Book Review: If You Love Honey

IF YOU LOVE HONEY by Martha Sullivan is an amazing informational science picture exploring connections in nature.

Each page of the story begins with some variation of “if you love…, then you…”. Readers are taken through a series of connected flora and fauna starting with honey and ending with children at a picnic. Supplemental information on each page describes the importance of each aspect of nature including insects, birds, and soils.

In addition to the narrative, readers will enjoy additional information and activities at the end of the book including an I-Spy game; information about pollination and honey; and bee activities.

While many science books for children focus on a single topic or gloss over the big picture, this beautifully illustrated picture book manages to pack in dozens of essential science concepts into an engaging narrative.

Librarians will find lots of connections to the science curriculum. Use this book to kick off an exploration for each of the creatures in the story. Create a display that includes nonfiction books on bees and honey.

To download activities to accompany the book, go tohttp://www.dawnpub.com/activities/honey/.

Published by Dawn Publications on September 1, 2015.

Book Review: What in the World? Look Again

WHAT IN THE WORLD? LOOK AGAIN from National Geographic Kids is the second book in a new series that contains dozens of fascinating photo puzzles for middle grades children to ponder.

As readers work their way through this colorful book, they’re faced with eight different types of puzzles.

The “What in the World?” puzzles ask children to use photos and written clues to find the answers to questions.
The “Real or Fake?” activities involve youth in deciding if a photo is real or fake.
The “Take a Look!” puzzles ask children to find items in a photo on a list.
The “Up Close” photos involve youth in matching extreme close-up photos with other images.
The “Hidden Animals” activities ask readers to find animals hidden in their natural habitats.
The “Optical Illusion” puzzles involves readers in looking at images different ways.
The “Double Take” photos ask children to find differences between two photos.
The “More Challenges” activities extend the experience with additional experiences to extend brain power. Answers can be found at the end of the book along with other resources to explore.

Librarians will find this new series to be a popular alternative to the “I Spy” books. The visual mysteries will provide endless opportunities for problem-solving fun. Use the book to kick off a digital photography project. Get youth involved with creating their own visual photo puzzles.

Published by National Geographic Kids on September 8, 2015.

Website Review: NASA's GeneLab

NASA’s GENELAB website explores cutting-edge biology experiences conducted in space.

The resource begins with a fascinating video that examines how the GeneLab is used to conduct unique scientific studies.

The Discoveries section features news and information about the data being collected, the strategic plan, and specific experiments.

The Data section links to the GeneLab Data System 1.0 website. This open-access, online searchable data repository houses information collected from space biology experiments. Users can browse sample data sets. This area is just getting started, so more research will be available in the future.

Useful for secondary students interested in cutting-edge science, librarians will find a wealth of interesting resources. This website provides “real world” examples of space biology work so students can see how experiments are conducted in space. Although the science is likely to be beyond secondary student understanding, it may provide the foundation for further exploration.

To visit the website, go to http://genelab.nasa.gov/.

Book Review: Honor Girl

HONOR GIRL: A GRAPHIC MEMOIR by Maggie Thrash tells the story of first love at an all-girl summer camp.

Maggie spends her summers at Camp Bellflower in Kentucky. From music to target shooting, she experiences the typical drama of summer friendships. However, the summer she turns 15, Maggie falls for a 19-year-old camp counselor. Camp rumors and melodrama don’t diminish her experience of first love.

Using flashbacks to her time in summer camp, the author skillfully weaves a story of self-discovery and young love. She also reminds readers that it’s impossible to revisit the past. Although the book explores a lesbian relationship, Thrash’s portrayal of teen angst and struggles with sexuality are universal themes.

The colorful drawings will appeal to the young adult audience. Librarians will find HONOR GIRL to be a popular addition to the growing number of quality graphic memoirs for young adults.

Learn more about the author at http://www.maggiethrash.com/.

Published by Candlewick on September 8, 2015.

App Review: Robots

ROBOTS is an interactive reference app exploring over 150 real-world robots.

This award-winning app provides a complete reference guide to the topic of robotics. The engaging app contains hundreds of animations, photos, videos, and articles.

Users select a robot to explore from thumbnail images of 158 robots from 19 countries around the world. Users can examine a 360 degree view of the robot, participate in interactive animations, review technical specifications, read articles, and view photos and videos.

