Sisson, Stephanie Roth. Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 978-159643-960-3. 31 p. $17.99. Gr. K-3.
“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.” This beautiful quote from Carl Sagan, seen on the very first page of the book just before the title page, acts as a preface to the story about to unfold. We get a sense of who Carl Sagan is, even before we really begin exploring his life. This quote is also a nice way to invite readers to turn each page with an open mind and imagination. The story begins, “In the Milky Way galaxy…/ In a neighborhood of stars…/ On the third planet from our sun…/ In a big city…/ In a small apartment…/ Lived a boy named Carl.” Fittingly, to be introduced to Sagan, we must first enter the galaxy of stars. Carl, like many youngsters, had a very curious mind and found the world fascinating, especially the part of the world that seemed so very far away. To find answers about the stars, the things that astonished Carl the most, he read plentiful books and quickly became an expert. His life became dedicated to science and learning about the planets, stars, and the solar system. It wasn’t long before Carl, the curious little boy in the small apartment, became Dr. Sagan, one of the most influential, dedicated, and well-loved scientists. In many ways, Sagan changed the way people thought about our universe. He was an inspirational voice in the world of science, as he balanced his commitment to research with his understanding about the magic of imagination and wonder.
Star Stuff has so much to offer to such a wide-range audience. While the subject matter is complex, Sisson manages to keep things simple, accessible, and interesting for even our youngest readers. Gorgeous and whimsical illustrations awaken our imaginations as we read, just as Sagan would have wanted. Also, for those looking for something a little more technical and advanced, extra notes and sources are provided on the last few pages.
520.92 Science, Astronomy Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary
From Olden Days to Modern Ways in Your Community (Series). New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2014. 24 p. $23.60ea. Gr. 2-5.
Kalman, Bobbie. Food and Farming Then and Now. 978-0-7787-0126-2.
Kalman, Bobbie. School Days Then and Now. 978-0-7787-0127-9.
Food and Farming and School Days offer readers a glimpse into the past as well as valuable information regarding our modern world and how things have changed over the years. Both books offer staple non-fiction text features including table of contents, glossary, index, and related sources. The pages are filled with photographs, illustrations, and sidebars giving readers plenty to look at and consider while browsing. Many of the sidebars even provide prompts for critical thinking. These resources could easily be used for research purposes or simply just for fun! Other books in the From Olden Days to Modern Ways in Your Community series include, Communication, Community Helpers, Toys and Games, and Travel.
630; Agriculture & Food, 371; School & Education Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary
Markovics, Joyce. My Legs Are Long and Strong. New York: Bearport Publishing, 2014. 978-1-62724-108-3. $17.95. Gr. PreK-2.
This unique take on a non-fiction animal book starts off as a guessing game. Simple text and photographs of only parts of the animal in question prompt readers to really examine what they are learning about. We learn that this animal has a long neck, feathers, and wings but cannot fly. As each page is turned, more clues and photographs are revealed until at last we see that the mystery animal is..an ostrich! The last several pages look a little more like a standard animal book that one might use for research, providing quick facts about food, size, weight, life-span, and habitat of the ostrich.
With the recent push for young students to read more non-fiction titles, I think this book send a great message. Early readers will find the guessing aspect exciting and fun, yet there is still a lot of learning a lot along the way. My Legs are Long and Strong is just one book in the Zoo Clues series.
598.5 Ostriches, Animals Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary
Greenlaw, Dr. M. Jean. Flood. New York: Bearport Publishing, 2014. 978-1-62724-129-8. $17.95. Gr. 1-3.
A simple but fact-filled look at the dangers of floods, this book offers just enough to leave readers feeling intrigued as well as informed. Most of the book is presented as a giant caution sign. Bright yellow boxes contain the main text while smaller, red and black boxes offer extra facts and tips. Alongside the text are large, colored photographs of real-life flood disaster zones. They depict people being rescued and houses almost completely covered by water. The use of caution sign colors and very real photographs help to convey the seriousness of floods and how dangerous they can be. The last few pages offer suggestions on staying safe if a flood were to occur, helping to put a readers mind at ease.
This book is part of the It’s a Disaster series. Other titles include Blizzard, Earthquake, Hurricane, Tornado, and Tsunami.
551.48 Science & Nature, Floods, Disasters Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary
Kolpin, Molly. All About Horses: Everything a Horse-Crazy Girl Needs to Know. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2015. 978-1-4914-0710-3. $27.32. Gr. 3-6.
This book truly maps out just about everything one would want to know about horses. The information is broad as it encompases all breeds, but with stylisitc layouts, interesting text, and beautiful photographs, it doesn’t feel like overload when reading. Readers will learn how horses came to be what they are today by taking a closer look at their prehistoric ancestors. Also included in this book are facts about coloring, facial markings, senses, and communication. There are even several multiple choice quizzes available for anyone wishing to take their horse knowledge to another level. I especially enjoyed reading the section about horse care, which explains how owning a horse can be rewarding, but that it also takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Included in this section are suggestions for those who love horses but may not have the opportunity to own one, such as joining clubs or groups dedicated to horses or reading books about horses to learn as much as possible.
