This book begins and ends with the same idea:  all dogs are related to the wolf and how the resemblance remains regardless of breeding.  Dogs are put into categories such as hunting dogs, herding dogs, lap dogs, etc.  Each page shows a photo of a dog and gives information as to it’s history, trainability and temperament.  Not included are weaknesses, height, weight, etc.  Kids will enjoy reading about dogs and this book may help them decide on what type of dog to get.

This TRUE Book is disappointing in the lack of  information it delivers. There are five chapters: 1- Studying the Earth, 2- History of Geology, 3- Our Rapidly and Slowly Changing Earth, 4- The Rock Cycle, and 5 – Frozen Fields and Outer Space.  Chapter 1 and 2 each begins with a set of rhetorical questions that peak curiosity, but the chapters do not satisfy.  Chapter-1 Studying the Earth indicates there are at least six varieties of geologists: study the materials that make up the earth, study fossils, study major structures on earth’s surface, study how earth’s surfaces change, look for energy sources, and look for areas conducive to building, but do not go into detail.

Chapters 3 and 4 deliver the most information the reader would expect to learn from a book with the title- GEOLOGY: The Study of Rocks. Chapter 3 informs the reader about the layers of the earth in a comparison with a peach and includes a diagram, grinding tectonic plates and erosion change the earth slowly, while earthquakes and volcanoes change the earth quickly. Chapter 4 informs the reader of the rock cycle with its three stages: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Finally, chapter 5 deflates the reader by mentioning studies of geologists in  arctic regions and in outer space which one day may prove of interest, but for now is too theoretical for young readers.

How are zombies and electricity related you ask? They aren’t in physical science, but the psychology behind putting them together surely works.  What intermediate or middle school student doesn’t want to see zombies! ? Author- Mark Weakland  has teamed up with illustrator- Jok,  and editor- Anthony Wacholtz (from Mummies and Sound) to make electricity memorable to students by pairing electricity with zombies in a graphic format. A reader may remember a wind turbine as a renewable resource after hours of study, but I bet it will be easier to remember once the reader has seen the hilarious picture of a zombie hanging onto the whirling blade of a wind turbine. What fun!

Chapter 2- Charge! describes the basic atom before stating, ” When electrons make the jump between atoms through certain materials, such as air or metal, electricity is created.” (page 9)

Chapter 3 -Zombies and Current Events gives the basics of terms: current, static electricity, circuit, conductor, and ground.  Each is accompanied with illustrations of zombies. “Consider a zombie dressed in a wool shirt lurching against a bunch of balloons. When the zombie brushes the balloons, negatively charged electrons move from the wool shirt to the balloons.” (page 13)

Chapter 4 -Push, Pull, and Power Plants gives the basics of terms: electromagnet, turbine, voltage, and generator.  And Chapter 5 -Safe From Zapping, Safe From Zombies gives the basics of electricity safety using brainless zombies in dangerous situations compared with humans demonstrating safe practices.

If you are looking into getting a dog, this is the perfect book for you.  Kramer takes the 200 (how many are there?) most popular breeds, shows a picture of it, and gives basic info as to height and weight.  This is what most dog books do, however, Kramer takes it a wonderful step further: how did this breed evolve, what, historically, was this dog used for, maintenace of it’s coat, life span, temperament, trainability, socilizing, special needs, health, and so on.  Kids love to learn about their own dogs and this book does that.  I, personally, think I found my next dog, and I’d never heard of the breed before.

In 1897, prospectors returned to Seattle with a fortune in gold, causing another gold rush. Stanley Pearce and Marshall Bond, two young Seattle men, borrowed money from their parents to outfit themselves and headed out to Dawson City with high hopes. On their way, they encountered multiple hardships beyond belief. This piece of literature is far above other pieces due to the numerous primary sources woven together with narration. A collection of letters written home to their parents, diary entries, telegrams, and newspaper articles have been handed down to Mr. Kim Richardson, a descendent of Stanley Pearce. Kim Richardson and David Meissner made a great author team. The historical photographs deepen the understanding of their world. This is a must have for every library.

Perhaps you have eaten farm-raised salmon? Most of us usually don’t think of fish as something to be farmed. This book takes that idea a bit further with farm-raised butterflies. This 10″ X 9″  book opens up to end papers of 6 compartment sections each filled the a different variety of life-size butterfly pupae! Gorgeous!

