Book Review: Sabotage

SABOTAGE: THE MISSION TO DESTROY HITLER’S ATOMIC BOMBS by Neal Bascomb is a young adult edition of the best selling adult book “The Winter Fortress”.

This nonfiction narrative tells the true story of a band of young Norwegian commandos who survive in the winter wilderness and execute two dangerous missions to sabotage Nazi plans to build a nuclear bomb. Filled with technical details and vivid descriptions, Bascomb successful brings this historical event to life for readers.

Librarians will find that this fast-paced story of WWII era espionage will be popular among teens who enjoy historical fiction, military works, and narrative nonfiction. The author’s use of primary source documents including many photographs and maps add authenticity and drama to this true story. Add this title to the library’s growing number of quality works of narrative nonfiction for young adults.

Published by Scholastic on May 31, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Underdogs

THE UNDERDOGS by Sara Hammel is an exciting murder mystery with an unexpected twist.

When popular teen Annabel Harper is murdered at an elite tennis club, Evie and her best friend Chelsea set out to find the killer. From spying on the lead detective to conducting their own informal investigation, the two are intent on solving the crime.

Librarians will find youth re-reading this middle grade book looking for hidden clues to the book’s amazing twist. Ask readers to take a pledge of silence so they don’t give away the unexpected reveal near the end of the book. Although the mystery itself will be enough to keep most readers happy, it’s the unique twist that will keep this title circulating.

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

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux an imprint of Macmillan on May 31, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: VisLit

VISLIT from the Toledo Museum of Art explores visual literacy, visual language, and the “art of seeing art”.

The “Why Visual Literacy” section examines reasons why it’s importance to understand visual language. The page features a video that introduces the concept.

The “Visual Language” section discusses visual communication and provides short videos focusing on creativity, critical thinking, educational achievement, empathy, and technology.

The “Art of Seeing Art” area makes that connection between visual literacy and art. This page takes students through six steps: look, observe, see, describe, analyze, and interpret. Although aimed at the topic of art, these steps can be applied to any visual situation.

Finally, many additional resources are provided including visual literacy curriculum materials for teachers.

Librarians will find this website to be an outstanding resource in teaching key concepts related to visual literacy. Although the project takes an art museum perspective, the resources can easily be adapted to the school library setting.

The “Do you speak visual?” project is a companion website that helps users understand the importance of graphic representations and how to “speak visual”.

To visit the Visual Literacy website, go to http://www.vislit.org/
To visit the Do You Speak Visual? website, go tohttp://doyouspeakvisual.com/.

Book Review: On Bird Hill

ON BIRD HILL by Jane Yolen is an imaginative picture book taking readers on a walk through a fantasy landscape.

The endearing story follows a child and his dog as they stroll through a valley and zoom into the natural world. Loosely based on a century-old nursery rhyme, Jane Yolen has created an enchanting world for today’s children to explore. Bob Marstall’s illustrations bring the story’s surreal landscape to life with intriguing plants, animals, and human elements.

Librarians will find Yolen’s lyrical prose to be useful in storytelling activities. The whimsical, imaginary world sets the stage for a wide range of classroom activities. While some teachers may see opportunities for children to create their own imaginary worlds, others may see chances to talk about local plants and animals.

Learn more about the author at http://janeyolen.com/.
Learn more about the illustrator at http://bobmarstall.com/. Download a free teacher’s guide.

Published by Cornell Lab Publishing Group on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Be a Martian

NASA’s BE A MARTIAN app and websites immerses students in experiences and information related to Mars missions.

The app is divided into sections exploring a wide range of tools, information, and activities.

The Featured section contains Mars posters, quick facts, and cards.

The See section focuses on visual representations of Mars including raw images from Curiosity, Mars as art, Mars photographs, short videos, and animations.

The Learn section explores Mars missions, Curiosity’s journey, news, videos, and information.

The Ask section allows youth to ask a question of NASA scientist Dr. Phil Christensen when he’s available.

The More section connects with NASA websites. The Be A Martian website extends the app experience and the Mars Exploration website contains news, information, and multimedia resources focusing on the Mars program.

