This book has instructions for 10 simple engineering projects that girls might particularly enjoy.  Each project has a very specific material list and most would require a quick and inexpensive trip to the hardware store.  The instructions are clear and easy to follow and a scientific explanation is included with each project.  A glossary, index and table of contents makes the book easy to navigate and there are resources listed for further research.  Encouraging girls to explore the field of engineering is important in our increasingly technologically oriented world.  I think this book will be a great resource for the annual middle school science projects as well.

Do you know what was Thomas Jefferson’s most delightful work…beyond architecture, inventing, founding the University of Virginia, and being the third president?…His thousand-foot-long vegetable garden.  In this school garden story, a classroom teacher replicates Thomas Jefferson’s annual neighborhood pea growing contest.  The winner was the person with the fastest growing seeds…serving their “sweet as candy” peas at a celebration party.  Two girls research agricultural practices to help their individual pea crop grow the fastest and experience the ups and downs typical of scientific experiments.  The author weaves historical and agricultural information into this lighthearted story without being overly didactic.  The charming watercolor illustrations show a class of multiracial students, however, the boys are depicted as “goof offs” (sticking out a tongue at someone, taunting a girl with a worm) in the periphery of the illustration, while the girls are doing the serious work.  Wonderful Afterword in the back matter explains more about Jefferson and his contest. Bibliography , Websites, and Page Notes included.

Hook, line and sinker, this reader went for Monarchy because of the cover.  The young Elisabeth with her coronation garb made me want to read about her.  No wonder my double take after the 1st chapter when I realized that the rest of the book would be about the history of monarchies, as the title so simply states.  Silly me.  Rebecca Stefoff’s history lesson is a well-written account of the various types of monarchies around the world and the splinter off shoots, including king-priests, pharaohs, emperors, sultans, as well as the mix of religious leadership positions that play a role in control of a people.  Full color, glossy pages throughout, this is a great selection to see how monarchies are dependent on the area in which they “govern”.  The history lesson clips along — not too dry, but not necessarily pleasure reading.  VOYA said in 2009 that “Each of the series’ six volumes includes a helpful chart that compares the six forms of government, which also include dictatorship, theocracy, communism, and monarchy. This series for older teens is an excellent and well-researched collection addition.”

You are the main character of this book with a decision to explore the Alaskan wilderness, Australian forests, or the Cascade Mountains… or explore all three! You may encounter bears, cougars, and other wildlife. Your decision making will determine whether you survive or not. You may need to decide what to eat and not to eat, stand up to a cougar or play dead. Do you build a shelter or look for help? Once the reader comes to an end, it is easy to turn back the pages and try a different choice. This book is great fun!

As the law states, Grace gets her bar code tattoo the day of her 17th birthday, although Eric, her crush, warns her against it. It appears that Global-1, a large corporation tracks people through a tracking device injected with the bar code. Grace, the daughter of the bar code invention, goes home to find that Global-1 is tracking her, forcing her to run and hide with Eric who is part of Decode, an underground organization who is battling Global-1. Members of Decode set out to do what they can to fight against Global-1 while trying to save people from a world wide devastating tsunami. This is the third book in the series, although it reads well as a stand-alone.

Charlie, short for Charlotte, is the daughter of a king who is slowly going mad.  Ever since her mother, the queen, left in the middle of the night six years ago, the king has been lost and Charlie has been left on her own.  A nasty housekeeper who thrives on punishing her, locking her in her room, denying her room, education, and cleanliness is a character you’re sure to hate.  Left to her own devices, Charlie sneaks around the castle learning all the hideyholes and gossip.  She hears that the people are ready to revolt and overthrow her father, so she decides to go to the prime minister.  It appears he is the reason for her mother’s disappearance and also has plans to groom Charlie to become queen as soon as he kills the king.  It’s up to Charlie to set things right.  This book is aptly titled as the castle is full of shadows and secrets, and snappy dialogue.  Renner shows strong characterization and a believable plot with lots of action and twists and turns.  A great story without having to resort to magic.

How brilliant to connect socially motivated young people with adult leaders, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, who have actually achieved recognition for making change happen.  Peace Jam is an inspiring look at the work of the Nobel Laureates and how that work can also be accomplished by young people all over the world.  Motivated individuals can tackle the toughest issues facing our planet, regardless of their gender, color, social position or country of origin.  The stories are of individuals who have organized at the grass-roots level to address issues of gender inequality, climate change, health care reform, gun violence or water quality.  It is truly inspiring to learn what can be accomplished by people who  are dedicated, caring and know how to organize.  For young people or anyone, at any age, who wants to make their world a better place, this book is realistic and encouraging.

