Reviewed by Kristi Bonds, on June 7th, 2013 Author: Kat Falls Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 9780545178433 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 6th - 9th Rating: R
- Author: Kat Falls
- Grade Level: 6th - 9th
- ISBN: 9780545178433
- Price: 16.99
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2011
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
The Rising of water has created a new world order for humans. Most of the earth is now covered by oceans. Whole townships live within floating structures. Humans have even adapted to be able to live entirely subsea. Yet economic commerce retreated to basic supply and demand. These forces combine to give Ty and Gemma . . . → Read More: Rip Tide
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 6th, 2013 Author: Julie Cummins Illustrator: Cheryl Harness Series: Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-0-8037-3713-6 Year Published: 2012 Price: $17.99 Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R*
- Author: Julie Cummins
- Grade Level: 3-8
- Illustrator: Cheryl Harness
- ISBN: 978-0-8037-3713-6
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2012
Women have long been overlooked or underrepresented in the history books. This collection of biographies about female explorers is a positive step toward recognizing these courageous women and their contributions. The ten women explorers who are featured, with four pages of text and illustrations each, include Louise Arner Boyd, Nellie Cashman, Ynes Mexia, Lucy Evelyn . . . → Read More: Women Explorers
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 6th, 2013 Author: Tony Robinson Illustrator: Mike Phillips Series: Publisher: MacMillan Children's Books ISBN: 9780330510806 Year Published: 2009 Price: $12.99 Grade Level: 4-12 Rating: R
- Author: Tony Robinson
- Grade Level: 4-12
- Illustrator: Mike Phillips
- ISBN: 9780330510806
- Price: $12.99
- Publisher: MacMillan Children's Books
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2009
Bad Kids: The naughtiest children in history explores laws and punishments from ancient to modern day societies. The author’s writing style is very tongue-in-cheek and humorous, while sticking to historical facts on the subject. Several famous characters from history around the world are featured including their notorious childhood behavior. This book is easy to read . . . → Read More: Bad Kids
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 5th, 2013 Author: Nadia Higgins Illustrator: Series: Pop Culture Bios Super Singers Publisher: Learner Publishing ISBN: 978-1-4677-0294-2 Year Published: 2013 Price: $19.95 Grade Level: 4-8 Rating: R
- Author: Nadia Higgins
- Grade Level: 4-8
- ISBN: 978-1-4677-0294-2
- Price: $19.95
- Publisher: Learner Publishing
- Rating: R
- Series: Pop Culture Bios Super Singers
- Year Published: 2013
This Justin Bieber biography is chock full of photographs, graphics, and facts about Justin’s life to date. The text is clearly written and employs current “hip” slang throughout which might help with engaging young readers. Although the recent photographs are good quality, the older ones of Justin’s childhood tend to be blurry. I think Bieber . . . → Read More: Justin Bieber
Reviewed by Claudia Robinson, on May 9th, 2013 Author: Kenneth G. Rainis Illustrator: Series: Biology: Science Projects Using the Scientific Method Publisher: Enslow ISBN: 9780766034204 Year Published: 2010 Price: $34.60 Library Binding Grade Level: Rating: R
- Author: Kenneth G. Rainis
- Publisher: Enslow
- ISBN: 9780766034204
- Reading level: Upper Elementary / Middle
- Year Published: 2010
- Series: Biology: Science Projects Using the Scientific Method
- Price: $34.60 Library Binding
- Rating: R
For upper elementary and middle school students, this book is an introduction to cells and microbes. A dozen different science experiments are detailed in a step-by-step fashion starting with a basic question and then moving from hypothesis through procedure to the result and conclusion. The introduction addresses topics such as: How Scientists Search for . . . → Read More: Cell and Microbe Science Fair Projects
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on May 2nd, 2013 Author: Doak, Robin S. Illustrator: photos Series: Cornerstones of Freedom / Bringing History to Life Publisher: children's press / Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-23061-9 Year Published: 2013 Price: Grade Level: grades 5, 6, 7, & 8 Rating: R
- Author: Doak, Robin S.
