Sub-Title: Being the MOSTLY True Adventures of Abraham Lincoln's Trouble-Making Sons, TAD and WILLIE
Author: Staton Rabin
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Year: 2008
Publisher: Viking Press
Pages: 36
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Picture Book/Historical Fiction
Location: White House, Washington, D.C.
Time Period: Civil War (1860's)
Plot: Tad and Willie live with their parents, Martha and Abraham Lincoln, in the White House in Washington, D.C. Even though their father is a very busy man, the President of the United States always makes time for his sons. The boys are also mischievous, and they often get into trouble. They have a toy soldier that they frequently charge for some violation or another, then they come up with a different way to execute and bury the doll. SPOILER! During one of these execution plays, The gardener finds Tad and Willie digging in the flower bed to bury the toy soldier. Furious, the gardener chases Tad and Willie away. Unable to carry out the execution, Tad and Willie must figure out what to do with their doomed doll. They take the problem to their father, who is the middle of a meeting, and ask for a pardon. The President awards the doll a pardon, and it is shown that the President's stressful life is made easier by watching his son's antics.
Comments: When you're writing about events that really happened in world history, it's easy to stick to facts and take all of the emotion and story out of it. Staton Rabin does an excellent job focusing on that emotion and story, and successfully creates a tale not just about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, but about fathers and sons and the importance of making time for family. Rabin is open about the fact that he changed the way things happened in order to help children relate with the story, and it's possible that he helped them understand a little more about the Civil War because of it. Despite all of this, I appreciated the notes found in the back of the book explaining exactly what the author changed, and why. With this, an explanation about who the characters in the story are, and a list of further reading, this book makes a good way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Of course I have to mention the artwork of Bagram Ibatoulline, who illustrated one of my favorite children's books of all time, found here. Ibatoulline succeeds again in capturing the mood just right. The pictures are warm and golden and very lifelike, and I laughed at the realistic look on the boys' face as they solemnly walked into the President's Office to ask for a pardon. Both the pictures and the prose work well together in telling the story of an amusing thing that happened during a very somber period of American history.
Themes: Civil War, Soldiers, Abraham Lincoln, Importance of Family, Fathers and Sons
Red Flags: Willie and Tad imagine different ways to execute their toy soldier.
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Friday, August 7, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System
Author/Illustrator: David A. Aguilar
Year: 2008
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Pages: 48
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Science
Location: the Solar System
Time Period: Present (2008)
Book Summary: Discusses the different objects that make up our solar system according to the new standards written by the International Astronomical Union. Covers objects from the sun to the planets, to the new dwarf planets, to comets, and more.
Comments: I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, because the title was so intriguing to me. Eleven planets?! I thought we only had eight now! How did we gain three? Upon reading the book, it all became clear: this book includes the three newly-defined dwarf planets (one of them being Pluto) in its list of planets. It even includes a little mnemonic device for memorizing them all: My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants.
The facts in the book seemed accurate, labeling each object as a planet or a dwarf planet, although it didn't really go into the explanation of what makes one thing a planet, and what makes another a dwarf planet. I'm actually still confused on that point, but it kind of seems like the scientific community is still confused about it as well.
Despite my confusion, this is a nice brief overview of the solar system that I think children will enjoy. Most of the pictures in the book are photographs or realistic-looking illustrations, and many pictures are labeled. A glossary, index, and other fun facts are included at the back of the book.
Themes: Science, Solar System, Planets, Exploration
Red Flags: None
Year: 2008
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Pages: 48
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Science
Location: the Solar System
Time Period: Present (2008)
Book Summary: Discusses the different objects that make up our solar system according to the new standards written by the International Astronomical Union. Covers objects from the sun to the planets, to the new dwarf planets, to comets, and more.
Comments: I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, because the title was so intriguing to me. Eleven planets?! I thought we only had eight now! How did we gain three? Upon reading the book, it all became clear: this book includes the three newly-defined dwarf planets (one of them being Pluto) in its list of planets. It even includes a little mnemonic device for memorizing them all: My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants.
