Book Review: This Side of Home

THIS SIDE OF HOME by Renée Watson is an inspiring YA novel following a young woman facing the timely issues of racial, ethnic, cultural, and community identify.

Her neighborhood is changing and Maya is concerned about the impact this evolution will have on her school and community. The Portland, Oregon setting is perfect for a discussion of changing neighbors and reflects the urban renewal pressures facing many American cities.

Watson brings the difficult topics of race and community alive through authentic, teen characters. The book is successful as both a coming-of-age story as well as an examination of larger, contemporary issues.

Watson’s debut YA novel deserves to be considered for the Coretta Scott King Book Award. However, this isn’t a “black” book or “white” book, it’s an powerful work about changing America. Librarians will welcome this emerging author with a strong multicultural voice.

For librarians participating in We Need Diverse Books campaign events at http://weneeddiversebooks.org/, I strongly recommend adding this work to your list.

To learn more about Renée Watson, go to http://www.reneewatson.net.

Published by Bloomsbury February 3, 2015. Publisher ARC used for review.

App Review: The Wired Bunch Series

THE WIRED BUNCH from nine22media is a rip-roaring western e-book series infused with interactive technology. Blending the best of old westerns and classic cartoons with engaging robots and fun animation, this series will be a hit with kids.

Six issues of this popular interactive e-book series have been published so far and six more are under development. The first issue is free, while other issues need to be purchased. The app opens to a bookshelf showing the issues currently available.

Set in an alternative Old West setting, each story revolves around robot cowboys. In the first exciting episode, Marshal Ram and his deputies are introduced to readers. These Old West bots must protect their town from O.L. Tycoon and his evil robots. Children can read the story, listen to the story read aloud, or a combination. At any point, readers can go to a particular page, set a bookmark, or edit the story.

The old-time piano music along with the engaging animation immediately immerse children in the world of the wired bunch! Each e-page is visually stunning with crisp bright colors. Basic animation adds to the experience without distracting from the story. The bright yellow font is presented in a size that is easy to read. The audio narration fits perfectly with the western theme. Throughout the story, readers are encouraged to participate by exploring the screen or answering a reflective question. These interactions relate directly to the story so they enhance the reading experience.

Like the Saturday Morning cartoons of the past, some of the technology references and sophisticated humor may be “over the heads” of some children. However, parents, teachers, and librarians will enjoy every play on words making the books a wonderful joint reading experience.

This interactive e-book series would be a wonderful way to engage reluctant readers both inside and outside the classroom. Children will read these engaging stories over and over again.

Book Review: When Reason Breaks

WHEN REASON BREAKS by Cindy Rodriguez is a beautifully written work of realistic fiction for young adults. Told through alternating voices, the story follows two very different teens each facing the pressures of school and family. While Elizabeth’s frustrations and fears often end in outbursts, Emily’s anxieties are projected inward. An English teacher with a passion for Emily Dickinson brings the two together.

Rodriguez does a masterful job exploring the different faces of depression. Her characters are believable and realistic. Readers will easily connect with both the main characters as well as the supporting cast.

The author makes meaningful social references and seamlessly infuses cultural references without making these elements the focus on the story.

Weaving in a discussion of the poems of Dickinson was an excellent way to dig deep into the world of mental illness and depression. Librarians will want to pair this book with the works of Dickinson for a richer experience.

While some readers will be drawn to the theme of mental illness, others will enjoy the realistic portrayal of the everyday pressures of school, family, and friendship. All readers will gain insights into the triggers that lead to depression and suicide.

This is the Rodriguez’s first novel. Her experience as a classroom teacher are clearly reflected in her realistic portrayal of the classroom scenes. Readers will eagerly be following her website looking for her next YA book!

To learn more about this author, go to her website at http://cindylrodriguez.com/.

Website Review: TweenTribune

TWEENTRIBUNE from the Smithsonian Institution is a newly launched website focusing on news and information for K-12 students.

The project is designed so that teachers can make reading assignments and involve youth in posting public or private comments. Free teacher accounts allow educators to create 9 classrooms and manage student accounts for each classroom.

The home page contains chronological access to the latest article postings. Each article contains a photo, caption, short article, and critical thinking challenge. The Lexile reading level can be selected, a comment can be added, an option is provided to assign the article to students, and a quiz link is also provided.