- Grade Level: grades 5, 6, 7, & 8
- Illustrator: photos
- ISBN: 978-0-531-23061-9
- Length: p. 64
- Publisher: children's press / Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Series: Cornerstones of Freedom / Bringing History to Life
- Year Published: 2013
“Freedom from fear is a basic human right… Intelligence agents play a key role in securing this freedom for all Americans.” (p.7) Before reading this five chapter book with a skeletal* amount of information I didn’t know much , if anything, about the United States national intelligence system. It is so full of secrets, the . . . → Read More: National Intelliegence
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on May 2nd, 2013 Author: Graham, Ian Illustrator: David Antram Series: You Wouldn't Want to Work on Publisher: Franklin Watts / Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-20871-7 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: grades 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 Rating: R
- Author: Graham, Ian
- Grade Level: grades 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
- Illustrator: David Antram
- ISBN: 978-0-531-20871-7
- Length: 32 pages
- Publisher: Franklin Watts / Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Reading level: IG 920 Lexile
- Series: You Wouldn't Want to Work on
- Year Published: 2012
The Great Depression of the 1930s is underway when Herbert Hoover’s dream to build a hydroelectric dam on the Colorado River is finally realized. Out of work men from California, Nevada, and Texas are a major part of the 21,000 workers employed for the dam’s construction. They arrive to find NO town, desert heat, and . . . → Read More: You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Hoover Dam! An Explosive Job You’d Rather Not Do
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Havemeyer, Janie Illustrator: Malone, Peter Series: (The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames) Publisher: Goosebottom Books ISBN: 0983425663 Year Published: 2012 Price: 18.95 Grade Level: Rating: Recommended
- Author: Havemeyer, Janie
- Illustrator: Malone, Peter
- Publisher: Goosebottom Books
- Year Published: 2012
- ISBN: 0983425663
- Price: 18.95
- Series: (The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames)
- Rating: Recommended, Recommended
Summary: As part of the series, “The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames,” Njinga, the Warrior Queen tells the story of a young girl growing up in West Africa. Njinga was born into a royal African family in 1583. When she was born, the soothsayers predicted she would not be an easy person. Njinga . . . → Read More: Njinga: The Warrior Queen. (The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames)
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Latham, Donna Illustrator: Vaughn, Jen Series: Build it yourself series Publisher: Green Press Initiative ISBN: 978-1-936749-52-2 Year Published: 2012 Price: 21.95 Grade Level: Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Latham, Donna
- Series: Build it yourself series
- Publisher: Green Press Initiative
- Year Published: 2012
- ISBN: 978-1-936749-52-2
- Price: 21.95
- Rating: Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended
- Illustrator: Vaughn, Jen
Summary: Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate feats of Engineering with 25 projects by Donna Latham, is the latest edition of the excellent (Build it yourself series), which includes such titles as Backyard Biology: Investigate habitats outside your door with 25 projects and Robotics: discover the science and technology of the future with 20 projects by Kathy . . . → Read More: Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate Feats of engineering with 25 projects (Build it yourself series)
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Pinkwater, Daniel Illustrator: Series: Publisher: HM 2012 ISBN: 978-0-547-38539-6 Year Published: 2012 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: grade 7 and up Rating: additional purchase
- Author: Pinkwater, Daniel
- Publisher: HM 2012
- Price: 16.99
- ISBN: 978-0-547-38539-6
- Grade Level: grade 7 and up
- Rating: additional purchase
- Year Published: 2012
Summary: This is the story of Harold Knishke, a Chicago teenager growing up in the 60s. He loves “Bushman,” the famed recently departed gorilla of the Lincoln Park Zoo. “Bushman lives” is a common greeting among his friends! After his flute teacher convinces Harold that he has no musical talent, he sells his flute for . . . → Read More: Bushman lives!
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on April 23rd, 2013 Author: Deborah Kent Illustrator: Series: America the Beautiful Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-18593-3 Year Published: 2009 Price: Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R
- Author: Deborah Kent
- Grade Level: 3-8
- ISBN: 978-0-531-18593-3
- Length: 144 pgs
- Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 5th Grade
- Series: America the Beautiful
- Year Published: 2009
In the latest Third Edition of the America the Beautiful series, the design and layout has been updated to appeal to readers who like gorgeous photographs, or illustrations, sidebars with FAQs, “Who knew?” facts to keep you thinking, travel guide tips, and incredible ideas for school assignments and research projects. Of course the usual information . . . → Read More: Washington, D.C.
