MG – Real Revolutionaries (Series NF)

Real Revolutionaries. Compass Point Books, 2020. $25.99 ea. $207.92 set of 8. 64 p. Grades 6-8.

Braun, Eric. The Real Aaron Burr: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-56250-2.
—. The Real George Washington: The Truth Behind the Legend.   978-0-756-55890-1.
—. The Real Thomas Jefferson: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-55891-8.
Gunderson, Jessica. The Real Benedict Arnold: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-55897-0.
—. The Real Alexander Hamilton: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-55892-5.
—. The Real Benjamin Franklin:The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-55893-2.
Lassieur, Allison. The Real John Adams: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-56251-9
Smith-Llera, Danielle.  The Real James Madison: The Truth Behind the Legend. 978-0-756-56252-6.

This series of brief biographies of famous American founding fathers focuses on presenting facts and dispelling myths surrounding their careers. Infamous for being a “traitor, turncoat, and spy,” Benedict Arnold becomes a more fleshed-out person in the well-researched, scaffolded explanations of author Jessica Gunderson. She succinctly tells of Arnold’s descent from riches to poverty as well as the resilience, skill, and ambition that enabled him to become an accomplished businessman, a shrewd businessman, and a cunning military strategist. Gunderson then sets forth valid arguments to support the claim, “His reasons for his treachery stemmed from personal frustration with the Continental Congress and the lack of recognition for is sacrifice” (26). Arnold’s absolute fall from grace is matched only by his initial desire to uphold the patriots’ cause. The book examines the slights Arnold felt from military leaders and the brilliance and fervor of his soldiering. It lays out the treasonous plot and describes Arnold’s ignominious life afterward. Each slim chapter layers the information nicely and builds on facts mentioned in the previous chapter, making it a simple but thorough resource for young researchers. Colored illustrations enhance the text. Includes timeline, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, and an index.

THOUGHTS: At first read, The Real Benedict Arnold: The Truth Behind the Legend may seem repetitious. For example, the author relates a fact about Arnold’s battle injury in one chapter, then revisits it with a longer explanation or in connection to another point in a later chapter. However, for students first approaching serious research, this technique proves beneficial. The decision to layer in the information makes it easier to digest and understand while not distilling the truth. This slim volume can be used to demonstrate how to create and support a thesis for beginning researchers.

973.3 American Revolution            Bernadette Cooke, School District of Philadelphia

Graphic History – Alexander Hamilton

Hennessey, Jonathan, and Justin Greenwood, Ill. Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father. Ten Speed Press, 2017. 978-0-399-58000-0. 169 pp. $19.99. Gr. 8 and up.

Alexander Hamilton: founding father, familiar face on the $10 bill, subject of a musical you might have heard of, and now the star of his own graphic history! The biography opens with Hamilton’s childhood in the West Indies, where he grew up the “bastard brat of a Scotch pedlar.” Essentially orphaned, Hamilton departed for America after St. Croix’s prominent citizens raised money to fund his education. He went on to serve alongside George Washington in the Revolutionary War before becoming the first Secretary of the Treasury (and full-time thorn in the side of Thomas Jefferson). He also repeatedly crossed paths with rival Aaron Burr, who challenged his rival to the duel that ended Hamilton’s life. Alexander Hamilton casts a wide historical net, covering plenty of background information on the Revolutionary War, the creation of the Constitution, and more. Jonathan Hennessey’s exposition-heavy style of narration may deter readers hoping for a Hamilton highlight reel. This is, instead, a rigorously-researched factual biography, and the text’s challenges occasionally outweigh its rewards. On the other hand, Justin Greenwood’s vibrant, energetic artwork will hold the reader’s interest on every page.  THOUGHTS: Alexander Hamilton is an engaging tour through the life and times of one of the Revolutionary Era’s most well-known but somehow unknowable figures, a man who “straddles history and myth.”

92 (Biography, Graphic Nonfiction)      Amy V. Pickett, Ridley School District

Elementary NF – Cricket in the Thicket; Lighter than Air; My Awesome Summer by P.Mantis; Her Right Foot

Murray, Carol.  Cricket in the Thicket: Poems about Bugs.  Henry Holt and Company, 2017.  9780805098181.  40 Pgs.  $17.99. Gr. 1-5.