One of the most useful aspects of the site is the ability to choose the Lexile level for a reading assignment. While each article contains a default Lexile such as 900L, the article may also be displayed as 680L, 1090, or 1310L. A master list of articles can be listed by Lexile levels from 500L to 1600L. Teachers can also explore articles by topic such as animals, art, entertainment, fashion, and science.

In addition to the articles, a Photo of the Day area is designed for youth to write their own captions to match interesting photos.

Teachers can assign an article for a particular classroom and add a message. For instance, they might ask students to address a question using the comment feature. Quiz questions can also be assigned and student results recorded.

Common Core aligned lesson ideas are available that help connect the informational reading experience to practical assignments.

The TTJunior and TTTeens sections present articles of particular interest to younger and older youth. The TTEspanol section is still under development.

School librarians can partner with teachers to build an exciting informational reading experience across content areas. Consider a school-wide approach that involves students in reading and discussing current events.

To get started, go to http://tweentribune.com/
To visit TTJunior, go to http://tweentribune.com/junior
To visit TTTeens, go to http://tweentribune.com/teen
To visit TTEspanol, go to http://tweentribune.com/spanish
To visit the Lessons, go to http://tweentribune.com/lessonplans

Book Review: Beastkeeper

BEASTKEEPER by Cat Hellisen is an engaging fantasy featuring a magical forest, spooky castle, creepy grandparents, and furry beasts.

When her parents split up, Sarah uncovers family secrets that propel her into a frightening world of magic and curses. Readers will see a connection to the original Beauty and the Beast story, but this mesmerizing tale is much more than a simple fairy tale. Twists and turns will keep readers wondering what will happen next.

Skillfully told by South African author Cat Hellisen, this interesting take on a classic fairy tale effectively bridges middle grade and young teen reader categories. The work contains beautiful descriptions immersing readers into a world where a castle and enchanted forest seem natural. Hellisen’s contemporary fantasy world feels just outside the realm of possibility, but close enough to make the story seem real.

Students who enjoy folklore and fairytales will be drawn to both the characters and the storyline. With a hint of romance and enough intrigue to keep readers interested, the book will be a quick, popular read.

To learn more about this author, explore her website at http://www.cathellisen.com/.

Published by Henry Holt on February 3, 2015. Reviewing through Edelweiss ARC.

App Review: Middle School Science Bundle

The MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE apps bundle from Sprout Labs take an innovative approach to science instruction by allowing users to select a learning style that best fits their interests and needs.

The Middle School Science bundle includes six apps including Forms of Energy, Electricity/Magnetism, Forces in Motion, Light/Sound, Heat, and Elements. Each app is divided into two or three sections exploring key concepts related to the topic.

For each section, students can select from five different approaches. However, the content varies slightly from section to section, so students can easily miss things if they only complete one section.

“Read and Learn” presents users with text featuring key concepts. An option is provided for audio narration. This section would be more effective if the paragraphs of text were placed on separate pages rather than a long scrolling text box. Headings and subheadings would also be helpful. Across the bottom of the screen, trivia and other facts are presented in a “Did You Know?” area.

“Touch and Learn” provides images with hotspots that students can click for text or a video. The hotspots are easy to see so students won’t miss important ideas. However in many cases, content from slide to slide doesn’t flow smoothly as a narrative.

“See and Learn” features high-quality images with descriptive text. Although interesting, this section only provides a surface level exploration of the topic.

“Watch and Learn” display educational videos. These are the same videos used in the Touch and Learn section.

“Quiz and Learn” challenges users to answer multiple choice questions with increasing difficulty.

The apps would be useful as a supplement rather than as a replacement for the textbook and classroom instruction. They would also be useful for special needs students. Although the content is displayed in an interesting way, it lacks the breadth and depth necessary for middle school science students. It would be helpful to provide a clickable glossary to help youth review key terms.

While the audio narration is a useful element, the sound effects and short music clips distract rather than contribute to the content. Happily, these sounds can easily be turned off.

To purchase the apps, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/arti…/sprout-labs-llc/id846475860.

Book Review: Seeker

SEEKER by Arwen Elys Dayton is the first book in a new science fiction trilogy. The story revolves around three friends that have been trained to become Seekers. Instead of becoming the noble protectors they envisioned, the teens get caught up in a world of family lies, deceit, and assassination.

