zippers and buttonholes; gathers, tucks and pleats; biding and trimming; decorative techniques; glossary and index.  This is book is an excellent resource for students interested in learning to sew by machine or hand and I highly recommend it for grades 5 and up.

Soldiers of the Civil War

This 48 pg non-fiction book about Civil War soldiers is well-written and interesting with well-placed and helpful text boxes, photographs and maps.  The information is clearly presented with human interest stories throughout.  I also appreciated the thought provoking questions sprinkled in to generate additional consideration of the material.  There is a timeline,  glossary and table of contents.  I highly recommend this book and would like to purchase the entire series.  The AR level is 6.7 worth 1 point.

Michael Jackson King of Pop

This biography is from the series, Lives Cut Short and chronicles the short life of Michael Jackson. The book talks about Michael’s life – the good and the bad. It discusses Micheal’s life growing up, the Jackson 5, going solo, Thriller, marriage, family and his death. This book really coves it all! In its chapter book format, the book presents information in all aspects of Micheal Jackson’s life. The book has nice photographs of Michael and his life and additional info boxes. The end has a timeline, quick facts, a glossary, and further reading. This book would be best for 6th grade and up just for the overload of info. For students doing biography reports, this book might be a challenge to pull information out of because it just has so much information. However,  the information is there and for those students interested in Michael Jackson they will enjoy reading it cover to cover to do the report.

The Elsewhere Chronicles – Book Four: The Calling

This is book 4 in the popular graphic novel series, The Elsewhere Chronicles. The main characters, Max, Rebecca, Noah and Theo are back trying to return to their normal lives after escaping from the Master of Shadows. When Rebecca falls ill, her fate does not look good. She is convinced that the only way to save herself from dieing is to return to the other world of ElseWhere. Despite the dangers, she and her friends return to find even more danger. The book leaves the reader hanging and not really knowing what is going to happen to Rebecca and Max. The glossy pages, really nice illustrations and cliff-hanger ending will leave the reader wanting more. I like the large size of these graphic novels, but found it a bit hard to follow having not read the previous books. It would be good I can see to have the entire series in order. The book has a touch of violence and is geared for the older student. I will probably let my fourth and up check it out. There is a lot going on. There are lots of text boxes with a large amount of writing.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Volume 3

This is a graphic novel from the Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers movie. This novel is Volume 3 of the official movie adaptation. The Transformers war continues on Earth in this book as the Autobots work to end the terrible Decepticons threat. The leader, Optimus Prime and his autobots fight to save the world from the evil force leader, Megatron and the other Decepticons. The book is in true Transformers style with the dark illustrations. The cartoon look is legitimate Transformers. While it really isn’t too violent, the story line isn’t anything amazing. Again, a great book for the young boy reluctant readers.

Mom, There’s a Dinosaur in Beeson’s Lake

Appealing to a 4th-6th grade audience, this zany little chapter book is full of comical observations and situations.  Scattered throughout are little text boxes with the main character’s notes, lists and facts.  The illustrations support the text in a similar style, adding to the humor.  Testing in at AR level 3.3 (3 points) this book would be especially enjoyable for the reluctant male reader.

Zinc Alloy – SuperZero

This is a graphic novel from the Zinc Alloy series. This is the story of Zack Allen. Zack is a nerdy boy that loves reading comic books about superheroes. Unfortunately, he is always being picked on by bullies at school until he builds his own robot suit. With this robot suit comes new found powers and Zack is now the superhero-Zinc Alloy. Zinc Alloy stops a runaway train downtown and scares the school bullies off. After a busy superhero day, Zack knows that his superhero self must return someday! As far as graphic novels, I found this one to be pretty good. There isn’t any violence, it is grade school appropriate and touches on issues like bullying. I like that this is a good series for those older, reluctant boy readers since it has a fairly high interest level but low reading level.  I like at the beginning it has an illustrated “cast of characters” and a glossary, history of comics, discussion questions and writing prompts at the end.

What’s the Difference Between a Butterfly and a Moth?