The facts in the book seemed accurate, labeling each object as a planet or a dwarf planet, although it didn't really go into the explanation of what makes one thing a planet, and what makes another a dwarf planet. I'm actually still confused on that point, but it kind of seems like the scientific community is still confused about it as well.
Despite my confusion, this is a nice brief overview of the solar system that I think children will enjoy. Most of the pictures in the book are photographs or realistic-looking illustrations, and many pictures are labeled. A glossary, index, and other fun facts are included at the back of the book.
Themes: Science, Solar System, Planets, Exploration
Red Flags: None
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
All in Just One Cookie
Author: Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: Timothy Bush
Year: 2006
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Book
Genre: Picture Book/Non-Fiction
Location: Grandma's Kitchen/All over the World
Time Period: Present Day (2006)
Plot: While Grandma gathers and mixes each of the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies, the cat and the dog research how each ingredient is made and how it all mixes together to create a delicious treat.
Comments: This book pulls out all the stops in trying to teach children where their food comes from in an interesting and entertaining way. The pictures are bright and attractive, and the hungry dog and curious cat are fun to watch. Little jokes are made on each page. My favorite joke comes from the chickens who state, "I'm not crossing that road!" when they see the cat driving the eggs to the store.
The information in the book seems solid, and it goes into more detail than I thought a picture book would. For example, children get a small food chain lesson when they learn about the ecosystem surrounding saltwater ponds. The book ends with a map of the world depicting where each ingredient comes from. A recipe for chocolate chip cookies is found on the very last page of the book. This book may be used for information for young children's reports, but more information would probably be needed for older audiences.
Themes: Baking, History of Ingredients, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Red Flags: None
Illustrator: Timothy Bush
Year: 2006
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Book
Genre: Picture Book/Non-Fiction
Location: Grandma's Kitchen/All over the World
Time Period: Present Day (2006)
Plot: While Grandma gathers and mixes each of the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies, the cat and the dog research how each ingredient is made and how it all mixes together to create a delicious treat.
Comments: This book pulls out all the stops in trying to teach children where their food comes from in an interesting and entertaining way. The pictures are bright and attractive, and the hungry dog and curious cat are fun to watch. Little jokes are made on each page. My favorite joke comes from the chickens who state, "I'm not crossing that road!" when they see the cat driving the eggs to the store.
The information in the book seems solid, and it goes into more detail than I thought a picture book would. For example, children get a small food chain lesson when they learn about the ecosystem surrounding saltwater ponds. The book ends with a map of the world depicting where each ingredient comes from. A recipe for chocolate chip cookies is found on the very last page of the book. This book may be used for information for young children's reports, but more information would probably be needed for older audiences.
Themes: Baking, History of Ingredients, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Red Flags: None
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Dangerous Book for Boys
Authors: Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden
Year: 2007
Publisher: Collins (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Pages: 270
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction
Series Information: The Daring Book for Girls is not written by the same authors, but is put out by the same publisher.
Book Summary: A guide containing fun facts and information that every boy should know, this book covers many different topics from knot tying to dinosaurs to morse code to descriptions of famous battles to lists of famous things that every boy should know (even including poetry and Shakespeare!) and much more. Intended for "every boy from eight to eighty."
Comments: I really like the concept of this book—a handy reference source of not only boring facts and figures, but of things that every boy should know, but could never find in one location. Conn and Hal Iggulden write in an easy-to-read, engaging style that should help keep boys' attention. Text is broken up by the use of pictures and by breaking up intensive chapters into multiple sections.
These points make the book easy to use, but from a reference standpoint, this book isn't a good one to use as a source for a paper or a school project. The information in the book seems accurate enough, but the sources of information can't be found anywhere in the book—not even in a bibliography stuck in the back of the book. Also, I mentioned earlier that intensive chapters are broken up into sections. What I didn't mention was that these sections are sprinkled throughout the book instead of being placed in the vicinity of each other. Since the book isn't broken into subject-specific sections, the book may be somewhat hard to navigate, even with the use of the Table of Contents. If you're a parent, get this book for its entertainment value rather than as a reference resource.