Between the app and the websites, librarians will find endless resources exploring the Mars program for all grade levels. Consider developing a display that incorporates a tablet with the app, a laptop with the website, books, and focused, hands-on activities.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/app/nasa-be-a-martian/id543704769.
To visit the app website, go to http://beamartian.jpl.nasa.gov/welcome.
To visit NASA’s Mars Exploration website, go to http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/.

Book Review: Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts

LOOK OUT FOR THE FITZGERALD-TROUTS by Esta Spalding features the goofy adventures of four children living on a tropical island.

This humorous middle grade novel features four siblings named Kim, Kimo, Peppa, and Toby living in a car on the beach. Although they’re making it work, they yearn for a home of their own.

Librarians will find middle grade readers attracted to the quick-witted children surrounded by terrible adults. Young people will be looking for the next book in this new series.

Learn more about the author at http://estaspalding.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Be a Friend

BE A FRIEND by Salina Yoon is a heartwarming picture book exploring individuality and friendship.

Dennis expresses himself through mime. While other children talk with friends and play with toys, Dennis uses his imagination for amusement. Over time, Dennis becomes lonely and is thrilled to meet another child who shares his passion for mime.

Yoon’s use of brown paper and the color red are inventive additions to her already appealing illustrations. Children will enjoy the illustrator’s nod to Marcel Marceau woven throughout the book.

Librarians will find this quiet picture book to be an effective tool in talking to children about individual differences, courage, and self-acceptance.

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

Published by Bloomsbury on January 5, 2016. ARC Courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: The Story of Pelagie

THE STORY OF PELAGIE is an interactive app and website telling the story of an African American woman and her home in the 18th century.

Both the website and app tell the story of a former slave who became a free woman in Missouri. The interactive, digital story incorporates engaging video, primary source documents, and images from the historic Amoureux House. In addition to the story, a timeline is used to take readers through her life. Users can also go on an interactive home tour.

A teacher’s guide includes curriculum materials, lesson plans, resources, and activities to extend the experience. Links are provided to useful resources and documents to extend the experience.

Librarians will find this app and website to be useful in discussing history, culture, and architecture within the context of a specific person and place. Work with the social studies and history teacher to weave this rich, little-known history into the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://amoureuxhouse.org/
To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/bauvais-amoureux-hou…/id853313105.

Book Review: We Will Not Be Silent

WE WILL NOT BE SILENT: THE WHITE ROSE STUDENT RESISTANCE MOVEMENT THAT DEFIED ADOLF HITLER by Russell Freedman is the true story of siblings who stand up against the Nazis by distributing resistance leaflets.

This well-researched work of nonfiction tells the story of Hans Scholl and his sister Sophie who join the Hitler Youth, but soon realize they don’t agree with the movement. Along with their friends, they create the White Rose campaign against Hitler and the Nazis. Their underground movement includes distributing leaflets. Using photographs and easy-to-understand prose, these young people fought for their beliefs risking imprisonment and sometimes even execution. The book concludes with useful source notes, credits, and an index.

Designed for ages 10-14, librarians will find that youth will connect with this very accessible story of young people fighting for their beliefs. This little-known story is an excellent way to engage students in a discussion of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.

Look for this title on the “best of nonfiction” lists for 2016.

Published by Clarion on May 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Digital Stories

DIGITAL STORIES from the Wellcome Collection weaves digitized primary sources into fascinating historical stories.

This London library website currently contains two digital stories: Minecraft and The Collectors.

Using an intriguing web-based format, Minecraft explores a century of madness, murder and mental healing through historical photographs, drawings, paintings, and other primary source documents. In many cases, interactive features are available such as zooming into documents, extended galleries, and informational sidebars. Multimedia elements are also available.

The Collectors is a digital story focusing on the power of curiosity and the naturalists, explorers, scientists, and others who have been involved with collecting in centuries past. This interactive web-based project also features primary source materials and multimedia elements.

Librarians will find this website to be a fascinating way to present archival materials. Use the website when exploring primary sources and design an activity the involves students in writing their own digital stories based on a collection.

To visit the collection, go to http://digitalstories.wellcomecollection.org/.

Book Review: The Wild Robot

THE WILD ROBOT by Peter Brown tells the thought-provoking story of a robot trying to survive and thrive in the wilderness.