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on April 23rd, 2013 Author: Barbara A. Somervill Illustrator: Series: America the Beautiful Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531--18588-9 Year Published: 2009 Price: Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R
- Author: Barbara A. Somervill
- Grade Level: 3-8
- ISBN: 978-0-531--18588-9
- Length: 144 pgs
- Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 5th Grade
- Series: America the Beautiful
- Year Published: 2009
Designed for kid appeal, this well researched, latest third addition to the American the Beautiful state books series, will give students detailed and interesting information about what started out as William Penn’s 1682 colony. The contents covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, Economy, and Travel Guide. . . . → Read More: Pennsylvania
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on April 23rd, 2013 Author: Conrad R. Stein Illustrator: Series: America the Beautiful Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-18500-1 Year Published: 2010 Price: Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R
- Author: Conrad R. Stein
- Grade Level: 3-8
- ISBN: 978-0-531-18500-1
- Length: 144 pgs
- Publisher: Children's Press/Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 5th Grade
- Series: America the Beautiful
- Year Published: 2010
Well researched and well designed layout with gorgeous photographs, as well as helpful special features, make this a top consideration for a print choice in state studies. Content covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, Modern Times, People, Government, and Travel Guide. Special features provide sidebars, charts, graphs, original maps, FAQs, WOW . . . → Read More: Montana
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 22nd, 2013 Author: Sean McCollum Illustrator: Series: History's Greatest Warriors Publisher: Capstone Press ISBN: 978-1-4296-6603-9 Year Published: 2012 Price: $22.99 Grade Level: 4-9 Rating: R
- Author: Sean McCollum
- Grade Level: 4-9
- ISBN: 978-1-4296-6603-9
- Price: $22.99
- Publisher: Capstone Press
- Rating: R
- Series: History's Greatest Warriors
- Year Published: 2012
In 48 pages, this book provides a nice overview of the Viking society during the 250 years that they were famous and feared raiders of Europe. Detailing the art, technology, religions, class structure, leadership, weapons, tools, daily life as well as the military exploits of the Vikings, the reader learns a great deal. The multitude . . . → Read More: Vikings: A Guide to the Terrifying Conquerors
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 19th, 2013 Author: Donna Latham Illustrator: Beth Hetland Series: Build it Yourself Publisher: Nomad Press ISBN: 978-1-61930-152-8 Year Published: 2013 Price: $21.95 Grade Level: 3rd grade and up Rating: R*
- Author: Donna Latham
- Grade Level: 3rd grade and up
- Illustrator: Beth Hetland
- ISBN: 978-1-61930-152-8
- Price: $21.95
- Publisher: Nomad Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Build it Yourself
- Year Published: 2013
This amazing science experiment book focuses on topics related to biology. The chapters include: The Study of Life, Cells Alive!, Microbiology Reveals an Invisible World, Plants Make Life Possible, Plant Life Cycles, Adaptations are a Matter of Life and Death, Animal Life Cycles, and Protect Living Things. Each chapter has background information followed by a . . . → Read More: Backyard Biology
Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Garen Ewing Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Egmont ISBN: 9781405248532 Year Published: 2009 Price: $10.99 Grade Level: Grades 5 through 12 Rating: R*
- Author: Garen Ewing
- Grade Level: Grades 5 through 12
- ISBN: 9781405248532
- Price: $10.99
- Publisher: Egmont
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: Grade 5
- Year Published: 2009
In this Tintinesque graphic novel, the reader is introduce to the story Julius Chancer, a historian’s assistant. The assistant is caught up in an intrigue involving a silent movie actress, a cheating businessman, and the search for a rare orchid. This high-flying adventure travels all around the world as new twists to the tale are . . . → Read More: Rainbow Orchid, The: Volume One
Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Don Wood Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Blue Sky Press ISBN: 9780439726740 Year Published: 2008 Price: $12.99 Grade Level: Grades 4 through 12 Rating: R*
- Author: Don Wood
- Grade Level: Grades 4 through 12
- ISBN: 9780439726740
- Price: $12.99
- Publisher: Blue Sky Press
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: Grade 4
- Year Published: 2008
In this graphic novel, the reader is drawn into an action adventure story of two brothers desperately trying to find their mother and outsmart the evil treasure hunters who are searching for her as well. The boys are kidnapped by the treasure hunters and taken to the last place where their mother was last seen . . . → Read More: Into the Volcano
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 16th, 2013 Author: Barbara Berry Illustrator: Zac Williams Series: Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1-4424-1231-6 Year Published: 2011 Price: $15.99 Grade Level: 2 - 8 Rating: R*
- Author: Barbara Berry
- Grade Level: 2 - 8
- Illustrator: Zac Williams
- ISBN: 978-1-4424-1231-6
- Price: $15.99
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
This book is a one-stop princess party resource that will delight girls of all ages! Filled with appealing recipes, crafts and activities, this cookbook has several themes for your princess to choose from. Each recipe or craft has a beautiful color photograph which demonstrates presentation as well. The instructions are simple and clearly written. I . . . → Read More: Pink Princess Party Cookbook
