Happy New Year everyone!
Biography:
Superstars! (series). New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2014. 32 p. $26.60 ea. Gr.3-6.
Burns, Kylie. Sidney Crosby. 978-0-7787-0038-8.
Dann, Sarah. Beyonce. 978-0-7787-0019-7.
Morganelli, Adrianna. Bruno Mars. 978-0-7787-0020-3
An annually updated series of sport and art superstars. The three listed are the latest part of a series that numbers thirty at this review. All books are formatted the same: 32 page, color photographs, glossary, other resources (books and websites) about the subject, and index in the back. With that formatting in mind, this would make a good class unit in current biographies.
Being from the western part of the state, I naturally chose Sidney Crosby, to look at and read through. For the schools that I represent I would say while the interest level is grade 3-6, many of my students would find some of the information challenging. On the flip side, the photographs, including family pictures, make the book enjoyable. As far as I researched, the reading tests are not available for the newest series yet. The entire series can be viewed at:
http://www.crabtreebooks.com/products/books/biographies/superstars-biographies
Biographies Lourie Stewart, Dunbar Township/Dunbar Borough Elementary Schools
Fiction:
Bass, Guy. Stitch Head. Illustrated by Pete Williamson. North Mankato: Capstone, 2013. 978-1-62370-007-2. 190 p. $10.95. Gr. 3-6.
Meet Stich Head, the professor’s first creation. Stitch Head makes potions to calm down the dangerous creations made by his professor who has forgotten their friendship. Missing his friend, Stich Head is tempted to leave the castle and try to become a star. The ending is optimistic and the series continues with The Pirate’s Eye (Capstone, 2014).
Fiction (monster) Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Nonfiction:
Aloian, Molly. Life Cycles of Insects (Insects Close-Up series). New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1278-7. 24p. $22.60. Gr. 1-3
This book is part of a series about insects. The photographs are well labeled and engaging. Although only twenty-four pages it has an incredible amount of information. Key terms are in bold and labels include arrows so the reader is able to identify exactly what the text is relating to. The “What do you think” questions assist the reader in analyzing the information they are being provided. The balance of text and illustration and charts is perfect. This is an excellent addition to a beginning science curriculum regarding insects. The Words to Know section and Index at the end of the book are accurate and helpful. This book and others in this series are guided reading level M. Other books in this series are also of high quality and equally engaging:
Aloian, Molly. How Are Insects Helpful? New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1269-5. 24p. $22.60. Gr. 1-3
Aloian, Molly. Where Do Insects Live? New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1280-0. 24p. $22.60. Gr. 1-3
Aloian, Molly. What Is an Insect? New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1279-4. 24p. $22.60. Gr. 1-3
595.7: Insects Denise Naumann, Eisenhower Elementary
Bailey, Gerry. Adventure Homes (Young Architect Series). New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-0287-0. 32p. $27.60. Gr. 2-4
This book is part of the Young Architect Series, they are all guided reading level Q. The book is a mix of designing and use of tree houses and a variety of nontraditional homes. The author discusses the planning and rooms necessary in the plans. The author incorporates building design and architecture vocabulary. The text sparks the imagination of young readers to think about the design and use of the space. It delves further into the history of adventure homes and people who lived in them. The illustrations are a combination of line drawing with labels and photographs of actual adventure homes. The end of the book includes a glossary, web links and other books in the Learning more section and an index. For those beginning to show an interest in architecture and design this is an excellent series to provide. The series also includes:
Bailey, Gerry. Towering Homes. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-0289-4. 32p. $27.60. Gr. 2-4
Bailey, Gerry. Storybook Homes. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-0288-7. 32p. $27.60. Gr. 2-4
Bailey, Gerry. Working Homes. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-0290-0. 32p. $27.60. Gr. 2-4
