Monthly Archives: February 2024

MG/YA – Exploring Careers in Engineering

Posted on by
Reply

Dougherty, Terri. Exploring Careers in Engineering. ReferencePoint Press, 2023. $33.05. Grades 6-12.

The first new title in the Exploring Careers series since 2018, Exploring Careers in Engineering offers an introduction (Opportunities Abound for Engineers) followed by six chapters that discuss the various types of engineers (civil, mechanical, environmental, computer, chemical, and biomedical). Each chapter begins with a few facts including Number of Jobs, Pay, Educational Requirements, Personal Qualities, Work Settings, and Future Job Outlook. Chapters then discuss what that type of engineer does, a typical workday, education and training, skills and personality, working conditions, employers and pay, the future outlook, and websites to find out more. The text’s organization and repetition of sections with similar information makes this book easily accessible for a student who wants to compare the various fields within engineering. Backmatter includes Source Notes, Interview with an Environmental Engineer, Other Jobs in Engineering, and an Index. An Exploring Careers in the Military title is scheduled for publication in 2024. With many school districts embracing career pathways as a guiding direction for students, the Exploring Careers series is a solid addition for secondary libraries.

THOUGHTS: Highly recommended for secondary libraries looking to update their career offerings.

620 Engineering

MG/YA – Cyberattacks and Cyberscams: Is There an End in Sight?

Posted on by
Reply

Stephan, Jennifer. Cyberattacks and Cyberscams: Is There an End in Sight? ReferencePoint Press, 2023. $33.05. Grades 6-12.

Unfortunately, avoiding phishers and scammers has become part of everyday life for those who are connected to technology. Cyberattacks and Cyberscams: Is There an End in Sight? offers an introduction (Cyberscams and Cyberattacks Surge) followed by five chapters – Cyberscams, Ransomware Attacks, Nation-State Attacks, Defending Against Scams and Attacks, and What More Can Be Done? Viewpoints are included in the text such as Ransomware Payments Should Be Banned vs. Ransomware Payments Should Not Be Banned, making this title a solid choice for researchers to gather information. Some basic background or vocabulary would be helpful for readers to comprehend the complex technology jargon. Colorful photographs, section headings, and call out boxes enhance the text. Additional backmatter includes Source Notes, Organizations and Websites, For Further Research, and an Index. Though the protect yourself section is brief, its mention of utilizing secure passwords on all devices may encourage readers to think twice before using basic, easily compromised passwords.

THOUGHTS: Though timely, this title may become quickly outdated. Recommended for secondary libraries with a need for updated books on technology crimes.

364.16 Offenses Against Property

MG/YA – Attention Deficit: How Technology Has Hijacked Our Ability to Concentrate

Posted on by
Reply

Kallen, Stuart A. Attention Deficit: How Technology Has Hijacked Our Ability to Concentrate. ReferencePoint Press, 2023. $33.05. Grades 6-12.

Though teens may not want to admit it, their teachers will agree that cell phones in the classroom are a distraction. This title offers an introduction (Smartphones and Ancient Brains) followed by four chapters – Digitally Connected 24/7, Rearranging the Brain, The Myth and Reality of Multitasking, and Time for a Digital Detox? Colorful photographs, section headings, and call out boxes enhance the text and give focus to readers. With Source Notes, Tips for Reducing Digital Distractions, For Further Research, and an Index, this title is sure to be popular for research or casual browsing.

THOUGHTS: Secondary librarians looking to reduce the digital distraction with online research can rely on ReferencePoint Press’s nonfiction titles. Recommended

616.85 Mental Disorders

Elem. – My Senses (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Nilsen, Genevieve. My Senses. Tadpole Books, 2023. $19.29 each or $96.45 Set of 5. Grades K-2.

Hear. 979-8-885-24086-4.
See. 979-8-885-24089-5.
Smell. 979-8-885-24092-5.
Taste. 979-8-885-24095-6.
Touch. 979-8-885-24098-7.