In this collection of mostly rhyming poems, Murray has focused on the subject of bugs.   There is one poem per page, each about a different insect. In addition, the poet includes some facts about these insects at the bottom of the page. There is additional information in the back matter.  Melissa Sweet’s watercolor and mixed media illustrations are whimsical and fit well with the humorous tone of the poems.  For instance, in the cockroach poem, she writes “I am not loved at all, I’m not like any other.  But surely someone cares for me.  I think it is my mother.” This work is reminiscent of Joyce Sidman’s Song of the Water Boatman, but Murray’s work seems designed for a younger audience.  This book could be classified in either the poetry or the 595 Dewey section.   THOUGHTS: This book is a good choice for elementary libraries.  It would work well in insect units and provides a different perspective.  Children could be encouraged to write their own poems about insects.

811.54  Poetry      Denise Medwick, West Allegheny SD

 

Smith, Matthew Clark. Lighter Than Air. Candlewick Press, 2017. 9780763677329. $16.99. 32p. Gr. 1-4.

Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot is a picture book about the first woman balloonist. Sophie Blanchard married a famous French balloonist and took a few rides with him. It wasn’t long before she made her first solo flight to the chagrin of some people who thought women were too delicate to fly in a balloon. After a tragedy that took the life of her husband (handled appropriately for the book’s audience), Sophie takes to the skies again and ends up supporting herself by ballooning. She was so famous Napoleon made her Aeronaut of the Official Festivals. THOUGHTS: The publisher rates this book as suitable for 1st through 4th graders. This book’s vocabulary is too difficult for 1st/2nd graders to read and comprehend, but the content would be enjoyed as a read-aloud. I learned quite a bit about ballooning while reading this book, but it does mention the husband having a heart attack and falling from his balloon and then later dying from his injuries. The author’s note details Sophie’s eventual death when a firework she was lighting while in the balloon set the balloon on fire leading to her falling and death. Pretty intense for some 1st graders.

Biography      Bridget Fox, Central Bucks SD

 

Meisel, Paul.  My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis.  Holiday House, 2017.  9780823436712. Unpaged. $16.95.  Gr. K-3.

This is an interesting entry into the world of creative nonfiction.  Meisel takes us on a journey through the life cycle of the praying mantis, told from the point of view of the insect.  The story takes us through three seasons and begins in May with P. Mantis’ birth and ends in October. Throughout the text, the insect tells us how and what he eats (sometimes his brothers and sisters!) and how he protects himself through the use of camouflage and by staying still.  P. Mantis tells his story in a humorous and accessible way for young children.  For instance, he remarks that he is “Praying?…Yeah, I’m praying…praying something tasty comes along that thinks I’m a stick.” At the end of the bug’s life, Meisel gently tells the reader that he is going to sleep. The author’s illustrations show a friendly looking insect drawn on a small scale throughout the story. It appears larger in the author’s note where Meisel labels the body parts. The back matter gives more details on the life cycle of mantises and some additional terminology.  One problem is that the author lists a few websites with just the URLs and no titles.  The glossary contains only two terms.  THOUGHTS:  Despite these concerns, this book is a worthy addition to the insect section in elementary libraries and will make for a great read aloud. There is a good bit of information found here and the creative presentation will engage the reader.  Children will be inspired to learn more about this unique insect.

595.727 Bugs             Denise Medwick, West Allegheny SD

 

Eggers, Dave. Her Right Foot. Chronicle Books, 2017. 978-1-4521-6281-2  Unpaged. $19.99.  Gr. K-8.

Much has been written about the Statue of Liberty, but never before has a book focused on the iconic Lady’s right foot. Dave Egger includes all the usual facts about the statue, which has more pages than most picture books, but just a pithy sentence or two per page. The reader learns, for instance, that the statue was put into 214 crates when it was brought from France to the United States, and that it was brown for two years before it oxidized and turned green. However, Eggers goes on to note (“a point the author apologizes for taking so long to get to”) that the Lady’s right foot is in motion. He asks the reader to ponder where she is going, suggesting humorously that it might be “to the West Village to look for vintage Nico records.”  But then he offers a more logical idea, the Lady is in motion because “liberty and freedom are not things you get by standing around like some kind of statue.”  Eggers suggests that the Lady is hurrying to welcome all of the people coming to America from many different places and times. Appropriately, Shawn Harris’s artwork depicts peoples of varying ethnicities, colors, ages, and religions. THOUGHTS: Humorous and quirky, written with a light touch, this book imparts a serious, timely, and important message about the value of immigrants and the long and pivotal role immigration has played in the United States.  It is appropriate for a wide span of ages (even adults will appreciate it), and Harris’s bold, collage-style artwork suits the text perfectly. Highly recommended for elementary and middle schools.

