Book Review: I Don't Know How the Story Ends

I DON’T KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS by J.B. Cheaney is an engaging work middle grade historical fiction.

After her father enlists in World War I, Isobel along with her mother and younger sister go to stay with Izzy’s aunt in Hollywood. Hoping to impress a famous film-maker, Izzy’s cousin Ranger talks Izzy and her sister into helping him make a movie using a “borrowed” camera. However when a letter arrives from Izzy’s father, they reconsider the ending of their film and must face the real-world of war.

The movie-making theme may attract some readers who might otherwise avoid historical fiction. Librarians will find that youth are attracted to the movie-making theme. Show early Hollywood movies available at Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/moviesandfilms. Create a bulletin board showing early film makers and images from their movies. Then, set up your own video production maker station. Be sure to use editing features that turn the film black and white.

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

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky on October 6, 2015. ARC from the publisher.

Website Review: Admongo

The ADMONGO.GOV website helps tweens learn about advertising so they can become more discerning consumers.

Sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission, the multimedia campaign teaches advertising literacy concepts through engaging interactive games.

After creating a login, students begin the experience by learning to navigate the gaming environment. They then work their way through a series of challenges. For students who prefer to skip the gaming aspect, an interactive text-version of the learning experience is also available.

The learning environment presents participants with a series of experiences where they learn to identify advertising and marketing messages. Then, tweens are asked to apply critical thinking skills to make informed consumer decisions.

Parent and teacher sections provide lesson places and teacher videos. Educational materials including lessons, worksheets, and family handouts are aligned with national standards. The materials can be downloaded or hard copies can be ordered for free. In addition, a help area and glossary are also available.

Librarians will find this website to be an engaging way to teacher consumer literacy skills.

To learn more, go to http://www.admongo.gov/.

Book Review: Stanley's Diner

STANLEY’S DINER by William Bee is an adorable picture book about everyday activities at a restaurant.

The story follows Stanley’s day working at a diner. Questions are woven throughout the text to keep readers actively engaged in the story. The large, easy-to-read text and bright, computer-generated illustrations are attractive and easy to understand.

Librarians will find that young readers enjoy acting out restaurant activities and talking about what happens in the diners they’ve visited. Consider creating a display of books from the Stanley series including Stanley the Builder, Stanley the Farmer, and Stanley’s Garage.

Published by Peachtree Publishers on September 1, 2015. Review copy courtesy of publisher.

Website Review: Zooniverse

ZOONIVERSE is a website that provides users the chance to participate in real discoveries through citizen science projects.

This collaborative volunteer project lets users contribute to real-world, cutting edge research across content areas including the sciences and humanities.

Participants can jump into dozens of current projects including transcribing historical documents, recording the life of chimpanzees, and characterizing bat calls.

Daily Zooniverse provides engaging, quick resources and activities that would make great lesson starters.

The Talk area provides a place where users can ask questions. The Blog shares the latest project news.

The companion website, ZOOTEACH contains high-quality lessons and resources that connect with the citizen science projects in the areas of sciences, mathematics, humanities, and arts. Resources are available for K-12 and higher education.

Librarians will find the many authentic projects a great catalyst for inquiry and learning. Use one of the projects to jumpstart an investigation in your library.

Visit the website at https://www.zooniverse.org/.

Visit the lessons at http://www.zooteach.org/.

Book Review: Zeroes

ZEROES by Scott Westerfeld is a superhero action drama featuring a group of teens with unusual powers.

Ethan has a voice inside him who’ll say what people want to hear and Kelsie can control crowds. Along with other special teens, they face dangerous criminals.

While lacking the heart-pounding thrill-ride promised in the blurb, the book does provide a nice introduction to a series likely to be popular with teens.

Librarians will find that fans of shows like The Alphas, X-Men, and Heroes will be drawn to the superhero action and adventure storyline. However, those expecting Westerfeld’s steampunk or dystopian themes may be disappointed.

Published by Simon Pulse on September 29, 2015. ARC from Edelweiss.

Website Review: CDC Health E-Cards

Happy Halloween! Send a Halloween e-Card from HEALTH E-CARDS!

HEALTH E-CARDS from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a website providing dozens of eCards that can be sent for special occasions or just to share important information about living a healthy life.

From sending an e-card about healthy pets to sharing information about hand washing, a wide range of cards are available.

Librarians will find endless applications for these fun and educational eCards. Print out the eCards for appealing, thematic bulletin boards. Or, get students involved with sharing what they’ve learned about healthy living by writing a summary and sending it on an eCard to their teacher.

