Elementary NF – Zaha Hadid; Europe’s Best Soccer Clubs; Harriet Tubman; Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Winter, Jeanette. The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid. Beach Lane Books, 2017. 978-1481446693. 32 pp. $17.99. Gr. Pre-K – 5.

As a child in Iran, Zaha Hadid grew up visiting natural places and ancient ruins. Throughout her life, the memories of these locations never leave her. Hadid travels to London to attend school and becomes an architect. The book presents the obstacles Hadid had to overcome, as a young female math-loving grade school student and as a Muslim at a Catholic school. Hadid was selected as the winner of an architecture contest twice, but the city refused to build the concert hall she designed because of her gender and ethnicity and the building’s unconventional style. Hadid perseveres and prevails, with the author showing in simple elegant images how seashells became sports stadiums and marsh grass inspired buildings that resembled waving. THOUGHTS: A valuable addition to any library collection, this well-told, inspirational story highlights the accomplishments of a woman who overcame great challenges because of her gender, her religion, where she came from, and her unconventional ideas.

Biography; Picture Book          Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

 

Europe’s Best Soccer Clubs. ABDO, 2018. $22.95 ea. $183.60 set of 8. 48p. Gr. 3-6.
Avise, Jonathan. FC Barcelona. 978-1-5321-1131-0.
Carothers, Thomas. Juventus FC. 978-1-5321-1134-1.
Karpovich, Todd. Manchester United. 978-1-5321-1135-8.
Kortemeier, Todd. AC Milan. 978-1-5321-1129-7.
Kortemeier, Todd. Real Madrid CF. 978-1-5321-1136-5.
Marthaler, Jon. Arsenal FC. 978-1-5321-1130-3.
Marthaler, Jon. FC Bayern Munich. 978-1-5321-1132-7.
Seidel, Jeff. Chelsea FC. 978-1-5321-1133-4.
European soccer seemingly gains in popularity in the United States with every passing year. In an effort to better inform U.S. fans about their favorite teams, ABDO has recently released a new eight volume series entitled Europe’s Best Soccer Clubs. Each volume outlines the history of the club, highlights well-known players and matches from club history, and discusses club traditions. The volume received for review, Arsensal FC, spotlights one of England’s most popular football clubs. Not only does this volume explain the basic information about the club, it also includes information about the various leagues and cups present in European football. The text is supplemented by current and historical photos as well as fact boxes, a timeline, glossary, and a website to obtain further up-to-date informational links on the club. THOUGHTS: If your school has soccer fans, you will want to add this series to your collection. While biographies of individual European players are not uncommon for middle grade readers, books that focus on individual clubs fill a void in the soccer nonfiction market. Recommended.
796.334 Soccer     Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

 

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Before She Was Harriet. Holiday House, 2017. 9780823420476. Unpaged.Gr. 2-5.

Cline-Ransome takes us on a journey through the life of Harriet Tubman in this unique picture book biography. Told in reverse chronological order, the book describes the various roles that Tubman played as an important figure in American history.  Some of these may not be as well-known to young readers, such as nurse, Union spy, and suffragist. Each page discusses one of these roles in simple yet lyrical text and is accompanied by full bleed illustrations by the award winning illustrator James Ransome.   Most illustrations depict Harriet on a large scale, so that she is the main focus of each two page spread. The story comes full circle as it begins and ends with Harriet as an old woman. The concept of journey is conveyed even further by the metaphor of the train and other modes of transportation, such as the boat in the river and the soldiers riding horses.  Ransome includes an illustration of a train in the countryside before the title page.  On the title page itself, we see a woman waiting for this train.  At the end of the book, we meet this woman again, now knowing that this is Harriet, who is free to ride this train wherever she chooses.   The author is perhaps sending the message that Harriet is no longer “riding” the Underground Railroad as an oppressed person because she is now free. THOUGHTS:  This is a beautiful book that deserves a place in every library collection.  While not a detailed account of Tubman’s life, this tribute is a wonderful introduction.  Young readers will gain a better understanding of Tubman’s many accomplishments and how one person can change the world.

Biography; Picture Book         Denise Medwick, West Allegheny SD

 

Winter, Jonah. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2017. 978-1419725593. 32 pp. $17.99. Gr. 2-5.

This biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is told as a picture book court case. With unusual and eye-catching illustrations, this highly reviewed version of Bader Ginsburg’s life shows her courage and fortitude in the face of prejudice and gender discrimination. Starting with her father and continuing through her education and being a working mother, Bader Ginsburg proves to everyone that she wins against inequality.  THOUGHTS: This is a great introduction to any research project about overcoming hardships to succeed. Particularly appropriate in highlighting women in leadership roles.