728: Architecture/Domestic Denise Naumann, Eisenhower
ElementaryPeppas, Lynn. Trail of Tears. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1174-2. 48p. $30.60. Gr. 3-4Peppas, Lynn. Trail of Tears. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1174-2. 48p. $30.60. Gr. 3-4
Containing facts with brilliant illustrations this book provides a reluctant reader or struggling reader with a wonderful option for a non-fiction resource. Each chapter is divided into manageable sections with fact boxes and highlighted words. The illustrations are explained through straightforward captions. Each two page spread has the highlighted word defined at the bottom for easy reference. The Learning More section at the back of the book provides books and websites on the same reading level geared for children. This author has done a fantastic job of providing facts in a straightforward, reader friendly way. Other books in this series are set up in a similar way and have an appeal to young readers. Others in the series:
Hyde, Natalie. King Tut. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1172-8. 48p. $30.60. Gr. 3-4
Johnson, Robert. California Goldrush. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2014. 978-0-7787-1170-4. 48p. $30.60. Gr. 3-4
975: Cherokee Indians/Relocation Denise Naumann, Eisenhower Elementary
Snowe, Olivia. Cassie and the Woolf (Twicetold Tales series). Wisconsin: Captstone Publishing, 2014. 978-1-4342-3786-6. 125p. $17.99 Gr. 3-4
Another brilliant read for those that love fairy tales. This “Twice Told Tale” is a fun spin on Little Red Riding Hood. The story is updated and modernized, including cell phones and cafeterias. The print is large enough for early readers and there is plenty of white space to balance it out. There are occasional illustrations done in black and white and occasional red when referencing Little Red Riding Hood. It is an enjoyable new twist to an old tale. There are four books in the series including, The Sealed-Up House, A Home in the Sky, and The Girl and the Seven Thieves.
398.2: Fairy tales, folk lore Denise Naumann, Eisenhower Elementary
Hamilton, Sue L. Bugs. (A&D xtreme pets series). Minneapolis: ABDO, 2014. 978-1-61783-970-2. 32 p. $18.95 each. Gr. 3-6
—. Fish. 978-1-61783-973-3.
—. Spiders. 978-1-61783-975-7.
With over 40,000 species of spiders, readers will learn many new facts and see numerous close up images of tarantulas, wolf, trapdoor, jumping, fishing and grass spiders in the book Spiders. As for the book Fish, topics include freshwater, saltwater and pond fish. The series includes full color and at times page illustrations. A glossary and index is included in each book. [Note, I used Follett Titlewave prices for all books. An individual book price at BN.com is $27.07. Also in this series:
—. Cats. 978-1-61783-971-9.
—. Dogs. 978-1-61783-972-6.
—. Reptiles. 978-1-61783-974-0.
639 (Spiders) 639.34 (Fish);Pets Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Tieck, Sarah. Adam Levine: famous singer and songwriter. Big Buddies books, (Buddy Bios series). Minneapolis: ABDO, 2014. 978-1-61783-859-0. 32 p. $19.95 each. Gr. 3-6.
—. Chris Colfer. 978-1-61783-857-6.
Colorful images accompany the factual text. The background of the topic is presented in a chronological order. Readers view numerous star snap shots, important words, web sites, and direct links regarding the topic. Each book included an index. Children can learn about Colfer’s adventures in writing and Levine’s interest with yoga. Also in this series:
—. Big Time Rush: popular boy band. 978-1-61783-856-9.
—. Carly Rae Jepsen. 978-1-61783-858-3.
—. Emma Stone. 978-1-61783-861-3.
—. Psy:Gangnam Style rapper. 978-1-61783-860-6.
782.42164 (Levine) 791.4302 (Colfer) Biography/Nonfiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Murray, Julie. Australia. Big Buddies books, (Explore the Countries series) North Mankato: ABDO, 2014. 978-1-61783-804-0. 40p. $20.95 each. Gr. 3-6.
—. Egypt. 978-1-61783-809-5.
—. Japan. 978-1-61783-815-6.
The books in this series provide students with all of the needed facts for a country research project but also encourage the students to learn more with the “Did you Know” boxes or how to pronounce new terms and locations with “Say it” boxes. The font is larger with terms in red color while the layout is consistent in each book showing the country up close, important words, timeline, symbols of the country and websites maintained by ABDO and an index. Also in this series:
—. Brazil. 978-1-61783-804-0.