Themes: Boys, Definition of Boyhood, Fun Facts
Red Flags: Some of the projects found in the book require adult supervision, or may be, as the title suggests: dangerous (ex: shooting a gun, skinning a rabbit)
Year: 2007
Publisher: Collins (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Pages: 270
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction
Series Information: The Daring Book for Girls is not written by the same authors, but is put out by the same publisher.
Book Summary: A guide containing fun facts and information that every boy should know, this book covers many different topics from knot tying to dinosaurs to morse code to descriptions of famous battles to lists of famous things that every boy should know (even including poetry and Shakespeare!) and much more. Intended for "every boy from eight to eighty."
Comments: I really like the concept of this book—a handy reference source of not only boring facts and figures, but of things that every boy should know, but could never find in one location. Conn and Hal Iggulden write in an easy-to-read, engaging style that should help keep boys' attention. Text is broken up by the use of pictures and by breaking up intensive chapters into multiple sections.
These points make the book easy to use, but from a reference standpoint, this book isn't a good one to use as a source for a paper or a school project. The information in the book seems accurate enough, but the sources of information can't be found anywhere in the book—not even in a bibliography stuck in the back of the book. Also, I mentioned earlier that intensive chapters are broken up into sections. What I didn't mention was that these sections are sprinkled throughout the book instead of being placed in the vicinity of each other. Since the book isn't broken into subject-specific sections, the book may be somewhat hard to navigate, even with the use of the Table of Contents. If you're a parent, get this book for its entertainment value rather than as a reference resource.
Themes: Boys, Definition of Boyhood, Fun Facts
Red Flags: Some of the projects found in the book require adult supervision, or may be, as the title suggests: dangerous (ex: shooting a gun, skinning a rabbit)
The Hidden Children
Author: Howard Greenfeld
Year: 1993
Publisher: Ticknor & Fields
Pages: 118
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: 1994 Horn Book Fanfare Award
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoirs
Location: Europe
Time Period: World War II
Book Summary: What would it be like to be a Jewish child during World War II? This book tries to answer this question by giving the accounts of people who survived the Holocaust as children. Some were taken in by non-Jewish families and given new names and identitites, some were hidden in convents and orphanages, and others spent much of their childhood years on the run. Includes information on the causes of the war, memories of the children interviewed, and discussion of the aftereffects of the War.
Comments: Greenfeld does a good job painting the scenery. His description of what was happening, combined with photographs of Jewish children and their accounts of what happened to before, during, and after the War, creates a seamless work. Although this book can be rather depressing, one good thing about this book is that Greenfeld is interviewing survivors of the war. This work does not spend time talking about the concentration camps, but instead focuses on those who managed to keep away from the camps. This is still a sobering tale, and even though the text is easy enough to read, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger age range of children that it's written for.
Themes: Holocaust, Anti-Semitism, Survival, Being in Hiding
Red Flags: Descriptions of poor living conditions, health problems, and light discussion of people who were caught and killed both in and out of the concentration camps
Year: 1993
Publisher: Ticknor & Fields
Pages: 118
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: 1994 Horn Book Fanfare Award
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoirs
Location: Europe
Time Period: World War II
Book Summary: What would it be like to be a Jewish child during World War II? This book tries to answer this question by giving the accounts of people who survived the Holocaust as children. Some were taken in by non-Jewish families and given new names and identitites, some were hidden in convents and orphanages, and others spent much of their childhood years on the run. Includes information on the causes of the war, memories of the children interviewed, and discussion of the aftereffects of the War.
Comments: Greenfeld does a good job painting the scenery. His description of what was happening, combined with photographs of Jewish children and their accounts of what happened to before, during, and after the War, creates a seamless work. Although this book can be rather depressing, one good thing about this book is that Greenfeld is interviewing survivors of the war. This work does not spend time talking about the concentration camps, but instead focuses on those who managed to keep away from the camps. This is still a sobering tale, and even though the text is easy enough to read, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger age range of children that it's written for.