973, United States History          Maggie Bokelman, Cumberland Valley SD

 

Elementary NF – Origami; U.S. Landmarks; Kids Can Cook; Top Sports Tips

George, Anna. Super Simple Origami. Super Sandcastle, 2017. $19.00 each, $114.00 set of 6. Gr. K-3.

Origami Birds. 978-1-68078-446-6.

Origami Dinosaurs. 978-1-68078-447-3.

Origami Farm Animals. 978-1-68078-448-0.

Origami Insects. 978-1-68078-449-7.

Origami Pets. 978-1-68078-450-3.

Origami Zoo Animals. 978-1-68078-451-0.

This series is a must-have for all school libraries where origami is popular! Each title presents several projects from easy to more complex (although none are tremendously difficult). One great strength of this series is its design: clean page layout, brightly colored lettering, and well organized directions. Beginning matter reviews basic folds, origami symbols, and special folds; back matter includes a glossary. Each animal is presented using a different color paper, so it’s very easy to see where one project finishes and a new one begins. Projects in Origami Zoo Animals include basic 6 step Friendly Fox, Slithering Snake, Trumpeting Elephant, Silly Seal, Diving Dolphin, and Striped Tiger, which is the most complicated with 24 steps and two colors of paper. This series is a great choice to refresh your origami section. THOUGHTS: Purchase where origami is popular or needs an update–highly enjoyable and well designed.

736; Origami          Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

 

Murray, Julie. US Landmarks. ABDO, 2017. 24 p. $19.00 ea., $114.00 set of 6. Gr. K-3.

Lincoln Memorial. 978-1-68080-911-4 .

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. 978-1-68080-912-1.

Mount Rushmore. 978-1-68080-913-8.

The Statue of Liberty. 978-1-68080-914-5.

United States Capitol. 978-1-68080-915-2.

The White House. 978-1-68080-916-9.

This basic series is solid but somewhat basic. The White House gives basic facts about the landmark, including location, basic history, and function (“The president lives in the White House,” and “It is in Washington, D.C.”). The photographs are colorful and the text includes a map showing the landmark’s location. Each book includes a Table of Contents, Index, and Glossary. This set would be excellent for use with beginning readers since there is spare text. One note: President Obama is shown as the president in many of the photographs, making the book seem a little dated for a 2017 publication date. THOUGHTS: A solid purchase.

970s, U.S. Government/History          Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

 

Kids Can Cook! Capstone Press, 2017. 32 p. $21.04 ea., $84.16 set of 4. Gr. 3-6.

Ventura, Marne. Bacon Artist: Savory Bacon Recipes. 978-1-51573-814-5.

Omoth, Tyler. Campfire Chef: Mouthwatering Campfire Recipes. 978-1-51573-813-8.

Ventura, Marne. Disgusting Eats: Nasty, but Tasty Recipes. 978-1-51573-812-1.

Omoth, Tyler. Grill Master: Finger-Licking Grilled Recipes. 978-1-51573-815-2.

Kids Can Cook! just may fill a void on your cookbook shelf–after all, who doesn’t love bacon? This series features several interesting titles for budding chefs. Bacon Artist has 12 mouth-watering recipes filled with bacon, from bacon cheddar dip to bacon quiche. There are snacks, side dishes, and main courses, along with information on different kinds of bacon, bacon cooking methods, and additional resources. The recipes are fairly straightforward but would definitely be most appropriate for upper-elementary level students with some cooking experience since some of them call for chopping or using the stove and oven. Large photographs show off the finished product opposite one page of directions. THOUGHTS: A fun series for experienced kid cooks.

641.5; Cooking     Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

 

Top Sports Tips. Capstone, 2017. $20.99ea. $125.94 set of 6. 32p. Gr. 3-8.

Rissman, Rebecca. Top Basketball Tips. 978-1-5157-4719-2.

