I am a big fan of Lynne Jonell–she has the ability to write and develop interesting, clear characters and exciting action.  And this book, The Secret of Zoom, is no different.  Christina is very protected, not allowed outside and especially not to talk to any strangers who may show up at their house.  Her mother had been killed in an accident and her eccentric scientist father doesn’t want to take any chances in losing her, too.  However, as you may have guessed, a smart, bored, lonely child will find a way out and find what secrets her father is protecting her from.  Christina meets an orphan boy, Taft, on her adventures, and together they are able to spy on Lenny Loompski’s mines and why her father is so terrified of him.  The children from the orphanage, those who can sing well, are taken to the mines to use their voices to release the ‘zoom’ –the most valuable and dangerous of all substances.  Loompski thinks nothing of risking the children’s lives in order to get more zoom.  Christina and Taft are very heroic as they work in rescuing the orphans.  This book has a little bit for everyone.  Librarians should add this as a first purchase to their collections.

A nonfiction title describing the adaptations of the animals that help them survive in the Gates of the Arctic National park,  expertly disguised  as a picture book. With gently flowing text, and wintery cold illustrations you will enjoy the facts you are learning about many of the arctic creatures.  Includes glossary, author note of his adventures, and further sources for study.

Vermont is part of the America the Beautiful – third series. Reading it was almost like reading  a travel brochure or going on a mini-vacation, if you like to visit all of the museums to find out about the history of a place. But plan your trip well, because “instead of the normal four seasons, they have usual winter, winter, still winter, and mud season.” (pg. 18)  Vermont is more rural than urban and they still gather on the first Tuesday in March, throughout the state, for Town Meeting Day.  The WOW sidebars were quite interesting – “In 2007, there were 20 American cities with larger populations than the entire state of Vermont!” (pg. 73)

This book is so all inclusive it will make the hardest part about writing a state report ‘what not to include’. The book is divided into: Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, Economy, Travel Guide, and Project Room.

Reading this book was almost as enjoyable as eating some of Vermont’s famous BEN & JERRY’S Ice Cream.

Vampire legends grew out of people in the 1600 and 1700s trying to make sense of unexplainable deaths, mixed with the unexplainable changes death brings to a body. “Today we know that vampires don’t exist”  because we know about contagious diseases, how hair and nails appear to grow after death when in reality it is the skin tightening, and we know about the bloating caused by internal gases building up in a decomposing body.

Vampire creatures from around the world are briefly touched upon: Hindu – Kali, Chinese – chiang-shin, Africa – asasabonsam, Australia- yara-ma-yha-who, Aouth America – asema, Malaysia – penanggalan, and Mexico – chupacabra.

“The belief in real vampires is long gone, But thanks to books, TV shows, and movies, vampires are more popular today than ever.

I was hoping for more specific detailed legends, but this should fill the niche for those readers who need high interest go match their  low reading level.

Vampire Basics 101, should be the subtitle of this book. In four quick and to the point sections, author Thomas Kingsley Troupe has covered the basics of vampirehood: they are cold to the touch, have no reflection, have sharp fangs, are afraid of silver, dislike garlic, can change into a bat, and a stake through their heart is lethal. And at least seven different times , he referred to this information as  “stories” .

Illustrator Oksana Kemarskaya’s earth tones and broad brush strokes set just the right mood.

I love this book.  It is very good about how Jessica feels when she is bullied and what she can do.  I like that she talked to her mother.  And she was told to talk to someone at school.  Best of all-I liked that she stood up to the bully.

Nice pictures-very simple-not to distract from the content.

This is a cute humorous book written in rhyme.  It highlights exotic animals that you don’t usually hear about.

The pictures are great, I love the expressions on the animals faces.

“Brazil is the largest country in South America… borders ten other South American countries. Only Ecuador and Chile do not touch Brazil.” (page 5)

Large applies to Brazil in so many ways.

1) World’s largest tropical rain forest

2) ” Amazon River carries more water than any other river”

3) ” Amazon region has a greater variety of plants and animals than any other place …”

4) 200 native tribes, about 50 are unfamiliar with the modern world

5) soccer – Brazil has always been in the World Cup

6) Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statute is one of the world’s largest statues

Considering Brazil’s size it is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that most of its population lives near the coastline.

The Cuba  I knew about before reading this book consisted of Fidel Castro and the Cubans who escaped his revolution to Miami, Florida.

Now, I know a Cuba  where well kept 1950 vintage U.S. cars are still driven daily due to the U.S. Embargo imposed after the Fidel Castro came to power.  I know a Cuba where the government owns the farms, stores, and most of the restaurants (and a black market as its result). A Cuba where every family is given a yearly food rations book.  And a Cuba where the government promises everyone a job, though it might not be in their field of study.

Author, Walter Simmons, does an excellent job of stating the facts without bias.

On the lighter side, Cuba is the home of the world’s smallest hummingbird and one of the smallest bats – Cuban bee hummingbird & Cuban butterfly bat. Other topics covered include ‘Daily Life’, ‘Going to School’, ‘Playing’, ‘Food’, and ‘Holidays’.