Synergy: Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people, products, or goods from one place to another. A vehicle such as a truck, train, bus, ship, or other form of transportation may be used as a carrier.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

MEANS OF TRANSPORT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Tom Velcovsky explores the history of transport through key milestones in travel and transportation. From ships and air balloons to space travel, readers explore specific examples that represent key innovations through history. ARC courtesy of Albatros Media, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

AMERICA ON THE MOVE from the National Museum of American History examines transportation through American history. Over a dozen project pages use collection artifacts to share stories about travel and transportation.

To visit the website, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/america-on-the-move.

Book Review: Seven and a Half Tons of Steel

SEVEN AND A HALF TONS OF STEEL by Janet Nolan tells the extraordinary story of a navy ship built with steel from the World Trade Center tragedy.

After the World Trade Centers collapsed on 9/11, seven and a half tons of steel from the disaster site was transported to New Orleans and used in the bow of the USS New York. While Hurricane Katrina delayed the project, the ship was ultimately completed in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in New York.

Librarians will find this nonfiction picture book to be an age-appropriate story true story for elementary children. Rather than focusing on the tragedy itself, the author chooses to explore the uplifting story of rebuilding.

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

Published by Peachtree on August 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Listen to the Moon

LISTEN TO THE MOON by Michael Morpurgo is a poignant story of prejudice, loss, and rediscovery set during World War I.

While fishing off the Scilly Isles near Great Britain, Alfie and his father discover an abandoned girl on a deserted island. While some community members embrace this young waif, others shun her as a German invader. The story of how this young girl came to be marooned on the island is slowly revealed through Alfie and the recollections of various community players.

Morpurgo’s beautifully written story incorporates diary excerpts and interviews from different perspectives that keep the plot moving.

Librarians will find that the mixture of a fascinating mystery with an awe-inspiring setting will draw middle grade readers into this compelling historical story. Both boys and girls alike will enjoy the writing style, historical context, and amazing setting.

Learn more about this award-winning author athttp://www.michaelmorpurgo.com/.

Published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on October 27, 2015.

Book Review: Passenger on the Pearl

PASSENGER ON THE PEARL by Winifred Conkling tells the true story of Emily Edmonson’s flight from slavery. The work of nonfiction for youth is an authentic portrayal of the heartbreaking reality of slavery. Readers are immediately immersed in the story as Emily and her sibling’s attempt to escape on a ship called the Pearl. After their unsuccessful quest for freedom, the story continues to follow Emily’s life in slavery as well as the plight of the abolitionists who planned the escape. Ultimately, Emily and her sister are freed, educated, and became abolitionists themselves. They even develop a friendship with Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

The book includes a variety of compelling primary source documents including photographs, paintings, manifests, and posters that dramatically visualize the story. Graphic elements including maps, a timeline, and a family tree that help orient readers. The source notes, bibliography, and index are helpful to young researchers.

Focused fact sheets interwoven into the story help readers understand the laws and practical threats to slaves seeking freedom in the mid 19th century.

Conkling does a masterful job merging the real-world story of Emily with background information about the time period and specific events associated with the famous failed escape. The combination creates both empathy for the runaway slaves as well as an understanding of the context of the escape.

The National Park Service Underground Railroad Map at http://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/discover_history/underground_map.htmprovides a map showing hundreds of locations related to the Underground Railroad.

To learn more about author Winifred Conkling, go to http://www.winifredconkling.com/.

After reading this wonderful book for youth, some teens might be interested in a more in-depth examination of the attempted escape and the aftermath. Read ESCAPE ON THE PEARL (2007) by Mary Kay Ricks, a work of nonfiction for adults.

NetGalley ARC used for review