This book was so full of interesting facts about tornadoes through history.  The glossary words are not only found in the back, but also on the pages they are used to help increase understanding as you read.  The pictures give you a feel for what tornadoes can do.

The end of the book gives good advice to prepare and keep safe through such and experience.

This is a great book to learn about the amazing power of weather.

Good read!

This addition to the hugely successful series is delightful.  Packed with thirteen Aesop fables, the majority of which are well known, such as The Lion and the Mouse, Hoberman has added a few of the lesser known…The Dog in the Manger and The Peacock and the Crane. The repetition and rhyme is the perfect support for reluctant readers.  Begin with humor and witty characters, add a theatrical element plus Emberley’s energetic illustrations and this title begs for wide appeal. 

This book consists of a conversation between a little apple tree and God.  The tree is not satisfied with itself as it is and wants stars in it like the big oak trees.

the pictures are colorful and fun.

the book was just OK.

This is a cute book that uses the fun song with the same name,”Little bunny Foo Foo.”   Every one loves the song and the book is very cute.  I love the pictures.

The author focuses her tale on Susan B. Anthony’s act of civil disobedience when she illegally voted in the 1872 presidential election.  Susan believed that the new law, the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which included rights for all citizens, obviously meant women.  She was arrested, tried and fined $100.  The story ends informing the reader that she never went to jail or paid her fine.  The Author’s Note provides the bigger picture of this women’s life long journey (over 48 years) to pass a women’s suffrage amendment.  She died at age 86, thirteen years before Congress finally passed such a law.  Her motto throughout…”Failure is impossible.”  Being well researched and written in moving free verse with vibrant painted illustrations makes this a great choice for read alouds.  Back Matter includes a Selected Bibliography and primary source images.

This series of Blastoff! Readers, level 1, provides young readers with nonfiction books in a simple format.  Warthogs are wild pigs.   The bumps, or warts, on the sides of their heads provide protection during skirmishes with each other or predators.  Each spread contains two sentences in large font and a large, colorful, well-chosen photograph.  Nonfiction books to read for further information are mostly written at a similar level.  One, a fiction story, is written at a higher level.  The Factsurfer internet site has some good pictures and videos of warthogs, but the reading level is higher than first or second grade.  Good basic introduction to nonfiction for young readers.

Written for young readers, a description of what gazelles look like, what they eat, and where they live is given.  Gazelles have an odd behavior called”pronking” where they leap into the air, arch their backs, then land on all four feet.  This may be a message to others to stay away.  Each spread contains two sentences in large font and a large, colorful, well-chosen photograph.   Books for further reading are mostly written at a similar level.  the factsurfer internet site provides information at a middle elementary reading level.  Young readers will need assistance but should enjoy photos and videos.  Good basic introductory to nonfiction for young readers.

Patricia MacLachlan has written a prequel to the Boxcar Children mysteries to provide an explanation of how Henry, Jessie,Violet, and Benny began their adventures.  The style and gentle tone of the story behind the four children living on their own flows well with the other Boxcar children stories by Gertrude Chandler Warner.  Taking place on their farm during the Great Depression, Mr. and Mrs. Alden provide a home for the Clark family who’s car has broken down during a blizzard.  The families develop fond friendships and everyone is sad when the Clarks continue their journey in the summer.  Shortly afterward, a catastrophe sends the Alden children on the beginning of their adventures.  The personalities of each child comes through along with the love and support the four children have for each other.  Robert Dunn’s soft pencil illustrations complement this new addition to the series.  Resources used by MacLachlan, acknowledgements, and internet sites are found in the back of the book.  Boxcar Children fans will appreciate having a probable beginning to all the mysteries and adventures of the Alden children.

This is one of a series of seven books on colonial America written for elementary aged children.  Each chapter in “Families” focuses on various aspects of life – work, school, prayer, play, meals, slaves, and Native Americans.  Words to know are in bold font of a different color and are also defined on the page.  Occasional side bars compare colonial times to modern days.  “Did You Know” boxes add more information.  Books for further reading are written at a similar interest level and provide projects and activities .  Websites provide a wide variety of information that help bring the past to life.