This reviewer had the opportunity to read Hear. Bright photographs accompany sparse text in this nonfiction series. Simple sentences like “I hear a dog bark.” introduce readers to the ways we hear sounds around us. Teachers can use this series for a science lesson on the five senses. With a Table of Contents, Words to Know, Review, Index, and Tools for Caregivers, this series is accessible for young readers who are learning to navigate nonfiction text structures.

THOUGHTS: Purchase this set for elementary libraries serving young readers with an interest in nonfiction text. They’ll experience success reading them quickly and be ready for more.

612.8 Nervous System

YA – Lunar New Year Love Story

Posted on by
Reply

Yang, Gene Luen, and Leuyen Pham. Lunar New Year Love Story. First Second, 2024. 978-1-250-90826-1. 352 p. $17.99. Grades 8-12.

In Valentina’s family, romance has always led to suffering and she fears that she is destined for the same fate. So when her longtime “imaginary” companion Saint Valentine suggests that Val give him her heart so he can keep it safe, she agrees … but bargains to have one year to prove that her fate can be different from her family’s. When Val meets ultra-charming Leslie Liu through a lion dancing performance at a Lunar New Year’s festival, everything is absolutely perfect – at least, it looks that way on Les’s Instagram feed. Val worries that something is missing from her relationship with Les, and maybe it’s because her heart actually belongs to another lion dancer. But is one year enough time to figure out and reveal her true feelings? Lunar New Year Love Story is divided into twelve chapters, each representing a month of the year, and each chapter has a color theme that corresponds with the feng shui wheel. There are so many levels to unpack and adore in this love story about family, friendship, and – of course – romance!

THOUGHTS: No matter the month or the temperature outside, this graphic novel will melt your heart!

Graphic Novel

Elem. – Buffalo Fluffalo

Posted on by
Reply

Kalb, Bess. Buffalo Fluffalo. Illustrated Erin Kraan. Random House Studio, 2024. 978-0-593-56453-0. 40 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Buffalo Fluffalo lives in a stunning valley that features a distant mountain range, majestic pine trees, and a beautiful turquoise lake. But Fluff is a “surly old buffalo / Who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo.” He stomps on flowers, snorts in warning, and wears his fluff like protective armor. His number one request? “Leave me alone because / I’ve had enuffalo!” Despite his grumpy demeanor, affable critters approach with offers of a handmade hat, a race through prairie dog tunnels, and a friendly chat. Fluff meets each offer with a resounding rebuffalo. But when a sudden thunderstorm soaks Fluff to the skin, his true (very diminutive) form is revealed. Embarrassed, Fluff defensively asserts his toughness, until the animals whose friendship he denied step in and assure him that they like him just as he is. The sun comes out and shines on Fluff, surrounded by all of his new, affectionate friends. Readers may even spot a happy tear in his eye! Author Bess Kalb has written Buffalo Fluffalo in playful, rhyming couplets with vocabulary that is somehow both nonsensical and perfectly descriptive (rain lands with a “spluffalo”). Erin Kraan’s delightful illustrations are rendered through hand-carved woodcuts, Photoshop, and acrylic gouache, creating engaging scenes with a variety of textures.

THOUGHTS: Young readers will identify Mr. Fluff’s guarded posturing and root for potential friends to break through his “gruffalo” persona!

Picture Book

Elem. – No Cats in the Library

Posted on by
Reply

Emmons, Lauren. No Cats in the Library. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-1-665-93368-1. 32 p. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

In this heartwarming picture book, a stray creamsicle kitten named Clarisse discovers “a magical building where people walked in empty-handed and came back out with books!” That’s right – it’s the library! Clarisse is determined to get inside, but the children’s librarian is having none of it. Finally Clarisse discovers the book drop, and with a few acrobatic maneuvers, she’s in! Disappointed that she can’t read the books that are full of squiggly dark lines, Clarisse finds a girl in the children’s book section who is happy to read aloud to her. The magic of a read-aloud turns lines on a page into fabulous stories. Knowing a good idea when she sees one, the librarian announces that read-aloud cats are welcome in the library and just like that, Clarisse has a new home! Author and illustrator Lauren Emmons’ artwork is rendered in appealing shades of tangerine, teal, and cream. There is diverse representation among the library patrons: people of various ages, ethnicities, and physical abilities are depicted enjoying everything the library has to offer. Repeated readings will reward readers with little details such as the collar that appears on Clarisse after the librarian makes her announcement. 