Themes: Holocaust, Anti-Semitism, Survival, Being in Hiding
Red Flags: Descriptions of poor living conditions, health problems, and light discussion of people who were caught and killed both in and out of the concentration camps
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Eyewitness Invention
Author: Lionel Bender
Year: 2005
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages:72
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Planet Earth
Time Period: Covers almost every time period
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand what an invention is ("something that is devised by human effort and that did not exist before. . . . They usually result from the bringing together of existing technologies in a new way." pg. 6) and how it has evolved through time. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include inventions starting from tools and the wheel to current inventions like the silicon chip. The format of each chapter is unique: a generic summary of the topic is found in the upper left hand corner, and the rest of the page is filled with photographs that are prime examples of the topic. The latest and newest version of the invention is not always mentioned, but the major versions of the invention that changed history are. Labels and text surrounding the photograph explain why that object is important in the field. Also includes a Did you Know section, a timeline of important inventions, a Find Out More section, a glossary, and an index.
Comments: This is a very thorough series, and it manages to convey a lot of information in a way that I think will appeal to both eager and reluctant readers. Inventions shown sometimes include cut-away panels to allow readers to see how the invention works. The labels in the Eyewitness series were not as helpful as they were in the Inside & Out Guide series, but more information is given on each object, which means the Eyewitness series gives more information than the Inside & Out Guide series does. The additional sections at the back were also interesting and helpful.
Themes: Inventions, History of Inventions, Reference
Red Flags: None
Year: 2005
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages:72
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Planet Earth
Time Period: Covers almost every time period
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand what an invention is ("something that is devised by human effort and that did not exist before. . . . They usually result from the bringing together of existing technologies in a new way." pg. 6) and how it has evolved through time. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include inventions starting from tools and the wheel to current inventions like the silicon chip. The format of each chapter is unique: a generic summary of the topic is found in the upper left hand corner, and the rest of the page is filled with photographs that are prime examples of the topic. The latest and newest version of the invention is not always mentioned, but the major versions of the invention that changed history are. Labels and text surrounding the photograph explain why that object is important in the field. Also includes a Did you Know section, a timeline of important inventions, a Find Out More section, a glossary, and an index.
Comments: This is a very thorough series, and it manages to convey a lot of information in a way that I think will appeal to both eager and reluctant readers. Inventions shown sometimes include cut-away panels to allow readers to see how the invention works. The labels in the Eyewitness series were not as helpful as they were in the Inside & Out Guide series, but more information is given on each object, which means the Eyewitness series gives more information than the Inside & Out Guide series does. The additional sections at the back were also interesting and helpful.
Themes: Inventions, History of Inventions, Reference
Red Flags: None
First Ladies
Author: Amy Pastan, in association with the Smithsonian Institution
Year: 2001
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages: 64
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Washington, DC; United States
Time Period: 1775-Present (2001)
Book Summary: Gives a unique history of the United States by focusing on the various First Ladies, up through Laura Bush. Some first ladies are covered in half a page, while others are covered in multiple pages. Most entries include a picture of the first lady, a brief biography including critical dates, and pictures of general artifacts that were associated with that president and that time period. Also includes an index.
Comments: Because the setup of this book is so different from the other two books I analyzed in the series, I had to double check that this book really does belong with the others. However, the idea behind all of the books in the series is the same: to give a general history and timeline of that subject. Readers should know that the subject of this book is actually American History through the angle of the First Ladies, and the subject is not necessarily the First Ladies themselves. Although this book discusses each of the wives of the past presidents of the United States, the information is given in a way that also gives the reader a vague idea of the history of the United States and of the political problems that arose while that woman’s husband was in office. This is especially noticeable in a few entries that did not discuss the president’s wife in detail because she had died either before or during the president’s term in office, but still contained a lot of detail because of the events that happened while the president was in office. (Like Thomas Jefferson's wife, who died before he came to office, but still somehow managed to have two pages devoted to her.)
Themes: First Ladies, American History, Reference
Red Flags: None
Year: 2001
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages: 64
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Washington, DC; United States
Time Period: 1775-Present (2001)
Book Summary: Gives a unique history of the United States by focusing on the various First Ladies, up through Laura Bush. Some first ladies are covered in half a page, while others are covered in multiple pages. Most entries include a picture of the first lady, a brief biography including critical dates, and pictures of general artifacts that were associated with that president and that time period. Also includes an index.
