For those who already enjoy baseball and for those just learning the game, this book is a must-read.  Skills for each aspect of the sport are detailed.  Almost every sentence tells how to do or how to improve plays in the game.  Colorful photographs feature individual moves or positions and many are labeled to point out specifics.  Tips and tricks from professional ball players provide additional hints on how to improve one’s skills.  Boxed insets offer even more information.  This book is jam-packed with useful facts, hints, and history of the game.  Books for further reading are written at a similar level.  Internet addresses provide instructive information and videos.  Also included are a glossary and an index.  This book is highly recommended for libraries and personal collections.

For those wanting to learn basic information about the Czech Republic, this book contain facts about the geography, wildlife, and people.  The Czech Republic has only been an official country since 1993, but history of the area goes back to the 1400s.  There are many interesting photographs accompanying the text.  Pronunciation of a few basic words are found on one page, yet pronunciation clues for the Czech terms of landmarks or traditional foods are not included.  The information in this book is current and accurate and provides good information for written reports.  A student would have difficulty speaking knowledgeably not knowing how to pronounce particular words.  Almost every page contains a “Did You Know” fact.  The layout is pleasing and colorful.  This book contains enough statistics to encourage questions and additional research.  Good introduction to an interesting country.

Eight influential people are showcased in this Civil War book.  Brief snapshots of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, General  Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, General George McClellan, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass tell of their views and decisions at this pivotal time in history.  Colorful photographs and artwork portray each person or event involving the person.  Glossary and index are included.  This is a good beginning resource for those wanting to know more about people who had significant impact during the time of the Civil War.

Cute little WodneyWat has trouble saying words with Rs.  On his birthday, he received a robot that repeats what he whispers – and corrects his pronunciation!  One day, obnoxious Camilla Capybara, the World’s Meanest Rodent, returned to school with her loud, bullying ways.  When Wodney’s robot malfunctions with growls, Camilla becomes frightened. Ironically, Camilla is the one to fix the robot.  When she announces she’s decided to stay, Wodney whispers one last command which scares Camilla off once again.  Lynn Munsinger’s delightful illustrations humorously show how the quiet, little underdog can win the day.  This is a fun story on its own, yet also provides many “teachable moments”.

All bike riders will find this book a treasure.  Beginning with a description of types of bikes and basic tools needed for most repairs, this book is jam-packed with information for maintaining or modifying almost anything on a bike.  There are step-by-step instructions along with accompanying photographs.  Frequent insets provide additional information of tools needed or explanations of technical terms.  FYI ovals include general tidbits of useful facts or history of biking.  Knowing how to repair or adjust one’s bike inspires confidence for successful riding.  A troubleshooting section gives clues where to look for solving a problem.  The glossary includes terms highlighted within the text.  A timeline and index are also included.  Titles of other books for maintaining or riding are in the back of the book along with a facthound internet site that also provides online how-to videos on maintenance and repair.  This is an awesome resource for all bike riders.

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest and most popular of horse breeds.  This book describes their physical features and provides a brief history from the Ancient Egyptians 4500 years ago, to the nomads in the deserts in the Middle East 2000 years ago, to the present.  There are more than 600,000 pure-bred Arabians registered with the Arabian Horse Association.  Today, there are many competitions that test the horse’s stamina as well as the rider’s horsemanship.  This breed is popular because of its intelligence, beauty, temperament,and endurance.  Two individual Arabians, Merango and Cass Ole, are briefly mentioned.  Included in the back is a glossary, index, a factsurfer website, and three other books written at a similar level to read to learn more.

This amazing, yet dangerous, crocodile is one of the largest reptiles in the world.  Their bodies are built to make them one of the most deadly of predators.  One learns about physical characteristics, habitats, and behaviors in this fascinating book about an animal that has changed little since the dinosaur age.  Photos, well-written text, and a map help describe this ferocious animal.  Many pages have additional fact boxes.  Also included are a glossary, a factsurfer website, and three book written at a similar reading level for additional information.  Each page is visually interesting making this a real page-turner.

Liberty Porter is a fourth grader whose father just happens to be President of the United States.  Being the new student in school is tough enough and having one’s own secret service agent can complicate things.  Liberty is up-beat and determined to live a normal life both inside and outside the White House.  The story tells of Liberty fitting in with other students as well as including interesting facts of past presidents and White House trivia.  This is book two in the series.  The text is well-spaced on the page.  Paige Pooler’s black and white drawings highlight particular events in Liberty’s daily life.  Quick and fun to read, many will be drawn to typical family and school situations as well as taking a look inside the White House.  Liberty portrays a strong female image and encourages one to take the high road, be kind, and stay true.

In this first book of the Agent Amelia series, elementary school secret agent Amelia Kidd uses her skills and gadgets to protect the world.  In the first chapter, she is convinced her teacher is a criminal mastermind who intends to steal the Ghost Diamond.  In Chapter 2, cats are disappearing.  She suspects a local fish shop of planning a bank robbery using the cats to infiltrate the bank.  In chapter 3, while at a garden center with her family, she suspects an employee of developing hybrid weeds to spread into every garden and farm.  Amelia uses disguises and devices to foil the attempts of these evil geniuses and to save the world.  Michael Broad’s pencil illustrations and large font make this fast-paced story entertaining.  This series appears to be written for a younger reader, yet the AR level is upper fifth and sixth.

Zander Scott and three friends publish a school newspaper called”The Cruisers” at DaVinci Academy for Gifted and Talented in Harlem.  When Sidney, a chess prodigy, is caught trying to buy drugs, his friends are stunned.  Sidney is not the stereotypical drug user and his friends are determined to get to the bottom of this unexpected problem.  Although the setting and language reflect a predominately poor area in New York City, the characters and situation are common throughout the world.  Walter Dean Myers uses his characters to explore and genuinely deliver an anti-drug message.  This is book two in the series but can be read as a stand-alone.