This is a 128 page well-researched and clearly written non-fiction book about the Iraq War with a target reading audience of 6-12th grade.  The facts presented in each chapter are well documented in the chapter notes at the back of the book and information is easy to locate with the thorough index and glossary.  The photography is good quality and there is a basic map of Iraq included.

This is a 48 page biography of Michael Jackson written for juvenile readers.  There is an Accelerated Reader test for this title (level 5.8, 1 point).  This book provided good coverage of Michael’s accomplishments as an artist and philanthropist.  His legal problems were reviewed briefly in a direct but appropriate manner for a young audience.  I would recommend this book for readers aged 10 to 17.  I especially enjoyed the ample collection of photos of Michael over his lifetime.  At the end of the book, there is a time line, index, bibliography and list of resources for more information.

This is a very current biography on pop sensation Lady Gaga.  The book offers insight on Lady Gaga’s early days, and portrays her as someone who had and still maintains a close relationship with her family.  The book offers up well-sourced information on Lady Gaga’s philanthropic activities, and shows her to be someone with great empathy for others.  The author touches on Lady Gaga’s sexuality, and issues with drugs and alcohol in a factual way.

I found the book to be well written and informative without that recitation of facts feelings you sometimes get in biographies.  The author portrayed her subject in a human light, seeing through the extravagant trappings of the pop star.

Ancient Rome: An Interactive History Adventure opens with a brief intro as to the approximate dates Ancient Rome existed and some basic info as to who ruled, life, culture and so on.  The interactive part then begins whereby the reader may choose from three different scenarios, the life of a Roman soldier, a Roman businessman, or a Roman woman.  From that choice, the reader can choose different options.  Personally, it’s not my cup of tea.  I find Ancient Rome a fascinating subject and would happily read short stories about these same characters.  Flitting from page to page is disjointed and I don’t find it nearly as satisfying.  Some students love it, and ask specifically for this type of book.  I’m thinking this book  will be popular with more reluctant readers.

Moon Over High Street will attract the attention of readers who enjoyed Tuck Everlasting.  While reading this book by Natalie Babbitt I understood why she has received many awards for her writing.

The story was set around 1965, but it was not outdated at all.  Although the main character, 12-year-old Joe, lost both of his parents when he was a baby, time wasn’t spent dwelling on his loss.  The story was upbeat and moved at a relaxing speed.

In the end, a potentially life changing decision was made when Joe’s grandmother listened to what he had to say.  By believing in him, the family grew closer and better.  If someone needs a reading break from life threatening drama, this could be the book for them. (By Jamie Kenny).

This book is difficult to categorize as it appears to be written for a target audience of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade but has content which makes it inappropriate for that age.  A border who becomes pregnant by a man she just met and who happens to be in and out of jail because he steals, and a grandmother who is prone to cursing and taking the Lord’s name in vain are a few issues of concern.  None of the book’s characters use proper grammar, including the teacher.   The story is about a 10 year old girl named Mary Mae, who is excited about the wonders of science and particularly about the fossils and dinosaur unit they are studying in school.  Her parents are fundamentalist Christians who consider their interpretation of the Bible to be scientific proof that the world is only 6 thousand years old.  When Mary Mae questions this, her mother withdraws her from school to “home school her Bible”.  In the end, Mary Mae’s mother is convinced to let her return to school but the resolution is weak.  I do not recommend this book.

This is one in a series of 10 non-fiction books about Native American Tribes.  This book is perfect for elementary and young middle school students who are researching Northwest Coast Indians and would be especially helpful for writing a report.  This book is well-written with interesting and engaging facts and pictures depicting the culture, traditions and ways of life.  I would like to buy this entire collection to add to our library.

I loved this book.  It’s an exciting adventure set in a simpler day and age–and a treat to read after the recent flood of dystopian novels.

When Polly Portman dies, and leaves her prize-winning pie crust recipe to Lardo, her portly cat, pie bakers far and wide begin a frantic search for the recipe that is bound to give them a victory in the baking contest that Polly has dominated for years.

Polly’s niece, Alice, inherits Lardo, but can’t figure out how a cat can reveal a recipe.

With their bikes to get them around town, Alice and her friend, Charlie, set out to solve the mystery, basing their search on methods perfected by TV hero Sky King.

Middle grade students will enjoy the adventure, and the whole family will enjoy the great pie recipes, (those of Aunt Polly, no doubt) that conclude each chapter.

This is a wonderful biographical series of powerful women over the ages. Agrippina is one of 6 women featured in this series of six books. The other books include Cleopatra, Mary Tudor, Catherine De’Medici, Marie Antoinette, and Cixi. I now have 4 of the 6 in this series for my school library and would like to get the remaining 2 books. Students discover one of these books and then come back for the rest. The format and illustrations which accompany the text engage the reader and bring these biographies alive.

This is the final book in the Hard Pan trilogy and it is a wonderful, entertaining and clean read for 4th – 7th graders.  The main character is Lucky, a spunky and smart 6th grade girl who has been adopted after her mother dies.  She lives in a small desert town of under 50 people ,which she dearly loves.  Her adopted mother, Brigitte, is French and has a cafe which she runs from their trailer home.  All is well until the health department comes on the scene to shut them down since they operate out of their home rather than a commercial kitchen.  The whole town rallies to solve this problem and in the meantime, Lucky deals with a bully, a sweet budding first love who has to go away for the summer, and challenges with her absent father.  The characters are well developed and grow through the book and the illustrations compliment the storyline.   It’s no wonder that the first book in the series The Higher Power of Lucky, won the 2007 Newberry Medal.