To see a master list of e-cards, go to http://t.cdc.gov/ecards/browse.aspx?show=all.

Book Review: That's Deadly

Part of National Geographic Kids THAT’S series, THAT’S DEADLY by Crispin Boyer features “fatal facts that will test your fearless factor”.

A grim reaper named “Tim” introduces the deadly topic pointing out features of the book, defining key vocabulary, and introducing a creepy rating system that goes from risky business to sudden death.

While some chapters focus on deadly critters likes sharks, crocodiles, and snakes, others explore natural disasters, dangerous places, and extreme environments. A variety of visual presentation styles will keep youth interested. Pages include infographics, fact lists, diagrams, and photographs.

Designed for the middle grades, this engaging work of nonfiction is more lengthy that many of the other National Geographic Kids titles making it a great option for middle school youth. However the small type and dense text may be off-putting for some readers.

Published by National Geographic Kids on September 8, 2015.

Website Review: Warsaw Rising

WARSAW RISING is a website that tells the story of a the fall and rebirth of the city of Warsaw Poland.

The website is divided into sections that take users from 1918 through the present. The sections include Warsaw: The Capitol of Poland, Invasion of Poland, German Policy of Terror, De Polnische Untergrundstaat, Battle for Freedom, Insurgent Republic, In Stalin’s Grip, Destruction of the City, In the Shadow of Yalta, and Phoenix from the Ashes.

Each section includes short narratives, photographs, primary source documents, videos, and other materials to enhance the experience.

Users can move linear through the screens or stop to explore through the use of maps and other interactive elements.

Students will find this website to be an engaging way to learn about the impact of war on a city. Involve youth in thinking about how war has impacted other cities around the world. Ask them to build their own timeline incorporating primary source materials.

To explore the website, go to http://warsawrising.eu/.

Book Review: Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play

CLOTHESLINE CLUES TO SPORTS PEOPLE PLAY by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook is a rhyming picture book that engages young readers in a sports guessing game.

Each two-page spread shows clothes and equipment along with text information. Readers are asked about the sport the items represents. The next page reveals the answer. The sports players represent a mixture of genders and races. Although a variety of body shapes are represented, no noticeably disabled players are included.

A companion to Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do, librarians will find that this series of informational books provides endless possibilities for classroom activities. Consider connecting this story with nonfiction books exploring each sport represented.

While some children may never have seen a clothesline, they’ll quickly understand the premise and enjoy the learning experience. The clothesline approach could be turned into an engaging hands-on, flannelboard activity.

Published by Charlesbridge on August 4, 2015. Review copy courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Website Review: Analytics.usa.gov

ANALYTICS.USA.GOV is a fascinating statistical website from the U.S. federal government.

The website shows how many people are currently at government websites and tracks activities over time. Users can view the traffic over the past 90 days and see what devices, browsers, and operating systems are used by visitors. For instance, more than 40% of users are now using Google’s Chrome.

Users can also track what government domains have the most traffic. For instance during a 30 day period in Fall 2015, the most visited locations included National Institutes of Health, NOAA’s Weather, the Center for Disease Control, the Internal Revenue Service, and NASA. The data comes from Google Analytics.

Librarians will find this to be a captivating website to use with youth. Whether discussing website use with technology students or integrating real-world statistics into a math class, there are many uses for this website across the curriculum. Also, consider an activity that involves students evaluating the most used websites.

To learn more, go to https://analytics.usa.gov/.

Book Review: What We Saw

WHAT WE SAW by Aaron Hartzler is a work of young adult contemporary fiction that provides chilling insights into the rape culture found across America.

After a small town high school party, a teenaged girl accuses members of the basketball team of rape. Kate attended the party, but she and her basketball playing boyfriend left the party before the alleged rape. Soon, members of the basketball team are arrested and the media gets involved. Kate listens to all the different perspectives and tries to piece together what really happened.

Librarian will find a broad readership for this work of realistic fiction. The novel avoids strong language and graphic descriptions of rape. Instead, it focuses on the perspectives and actions of those connected with the incident.

While librarians are likely to immediately see connections to the 2012 Steubenville, Ohio gang rape incident, youth may not aware of the many examples of high school party-related rapes. This book provides an excellent opportunity to explore nonfiction works related to sex crimes their impact on the lives of teens.

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

Published by HarperTeen on September 22, 2015. ARC e-book.