Jones, Jen. Top Dance Tips. 978-1-5157-4724-6.

Schwartz, Heather E. Top Ice Hockey Tips. 978-1-5157-4723-9.

Hammelef, Danielle S. Top Soccer Tips. 978-1-5157-4722-2.

Rissman, Rebecca. Top Softball Tips. 978-1-5157-4721-5.

Schwartz, Heather E. Top Volleyball Tips. 978-1-5157-4720-8.

Some of today’s most popular sports are examined in Capstone’s new series Top Sports Tips. Each volume presents basic information on individual sports as well as tips designed to help competitors improve their skills. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine the Top Softball Tips volume.  After reviewing the basic rules of the game, the author presented training step-by-step stretching and strength training tips, illustrated with photos. Hitting tips, as well as fielding tips (with separate chapters on infielding and outfielding) were also included. Numerous drills that athletes could use to improve their play were also included throughout the text.  THOUGHTS: Each slim volume (only 32 pages) contains a lot of valuable training information appropriate for upper elementary and middle grade readers. The training tips presented were clearly explained and the drills presented were useful and only  required basic equipment and in some cases, a partner. The text was enhanced by the presence of photos that illustrated stretches and drills. Recommend to athletes looking to improve their play.

796; Sports      Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg School District

MS Series Nonfiction – Uncovering the Past; Collective Biographies

Hyde, Natalie. Uncovering the Past Analyzing Primary Sources. New York: Crabtree Publishing Co., 2017.  $31.32 ea. 48 pp. Gr. 5-8.

Internment Camps. 978-0-7787-28603.

Black Tuesday and the Great Depression.  978-077871721.                                                               

Civil Rights.  978-0778717225.                                                                                                        

The Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  978-0778725725.                                                                                                                                                                   

The Displacement of Native Peoples.  978-0778725718.                                                                      

The Holocaust.  978-0778715481.                                                                                

Immigration. 978-0778715542.                                                                                                     

The Underground Railroad.  978-0778715511.                                                                             

Women’s Suffrage. 978-0778715535.                                                                                       

Workers’ Rights.  978-0778728634.

This series of short but information packed titles covers significant events in United States history. The focus of these titles is on examining and analyzing the evidence of primary and secondary source material to interpret and understand historic events. Internment Camps tells the story of the internment of Japanese Americans as enemy aliens during World War II and features photos, excerpts of news articles, political cartoons, government documents and more as evidence.   Each section has information about the types of sources featured, the context of the source material and the possible biases presented.  Text boxes and sidebars feature questions to inspire students to think critically about the reasons for and the effects of the U.S. policies towards Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Includes a bibliography of print and internet sources, glossary and index.   THOUGHTS: This series would be an excellent source for teachers and librarians to use in class to incorporate information literacy skills with social studies.

U.S. History       Nancy Summers, Abington Senior HS

 

Blohm, Craig E. Sci-Fi Directors. Collective Biographies. (series) San Diego: Reference Point Press, 2017. 978-1-68282-030-8. $29.95. 80 pp. Gr. 5-8.

A reference series from Reference Point Press, Collective Biographies offers short concise overviews of the careers of popular culture figures in a range of fields. Sci-Fi Directors features six well known directors in the Science Fiction genre: Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Stanley Kubrick, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, and J.J. Abrams, The chapters highlight the filmmakers’ personal lives, career achievements and struggles in snappy, vivid prose. The titles feature photos of the directors and scenes from their films and include side bars and text boxes with quotes and supplemental information that break up the text and provide visual interest.  With source notes, bibliography, and index. THOUGHTS: High interest independent reading selection for those who prefer non-fiction, this is a great titles for a starting point for career exploration.  Other titles include: Brand Empire Celebrities; Electronic Dance Music DJs; Great Cartoonists; Great Magicians and Illusionists; Internet Entrepreneurs; Women Scientists and Inventors; Women World Leaders; Young Adult Authors.

920 Biographies      Nancy Summers, Abington Senior HS

Picture Books – How Kate Warne…; For the Right to Learn; Two Friends…

Van Steenwyk, Elizabeth. How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln. Chicago: Albert Whitman and Company, 2016. 978-0-8075-4117-3. 32pp. $16.99. Gr. 2-4.