—. Canada. 978-1-61783-806-4.
—. China. 978-1-61783-807-1.
—. Cuba.978-1-61783-808-8.
—. India.978-1-61783-812-5.
—. Israel. 978-1-61783-813-2.
—. Russia. 978-1-61783-817-0.
Tieck, Sarah. France.
—. Italy. 978-1-61783-814-9.
—. Mexico. 978-1-61783-816-3.
—. Spain. 978-1-61783-818-7.
—. United Kingdom. 978-1-61783-819-4.
952 (Japan) 916.2 (Egypt); World History/ Geography Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Picture Books:
Daywalt, Drew. The Day the Crayons Quit. New York: Philomel, 2013. 9780399255373. 40p. $17.99. Gr. PreK – 2.
“One day in class, Duncan went to take out his crayons and found a stack of letters with his name on them.” Turns out all of his crayon buddies have written him a note: some, like blue, Duncan’s favorite color, are happy that they’re used a lot. Others like red, feel overworked filling in all those fire trucks, apples, strawberries, and numerous holiday items. Some, like the orange and yellow, are in a dispute: which is the rightful color of the sun? In the end, Duncan makes all the crayons happy, and gets an A+, with a wonderfully creative scene where nothing is the color we are accustomed to seeing. This creative and funny book is a wonderful read-aloud, sure to bring a chuckle from your young audience. It’s already won numerous awards, and I’m betting there are more awards in store for The Day the Crayons Quit.
Picture Book Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Martin, Emily Winfield. Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey. New York: Random House, 2013. 978-0-449-81080-4. 32 p. $17.99. Gr. PK and up.
Dream Animals is a beautiful children’s picture book. It features full-page illustrations that capture whimsical and lighthearted scenes. Animals range from tigers to narwhals that take the dreamers onto their dreamscapes.
Fantasy Kelsey DeStevens, Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley
Dream Animals could be used many ways. It works well as a bedtime story for toddlers to first grade students. In the classroom it would be paired well with Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are to be used as discussion points of perspective. Dream Animals could also be read along with a nonfiction story about night and used a talking point for what happens at night (animals, jobs, dreaming).
Raschka, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013. 978-0-449-81741-4. 32 p. $17.99. Gr. Pk and up.
Daisy Gets Lost is a follow up story to the Caldecott winning story, A Ball for Daisy. With the line “Go get it Daisy!” the story is spun. Daisy races through the woods losing both her person and the ball she was sent to fetch. With a solemn cry Daisy’s person finds her and they are rejoined happily. The story’s highlights are the loose and colorful illustrations. The minimal words only highlight the expressions of the lost dog.
Realistic Fiction Kelsey DeStevens, Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley
MacLachlan, Patricia. Snowflakes Fall. New York: Random House, 2013. 978-0-385-37693-8. 32 p. $17.99. Gr. K and up.
Snowflakes Fall is a story about life’s continual struggles. Steven Kellogg’s illustrations paired with MacLachlan’s words convey a sense of joy in life’s natural beauty. With the purchase of each copy a donation is made to The Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Reading beneath the lines and looking closely at the illustrations you can see the references to those lost at Sandy Hook.
Realistic Fiction Kelsey DeStevens, Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley
The subtle ways that this book discusses loss and sorrow is a perfect way to introduce the topic to younger students. Snowflakes Fall recognizes the importance of loss but reminds the reader that it will not always be a winter storm and through time the ice will melt and “flowers will grow again” (29). The book could be used to open discussion about Sandy Hook or even as a simple winter tale.
Cunnane, Kelly. Deep in the Sahara. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013. 978-0-375-87034-7. 40 p. $17.99. Gr. PK and up.
Deep in the Sahara takes place in Muslim West Africa where young Lalla wants to wear the malafa to be like the women in her life. Initially she wants to wear it to be beautiful, mysterious, royal like a queen, and to be just the same as the women she admires. It’s through her innocent conversations that Lalla understands the real purpose of the malafa, to pray and for faith. This is a great picture book to introduce the Muslim culture. It could be used at the beginning of a world culture class for any grade or simply a way to expose younger students to different ideas.
