Animal Life Stories (Series). North Mankato,: Capstone, 2014. 32p. $19.99ea. Gr. 1-3.
Guillain, Charlotte. Life story of a Butterfly. 978-1-4846-0487-8.
Guillain, Charlotte. Life story of a Frog. 978-1-4846-0488-2.
Guillain, Charlotte. Life story of a Ladybug. 978-1-4846-0493-9.
Guillain, Charlotte. Life story of a Salamander. 978-1-4846-0490-8.
Follow the amazing transformations of these fascinating insects and amphibians. Beautiful up-close full color photographs, along with diagrams and clear labels take the reader through the life cycles from egg and larvae to full grown adults! The photographs were absolutely mesmerizing for young readers.  This collection is perfect for primary grades learning about life cycles or as an extension to a Kindergarten butterfly unit.
500; Animals                    Robin Bartley, Davis Elementary School

DePrince, Michaela and Elaine, Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer. New York: Random House, 2014. 978-0-385-75515-3. 43 pages. $3.99.  Grades 1-3.
Little girls often dream of being a ballerina.  For little Michaela, that dream was next to impossible. She was an orphan living in war torn Sierra Leon.  When a scrap of paper blew into the yard of the orphanage, Michaela saw the beautiful girl in the fluffy skirt and pink shoes with ribbons.  When her teacher explained that this was a dancer, Michaela a dreamed of someday becoming a dancer and promised herself that if she ever got the chance, she would work very hard to realize her dream. When she and her best friend were adopted by a woman from America, her new mother promises that she would take lessons and have the opportunity to make her dream come true.  Years later, she is now a professional dancer. The timeless message of working hard to achieve your dreams is inspiring to any young girl or boy who dreams big. This biography reader is a great addition to any non- fiction collection!
Biography         Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy

McCully, Emily Arnold. Strongheart: The World’s First Movie Star Dog. New York: Henry Holt and          Company, 2014. 978-0-8050-9448-0. 32 p. $17.99. Gr. K-3.McCully’s charming work in historical fiction (Wonder Horse and The Secret Cave) continues with Strongheart: The World’s First Movie Star Dog. Strongheart was born Etzel von Oeringen, a trained German police dog who was sent to America after World War I. He ended up at a kennel in New York and was discovered by movie director Larry Trimble who was looking for a dog to star in a new movie. Larry and wife Jane adopted Etzel and taught him how to be a “normal” dog that enjoyed playtime, toys, and animal companions, and not just work. Etzel was wonderful at recognizing human emotions and mimicking them in his own behavior, making him perfect for work in a movie. He was renamed Strongheart and his first movie, The Silent Call, was a great success; he went on to star in several other movies with Lady Jule, his mate.

This book will appeal to any dog-lover, young or old. Strongheart was clearly a highly intelligent, remarkable dog who lived an extraordinary life. McCully includes an Author’s Note in the back of the book that clarifies the origins of some parts of the story and provides extra information. The illustrations are beautiful with lush colors and lots of white space. This book is sure to be a popular addition!
Picture book/Nonfiction          Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools

Hanson, Anders. Everyone is Equal (What We Stand For). North Mankato: ABDO, 2015. 978-1-62403-293-6. 24 p. $17.95. Gr. K-3.
Hanson, Anders. No Bullies Allowed! (What We Stand For). North Mankato: ABDO, 2015. 978-1-62403-296-7. 24 p. $17.95. Gr. K-3.
This series has six titles that teach children about diversity and overcoming challenges (Do Something for Others, Everyone is Equal, Keeping the Peace, Land of the Free, No Bullies Allowed!, Stand Up For Yourself). These titles provide very basic information on each topic along with how children can be involved (such as how kids can be tolerant of others) or take control (such as how children can stand up for themselves). These titles are written for young students with basic vocabulary and attractive photographs. Each title contains a table of contents and glossary.

This series is a serviceable introduction to each topic; I reviewed two of the six titles and No Bullies Allowed! is a stronger title than Everyone is Equal. No Bullies Allowed! introduces the concept of bullying in many forms including cyber bullying. Children are encouraged to stick up for themselves, stay true to what they believe, share their feelings, and help others in similar situations. Purchase if your collection is in need of character development books for younger students.
305; Groups of people                     Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools

Thompson, Ben. Guts and Glory: The American Civil War. New York: Little, Brown, 2014. 978-0-316-32050-4. $17.00 Gr. 3-6.Key battles, events and individuals from the American Civil War are detailed in the novel accompanied with illustrations. The novel is fast paced detailing history while incorporating in pop-culture to the retellings. Examples of the pop-culture infusion would be the comparison of upgrading I-phones compared to the change to the USS Merrimack or simply referring to the Emancipation Proclamation as a doc rather than a document. Figures including Clara Barton, Stonewall Jackson, Burnside, Lee, Grant, Tubman, Custer, and Sherman are brought to life with not only the detail of their roles but the qualities that made them unique humans with primary quotations provided as well. The battles are broken down to show the number of troops, the number of casualties and the result. A detailed bibliography is available to the close of the novel. NOTE: I reviewed the ARC (advanced reader copy, a publisher’s proof), and not the final published version of this book.
973.7 Nonfiction, American History            Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Seaver, Barton. National Geographic Kids Cookbook: A Year-Round FUN Food Adventure. National Geographic: Washington DC. 2014. 9781426317187. 160 pages. $28.90. Gr. 3-6.
This month-by-month informational cookbook provides recipes based on the seasons, family challenges, and a ‘green scene’ section, which includes eco-friendly activities for the entire family or classroom. This cookbook would be best for older students due to the amount of information provided, detailed vocabulary, and instructions. This book could be used in conjunction with a social studies project that involves different cultures and holidays.
Cookbook 641.5          Krista Goodzinksi/Mars Centennial

Osborne, Mary Pope . Ninjas and Samurai (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series). New York: Random House, 2014. 978-0-385-386326. 123p. $5.99. Gr. K-3.
I always wondered about the relationship was between the legendary Samurai warriors of Japan and the secretive, daring Ninja fighters, and thanks to the Osborne sisters, I now know! Companion to Magic Tree House book #5, Night of the Ninjas, this well-written and informative little book explains all about the history of ancient feudal Japan, its Shogun land barons, their Samurai “knights,” and the shadowy Ninja hill people who could spy, steal and kill seemingly without a trace. Packed with lots of fun photos and illustrations, Jack and Annie lead us through this history lesson in short, easy and fun to read chapters. The book is wrapped up with lots of helpful places kids can go to learn more on the topics as well as a helpful index. Your nonfiction and history buffs will love this!
952 Japan history    Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School         

 

Osborne, Mary Pope . Magic Tree House Survival Guide, (companion to Magic Tree House fiction series). New York: Random House, 2014.  978-0-553-497373. 144p.  $12.99. Gr. 2-5.
Mary Pope Osborne has again teamed up with her sister and co-author of the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers to bring us this beautiful hardcover contains a compass set into the book cover, sure to entice all your Jack and Annie fans to crack open the book to find out more! Magic Tree House fans know that Jack and Annie have survived a mind-boggling number of threats and disasters, and they’re here to tell us all how to survive some of the worst. The book is divided into four sections: Wilderness Skills, Surviving Wild Animal attacks, Extreme Weather, and Natural Disasters. Each of the four sections contains 2-3 page chapters on a specific skill or threat – how to find water or how to survive a bear attack for example – jam-packed with photos and illustrations. Very informative and lots of fun for kids who love nonfiction, danger and disaster survival stories.
796 Outdoor Sports/Skills      Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School