With sword fights and ancient artifacts alongside airships and a disruptor weapon, the novel blends medieval, steampunk, and dystopian elements together for a bizarre, but fascinating near-future world. While many readers will enjoy the “mash-up,” others may dislike this unusual approach to world-building.

The fast-paced story is told from four different perspectives making it somewhat confusing at times as readers shift among characters and between the present, the past, and the future. However, the plot elements come together in the end for a satisfying conclusion that sets up the next book in this young adult trilogy.

Readers are likely to make comparisons with their favorite science fiction and fantasy works, however the novel is distinct enough to hold its own. With a hint of romance along with action-adventure segments, both girls and boys will enjoy the story.

A movie based on this book is already in development, so it’s likely to draw teen readers. Librarians should be prepared for increased interest in the trilogy over the next several years.

Available February 10, 2015 and published by Random House Delacorte BFYR, a NetGalley ARC was used for the review.

Website Review: Created Equal

CREATED EQUAL is a National Endowment for the Humanities project that brings together award-winning documentary films related to the Civil Rights Movement. It would be a great addition to your Black History Month library activities.

The films include The Abolitionists, Slavery By Another Name, Freedom Riders, The Loving Story, and Freedom Summer. For each film, users can stream the full video, read an overview, and explore background information. In addition, links to classroom materials, essays, and other information is provided.

The website also includes lessons for teachers. Topics include equality under the law, the power of the individual, and the strategy of nonviolence. These lessons are connected to Common Core Standards and include questions for discussions and resources. Guides are also provided for essays related to each film. Additional resources include links to lots of quality websites.

The community programs section provides a programming guide and ideas for how your school and community can participate in events. Events will be held around the US through 2016 including film viewings and a traveling exhibition. An online version of the exhibit is available at http://goo.gl/zyYZK1.

To visit the website, go to http://createdequal.neh.gov/.

Book Review: Dinosaur Boy

DINOSAUR BOY by Cory Putman Oakes is a goofy new science fiction series. Featuring human-dinosaur hybrids and aliens, it’s the perfect combination for middle-grade readers.

During summer vacation, Sawyer is growing spikes and a tail. His school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying human-dinosaur hybrids. However when the bullies begin disappearing, Sawyer and his friends find themselves in an “out of this world” cover-up involving aliens and an interplanetary pet market.

Although the premise is silly and the situations predictable, important themes including bullying, racial identity, and friendship are skillfully woven through the narrative. Even reluctant readers will enjoy the fast-paced, action-packed story.

Fans of books like Boy or Beast and Aliens on Vacation will dive into this science fiction adventure.

Dinosaur fans will be intrigued by the idea of Dino DNA and the author’s note will encourage them to re-read the story again for hidden details. Librarians will enjoy building dinosaur displays to highlight this popular new series.

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

Available February 3, 2015 and published by Sourc

App Review: Vivaldi's Four Seasons

VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS from Touch Press is a beautifully designed app that explores the past, present, and future of this musical masterpiece.

This stunning app is filled with high quality content that is wonderfully presented and easy to access. The app is divided into three parts.

Antonio Vivaldi’s Original featuring Trevor Pinnock explores the version of the music most familiar to listeners. The immersive experience provides the music along with the text of either the Sonnet or Commentary. In addition, a simple, but stunning visual known as a BeatMap shows the role of each instrument as it’s being played. The sonnet option would be an exciting addition to an AP English class. The commentary is easy enough to understand that high school music students will be able to follow the discussion. In addition, users can follow the full score by instrument. The screen is well-designed making it easy to navigation among the options.

Max Richter’s Recomposed featuring Daniel Hope reimagines the music for a new generation of listeners. The app presents the music in a simple screen design with the full score available as well as visual representations of the instrumentation. Holding a finger down on an instrument allows listeners to solo each section. Video is also provided so users can see the musicians play.

The Story featuring Suzy Klein (writer), Max Richter (composer), Daniel Hope (violinist), and Avi Avital (mandolinist) explores the story behind the music including the origin of the music and the composer. It also traces how the music has evolved over time. Although digitized primary source documents from the period would be useful in bringing the story alive for readers, the app does an excellent job telling the story. The short video interviews add to the experience. The most interesting section describes the music as users listen to a few bars at the time.

This amazing music app is recommended for high schools with classical music programs. It would also be useful in high school humanities courses including English and history.

Music lovers will also enjoy other apps by Touch Press including Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, The Orchestra, and The Liszt Sonata.

Although Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is expensive when compared with other apps, it’s well worth the price for the content-rich, immersive experience.

To learn more about the app, go to http://vivaldisfourseasons.com/?tpnav=1.
To purchase the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/app/id827751585.

Book Review: We've Got A Job

Black History Month is an excellent time to revisit outstanding titles focusing the African American experience as well as introduce newer books.

Originally published 20 years ago in 1995, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis has become a favorite of elementary teachers and librarians. This compelling work of historical fiction tells the story of an African American family living in Flint, Michigan in 1963. The fictional family travels to Birmingham Alabama and becomes involved in the factual 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

The year 1963 is also at the center of a recently published book titled WE’VE GOT A JOB by Cynthia Levinson. This work of nonfiction incorporates the stories of four young people and historical photographs to help young readers better understand their nonviolent fight to end racial segregation in 1963. The goal was to confront white Birmingham through a series of peaceful protests such as lunch counter sit-ins, store picketing, and marches. Levinson does a masterful job combining a fast-paced narrative featuring the lives of real African American youth protesters, along with an overarching discussion of the key historical events and activities. By weaving the experiences of the four youth into the story, the author helps readers feel the events come to life. The book concludes with the “afterworld” providing a glimpse into the lives of Audrey, Wash, James, and Arnetta since their involvement in the Children’s March. An author’s note, timeline, map, notes, bibliography, and index are also included.

The We’ve Got a Job website provides additional information and insights into the Children’s March. Go to http://www.wevegotajob.com/.

To learn more about the author, visit her website at http://www.cynthialevinson.com/.

Website Review: African American History Month

The AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH website from the Library of Congress contains a wealth of resources to help your school library celebrate during the month of February.

The ABOUT page provides information about the history of this event that began with Negro History Week back in 1925.

The EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS pages provides access to dozens of online collections focusing on topics such as Art & Design, Baseball, Civil Rights, Culture & Folklife, Government & Politics, Historic Places, Military, Music & Performing Arts, Religion, and Slavery. Resource Guides and Profiles are also available.

The IMAGES page provides access to historical photos, maps, and other primary source documents.

The AUDIO/VIDEO page connects to multimedia presentations related to African American history from participating agencies. These include webcasts, musical recordings, sound artifacts, and other media assets.

The FOR TEACHERS page provides access to lesson plans, activities, guides, and other resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, and the National Park Service.

To visit the website, go to http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/.

Youth Media Award Winners from ALA

Drumroll please… the American Library Association youth media awards have been announced. I’ve reviewed many of the winners over the past several months. 

Check out a complete list at http://live.webcastinc.com/ala/2015/live/doc/yma_15_wrap_final.pdf

Book & App Review: Noisy Sing-along Collection

The NOISY SING-ALONG collection by John Himmelman is a wonderful way to connect children with science and nature. Available as both print books, e-books, and apps, you’ll want to get all three for your library.

Designed for pre-K through grade 3, NOISY BIRD SING-ALONG is the latest addition in this nature awareness series. The print book and e-book includes large, colorful illustrations of robins, sparrows, owls, mallards, and more. Colorful text is used to introduce the sound of each bird. In addition to information about the bird and sound, the habits and habitat of each bird is described.

This easy concept book would be an effective way to introduce young children to informational reading. In addition, the text is easy enough for primary grade readers to enjoy independently. The Fun Facts and Things to Do pages are useful for older children, teachers, and parents.

In addition to the print version, an app version is available for NOISY BUG SING-ALONG and NOISY FROG SING-ALONG. One advantage to the app is that children can hear the sounds. App designer Malachi Bazan successfully adapted the print books to the app environment. Users have two easy-to-use options for reading: Read to Me and Read to Myself. The Read to Me option highlights each word as it’s read by an engaging narrator. Clicking on the illustrations generates simple animation. A matching game builds in the facts found at the end of the print version of the book and actively involves readers with the sounds.

Active listening is an important skill. Getting children involved with identifying creature sounds is an excellent way to develop observational skills using the auditory channel. This book series would be an outstanding addition to an elementary school library collection.

To learn more about bird sounds, explore Songs & Calls athttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1059. Their free bird guide contains hundreds of sounds to explore. Go tohttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search.aspx.

The Noisy Sing-Along collection is published by Dawn Publications

SPIC-AND-SPAN!: LILLIAN GILBERT’S WONDER KITCHEN by Monica Kulling tells the inspiring true story of an ingenious woman who used creativity and perseverance to succeed. From factory assembly lines to kitchen layouts, Lillian Gilbreth spent her life looking for ways to make everyday tasks more efficient. The mother of eleven children, she applied what she learned at home to inventions and ideas that everyone could use.

Monica Kulling’s narrative skillfully weaves useful facts into a fascinating story, while David Parkins’ appealing illustrations match perfectly with the tone of this informational reading experience.

SPIC-AND-SPAN is Monica Kulling’s latest addition to her popular “Great Idea” series featuring the lives of inventors and their inventions. Use the books in a literature circle focusing on informational reading, biography, and inventions.

Unfortunately, children aren’t likely to pick up this book on their own. Teachers librarians will need to think of creative ways to market SPIC-AND-SPAN with children. Consider ways to connect the book with other science and engineering books. Or, focus on the biographical elements and connect them with other books about people. This would be a wonderful book to feature during Women’s History Month. Build a display focusing on woman engineers.

There are some excellent websites focusing on the life of Lillian Gilbreth. Develop an activity that asks students to compare the book to information they find on the web about this exceptional woman. Talk to children about comparing three different sources of information.

Download a Teacher’s Guide for the book at https://tundrabooks.files.wordpress.com/…/spic-and-span_gui….

Published in 2014 by Tundra Books. The publisher provided a print copy for this review.

Book Review: Member's Only

MEMBERS ONLY: SECRET SOCIETIES, SECTS, AND CULTS - EXPOSED! by Julie Tibbott profiles over fifty mysterious organizations. From cults and clubs to secret societies, young people will love the facts and folklore surrounding these exclusive and secretive groups.

Tibbott’s work of nonfiction is well-organized. Each chapter focuses on a different group. A brief outline includes the date it was founded, it’s status, exclusivity factor, secrecy factor, threat factor, and quirk factor. Along with a photo, a brief history and background start the chapter. Readers then learn about what it takes to become a member and what it’s like inside the organization. Many chapters include icons, logos, and other visuals associated with the group. The chapter concludes with a discussion of related topics from zombies to doomsday prophets.

The author’s conversational approach will appeal to young readers who are made to feel like they’re insiders in this “members only” world. Teens who enjoy reading about conspiracy theories, the lives of the rich and famous, and scary cults will all enjoy reading about the fascinating world of exclusive locations and groups.

Although many of the groups will be new to readers, others will be familiar. Secret handshakes, hazing, murder, and magic are just a few activities that will keep readers immersed in the short narratives. Many students are likely to use the book as background information to jumpstart their own investigations.

While many works of nonfiction sit on the library shelf, students will check out this one along with books about celebrity gossip, magic, and ghost hunters.

Available February 3, 2015 and published by Zest Books, a NetGalley ARC was used for the review.

App Review: The Echidna and the Dress

THE ECHIDNA AND THE DRESS is a charming, comic-style picture book app exploring Aboriginal life. Set in the Australian Outback, the app tells the true story of the relationship between a boy and his grandmother. A small spiny creature who is able to foretell both good and bad news, the echidna plays a central role to this compelling cultural story. The echidna is a popular creature in Australian appearing on the 5-cent coin and serving as a mascot for the Olympics.

While many apps overwhelm readers with quick-moving animations, loud sounds, and distracting interactives, this delightful e-book tells a sweet story in a pleasant, nurturing way.

The beautifully illustrated e-book app includes just enough animation to make the story come alive for readers. The simple background music and sound effects contribute to the appeal. The voices perfectly match the needs of the story.

While this linear e-book app doesn’t include extras or activities, it’s a great example of the beauty found in a simple story. Perfect for cultural studies in the primary grades, the app would be an excellent addition to a school library’s collection. It could easily be shared with a class using a whiteboard.

Other digital story apps including Ngurrara and Warlu Song are also available as part of the Yijala Yala Project created by Big hART in Australia. This cultural project is intended to connect people across generations.

To learn more about the app, go to http://yijalayala.bighart.org/digital-stories/echidna-dress/.
To purchase to app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/echidna-dress-inter…/id852947501….

Book Review: Ares: Bringer of War

ARES: BRINGER OF WAR by George O’Connor is the latest addition to the popular OLYMPIANS graphic novel series designed for middle grades and young adults.

Although each of the graphic novels in the OLYMPIANS series stand alone, those new to Greek mythology may want to read them in order because ARES assumes that readers are familiar with the backstory of the gods. Each volume focuses on one of the gods in the Olympic pantheon including Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Aphrodite. In addition to the story, each book contains an afterward, family tree, discussion questions, and source notes.

The fast-paced, action-packed stories are drawn from primary documents. The seventh book in the series, Ares: Bringer of War, focuses on the gods’ interference in the Trojan War. This book is a great way to jumpstart an exploration of classics like the Iliad. Although the classic story is filled with violence, O’Connor keeps the gore to a minimum so it’s unlikely to bother readers.

George O’Connor is known for his beautifully illustrated graphic novels with historical themes. In Ares, he does an excellent job helping readers visualize the relationship between the gods and humans through the use of shape and color.

For those students who enjoy the historical aspects of the graphic works, suggest O’Connor’s first graphic novel titled Journey Into Mohawk Country based on to a seventeenth-century historical journal.

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series will be attracted to this graphic novel series. Use Riordan’s website to explore the Greek Gods and explore mythology. Go tohttp://goo.gl/Gfj82N.

To learn more about the OLYMPIANS series and background information about the Greek Gods, go to http://www.olympiansrule.com/. To extend the Ares reading experience, explore the online activities at http://www.olympiansrule.com/the-books/ares/.

NetGalley ARC used for review

Website Review: PBS Kids Writers Contest

The WRITERS CONTEST from PBS Kids is a fun way to get primary grade children excited about writing. The website includes information about entering a writing contest, an opportunity to read stories, and the chance for children to create and save their own story.

The ENTER CONTEST section provides information about the contest, rules, prizes, and a chance to meet the judges. The 2015 event is for children from Kindergarten through Grade 3. It runs from January through July. A “Story Writing Fun Guide” is available with lots of writing ideas to guide children through the writing process.

The READ STORIES section of the website contains both contest entries and online stories to explore. They can be viewed by station, grade, prize, and year. Over 1695 stories are available to view. Check out the Story Stats to read the most popular stories.

The START CREATING section provides objects and backgrounds to jumpstart writing. Children can use the text and paint tools to enhance their story. Story Sparks provide starters to stimulate writing. Students can create a sign-in that allows them to store and share their stories online.

Teaching ideas are also available including a writing guide, caption writing activity, and get-ready-to-write worksheet. An illustration worksheet, brainstorming worksheet, and revising checklist are also available.

To visit the website, go to http://pbskids.org/writerscontest/.
For teaching ideas related to the contest, go to http://goo.gl/fb4CYf.
To download a Story Writing Fun Guide, go to http://goo.gl/7ZaQvf.

Book Review: Tunnel Vision

TUNNEL VISION by Susan Adrian is a heart-pounding paranormal suspense that will keep young adult readers engaged from beginning to end.

Jake has a secret. When he holds an object, Jake he can see through the eyes of the owner. A party game reveals his talent and sets in motion a string of events that include government surveillance, rouge agents, and underground scientists.

A talented storyteller, Adrian does a masterful job layering the lies and deceit. Readers will quickly become caught up in the intrigue wondering who our protagonist should trust. Adrian’s description of the tunneling experience makes the phenomena seem real. Her vivid descriptions of captivity and escape contribute to this nail-biting suspense.

Containing a hint of romance and just enough paranormal elements for fantasy lovers, this fast-paced adventure will appeal to a wide range of YA readers.

This YA novel serves as an excellent bridge to adult thrillers. It also opens the door for paranormal readers to explore related sub-genres involving government espionage and spy novels.

Published January 20th, 2015 by St. Martin’s Griffin. Edelweiss ARC used for review.

Website Review: Social Explorer

SOCIAL EXPLORER is a website and app that provides access to current and historical data in a visual way.

The easiest way to get started is by choosing the Maps option. Users can explore 220 years of data from 1790 to the present. For instance, students can see how the population centers in the United States have shifted over time. Powerful tools allow users to see maps side-by-side, swipe maps, and annotate maps. The storytelling features allows users to create multi-map presentations that incorporate text, images, video, audio, and annotations.

Users can also explore the Table option to display and download tables of data. The professional version provides access to many more data sets.

The Help section includes excellent instructions for using the website to generate maps and tables.

Although not specifically designed for K-12 students, Social Explorer has lots of potential for teaching and learning across the curriculum. Use the website’s blog to gather lots of ideas for integrating this interactive tool across the curriculum.

American Migrations at http://americanmigrations.uic.edu/ is a project that uses Social Explorer to study African American and Latino migrations through American history.

Census Explorer at http://www.census.gov/censusexplorer/ uses Social Explorer to bring U.S. Census Bureau data alive for learners.

Students can use either the website or app to explore the resources. For access to some features, users need to get an account. Additional resources are available with a subscription to the professional edition.

For the website version, go to http://www.socialexplorer.com.
For the website blog, go to http://www.socialexplorer.com/blog/post.
For the Apple iTunes version, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id731993525.
For the Android version, go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details….

Book Review: Story Thieves

STORY THIEVES by James Riley is an action-packed fantasy that blurs the line between real life and fictional worlds.

What if you could literally dive into a good book? Bethany can. As the child of a real mother and fictional father, she’s able to disappear into any paper book. Bethany has spent years carefully exploring library books for her lost father. When Owen discovers her secret, they begin an adventure that breaks the “fourth wall” mixing the real world with fantasy universes.

This clever new fantasy series will be a hit with a wide range of book lovers including those who enjoy fairy tales, magic stories, and science fiction. With many references to popular works of fiction, youth will be drawn into the premise and easily imagine themselves in the shoes of the main characters.

Known for his fractured fairy tales, James Riley provides just the right balance of action and suspense to keep readers engaged in the story. He skillfully weaves together silly subplots, humorous dialogue, and witty references into a storyline perfect for middle grade readers. Youth will easily empathize with the well-developed characters who have dreams and desires that sometimes get in the way of making good choices.

Fans of books like Fablehaven and Inkheart will enjoy the book’s premise, while science fiction and steampunk fans will love the characters from Owen’s favorite fictional series.

Like Bethany and Owen, your children will want to dive into this exciting fantasy adventure.

Edelweiss ARC used for review

Website Review: The Why? Files

THE WHY? FILES: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE NEW is an outstanding science website exploring the science connected with interesting and important news stories.

Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison with support from the National Institute for Science Education and National Science Foundation, the website features its newest stories on the entry page. Each story contains background information about the news story, a connection to the scientific topic of interest, related stories, and a bibliography. In addition, the stories incorporate interesting photographs, video clips, charts, diagrams, and other compelling images. A print-friendly version of each page is provided making these articles perfect for informational reading activities in the classroom.

The website includes the following key areas:

The Archives section provides a chronological list of articles by subject area including Arts & Humanities, Biology, Earth & Space, Environment, Health, Physical Science, Social Science, and Technology.

The Weather Guys section addresses questions related to weather science.

The Interactives section provides engaging games and other interactive experiences for youth.

The WHY-TV page displays short video clips on science topics.

The Book Review section focuses on book of interest to high school students and adults.

The Cool Science Images page provides a compelling image along with the back-story related to the visual. These would be wonderful images for scientific investigations or story starters.

The Teaching section is divided into Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12. Educators can find stories that support the National Science Education standards. The classroom activities page provides discussion questions, activities, and quizzes related to science topics.

The built-in search engine can be used to locate articles by key word.

The website also connects to social media including Facebook and Twitter. The RSS feed makes it easy to incorporate into your library or school website.

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

Book Review: Gabi, A Girl in Pieces

GABI, A GIRL IN PIECES by Isabel Quintero is an outstanding work of realistic fiction with a strong Mexican-American cultural perspective. Gabi is a typical high school senior confronting teen issues including human sexuality, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, and binge eating. The story revolves around her friendships, family, and romantic relationships.

Written as journal entries, the story unfolds in a refreshing conversational style with a spattering of Spanish, witty reflections, and a growing self-awareness connected with Gabi’s heritage and family values.

Beyond the diary format, Quintero effectively weaves the use of poetry and letters throughout the narrative making the work a distinct contribution to young adult literature.

Isabel Quintero’s first novel presents an unforgettable character that reflects an entire generation of young women coming of age. Many teens will see themselves in this honest portrayal of everyday experiences from first kisses to weight concerns. What makes this novel particularly moving is the way it so effectively conveys today’s cultures within cultures from discussions of skin color to questions about religious belief.

Quintero provides a fresh new voice in contemporary Mexican American literature. This book should be on all the Latina awards lists, but more importantly on the mainstream best of 2014 lists.

Edelweiss ARC used for review

App Review: Atoms

ATOMS by Kids Discover is a content-rich science app useful for upper elementary through middle school.

This easy-to-use app is divided into 11 sections. The first eight sections use text, photographs, diagrams, line drawings, videos, 3D models, and animation to present information about the parts of an atom, major discoveries, elements, the periodic table, fission, nuclear energy, and lasers. While some of the pages are static, others contain interactive elements such as pop-up windows and interactive diagrams.

Youth will be most interested in the activities section. The most interesting interactive involves building molecules by dragging oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon atoms around the screen.

The quiz provides a nice review of the key concepts informing students of the correct and incorrect answers. Additional resources are also provided.

The variety of visual elements will keep readers interested. However it’s likely that some students will simply flip through the pages rather than read them. Requiring users to interact with the screen to move from page to page would increase student involvement.

Although some sound effects are included in the app, the learning experience could be enhanced with a more effective use of sound. For instance, a read-aloud option would make this app more appealing to reluctant readers.

While the app does a nice job providing an overview to the key concepts, additional depth would be useful on some pages. For instance, clicking the element Fe on the Periodic Table provides detailed information about iron. However, a pop-up for each element would increase the value of the app.

Overall, ATOMS would be an excellent addition to your library’s science app collection. It contains explanations of key concepts along with providing visually interesting demonstrations and examples.

The app is available for purchase through the iTunes store athttps://itunes.apple.com/…/atoms-by-kids-discov…/id907120915.

A free teacher’s guide and vocabulary sheet are available for free at the Kids Discover website at http://www.kidsdiscover.com/shop/issues/atoms-for-kids/.

Book Review: Audrey (Cow)

AUDREY (COW) by Dan Bar-el is a charming farm animal story.

When Audrey the cow realizes that she’s destined for the slaughter house, she enlists both animals and humans to help her escape. With dozens of narrative voices ranging from cows and sheep to a rowdy rooster, readers will quickly become engaged in this heart-warming tale of a cow-on-the-run.

The nontraditional writing style is what makes this book distinct from the other farm animal books already in your library. Written as a series of short oral accounts, children will enjoy the various personalities and viewpoints of the farm animals. Bar-el’s wonderful descriptions and beautiful use of language add to the appeal.

However at over 200 pages, the book is quite lengthy for young readers. While the content will be of interest to younger children (grades K-3), the reading level is high (Lexile 450L; grades 3-5). Like Charlotte’s Web and Babe, this humorous story is perfect as a primary grades read-aloud. It would also be fun as a reader’s theater-type experience with groups of older children reading to younger listeners in a library setting.

LibraryThing Early Reviewer ARC used for review

App Review: Loose Strands

LOOSE STRANDS by Darned Sock Productions is an amazing e-book app for children. Demonstrating the full potential of the interactive reading environment, this full-length fantasy novel for middle grades will keep young people engaged for days.

The gorgeous artwork combined with the perfectly matched introductory music and animations makes this an interactive novel that children will cherish.

The story revolves around Roland Bartholomew Dexter the Third, a boy who lives with his parents in a mysterious barbershop. Trapped in world filled with hair, censored books, and realistic dreams, young Roland discovers the reality of his universe while readers unlock pages of this amazing book.

The instructions page informs readers to “follow the strands of hair” to move forward and backward through the story. Clicking the screen replays the animation. On some pages, readers have their choice of which direction to follow the strand of hair. Readers can also save bookmarks as they go. Much like a Choose-You-Own-Adventure book, readers decide their own fate. The story provides suggestions and hints along the way. There’s something incredibly fun and engaging about swiping different directions to reveal each new electronic page in this exciting adventure.

Readers are in control of this mesmerizing story that includes 20 hidden pages, 3 hidden diaries, and the option to explore Roland’s village. A built-in map allows readers to track their reading experience, explore Roland’s house, and revisit areas of the story. In some cases, readers see the consequences of their choices when options and pages disappear from the map.

Much more than your standard adventure, the story explores complex concepts about life choices, decisions, and consequences both in the real and imagined world. While readers are making decisions about how they will explore the story, the characters are making their own connections.

I’ve read dozens of interactive novels over the past several years, however this is the ultimate reading experience combining nonlinear reading, optional adventures, simple gaming, and a compelling story into one visually stunning app.

To download the app for iPad, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/loose-strands/id867732804…
To download the app for Android, go tohttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details…