Boy with Pink Hair, The

This is a super story.  It shows the positive side of being different, and that our uniqueness can be a good thing to share with others.  It is positive and full of love and acceptance, and shows how those qualities can also have a positive effect on others.

It is a great lesson for kids.  . . . → Read More: Boy with Pink Hair, The

Box, The

This is a cute story about using your imagination.  Many children use boxes to play with and make many this from a box.  In this story a boy named Kenny has a box that becomes many different things.  Even better than a new bike.

A great story about using your imagination.

Tricky Tarantulas

Divided into 2 sections, this book on unusual pets begins with basic facts.  Because there are often laws about owning unusual pets, the reader is advised to check state laws.  Facts include details about preferred environments, food, and care.  The second section is atypical of most animal fact books.  This section is a rhyming short . . . → Read More: Tricky Tarantulas

Tales for Very Picky Eaters

What a fun book!  James is a very picky eater – most families have one.  Dad needs to get inventive to entice his son to try meals.  Divided into 5 chapters, in the first, James is encouraged to eat broccoli or choose between the finest dirt, walked on by only the best chefs wearing deluxe . . . → Read More: Tales for Very Picky Eaters

Kisses for Daddy

Grumbly little Baby Bear does not want to give his parents a kiss before taking a bath before bed.  Daddy gets inventive and asks if Baby Bear would like to give a giraffe kiss as he holds Baby Bear up high.  Baby refuses.  As he carries Baby Bear upstairs, Daddy asks if he would like . . . → Read More: Kisses for Daddy

Mountain Rescue

“Hikers, mountaineers, rock climbers, skiers, and forest workers all play and work in the mountains. They need to be rescued if they get lost in weather, trapped on a cliff, injured in a fall, or become sick.” (page6) 13 factual 2 page spreads briefly describe the why, who, and how of mountain rescues. Mention is . . . → Read More: Mountain Rescue

The science of weapons

Describes the science concepts behind military weapons.  Includes excellent photographs, glossary, bibliography, index.

Cell and Microbe Science Fair Projects

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

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Courage

This fun story is a great way to help children to learn how to overcome their fears.  The lessons at the back to help adults help the child work through their fears is very informative and helpful.

The pictures were fun, the story easy for a child to identify with, and very positive, even when . . . → Read More: Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Courage

Night Stalkers

Night Stalkers is an interesting and informative book about a special group of army soldiers.  The pictures are simple for young readers to understand.  This book is full of exciting and informative facts.  This is a book that boys or children with family in the military would especially enjoy.

Sophie’s Fish

This is a fun story with interesting pictures.  I like how it expresses many of the anxieties children and adults often feel when confronted with something new.  It is fun to see the creative solutions illustrated in the pictures.  This would be a fun book to share with children, or for them to read on . . . → Read More: Sophie’s Fish

Space Vehicles

This book has nice big pictures and print.  It is a simple explanation of space crafts, their functions, and destinations.  I liked the glossary at the end of the book.  It defined many of the words younger children may be unfamiliar with.

It would be a nice read for a science class, or for a . . . → Read More: Space Vehicles

B-2 Stealth Bombers

This is a simple clear book about an amazing plane.  Great for young readers.  The pictures are interesting and clear. The facts are easy to understand and supported with a glossary at the back.   It also has a table on contents and index, with a page of “To Learn More.”

Great read for young boys.

Just Grace and the Flower Girl Power

In this 8th book of the Just Grace adventures, Grace’s favorite neighbor is getting married and Grace is not chosen to be flower girl!  At first, Grace is crushed.  Then her indomitable personality takes over.  She gathers her friends and plans an unusual surprise for the wedding day.  Many large headings and fun cartoons are . . . → Read More: Just Grace and the Flower Girl Power

Just Grace and the Double Surprise

Energetic 8 year old Grace has humorous and insightful observations about life at home, in the neighborhood, and at school.  Next door, best friend Mimi’s family is in the process of adopting a younger sibling.  At the same time, Grace’s parents have finally agreed to get a dog for a pet.  For readers venturing into . . . → Read More: Just Grace and the Double Surprise

Find the Perfect College for You

Blend a detailed lesson on discovering your personality/learning type with Marie and Law’s first hand knowledge of 82 possible colleges/universities majors and enviroments from across the spectrum and you see the potential their text Find the Perfect College for You has for students who just don’t know where to start their college search.

Every high . . . → Read More: Find the Perfect College for You

National Intelliegence

“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

You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Hoover Dam! An Explosive Job You’d Rather Not Do

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

Robots

Author Maggie Rosier provides insight into the skill of drawing 8 different robots illustrated by Steve Porter.

The beginner should start by drawing from a picture before drawing from their imagination. Basic supplies include drawing pencils with both soft (B) and hard (H) lead, in addition to colored pencils, paper, eraser, and black ink pen.

. . . → Read More: Robots

Njinga: The Warrior Queen. (The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames)

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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)

Heroes of the surf: A rescue story based on true events

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Summary:   Two boys playing “pirate” on a steamship off the coast of New Jersey in 1882 find themselves in real danger when their ship runs aground.   Hope is almost lost when waves are too high to lower the life boats.  Someone spots something on the horizon.  Is it pirates?   No, there are rescuers in . . . → Read More: Heroes of the surf: A rescue story based on true events

The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated

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Summary:  The night Balin is born in Norththumberland, the old woman of the mountain arrives and predicts greatness for the newborn!  “But wait,” the old woman exclaims!  “There’s a cloud over this!” “His greatness will bring calamity to all his companions and he will strike the dolorous stroke!” Thus begins the life and knighthood . . . → Read More: The Adventures of Sir Balin the Ill-Fated

Get Into Any College:  Secrets of Harvard Students

Authors of this self-help book are both Harvard graduates who have crafted a fine book of guidelines for parents, students and school staff for how to succeed in all the many aspects of college/university choice and acceptance.  Any student in 10th or 11th grade ought to examine this book with their parents at their side . . . → Read More: Get Into Any College:  Secrets of Harvard Students

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2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner

A group of funny, colorful birds will amuse children as they learn the concepts of up, down, tall, small and high.  Readers are introduced to the comic antics of the birds in three separate chapters.  Children will delight in the simple text and the colorful drawings. Long’s use . . . → Read More:

Memorial Day

Primary, nonfiction book which explains the importance of Memorial Day, as celebrated by the people of the United States, to honor the people who served in the armed forces.  Honored are the ones who gave their lives, and also those who currently serve.  There is a suggestion to write a thank you note to people . . . → Read More: Memorial Day