Comments: Because the setup of this book is so different from the other two books I analyzed in the series, I had to double check that this book really does belong with the others. However, the idea behind all of the books in the series is the same: to give a general history and timeline of that subject. Readers should know that the subject of this book is actually American History through the angle of the First Ladies, and the subject is not necessarily the First Ladies themselves. Although this book discusses each of the wives of the past presidents of the United States, the information is given in a way that also gives the reader a vague idea of the history of the United States and of the political problems that arose while that woman’s husband was in office. This is especially noticeable in a few entries that did not discuss the president’s wife in detail because she had died either before or during the president’s term in office, but still contained a lot of detail because of the events that happened while the president was in office. (Like Thomas Jefferson's wife, who died before he came to office, but still somehow managed to have two pages devoted to her.)
Themes: First Ladies, American History, Reference
Red Flags: None
Eyewitness Chemistry
Author: Dr. Ann Newmark
Year: 2005
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages:72
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Planet Earth
Time Period: Covers almost every time period
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand what chemistry is ("the science of change")and how it has evolved through time. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include things like the first chemists, atoms and molecules, the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids and bases, the chemistry of life, the first plastics, and the chemical industry. The format of each chapter is unique: a generic summary of the topic is found in the upper left hand corner, and the rest of the page is filled with photographs that are prime examples of the topic. Labels and text surrounding the photograph explain why that object is important in the field. Also includes a Did you Know section, a timeline of important events, a find out more section, a glossary, and an index.
Comments: This is a very thorough series, and it manages to convey a lot of information in a way that I think will appeal to both eager and reluctant readers. The additional sections at the back were also helpful. This series presents more information than the Inside and Out Guide series does, and it seems to focus on a slightly older audience.
Themes: Chemistry, History of Science, Reference
Red Flags: None
Year: 2005
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
Pages:72
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: DK Eyewitness Books
Location: Planet Earth
Time Period: Covers almost every time period
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand what chemistry is ("the science of change")and how it has evolved through time. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include things like the first chemists, atoms and molecules, the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids and bases, the chemistry of life, the first plastics, and the chemical industry. The format of each chapter is unique: a generic summary of the topic is found in the upper left hand corner, and the rest of the page is filled with photographs that are prime examples of the topic. Labels and text surrounding the photograph explain why that object is important in the field. Also includes a Did you Know section, a timeline of important events, a find out more section, a glossary, and an index.
Comments: This is a very thorough series, and it manages to convey a lot of information in a way that I think will appeal to both eager and reluctant readers. The additional sections at the back were also helpful. This series presents more information than the Inside and Out Guide series does, and it seems to focus on a slightly older audience.
Themes: Chemistry, History of Science, Reference
Red Flags: None
The Inside & Out Guide to Mighty Machines
Author: Clint Twist
Illustrator: Alex Pang
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand how some of the most famous high-powered machines work. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include the Sea King helicopter, the Super Airbus A380, the Hercules aircraft, the B2 Bomber, the Saturn V Rocket, the monster truck, the giant dump truck, the bulldozer, the Big Boy locomotive, the Abrams tank, the Nimitz Carrier, and the tugboat. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the machine, but most of the chapter is dedicated to a diagram of the machine in question, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the machine works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: One thing I failed to mention in the other two posts, but that applies to them as well is that many of the labels on the graphics not only state what the different parts of the machine is, but they also explain how that specific part works. Detailed labels aren't included in each instance, but they are used to help clear up misunderstanings about what a part does. Labels are especially noticeable in the Mighty Machines book, and they are greatly appreciated.
To quote the paper I had to write comparing this series with the Eyewitness series, the Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Machines, Technology, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
Illustrator: Alex Pang
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand how some of the most famous high-powered machines work. Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include the Sea King helicopter, the Super Airbus A380, the Hercules aircraft, the B2 Bomber, the Saturn V Rocket, the monster truck, the giant dump truck, the bulldozer, the Big Boy locomotive, the Abrams tank, the Nimitz Carrier, and the tugboat. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the machine, but most of the chapter is dedicated to a diagram of the machine in question, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the machine works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: One thing I failed to mention in the other two posts, but that applies to them as well is that many of the labels on the graphics not only state what the different parts of the machine is, but they also explain how that specific part works. Detailed labels aren't included in each instance, but they are used to help clear up misunderstanings about what a part does. Labels are especially noticeable in the Mighty Machines book, and they are greatly appreciated.