Biography; Picture Book     Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

Series Nonfiction for Jr. High and HS

atomictheory

The Importance of Scientific Theory. San Diego: Reference Point Press, 2016. $38.60 ea. $231.60 set of 6. 80p. Gr. 7 and up.

Allen, John. The Importance of Atomic Theory. 978-1-60152-786-8.

Allen, John. The Importance of Cell Theory. 978-1-60152-888-9.

Allman, Toney. The Importance of Germ Theory. 978-1-60152-890-2.

Allman, Toney. The Importance of the Laws of Motion. 978-1-60152-892-6.

Currie, Stephen. The Importance of Evolution Theory. 978-1-60152-896-4.

Parks, Peggy J. The Importance of Plate Tectonic Theory. 978-1-60152-894-0.

The Importance of Scientific Theory series from Reference Point Press looks at specific scientific discoveries and the development of scientific thought throughout history and in modern day.  In The Importance of Atomic Theory, John Allen looks at what the atomic theory is, how it was developed, the impact of nuclear energy, modern medicine and medical technology, and the impact of atomic theory in chemistry and consumer electronics.  Each book in the series includes a foreward, a timeline of important dates in the history of the topic, source notes, a section about the pioneers and important scientists in the field, a section for further research, and an index.  Titles also include photographs and diagrams along with “pop out boxes” with information about particular incidents, tragedies, events, and people within the specific scientific theory area of study and red “words in context” boxes that explain terms.  THOUGHTS:  This is an excellent addition to high school science collections.  This series will allow further exploration of topics that may only be briefly covered in the curriculum (Can you say…science research!).

Scientific Theory       Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City

ACMilan

Whiting, Jim. Soccer Champions. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 2016. $12.00 ea. 48p. Gr. 7 and up.

AC Milan. 978-1-60818-590-0.

Bayern Munich. 978-1-60818-587-0.

FC Barcelona. 978-1-60818-586-3.

Liverpool FC. 978-1-60818-588-7.

Manchester United. 978-1-60818-589-4.

Real Madrid. 978-4-60818-591-7.

Soccer Champions, a new series from Creative Education, takes a look at the history, players, and current state of some of the most famous football clubs in the world.  Each text includes colorful and black and white photos of matches, players, and the club as a whole and is broken into chapters that explain how the club developed into one of the most famous football clubs in the world.  Each text also includes “Memorable Matches”, a timeline explaining some of the best match ups in club history; “Famous Footballers”, highlighting the clubs’ best and most well-known players; “Titles”, those held by the club; a selected bibliography; websites for more information, and an index.  THOUGHTS:  This is a must-have series for junior high and high schools with a love of soccer.  Students will enjoy reading up on the football clubs and teams, especially with the Summer Olympics coming soon.

Soccer       Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City

FBIcover

Agents of Government. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 2016. $26.95 ea. $161.70 set of 6. 48p. Gr. 7 and up.

Bodden, Valerie. Federal Reserve System. 978-1-60818-546-7.

Bodden, Valerie. National Transportation Safety Board. 978-1-60818-548-1.

Wimmer, Teresa. Environmental Protection Agency. 978-1-60818-544-3.

Wimmer, Teresa. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 978-1-60818-545-0.

Wimmer, Teresa. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 978-1-60818-547-4.

Wimmer, Teresa. Peace Corps. 978-1-60818-549-8.

Agents of Government, a new series from Creative Education, looks at six different departments within the United States government.  Each text is divided into chapters with focuses on aspects of the particular agency.  For example, in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, chapter titles include: “Introduction”, a brief overview of the FBI; “Law and Disorder”, a chapter focused on the creation of the FBI and the development of the agency; “Gangs and Controversies”, focuses on the mafia, counterintelligence, white collar crime, espionage, and counterterrorism; “Stabilizing Structure”, a chapter about the structure of the FBI and current state of the department, and finally, “Securing the Unknown”, a chapter about the changes in the FBI after the attacks on September 11, 2001, and how the focus of the agency has changed.  Within each chapter of each book, sections “Agency Insiders” and “Around the World” are included.  In the FBI text, these sections include topics such as Emma Goldman, the Rosenbergs, Public Enemy No. 1, and the KGB.  In addition to the interesting chapters and sections, each text also includes a glossary and index along with color and black and white photos that support the topics presented and the agency as a whole.  THOUGHTS: This is a must-have nonfiction series for all junior high and high schools.  Even if the topics do not correspond directly with curricular areas (most should with government and/or history courses), the information about the agencies is very interesting and could be used during career research or for personal entertainment/exploration.

Social Sciences (300s); Government       Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City