This historical picture book highlights the career of Kate Warne, America’s first female detective. In 1856, Warne arrived in detective Allan Pinkerton’s office looking for a job. Although Pinkerton had never before considered hiring a woman, Warne convinced him that a female would be able to obtain information in ways men couldn’t. She spent her career attending society parties disguised as a wealthy socialite or sometimes as a fortune teller. Warne earned the trust of both men and women and then used the information she gained to help crack some of the nation’s biggest cases. Her most important assignment involved exposing a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln on the way to his inauguration. Disguised as a wealthy southern woman, Warne infiltrated a group called the Golden Circle and verified the details of the plot against Lincoln. Her information was used to develop a plan that allowed a disguised Lincoln to secretly switch trains under the cover of darkness and arrive in Washington DC unharmed.  THOUGHTS: This title provides a fascinating look at how one woman shattered gender stereotypes and bravely left her mark on a formerly male-dominated profession. The story is told with enough suspense and intrigue to hold readers’ attention, and it will be a welcome addition to women’s history month celebrations and to Civil War units.

Picture Book     Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary, Southern York County

 

 

Langston-George, Rebecca. For the Right to Learn. North Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2016.     978-1-4914-6071-9. 40 pp. $16.99. Gr. 3-6.

In a small village in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai attended school.  Her father was a teacher and felt that all children, even girls, should have the right to learn.  This was not the case everywhere in Pakistan.  In many places in that country, only boys were educated.  As the Taliban rose in power, they also condemned girls being educated.  The Taliban threatened the school leaders, including Malala’s father, to stop allowing girls to come to school. Later, those who opposed the Taliban were bombed as warnings to others.  Malala secretly began to blog about her experiences with a reporter from the BBC.  Finally, a Taliban fighter boarded the school bus and shot Malala for her outspoken stance on education for all girls in Pakistan.  She recovered and gave a speech before the United Nations that propelled her to international fame.  She later won a Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous fight for the right to learn.  This vividly illustrated book is powerful and compelling.  The message that Malala shared is clear and precise.  The incident of the shooting is simply illustrated with a book and three small drops of blood on top of it.  While upsetting, students will be inspired by her persistence and perhaps encouraged to appreciate the gift of education that all children in America may take for granted.  THOUGHTS:  This book is a wonderful addition to a unit on children in the Middle East, human rights, or even an inspiration to students to find something that they are passionate about and act to make a change.

Picture Book Biography     Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy

 

 

Robbins, Dean. Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. New York: Orchard Books, 2016. 978-0-545-39996-8. 32pp. $17.99. Gr. K-4.

On a snowy afternoon, Susan B. Anthony is setting her table for tea. Two cups, two saucers, two slices of cake. She welcomes her friend Frederick Douglass, and the two sip tea by the fireplace, talking about their ideas for equal rights. This book centers on the real-life friendship these two activists shared and highlights similarities in their campaigns for women’s rights and African American rights. Robbins uses parallel text, repeating the lines, “The right to live free. The right to vote. Some people had rights, while others had none. Why shouldn’t he have them too?” as he describes each crusader’s fight. A brief author’s note provides additional background information about both Anthony and Douglass, and a bibliography offers suggestions for further reading. Mixed media illustrations feature paint, collage, and colored pencil. Swirling cursive script highlighting ideas Anthony and Douglass championed is woven into many spreads, adding to the book’s vintage feel. Overall, this is an age-appropriate introduction to two civil rights contemporaries who respected each other’s ideas and admired each other’s resolve to fight for a better future.  THOUGHTS:  This is a valuable addition to social studies units about equal rights or women’s suffrage. It could also be used to supplement a Civil War unit on emancipation or in celebration of Black History Month.

Picture Book    Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary, Southern York County

Captured History – 3 Must-Have series from Capstone

kentstate

Captured History (series). North Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books, 2017. $34.65 ea. 64pp. Gr. 5-9.

Burgan, Michael. Death at Kent State: How a Photograph Brought the Vietnam War Home to America. 978-0-7565-5424-8.

Nardo, Don. Ground Zero: How a Photograph Sent a Message of Hope. 978-0-7565-5427-9.

