Sea Scorpions by Kate Moening

Sea Scorpions describes the largest arthropod to ever exist. From its exoskeleton and 6 pairs of legs to its diet and movement, this title offers intriguing information about this extinct creature.

Bellwether Media’s Ancient Marine Life series is perfect for the young paleontologist who is ready to explore beyond dinosaurs. The informational text uses short sentences, supporting graphics, and bolded glossary terms to support developing readers. Size comparisons are made in relation to objects kids can visualize like a couch, a car, or a bus. Endpapers include glossary, index, print resources, and Factsurfer’s curated digital resources. The maps are one confusing feature. The maps on page 5 show the continent configuration during the period in which the animal lived without indicating how long ago it was nor explaining why the continents are different than they are currently. The location map at the end of the text does not indicate if it represents the location of fossil finds or presumed location of the extinct animal’s habitat. All in all, an attractive and engaging series.

Megalodon by Kate Moening

Growing to the size of two buses, the megalodon makes modern day sharks look tiny. In Megalodon, the reader will learn about the physical characteristics, behavior, diet, and the extinction story of this fascinating creature.

Bellwether Media’s Ancient Marine Life series is perfect for the young paleontologist who is ready to explore beyond dinosaurs. The informational text uses short sentences, supporting graphics, and bolded glossary terms to support developing readers. Size comparisons are made in relation to objects kids can visualize like a couch, a car, or a bus. Endpapers include glossary, index, print resources, and Factsurfer’s curated digital resources. The maps are one confusing feature. The maps on page 5 show the continent configuration during the period in which the animal lived without indicating how long ago it was nor explaining why the continents are different than they are currently. The location map at the end of the text does not indicate if it represents the location of fossil finds or presumed location of the extinct animal’s habitat. All in all, an attractive and engaging series.

A Train’s Day by Betsy Rathburn

A Train’s Day is sure to appeal to young train fans. In the train yard, the reader learns some of the different cars that make up a freight train. Once the cars are connected, the freight train departs. Along the way the freight train passes a passenger train. Upon arriving at the freight station, the boxcars are loaded and the train can then continue to the next station where it is unloaded.

Bellwether Media’s Machines at Work series provides engaging, easy to read titles for curious young readers. The series follows the Blastoff! Missions format, starting with three Mission Goals which include one literacy goal and two content goals. Colorful illustrations support the text and include labels with key vocabulary. Blastoff Jimmy occasionally shares additional information, usually numerical details, in Jimmy Says bubbles. Key vocabulary terms are bold. Endpapers include a glossary, index, print resources, and digital Factsurfer resources. The curated age appropriate digital resources suggested on Factsurfer are best explored with an adult. The Beyond the Mission section provides three extension questions focusing on text-to-self connections and creativity.

A Garbage Truck’s Day by Rebecca Sabelko

Kids are naturally curious about the big, noisy garbage trucks they see every week. In A Garbage Truck’s Day, the reader learns about the different types of garbage trucks and follows a rear loader on its route through the community. Use this title in a unit on community helpers or as part of a garbage and recycling instruction.

Bellwether Media’s Machines at Work series provides engaging, easy to read titles for curious young readers. The series follows the Blastoff! Missions format, starting with three Mission Goals which include one literacy goal and two content goals. Colorful illustrations support the text and include labels with key vocabulary. Blastoff Jimmy occasionally shares additional information, usually numerical details, in Jimmy Says bubbles. Key vocabulary terms are bold. Endpapers include a glossary, index, print resources, and digital Factsurfer resources. The curated age appropriate digital resources suggested on Factsurfer are best explored with an adult. The Beyond the Mission section provides three extension questions focusing on text-to-self connections and creativity.

A Ship’s Day by Betsy Rathburn

A Ship’s Day follows a container ship as it approaches port, docks, and is unloaded. As the ship leaves port, it passes other ships on its way to the next port. A fun read for transportation fans.

Bellwether Media’s Machines at Work series provides engaging, easy to read titles for curious young readers. The series follows the Blastoff! Missions format, starting with three Mission Goals which include one literacy goal and two content goals. Colorful illustrations support the text and include labels with key vocabulary. Blastoff Jimmy occasionally shares additional information, usually numerical details, in Jimmy Says bubbles. Key vocabulary terms are bold. Endpapers include a glossary, index, print resources, and digital Factsurfer resources. The curated age appropriate digital resources suggested on Factsurfer are best explored with an adult. The Beyond the Mission section provides three extension questions focusing on text-to-self connections and creativity.

A Monster Truck’s Day by Rebecca Sabelko

For young readers interested in monster trucks, A Monster Truck’s Day details both the behind the scenes work and the excitement of the show. Starting with a tune up and transport to the event site, the reader follows the truck through the day, ending with cleaning and repairs in preparation for the next day. The use in the narrative of some monster truck specific terms such as endo and cyclone will challenge a reader unfamiliar with the sport.