This nonfiction book explains the difference between a butterfly and a moth. This book is from the series, What’s the Difference. The book describes the similarities and differences in physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and habitat between these two insects. While the illustrations are beautiful, I miss the real photographs that make these kinds of nonfiction books spectacular. There is great information that is easy to read and understand for young readers in a story type format. Throughout the book, there are additional information boxes about things such as metamorphosis, pollination and camouflage. At the end of the book, there is a great illustration of a butterfly and moth with all the different body parts labeled and diagrammed. There are also fun facts (there are 20,000 different kinds of butterflies and 150,000 different moths!), glossary, learn more and index.

President Barack Obama

This is one of the Pebble Plus over sized nonfiction books from Capstone Press. This book is all about the current President of the United States, Barack Obama. This is a great book for the younger grades. Simple text explains the life of Barack Obama starting with his birth and childhood working up through his adult life, political background and finally presidency. Each set of pages has a text information page and then a photo on the facing page. Each page also has a timeline that keeps adding information about Obama as the book goes along.  At the end of the book, there is a fact page about our President, a list of Presidents of the US, glossary, read more, internet sites and index.

If I Were President

This is a cute, picture style book that looks at being president of the United States through the eyes of a child. In the book, the main character is a child that talks about all things he would do if he were president. “If I were the president, I would travel in my own airplane. I would zoom to different countries to meet people from around the world. I would try to make sure we all got along.” This book is classified under nonfiction because it also gives facts about presidency. It has informational boxes throughout the book that give additional information about things like the president’s airplane, Air Force One. At the end of the book, there is a page explaining how one becomes president, a glossary, learn more section and index. I liked the simple, easy to read and understand format, along with the clean, attractive illustrations.

An ABC of Pirates

This is a fun alphabet book with a theme of pirates. Each letter has its own page with a pirate scene depicting the letter. The illustrations remind me of the Rugrats characters. I like how each letter is in its own box since there is a lot going on in the pictures! The letter has a rhyme to go with it and the letter, word and following words with the showcased letter bolded. “H is for hunting for gold and buried treasure, ship ahoy, me hearties! We’ll plunder at our leisure.” At the end of the book, there is an I Spy type set up. Each letter has a list of things to find on that letter page that starts with the letter A for example. I really liked this! There is also a glossary of words that students may not be familiar with.

Seed Soil Sun: Earth’s Recipe for Food

It is important that students, today, understand the natural world.  They will inherit and care for it in the future.   If they understand how it works, and appreciate what it provides for us, they will feel more inclined to protect it.  Seed Soil Sun gives an amazing overview of the cycle of growth and the ingredients for earth’s recipe for food…seed, soil, sun, rain, and air.  Each ingredient in the recipe is clearly explained.  Using the corn plant as an example, the author describes germination and growth of the seed into the giant plant.  The makeup of soil is explained…”Each handful of soil contains more living things than all the human beings on Earth.  Microscopic one-celled bacteria that munch away on dead leaves and insects in the soil are so minute that it would take a thousand of them lined up in a row to reach across the head of a pin.”  (Photo of a pin with a head shares that page.)  Exquisite photographs of multicultural kids in a farm setting or close up photos of compost, worms, sprouts, etc., provide emphasis for the well written, easy to comprehend text.  If you could only have one book on this subject, this is the one!

Snowmen All Year

The husband and wife team , Caralyn and Mark Buehner sure know how to capture a child’s imagination and put it in a book!  How many kids have wished their snowman, a creation of grunting sweat, ingenuity, and maybe some collaboration and teamwork, would last longer than a day or two?  (At least, NW coast kids.)  This story in rhyme chronicles a year with a magically preserved snowman who is the quintessential companion for fun and adventure…flying kites, going to the zoo, riding a roller coaster and trick-or treating.  Of course, the brilliant and dazzling illustrations cause one to pause and jump into each picture!  My favorite, of which, is the snowman sailing off the diving board heading for a humongous splash in the pool.  Yes, in keeping with the I Spy aspect of the other books, in this book there are two ducks, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a rabbit, a cat and at least one hidden snowman in each painting.  Fun, fun, fun!!