Librarians will find that this app appeals to both beginners as well as experienced robot enthusiasts. Include the app in a display with toy robots, LEGO robots, and books related to the topic.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/robots-for-ipad/id566581906.

Book Review: Seven Dead Pirates

SEVEN DEAD PIRATES by Linda Bailey is a humorous paranormal adventure about a boy who helps a gaggle of ghosts retake their pirate ship from a local museum.

After Lewis’s great grandfather dies, the shy eleven-year-old and his family moves into his great-grandfather’s creepy seaside mansion. Lewis soon discovers that the ghosts of seven pirates live in the secluded tower that’s now his bedroom. These spooky characters aren’t interested in haunting. Instead, they want to steal their pirate ship from the history museum and set sail for the pirate utopia known as Libertalia.

Perfect for a Halloween month read-aloud, this middle grades fantasy is full of paranormal fun and emerging friendships. Children will easily empathize with Lewis and his motley crew of apparitions. This book will quickly become a popular part of the library’s Halloween book display.

Librarians will also find the book to be a great focal point for a pirate themed event. Need ideas? Go to the Talk Like a Pirate website at http://www.talklikeapirate.com.

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

Published by Tundra, an imprint of Random House on September 8, 2015.

Website Review: The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake

THE WAR OF 1812 IN THE CHESAPEAKE is an amazing interactive battlefield map website.

Users can choose to enter one of four battles including the Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the Battle of Bladensburg, the Battle of North Point, or the Battle of Baltimore.

Each experience begins will a short video that presents background information. Then, users explore an interactive map that provides information about the “big picture” of war, clickable dates that feature key events, and map extras that give users access to battle map PDFs and other information. Clicking on a particular event or location presents videos, images, maps, and additional information.

The maps provide users the option to view a historic, modern, or overview map. Tools also allow users to zoom in and out of the map scene.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent way to engage learners in American history.

To explore the resource, go to http://1812battles.org.

Book Review: The Hired Girl

THE HIRED GIRL by Laura Amy Schlitz is an engaging work of historical fiction aimed at tweens.

Set in 1911, fourteen-year old Joan runs away from her oppressive home in rural Pennsylvania hoping to reinvent herself as a hired girl in the city of Baltimore. Pretending to be an eighteen-year-old named Janet Lovelace, she lands a job as a housekeeper in a Jewish home. As she strives to learn more about her Catholic heritage, she also becomes familiar with Jewish tradition.

Most young readers will enjoy the conversational style of the diary format. With a hint of flirty romance and a focus on period clothing, librarians will find that the book is of more interest to girls than boys. However, it will have a wide readership among youth who enjoy reading the classics and are attracted to a protagonist who has a passion for reading.

Many works of fiction for youth avoid conversations about religion, however this novel is filled with thought-provoking discussions of culture, philosophy, and religion including concerns about anti-semitism and the role of religion in society.

Published by Candlewick on September 8, 2015.

Special Event: National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH.

The Homeland Security website provides lots of ideas for raising awareness about cybersecurity including weekly activities throughout the month.

The STOP-THINK-CONNECT resource guide features lots of activities and resources to teach youth about online safety. The website contains campaign ideas, resources for students and teacher, and tips. They also have useful handouts, presentations, discussion questions, and PSAs for different grade levels.

Librarians can connect this special event with the Standards for 21st Century Learners and digital citizenship.

The StaySafeOnline website provides information for students and teachers about online safety. The website provides information about this special month as well as resources, a glossary, and videos.

To learn more, go to http://www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month.

Visit the Stop-Think-Connect website at http://www.stcguide.com/.

Visit the StaySafeOnline website at https://www.staysafeonline.org.

Book Review: Lilliput

LILLIPUT by Sam Gayton is a sequel to the classic Gulliver’s Travels fantasy adventure.

Young Lily is kidnapped from the beach near her home by a giant named Gulliver. They return to London where Lily is kept prisoner in a birdcage. Gulliver plans to show the world that his adventures were real and that tiny people actual exist. However with the assistance of a friend, Lily escapes and enlists the cooperation of others to help her return to Lilliput.

Written for the middle grades, children will enjoy this fast-paced story. Even those not familiar with Gulliver’s Travels will easily understand the premise. The beautiful pencil illustrations add to the appeal.

Librarians will find lots of fans among children who enjoy “tiny people” stories.