Technology Review: Sesame Street

The SESAME STREET website, apps, and ebooks contain endless learning resources for preschool and primary children.

The website contains sections focusing on games, videos, art, and muppets. The games section provides age-appropriate games for young children including life skills such as a getting dresses and academic games such as letters and numbers. The videos section features short 2-3 minute videos on a variety of topics. Again, the interface is easy enough for small children to use. The Art Maker section provides easy-to-use interactive tools for creating everything from a cookie or pizza to a Jack-O-Lantern. The Muppets section allows users to explore resources related to their favorite character including games, videos, and art projects. Playlists are available based on specific topics and ages.

The bookstore area contains access to eBooks, audio eBooks, animated eBooks, and interactive eBooks. A subscription is required to access most of these books.

Dozens of apps are available including game apps, story apps, and ebooks. Educational bundles are available for sets of apps. Many of the apps contain the same resources found online.

Librarians will find a wealth of resources for preschool and primary children. Keep in mind that while the general website is free, access to the ebook website and many of the apps requires a license.

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

To visit the ebook area, go to http://ebooks.sesamestreet.org/.

To download apps, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/develo…/sesame-street/id339077104.

Book Review: Treasury of Norse Mythology

TREASURY OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Donna Jo Napoli is that latest book in the Treasury series featuring classic stories of intrigue, trickery, love, and revenge.

Napoli begins the book by discussing the origins of Norse mythology and introducing readers to the Norse gods. She provides resources for those interested in learning more about the Norse names.

Featuring well-known as well as lesser-known stories, each of the 18 stories is displayed in a large, easy-to-read font and illustrated with amazing paintings. Descriptions accompany each of the large illustrations. Of particular note are the intricate borders found on each page. In addition, many pages contain sidebars featuring historical information of interest to readers. Primary source documents are also woven into the text including an image from a 17th century illuminated manuscript.

The book concludes with a map and timeline, cast of characters, bibliography, and index.

While some of the names of gods, people, and places may be difficult for youth to pronounce, the storylines themselves will be easy to follow for middle grade readers.

With the popularity of Norse characters in movies, television shows, and computer games, librarians will find a large audience for this story collection. In addition to this book, librarians will also be interested in the titles focusing on Greek mythology and Egyptian mythology. The short stories are quick reads. Involve youth in reading a story and exploring more about the key characters.

Published by National Geographic on September 22, 2015.

Website Review: Smithsonian Encyclopedia

The SMITHSONIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA provides access to a multitude of online resources through an easy-to-use interface.

The online encyclopedia is organized into themes including Art and Design, History and Culture, Science and Technology, Mysteries of the Universe, A Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures, and The American Experience. Each section provides links to activities and games, fact sheets, online exhibitions, online features, reading lists, and research resources. While the resources are designed for the general public, they’re very useful for middle and high student projects.

Users can also explore by topic from aeronautics to women’s history or by resource type such as activities, games, online features, and teacher resources.

The Kids Favorites section is specifically designed for children. It provides access to dozens of activities and games found throughout the Smithsonian website. It also provides access to Fact Sheets that would be great for informational reading activities. Online Exhibitions of particular interest to youth are also provided including topics such as Abraham Lincoln, Butterflies, and Dinosaurs. Online Features include Invention Stories, Lewis and Clark resources, and the Dynamic Earth.

Librarians will want to spend some time mining this wonderful online resource matching the information sources with specific curriculum area needs.

To explore the website, go to http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia.

Book Review: Dumplin'

DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy is a contemporary, coming-of-age novel for young adults focusing on friendship, body image, and self-assurance.

Murphy tells the humorous, yet poignant story of a self-proclaimed fat girl who decides to enter a beauty pageant. Along the way, Willowdean and her friends experience the heartbreak and happiness that comes with best friends and teen romance.

Librarians will find a market for this book among youth who enjoy realistic fiction. Rather than dwelling on topics related to weigh loss, the relatable story focuses on issues of self-esteem, self-assurance, and gaining confidence.

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

Published by Balzer & Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins on September 15, 2015. ARC e-book.

Book Review: Fright Club

FRIGHT CLUB by Ethan Long is an adorable picture book perfect for the Halloween season.

When Vladimir vampire calls a meeting of the Fright Club, he didn’t expect a cute little bunny to show up. When the club rejects the rabbit, the bunny enlists the help of his friends and a lawyer to convince Fright Club members that they can be scary and have a lot to contribute to their club. Themes related to stereotypes and inclusion make this more than the standard Halloween story.