In the Garden with Dr. Carver

Packed with gems of wisdom about plants, and the interconnectedness of nature, the reader is taken back to the days of George Washington Carver.  Told from the point of view of an elementary school aged girl, Sally, this fictionalized account of the famous plant scientist’s visit to her school unfolds, carrying you along with the story without realizing how much you are learning about the natural world.  Concepts such as how plants will tell you want they need if you listen and observe, how you never change or destroy something until you “understand why it exists and its relationship with the rest of nature”, how plants, like people, need nutritious food (in the soil) to help them grow, and how re-using cast off treasures is a sustainable practice.  (He made test tubes, lamps and tools for his laboratory, gleened from the dump.)  On weekends, Dr, Carver used an old wagon pulled by a mule to teach folks in the Alabama countryside.  His “moveable school” idea was adapted in places as far away as China and India.  Enlivened by  bright, friendly watercolor illustrations, the story will be enjoyed by young and old alike.  Dr. Carver is an inspirational and important figure in America’s scientific history.  I’m grateful this book made it’s way to my library!

Bullying and Me: Schoolyard Stories

Author, Ouisie Shapiro, has gathered 13 stories ( 8 from boys and 5 from girls) of schoolyard bullying. The stories convey the message to students that they are not alone in being bullied.

There are no real solutions given because there isn’t any ONE cure all for bullying.  While this may be true,” Dorothy Espelage [who] is a professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign… and has appeared on TV as a bullying expert” gives her input on each of the thirteen individual stories.

6 Tips on dealing with Bullies are included at the end of the book.

Green Queen of Mean, The

In this sequel to the graphic novel series – Princess Candy- Sugar Hero*, Halo once again transforms into Princess Halo – Super Hero to help her classmate, Doozie Hiss, escape from the SuperVillain Green Queen’s revenge for Doozie’s littering.

Don’t miss at the back of the book:

1) Green Queen Super Villain information card,

2) Aunt Pandora’s Princess Puzzlers mini-quiz,

3) Discussion questions, and

4) Writing prompts

* For better understanding read Princess Candy – Sugar Hero first

Sugar Hero

As Halo NIghtly rides in her Grandmother’s taxi cab she is given a mysterious 11th birthday gift from her Aunt Pandora.  Bottles of candy pills : “fuego” and “agua” to name just two which transform Halo into Princess Halo – SUPER HERO!

Don’t miss the added features at the back of this book:

1) Doozie Hiss Super Villain information card,

2) Aunt Pandora’s Princess Puzzlers mini-quizz,

3) Discussion questions, and

4) Writing prompts.

Bus Ride Bully

Gavin does not like his school bus or the boy, Max, who bullies him on it daily. Things change for Gavin after “Max had a bike accident.” (pg 16) Max’s days as a bully end once Gavin visits Max at his house because Max has been telling people Gavin is his “best friend.”

As a part of the new series – My 1st Graphic Novel, this book contains large illustrations and opens with “How to Read a Graphic Novel”,  a  page of instructions and diagrams for people, like me, who did not grow up reading comic books.

