Tag Archives: Nonfiction

Elem. – Animal Battles (Series NF)

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Sommer, Nathan. Animal Battles. Bellwether Media, 2024. $19.95 ea. $79.80 set of 4. 24 p. Grades 2-4. 

Arctic Fox vs. Snowy Owl. 979-8-886-87456-3.
Burmese Python vs. Sun Bear. 979-8-886-87457-0.
Crocodile Monitor vs. Southern Cassowary. 979-8-886-87458-7.
Harpy Eagle vs. Ocelot. 979-8-886-87459-4.

Young readers will have the opportunity to learn more about fierce animal predators in Bellether’s ever expanding Animal Battles series. This reviewer had the opportunity to read the volume entitled Arctic Fox vs. Snowy Owl. An introductory chapter provides basic information about each animal including physical characteristics, habitat, etc. Next, readers are introduced to each animal’s secret weapons. The arctic fox counts exceptional senses of smell and hearing as well as the ability to run fast among their secret weapons. The snowy owl has large wings with comb shaped feathers that enable them to fly silently. They also have excellent eyesight. Each animal’s secret weapons serve as advantages when hunting prey. The attack moves, and tactics of each animal are also profiled. The title concludes with a narrative style chapter in which the profiled animals do battle. Backmatter includes a glossary as well as directions to web resources.

THOUGHTS: This series is sure to hold appeal for fans of animal stories or action-related tales. Fans of fact-style books will also find much to appreciate. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous high-quality photos. Recommended.

598 Animals

MG – Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II

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Hopkinson, Deborah. Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II. Scholastic Focus, 2023. 978-1-338-74616-7. $19.99. 320 p. Grades 5-8. 

Author Deborah Hopkinson chronicles the experiences of American prisoners of war in the Philippines during World War II in this engaging narrative nonfiction title. Letters, oral histories, interviews, maps and photographs are utilized to help tell the stories of American and Filipino soldiers and civilians, men, and women, in the days, months, and years following America’s entry into the war. Readers follow the experiences of soldiers, army doctors and nurses, American and Filipino civilians, guerilla fighters, and others, before, during, and after the Battle of Bataan. The forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war on what became known as the Bataan Death March, as well as their experiences in the prisoner of war camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan are also recounted. The final portion of the book chronicles a daring rescue operation undertaken by American troops and Filipino guerrilla fighters in early 1945 to rescue all POWs remaining in the Cabanatuan camp. Backmatter includes a bibliography. Suggested web resources are shared through the text.

THOUGHTS: This highly engaging title is a perfect choice for history, World War II and/or narrative nonfiction aficionados. The incorporation of primary source accounts throughout the text gives readers a real sense of the impact of the war on different parts of society. A first purchase for any library serving middle grade readers.

940.54 World War II

MG/YA – A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School (Adapted for Young Readers)

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LaNier, Carlotta Walls, and Lisa Frazier Page. A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School (Adapted for Young Readers). Delacorte Press, 2023. 978-0-593-48675-7. $17.99. 294 p. Grades 5-10.

A Mighty Long Way is the first person account of Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine–the first nine students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Walls LaNier grew up in a close-knit community, full of extended family and friends. Her family placed a high value on education, and Carlotta enjoyed school and was a good student. When, following the Supreme Court ruling ordering desegregation of schools, the opportunity arose for Carlotta to attend Little Rock Central High School, noted for its excellent academic programs, Carlotta immediately signed up. Thus, with eight other students, she enrolled in the school in the fall of 1957. The members of the group faced many challenges, including regular verbal and physical abuse from some students. Their family members lost jobs and had to leave town to find employment. In 1960, the Walls’ home was bombed while Carlotta and her family slept inside. Despite these obstacles, Carlotta graduated from Central High in 1960, and went on to earn a college degree, become a realtor, and raise a family.

THOUGHTS: This powerful first-person account deserves a spot on shelves in libraries serving middle and high school students. It would also be an excellent choice for book studies in American history classes.

Biography

Elem. – Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story

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Shaffer, Jody Jensen. Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story. Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-56552-0. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-2. 