Along with the great information about horses, this book also works to empower readers, the target audience being girls. One section in particular discusses how the role of the female horse is essential to group dynamic and decision-making.This book is part of the Crazy About Horses series. Other titles include From Head to Tail: All About Horse Care, Favorite Horses: Breeds Girls Love, and Saddle Up: Riding and Competitions for Horse Lovers.
636.1 Horses, Animals Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary
Stewart, Melissa. Feathers: Not Just for Flying. 978-1580894302. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2014. 32p. $17.95. Gr. 1 -4.
Whether a particular bird’s plumage was designed to function as a brush, a sponge, camouflage or to attract a mate, feathers are a wonder of nature. This breathtakingly beautiful illustrated book will delight your bird fans and would make an excellent text to teach science, nature, and bird studies. The first part of the book contains a page or a spread each focusing on a different bird and what its feathers do, laid out scrapbook-style. For example, we learn that the American Bittern’s feathers contain “brittle tips that crumble into a dusty powder…perfect for scouring away the dirt and slimy fish oil that sticks to its feathers.” This Bittern spread contains an illustration of the bird, and enlarged painting of a feather, and a small “scrubby” graphic. The book ends with a spread of all different types of feathers captioned with their function. In the Author’s Note we learn Stewart relied on books, journl a articles, interviews with experts, and her own field journals and observations. She tells us in spending three years compiling this book “I finally latched onto the idea of comparing feathers to common objects in our lives. That’s when ….I knew the manuscript was ready.” Indeed. Highly, highly recommended!
598.14 Birds Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Morse, Jenifer Corr. 2015 Book of World Records. New York: Scholastic, 2014. 978-0-545-67950-3. 316 p. $10.99. Gr. 3-8.
So many facts are found within the book of records divided into main topic of science and technology, money, pop culture, nature, US and sports. Tie in with science curriculum can be explored through the sections of natural formations, animals, weather, plants, and disasters in the section for nature. This book is in full color with images and bar charts denoting the top five for each respective category. Our students will take interest in the tradition of drive-in theaters and amusement parks in Pennsylvania. The book concludes with an index and information about the contest Read the Most.
031 Nonfiction, Generalities Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Rake, Jody Sullivan. Star-Nosed Moles and Other Extreme Animal Adaptations (Fact Finders series). 9781491401675. N. Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2014. 32p. $19.99. NF Gr 3-4
Your animal loving kiddies – including your reluctant readers – will not be able to put down this fascinating and fun book. With arguably one of the oddest-looking creatures in all of nature, the Star-Nosed Mole, on the cover, this book covers a number of the more obscure mammals including the fur-covered Pink Fairy Armadillo, the tusked Chinese Water Deer and the tusked Narwhal. Each short section contains gorgeous photography and highlights the adaptation that has allowed a particular mammal to survive and thrive in an extreme environment, on land and in the sea. End notes include a glossary, sources for further investigation, index, and Common Core critical thinking prompts. Fabulous, highly recommended!
599 Mammals Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Kincade, Chris. Encountering Aliens: Eyewitness Accounts (Eyewitness to the Unexplained series). 9781491402443. N. Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2014. 32p. $20.49. Gr 3-9.
I love this book! My middle school self would have giddily gobbled it up (as my adult self just did!). Told in graphic novel form, 9 stories of alien abductions from the 1950s to the present day are told in 2 or 3 pages. Great for reluctant and lower level readers, as well as those who want to grab something fun and quick to read. At the end we have an index, glossary and sources for further investigation, both print and online. Highly recommended!
999 Extraterrestrials Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Throb, Claire. All About Roots. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2014. 978-1-4846-0508-0. 24 p. $16.00. Gr. K-2.
This series has five different titles all about plants (All About Flowers, All About Leaves, All About Roots, All About Seeds, All About Stems). These titles provide very basic information on different parts of plants, what plants need to grow, and and simple facts about the selected plant part. Each page features an illustration, usually a beautifully colored photograph, which pairs well with the simple text (usually 1-2 sentences) on each page. Each title contains a picture glossary, index, and notes for parents and teachers.
These titles are good basic introductions to plants and plant parts. The basic text make them ideal for beginning readers and the accompanying photographs will help readers with words that they don’t know. There is no new ground covered here, but if your plant section needs an update or you lack plant titles for beginning readers, you will be pleased with this set.
Nonfiction; 581.4 Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools
Cannons, Helen Cox. Clouds. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2014. 978-1-4846-0544-8. 24 p. $16.00. Gr. K-2.
This series has six titles about different kinds of weather (Clouds, Rain, Snow, Sunshine, Thunder and Lightning, Wind). These titles provide very basic information on different kinds of weather, how weather is formed and changes, and how different kinds of weather affect people. Clouds includes two page spreads on topics like “What are Clouds?”, “How Do Clouds Move?” and “How Do Clouds Help Us?” Each page features a color diagram or photograph and two or three sentences of leveled text. These titles each contain a picture glossary, index, and notes for parents and teachers.
