Dramatic illustrations will pull the young readers into the book. Images of the warriors in their war dress will lure people into the world of the Aztec Warrior. Captions and vocabulary words are included on the page that they have relevance and connection to. This should make for an easier interpretation for the reader. The only thing missing is a map. We need a map of the world which highlights the territory that the Aztec Warrior lived. This way the reader can compare and contrast based on where they are on the planet. This simple addition would meet many national and state learning standards, as well as be valuable to the reader.
Author Archives: SSBRC Former Member
EMT’s Tools
This nonfiction book does an exceptional job of explaining in clear language and pictures the duties of an EMT. The tools are included: ambulance, defibrillator, gurneys, oxygen masks etc. Pictures are included of each of these tools and an explanation of how the EMT uses the tools to help the patient. At the end of the book, There is a matching activity with the picture of the equipment and the words. Also included at True and False questions, and a glossary. Well done and recommended.
These Rocks Count!
This counting book has fabulous illustrations and uses the counting as a way to introduce information about rocks and their relationship to the environment and humans. Great information and superbly relates to a child’s world and will draw the reader in as the author guides us through a series of places and situations where the importance and purpose of rocks on in our world. In the back of the book, are an in-depth description of books that an adult could read to children or read and then discuss with children.
Recommended. I would like to purchase the entire series for my elementary library.
Skeleton for Dinner
The illustrations really make the book come alive with the spirit of the story line. Well done. The story begins with a couple of witches brewing a delicious pot and then concluded that they needed Skeleton for dinner. The main character, a skeleton, determines that the witches to eat him for dinner, not have him over for dinner. Off he goes, running through the grave yard while gathering friends who are in the invitation list and spreading the fear. Finally a crow helps to clarify the situation and all end up eating a wonderful dinner together!
Kit and Mateo Journey into the Clouds
This nonfiction book is told in a story format while teaching the concept of the water cycle. The main characters Kit and Mateo journey up to the clouds to learn the cycle of evaporation, cloud formation, and condensation. Included is information about the different types of clouds, a glossary, additional reading, index, internet sites and the encouragement of the reader to go outside and observe clouds!
The Coolest Inventors
The construction of this book is of the highest quality with exceptional binding and shiny, thick pages. This is greatly appreciated by school librarians. Great illustrations and appealing graphic design make this a book to pick up.
The text includes the history of Willis Carrier, the inventor of the air conditioner. Told of his personal and researching information about the creation of the first air conditioning units. Successes and Struggles, and his legacy are highlighted.
A section called, “You be the Inventor” encourages the reader to invent something based on an original idea that they have. Patents are discussed, and a Timeline, and Words to Know, and Learn More section with books and Web Sites are included.
The Symptoms of My Insanity
Izzy has issues: she has huge boobs that the boys tease her about mercilessly,her mother is hypercritical of her appearance, constantly implying that she looks slutty, and her best friend is acting totally weird. But none of that compares to the fact that her mother is hiding something. She had cancer – but she is better, isn’t she? And why is her bff acting so weird? Why is the hottest guy on the basketball team hanging around her? It seems like everyone is keeping something from Izzy. Her method to deal with everything is to look for symptoms and self-diagnose. If Izzy is sick, her mother will have to pay attention to her, and not just for her boobs, right? When a risque picture of her goes viral and her mother needs surgery, Izzy’s entire world falls down around her. There is a lot going on in this book. And the boys who make sure the picture is seen by everyone are not held accountable for what they do. But this book is about relationships and truth. Izzy is believable and readers will root for her to figure out what is going on around her and overcome the challenges that face her. Lots of humor here, but some serious issues as well. I wish the ending didn’t seem so pat.
The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy
The dinosaur tooth fairy has been lonely as it’s been a long, long time since the dinosaurs were around. She hangs around the natural history museum and sees a child who has just, at that moment, lost a tooth, and the dinosaur tooth fairy realizes she needs that tooth. She chases after the child, to her home, and has to wrestle the human tooth fairy for it. They compromise and the dinosaur tooth fairy gives the human tooth fairy a dinosaur tooth, and the dinosaur t.f. gets the human’s tooth. They are now bff’s. A little too much going on here and it’s confusing. It’s a difficult concept for kids to think of how long ago the dinosaurs actually lived, but then to add the tooth fairy to the mix is unnecessary.
Recentering the Universe: The Radical Theories of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton
This book explains the history of the theories of the universe. Miller provides a short segment on Egyptian and Babylonian cosmology before exploring the Greek theories that eventually formed the basis for Christian thinking on the geocentric view of the universe. These views became so fixed in church doctrine that anyone questioning the theories was deemed a radical and an enemy of the church.
Miller does an excellent job explaining the theories of the scientists who have considered the nature of the universe over time: Anaximander, Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Brahe, Galileo, and Newton among others. The information is accessible even for those who are not well-versed in science. His emphasis, however, is on the courage the scientists of the Renaissance and later displayed in the face of condemnation by the church for their pursuit of knowledge. While many people are aware of Galileo’s trial, not as many know Copernicus, who died in 1543, was buried in an unmarked grave and the Catholic Church banned his book. His remains were not discovered until 2005 and he was finally given an honorable burial in 2010. Photographs, sidebars, a glossary and a list of additional resources provide even more information on the topic. This book was surprisingly interesting and would make a excellent addition to a school library’s nonfiction section.
A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return
This stark graphic novel tells the story of the residents of one building on a bombed out street in Beirut during the civil war in Lebanon. Two children are waiting at home for their parents to return from a visit to their grandmother’s house and when they don’t return, all of the residents of the building come down, one by one, to care for the children. They tell stories, look at wedding photos, make dinner – distract the children as best they can until their parents come home or there is news.
The book is illustrated in black and white, with angular characters and occasional photos or maps in the background. The events take place in the course of one night, although the reader sees the course of many events of the war through the stories of the inhabitants. Inspired by the story of the author’s family, this novel is compelling; I read it through quickly the first time to learn the fate of the residents. Then I went back and reread it, examining the drawings for the incredible details. I think the form and style will attract readers, who might otherwise never learn much about life in war-torn Beirut.