This book is all about pirates and their secrets. This looks like a great series for reluctant boy readers. In this particular book, the life of pirates is explored. Pirate ships, weapons, treasures and food are discussed. The book has a good amount of text, but the abundance of accompanying photos make the book fun and easy to read. At the bottom of each page, there is a box with key words defined, which I found helpful for students. The book also has a glossary, and further information with books, web sites and films listed. I really liked this book. The chapter about the pirates being smelly was really funny. It even tells about how they went the bathroom off the front of the ship in open air toilets (complete with a picture of what they looked like) and “the waves splashing over the ship’s bow washed away the mess.” Boys will love this book.

This is the story of a boy named, Holler Loudly. From the time Holler is born, he is the loudest baby and kid that ever. He can’t help it, he is just loud!  When everyone keeps telling him to “hush” and he is constantly in trouble for being loud he starts feeling pretty sad. He is in trouble at school, the movies, fishing with grandpa and the fair. Everyone has finally had enough, including his parents! He finally realizes that when he is quiet, he can hear a lot of neat things going on and it isn’t so bad. All of a sudden, a tornado is coming and only one person can stop it. Holler yells so loud the tornado turns into a thousand teeny breezy breezes and he is a hero! Now the town folks don’t seem to mind him being so loud. They even dedicate the library to their hero. Holler does learn though, that sometimes it is good to be quiet too. This is a cute story that is just fun. It has lots of action, adventure and fun illustrations.

This nonfiction, instructional book is the level 4, Captain Paper Airplane book in this paper airplane series. The book starts out discussing the captain rank of achieving level 4 in paper n folding. I really like that on the first page, there is a red box that tells the reader that this is a difficult level and that if their planes don’t look perfect that is alright and it is going to take practice. The book then lays out the materials needed to construct the airplanes discussed in the book, and the techniques and terms used throughout the book. I like this part of the book because it teaches through words, photos and drawings the folds, including the folding symbols used in the book. The book then teaches the reader how to make a fighter jet, warthog, gliding grace, flying accordion, space bomber, sparrowhawk and screech owl. At the end of the book, the author teaches the reader how to play a game of testing landing skills called Aircraft Carrier with a friend. There is also a read more and internet sites section. All in all, as far a making airplanes this is a nice book. These are pretty tough airplanes, but I am sure there are boys out there that can make them!

This is very nice nonfiction book all about dragonflies. This large book has really nice photographs and a colorful, eye pleasing layout. The book discusses all things concerning dragonflies including their body, life cycle, their hunting, flying and predators. The book has a wealth of information presented in a simple manner kids can understand, such a large section about their lives as nymphs living underwater for the first year of life and that they can fly up to 38 mph (and with some amazing accompanying photographs). The book also has a “Bug-O-Rama” page that tells facts such as dragonflies do not hurt people (even though they bite, we wouldn’t even feel it). I do not have a dragonfly book in my insect section of my library and this will be a great addition.

Aldo Zelnick is back in book “B”, the furthering adventures of Aldo and his friends as their summer vacation continues.  The kids find a ring in the gutter and the tale begins as the ring is moved around the neighborhood and played with while Jack (the rockhound) believes it is real but Aldo insists it is Bogus.  The group lose the ring again just before discovering that it was indeed real and there is a $1,000 reward.  Now the hunt is on, as well as the plan for what to do with the money.  Like the first installment, this title is full of “B” words with a kid made glossary in the back.

This nonfiction book is all about polar bears. The book teaches students all about polar bears, including their home, bodies, what they eat, how they hunt, babies and how global warming is impacting these animals. This book has a great predictable layout, with amazing photographs that make the bears look like they are walking right off the pages. Each chapter is on facing pages and teaches something about the bears. For example, polar bears are the biggest meat eaters on Earth. They are two times bigger than a tiger.  Each set of pages also has two extra facts on puzzle like bubbles. I especially liked the help us chapter that teaches students how we are losing these bears, due to global warming and what kids can do to help out. At the end, there is also a glossary, further reading and index.

From the Day in the Life (Sea Animals), this nonfiction book explores a day in the life of a seal. The book discusses what seals look like, what they do all day and night, what they eat, how they find food, what babies are like, what they do in winter and what hunts seals. Basic information is presented in a nice, easy to read style that includes amazing photographs. This is a medium sized book that is perfect for young readers. At the end of the book, there is a seal body map and a glossary with accompanying pictures that go with the words. In addition, there is a find out more and index.

This is a fun book for kids with wild imaginations. The illustrations of the works to an Irish sounding song are wonderful.  It’s a short read, good for young children.

This beginning chapter book is about Posey, a little girl who is days away from starting first grade. Being a little scared and unsure about this transition to being a big girl, she thinks it will be ok if she just could wear her favorite tutu even though it has some rips and tears. Posey just can’t understand why tutus can’t be worn at school. When Posey’s grandpa and her run into her teacher at the store, a plan is set in motion. In order to make all the kids not feel scared, a parade is planned the first day and the kids can wear their favorite clothes. Instead of being sad and scared, Posey barely blinks an eye at the kiss and go sign and runs to meet her teacher and class. This is a cute first chapter book that little girls will like. There are also discussion questions at the end, which I thought was a nice added touch.