This series provides a simple, easy to understand look at weather. There are several nonfiction text features included and the illustrations are visually pleasing. There are several good weather sets for beginning readers and this set ranks among them. Consider it if weather books are popular with your youngest students.
Nonfiction; 551.57 Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools
Sis, Peter. The Pilot and the Little Prince. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2014. 978-0-374-38069-4. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades 2-5.
Peter Sis gives his unique biography treatment to an adventurer, aviator, and author named Antoine De Saint-Exupery. Antoine lived at the turn of the last century, when flight was developing and dangerous, in times of peace and war. This would be a great true story even if you aren’t familiar with his famous story, The Little Prince. Peter Sis does an expert job of giving layers to the story, making the reader decode between the text, the italicized extra text, the illustrations, and the smaller circular illustrations with captions! The illustrations are cleverly designed for effect with maps and crashes and oceans taking on multiple meanings and shapes. This is an excellent addition to the picture book biography category about an amazing life!
Biography Dustin Brackbill State College Area School District
Boyce, Natalie Pope and Osborne, Mary Pope. China; Land of the Emperor’s Great Wall; A non-fiction companion to Magic Tree House #14; Day of the Dragon King. New York: Random House, 2014. 978-0-385-38635-7.121 p. $ 5.99.Grades 2-5.
In this latest installment of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, Osborne gives facts about the country of China, the setting for her fourteenth book “Day of the Dragon King”. Osborne and co-autho r and sister, Natalie, cover the history of China, the Great Wall, as well as Chinese culture, festivals and traditions.
These easy to read volumes are a wonderful series that brings the familiar characters of Jack and Annie along on a non-fiction adventure into history. These are a great non-fiction chapter books that give the early elementary reader the facts in a fun and friendly format.
Non-Fiction Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Berger, Melvin and Gilda. 101 Hidden Animals. New York: Scholastic, 2014. 978-0-545-67016-6. 104 p. $8.99. Grades 2-5.
Did you know that an orchid mantis is a beautiful white and pink insect that blends beautifully with the white and pink orchids of South Asia? This insect actually sits in the center of the flower and is virtually invisible to its unsuspecting prey! This beautiful book is a stunning collection of photographs paired with non-fiction text about animals that are masters of camouflage. Each page has a bright photograph paired with information on that creature in an easy to read format and written on a fifth grade reading level. Students who love animals and non-fiction will be drawn to the wonderful color photos and wide variety of creatures from both land and sea.
This book would be a great addition to a non-fiction collection. It would also be fun for a unit on animal adaptations, camouflage or habitats. An instructor could highlight an animal or two a day, or challenge students to pick an animal and learn more about where they live and other facts about them. A super compilation of unusual species that would be great for any library collection!
Non-Fiction Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Warner, Gertrude Chandler. The Boxcar Children Guide to Adventure; A How-to for Mystery Solving, Make-It-Yourself Projects, and More. Chicago: Albert Whitman , 2014. 978-0-8075-0905-0. 149 p. $8.99. Grades 2-5.
This fun guide is a ‘how to” that ties in with the popular Boxcar Children series. This book tells the basics of solving a mystery, tips for a good disguise and how to create a tool kit for adventure. There are fun ideas for outdoor activities such as fishing, pitching a tent and following animal tracks. There are indoor ideas like building a sofa fort, yummy recipes that are simple to make and a whole chapter of “unplugged games”. The chapter on road trips gives tips on how to pack, simple games for the car and even tips on taking good pictures. This book is a great way to re-introduce this timeless series and add some non-fiction “unplugged” fun!
Non-Fiction/How-To Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Elliott, Dave. Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. On the Wing. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick, 2014. 978-0-7636-5324-8. $14.49. 32 p. Gr. K-6.
Receiving starred reviews in SLJ and Kirkus Reviews, On the Wing introduces readers to lovely artwork, birds, and free verse poetry in one fell swoop. The book later received additional accolades with SLJ Best Book of 2014 and NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts. There is so much integration that this picture book can add to lessons regarding poetry, birds, geography and art technique. Another lesson could be comparing the birds to the work of James Audubon. The albatross, puffin, cardinal, Great Horned Owl, Japanese Crane, Caribbean Flamingo, hummingbird and crow are some of the stars of the book. Be sure to include the book trailer into lessons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJN4Z9CUIgA
811 Poetry, Birds Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Roy, Katherine. Neighborhood Sharks, Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands. New York: David Macaulay Studio~ Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 978-1-59643-874-3. 40p. $15.34. Gr. 3-6
This book is a phenomenal shark resource sure to engage and captivate readers. It is a wealth of information told in a captivating way. The illustrations are vivid, appealing to this target age group. The balance of text and illustration and captions is perfect. The amount of information poured into forty pages is extraordinary. Each two-page spread is balance with engaging facts while the next two pages are an illustration. The last two pages of the book provide additional resources, and notes from the author, including a map of the area. This resource is a must have for any library.
597.3: Sharks Denise Naumann, Eisenhower Elementary