There’s a reason Nancy Drew books have been around for over eighty years and continue to attract a loyal following.  It was fun to have an excuse to go back and re-read one of the books that first hooked me into voluntary recreational reading.  This anniversary limited edition is kinda cute with a retro cover that may be appreciated by Nancy’s fans, but there’s not much pizzaz to the cover to attract new readers, so all-in-all, though I think every school library should offer the series, I don’t think this particular edition is the best option.

This was an interesting 32 page non-fiction book about the history and structure of secret codes.  Various code styles are described along with techniques for cracking them.  It was fun to apply the techniques described in the examples along the way.  The answers were in the back to check progress.  The format was easy to read and included lots of pictures to keep things interesting.  I think students will enjoy reading this and writing their own secret codes.  It is one in a set of 3 in the series.  The other titles include Speaking Secret Codes and Making Secret Codes.

I enjoyed this story about Clara Lee, an 8 year old Korean American girl who lives with her parents, little sister and grandfather.  There are family and friendship themes, including conflicts that must be resolved along the way.  Clara Lee has a dream one night that her grandfather dies.  She is frightened and so tells him all about the dream the next day.  Grandfather assures her that in the Korean culture, a death dream is really a sign of a new start and can be very good luck.  Clara takes this as encouragement to sign up for the Little Miss Apple Pie competition, which she’s always longed for but been afraid.  The story takes you through the build up and results of the competition and all the story lines are neatly wrapped up by the end.  I enjoyed this peek into Korean American culture and the characters were delightful.  The inter-generational relationships were also meaningfully explored.  The AR test is level 3.8, 2 points which should be perfect for our target readers at school.  Bright and colorful cover art and darling sketch illustrations throughout the book also add to it’s appeal.

“Prettiest” and “Ugliest” girls in the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior class appear on a list at the start of Homecoming week each year at Mount Washington High School. Who makes and posts the list and why?

More importantly, how do the eight girls who names appear on The List cope?

The reaction of each girl is shared throughout the novel and this continuing changing point of view can be hard to follow. If the reader becomes confused, it is easy to flip back to the opening page and review The List.

The issue of bullying is a major theme throughout the novel, in addition to examinations of peer and of parent – child relationships.

The List is an intriguing read.

This 10 chapter Milo & Jazz Mystery is set at the outdoor swimming pool with a snack bar.  ” Jazz and Milo are detectives.” In this mystery they investigate how and why someone would dye the swimming pool water purple, thus closing down the  swimming pool for a day. Jazz finds purple “dribbles” on the grass outside the swimming pool’s fence. Jazz and Milo have two suspects, but this plot has a twist in it and someone totally unsuspected did it. The reader finds out this is due to a preconceived idea that all people from California are good swimmers.

Includes: Super sleuthing puzzles after the story

This is an excellent 48 page non-fiction book about the history of the Erie Canal.  Explained in context with the political events of the time and in particular the development of the United States as a nation, this book is well-written and interesting.  The format is also impressive.  Rather than a glossary, key words are defined in the margins on the page on which they appear.  So much more reader-friendly, it ensures that the reader takes the time to fully comprehend the text.  Photographs, primary source paintings, maps and diagrams are plentiful throughout the book.  There is an AR test (level 5.7, 1 point).  I was engaged throughout this book and believe that students will enjoy reading about the history of the Erie Canal.

Before choosing a pet a responsible future owner should acquaint himself with a breed’s characteristics. This book will help those curious about the American Pit Bull Terrier breed understand this breed which often has a bad reputation. The American Pit Bull Terrier “were originally bred in England to be good fighters… to be aggressive toward other dogs, but not toward humans.”

In 9 short, 2-page chapters include: The Dog Family, American Pit Bull Terriers, What They’re Like, Coat and Color, Size, Care, Feeding, Things They Need,  and Puppies, plus Glossary, Web Sites, and Index.

Pinch is hungry, but hasn’t any prepared food in the house and “Pinch was too lazy to make his own soup.” He decides to see his friend Dash who is a good cook. What follows reminds me of the classic “STONE SOUP”, with potatoes, spinach, and cheese being added to Dash’s soup pot. While Dash sets the table in the dining room, Pinch adds pepper and hot sauce to the pot. Then unannounced to Pinch, Dash does the same thing. When Dash tastes the soup the spiciness overtakes him. In the end, both Pinch and Dash reveal what they each have done.

This book, specifically geared for young readers,  provides a literary analysis of the play Macbeth.  The introduction clearly presents information on William Shakespeare’s life and plays and the Globe Theater AND ends with a glossary of literary terms – a good choice for students needing quick background information.  The play is dissected into acts/scenes – each given an quick overview and a short analysis.  A list of characters and their roles are also given to the reader.  The author provides a closer look at the play’s theme, motifs, symbols, and language.  A chronology, a Shakespeare’s glossary, a Suggested Essay Topics section, a Testing Your Memory section, a Further Information section, a bibliography and an index are given in the book.  The pages are colorful and the writing is clear and organized.  This is an easily digestible book for those who wish to grab a quick insight into Shakespeare and his life and this particular play.

This book, specifically geared for young readers,  provides a literary analysis of the play Hamlet.  The introduction clearly presents information on William Shakespeare’s life and plays and the Globe Theater AND ends with a glossary of literary terms – a good choice for students needing quick background information.  The play is dissected into acts/scenes – each given an quick overview and a short analysis.  A list of characters and their roles are also given to the reader.  The author provides a closer look at the play’s theme, motifs, symbols, and language.  A chronology, a Shakespeare’s glossary, a Suggested Essay Topics section, a Testing Your Memory section, a Further Information section, a bibliography and an index are given in the book.  The pages are colorful and the writing is clear and organized.  This is an easily digestible book for those who wish to grab a quick insight into Shakespeare and his life and this particular play.