THOUGHTS: There’s just something about adorable animals and libraries that go so well together! Readers will delight in reading No Cats in the Library over and over.

Picture Book

Elem./MG – Esports

Posted on by
Reply

Abdo, Kenny. Esports. ABDO Books, 2023. $21.95 each or $131.70 for Set of 6. Grades 2-4.

Call of Duty. 978-1-098-22846-0.
Fortnite. 978-1-098-22847-7.
League of Legends. 978-1-098-22848-4.
NBA 2K. 978-1-098-22849-1.
Overwatch. 978-1-098-22850-7.
Rocket League. 978-1-098-22851-4.

Esports – possibly more popular and well known than your typical physical sport! This Esport series showcases some of the most popular online video games that are currently around. The reviewer read the title Fortnite. Fortnite has had a massive impact on the esport world. Starting with a typical co-op format, it quickly gained traction when it turned into a battle royale. This title highlights the championships, top players, and impact it has made globally.

THOUGHTS: This easy read will be a popular book that will engage young readers who are interested in the game!

794.8 Electronic and Video Games

Elem./MG – Ancient Marine Life (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Moening, Kate. Ancient Marine Life. Bellwether Media. 2023-2024. $19.95 each or $199.50 for set of 10. Grades 3-7.

2023

Archelon. 979-8-886-87168-5.
Ichthyosaurs. 979-8-886-87169-2.
Megalodon. 979-8-886-87170-8.
Mosasaurs. 979-8-886-87171-5.
Plesiosaurs. 979-8-886-87172-2.
Sea Scorpions. 979-8-886-87173-9.

2024

Basilosaurus. 979-8-886-87840-0.
Dunkleosteus. 979-8-886-87841-7.
Livyatan. 979-8-886-87842-4.
Orthocones. 979-8-886-87843-1.

Discover extinct animal life with the series Ancient Marine Life! Take a deep dive into the past with this series. The reviewer read the title Megalodon. Megalodon – the massive ancient shark, so massive it is the largest to ever live! Read about its body parts, life, and extinction. Discover this predator’s prey and environment and where it lived with this easy-to-read text for reluctant readers.

THOUGHTS: This series, while containing some difficult words, is a great resource for reluctant readers. Small groups of text, detailed and colorful pictures, maps, and other resources are available for young readers in this series.

565-567.9 Fossils & Historic Life 

Elem. – Brainpower (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Colich, Abby. Brainpower. Jump!, Inc., 2023. $18.95 each or $75.80 for Set of 4. Grades 2-5.

Your Brain When You’re Angry. 979-8-885-24140-3.
Your Brain When You’re Happy. 979-8-885-24143-4.
Your Brain When You’re Sad. 979-8-885-24146-5.
Your Brain When You’re Scared. 979-8-885-24149-6.

The Brainpower series discusses what happens to the brain when an individual experiences strong emotions, such as anger, happiness, sadness, and fear (being scared). The reviewer read the book Your Brain When You’re Sad. Your Brain When You’re Sad discusses what happens in your brain when a person experiences sadness, the chemical releases and reactions to the emotion, and ways to help cope and manage sadness. The book utilizes photos and diagrams to discuss certain parts of your brain and what occurs at that time. Complete with brightly colored illustrations and goals, this book series helps establish emotions and why they occur.

THOUGHTS: The addition of Grow with Goals included in this series is a fantastic way for young readers to help establish ways to cope with strong emotions. A great beginning series for young readers to learn about their brain and emotions.

152.4-155.4 Emotions