In the latest Third Edition of the America the Beautiful series, the design and layout has been updated to appeal to readers who like gorgeous photographs, or illustrations, sidebars with FAQs, “Who knew?” facts to keep you thinking, travel guide tips, and incredible ideas for school assignments and research projects.  Of course the usual information is found in the body of the content, such as Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, and Economy.  There is a guide to primary sources, what they are and how to cite them.  A fun Biographical Dictionary  is included in the Back Matter along with the Timeline, Fast Facts, Glossary, Resources and Index.  A delightful read, whether for recreation or research.

Designed for kid appeal, this well researched, latest third addition to the American the Beautiful state books series, will give students detailed and interesting information about what started out as William Penn’s 1682 colony.  The contents covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, Economy, and Travel Guide.  Special features, such as sidebars, charts, graphs, original maps, FAQs, WOW Factors, and Project Room (fun ideas for assignments and projects) keep the reader engaged.  The author provides source notes explaining which print and web resources were most used in her research. She also gives tips on the best internet sites for primary sources.

Well researched and well designed layout with gorgeous photographs, as well as helpful special features,  make this a top consideration for a print choice in state studies.  Content covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, Modern Times, People, Government, and Travel Guide.  Special features provide  sidebars, charts, graphs, original maps, FAQs, WOW Factors, and a Poject Room with fun ideas for school projects.  Included is a guide to primary sources…what they are and how to cite them.  Back Matter covers resources such as fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, Web Sites and Organizations, and an extensive Index.

In 48 pages, this book provides a nice overview of the Viking society during the 250 years that they were famous and feared raiders of Europe.  Detailing the art, technology, religions, class structure, leadership, weapons, tools, daily life as well as the military exploits of the Vikings, the reader learns a great deal.  The multitude of graphics, photographs, and maps engage the reader and enhance the text.  This is a good series particularly for reluctant readers.

The eight topics in the table of contents: Recycling, Collection, Glass, Metal, Plastic, Paper, At the Store, and Make Paper are accompanied by a well photographed landfill, garbage truck, recycle bins, recycling center with stacks of crushed cubes of squashed cans, a store shelf full of food products packaged in containers made from recycled paper, plastic, and glass .

This book shows the steps in the process of changing the collected glass, cans, plastic, and paper into new items to complete the recycle cycle.

Includes a do-able craft activity for making paper from used paper and a food blender.

Eight little couplets for young learners to recite and enjoy about dividing used packaging for curbside pickup, donating goods to second hand stores, and using old odds and ends to make toys and crafts.

Cheery vibrantly colorful pictures of young children placing plastic bottles, cans, and paper into recycling containers create the idea that children can take an active part in this grown up activity.

Includes a Creative Tot Time craft project for making a ‘Recycled Snake’ stuffed toy.

End papers include printed flowers on unbleached brown paper.

This amazing science experiment book focuses on topics related to biology.  The chapters include:  The Study of Life, Cells Alive!, Microbiology Reveals an Invisible World, Plants Make Life Possible, Plant Life Cycles, Adaptations are a Matter of Life and Death, Animal Life Cycles, and Protect Living Things.  Each chapter has background information followed by a number of experiments and activities related to the topic.  The illustrations on each page compliment and do not make the layout too busy or distracting.  The list of supplies and the instructions for each activity are clearly written and straight forward.  A thorough index and glossary can be found at the back of the book.  This book is a wonderful addition to our library collection and should be well used for students participating in the science fair.

This book focuses on sports related facts, events and trends that are not typically highlighted.  For example, how uniforms and sports-related fashion have evolved over the years, how ancient sporting events relate to modern ones, the effects of technological developments and how sports equipment has changed.  The pages are really packed with text boxes, colorful backgrounds, graphics and photographs, I fear to the distraction of some readers.  This is a fun book to pick up again and again, even just for a short time to read one section.  The text is clearly written and thematically organized.

This is a novel set in Saint Bartholemew’s Catholic church.  The main characters are mice who scurry around foraging for food and trying to avoid detection by Father Murphy and his congregation in fear of “The Great X” (exterminator).  A few careless mice draw attention to their presence and the exterminator is scheduled.  Hildegarde, the Mouse Mistress and leader of the mouse colony, must come up with a plan to save her charges.  The antagonist is Lucretia who is vying to oust Hildegarde and become the next Mouse Mistress.  In a twist, Lucretia is the only mouse who ends up in danger as a result of the exterminator’s visit and it’s up to Hildegarde to save her.  This book about friendship and forgiveness has enough excitement and humorous situations to keep the reader engaged.  The lovely and detailed illustrations are plentiful and enhance the story.  Accelerated Reader classifies this book as targeted for lower elementary readers, but the ATOS level is 4.5.  I do wish that author hadn’t put in a reference to “X-rated DVDs” on page 57 when the mice were looking in a phone book for “exterminator”.  That seemed unnecessary for a lower elementary audience.  Fortunately, it should go over their heads undetected.

The mountain climbing photographs in this book are especially breathtaking and enhance the text well.  The author has done a nice job of presenting the adventurous, exciting and dangerous nature of this sport as well as practical considerations.  The reader is provided with a nice overall view of the demands and realities of climbing a mountain.