Creep, Leap, Crunch! introduces young readers to the concept of food chains. Told in cumulative rhyming verse, the story begins at the beginning of the day (“There was a blue sky with a bright shining sun / a glorious, life-giving, fiery sun. / The day had begun.”). The sun helps the grass grow, a cricket nibbles the grass, a mouse eats the cricket, a snake consumes the mouse, the snake is scooped up by a hawk, the hawk is caught by a fox, and the fox is eaten by a bear. (Note: None of the creatures preyed upon are eaten on page in the illustrations; the fatal attack occurs off page, making this an ideal option for sensitive readers). Readers also learn that not every day is the same. Some days the cricket might jump away from the mouse or the snake might slither away from the hawk, for example. The text is enhanced by Christopher Silas Neal’s colorful mixed media illustrations, which help to bring the animals to life on the page. Back matter includes a glossary that defines and discusses the parts of the food chain depicted in the story.

THOUGHTS: The repetitive cumulative rhyming format of this title makes this book an excellent read aloud option for science lessons relating to the food chain. Recommended.

577 Ecology 

Elem. – Spot the Sight Words: What Can I Make? (Series NF)

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Davis, Bela. Spot the Sight Words: What Can I Make? Abdo, 2023.  9781098261634.  24 p.  $21.95 Grades PK-2.

I Am Little. 9781098261603.
I Can Read. 9781098261610.
It is a Good Day. 9781098261627.
What Day is it? 9781098261641.
Where is my Ball? 9781098261658.

Each Spot the Sight Words book is written at a guided reading level A, featuring a simple sentence on the leading page and a related photograph on the trailing page. What makes this series unique is that the sight words in the sentence are hidden in the photograph, encouraging the reader to work with the sight words and re-read as they search the photo. Features a Table of Contents, an illustration that demonstrates how to use the book, glossary, index, and a code to access additional activities.

THOUGHTS: Spot the Sight Words offers beginning readers an opportunity to read simple text and to practice their words in a novel manner. The words in Spot the Sight Words are cleverly hidden in each picture to provide an appropriate challenge for the target audience. A worthwhile addition to library and classroom collections serving young readers.

372.4 Reading

Elem. – The Power of Energy (Series NF)

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The Power of Energy. Child’s World, 2023. $25.00 ea. $200.00 Set of 8. 32 p. Grades 2-5.

Harkrader, Lisa. Nuclear Power.978-1-503-86498-6.
—.  Wind Power. 978-1-503-86398-6.
Mihaly, Christy. Biomass Power. 978-1-503-86499-3.
Perdew, Laura. Hydroelectric Power. 978-1-503-86497-9.
—. Solar Power.  978-1-503-86495-5.
Rea, Amy C. Coal Power. 978-1-503-86501-3.
—. Natural Gas Power. 978-1-503-86500-6.
Richards, Patti.  Oil Power.  978-1-503-86502-0.

One of 8 books in The Child’s World’s The Power of Energy series, Nuclear Power offers young readers a balanced introduction to the ins and outs of nuclear energy. Written in a manner that is accessible to the target audience, the book explores what nuclear energy is, its benefits and drawbacks, and its future. The book acknowledges nuclear energy’s history in war as well as its high-profile accidents (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima).  It is up-to-date with advances in nuclear energy technology and waste management. Solar Power offers young readers a well-rounded perspective on solar power. The book is organized into five chapters: “Capturing the Sun,” “How Solar Energy Works,” “Benefits of Solar Energy,” “Drawbacks to Solar Energy,” and “Into the Future.” Sidebars in several chapters provide glimpses into novel uses for solar power, such as for airplanes. The images and figures chosen compliment and often expand upon the text. Includes a glossary, fast facts, extension questions, suggested reading list, and an index, as well as access to a curated page with web links.   

THOUGHTS: These titles offer updated information to any library looking to add or refresh the information they have available on the topic. The weakest component of the Nuclear Power book was the curated page of web links, whose offerings were only OK, while Solar Power offered three solid options for further investigation. The entire Power of Energy series seems to offers a strong option for libraries looking to update, augment, or create their energy section.  

333 Economics of Land and Energy

Elem. – Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

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Carmichael, L. E. Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth. Kids Can, 2023. 978-1-525-30457-6. 47 p. $18.99. Grades 2-5.