When a ship carrying crates of robots sinks, one surviving robot is marooned on a remote island. Roz the robot soon finds a place in the unpredictable, outdoor world. Experiencing the seasons, making animal friends, and learning about nature, Roz gradually becomes part of the island’s animal community. When intruders come for Roz, the island creatures band together in support of their friend.

Young readers will be attracted to the many illustrations woven throughout the story. Peter Brown’s fascinating characters, fast-paced plot, and short, easy-to-read chapters will draw a large audience.

Librarians will find this book to be an engaging read-aloud option. The story’s unique premise combining the worlds of science fiction and the great outdoors makes for an unforgettable reading experience. Look for this title on many “best of 2016” lists.

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

Published by Little, Brown for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: Earthquake

EARTHQUAKE by Nico Tranquilli is a free app providing the latest worldwide data about earthquake activity.

This attractive, well-designed app features a list of today’s seismic events along with an easy-to-use interactive map showing recent activity. The map makes it easy to zoom-in on areas of frequent activity. Students can select the magnitudes they wish to view including 2+, 3.5+, and 5+.

Each event includes it’s location, magnitude, depth, time, and coordinates. While much of the information comes directly from the USGS, other global services also contribute data.

Librarians will find this free app to be a useful addition to their app reference collection. Ask youth to compare recent earthquake activities to well-known faults and activities such as drilling. Incorporate this tool into meaningful, data literacy activities.

To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthquake/id632040358.

As an alternative to this app, go directly to the USGS Earthquake website athttp://earthquake.usgs.gov/ for current information.

Book Review: The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial

THE FIRST STEP: HOW ONE GIRL PUT SEGREGATION ON TRIAL by Susan E. Goodman tells the inspiring story of the first lawsuit focusing on segregated schools.

Set in the 1840s, this biographical picture book follows the experiences of a young African American girl named Sarah Roberts who sought to attend a white school in Boston. The book concludes by tracing Sarah’s legacy. Although she didn’t win her case, the experience did provide a few small steps forward at the beginning of the fight for civil rights.

Goodman’s straight forward, easy-to-understand narration makes this book an effective resource for classroom social studies and history activities. E.B. Lewis’ touching watercolor images capture the time period and fervor of the times.

The back matter includes useful information including a timeline, biographies, resource list, and author’s note.

Librarians will find that most students and teachers are familiar with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, however they may not realize that the fight against segregation began more than a century earlier in the courts. Use this picture book to jumpstart a discussion of the long history of the Civil Rights Movement.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.susangoodmanbooks.com/.
To learn about the illustrator, go to http://eblewis.com/.

Published by Bloomsbury on January 5, 2016. ARC Courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Every Exquisite Thing

EVERY EXQUISITE THING by Matthew Quick tells the coming-of-age story of a young adult transformed by a cult classic.

When Nanette befriends the recluse author of a cult classic, she begins to see the world in new ways. She starts dating, quits the soccer team, and rebels against her stereotypical suburban life. However, rebellion can be costly. Quick’s engaging writing style immerses readers in Nanette’s voyage of self-discovery.

Librarians will find teens drawn into this well-written story that combines classic teen angst and rebellion with emerging confidence and courage. Fans of realistic fiction and topics such as mental health will be lining up for this one. English teachers will enjoy the references to poetry and literature.

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

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: College Navigator

COLLEGE NAVIGATOR helps teens explore schools and prepare for life after high school.

Created by the Institute of Education Sciences, this U.S. government website takes young adults step-by-step through the process of finding a college. Search options include finding schools by name, state, distance from home, program, academic level, institution type, and more. An interactive map helps users see school locations. Students can create lists of favorite schools, do side-by-side comparisons, download results on a spreadsheet, and even save searches.

Each college entry contains general information (i.e., map, website link, offerings, demographics) along with costs, financial aid, enrollment, admissions, retention and graduation rates, programs, and other useful information.

In addition to the database of schools, the website contains links to many other online government resources. The College Affordability and Transparency Center helps teens compare the price of tuition and fees. Other resources include information about preparing for post-high school education, financial aid, and career exploration.

