MG – Wrecker

Hiaasen, Carl. Wrecker. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-37629-4. 323 p. $21.99. Grades 6-9.

Fifteen-year-old Valdez Jones VIII, who goes by the nickname Wrecker, takes pride in his family’s legacy as shipwreck salvagers. The salt water and sea air are in his blood, and he spends as much time as possible fishing on his skiff in the waters surrounding Key West. Luckily for him, online schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic means he has much more free time on the boat. During one such fishing outing in his boat, Wrecker helps a speedboat stuck in the shoal. He does not think too much about it until he bumps into the silver-mustached boat owner at the cemetery where Wrecker works as a part-time headstone cleaner. Silver Mustache wants Wrecker to keep an eye on a newly built mausoleum but soon tasks Wrecker with other jobs that are sneaky and illegal. Unknowingly, Wrecker becomes involved in a dangerous smuggling ring, and he must outsmart the smugglers to protect himself and his family.

THOUGHTS: Hiaasen’s Wrecker is an action-packed novel that will delight middle grade students. Intertwined with Wrecker’s adventures are topical situations involving COVID-19 vaccinations, ocean life preservation, and the history of racism on Key West.

Adventure

Elem. – The Frozen Worlds: The Astonishing Nature of the Arctic and Antarctic

Bittel, Jason. The Frozen Worlds: The Astonishing Nature of the Arctic and Antarctic. DK Publishing, 2023. 978-0-744-07000-2. $16.99. 80 p. Grades 2-5.

This beautiful and busy book is an informative and delightful look at both the Arctic and Antarctic. Divided into four main sections that discuss the similarities of each region as well as the different types of life forms that are unique to each pole, and a concluding section covering climate change, its implications for life in these ecosystems, and practical, kid-accessible suggestions to help our planet. Beautiful illustrations composed of hand drawings and photo collage by Clarie McElfatrick are a definite highlight of this selection. Includes a full table of contents, glossary, and index.

THOUGHTS: This is a fabulous choice for elementary nonfiction readers and researchers. Chock-full of information presented in small chunks. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Informative and entertaining, this is a great choice if you are looking to update your animal ecology section.

591.7 Animal Ecology
Animals Characteristic of Specific Environments

Elem. – The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an Island

Fogelson, Marni, and Mahani Teave. The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an Island. Sourcebooks Explore, 2023. 978-1-728-26231-4. $18.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Mahani Teave grew up on Rapu Nui (Easter Island). As a young girl she was fascinated with western classical music. When teachers and artists visited Rapu Nui, Mahani would dabble with various instruments, but the musicians always left and took their instruments with them. One day a retired music teacher moved to Rapu Nui bringing along a piano. It quickly became clear that Mahani was a child prodigy. Chilean pianist Roberto Bravo discovered Mahani at the age of nine and encouraged her to leave the island to study classical piano. Mahani toured the world as a concert pianist for several years. As time went on, Easter Island became a popular tourist destination. Along with the tourists came a considerable amount of trash, much of which ended up in the ocean. When she returned to Rapu Nui, Mahani founded a nonprofit organization focused on developing the cultural opportunities available on the island as well as preserving its ecological landscape. Mahani built a music school out of recycled materials that is run using only natural resources.

THOUGHTS: Interesting story intertwining a young musician’s story with the cultural history of Rapu Nui. In building her music school Mahani was able to give back to her community. She successfully brought musical education to the island’s children, developing a program that also teaches the traditional music, customs, history, and language of the island. Additionally, Mahani was also able to help solve the island’s ecological crisis. Through her non-profit organization the island has set a goal of becoming sustainable and waste free by 2030.

Picture Book
Biography 

Elem. – Serengeti: Plains of Grass

Bulion, Leslie. Serengeti: Plains of Grass. Peachtree, 2022. 978-1-68263-191-1. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades 2-5. 

The Serengeti Plains of Africa host an amazing ecosystem that is explored in Leslie Bulion’s Serengeti: Plains of Grass. In winter, winds carry rain to the Serengeti. Grasses grow, flowers bloom, and then the migration of millions of animals, including wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles begins. Millions of animals travel to the plains to feed on grasses and other plant life. Other animals, like lions and cheetahs, prey on the migrating travelers. Bulion relates these facts via a combination of poetry and narrative. The book is primarily told through verse. As she explains in the back matter, Bulion uses a modified form of the East African Swahili poem form called utendi to create her verse. Each spread includes one stanza of poetry as well as narrative that shares ecological facts relating to the verse. The text is accompanied by Becca Stadtlander’s gouache and pastel illustrations, which bring the open space of the grasslands and its wild inhabitants to life. Back matter includes a glossary, additional resources, and map.