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth uses a compare-contrast format supplemented by informative features to present a sweeping look at Arctic and Antarctic wildlife and their habitat. The book begins by introducing the geographic locations of the polar regions as well as the impact of the Earth’s tilt on the regions’ daylight. Double-page spreads organized by months of the year that introduce one new Arctic and Antarctic animal as well as a challenge/adaptation for its survival follow the introduction. These spreads are organized by months and are divided into four month periods divided by double-page informative spreads. Each shares more about the region’s seasons, geography, and challenges to the health of the environment. Includes a table of contents, suggestions for taking action, suggested websites, further reading, glossary, index, and a select bibliography.  

THOUGHTS: Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth covers a tremendous amount of ground in its 47 pages, including diverse animals, adaptations that will be familiar to its readers and novel ones, as well as background information on conditions that make the region unique. The level of detail will appeal to students who want to learn more about these regions of the planet. Recommended as a strong addition to established polar collections.

591 Zoology: Specific Topics in Natural History of Animals

Elem. – The Snow Man: A True Story

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Winter, Jonah. The Snow Man: A True Story. Illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Beach Lane Books, 2023. 978-1-665-93239-4. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

Based on a true story, this book tells the tale of billy barr (he doesn’t capitalize the first letters of his name), who has lived most of his life in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. When he first came to the mountains as a young man, billy’s only companions were wild animals. Without anyone to talk to, billy was bored, so he started measuring the snowfalls. Year after year, he recorded these measurements, along with the dates of the first snowfall and the first wildflower blossoms each year. He noted when animals came out of hibernation and when certain birds arrived each spring. After many years, he started to notice an interesting trend: year after year, there seemed to be less snow than there had been in past years. When he shared his findings with a local scientist, the scientist was amazed. Today, billy’s meticulous measurements and notes have proved to be a vital contribution to the study of climatology. An author’s note provides additional information about the real billy barr, as well as a list of sources for further reading and research.

THOUGHTS: Young readers will be fascinated by billy’s lifestyle and findings. This would be an excellent title for introducing climate change or measurement to elementary students.

921 Biography
508 Natural History  

Elem. – Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage

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Rogers, Lisa. Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage. Illustrated by Il Sung Na. Anne Schwartz Books, 2023. 978-0-593-64662-5. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

In this uniquely written biography, avant-garde composer John Cage is introduced to young audiences through the use of several “what if” questions. For example, what if all the sounds you heard – garbage trucks screeching, cats hissing, balls bouncing, and so forth – sounded like music to you? The answer to this question (and all of the other questions posed in the book) is “Then you’d be like John Cage.” Using this format, the author introduces John Cage’s atypical style of writing music, his unusual instruments, and several of his notable concerts and performances. Na’s illustrations mirror Cage’s quirky style, placing vibrant, brightly colored dots, squiggles and lines on top of background drawings done in a more muted palette. Further information about John Cage is included in the author’s note, and a list of sources for further exploration is also provided.

THOUGHTS: This unique biography is sure to inspire students to learn more about John Cage and to think outside of the box themselves. Perhaps they’ll even want to experiment with everyday items to make their own distinctive music. A solid addition to any library looking to grow its biography or music sections.

921 Biography
780 Music

Elem. – Happy Holidays! (Series NF)

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Happy Holidays! Bellwether Media, 2024. $17.95. $107.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades PreK-2. 

Rathburn, Betsy. Cinco de Mayo. 979-8-886-87398-6.
Rathburn, Betsy. Groundhog Day. 979-8-886-87399-3.
Rathburn, Betsy. Holi. 979-8-886-87400-6.
Sabelko, Rebecca. Memorial Day. 979-8-886-87401-3.
Sabelko, Rebecca. Presidents’ Day. 979-8-886-87402-0.
Sabelko, Rebecca. Valentine’s Day. 979-8-886-87403-7. 

Bellwether Media is back with six new titles in their existing Happy Holidays! non-fiction series for early readers. Each volume introduces readers to a major holiday from around the world via basic facts communicated in large text, accompanied by high quality photographs. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine the volume on Groundhog Day. Simple text introduced facts about the holiday, including how and why the holiday is celebrated, as well as locations where the holiday is observed. Punxsutawney Phil was prominently featured in the volume (of course!). Backmatter includes a re-statement of holiday facts, a visual/text glossary, and links to additional resources. 

THOUGHTS: An excellent choice for libraries serving beginning readers looking to update or expand their cultural and/or religious holiday collections. Recommended.

394 Holidays