Kakapos are the largest parrots on earth, endangered, and living on an island off of New Zealand.  These large birds are nocturnal and cannot fly.  These birds have been indigenous to New Zealand for at least a thousand years, since records started being kept.  This book has some highly detailed photographs showing these unusual birds and their habitats, traits, and life cycle.  I’m not sure that the kakapo qualifies as one of the world’s weirdest animals, but certainly in the endangered series.  It seems to be merely a holdover from a time long ago.  This book will make an excellent addition to the bird shelf in an elementary library.

The U.S. Civil War is part of the A Chronology of a Divided Nation series. Also included in this series are The Battle Over Slavery, Yankees and Rebels, and the novel The Songs of Stones Rivers. The series includes chronology, biographies, and cause and effect.

The U.S. Civil war title includes time lines, info-graphics, color illustrations and black and white photographs, maps, a glossary, an index, references to text and web resources, and questions aligned with the Common Core.

The Untold Story of the Black Regiment is part of a series including The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga, The Untold Story of Henry Knox, and The Untold Story of Washington’s Surprise Attack. Written for mid-elementary aged students, this particular title tells the inspiring story of the black soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War.  Many people do not that black soldiers fought in this war of independence, only to never realize freedom in their own lifetimes.

This book contains info-graphics, timelines, color paintings and maps, a glossary and index, and text and web references for further reading.

This is part of The Revolutionary War series that also includes Battle for a New Nation: Causes and Effects of the Revolutionary War, Patriots and Redcoats: Stories of American Revolutionary War Leaders, and A Rebel Among Redcoats: A Revolutionary War Novel.T

This title includes info-graphics, sidebars, fact boxes,  definitions, critical thinking questions, a table of contents, glossary, referrals to other books and internet sites, and an index.

Andrew Luck is the son of a professional football player and was a standout quarterback for Stanford, and was the first player chosen in the 2012 football draft.  Chosen by the Indianapolis Colts, Luck was to be the golden boy to deliver them to the promised land.  Luck set new records in his first year, but in four years he has not yet gone to the big game.  Luck is one of the premiere players in the league.  This book will be a big hit for boys in particular who are in grades three through five, who are just getting interested in sports.  Andrew Luck is a great role model for them to hero-worship.

T. A. Barron is a prolific writer and student of all things relating to Merlin.  In this small book, Barron has condensed the secret to a happy life in seven little words: Gratitude, Courage, Knowledge, Belief, Wonder, Generosity, Hope, and Love.  Sounds pretty easy, but to paraphrase Confucius, ‘life is simple, it’s people who make it confusing.’  And Barron seems to adopt this philosophy. After reading his book, it seems to be accurate.  We need to stop and think about what we have, what we need, who we need, and so on.  These seven words pretty much convey everything in life that is important.  This would be a perfect gift for a young adult, or someone who is confused and floundering.  It’s a great recipe for life.

This Christmas themed book is a spin off of “Where’s Waldo” with six characters to find on each page layout in addition to a list of toys to locate. It includes 15 colorful Christmas puzzles of searching for the hidden objects and characters. An answer key is included in the back of the book. This is a fun search and find book that will entertain primary readers.

Callum, a teenager who deliberately failed the Iron Trial, wants no part of the magic taught at the Magisterium. However, even with the lowest scores possible, Callum is selected to attend the school against his will. Teamed up with two other teens, Tamara and Aaron, the group will develop their magical skills through completing the most challenging tasks. The masters of the school are pleased to finally, after many, many years, find a Makar in the teenage group that will have the strength to battle the Evil leader. However, what Callum learns about himself is the greatest twist of all. This book is very action packed, keeping the reader wondering. Harry Potter fans will love the parallel events!!

There seems to be a disconnect with the age of kids who play with My Little Ponies and the age of the reader of My Little Pony; the reading age is higher.  Also, this is volume 7 of 8 and I haven’t had the opportunity to read the previous installments, so judging solely on this volume, I think it’s a pretty dark story.  Does My Little Pony really need to be in graphic novel form?  Really?  This is not something I would recommend school libraries spend their money on.

Eloise is a poor little rich girl who lives on the top floor of a hotel with a nanny and a tutor.  When her tutor comes to give her a math lesson, she gives him a hard time and is very disrespectful.  Not much is accomplished by the time it’s over, but the picture at the end does leave the impression that Eloise is smarter than she lets on.  As an elementary school teacher/librarian in a difficult school, this attitude really bothers me.  Eloise is allowed to get away being rude, disrespectful and uncooperative.  Granted, her tutor seems kind of lame; he must know what she’s going to do, yet he continues in the same manner.  Where is his creativity and love of learning?  I see this as a bad example of behavior and I hope kids don’t copy it.  I can also see it being funny if read by kids who are not like Eloise.  Beautiful illustrations.  Great reinforced binding, but pricey.