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on April 14th, 2013 Author: Telgemeier, Raina Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Graphix, and imprint of Scholastic ISBN: 97805452326988 Year Published: 2012 Price: $23.99 Grade Level: 5-8 Rating: R
- Author: Telgemeier, Raina
- Grade Level: 5-8
- ISBN: 97805452326988
- Length: 233 pages
- Price: $23.99
- Publisher: Graphix, and imprint of Scholastic
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 2.3
- Year Published: 2012
Drama is a good title for this graphic novel: theater drama, middle school drama, and friendship drama. Callie is excited about designing the set for the new theater production. Her attention is divided between creating an awesome set and dealing with friendships and crushes. Telgemeier’s knowledge of backstage workings help the theater focus of the . . . → Read More: Drama
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on April 13th, 2013 Author: Harrison, David Illustrator: Burr, Dan Series: Publisher: Wordsong ISBN: 9781590798776 Year Published: 2012 Price: $17.95 Grade Level: 4-8 Rating: R*
- Author: Harrison, David
- Grade Level: 4-8
- Illustrator: Burr, Dan
- ISBN: 9781590798776
- Length: 48 pages
- Price: $17.95
- Publisher: Wordsong
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2012
22 free verse poems take one back to the 1860s and life on a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas. Dan Burr’s realistic digital paintings are an excellent combination with Harrison’s descriptions of life out west living under the stars with 3000 longhorn cattle. Sometimes humorous, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes candid, these poems give insight to . . . → Read More: Cowboys: Voices in the Western Wind
Reviewed by Kristi Bonds, on April 12th, 2013 Author: Michael Carroll Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 9780399256240 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 5th - 12th Rating: Ad
- Author: Michael Carroll
- Grade Level: 5th - 12th
- ISBN: 9780399256240
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Philomel Books
- Rating: Ad
- Year Published: 2011
Michael Carroll’s success with his Quantum Prophecy series continues to spill over with this second book of a trilogy that is a prequel to the 1st series. The evil Krodin was gone, or so the superhumans Roz, Abby, Lance and Thunder thought 3 weeks earlier when walked away into their separate lives again. But overnight . . . → Read More: The Ascension: a Super Human clash
Reviewed by Raina Sedore, on April 12th, 2013 Author: Barnhill, Kelly Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Little, Brown ISBN: 9780316056700 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: 4-8 Rating: A
- Author: Barnhill, Kelly
- Publisher: Little, Brown
- ISBN: 9780316056700
- Year Published: 2011
- Price: $16.99
- Grade Level: 4-8
- Rating: A
Jack is easy to forget. He doesn’t make friends easily, and his own parents seem to ignore him on a regular basis. Then, one day, he goes to spend the summer with relatives in a small town in the Midwest. In this town, the very walls of the house where he’s staying seem to respond to . . . → Read More: The Mostly True Story of Jack
Reviewed by Claudia Robinson, on April 10th, 2013 Author: McKay, Laura Lee Illustrator: Series: Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps Publisher: Enslow ISBN: 9780766038349 Year Published: 2013 Price: $23.93 library binding Grade Level: Ideally 6th-8th; Could go as low as 4th and higher than 8th Rating:
- Author: McKay, Laura Lee
- ISBN: 9780766038349
- Length: 48 pages
- Publisher: Enslow
- Series: Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps
- Price: $23.93 library binding
- Year Published: 2013
- Grade Level: Ideally 6th-8th; Could go as low as 4th and higher than 8th
The “five simple steps” are broken down into five short but insightful chapters. Beginning with “Start With an Idea” and wrapping up with “What to Do With Your Finished Story”, each step is one chapter unto itself. Each chapter’s beginning page is a step to be taken when writing fantasy fiction. The step . . . → Read More: Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on April 7th, 2013 Author: Howard. Melanie A. Illustrator: Series: Edgebooks: Wild About Snakes Publisher: Capstone Press ISBN: 9781429676632 Year Published: 2012 Price: $20.49 Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R
- Author: Howard. Melanie A.
- Grade Level: 3-8
- ISBN: 9781429676632
- Length: 32 pages
- Price: $20.49
- Publisher: Capstone Press
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 4.8
- Series: Edgebooks: Wild About Snakes
- Year Published: 2012
Beginning with a Cherokee Indian legend about copperheads, facts are presented about this fascinating reptile. Their habitat, coloring, types of copperheads, and how they hunt fill this 32 page book. Highlighted terms are defined on the page as well as again in the glossary. Fact boxes provide extra details. Photographs are large, colorful, and show . . . → Read More: Copperheads
Reviewed by Courtney Morgan, on April 5th, 2013 Author: Laurie Calkhoven Illustrator: Series: Boys of Wartime Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers / Penguin Group ISBN: 978-0-8037-3724-2 Year Published: 2012 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Laurie Calkhoven
- Grade Level: 3-8
- ISBN: 978-0-8037-3724-2
- Length: 230 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers / Penguin Group
- Rating: Highly Recommended
- Series: Boys of Wartime
- Year Published: 2012
The chapters are short so as to not be too intimidating for young readers. The characters are believable, and well-developed, so the reader becomes emotionally entanged The plot is gripping enough to keep the reader always wanting to read one more chapter. The historical setting allows teaches while story-telling. As an adult I was drawn . . . → Read More: Michael at the Invasion of France 1943
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