Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Ghigna, Charles TITLE: Recycling is Fun RATING: R PUBLISHER: Picture Window Book ã 2012 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-1-4048-7229-5 INTEREST LEVEL: Toddlers-K ILLUSTRATOR: Ag Jatkowska PAGES: 24
This book is part of the “My Little Planet” sires. This is a rhyming book about recycling, where to put, and where it goes. At the end of the book, it shows a great recycling project that you can make old sweaters into a toy. The illustrations are simple and have a certain recycled paper look about them. It is a great book for preschoolers especially if you are starting a new recycling program at your school.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Giff, Patricia Reilly TITLE: The Big Something RATING: A
Jill and Jim have quite an adventure in this emerging reader book. Part of the Fiercely & Friends series, the two kids are forced to follow canine friend, Fiercely, into the new neighbor’s yard as part of a rescue mission. Spooky things seem to be happening next door, and their new neighbor appears to be a witch………maybe the one from the Hansel and Gretel story. As it turns out, the new construction is a new schoolhouse and the “witch” is a nice, new teacher, Ms. Berry. Illustrations are fun and convey the mystery that surrounds the new neighbor.
This follow-up to Black Hole Sun (2010) returns to the post apocalyptic world of Mars which has been ruined by Earth. Durango and Vienne, the two rebel Regulators, are trying to infiltrate a corrupt government compound to get data that will both reveal Durango’s past and help save the planet. Unfortunately, as the romance has ramped up, Vienne is captured by the mentally unstable, Archibald, who has plans to turn Vienne into his own personal fighting machine. The dialogue is snappy, especially the internal conversation Durango carries on with Mimi, his artificial intelligence connected to his brain. The fast-action pacing is interrupted by several trips to Vienne’s Monastery childhood home, and although this flushes out her character a bit more, they are a bit slow. I loved the character of Durango, who stands up for what he believes in and will do anything to save and protect his friends. Although it seems quite amazing he could survive the wounds, breaks, beatings, and abuse his body receives, he will be a Han Solo type of hero that kids will root for. The cliff-hanger ending will leave readers wanting the next book now!
Reviewer: Patti Tjomsland, Mark Morris High School
Once Ttrilogy book 3. This final installment finds Holocaust survivor Felix Salinger, an eighty-year-old retired surgeon living in Australia. His granddaughter, Zelda, has just come to live with him while her physician parents go on a mission in Africa. Zelda knows about her grandfather’s past and that she was named after Felix’s friend that did not survive. Zelda learns how much guilt her grandfather has been carrying all these years as he feels responsible for Zelda’s death; that he should have done more and could have prevented it. Together, they help Zelda deal with bullying at school and survive a wild fire that wipes out their community. After seeing the carnage and ashes left after the fire, Zelda begins to truly understand what the Holocaust must have been like for her grandfather. Felix finally comes to terms with the original Zelda and honors her with a memorial service. This is an amazing and fitting conclusion to this series. I’m glad that Felix has finally found peace. This series tells about the Holocaust in ways that middle and high school students can relate to. It is honest and direct, yet heartwarming. A truly outstanding series.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Goldstone, Bruce TITLE: Awesome Autumn RATING: R PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Com. ã 2012 PRICE: $16.99
This fall non-fiction book is perfect for a little chapter read to preschoolers or a sit down with older children. I could see using this book as a study with young children and leaving it out as a reference in certain areas in the classroom. The book is divided in ways that make it very friendly to use with young learners. One page is about the shape of autumn, and one is about the taste of autumn. This is a great resource for teachers and was a great inspiration for teaching about autumn. The photos are appropriate for the text on the page and give information that drawing, or watercolor would have been lacking. Photos were a great choice for this book and the landscapes were beautiful.
This is a really fun book with step by step instructions of different items you can make for your pets. This should really interest children who love crafts and their pets.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Gunderson, Jessica TITLE: Your Life as a Cabin Boy RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Capstone @ 2012 PRICE:
ISBN: 9781404871595 INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-6th
ILLUSTRATOR: Mike Burns PAGES: 32
This awesome nonfiction book about pirates gives the reader many fascinating facts to tuck away for future use. Most of the two-page layouts have three sections. Salty Sal welcoming you on the ship Red Doom and two other fact-laden sections. Parts of the pirate ship are provided on page 10 & 11 as well as how sea chanteys got started, weaponry and food. I am sure if the reader counted there would be well over 50 facts. I would like to purchase the Titanic book in this series of five. Computer-generated illustrations depict the events well.
