The children in Mrs. Feeny’s primary grade class are telling about their parents’ jobs for Career Day: astronomer, a jeweler, a NASCAR driver, and a dad who changes light bulbs.
“Anthony Swister said, ‘Booooooring!’ and laughed…” Then the student continues ( for 14 pages) describing how the light bulb is on top of the antenna on top of the Empire State Building.
This is a superb resource for students grades 7 – 12. Excellent organization and layout makes for easy use. Primary source text is in bold font and illustrations are outline in bold color. Maps, charts, time line, glossary, bibliographic sources and index support the text. For studens who seek additional information, they can also make use of the resources given in the chapter notes. This book, or any lone chapter from it, would partner well with the novel or film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Both touch the soul in making individual victims come to life for today’s youth who are so distant from this historic period. They will readily see that such horrible events could happen to them, to us, to all–even today. This is perfect for any student who needs help to use primary sources in a paper or presentation.
A wonderful addition to her Young Royals series, Carolyn Meyer reveals a new tender side to Marie-Antoinette in The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette. Once Austrian Princess Antonia Hapsberg, she was the 12th child of a commanding mother who arranged her marriage to Louis-Auguste Bourbon, the process of which changes her name. Meyer presents the voice of a 12 year old child, forced to dental extractions, French lessons and rules of etiquette from her mother that become the foreshadow-laden chapter titles in the book. France is already physically and mentally deteriorating when she arrives to marry the shy, fat Dauphin. While she is given beautiful things to wear and attends outlandish parties, the marriage leaves Marie-Antoinette confused more than satisfied as neither Marie or Louis know how to make a baby — the purpose of the marriage. Most readers will probably like how Meyers paints Marie as a true companion to Louis, as she works to build the relationship by learning how to ride horses so she can accompany him on hunting trips — the only passion in his life. In this light, one sees that this loyalty to Louis is the shining jewel in her crown, even when she had the chance to love another man passionately and also escape France with her children and her life. Instead the rules for Marie switch to “Instructions for Madame Royale”, as Marie gives instructions to her daughter and the voice switches to Marie-Therese-Charlotte de France to finish her mother’s story to the guillotine. Historical references such as visits from Ben Franklin add to this more positive account of the French Queen, despite the title’s implications and her lavish lifestyle. This is highly recommended for both public and high school libraries.
What’s to be worried about when you’re starting middle school? Lots, according to Claudia, who volunteers to escort her readers as they begin the perilous journey. Dress comfortably; don’t be afraid to ask teachers for help; go over your notes before tests; you don’t have to be “popular”…Claudia’s advice is good, and covers just about every situation.
It’s nice to see suggestions for kids who don’t make the team. Claudia makes dog walks sound fun, or dancing to your favorite tunes, even when you’re all alone. Considering how few kids are sports stars or cheerleaders, it’s smart to consider alternatives, like writing for the school newspaper.
Important words are highlighted, and small drawings bring attention to important people, like the principal, or things, like the ham and cheese sandwich you can bring for lunch. And Claudia admits she’s lucky to have been in school with the same friends since first grade. Lots of real-world kids would find that enviable.
So take it from Claudia, pay attention, be kind, try hard. Her book also has a glossary to explain the big words, discussion questions, a writing activity, tips from other teens, and the names of some more good books.
Rhyming text tells kids about the chincoteague ponies and the firemen who caretake these wild animals. The language is simple and is aimed at the younger set of picture book readers, though the illustrations can tend to be abstract and may be difficult for younger children to interpret.
Cat lovers, here is a book for you. That is, if you’re a fancier of feral cats. Naturalist Jean Craighead George’s interest in cats began years ago when her daughter’s cat presented her kittens, rather formally, to the family. For years, Ms. George has read about and observed feral cats. This book, about a boy’s efforts to befriend a feral cat, is the result.
With life-like illustrations to make the cats seem real, I was fascinated by this disparate group of cats who had gathered around a railroad station where an elderly lady fed them. I spied on their sunning spots, their hunting grounds, and their uncanny ways of sensing where to find shelter and food.
However, when the cats gather in Mrs. Dibber’s basement to ride out a snowstorm, I was rooting for the cats, but couldn’t keep from thinking how terrible that poor woman’s basement must have smelled by the time the cats moved on. That’s one detail Ms. Craighead George didn’t mention.
Cute story about a class trying to raise money to go to a theme park. Fun way to learn about addition and subtraction and working as a team.
The Spanish Missions of California by Megan Gendell is the most detailed of the 3 books in A True Book series I’ve read. Focused more on the who, what, why, when, and how of the people living and working in the mission than the political ties to them, 6 of the 21 Californian missions are given a page each with a picture and text to highlight the differences in architecture between them. The “Find the Truth” critical thinking questions presented before the table of contents both focus and bring wonder to the topic. Answers are given at the end of the text along side other statistics. Unlike another book in this set titled Spanish Missions, this book does a great job providing maps of the locations of the missions. Full color with pictures on each page, the resources, glossary, and index pages complete this book that is recommended for upper elementary or ELL students.
With an elementary audience in mind, Spanish Missions by John Perritano would work well in secondary libraries for ELL and struggling readers. Perritano’s 3 -4 page chapters cover the beginning of missions, Texas missions, California missions and the closing of missions. The influences on Native American culture is discussed presenting both sides in a positive light. No primary source material except the full color pictures on each page. A map indicating where each mission is located would have been useful. The pronunciation of Spanish names and words is provided which will help readers unfamiliar with Spanish. The “Find the Truth” critical thinking questions presented before the table of contents both focus and bring wonder to the topic. Answers are given at the end of the text along side other statistics. Resources, glossary, and index complete this recommended book.
A very good elementary resource and usable at any level for ELL students, Teresa Domnauer’s Westward Expansion is intended for upper elementary audiences. Covering the entire movement across the United States, from Beyond the Appalachians to Pathway to the Pacific, this 48 page history lesson is brief yet succinct. The highlight is its bright color graphics throughout. Additionally, important vocabulary is in bold and referenced in the glossary, following a resources page. Another plus for this book is the critical thinking question given for each chapter that encourages the reader to read for “the truth” about the particular topic. Recommended for elementary libraries, additional purchase for secondary libraries.