A Boston museum receives a shipping box of live butterfly pupae from Costa Rica. The reader sees the box before and after it is opened. The text goes on to tell the life cycle of a butterfly accompanied by a diagram. A few pages later, ” Unlike most mother butterflies, this one lives in a greenhouse. She was moved here from the nearby forest so that she could lay her eggs inside the greenhouse’s tall, screened walls.” ( page 9)  So begins the photo essay of butterfly farming. Appropriate vocabulary is used to describe the life cycle as it unfolds on this farm : exoskeleton and molting. The larger than life color photos show the pupae color patterns and hairlines in great detail. As the pupae mature, some will be released back into the local forest, some will be kept to the next life cycle to begin over again inside the greenhouses, and the majority of them will be shipped to museums, etc. around the world. The reader is shown a well organized lab setting with the numerous varieties of butterfly pupae sorted for shipping, then a shipping package, and the live cargo being readied to board the airplane, while the text explains a few of the finer details.

The book ends with some general information- “INSECTS AND THEIR LIFE CYCLES”  and “INSECT WORDS”. The former describes complete, simple, and partial metamorphosis each in an easy to understand paragraph. Then the latter, gives general life cycle terminology first, followed by more specific terminology for three different insects:

egg -> larva-> pupa-> adult

egg-> caterpillar->chrysalis-> butterfly

egg->maggot->pupa-fly

egg->grub->pup->beetle.

Includes: a glossary with cross-references to photos in the book, information for a free download, books, and websites.

This 10″ X 9″  book  closes to end papers of 6 compartment sections each filled the a different variety of life-size adult butterfly ! Gorgeous!

Brian P. Cleary presents 20 of his own haiku (5,7,5 syllable poems) and 15 of his own lantern poems (1,2,3,4,1 syllable) poems, plus directions on how to create them yourself. “Traditionally, haiku have nature as their subject, and they often capture a specific moment. For this book, I’ve taken a broader approach to topics. You’ll find poems about nature as well as about school, pets, pizza, pancakes, and more.” ( page 4) These often funny poems, coupled with Andy Rowland’s often hilarious illustrations around each and every poem make this book a ‘hoot’ for even non-poetry lovers.

DECISIONS

Spanish homework or

a nap? Compromise: we’ll call

it a siesta.  (page 7)

Makes me want to take my hand at creating one or two haiku or lantern poems myself.

Includes: Further Reading list of books and websites.

This story in the Just Grace series has third grader Grace looking forward to the spring fair.  During a short visit from Grandma, Grace learns how to make amazing cupcakes.  This give her an idea for the theme for the fair.  As with all of the Just Grace books, Grace shares her thoughts, lists, and includes many mini-headings. She is continually upbeat.  She realizes when she hurts her friend Mimi’s feelings and tries to apologize.  She discovers good qualities about her least favorite classmates.  Many pen and ink drawings are sprinkled throughout the text with conversation bubbles and explanations, complete with arrows.  The format of this book provides a good transition from picture books to chapter books.  Grace’s voice is solidly third grade.

Danny Shine likes comic books, not baseball.  He was only at the baseball game because he had free tickets.  When a game winning ball came streaking toward him, he reached out to catch it.  Because the third baseman did not catch it, the team lost the championship and Danny gained the reputation as the school jinx.  Wherever he went, bad things happened.  When he bumbled his way into the spotlight to defend his friend Luke, his luck finally changed and many issues were resolved.  Danny Shine is typical of many middle schoolers and Holly Kowitt portrays the insecurities, interactions, and friendships with humor and insight.  There are many ink drawings and the text font resembles a handwritten diary.  Fans of the Wimpy Kid and Big Nate will also enjoy this series.

Another great Urgency Emergency series book, with a spin on a common nursery tale.  In this tale, the spider falls off the spout and is whisked to the emergency room, thanks to Miss Muffet’s quick actions.  At the hospital the itsy bitsy spider is treated and can be released, but has no way home.  Sad and dejected, Doctor Glenda asks Miss Muffet to take the spider home, but Miss Muffet is afraid of Spiders!  But with compassion and setting her fear aside, she agrees to help out.  Everyone is happy and it’s another winning day in the emergency room with Doctor Glenda.