The sphinx and the pyramids in Egypt’s Sahara Desert have intrigued people for thousands of years.  Scientists, archeologists, and scholars have studied, excavated, repaired, and wondered about the creation and purpose of the sphinx.  Which came first, the sphinx or the pyramids?  The sphinx is carved from a single rock.  How old is it?  Why does it have the head of a man and the body of a lion?  Why has it eroded as it has?  What ties does it have to the pharaohs’ pyramids?  Does it contain hidden chambers?  People are concerned with the future preservation of the sphinx.  Erosion, some natural and some man-made, have caused cracks and flaking.  All-in-all, this remarkable structure has created more questions than answers.  Primary sources, sidebars, diagrams, comprehension questions, pros and cons of particular theories, as well as points to consider fill this interesting book.

This biography is of Dr. Charles Drew and his amazing contributions to science concerning blood.  Born in 1904 in Washington DC, Drew, an African American, had more opportunities for a solid education.  Because of DC’s large African American population, schools were good.  He excelled in sports, was a dedicated student, and received a scholarship to Amherst.   Wanting to begin school before fall, he instead attended McGill University in Montreal.  There he realized a dire need for a reliable blood supply.  He returned to Wash. DC as a doctor and surgeon.  He was chosen to study and train with renowned doctors and in 1939, learned how to preserve blood for transfusions.  This led to the life saving creation of the blood bank.  During WWII, Dr. Drew experimented with plasma, the fluid in blood.  It could be preserved and used more easily than whole blood.  The Red Cross organized a donor program and a blood mobile was used for transportation.  Because of racism, the military refused to accept blood from non-whites.  Drew left the Red Cross and returned to teaching, becoming chief of staff, and medical director at Freedman Hospital.  Dr. Drew died at 45 as a result of a car crash.  Some speculate about his care as hospitals were still segregated at the time.  A remarkable story about a remarkable man.  Photographs and sidebars are on every page.  One can read and respond to primary sources.  Diagrams, questions to ponder, glossary, resources, and index included.

Using short simple sentences, this book starts by introducing the concept of biome as a large area with certain plants, animals and climate. It then explains that marine waters are biomes.  Of the three main marine biomes, oceans are the largest.  Coral reefs and estuaries, the other main marine biomes, are glossed over and never clearly identified in the text with headings or bold font.  Nor do the three main biomes appears in the glossary. Confusing the reader more, coral reefs are part of the ocean, yet in the book are considered separate from ocean biomes. The book would benefit from the use of non-fiction text features to clarify the complex concept of biomes without adding complexity to the text.

A few examples of plants and animals are given.  The climate of coral reefs is described.

Contains Table of Contents, Glossary, and Index.

The book starts with a 18th century Japanese Haiku about a butterfly dreaming while folding its wings. The remainder of the pages contain alternating 3 and 4 line rhyming verses for snake, deer, newt, rabbit, mouse, and turtle. For each of the 6 dreaming animals in the book, the first page is a 4 line recounting of the animal’s activities during the day; the second page is 3 lines describing where the animal shelters at night to dream; the third page is 4 lines describing the animal’s dream; the fourth page is always a 3 line refrain, “Sleep, Little (animal)/ Safe and warm/ Dream until the light of morn.”  The Little Dreamer can be found exploring on each of the pages describing the animals day.  The book ends with the child, Little Dreamer asleep in bed dreaming of the six animals joining her until morn.

Rather than using this book as a bedtime read-aloud, use it for writing lessons focused on clear concise descriptive language and the use of text structure to reinforce a message.

Several sports are represented in which players exhibit strange superstitions based on achieving a perfect performance.  In this book, all players are male, both from team and individual sports.  Tennis star Rafael Nadal has a whole routine he follows before and during the game.  A football coach eats grass to “keep himself grounded”.  Hockey players don’t shave until the Stanley Cup playoffs are over.  Baseball’s Wade Boggs ate chicken daily before games.  Basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian chewed a water soaked towel to stay cool.  The layout is pleasing with photos and well-spaced text.  An extra page at the end provides a few additional superstitions.  Packed with trivia, this will be popular with sports fans.  Two other recommended books on sport superstitions are mentioned, as well as a website, index, and note about the author.