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

Book Review: Lizard Radio

LIZARD RADIO by Pat Schmatz is a thought-provoking dystopian novel exploring issues of identity, diversity, socialization, and the power of free will.

Set in an alternative universe, foster-child Kavali is sent to an agricultural camp for teens. Encouraged to conform and become part of the cooperative society, Kavali struggles to find her place. Is Kavali a human or lizard, a samer or bender, a he or a she? Her journey of self-discovery will have readers asking questions about the nature of reality and one’s place in the universe.

The fast-paced story and fascinating use of vocabulary will quickly immerse young adult readers in Kavali’s world. By weaving in elements of mysticism and the paranormal, Schmatz keeps readers wondering about the nature of reality in this parallel world.

Librarians tired of the same-old dystopian adventures will find Schmatz’s character-driven story refreshing. The gender-questioning protagonist will appeal to many coming-of-age youth who struggle with issues of identity.

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

Published by Candlewick on September 8, 2015.

Website Review: Be An Engineer

The BE AN ENGINEER website explores the profession of engineering.

Sponsored by ExxonMobil, the website is focused on the interests of secondary students and contains three sections.

The Why Engineering section provides information about engineering as a profession, types of careers including aerospace, agricultural, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer hardware, computer software, electrical and electronics, environmental, geological, industrial, materials, mechanical, nuclear, and petroleum, related disciplines, and the importance of diversity. Along the way, users can read about notable engineers like Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

The Engineering in Action area explores stories of innovative thinkers in the area of engineering, amazing feats of engineering, news and events, and engineering champions.

The Become an Engineer section explores the education needed to become an engineer and tools and resources to learn more about this career path.

The colorful photos, interesting videos, and short paragraphs of content will appeal to teen readers.

Librarians will find this website to be a useful addition to STEM resources. Feature the website along with books about engineering careers and nonfiction books focusing on engineering topics.

To explore the website, go to http://www.beanengineer.com/.

Book Review: The Secret Mission of William Tuck

THE SECRET MISSION OF WILLIAM TUCK by Eric Pierpoint is an action-packed historical fiction novel aimed at the middle grades.

Set during the American Revolution in 1781, twelve-year-old William Tuck volunteers as a drummer boy. However, a chance encounter with a dying soldier plunges him into the world of couriers and spies. Along with a teenaged girl named Rebecca, they travel hundreds of miles to deliver a secret message that could turn the tide of the war.

Filled with familiar historical figures, battles, and locations, this engaging story focuses on the brutality of war and the courage of one young boy. Although the main characters are fictional, the author does an amazing job weaving in historical facts and immersing readers into the time period.

Librarians will be impressed by how the book deals with issues related to slavery, spies, prison ships, and the medical aspects of war in addition to the classic battle scenes. Use this book as an opportunity to share nonfiction works related to the Revolutionary War. This title would also be an excellent addition to a literature circle focusing on historical fiction of the American Revolution.

While many of the popular works about the American Revolution are aimed at the young adult reader, this book is perfect for middle grade readers who are just beginning to learn about this important period in American history. Use it as an entry to the wealth of books designed for older readers.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.ericpierpoint.net/.

Published by Sourcebook Jabberwocky on September 1, 2015.

App Review: NOVA Elements

The NOVA ELEMENTS app is a fun way to learn about the periodic table.

Based on the PBS NOVA series, the app provides users three options: explore, play, and watch.

The Explore option includes an interactive periodic table users can explore that provides definitions, images, and background information.

The Play option involves users in playing a game related to the periodic table.

The Watch option shows the two-house NOVA program, “Hunting the Elements”.

Librarians will find this to be a useful app to supplement classroom instruction on the topic of the periodic table.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nova-elements/id512772649.

Book Review: I'm New Here

I’M NEW HERE by Anne Sibley O’Brien is a touching picture book following three immigrant children adapting to their new American school.

When Maria, Jin, and Fatimah first arrive in their new school, they’re shy, apprehensive, and confused. However as they observe their peers and begin to participate in classroom activities, they slowing gain confidence.

The colorful, realistic illustrations along with the simple sentences and speech bubbles are perfect for the primary grades.

Librarians will find this book to be an excellent addition to their nonfiction collection focusing on diversity, multicultural issues, and the immigrant experience. Connect this book with social studies in the primary grades.

