Body Image from the Hot Topics series would appeal more to adults than kids.  At first glance, it appears to be a health and fitness book.  Once inside, however, the reader will be informed on many body image related topics such as cosmetic surgery, liposuction, tattooing and body piercing.  Eating disorders are thoroughly explained both what they are and the factors and influences that lead to them.  The book begins with a solid history of body image and how things have changed over the years.  Elaine Hatfield and Susan Sprecher are quoted, “In many societies, good looks equal a good body.  But again, even the societies that worship fine bodies do not  agree on what constitutes a good body.”  This thoughtful quote represents the well-balanced delivery of information in this book.

Pictures, like GI Joe and Barbie, are included to reach readers of all ages.  How biology and culture affects body image is well covered.  The book reminds us of the influence mass media has on body image.  Male body image is included and it’s good to read how it differs from female body image.  I think this book would be appropriate to use in a health class.  Anyone who reads this book will have a better understanding of body image for themselves.  Adults would be better equipped to help the kids in their lives with a better understanding of body image, which influences us all–often without realizing it.   Jaime Kenny, TMS, 2011

This story is about two friends who find a special place to play in the back storage yard behind an antiques and curio shop.  They decide to play an Egypt game and make a temple and alters and whatever they think they need for the game.  This is a good story about friendship and trying to fit in.

Well written and exciting.  You don’t know what will happen until the end.  Mystery and suspense.

This is a charming beginning reader book with darling illustrations! This story has Mouse and Mole set in a wintry scene in the woods where there are many activities for them to participate in and has the story ending with them in front of a cozy, warm fire sipping a warm drink, eating cookies, and gazing out the window and deciding that it is a Winter Wonderland.  Great addition to an elementary library for 1st-3rd grade readers.

This nonfiction book gives detailed information about cell phones and communication history.  It contains a great timeline, starting in 1746 with Jean Nollet proving that electrical signals move fast, and then progressing on to 1837 with the invention of morse code and the telegraph, and 1962 the first satellite, and now (2009) there are over 4 billion cell phones in use worldwide.  A nice synopsis of telephone communication is given through the context of  history.  This book is complete with an index, glossary, and additional resources.  Recommended for the technology section of your library.

Another great beginning reader chapter book by Cynthia Rylant and her charming characters Mr. Putter, Tabby and Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke. This adventure takes the four of them out on a cruise aboard a wooden ship, complete with a white bearded captain.  There was a small amount of conflict as Zeke didn’t want to let go his his grip on the mast with his teeth, but when offered a small toy ship, he decided to let go and keep his toy to sail in his waterdish back home.  Great Addition to an elementary library.

This is a great book with real mathematic tricks!  A great hook for intermediate math students.  The table of contents includes mind games, calculator magic, dice, magic numbers, etc.  The directions are stepped out so that a teacher or student can follow the instructions and leave another person or group through an activity.  This reviewer worked through the tricks in this book and they worked!  This is a recommended addition to an elementary or middle school library.

This glossy paged book is noted for the colorful photographs throughout every page.  There are great photo’s of humans interacting with dogs in positive ways.  The table of contents include choosing a puppy, taking care of your retriever, grooming, clipping nails and helping people as a service dog.  Each page has a paragraph of information as well as Fast Facts in a separate caption.  In the back of the book, there is a glossary, and index.

It’s 1918 and 15-year old Rosalind, who is British, is living in India with her mother.  When WWI ends, her strict father returns, unhappy with Rosalind for her spunkiness and interest in India gaining its freedom from the British.  Rosy calls on her own courage several times throughout the book — as she is shipped off to England, alone, for a better education, to sneak off to listen to Mahatma Ganhdi speak, and to give courage to her Aunt Louise who is bullied by Aunt Ethyl.  Gloria Whelan’s writing style once again invites you in to the inner thoughts and struggles of the protagonist, while learning political history and Hindi vocabulary.

This book is about a Little Princess and her greedy appetite for birthdays! The Little Princess discovers she isn’t happy with just having one birthday a year, so she asks for another and then another and then another. Pretty soon Little Princess has a birthday every day of the year. Soon, she sees this isn’t such a good idea. The presents, cake and guests get crummier with every passing day and birthday! She soon realizes how special just one birthday a year is. The presents, cake and guests are amazing! A popular series in Great Britain that has even been made into a children’s television series, this is a really nice picture book that has a cute story line and cute illustrations to go along with it.

This is a nonfiction book about harvesting apples in a picture book style. The book reads along like a story with drawn illustrations, but teaches children about apples and their harvest. A family travels to an apple orchard and partakes in the apple picking process. The boy and girl help tell the story with their speech bubbles. The book teaches about the different kinds of apples, storing them, the worms that can be found in them, and that they are used for pies, games and cider. At the end of the book there are directions on making a dried apple wreath, a glossary, more books to read, Internet sites, and index. This is a nice, simple book to pull out in the fall when apple season is starting, but I didn’t find the information and illustrations to be too intriguing.