Synergy: Exploring World War II

WORLD WAR II was a global conflict between two military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. From 1939-1945, many of the world’s countries fought on land, sea, and air killing an estimated 70-80 million people. Civilian populations were particularly hard hit. Many people were held in prison camps around the world.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

SEEN AND UNSEEN: WHAT DOROTHEA LANGE, TOYO MIYATAKE, AND ANSEL ADAM’S PHOTOGRAPHS REVEAL ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION by Elizabeth Partridge and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki is an award-winning work of nonfiction sharing the power of photography. Told through a mixture of original drawings and historical photos, readers explore the heartbreaking stories of Japanese Americans living in incarceration camps during World War II. The visually rich book concludes with eighteen pages of additional information and resources. ARC country of Chronicle Books.

RACE AGAINST DEATH: THE GREATEST POW RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II by Deborah Hopkinson is a middle grade nonfiction narrative telling the story of an American POW rescue mission. Part of the “True Stories in Focus” collection, this fast-paced story follows US Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas who conduct the “Great Raid” to rescue American and Filipino prisoners. ARC courtesy of Scholastic Focus, an imprint of Scholastic.

IMPOSSIBLE ESCAPE: A TRUE STORY OF SURVIVAL AND HEROISM IN NAZI EUROPE by Steve Sheinkin shares the parallel stories of two Jewish friends trying to survive the Holocaust. While Rudi is attempting to escape from Auschwitz, Gerta is in hiding and risks capture in Hungary. This engaging nonfiction narrative brings two difference Holocaust experiences to life for teens readers. ARC courtesy of Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan.

WE ALSO SERVED by Erin McGill shares true stories of brave animals in the military along with other heroic tales. Designed for children, the brightly colored illustrations and short blocks of engaging text highlight the efforts of dogs and other animals who served on the front lines of World War II along with other eras. Each story concludes with a key word related to their service. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

Book Review: Dog Man Series

DOG MAN is a new series of graphic novels for children by Dav Pilkey featuring a dog-headed police officer.

Like Captain Underpants who was created by George and Harold, Dog Man is an unusual superhero made by a pair of friends. In the first book, this “crime-biting canine” is created when a police officer and his police dog are combined to save both lives. The resulting new superhero has some quirks, but he quickly gets to work capturing criminals like Petey the Cat and other evil doers. Two additional books including Unleashed and A Tale of Two Kittens explore stories featuring evil Petey the Cat. The latest addition to the series introduces Dog Man’s new sidekick Cat Kid. Together they become an effective crime fighting team.

Librarians will find a huge following for this hilarious new series. With endless jokes focusing on the relationship between dogs and cats, this new series will appeal to pet lovers along with fans of Captain Underpants.

Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: Pet First Aid

PET FIRST AID from the American Red Cross is an engaging medical reference app focusing on pet care.

This easy-to-use app provides veterinary advice for everyday emergencies common with dogs and cats.

Users can easily toggle between dog and cat information. Sections include the topics, learn, prepare, emergency, quizzes, and pets. Both emergency tools such as calling a vet, hospital locator, and early warning signs, along with emergency first aid are available. The short focused chunks of information are easy to understand.

Librarians will enjoy using this tool as an example of an app-based quick reference. Involve youth in comparing the use of reference books to apps. Discuss the pros and cons of app-based reference tools. Use it for informational reading activities. Put it in a display featuring books about pet care.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/pet-first-aid-by-ame…/id780415389.

Book Review: Lucky

LUCKY by Chris Hill is an animal adventure that tells the story of feuding squirrel clans.

Lucky is a small, red squirrel who has been adopted by a band of gray squirrels. He quickly learns that he must develop some new skills in order to fit in and to survive in Albion Park. Along the way, he meets a cast of interesting characters including dogs, a fox, and a rival group of gray squirrels.

The author’s note provides information about the history of gray and red squirrels in the UK.

Librarians will find that this book appeals to middle grade animals lovers. Fans of the Warriors series and classics like Watership Down, The Wind in the Willows, and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMN will immediately be drawn to the characters. It’s also a good choice for readers who enjoyed the Elliot’s Park books and are ready for something a little longer.

Published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Paper Wishes

PAPER WISHES by Lois Sepahban tells the heartbreaking story of a family sent to a Japanese-American relocation camp during World War II.

Ten-year-old Manami and her dog lead a happy life in Washington until her family is uprooted and imprisoned in a California camp called Manzanar far from home. Manami is deeply affected by her missing dog and refuses to speak. The love of her family and a compassionate teacher keep hope alive.

The author’s moving story and simple, vivid descriptions of camp life bring this tragic piece of American history alive for middle grade readers.

Librarians will find this work of historical fiction to be an excellent addition to their growing collection focusing on World War II Japanese internment camps. An author’s note provides background information about this tragic chapter of American history.

The short length of the book will make it popular among intermediate readers looking for a “skinny book” to read.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.loissepahban.com/.

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan on January 5, 2015. ARC courtesy of publisher.

Book Review: Finder Coal Mine Dog

FINDER: COAL MINE DOG by Alison Hart is the latest in the DOG CHRONICLES historical fiction series.

Set in 1909, young Thomas is forced to go to work in the coal mines to help support his family. Thomas takes his dog named Finder into the mines to help pull carts in the mine. When a mining accident traps Thomas and others in the mine, Finder leads them to safety.

Told from Finder’s perspective, the simple narrative is reminiscent of children’s books from the past. The pencil sketches add interest to the story.

Designed for the middle grades, librarians will find lots of curriculum connections including child labor, mining hazards, and black lung disease. The book includes diagrams of the coal mine as well as details about the history associated with the story’s themes.

Children who enjoy dog stories may also like the other books in this series including Darling: Mercy Dog of World War I and Murphy: Gold Rush Dog. Ranger in Time by Kate Messner is another recent historical fiction series featuring dogs for middle grade readers.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alisonhartbooks.com/.

Published by Peachtree Publishers on October 1, 2015. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Wild Ones

THE WILD ONES by C. Alexander London is an enjoyable middle grade adventure fantasy featuring an epic conflict between wild and domesticated animals.

House pets known as The Flealess are planning to attack Ankle Snap Alley and break the treaty with The Wild Ones. Kit, a young raccoon in the city for the first time must find the Bone of Contention and stop the turf war.

Librarians will find the blend of witty humor with the well-developed animal characters to be a draw for youth who enjoy anthropomorphic stories. Fans of Redwall, Warriors, Spirit Animals, or any of the other animal series books will enjoy the diverse cast of animals.

Published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin on August 25, 2015.

Book Review: Kangaroo to the Rescue!

KANGAROO TO THE RESCUE! by Moira Rose Donahue is the latest in the AMAZING ANIMAL HEROES CHAPTERS series from National Geographic Kids.

The book features three true stories featuring animals. First, Lulu the Kangaroo saves her human friend after an accident. Next, when Maggie the dog goes blind, her dog companion Pilot becomes her guide dog. Finally, three pigs named Dasiey, Lulu and Buttercup come to the rescue.

Each story includes three, short, fast-paced chapters. Appealing photographs of the real animals from the stories add to the drama. “Did You Know” fact boxes and full-page, spotlights on key topics help readers understand the context of the story. In addition, pronunciation is provided for difficult vocabulary.

Informational reading experiences are an important element of the Common Core. The CHAPTERS series is an effective way to address nonfiction reading needs.

The animal stories will appeal to both boys and girls. Beyond animal rescues, librarians will find many other “More True Stories” topics in the CHAPTERS series to keep children interested in reading.

For more National Geographic resources for kids, go to http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/.