To quote the paper I had to write comparing this series with the Eyewitness series, the Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Machines, Technology, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
The Inside & Out Guide to Spacecraft
Author: Clare Hibbert
Illustrator: Alex Pang
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource dedicated to the different types of spacecraft that exist. Each spacecraft is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include an overview of the history of the early spacecraft, Apollo 11, the Moon Lander, the MIR Space Station, the X-plane, the space shuttle, the shuttle orbiter, the EVA Spacesuit and MMU, the satellite, the Mars Pathfinder, the Spaceshipone, and the ISS. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the spacecraft, but most of the chapter is dedicated to photographs of actual spacecraft and a diagram of the featured spacecraft, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the spacecraft works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: Personally, I think this book in the series is a little better than the other two I analyzed. I found it especially interesting that the astronaut's spacesuit was included as one of the spacecraft mentioned. When you think about it, the spacesuit in and of itself is a very interesting piece of equipment that is essential to space flight, so it makes perfect sense that it would be included here.
I will also reiterate what I said in the previous post about another book in this series: The Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Spacecraft, History of Space Exploration, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
Illustrator: Alex Pang
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource dedicated to the different types of spacecraft that exist. Each spacecraft is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include an overview of the history of the early spacecraft, Apollo 11, the Moon Lander, the MIR Space Station, the X-plane, the space shuttle, the shuttle orbiter, the EVA Spacesuit and MMU, the satellite, the Mars Pathfinder, the Spaceshipone, and the ISS. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the spacecraft, but most of the chapter is dedicated to photographs of actual spacecraft and a diagram of the featured spacecraft, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the spacecraft works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: Personally, I think this book in the series is a little better than the other two I analyzed. I found it especially interesting that the astronaut's spacesuit was included as one of the spacecraft mentioned. When you think about it, the spacesuit in and of itself is a very interesting piece of equipment that is essential to space flight, so it makes perfect sense that it would be included here.
I will also reiterate what I said in the previous post about another book in this series: The Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Spacecraft, History of Space Exploration, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
The Inside & Out Guide to Inventions
Author: Chris Oxlade
Illustrator: Moorhen Studios
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand how some of the most famous inventions work. (Invention: "a new machine, a new tool, or a new way of doing something.") Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include the steam engine, the automobile, the airplane, the rocket, the tank, farm machinery (especially the harvesting machine), printing, the telephone, the telescope, the electric motor, the camera, and the computer. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the invention and of a major inventor in the field, but most of the chapter is dedicated to a diagram of the invention, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the machine works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: To quote the paper I had to write comparing this series with the Eyewitness series, the Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Inventions, Technology, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
Illustrator: Moorhen Studios
Year: 2006
Publisher: Heinemann Library
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Genre: Non-Fiction/Reference
Series Information: Part of the Inside & Out Guide series
Book Summary: A reference resource designed to help children understand how some of the most famous inventions work. (Invention: "a new machine, a new tool, or a new way of doing something.") Each topic is covered in two-page chapters. Topics covered include the steam engine, the automobile, the airplane, the rocket, the tank, farm machinery (especially the harvesting machine), printing, the telephone, the telescope, the electric motor, the camera, and the computer. Each chapter gives a short description of the history of the invention and of a major inventor in the field, but most of the chapter is dedicated to a diagram of the invention, complete with labeled parts and cut-away or see-through areas to help children better understand how the machine works. Also includes an index and glossary.
Comments: To quote the paper I had to write comparing this series with the Eyewitness series, the Inside & Out Guide series "may be a good choice for those who don’t necessarily care about the history of an invention, but they want to know about how current technology works. The larger font, open spacing, and simpler wording of The Inside and Out Guide to Inventions (2006) also suggests that this book will appeal to a younger audience than the Eyewitness Invention (2005) book will." In other words, this series doesn't give enough information for a chid to write a research paper on the subjects covered, but it is a good source to use for inquisitive children who want to know how the world works.