THOUGHTS: The variation on Swahili utendi as a medium to tell this story makes this title an excellent option for read alouds. The verses are both lyrical and informative. A great choice for units on poetry, ecology, geography or animals. Highly recommended.

577.48 Ecology          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – The Whale Who Swam Through Time: A 200-Year-Journey in the Arctic

Boersma, Alex, and Nick Pyenson. The Whale Who Swam Through Time: A 200-Year-Journey in the Arctic. Roaring Brook Press, 2022. 978-1-250-80302-3. Unpaged. $19.99. Grades 1-4.

This amazing nonfiction picture book tells the story of the world’s longest living mammal-the bowhead whale. This remarkable animal spends its entire life in the Arctic Ocean and has a lifespan of two hundred years. In a creative approach, the authors take the reader on a journey from the perspective of a Balaena mysticetus born two centuries ago. As a newborn calf, she and her mother rest undisturbed as they observe a sailing ship quietly making its way through the Northwest Passage. The young one learns from her mother and reaches maturity by age 25 years. As a baleen whale, she feeds by swimming through the water with mouth open, devouring her favorite food-orange copepods. Fifty years later, the bowhead, now with her own calf, encounters a noisy steamship with a crew of whalers. The pair barely escape from a sharp harpoon. At one hundred years of age, the marine mammal faces new threats from both the ocean’s surface and its depths.  Noise from oil drills and submarines travels underwater for miles, interfering with whale communication. Today, fifty years later, the bowhead finds that the ocean is warmer, and the ice is receding. There are dangers from propeller blades, plastic flotsam and jetsam, and fishing lines. What will she experience next over the upcoming decades? In the back matter, the authors provide detailed information about the bowhead’s habits and habitat, as well historical background on the Northwest Passage and whaling. Boersma is also the illustrator and uses a variety of media to create fabulous drawings that showcase the whale’s environment and experiences over time. Young readers will be fascinated by this story of a long-living animal that is left with only distant memories of what once was.

THOUGHTS: This picture book will be useful in science and ecology units.  It is also a good mentor text for creative nonfiction. A first choice for elementary collections.

599.5276 Whales          Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member

Elem. – Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer

Novgorodoff, Danica. Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2022.  978-1-524-77308-3. 39 p. $17.99. Grades K-3.

As a young boy growing up in eighteenth century Germany, Alexander von Humboldt was very curious about the natural world. He was full of questions and wanted to be an explorer like Captain James Cook. Alexander spent many hours outdoors and his observations led him to understand that animals, plants, and the weather are all connected to each other. So he studied science and prepared himself to travel to faraway lands. Von Humboldt’s first voyage was to South America, where he found towering mountains, lush vegetation and unfamiliar animals and people. He soon realized that this New World was not all that different from his home and that he shared a lot in common with the indigenous people. The German explorer recognized that the volcanoes here were situated in a chain and he developed theories about why they erupt. He later wrote and lectured on his findings, thus earning the title of “Father of Ecology.”  The author-illustrator includes a detailed author’s note, maps, and a timeline in the back matter. Novgorodoff uses pencil and watercolor to create engaging illustrations and the text placement creates added interest.

THOUGHTS: This picture book biography is a great choice for ecology units or Earth Day storytimes. It may inspire young explorers to pursue a career in ecology. A must have for elementary collections.

921 Biography          Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member
509.2 Natural Science-Biography

Elem. – Over and Under the Canyon

Messner, Kate. Over and Under the Canyon. Chronicle Books, 2021. 978-1-452-16939-2. 56 p. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

Discover the wonders of a desert ecosystem in the newest edition of Kate Messner’s ecology-based Over and Under series. This story is about one family’s hike through a real-world desert habitat. Messner’s book Over and Under the Canyon aligns perfectly with national science standards with excellent and amazing facts about the animals, wildlife, and wonders that inhabit the desert world. With colorful and vivid illustrations by award-winning artist Christopher Silas Neal, this picture book is undoubtedly driven by an engaging narrative packed with STEM content. In addition, the content within the story provides many opportunities to discuss the importance of natural habitats and ecosystems and how to preserve our natural wonders. As a result, readers will be engaged in every page turn. 

THOUGHTS: Science-loving readers will want to explore this fact-filled story about animals and wildlife. Curiosity may grow with each page, and educators will be able to dive into the well-researched content. Messner’s other books in this series include: Over and Under the Pond and Over and Under the Rainforest. Add this gorgeous book to your science collection! 

Picture Book          Marie Mengel, Reading SD

Elem. – Bright Star

Morales, Yuyi. Bright Star. Holiday House, 2021. Unpaged. 978-0-823-44328-4. $18.99. Grades K-1.