Jam-packed with fascinating information, maps, photos, colorful illustrations, brief primary sources, and fact boxes, this book provides readers with a detailed look at life in the 1600s.  A variety of people from many countries settled in colonial America for several reasons.  Life was hard, clothing mostly unsuitable, homes drafty and dark, and work seemingly unending.  Celebrations provided times to gather for fun and relaxation.  The text is written at a 4th – 5th grade reading level and provides clear, factual information in a pleasing format.  Other books in the series are: The Cold, Hard Facts about Science and Medicine in Colonial America, The Dish on Food and Farming in Colonial America, and The Real Story about Government and Politics in Colonial America.  This set will assist the reader to step back in time to get a realistic look at life 400 years ago.  Books for further reading, glossary, internet sites, index, and a primary source bibliography are found in the back of the book.

Interesting, and sometimes amazing, defenses by a variety of animals are presented in simple sentences.  They are accompanied by on-page definition of terms.  Terms are also found in the glossary along with the pronunciation.  A “fierce fact” provides additional information.  Close-up photographs are large, colorful, and well chosen to illustrate each animal’s mode of protection from predators.  Recommended books to read more about survival techniques are written for a similar age group.  Facthound internet links are appropriate for elementary aged children.  The title alone is sure to attract readers.  This is a great introduction to the sometimes amazing defenses in the animal kingdom.  Glossary. index, books for further reading, and internet sites are in the back.

A brief and simple introduction to ten monsters and creatures from legends is presented in this 32 page book.  Each has a page with a quick definition and illustration.  Fact boxes connect several creatures with literature as well as providing additional information.  Highlighted terms are defined on the page as well as in the glossary.  Information is skimpy but may encourage one to seek further information.   The layout contains large illustrations that are colorful and eye-catching.  This short book on mythical beings is sure to attract reluctant readers.  Includes glossary, books  for further reading, a facthound internet site, and index.  Publisher kid’s site provides related games and activities.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for your main event.”  So begins Patrick Jones’s 60 page chronological tour of the “sports entertainment” genre known as professional wrestling.  The first 16 pages offer up an interesting historical timeline of the key match ups over the 100+ years of “entertainment” wrestling.  The second chapter basically gives more detail about most of these bouts.  Overall the focus is on the evolution of the sport, though in 2011 Wrestling boss Vince McMahon even changed the name of his World Wresting Entertainment group to WWE because he “no longer wanted the word wrestling associated with his company, claiming there was no future for wrestling, only for “sports entertainment”. Readers will see that characters, personalities and back story play a lot into the full picture of professional wrestling.  As well as the action, of course.  No question, these men and women are athletes, but Jones freely admits that the bouts are scripted and staged.

What this is lacking is any critical commentary of the sport.  Nothing on in the way of early deaths of the wrestlers from drug use and physical abuse to the body.  Nothing about the violence and trash talk that goes on in the sport.  The future of wrestling is called into question, with more interest going to mixed martial arts fights that have back story and characters mixed with real competition.  One small error even the publisher let slide is the mention of the Kingdome, which would have been replaced with Century Link Field by the 2003 bout discussed.

Overall, the writing is fast paced and the voice is excited.  Every two-page spread has a picture to bring the entertainment value.  Definitely an additional purchase if for middle and high school audiences.

This short book covers alot of information–everything you wanted to know about energy, and then some.  Using aliens as the ‘spokespeople,’ this book covers the different forms of energy, where they come from and what they are used for.  Also covered is using and saving energy and taking care of our earth.  Broken into four chapters, each chapter cleverly portrays science concepts in ways that young students will understand.  This book should be included in every science kit which teaches about energy.

“Author and illustrator Doug Cushman hams it up in this hog-wild homage to classic monster movies.”

The poems build and build on the horror of the renown ‘creature’ only to be dashed to pieces by the last 2 lines which are groaners.

Among the 17 creatures are: Frankenswine, The Mummy Pig, The Werehog, Porker From the Black Lagoon, Abominable Snow Pig , Pigzilla, and Pig Kong.

The piggy portraits are deliciously hammy.

Reminiscent of and dedicated to poet Jack Prelutsky.

The Furies stem from Greek mythology and are represented by three sisters who guard and judge those who arrive the gates of Hades, and torture for eternity those who had commited crimes.  Famous Greek myths are told to explain this vengeance.  Greek gods were both benevolent and naughty, but it mattered not who you were, judgment day would come and it would do no good to plead for forgiveness.  The stories are rivoting and as it is pointed out, Greek mythology is still as strong today as it was thousands of years ago.  It is the basis for much of our language and appears in much of media.  This book is an excellent addition to any library collection as it does such a good job of explaining all the confusing relationships.