Themes: Inventions, Technology, Reference Resources
Red Flags: None
Monday, November 10, 2008
I Am a Star: Child of the Holocaust
Author: Inge Auerbacher
Illustrator: Israel Bernbaum
Year: 1986
Publisher: Prentice-Hall Books for Young Readers
Pages: 87
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: Merit of Educational Distinction by the International Center for Holocaust Studies of the B’nai Brith Anti-Defamation League.
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir
Location: Jebenhausen, Germany; Terezin Concentration Camp, Czechoslovakia
Time Period: Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1939-May 8, 1945 (World War II)
Book Summary: Tells the story of Inge Auerbacher and her family, German Jews who were transferred to the Terezin Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia and lived there for three years until they were liberated by the Soviets. Ms. Auerbacher was one of only thirteen survivors from her transport of about 1200 people who were sent to Terezin, and was one of the few surviving children. Discusses the history of World War II and Anti-Semitism. Also inclues a timeline, poetry written by the author, photographs and pictures, and suggested books for further reading.
Comments: Auerbacher provides a lot of background to the causes of the Holocaust in a way that children will understand it. She doesn't just simply state that the Nazis hated the Jews. Instead, she gives the both the history of Hitler's rise to power, and the even longer history of Anti-Semitism in Europe. She also shares facts about the concentration camps themselves, but she does so in a gentle way that won't be too disturbing to children.
There is a lot of information included in the book, and Auerbacher tries to break this up into manageable segments through various means. I appreciated the photographs, which mainly included pictures of the people Auerbacher talks about in the book. Less helpful were the poems and drawings placed sporadically throughout the book. The poems give little snippets of concentration camp life that will be useful to children, but these snippets are not discussed in the actual narrative. For example, a poem about finding and hiding potatoes is inserted without any comment made about this incident in the text. Sometimes the poems are placed in such a way as to interrupt the text, making it hard to keep track of what is going on.
Themes: World War II, Anti-Semitism, Concentration Camps, Holocaust
Red Flags: Light discussion of the purpose of Auschwitz and the horrors of concentration camps.
Illustrator: Israel Bernbaum
Year: 1986
Publisher: Prentice-Hall Books for Young Readers
Pages: 87
Reading Level: Intermediate (ages 9-12)
Awards: Merit of Educational Distinction by the International Center for Holocaust Studies of the B’nai Brith Anti-Defamation League.
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir
Location: Jebenhausen, Germany; Terezin Concentration Camp, Czechoslovakia
Time Period: Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1939-May 8, 1945 (World War II)
Book Summary: Tells the story of Inge Auerbacher and her family, German Jews who were transferred to the Terezin Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia and lived there for three years until they were liberated by the Soviets. Ms. Auerbacher was one of only thirteen survivors from her transport of about 1200 people who were sent to Terezin, and was one of the few surviving children. Discusses the history of World War II and Anti-Semitism. Also inclues a timeline, poetry written by the author, photographs and pictures, and suggested books for further reading.
Comments: Auerbacher provides a lot of background to the causes of the Holocaust in a way that children will understand it. She doesn't just simply state that the Nazis hated the Jews. Instead, she gives the both the history of Hitler's rise to power, and the even longer history of Anti-Semitism in Europe. She also shares facts about the concentration camps themselves, but she does so in a gentle way that won't be too disturbing to children.
There is a lot of information included in the book, and Auerbacher tries to break this up into manageable segments through various means. I appreciated the photographs, which mainly included pictures of the people Auerbacher talks about in the book. Less helpful were the poems and drawings placed sporadically throughout the book. The poems give little snippets of concentration camp life that will be useful to children, but these snippets are not discussed in the actual narrative. For example, a poem about finding and hiding potatoes is inserted without any comment made about this incident in the text. Sometimes the poems are placed in such a way as to interrupt the text, making it hard to keep track of what is going on.
Themes: World War II, Anti-Semitism, Concentration Camps, Holocaust
Red Flags: Light discussion of the purpose of Auschwitz and the horrors of concentration camps.
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