The subtitle to this book is: How the Mason-Dixon Line settled a Family Feud and divided a Nation. That pretty much summarizes the book. The author has done extensive research and has attempted to make this little known chapter of American history come alive. The story of this iconic survey line that was used later to divide North from South, free states from slave states and was part of the Missouri Compromise, had its beginnings in England where two families, the Penns and the Calverts were seeking property in the Americas during the 17th century for financial gain as well as religious freedom. However, different kings and parliaments were inexact when setting the boundaries. This led to numerous disputes, in both England and the colonies of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Finally, two surveyors, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were hired and after five years completed a task, where others had failed. The author in the last two chapters summarizes the ramifications of this monumental achievement. However, in a an effort to be exact and explain all the details, the book bogs down due to excess explanation of astronomical and scientific calculations and phenomena and the minute details of laying a survey line at the time. There are numerous photographs of charts, notations, detail specific maps and illustrations from the period. While I doubt the average student would be interested to read the entire book, it does contain enough information and primary document excerpts to make it a worthwhile reference source, especially if the student lives in one of the Mid-Atlantic States.
Reviewer: Linda Solberg retired, Castle Rock High School, Castle Rock, Washington
Wallace, Rich TITLE: Babe conquers the world RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Calkins Creek, 2014 PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781590789810 INTEREST LEVEL: 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR : Varied photographs PAGES: 272
This is the biography of Babe Didrikson Zaharis, dubbed the greatest woman athlete of all time. She grew up in a poor family with a sister and brothers and she had a drive to be the best. She competed against the boys, in baseball, running, in a time when girls were supposed to rest in the shade. Even though women were discouraged from competing (it wasn't ladylike) she was able to land a position on a company-sponsored women's basketball team. This allowed her to make enough money to send home to her family AND compete. She wanted to be an Olympian and about the only avenue open to her. She always wanted to be the best. She did set many world records ad embraced each competition like it was her only one. This story is hard to believe in its sheer scope and because she seems relatively unknown. She started the Pro women's golf tour when there weren't enough venues for professional women golfers. She changed the way our country perceived women in athletic competition and she eventually brought a battle with cancer into the public eye and showed that it could be beat too. There is a timeline in the back of this book that tells of her life, competitions and records set, a FAQ section, notes, a bibliography and everything that will help a student doing research. But it also tells a wonderful story in elegant, accessible prose, full of personal experiences. As a woman athlete who had doors opened for me through Title IX while I was at the University of Washington, I was glad to read this amazing story of a woman who would not quit and paved the way for future female athletes. Inspirational! Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Wallace, Sandra TITLE: Muckers RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978037586745 INTEREST LEVEL: 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 274
This is a book about a small football team, in a small town and I have to admit that I put off reviewing it because I am not a super football fan. But it is so much more than that. Based in a tiny copper mining town in the 1950, the football team is determined to win the state title because their high school scheduled to close at the end of the year. The last time they won the state title was when the current quarterback’s (Red O’Sullivan) brother was quarterback. But he died at Iwo Jima and Red’s family died when Bobby did. His mother sunk into depression that has kept her hospitalized and his father has been drinking up his paycheck and leaving Red to fend for himself. To top it off, their team is integrated like their high school: Mexicans play side-by-side with Slavs and all the other nationalities that make up the town. Red has fallen for his best friend’s sister, but girls from the Barrio don’t associate with white boys from the Hogback. And the Korean War is sparking the fear of Commies, yet another way to divide the townsfolk. WWII continues to affect their lives as the wounded who return remind them daily. This is not just a feel good sports triumph; this is a nitty gritty treatment of real-life bigotry where the Mexicans swim on different days in the public pool, draining and bleaching before the whites swim. “Clips of the local newspaper” are interspersed in the writing and illuminate the events of their microcosm with a harsher perspective. I feel foolish for putting off reading this book. Based on a true story, it was a good read!