An odd mixture of animals, Pandora, a cat, Seabold, a dog, and three mice, Whistler, Lila, and baby Tiny, have come together to form the lighthouse family.  One day, while collecting shells, Lila and Whistler hear the crying of a baby beluga whale.  They learn his name is Sebastian and that he cannot find his mother.  Pandora suggests they enlist the aid of Huck, a cranky cormorant.  With encouragement, Huck is persuaded to fly over the ocean to try to locate Sebastian’s mother.  By the time they spot the beluga pod, Huck is too exhausted to fly home.  With praise about being noble, Huck allows himself to ride home on the back of a whale.  Mother and son are reunited, the lighthouse family had a successful adventure, and cranky old Huck was secretly pleased by praise for being a hero.  McDaniel’s soft, sepia-like graphite illustrations give a pleasant old-fashioned quality to the book.  His artwork charmingly portrays the traits and character of each individual.  Rylant’s books are good for those readers who are reluctant to move from picture books to longer chapter books.  This is a reissue of book number three in a series of seven adventures of the lighthouse family.

Outdoor adventures can be fun for everyone and being prepared is a must.  Caring for our environment and suggestions for packing suitable gear are mentioned on the first pages.  Eight basic knots, with simple directions how to tie them, are described next.  Four designs for using a tarp for a shelter are shown.  Also in this informative book, are instructions how to make a raft, how to safely cross streams, escape quicksand, and build dams.  Safety is always paramount.  Signs to mark a trail are pictured as well as Morse code and semaphore illustrations.  Should an injury occur, several methods to apply first aid until help arrives are explained.  Finally, some fun outdoor games and activities are included with a Did You Know page, index, and paragraph about the author and illustrator.  Many comic critters offer comments from the margins.  Colorful cartoon artwork and a variety of type fonts create an attention-getting outdoor activity (and potential survival!) book for young adventurers.  Lots to learn and think about in this 32 page book.

Like sappy love stories — this is not it.  The Last True Love Story does not take place in a high school.  The Last True Love Story does not have a female protagonist.  The Last True Love Story does not have an amazing happily-ever-after ending.  The Last True Love Story is about love that is deeper than the superficial stuff most teens crave.  And that is why this book can succeed.  Teddy has a lot on his shoulders.  His mother travels for work.  His father drove off a bridge when he was much too young to remember anything about him.  His Gpa, whom he visits on a regular basis, is battling Alzheimer’s.  But Gpa does remember how much he loved his wife and the last thing he wants is to lose her again.  When fate allows Teddy to meet Corrina, an acoustic guitar playing, non-theatrical music buff who desperately wants to go to New York City, causes Teddy’s mom to be out of town but the car left behind, and proposes the chance to drive across country to take Gpa back to his long-lost home in Ithica, New York, Teddy takes a leap of faith like he’s never done before.  The love themes explored in this book is veiny, deep, and rings more true than most hokey love stories for young adult fiction.  And while this is such a huge part of the book, this reader is afraid the title alone will keep males from reading it.  Well-versed musicians and music history fans will appreciate all the references to decades of songs.  This is a good read that might be overlooked.

When J.P. and his family go to a dinosaur themed water park, J.P. is having a wonderful time until he comes up to the dinosaur shaped sign saying, “You must be this tall.” Young children will identify with J.P.’s tear,  frown, and attempts to show he is big enough for this section of the park thanks to Erica Sirotich’s simple, yet effective illustrations.

J.P. states, “I almost threw a fit. I was so sad.” Then with help, he remembers his previous fun. The day is saved.

This is one of three books with the Mood-o-Meter by Ana Crespo aimed at pre-school and early primary aged children.

Focusing on the cretaceous period, this book starts with a brief introduction of how the land masses on our planet shifted and a descriptive timeline of each period from the Precambrian to Quaternary (now).  The tone is conversational but includes a great variety of facts and details readers seek.  There are many logical suppositions about how dinosaurs lived, ate, and protected themselves.  Illustrations are full-color, realistic scenes.  Double-page spreads include 2 – 3 text boxes, a location/length box, and a “Did You Know?” box.  The end of the cretaceous period is explained by the asteroid impact, most likely near present-day Mexico.  This well-written, informative book is one of four in the series.  Each could stand alone.  Other titles are, The Dawn of Planet Earth, Dinosaurs Rule, and The Rise of Mammals.  The complete set would be great addition to any library.  A final “Did You Know?” page with accompanying pronunciation is at the back of the book with an index and short comments about the author and illustrator.