The spooky illustrations contain just the right balance of humor and horror for young readers. The black text on the dark background can be a little difficult to read. Otherwise librarians will find this picture book popular as a Halloween read-aloud.

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

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books on August 11, 2015. Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Fires of Invention

FIRES OF INVENTION by J. Scott Savage is the first book in the Mysteries of Cove steampunk series for the middle grades.

Set in a dystopian world where creativity is a crime, thirteen-year-old Trenton is constantly in trouble for what he considers as helpful and harmless mechanical projects. When he meets a repair technician who shares his passion, they set off on an adventure involving mysterious clues, secret inventions, and discoveries that will change their city forever.

Librarians will find readership among fans of The Books of Ember and other series focusing on dystopian underworld societies. It’s also a good choice for those wishing to enter the world of steampunk. Although there’s nothing particularly compelling about the series, its combination of dystopian and steampunk themes along with the promise of more dragons will keep readers coming back for more.

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

Published by Shadow Mountain on September 29, 2015. ARC e-book.

Website Review: TED-Ed

The TED-ED website is TED’s education initiative focusing on short video lessons for students and educators.

As a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) has covered many educational issues in the past. However, they have recently developed a growing library of lessons aimed specifically at sparking curiosity in learners around the world.

The TED-Ed project contains a number of different elements.

The Lessons area provides access to thousands of lessons. Users can search for topics of interest. Educators are also encouraged to build and contribute a lesson around a TED-Ed Original, TED Talk, or YouTube video. The lessons have a standard format including a title, introduction, embedded video, and creator area. They also contains watch, think, dig deeper, and discussion elements. The Customize This Lesson option allows users to add context, questions, discussion items, and follow-up suggestions to any lesson.

The Series area provides organized access to thematic topics such as superhero science, inventions that shaped history, or playing with language.

TED-Ed Clubs supports students in presenting their big ideas through TED-style talks. Information is provided about how to start and facilitate a club.

The Get Involved area encourages learners and educators to nominate an exceptional educator or animator to produce a video.

The TED-Ed blog provides information about what’s happening at TED-Ed including new lessons, suggestions, and teaching strategies.

Librarians will find a wealth of high quality resources at TED-Ed. Consider collaborating with a teacher to create your own TED-Ed Club!

To explore the website, go to http://ed.ted.com/.

Book Review: I Crawl Through It

I CRAWL THROUGH IT by A. S. King an unusual, absorbing work of surrealistic fiction for young adults.

This ground-breaking YA novel follows four teens as they near their breaking points. Suffering from varied psychological pressures, they each battle with how to cope with reality. Readers will become immersed in their worlds and their struggles with personal trauma and tragedy.

Librarians will find a narrow audience for this thought-provoking work of young adult contemporary fiction. Some fans of realistic fiction may find it bizarre, while others will be attracted to the underlying themes of anxiety, survival, and grief. Reader of fantasy may enjoy the surreal aspects of the novel, while others may just find it strange. Fans of A.S. King and those who enjoy imagery and thought-provoking prose are likely to enjoy it. Suggest this novel to young adults who are ready to dive into the human psyche and explore the nature of reality.

Learn more about the author at http://www.as-king.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on September 22, 2015. ARC e-galley.

Multiplatform Book-Tech-App Review: Voyagers: Project Alpha

The VOYAGERS series is a multi-platform experience including books, an app, and a website filled with engaging activities.

Each book in this science fiction series is written by a different author. The first title, PROJECT ALPHA by D.H. Hale features four children battling against a wide array of creatures to become part of an elite team that will be sent into space to help save the world. The books contain attractive graphics and cool coded symbols to engage readers.

The Voyagers website contains information about each book. A “Code Entry” area is used to unlock secret information based on the codes found in the books. The “Beyond the Universe” page contains information about the team’s ship and fictional information about planets. New sections will be unlocked as each book in the series is launched. The “Project Alpha” area invites participants to take a quiz and become part of the team. Users will also enjoy creating their own ZRK Commander using the “Customizer” tool.

Voyager: The Game is an app that immerses players in the world of the books. Users pilot their space craft through an asteroid field, test their knowledge, complete puzzles, and explore planets.

This multi-platform experience could serve as the focal point for a fun library book club or literature project. Aimed at the middle grades, even reluctant readers will be drawn to the action and multi-media approach. Students would enjoy inventing their own planets and writing their own stories based on the book characters.

To visit the website for the app and games, go to https://www.voyagershq.com/.

Published by Random House Children’s Books.