Watson, Tom TITLE: Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog RATING: R PUBLISHER: Harper Collins PRICE: $12.99 ISBN: 978-0-06-211080-0 INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th ILLUSTRATOR: Tom Watson PAGES: 220
Stick and his friends spy a hot dog vendor. The how dogs look so good. They try to devise a plan to be able to get some hot dogs but none of their ideas are very good. They also have a raccoon who is also trying to get some hot dogs. This story is written in a fun way with lots of stick figures. Lots of clean humor students should really enjoy.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Robert Gray Elementary
Werner, Jane TITLE: The Twelve Dancing Princesses RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Random House, 1954, 1982 PRICE: $3.99
ISBN: 9780449818428 INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Beckett, Sheilah PAGES: 22
A Grimm fairy tale retold by Jane Werner is the story of a soldier trying to earn a princess bride by discovering the secret of 12 sisters. To me, it seems somewhat simplistic and lacking in detail, but it is a classic. The illustrations are nice, if somewhat dated, and help reinforce the story. Even though I wanted to really like this book, it was just okay.
Williams, Marcia TITLE: Horray for Inventors! RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2005 PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780763667498 INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-6th
ILLUSTRATOR: Williams, Marcia PAGES: 37
This book follows a very interesting format. The author begins by dedicating this book to her special hero of invention while sharing information about Leonardo da Vinci and his inventions through text and comic book-like illustrations. Then she has a special message for the reader, which I found very interesting. The next several pages chronicle the life and inventions of famous inventors, then a couple pages share inventors of useful inventions. After that, we are back to the life and inventions of more famous inventors and then there is a spread of famous women inventors and finish up with the author’s all-time favorite inventors. All of this information is shared through comic book style text and illustrations and the pages are outlined with various critters carrying on a running dialogue relating to the inventor/invention. There is so much information and so much to read, that at times it became overwhelming. Overall, the information was enlightening and entertaining.
Based on the book “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen this is a delightful little book that will introduce young readers to this classic in an interesting and unique way. Lizzy is given a journal for Christmas 1811 and over the course of the next year, she writes about the events that take place in her family. Romance comes to her corner of England when Mr. Bingley and her friend Mr. Darcy come to visit. Jane, Lizzy’s sister, falls in love with Mr. Bingley, but Lizzy hates Mr. Darcy almost on first sight. What follows are the ups and downs of their relationships, the manipulations of the families and the societal expectations. It was expected that young ladies marry and, of course, marry well so as not to be a burden to their families since only men could own property. In the meantime, another sister is flirting with ruin with a ne’er-do-well army officer. Lizzy spurns Mr. Darcy’s attentions until she learns of a secret and begins to see him in a different light. The book is full of illustrations, and cleaver foldouts of letters and notes that gives the feel of a scrapbook as well as a journal. I was so charmed by this book, I think I now want to re-read the novel it was based upon; I will probably enjoy it more than I did when I “had” to read it in high school.
Reviewer: Linda Solberg retired, Castle Rock High School, Castle Rock, Washington
Wilson, N.D. TITLE: Boys of Blur RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2014 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780449816738 INTEREST GR:4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A PAGES: 195
Twelve-year-old Charlie moves to Taper, Florida. Charlie lived a rough life with an abusive father while young. Family ties get blurred as Charlie’s stepdad and biological father both grew up in the same small football town. Charlie makes a friend, Cotton, who shows him the darker side of Taper and the things that go bump in the night. The boys end up chasing demons and each has a mystical, near death experience.
PUBLISHER: Katherine Tegen Books, 2013 PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061768071 INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Ford, AG PAGES: 32
The illustrations in this book are positively amazing. Ford captures the essence of Kennedy and his world in pictures that are so beautifully real to life. They complement Winter’s text very nicely. Winter begins his book with JFK’s last ride in the Dallas, Texas parade, then chronicles the life of the Kennedy family, John’s rise to the presidency and the legacy that lives on in the heart of America. The book jacket states this book is for 4-8 year olds. I heartedly disagree. While the youngest child might enjoy the nice illustrations, the content will be lost on them. This book is perfect for children a little older who are mature enough to understand its content and its place in our nation’s history.
REVIEWER: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Yokococo TITLE: Matilda and Hans RATING: R PUBLISHER: Templar Books, 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780763664343 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 26
Yokococo explores the yen and the yang of our personalities. Matilda is a very good little cat and Hans is very naughty. Why are they so different? Can you guess? It is a mystery, a who done it. See if your children can predict the outcome of this story.