Captured History is a beautiful photography series from Capstone that began in 2012.  These two new titles bring to light two very different historic moments in U.S. history: 9/11 and Kent State, May 1970.  Both are symbols of war, yet have very different responses.  The first hope; the second fear and death (each cover expresses these feelings too: Ground Zero has firefighters raising the U.S. flag, while Death at Kent State shows a dead body with a woman screaming out next to it).  Each title integrates photographs and prose to share the iconic moment in U.S. history with students.  These titles, along with the previous ones in the series, are a great tool for not only teaching the history, but also for teaching how to read and use images to tell a story, along with use of primary sources in research.  In addition to the prose and images, each title also includes a timeline, glossary, additional resources (including a code for FactHound), Common Core connections, source notes, selected bibliography, and an index.  THOUGHTS:  This is a must have series for all middle schools and high schools.  The images alone make this a worthy purchase, not to mention the prose and resources provided.  This series is useful for library classes looking at images, research, history courses, and English classes in need of more nonfiction.  

U.S. History       Erin Parkinson, Beaver MS/HS

 

ussoccer

Captured History Sports (series). North Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books, 2016. $33.99 ea. 64pp. Gr. 5-9.

Berne, Emma Carslon. What a Kick: How a Clutch World Cup Win Propelled Women’s Soccer. 978-0-7565-5293-0.

Burgan, Michael. Daring Play: How a Courageous Jackie Robinson Transformed Baseball. 978-0-7565-5291-6.

Burgan, Michael. Miracle on Ice: How a Stunning Upset United a Country. 978-0-7565-5290-9

Nardo, Don. Massacre in Munich: How Terrorists Changed the Olympics and the World. 978-0-7565-5292-3.

Capstone Publishing began their Captured History series in 2012 focusing on iconic moments in U.S. history.  This new series, Captured History Sports, brings to light four moments in sports history that transformed the United States and specific sports: women’s soccer, Munich Olympic Games, Jackie Robinson and baseball, and U.S. ice hockey.  Following its predecessor, each title captures the particular historic topic through a mixture of prose and images and includes a “Life After…”/ “Where are they now” section, timeline, glossary, additional resources (include a code for FactHound), Common Core connection, source notes, selected bibliography, and an index.  THOUGHTS:  This is a must-have series for all middle school and high school libraries.  It is a fun tie to other moments of U.S. history, especially since each sport and moment included had a larger impact on society and our nation.  Use these titles, along with the other Captured History texts to teach reading images or use of nonfiction in English or history courses.  Additionally, this is just a fun series for any sports fan or required nonfiction assignment.

Sports; U.S. History          Erin Parkinson, Beaver Area MS/HS

 

cheguevara

Captured World History (series). North Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books, 2017. $34.65 ea. 64pp. Gr. 5-9.

Burgan, Michael. The Hindenburg in Flames: How a Photograph Marked the End of the Airship. 978-0-7565-5441-5.

Smith-Llera, Danielle. Che Guevara’s Face: How a Cuban Photographer’s Image Became a Cultural Icon. 978-0-7565-5440-8.

Began in 2014, Captured World History presents key moments that changed the world or world nations.  The two newest titles present students with a thing and person they may have heard about but cannot quite remember much: the Hindenburg and Che Guevara.  Each text presents the historic moment/thing and person through images and prose that captured the world’s attention and will now capture students attention.  These texts are a great supplement for history courses that just don’t have enough time to get to everything.  The compact presentation and use of images will easily attract students, while the timeline, glossary, resources (including a code for FactHound), source notes, and selected bibliography may lead to further exploration.  THOUGHTS:  Captured World History is a great addition for libraries that own titles from Captured History.  Use these titles for research about lesser known moments that impacted the world or for nonfiction reading in English and/or history courses.  This is another must-have series from Capstone Publishing.

World History        Erin Parkinson, Beaver Area MS/HS

New series NF for Elementary – Get Connected to Digital Literacy (series); You Do the Math (series); Dogs (Checkerboard Library); Daily Life in U.S. History (series)

digitalliteracy

Gifford, Clive. Get Connected to Digital Literacy (4 volume set with 2 titles forthcoming). New York: Crabtree, 2015. 32 p. Gr. 3-6.

Awesome Algorithms and Creative Coding. 978-0-7787-1508-5.

Computer Networks. 978-0-7787-1509-2.

The Science of Computers. 978-0-7787-1510-8.

Amazing Applications and Perfect Programs. 978-0-7787-1507-8.