Librarians will find this easy-to-use website helpful in assisting students with locating college information. While many commercial websites are filled with sponsored ads and possible bias, this government website contains nicely presented factual information presented in alphabetical order. It’s easy for students to get overload with the information found at college websites. This tool makes it simple for students to locate and compare information.

To visit the website, go to http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.

Book Review: The Drake Equation

THE DRAKE EQUATION by Bart King is a humorous science fiction adventure.

While on a quest for an elusive bird, Noah instead finds a mysterious, glittery disk. This middle-school youth suddenly acquires strange powers that lead to funny adventures.

Librarians will find that young readers empathize with the young birdwatcher and his friends. While the science fiction aspects don’t really take off until the second half of the book, most children will enjoy the school and friendship aspects of the story.

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

Published by Disney-Hyperion on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: NASA WAVELENGTH

NASA WAVELENGTH provides a full spectrum of resources for science education.

Sponsored by NASA, this website provides access to a digital collection of Earth and space science resources for all grade levels. Specifically, they focus on helping students develop an understanding of our planet Earth, our Sun and solar system, and the universe.

The Science Data and Images section is divided into introductory, intermediate, and advanced resources. The page shares key online collections and descriptions of these resources.

The Strandmaps page links to interactive concept maps on specific science and math topics in the areas of the physical setting, the nature of science, the living environment, the designed world, habits of mind, the nature of technology, and common themes. Each map introduces related concepts, how the concepts are aligned to benchmarks and standards, and links to resources.

The blog provides news, updated information, and resources of interest to educators in a wide range of topics such as astronomy, astrophysics, citizen science, data, and others.

A search tool can be used to find resources by key word and audience. Materials can also be explored by grade level. Finally, links are provided to key multimedia resources including apps, videos, and images.

Librarians will find these resources to be popular with science teachers. Work with teachers to align the materials with the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://nasawavelength.org/.

Book Review: A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEAR SPOTTING by Michelle Robinson is an adorable picture book adventure.

Robinson’s quirky approach to storytelling is sure to entice young readers. An adorable child narrator carrying a field guide provides readers with useful and sometimes silly information about identifying and interacting with bears in the forest.

David Robert’s use of graph paper, appealing typography, and endearing characters make the book particularly appealing.

Librarians will find a large audience for this outdoor adventure. Pair the book with animal books and field guides for a fun display. The field-note theme has lots of possibilities for science projects and nature connections. Encourage children to write their own story about a favorite animal encounter incorporating both fact and fiction.

To learn more about the author, go to http://michellerobinson.co.uk/.

Published by Bloomsbury on February 9, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: DK FindOut!

DK FINDOUT! is an educational site for children that explores topics across subject areas.

The website presents easy-to-understand and attractively presented information about a wide range of topics including animals and nature, computer coding, dinosaurs and prehistoric life, Earth, history, human body, language arts, math, music, art, and literature, science, space, sports, transportation, and more.

Each page includes an overview of the topic along with videos and quizzes. A subject such as animals is divided into sub-topics such as The Animal Kingdom, Food chains, Cats, Dogs, and Amphibians. Once inside a sub-topic, users can explore key ideas through short articles, videos, interactives, and more. The website is loaded with practical information and relevant examples.

Parent and teacher sections provide a wealth of resources including quizzes, videos, and article to help children learn.

An easy-to-use search tool assists youth in locating information on topics of interest.

Librarians will find this to be a popular tool with both teachers and students. Consider aligning the key content with informational reading activities throughout the curriculum. Fans of DK books will immediately recognize the format and appealing visuals that have become the hallmark of DK publications.

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

Book Review: Almanac 2017

ALMANAC 2017 by National Geographic Kids is a reference book chuck-full of fascinating facts and activities.

The almanac begins with a table of contents including Your World, Amazing Animals, Going Green, Culture Connection, Awesome Adventure, Fun and Games, Super Science, Wonders of Nature, History Happens, and Geography Rocks. Each section includes photographs, diagrams, games, jokes, and lots of activities.

Color-coded tabs make it easy to thumb through the book looking for sections of interest. An index also helps with access.

Almanacs are always a hit with youth. Librarians will find the 2017 edition contains about 40% new content. Readers will find expanded content at the national Geographic Kids website.

For online content, go to natgeokids.com/almanac.

Published by National Geographic Kids on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.