Synergy: City

A city is a large, densely populated human settlement. These places generally have a central authority that facilitates operations such as sanitation and transportation. Some cities are part of a larger, continuous urban landscape called a metropolis. In some cases, large cities are divided into neighborhoods or boroughs. For instance, Manhattan is the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for youth then learn more at the website.

FOUR STREETS AND A SQUARE: A History of Manhattan and the New York Idea by Marc Aronson is a work of nonfiction for middle grades and young adults. Using photos, drawings, and other primary source materials, along with an engaging narrative, Aronson provides a fascinating examination of the evolution of four streets and a square within Manhattan. Of particular note are the many ways the author addresses common legends and challenges traditional thinking about the long history of the city. He takes care in providing multiple viewpoints and lesser known examples. Throughout the book, he includes snapshots that provide a timeline of key events.

RESOURCES from Marc Aronson provides useful online materials to immerse readers in each chapter. From maps and video clips to photo collections and entire websites, this useful supplement will bring the book alive for readers.

To explore the links, go to https://bit.ly/3Ku4Ssz.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Book Review: My Washington DC

MY WASHINGTON DC by Kathy Jakobsen is a visually rich picture book exploring the key features of this important US city.

The story follows Becky and her friend Martin as they explore the many interesting sights of this capitol city. The detailed illustrations and informational text bring the locations alive for children.

Of particular note is the illustrator’s use of the book’s borders to embed interesting artifacts and visual information. The book concludes with a reader’s challenge that asks readers to spot details woven throughout the book.

Librarians will find the book to be an excellent addition to their social studies collection. Consider an assignment that connects the book with Google Maps to explore the buildings of Washington DC.

To learn more about the author, go to https://kathyjakobsen.wordpress.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on September 6, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Symphony for the City of the Dead

SYMPHONY FOR THE CITY OF THE DEAD by M.T. Anderson tells the compelling true story of composer Dmitri Shostakovich known for the symphony he created during the Siege of Leningrad.

This outstanding biography chronicles the life of Dmitri Shostakovich and his passion for music and the city he loves. After an engaging prologue that sets the stage, the book details the composer’s childhood through early adulthood. The middle section of the work focuses on the Siege of Leningrad, Shostakovich’s work on what become known as the Leningrad Symphony, and the impact of the symphony around the world. The book concludes with the legacy of the symphony, the end of World War II, and the rest of Shostakovich’s life.

Librarians will find that both performing arts and history students will find the book appealing. Much more than a biography, this story of bravery and patriotism explores not only the life of a person but also the history of a country, a city, and a symphony. Youth who enjoy biography will be drawn to the conversational narrative and inspiring storyline.

There are many excellent biographies for middle school youth and adults, but few quality works written for serious young adult readers. This biography contains the in-depth research expected of an adult work without the length and detail that can bog down high school scholars. The author’s note, source notes, bibliography, and index will be useful for student researchers ready to learn more.

Look for this magnificent biography to appear at the top of many awards lists for 2015.

Listen to Symphony No. 7 Op. 60 at https://youtu.be/HON-9Z1Greo.
Explore the score for Symphony Number Seven at http://goo.gl/pxkSkl.

Published by Candlewick on September 22, 2015.

Website Review: The World Under Water

The WORLD UNDER WATER website provides visualizations of what coastal regions will look like with rising sea levels.

The premise is simple. What’s the impact of rising sea levels? The website provides 360 views of a dozen well-known locations that may be impacted by rising sea levels at some point in the future. Viewers are invited to examine a preview of things to come.

Users are invited to enter an address or city to see what the area will look like in the future.

The Take Action area provides tools for calculating your emissions, offsetting your carbon footprint, and supporting a green project.

Librarians can use this website to jumpstart a discussion of climate change. Ask them to select a city and research the time it will take for sea levels to rise enough to impact the city shown in the visualization based on current estimates. Involve teams in comparing the projections from various websites they identify.

To learn more, go to http://www.worldunderwater.org.