The author recommends a website called I’m Your Neighbor that promotes children’s literature featuring new arrivals. Go to http://www.imyourneighborbooks.org/.

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

Publish by Charlesbridge on August 4, 2015.

Website Review: Curious

CURIOUS: GROW YOUR SKILLS is a website that provides short instructional videos on dozens of topics.

Although not specifically designed for K-12 students, the website contains many videos appropriate for secondary students. The videos are divided into ten sections including Biz, Brainy, Code, Craft, Food, Health, Life, Music, Photo, and Tech.

The Brainy section focuses on traditional school subjects such as biology, college prep, history, math, psychology, and science. In many cases, only the first lesson in a series is available for free. However for K-12 students this overview may meet classroom needs.

Many of the step-by-step lessons contain attachments and assignments to help with learning.

Live discussions are held with experts around the world. These are recorded, so students can go back and watch past events.

The website contains both a free and membership option. However, the free version includes over 1000 lessons, so it’s a great place to start.

Librarians will find this website to be a good alternative when seeking out videos on specific topics. Use the search tool to look for videos on specific topics.

To visit the website, go to https://curious.com/.

Book Review: Iron Rails, Iron Men and the Race to Link the Nation

IRON RAILS, IRON MEN AND THE RACE TO LINK THE NATION by Martin W. Sandler tells the story of the transcontinental railroad.

Aimed children 10-14, the easy-to-read narrative combined with compelling historical photographs brings this amazing story to life. By weaving in quotes by individuals who observed and participated in construction of the railroad, Sandler highlights the determination and personal sacrifice necessary to create this marvel of engineering.

Historical photos, posters, maps, timeline, source notes, and a bibliography add to the appeal of this well-written work of nonfiction for youth. Of particular note is the epilogue that shares what happened to each of the individuals featured in the narrative.

Librarians will particularly enjoy the extensive use of primary source documents. Create a display that includes this book along with other books about trains and railroads from the past to the present.

Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2015.

Website Review: Stinks, Bangs & Booms: The Rise & Fall of the American Chemistry Set

STINKS, BANGS & BOOMS: THE RISE & FALL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMISTRY SET is a website that provides a fascinating look at the history of this beloved resource.

Sponsored by the Chemical Heritage Foundation, this award winning website uses an interactive timeline to explore the inception, heyday, decline, and resurgence of the American Chemistry Set.

The amazing story is told through the use of historical drawings, photographs, text, narration, and music. Interactive elements and mini-games keep readers interested. Users have the opportunity to learn more or move on to the next section.

A particularly interesting activity involves exploring chemistry sets from different time periods.

Users can listen to the stories of people who grew up with a chemistry set and participants can even record their own stories.

Librarians will find lots of uses for this amazing website. It’s an exciting way to discuss timelines and the idea of change over time. Involve youth in analyzing their favorite toy such as the history of LEGO. It’s also a fun way to bring historical photos and other primary sources to life. Consider creating a display that shows a chemistry set and labels the variety parts. Also include books of science experiments that youth can try at home.

To explore the website, go to http://chemistryset.chemheritage.org.

Book Review: One Bear Extraordinaire

ONE BEAR EXTRAORDINAIRE by Jayme McGowan is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a bear and his growing band of musician friends.

One morning a musical bear wakes up with a song in his head. As he explores the forest, other animal musicians join his growing band and contribute to his song. However, the bear still feels like something is missing until an unlikely young talent discovers the missing sound.

Librarians will find lots of ways to connect this colorful picture book with the music curriculum.

Consider creating a display of books by illustrations that use collage techniques including Marianne Berkes, Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, Steve Jenkins, Leo Lionni, Faith Ringgold, and Melissa Sweet.

Learn more about the author/illustrator at http://roadsideprojects.com/.

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers on September 8, 2015.

Technology Review: The Smithsonian Channel

The SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL app and website provides access to full-episodes of original series and documentaries as well as a large video library.

The app connects to over a thousand short videos as well as full programs. Users can select from favorite topics or browse the possibilities. The attractive interface is easy to use. Users can create their own channels of content based on favorite topics. Or, let the system select videos based on interests. Favorite videos can be identified.

The website features links to video clips as well as full episodes. Playlists are provided on popular topics such as bees, history, baby animals, and the civil rights movements.

Librarians will find videos across the curriculum including science and social science topics.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/smithsonian-channel/id482096908.

To visit the website, go to http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/.