This is a series of books that introduces elementary school students to the science behind computers. From the history of computers to their components and how they work, The Science of Computers helps students understand more about how these machines. Computer Networks explains everything from the web and internet to social media. This book covers email, search engines, and filtering searches as well. It also includes cyber-safety tips. Amazing Applications and Perfect Programs gets rather specific with operating systems. But, it then goes on to explain more common processes such as using folders, file types, word processing, and even gaming. Last, Awesome Algorithms and Creative Coding offers readers an overview of how computer programs run on algorithms and explains basic coding. Using steps with blocks, as in Scratch, and flow chart designs, it describes the steps in creating code and the secret behind apps and other common uses.

Libraries often do not invest as much in books on technology since the field is constantly changing, making up-to-date titles a challenge. This series, published earlier this year, is extremely current, tackling concepts of high interest to tech-minded students. The nonfiction text features make it very user-friendly. It has a table of contents, index and glossary. Within the pages, brightly colored graphics and modern photos and icons hold students attention. Certain features appear in each text, including “Stretch Yourself” with a challenge for readers to complete, “True Story” with “cool” facts, and “Computer Heroes” which has mini-biographies on famous computer people. Website links are current and accurate. THOUGHTS:  If your collection needs books on technology, this would be an excellent addition.

005; Digital Literacy        Lisa Weiss, Churchville Elementary School

 

 

solveacrime

Koll, Hilary and Steven Mills.  You Do the Math (series). Irvine, CA: QEB Publishing, 2015. 32 p. $17.95 each. Gr 3-5.

Solve a Crime. 978-1-60992-732-5.

Build a Skyscraper. 978-1-60992-730-1.

Fly a Jet Fighter. 978-1-60992-731-8.

Launch a Rocket Into Space. 978-1-60992-729-5.

How do you get kids more interested in applying math to real life? Try showing them how cool careers rely on all types of math skills to help them. That’s the concept behind the You Do the Math series, and for the most part it works to build interest and action to the subjects. Using a mix of comic book style illustration and formating, with activities on differentiated levels, the reader is part of the challenge. In Solve a Crime, readers not only follow the detectives and CSI agents to gather evidence, but also chart and graph, measure, and examine the clues to narrow down the suspects. There is not much instruction of the mathematical skills, so prior knowledge would be advisable. Plus, some of the challenges could require a notebook and calculator, making the tasks for each career seem all the more realistic.

THOUGHTS: It’s worth noting that even if the students aren’t interested in trying the math challenges, they will still learn career skills and enjoy participating in the story. There are red boxes labelled “What About This?” for advanced learners, and an answer key in the back for all questions.

510: Mathematics       Dustin Brackbill State College Area School District

 

 

dogs

Checkerboard Animal Library Dogs (Set #12 of series). Minneapolis: ABDO, 2015. 24p. $25.00 ea. Gr.2-4.

Finne, Stephanie. Collies. 978-1-62403-673-6.

Finne, Stephanie. Dachshunds. 978-1-62403-674-3.

Finne, Stephanie. Golden Retrievers. 978-1624036750.

Finne, Stephanie. Old English Sheepdogs. 978-1-62403-676-7.

Finne, Stephanie. Yorkshire Terriers. 978-1624036774.

Kallen, Stuart A. Beagles. 978-1624036712.

Discover the many breeds of dogs and how to identify each one. Meet the high energy heavy coated Old English Sheepdog, the sweet little dachshund, and four other breeds in this 12th set of the series! Find out which dog might be right for you, and how to care for it. This series describes the history, biology, habits, and required care for dogs of all types.  THOUGHTS: Full-color photos, easy-to-read text, a glossary and an index make these books perfect for either research or general reading!

636.7; Dogs      Robin Bartley, Davis Elementary

 

 

lifecw

Daily Life in U. S. History (series). Minneapolis: ABDO, 2015.48p. $32. Gr. 4-6.

Halls, Kelly Milner. Life During the Civil War. 978-1624036255.

Onsgard, Bethany. Life During the California Gold Rush. 978-1624036248.

Lanier, Wendy H. Life during the Great Depression. 978-1624036262.

Garstecki, Julia. Life During the Industrial Revolution. 978-1624036279.

Hinman, Bonnie. Life During the Revolutionary War. 978-1624036286.