Morales weaves English and Spanish text together to create a heartwarming tale of a young fawn and her mother. As narrator, the doe speaks to her child as they explore the Southwestern desert landscape. She tells her cosita (little thing) that she is a bright star and that she loves her. After hearing a loud sound, the fawn becomes frightened and the mother cautions her to be alert and find a safe space. In soothing tones, the deer comforts her anxious daughter and reminds her that she will never be alone and will always be protected. The illustrations are done in a variety of media, including embroidery, and reveal a few causes of her fear-a snake, a leopard, a cloud of dust, and a wall. In the author’s note, Morales explains that she began this book in 2019 after observing migrants being detained after attempting to cross the border and how the environment was being destroyed by the wall’s construction. Morales’ drawings are a showcase of the flora and fauna of the area, such as a hummingbird, a scorpion, and saguaro cacti, which in one spread are cut down into pieces. The author connects the disruption of the lives of the plants and animals to the disrupted lives of migrants and inhabitants of the region. This is shown in the final pages by the images of children wearing shirts with animal designs and surrounded by desert plants.  This story conveys a message of reassurance and hope during anxious times.

THOUGHTS: Morales’ art is beautiful, and the renderings of the animals, especially the fawn, are charming. Young children will enjoy looking at the creatures and will find comfort in this story. It also could be useful in ecology units. A strong purchase for elementary libraries.

Picture Book          Denise Medwick, Retired PSLA Member

Elem. – Looking at Layers (Series NF)

Looking at Layers. The Child’s World, 2020. $20.00 ea. 24 p. Grades 3-6. 

London, Martha. Looking Inside Earth. 978-1-503-83518-4.
Huddleston, Emma. Looking Inside the Human Body. 978-1-503-83519-1.
—. Looking Into Caves. 978-1-503-83522-1.
—. Looking Into Soil. 978-1-503-83520-7.
London, Martha. Looking Into the Atmosphere. 978-1-503-83516-0.
—. Looking Into the Grand Canyon. 978-1-503-83517-7.
—. Looking Into the Ocean. 978-1-503-83515-3.
Huddleton, Emma. Looking Into the Rain Forest. 978-1-503-83521-4.

An attractive nonfiction series exploring various layers of natural things, from the human body to soil to the rainforest. Straightforward text clearly explains concepts with a natural projection from outward layers in. Words from the glossary are highlighted in red which is a nice feature for readers. Sidebars focus on timely topics, such as “Creating Mountains” when text discusses tectonic plates in Looking Inside Earth. Visuals are both illustrations and photographs. Looking Inside the Human Body has fascinating illustrations of many body systems that will keep little readers absorbed. Back matter includes a helpful Fast Facts section that covers main points from the text, a glossary, “To Learn More” section, and index.

THOUGHTS: Nice collection additions if nonfiction is hot.

500s-600s          Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin SD

Elem. – Habitat Hunter (Series NF)

Potts, Nikki. Habitat Hunter. Ill. Maarten Lenoir, Picture Window Books, 2020. 31 p. $132.24 set of 6. $21.99 ea. Grades PreK-2.

Frog Moves out of the Rain Forest. 978-1-977-11423-5. 
Goat Moves out of the Barnyard.
978-1-977-11421-1.
Meerkat Moves out of the Desert
. 978-1-977-11419-8.
Owl Moves out of the Forest. 978-1-977-11424-2.
Penguin Moves out of the Antarctic. 978-1-977-11422-8.
Shark Moves out of the Ocean.
978-1-977-11420-4.

“Meerkats, meerkats everywhere!” (1), and Meerkat is not happy about it.  She wants a new home she does not have to share, so she sets out to find her new home. Meerkat tries the mountains, but they’re too quiet. She tries a cave, but it’s too cold and has too many bats.  Next she tries a playground; it seems like a great home with all of the tunnels, but the slide is too hot, and the monkey bars are too high. After trying a garden, Meerkat decides her own home is the best home and returns to it.

THOUGHTSMeerkat Moves out of the Desert is a fun way for young readers to learn about meerkats. Combining both pictures and illustrations, readers learn about various homes for Meerkat while also learning why the new habitat isn’t quite right. In the end, Meerkat’s realization that her habitat is the best not only solidifies basic understanding of a meerkat, but it also teaches readers to appreciate their home and family and that something different is not always best.  This title, as with the other titles in this series, also includes a page about the highlighted animal (meerkats) and an “Animal Passport.” This title is also useful for teaching comparing and contrasting because of the various homes Meerkat considers.

 

 

 

Animals        Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD