Website Review: PhET Interactive Simulations

The PhET INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS website from the University of Colorado contains engaging, educational simulations for math and science.

The goal of the project is to help students engage in STEM through inquiry-based experiences with real-world connections. The website contains simulations in physics, biology, chemistry, earth science, and math. Users can search by grade level or device.

The simulations are fun, intuitive, and easy-to-use. Simulations actively involve users in learning by clicking and dragging objects, using a slider to change parameters, choosing among options using radio buttons, and making measurements with various simulated tools such as rulers, stop-watches, voltmeters, and thermometers. As students work their way through the simulations, they receive immediate feedback based on their choices.

The teacher resources section provides tips for using the simulations and links to instructional materials such as labs, homework assignments, lectures, activities, concept questions, and other learning resources that connect with the simulations.

Resources are also provided to help teachers and students run the simulations. The simulations can be used on the website or downloaded and played on a computer. Keep in mind that that Flash versions won’t run on the iPad, but the HTML5 versions will run fine.

Finally, the website contains a page focusing on the research that’s been conducted into the design and use of interactive simulations in teaching and learning.

Librarians will find a wide range of STEM topics addressed in the simulations. Work with teachers to connect these simulations with science standards and other classroom activities. Also use the simulations to promote the idea of inquiry-based learning.

To explore the website, go to http://phet.colorado.edu/.

Book Review: Proof of Forever

PROOF OF FOREVER by Lexa Hillyer is a coming-of-age fantasy exploring what happens when four high school friends attend a summer camp reunion.

The flash of a photo booth camera transports four teens back to their last few days of summer camp a couple years earlier. Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe have grown apart, but must work together to figure out how to get “back to the future” while making the most of their second chance summer.

A great summer read, this book does an excellent job bridging the classic “group of girls” story with an interesting fantasy twist. This combination provides the opportunity for more in-depth character development than is generally found in either genre.

Librarians will find a couple different audiences for this book. First, fans of “chick lit” and contemporary romance will be drawn to the focus on friendship and relationships. Second, those who enjoy time-travel stories will appreciate the fantasy situation.

With lots of “friendship foursome” books available, consider a summer reading display featuring this book along with others like The Sisterhood of the Traveling books.

To learn more about this new author, go to http://www.lexahillyer.com/.

Published by HarperTeen on May 2, 2015.

App Review: DragonBox

The DRAGONBOX 5+ and DRAGONBOX 12+ apps are a unique and engaging way to teach algebra.

The learner-centered approach focuses on discovering algebraic operations without the stress of direct instruction.

Users begin by choosing an avatar. A levels page is displayed showing 20 levels that can be unlocked for the first “chapter”. Children start with the first level and are provided with some basic visual instructions. Students won’t even realize they’re learning the basics of algebra.

The mixture of quirky characters and highly-interactive game activities make this app extremely appealing to students. Because it looks and plays like their favorite games, they’ll immediately be drawn into the format.

What makes their approach distinct is that the game isn’t separate from the instruction. It’s truly an example of gamification. In other words, game-design and mechanics are used to engage learners in solving problems and learning concepts.

The first DragonBox Algebra is designed for ages 5 and up and the second is for middle and high school students. A parent/teacher guide can be downloaded along with a walkthrough and rules to help learners succeed. Worksheets are also available.

DragonBox would be a great addition to the school library and math classroom collection. It would be particularly useful for reluctant learners and students having difficulty understanding the basics of algebra. The high-fun, low-stress environment is perfect for students who proclaim that they hate math.

To learn more about the app, go to http://www.dragonboxapp.com/.

Published by WeWantToKnow.

Website Review: America's Byways

AMERICA’S BYWAYS is a website that describes 150 distinct and diverse scenic roadways across the United States. Each “Byway” or “All-American Road” was selected by the National Scenic Byways Program for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and/or scenic qualities.

The website provides access to the the byways through a clickable map. An annotated, alphabetical list of the roads is also available with a short description, and a link to a page providing detailed information. Each byway page includes an overview including the length of the road, time to drive it, fees, and local information. A map and directions are also included along with a set of photos.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun starting point for geography and social studies projects. Involve youth in selecting a region of the United States and exploring the byways in the area. Connect the project to math by asking students to use local gas prices to figure out the cost of driving the length of the road. Use a website like TripAdvisor to local hotels, restaurants, and activities along the route.

To visit the website, go to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways.

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Book Review: Scarlett Undercover

SCARLETT UNDERCOVER by Jennifer Latham is a riveting detective novel for today’s teens. Move over Nancy Drew, Scarlett is on the case.

Having graduated from high school early, Scarlett has established herself as an urban, private detective. Her matter of fact approach is reminiscent of Joe Friday of Dragnet fame. Even the cadence of Latham’s writing fits with the methodical approach of Scarlett’s investigation.

What begins as an investigation of a questionable suicide, turn into a heart-pounding quest involving ancient artifacts, perceived magical powers, and possibly the truth about the death of Scarlett’s father.

Designed for ages 12 and up, this mystery provides an alternative to traditional detective novel for young adults. This sharp, black Muslim heroine provides a fresh perspective for the mystery genre and introduces readers to a diverse cast of fascinating characters. This book is an important purchase for those seeing to expand their inclusion of diverse works in their library collection.

To learn more about the author, go to her website at http://www.jenniferlatham.com/.

Published by Little, Brown and Company on May 19, 2015.

Book Review: The Orphan Army

THE ORPHAN ARMY by Jonathan Maberry is the first book in the new Nightsiders fantasy series.

When Earth is invaded by aliens, young Milo becomes part of a group of scavengers helping soldiers in a remote area of the Louisiana bayou. During a scouting expedition, Milo stumbles upon magical creatures who are also battling the alien invaders. Together, they form a ragtag army, save their friends, and take back an ancient, magical artifact stolen by the evil Huntsman.

This fast-paced, science fiction adventure is well-written with engaging plot elements that keep the heart-pounding tension going from start to finish. Middle grade readers will enjoy the banter among the well-developed fantasy creatures reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy. The author skillful interweaves dream segments and diary entries to add appeal.

With both giant bug aliens and magical creatures, this new series will appeal to a wide range of fantasy and science fiction fans. Youth will be begging librarians for the next book in this hot new series.

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

Published by Simon & Schuster, May 19, 2015.

Tech Review: World Landmarks Explorer

WORLD LANDMARKS EXPLORER is an engaging geography and social studies app from Peapod Labs.

The easy-to-use interface provided access to 112 landmarks in 53 countries around the world.

Users are presented with a scrolling page of locations organized alphabetically. Three square icons are presented for each landmark. Each landmark includes the name and location of the landmark as well as the country flag. Users also have the option to zoom-in to see an interactive satellite image of the location, share the landmark with others, or go back to the list of options. Existing YouTube videos by producers such as BBC provide details about each landmark. Existing photos such as those from Flickr as also displayed. To go to the next image/video, users simply swish.

Although this app is a fun way to explore the world’s landmarks, there are some problems with the software. First, since existing resources such as YouTube videos are used, some are missing. Users simply receive a “This video does not exist” error message. Second, there’s no consistency in video content. The app really needs some basic information about each landmark to provide an introduction to each site.

While the app is lacking in terms of content, it would be a great way for youth to explore many of the world’s most amazing places and choose one for a more in-depth investigation. Ask students to select one of the landmarks and brainstorm questions they have based on the images and videos in the app. Then, encourage them to conduct an inquiry using your school library’s many resources including books, databases, and other quality, informational materials.

You don’t need this app on all your devices. Instead, download it on a few devises and ask students to work in small groups or use it in a display or stations.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/world-landmarks-exp…/id897788782….

Published by Peapod Labs.

Tech Review: National Pollinator Week

NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK is June 15-21, 2015. Pollinator Partnership is an informational website the promotes the health of pollinators that are critical to food and ecosystems. There’s also an app available called BeeSmart: Pollinator Gardener that guides users through the process of selecting plants for pollination.

Sponsored by dozens of government agencies, industries and corporations, non-profit organizations, and foundations, the website includes guides, helpful resources, and ways to get involved with protecting pollinators.

The “About Us” section explores information about the project’s mission, people, partners, and projects. The What Is Pollination? page answers FAQs about pollinators and pollination. Check out the Projects page for links to many ongoing activities related to pollination. The SHARE (Simply Have Areas Reserved for the Environment) page provides step-by-step instructions for how to plant for pollination. Users can even share their project online.

The “Planting Guides” section provides free information and guides for selecting plants based on your ecoregion by zip code.

The “Useful Resources” section links to dozens of websites focusing on topics such as bees, education, farming/ranching, gardens, hunting/fishing, monarchs, medicinal plants, and more.

The “Get Involved” section explores many ways that individuals can have a positive impact by making a difference in the lives of bees, birds, butterflies, and bats. The page includes PDFs on pollinators that can be downloaded and printed, activities for kids, and other resources.

The 2015 “They Don’t Eat Their Pollinators” infographic focuses on carnivorous plants of North America and their pollinators. This poster would be excellent as part of a display featuring books and other materials about the importance of pollination.

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

For resources associated with Pollinator Week, go to http://www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2015.htm.

Download the 2015 poster at http://www.pollinator.org/poster2015_ab.

To download the BeeSmart app, go tohttp://www.pollinator.org/beesmartapp.htm

Book Review: Kissing in America

KISSING IN AMERICA by Margo Rabb takes an honest look at family, friends, and the world of romance for young adults.

Eva has read 118 romance novels, but real life is much more complicated. After her boyfriend moves to California, she decides to make a cross-country trip to surprise him. This coming-of-age, road-trip adventure explores a wide range of issues from family grief to self-discovery… and a bit of romance.

Readers will easily overlook the silly premise and enjoy Eva’s quest. Rabb has an excellent handle on contemporary issues and teen humor making the happiness and heartbreak feel authentic.

This book is difficult to pigeonhole. Librarians need to keep in mind that despite the title, it’s not solely a romance. Much of the book deals with Eva’s ability to deal with the death of her father and frustrations with her mother. The novel also contains lots of literary connections that could be distracting for youth without a background in literature. However for young adults who enjoy realistic fiction, this book has it all.

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

Published by HarperCollins, May 26, 2015

Website Review: Science News for Students

SCIENCE NEWS FOR STUDENTS is an engaging, informational website produced by the Society for Science & the Public.

The student science news is divided into five themes: atoms & forces, earth & sky, humans & health, life, and tech & math. Within each theme, subtopics are available. A search tool allows users to search by date, topic, source, readability and sort by date.

The short articles include high quality graphics including photographs and sometimes diagrams. “Power words” provide definitions of key words associated with the story and a readability score helps teachers assign articles. Each article ends citations and links to future readings. A variety of social media options are available for article sharing including Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Google+ along with email and printing.

An educator section provides resources for educators including articles organized by subject, article tools, STEM career resources, and resources for teaching science.

A blogs and resources section includes a “doing science” blog, “Eureka! Lab” blog, science project resources, and competitions.

Along with the student science section, the website also contains information about the society, student science programs, and an adult version of the science news that would also be of interest to older students.

In addition to the free website, a subscription-based service is available for both paper and iPad.

To visit the website, go to https://student.societyforscience.org/sciencenews-students.

Book Review: Lost in the Sun

LOST IN THE SUN by Lisa Graff is a powerful work of realistic fiction focusing on a boy’s struggle to move on after a traumatic experience.

Trent is tormented by a death for which he feels responsible. His emotional agony causes him to rebel and angrily lash out at his family and friends. Although his parents, teachers, and a special friend try to help, it takes time for Trent to slowly learn to love others again and ultimately himself.

Graff’s complex characters are at the core of this authentic story. Trent’s anguish is skillfully played out in everyday situations that spiral out of control. From his caring teacher to his steadfast friend, Graff does an outstanding job inventing compassion characters who support Trent in his darkest moments.

Librarians will find this heart wrenching book to be popular with youth who enjoy character-driven stories. Although written for the middle grades, young adults will be drawn to the themes and complex emotions. It’s rare to find an emotionally charged book written from a boy’s perspective, so use this novel to engage young men in realistic fiction.

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

Published by Philomel Books, Penguin Young Readers in May 26, 2015.

Tech Review: Rex the Roach

REX THE ROACH is an adorable, interactive, picture book ebook app for children.

Designed for ages 6-8, this engaging ebook tells the story of Rex the robot cockroach. Rex isn’t a naughty roach, he’s just a poor listener which leads to trouble. When he gets lost, he encounters lots of interesting creatures on his way home.

Each page contains an interactive element that’s easily found by clicking on the robot finger. This interactive feature displays additional text, starts animated sequences, and moves from page to page. Clicking on parts of the screen related to the story may also trigger animation. In some cases, readers may need to re-read the screen to determine how to proceed making this book great for promoting reading comprehension. Readers can always swipe the screen to continue.

A menu of options called the “choose-a-matic” is accessed through a green bar at the bottom of the screen. Uses can go to particular pages or adjust the sound. They can also choose between the “I Will Read” and “Read to Me” options.

The charming illustrations will appeal to young children. The audio narrative is clear and soothing, The paragraphs of information are large and clear enough to read easily. However, the font may be distracting for early readers. American readers to be aware that British spelling is used such as “realised” rather than realized”.

Librarians will want to add this ebook app to their growing collection of interactive picture books.

The app is available at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rex-the-roach/id794177982….

Published by Software Results.

Book Review: Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats

MISS HAZELTINE’S HOME FOR SHY AND FEARFUL CATS by Alicia Potter is the charming story of a scaredy-cat who learns to be brave.

When Crumb comes to live with Miss Hazeltine, he’s timid and shy. He listens carefully to lessons about bravery, but it’s not until Miss Hazeltine is in trouble that summons his inner courage.

Readers will enjoy Birgitta Sif’s whimsical illustrations and teachers will welcome Alicia Potter’s easy-to-read narrative that’s perfect for the read-aloud situations.

Librarians will appreciate Miss Hazeltine’s approach to teaching. She models important cat skills, but lets her pupils proceed at their own pace. The themes of bravery, courage, and overcoming shyness will resonate with many children.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.aliciapotterbooks.com/.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.birgittasif.com/.

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 12, 2015.

Book Review: We Are All Made of Molecules

WE ARE ALL MADE OF MOLECULES by Susin Nielsen is an authentic work of realistic fiction examining an emerging, 21st century blended family.

Thirteen-year-old Stewart and fourteen-year-old Ashley are thrown together when their parents decide to move in together. Their story is told through alternating chapters that feature nerdy Stewart and bitchy Ashley describing their frustrations dealing with this new arrangement and their encounters with family and friends. Along the way, the story incorporates timely characters including a gay father, a complex bully, and multifaceted friends.

Nielsen’s well-written story combines humor with realistic situations to create a convincing, positive tale for today’s teens. She’s successful at making her story uplifting without becoming preachy.

Librarians will find a broad audience for this funny, yet moving young adult novel. Nielsen’s work is a welcome relief to the many heavy YA realistic fiction books published this year. Add it to your list of lighter summer reads.

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

Published by Wendy Lamb Books and Random House Teens on May 12, 2015.

Website Review: Occupational Outlook Handbook

The OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK (OOH) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is an online reference resource containing career information about hundreds of occupations.

The entry page contains a list of occupations organized into groups such as healthcare and legal. Users can also select occupations by median pay, entry-level education, on-the-job training, number of new jobs projected, and growth rather projection. In addition, options are provided to browse the A-Z index and explore occupations by highest paying, fastest growing, and most new jobs. Finally, users can explore FAQs, the glossary, a teacher’s guide, and career outlook.

The “Occupation Finder” provides a master list of 580 entries with tools to narrow the search by education, training, projected new jobs, projected growth, and median pay. A key word search is also available.

Each career profile contains a summary, what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations, and more information.

This easy-to-use website is a great resource for informational reading activities. It’s also a excellent way to jumpstart a career exploration project. A Teachers Guide provides ideas for how the website might be used. It also links to other websites with career information.

Most libraries have a print copy of the OOH in their reference section, however the website provides an effective resource for a whole-class experience.

To learn more, go to the website at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/.

App Review: Plants

PLANTS by TinyBop is the second interactive playscapes app in The Explorer’s Library.

Designed to “spark discovery and a deeper understanding of the world”, this science app focuses on the world of plants. Geared to ages 4 and up, very few instructions are provided. Instead, users are encouraged to click and drag their way around the interactive app environment.

Users begin by creating an avatar. The app is organized into interactive dioramas that explore grasslands, forest, and desert settings that youth can explore. A crank icon reveals a menu allowing the user to turn labels on and off, change languages, control volume, and adjust other settings. Users also use the menu changes diorama and explore in-depth features.

As users explore each scene, they encounter more in-depth diagrams of plants that highlight particular features. Moving or clicking elements trigger features such as daylight or rain showers. A slide is available so users can even see a cross section underground. It’s also possible to zoom in and back out of the diorama.

A PDF version of the Plants Handbook is available to download and print. It contains lots of ideas for helping children work their way through the app.

This amazing app is highly recommended for elementary libraries and science classrooms and can be used across grade levels.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/a…/plants-by-tinybop/id872615882….

To download the handbook, go to http://tinybop.com/assets/Tinybop-EL2-Plants-Handbook-EN.pdf.

To learn about the other apps in this series, go to http://tinybop.com/apps.

Published by Tinybop.

Book Review: Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

UNUSUAL CHICKENS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL POULTRY FARMER by Kelly Jones is a charming and fun fantasy about a twelve-year-old girl who moves to a farm and stumbles upon chickens with superpowers.

With the help of family and friends Sophie becomes a poultry farmer, but faces the challenge of dealing with a chicken thief who’ll do anything to steal her special chickens.

The story unfolds in letters written by Sophie to her deceased great-uncle and grandmother. Sophie also communicates with the owner of a poultry supply company who helps her learn about raising chickens.

The author does an outstanding job seamlessly weaving in topics related to diversity without making it the focus of the story. From Sophie’s brown skin to a passing reference to Jane’s girlfriend, readers are exposed to authentic situations, relationships, and reactions. There’s even a great recipe for migas.

Katie Kath’s whimsical illustrations add to the appeal of the story and also visualize the diversity represented in the book.

Librarians will be happy to see Sophie riding her bike to the library and interacting with a caring librarian. Many readers will particularly enjoy the informational pages describing the breeds and care of chickens.

Children who enjoy farm settings, humorous stories, and animal books will be delighted to find a novel that combines all three into an engaging, fast-paced fantasy.

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

Published by Alfred A. Knopf (Random House) on May 12, 2015.

Tech Review: Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef

OVER IN THE OCEAN IN A CORAL REEF by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jeanette Canyon is a beautiful sing-along e-book, interactive app.

Based on the 2004 book by the same name, this interactive book encourages children to click and jiggle their mobile device to explore ocean animals. Designed for young children, this informational app focuses on both math and science topics.

The “Sing to Me” option sings the story aloud as readers follow along with the highlighted text. Readers can interact with the screen by clicking or shaking their device. Youth can move forward or backward through the story. The music on each page can also be repeated.

The “Read to Me” option provides the same format as the sing-to-me section, but the words are read aloud with music in the background.

The “Read to Myself” option encourages children to read the story without the music or audio narration.

In addition to the book, users can also explore activities and informational readings experiences. The “Find the Babies” activity asks children to find particular ocean creatures on the screen. The “Fishy Facts & Photos” section provides a series of pages focusing on ocean and sea creature information. Information is also included about the author, illustrator, developer, and publisher.

A menu option is always available providing easy access to narration.

This book would be a great addition to a library display focusing on ocean creatures. Include this book on an iPad, along with paper books.

Create a display of Marianne Berkes’ other books exploring the world including her latest book Over On a Mountain: Somewhere in the World. Also include Over in a River, Over in the Forest, Over in the Jungle, and Over in Australia.

Download free activities to go with these books from the publisher website at http://www.dawnpub.com/.

Published by Dawn Publications.

Book Review: Return to Augie Hobble

RETURN TO AUGIE HOBBLE by Lane Smith combines elements of humor, tragedy, and paranormal activity into a quirky middle grades novel.

Angie needs to do a “creative arts project” for summer school. Since he lives in an amusement park managed by his father, inspiration is everywhere in the form of fairy tale characters and theme park attractions. From comics and photography to illustrated short stories, Smith weaves in a wide range of visuals into the story. Between project ideas, Augie must deal with bullies, an amorous Cinderella, government agents, and a shocking tragedy. And, he may be turning into a werewolf.

This witty and weird work will be popular with middle grades youth familiar with the illustrations of Lane Smith. While the book is humorous, it deals with serious topics including bullies and death in a way that will appeal to children. Lane Smith’s first novel is a step above the many other books for this age that bridge fantasy and reality. While the story stands alone, it could easily be turned into a series.

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

Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 5, 2015.

Website Reviews: National Safety Month

June is NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH. Raise awareness of what it takes to stay safe.

Many government websites promote safety during this special month. A few examples are featured below:

Healthfinder.gov
http://healthfinder.gov/NHO/JuneToolkit2.aspx
The Healthfinder website from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services provides ideas for promoting the month including announcements, sample tweets, cards, and resources.

BAM! Body and Mind
http://www.cdc.gov/bam/safety/
This website designed for youth from the Centers for Disease Control focuses on many types of safety including water safety, helmet safety, and sun safety.

Tox Town
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/
This US National Library of Medicine program explores environmental health safety concerns.

Sunwise Kids
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/kids/index.html
The EPA provides information for children about sun safety.

Pedestrian Safer Journey
http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/el_en.html
This website examines resources for three different ages geared at promoting safe walking for youth.

Bicycle Safer Journey
http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/mi_en.html
This website examines resources for three different ages geared at promoting safe bicycling for youth.

Stay Safe! from Kids Health
http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/safety_center.html
Get youth involved in informational reading experiences focusing on different situations where it’s important to stay safe.