This series explores the lives of men, women, and children during various events and periods in US History from multiple viewpoints. They include primary source information, sidebars with key ideas, a stop and think at the end of the book to aid in discussion. Graphics include photos, maps, drawings, charts and graphs. THOUGHTS: The series would be an excellent resource to extend the classroom text, bringing a very human perspective.

973; U.S History     Robin Bartley, Davis Elementary

 

 

 

New MS and YA Nonfiction…Drowned City; Legalizing Marijuana (In Controversy series)

DrownedCity

Brown, Don.  Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015.  978-0-544-15777-4.  96p. $18.99.  Grade 6 and up.

Don Brown is well known for his ability to put historical events into a graphic format with beauty and an emotional punch.  This, his latest work, addresses the events of Hurricane Katrina and the lasting impact it has had on the City of New Orleans.  The pictures, illustrated in somber blue, gray, and brown tones, impart a feeling of foreboding.  Brown depicts the horrific hurricane, the flooding, and the efforts of citizens to survive on rooftops and in the fetid New Orleans Superdome.  Brown does not shy away from controversy in his telling of events.  He illustrates the widespread suffering, crime, and bureaucratic disorganization at all levels of government involved in the rescue/cleanup.  The story ends on a hopeful note with the reconstruction of the city, but it also acknowledges that New Orleans will never be the same again.  THOUGHTS: This book is an essential purchase for libraries looking to provide information on Hurricane Katrina.  It will appeal to fans of graphic literature, while being an extremely powerful work in its own right.

976.3, U.S. History      Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School

Drowned City literally made me cry.  I lived in New Orleans for two years at the end of the 1990s.  It is a city that, once you have lived there, becomes a part of you.  Brown’s work is both stunning and devastating.  There is one small error in the book (which I was surprised wasn’t noticed by the book’s editors);  the author refers to New Orleans’ suburbs as “parishes”.  In actuality, parishes are Louisiana’s version of counties and are a long-standing reflection of Louisiana’s Spanish/French/Roman Catholic heritage.  I wouldn’t let this mistake stop a library from acquiring the book, but it is something to be aware of.

 

Brown, Don. Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. 978-0-544-15777-4. $18.99. Gr. 7-12.

Illustrator and author Don Brown narrates this graphic novel about the 2005 Hurricane Katrina, from its meager beginning as a tropical storm to the devastating destruction that left the city of New Orleans forever changed. While the storm was powerful enough to flood the city, the conditions after were the most shocking; police abandoned their posts; communication lines failed; shelters ran out of food, fuel, and water; the flooded water turned black with oil and trash, and federal, city and state aid did not come for almost a week. Brown’s images are murky and morose, reflecting a town wrecked and forgotten. Importantly, the graphic novel provides a timeline of the event, showing that it took more than two months for the water to be pumped from the city. Published on the tenth anniversary of Katrina, this powerful graphic novel is an important, factual look at one of America’s worst recent natural disasters. THOUGHTS:  Drowned City is an essential addition to any teen graphic novel collection.

976.3; US History    Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

 

legalized

Netzley, Patricia. Is Legalized Marijuana Good for Society? In Controversy series. San Diego: Reference Point Press, 2015. 978-1-60152-774-5. 96p. $17.99. Gr. 7 and up.

Part of the In Controversy series, Is Legalized Marijuana Good for Society? tackles the current and hotly debated topic of marijuana legalization.  The book features an easy to use format beginning with a short introduction on whether or not marijuana is harmful or beneficial.  The five chapters that follow discuss the origins of the controversy, how it’s used medically, the steps to legalize recreational use, the conflict between state and federal law, and finally how it should be regulated.  Each chapter features bulleted facts that give brief, easy to understand evidence as well as quotes used in other articles and titles on the topics.  These provide students with easy to find material perfect to include in an essay as evidence to support or refute the topic.  Each quote is linked to source notes with complete citation information.  There is also an additional reading section with print and internet sources to help readers further their research.  THOUGHTS:This is a great resource for younger students (grades 7 – 9) to use while gathering information for a persuasive essay or speech.  It’s also a good launching point for older students (grades 10-12) who are more experienced researchers.  It gives basic easy to understand facts and citations about a current topic.

Social Issues   Laura Ward, Fox Chapel Area High School