Pioneers in the Sky

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by Alex Hall

Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneers in aviation. Photos and interesting facts about each aviator and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way in two to four page spreads. There is a nice mix of well-known aviators like the Wright Brothers along with lesser known pioneer aviators like Dr. Hugo Eckener, who became the first person to fly an airship around the world.

Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.

This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked!

Pioneers on Land

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by Alex Hall

Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneering explorers. Photos and interesting facts about each explorer’s journey and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way in two to four page spreads.

Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.

This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked.

Pioneers of Space

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by Alex Hall

Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneering astronauts. Photos and interesting facts about each astronaut’s work and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way.

Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.

This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked.

I Need a Doctor

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by Rachel Rose

This title, part of the Health Helpers series, is an introduction to the work of a doctor. It begins with the problem (I fell off my bike. My arm hurts) and progresses through the ensuing visit to the doctor. Various children and adults are pictured and the text is simple and effectively relays the information. A nice added feature is a page with doctor tools.

Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, glossary, index and bolded words that might be unfamiliar. This is a gentle, effective tool to help ease fears about a visit to the doctor. It acknowledges the child’s feelings and demystifies the experience. Recommended.

I Need a Dentist

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by Rachel Rose

This title, part of the Health Helpers series, is an introduction to the work of a dentist. It begins with the problem (My tooth hurts) and progresses through a typical visit to the dentist. Various children and adults are pictured and the text is simple and effectively relays the information. A nice added feature is a page with dentist tools.

Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, glossary, index and bolded words that might be unfamiliar. This is a gentle, effective tool to help ease fears about a visit to the dentist. It acknowledges the child’s feelings and demystifies the experience. Recommended.

I Need a Therapist

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by Rachel Rose

This title, part of the Health Helpers series, is an introduction to the work of a therapist. It begins with the problem (I feel sad) and progresses through a typical visit to the therapist. Various children and adults are pictured and the text is simple and effectively relays the information. A nice added feature is a page with therapist tools.

Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, glossary, index and bolded words that might be unfamiliar. This is a gentle, effective tool to help ease fears about a visit to the therapist. Recommended.

I Need an Eye Doctor

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by Rachel Rose

This book, part of the Health Helpers series, is a simple and effective introduction to a visit to the eye doctor. It begins with the problem (the board is blurry) and details the visit and exam that results in eyeglasses and problem solved.

Large, engaging photos of various children at different points of the visit demystifies the process and the glossary and page of eye doctor tools are great discussion points for further clarification. Typical nonfiction features are present, including table of contents, index, and glossary. Further reading and online resources are provided. Solid addition to help ease fears of a visit to the eye doctor.

Exca-gator!

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By Brooke Harman; illustrated by Michael Slack

With engaging rhythm and catchy rhymes, Exca-gator! will be a hit with preschoolers who love construction vehicles. In his enthusiasm and confidence, Exca-gator believes he can accomplish the construction tasks on his own. Instead of completing the work, he makes a big mess and angers all his friends. In the end, by working together, Exca-gator and his swamp friend construction workers were able to complete their work. A great preschool read-aloud to encourage working together.

Copeland: A Story about America

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By Veronica Mang

“This is a story about music. It is also a story about Aaron Copland.” Veronica Mang uses the role of music in Copland’s life to tell the story that reflects an era in American History. This story about music is also a story of a first-generation American, trying new things, struggle, who we are as Americans, and about change. Copland turned the experiences of everyday Americans around him into music. Copland’s quintessentially American music was frequently judged harshly during his life. Now he is recognized as one of the greatest American composers.

The author’s note includes suggested listening for kids as well as further reading and a bibliography.

Recommended for libraries seeking biographies on musicians or biographies of 20th century Americans.

Queen of the Wolves: The Legendary 06 Female

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By Rich McIntyre and David A. Poulsen

The results of reintroduction of wolves at Yellowstone offer an interesting story of how the actions of humans can restore ecosystems. Rick McIntyre, a National Park Service Ranger who spent 30 years observing the Yellowstone wolves, partners with David Poulsen to tell the young reader’s version the story of 06, a well known alpha female. From an outsider and loner to part of a well-known alpha pair, 06 and her progeny impacted the interrelationships and pack dynamics of the Yellowstone wolves. Within the story of 06, the reader also meets many of the other extraordinary wolves of the Yellowstone region.

The complexity and constant change of the packs described in the story can be at times confusing. Still, this will be a hit with young animal lovers, especially those interested in wolves or ecological impact of species reintroduction.