Realistic Fiction Kelsey DeStevens, Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley
Brown, Peter. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. New York: Little Brown, 2013. 9780316200639. 48p. $18.00. Gr. Pre-K-2.
The fabulous Caldecott-honor winning Peter Brown (Chowder, Flight of the Dodo), does it again! Mr. Tiger lives in a thoroughly proper, top-hat-wearing, “How do you do?” kind of world. But one day he decides he’s feeling a little wild. He starts to trot around on all fours, peels off his clothes, and it feels great! But his friends and neighbors are appalled and ask him to go to the wilderness if he’s going to behave like a wild animal. So that’s exactly what he does! And he has a blast, until…he starts to get lonely. So he trots back to town and finds he’s had a surprising influence on his formerly stuffy friends. A very fun read illustrated in Brown’s signature style. My “take away” from this story: get outside and play! And: there’s a time and a place for everything. Highly recommended.
Picture Book Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Nonfiction:
Hunter, Nick. Julius Caesar. Chicago: Raintree, 2014. 978-1-4109-5356-8. 48p. $24.49. Gr. 4-6.
Get a glimpse of historic Rome through the eyes of its most famous hero. Thhis volume covers not only aspects of daily life but important figures, events and places. This is good for a general introduction to the topic. Students looking for in depth research material need to focus on individual topics. While there is a timeline, glossary and index, there is no bibliography of information sources.
Biography Martha Trzepacz, Strath Haven Middle School
Adamson, Thomas. The Technology of Baseball. (Sports Illustrated Kids High-Tech Sports series) North Mankato: Capstone Press, 2013. 978-1-4296-9955-6. 48p. $23.49. Gr. 4-9.
Packed with information, this slender volume is devoted to every aspect of baseball in the computer age, covering the effect of technology on the game, equipment, players and stadiums. Baseball enthusiasts will love this book. Computers have taken the sport to a new level. I would definitely buy others in this series.
796.3 Martha Trzepacz Strath Haven Middle School
Hunter, Nick. Women in World War l (Remembering World War l series). Chicago: Heinemann Press, 2014. 978-1-4329-8084-9. 48p. $24.49. Gr. 4-6
A brief general analysis of the role of women in World War l and how it changed their social, economic, and political status in the 20th century. Complete with a glossary, timeline, primary and multimedia sources this slime volume is part of a series on various aspects the First World War. While appropriate for middle/upper elementary students as a general introduction, it lacks the depth necessary for a research project.
940.1 Martha Trzepacz Strath Haven Middle School
Spilsbury, Richard. Health and Disease: investigating a TB Outbreak. Chicago: Heinemann, 2014. 978-1-4329-7603-3. 56p. $25.14 Gr.6-9.
The who, what, where and why of tuberculosis as a world -wide disease. Covering everything from diagnosis and treatment to prevention through education and research, this would be a wonderful addition to your 600 collection. While the scientific content and vocabulary is middle or high school level it’s division into small digestible units makes it very readable. A timeline, index, glossary and additional information resources adds to it’s authenticity. Despite the graphic style introduction which adds little to the subject, this book should be given serious consideration.
614.5 Martha Trzepacz Strath Haven Middle School
Jackson, Tom. Green Sea Turtle (The Deep End Animal Life Underwater series). New York: Bearport, 2014. 978-1-61772-9201. 24p. $23.93. Gr. K-3.
Beautifully illustrated with large, full color photographs of sea turtles, this book discusses their habitat, anatomy, life cycle, diet and habits. Each page contains concise, easy-to-read text that would be great for your nature-enthusiast beginning readers or for a read-aloud. Each page’s photo captions and probing content questions appear in a bubble illustration that blends nicely with the nature photography. The book concludes with a clever “Science Lab” and “Science Word” spread that encourages readers to retell concepts and new vocabulary they’ve learned. Includes an index, recommended additional reading, and web links and an answer key to the “Science Lab” questions. My 3rd graders each research an ocean animal and cannot wait to get their hands on books in this series!
597 Sea Turtles, Easy Reader Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School