Bellwether Media’s Machines at Work series provides engaging, easy to read titles for curious young readers. The series follows the Blastoff! Missions format, starting with three Mission Goals which include one literacy goal and two content goals. Colorful illustrations support the text and include labels with key vocabulary. Blastoff Jimmy occasionally shares additional information, usually numerical details, in Jimmy Says bubbles. Key vocabulary terms are bold. Endpapers include a glossary, index, print resources, and digital Factsurfer resources. The curated age appropriate digital resources suggested on Factsurfer are best explored with an adult. The Beyond the Mission section provides three extension questions focusing on text-to-self connections and creativity.

Bite Risk

S.J. Wills

Bite Risk

Ansel Archer lives in a strange place where kids lock up their parents when they “change”. The adults and teens around 16, maybe even 15, turn into werewolves, or Rippers. Something isn’t right in their town – beyond the whole changing into a werewolf thing, and Sel and his friends are determined to find out what is going on and how to fix it before more bad happens.The author made this book a great mystery, and with many plot twists, incredibly interesting. It’s a real page-turned and hard to put down. The little bits of humor and thrilling events make this book fun to read. I liked how the author portrayed Sel and his friends as they started to piece things together. I do wish it had more information about Sel’s father. I can’t remember anything being stated about him in the book. This book will be an amazing read for anybody who loves a good plot twist in their books with a bit of werewolf horror.. 

Reviewed by Addison K., 7th grader

The Afterlife of the Party

by Darcy Marks

The Afterlife of the Party

Darcy has written an amazing second book with friendships that some people can only imagine. This book will sure be a catcher for kids who like rebellious pre-teens. Malachi and his friends are naturally  trouble makers, but this time the trouble comes to them, when a ball inviting all demons and angels to unite stirs up all kinds of distress, whispers and shushed murmurs of Chaos’s return.The author did a great job writing this follow up book to Grounded for all Eternity, also set in Hell, but could be read as a stand alone without having read book 1..  A funny, fantasy/mythology book, it was a great read and I’m sure anybody else seeking an adventurous teen rebellion to cheer their day, this book, will surely be the perfect match. I liked how it wove together Underworld mythological and literary character names into the plot (Anubis, Ophelia, Puck).There isn’t much to dislike, but I don’t really think Mal should like Lilith… but that’s probably just me!

Reviewed by Addison K., 7th grader

Maid for it

by Jamie Sumner

Maid for It

Maid for It is a sweet and wonderful book that weaves in relatable life problems and a happy ending. This was one of the sweetest books I’ve read, and I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it. Many readers will enjoy reading about the hardships and the making of new friends. Franny is worried about her mother. She recently turned sober, and even more recently, got into a car crash. Franny does not want her mother to get addicted to the pills that were supposed to help her, but unfortunately, it’s happened before. Franny will not, can not, let it happen again! The devotion Franny has to her mother is just so sweet. I love how, even though there are those conflicts and darker problems in the book, the author has weaved in really sweet or good things, like how Sloan and Franny’s relationship went from enemies to friends. (And I really love that!) Her relationship with Noah is also amazing! I really did like how Noah kept on giving her origami things, and later we learned why. It was awesome seeing Noah find another way through something other than talking. Franny’s determination to help her mom makes this book hard to put down. The author has fit many real life issues and problems, like addictions, worrying, and other things into a story that is still very sweet.  I love how Franny helps people, even if she didn’t really know she was doing it.  I feel like that when the reader relates to something in a book whether it’s a character, issue, or problem going around-  it lets them enjoy it more, or is sort of a comfort when you connect with things.  I can relate to Franny’s constant worrying for math and how she reacted to not getting things wrong. I could also relate to how she sometimes tries to become invisible. What I DISLIKED about the book? Nothing! Five stars!

Reviewed by Addison K. and Victoria L., 7th graders

Bitsy Bat, School Star

When Bitsy Bat is facing her first night at a new school, she is sent off by a loving family full of encouragement. But in a classroom full of assorted other nocturnal creatures, she’s the only one used to hanging upside down, and at the painting table she’s the only one who tries to paint with her toes. Lunch and recess provide more pitfalls leading her to feel she’ll never fit in, which results in a five-star meltdown. Reluctant to return the next day, her family and teacher help her enact a plan to help everyone in class celebrate that which makes them unique, that which makes them shine. Written by an autistic author illustrator, it’s got an author’s note in the back explaining a bit about autism, including some definitions of relative terms. Autism doesn’t overtly come through within the story itself, except in Bitsy’s aversion to too-bright light and too-loud noises.