Shih Tzu

Here is a dog book that has kid appeal written all over it! First of all there is page upon page of large adorable glossy photographs of Shih Tzu’s in different scenarios…a visual feast!  Each two page spread answers a question or covers a concept in the choosing of, typical behavior of, and care for this miniature breed from Tibet.  For example, What are Shih Tzus?, Tiny Puppies, How Big Do Shih Tzus Get? Shih Tzus Helping People. I appreciated that people of color were represented in the photographs.  The book is designed to appeal to a primary audience with over sized print  and snappy page layout.  I prejudged this book, as it appeared to potentially be a portfolio of fluff with little substance.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn a lot about these little powerhouse dogs.  With their short legs, four blocks is far enough for a healthy walk.  They are good pets for people with allergies, since they do not shed much.  They don’t like to get wet.  You carry them like a football. Mixed breeds have health problems and can be harder to train.  Males are easier to house train than females…etc.  One issue I did have was with the map of the breeds origin, Tibet/China.  China and Tibet are presented, out of context, without any bordering countries or water to orient us.  All the numerous provinces of China are colored and labeled.  Nowhere on the map is the word, “China”!  That said, kids may be more forgiving of the map makers, and simply devour this book.  I will consider purchasing more of this “Top Dog” series.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Nearly 200 years ago, in South Carolina, there lived a potter named Dave.  Dave was a slave whose owner allowed him a rare opportunity for a black person at that time… and that was to develop a skill. (Usually owners feared that slaves who developed a skill, such as blacksmithing or pottery, would start demanding more rights.)  Dave also could read and write, as he wrote short poems with dates, which he inscribed on the side of many of his pots, many of which have survived to today.  This book pays tribute to this artist through lovely lyrical language and bigger than life watercolors in browns, blacks, and whites.  The book’s design is award quality, with small subdued color photos subtly, and artfully incorporated in the background of the bold watercolor.  On the opposite page, the minimal text sits in the middle of a large expanse of monochromatic watercolor paper, giving a feeling of serenity and peace.  The serenity and intensity play off each other, on the two page spread, creating something quite striking.  Back matter includes more information about Dave such as…”Dave was one of the only two known potters at the time who could successfully make pots that were larger than twenty gallons, sometimes as large as forty gallons. To do this he had to wrestle more than sixty pounds of clay on his turning wheel.”  Whether students are studying black history or merely exploring with clay, this remarkable book is a must for an elementary school collection.

The Chiru of High Tibet

From the author of “Snowflake Bentley” comes a true story of environmental compassion and risk-your-life courage.  Sheep can be sheared for their wool.  But the one-of-a-kind Tibetan chiru, looking like a small antelope and related to wild goats and sheep, are killed for their wool, “the king of wools, the finest in the world”.  Chiru would die in the bitter cold, if they were sheared.  But at the rate they were being poached, they were soon to become extinct.  A caring scientist, George B. Schaller, made two attempts to discover the chiru’s secret calving area so that it could be protected. Then four mountain-climbing men offered to dedicate their summer to the 200-mile trek to find the birthing grounds, which they did.  The trekkers’ efforts resulted in the Chinese government protecting the threatened chiru.  The accounts of this adventure were purposefully vague about the exact location of the secret spot so the chiru will remain hidden.  Back matter include photographs of the people, animals, and the high Tibetan terrain.  This is an amazing adventure story, told in elegant poetic language, and illustrated in bright colors and gentle strokes of the watercolor brush…all of which is simply riveting to the reader.

The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough

Maria Luz and her family represent part of the two billion people around the world who are not “food secure”…which means they do not grow enough food to feed themselves and make extra money for medical needs, education, and clean water.  They are poor Honduran farmers trying to farm in soil depleted of nutrients. Here enters the teacher, Don Pedro (Don Elias Sanchez in real life.), who introduces the concepts of composting, terracing, natural insect repellents, and cash crops.  Maria’s family and their neighbors implement these concepts and simply turn their life around.  Each two page spread chronicles a part of the story lavishly illustrated in bold, bright Honduran sun filled colors.  Back matter includes more information about the real life people represented here. Also included are concrete ideas on how we can help to improve food security in our neighborhoods and in the world.  The author also wrote another book, “One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a big Difference”.  There is a website related to this book that is for teachers, librarians, and parents interested in teaching children through microfinance stories,  financial responsibility, and giving back.  As we become more of a global community, the above books are important ones to purchase for our libraries so we can inspire our students to become global citizens.

43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You

The story cleverly unfolds as you turn each page to read either a letter, document, newspaper article, etc. All of the aforementioned were written over the course of one summer relating to quite unusual events which occurred in a large old house located at 43 Old Cemetary Road.  A popular author, Ignatius B. Grumply, moves into the Victorian mansion to find some peace and quiet to help him break out of his writer’s block.  Unfortunately, for him, there are already three others living there…an eleven year old boy, his cat and a cranky ghost named Olive.  Skillful readers will find their brain getting stretched and teased trying to follow the humorous antics of these colorful character’s through the letters they write to each other, plus the various newspaper articles, and delightful drawings peppered throughtout.  Exquisite character development made it a gem of a read.  Will my patrons be dying to meet a new style of storytelling?  Will they chuckle at the sophisticated humor, as I did?  We will see!