Book Review: The Secrets of Blueberries, Brothers, Moose & Me

THE SECRETS OF BLUEBERRIES, BROTHERS, MOOSE & ME by Sara Nickerson tells the heart-warming story of twelve-year-old Missy who takes a job picking blueberries over the summer.

In this coming-of-age story, Missy learns that the world isn’t black and white, good or evil, or even right versus wrong. Instead, connections like divorce and remarriage, friendships, sibling relationships, and a family farm feud contain multiple perspectives that evolve over time.

Nickerson’s conversational writing style is perfect for middle grade youth negotiating a constantly changing world. Many youth will relate to Missy’s wide range of emotions regarding work and family.

Librarians will find a large audience for this realistic, coming-of-age novel that bridges the middle grades and young adult genres. While any of today’s novels contain over-the-top drama, this quiet story is a good choice for readers seeking relatable characters and authentic situations with a twist of secrets and the feeling of magic.

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

Published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin on July 21, 2015.

App Review: The Castle of Nightmares

THE CASTLE OF NIGHTMARES by Denis Jugo is a creepy interactive ebook about a boy’s experience with scary dreams.

Ten-year-old John becomes immersed in a dream where he tries to save a group of children from the queen of nightmares. Aimed at the lower middle grades, the story is spooky without being scary.

Readers work their way through the linear reading experience by clicking the forward or backward arrows. Interactive elements are found on each page from animating creepy spiders to exploring a castle map. Spooky music and sound effects are woven throughout the story.

The visuals are attractive and the animations contribute to the creepy atmosphere. While the font is generally easy-to-read, there are places where the text color could use more contrast. Some paragraphs are centered rather than left aligned making them a little more difficult to read.

While the writing won’t win any literary awards, it’s fine for budding fans of Alfred Hitchcock or other creepy classics. This ebook is perfect for reading under the bedcovers during a thunderstorm.

Librarians will find this ebook fantasy to be a hit with those who enjoy interactive stories.

To purchase/download the book, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id633303329?mt=8.

Published by Pixy Interactive.

Book Review: Big Top Burning

BIG TOP BURNING: THE STORY OF AN ARSONIST, A MISSING GIRL, AND THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH by Laura A. Woollett tells the true story of a circus fire tragedy and its aftermath.

Set in 1944, this well-written work of nonfiction for middle-grade readers describes the terrible fire that killed 167 people including 59 children. The book explores the many mysteries surrounding the disaster including the cause of the fire, criminal investigations, and identification of bodies. While some questions remain unanswered, youth will be intrigued by the scope of the story.

Filled with amazing photographs, survivor interviews, and other primary source materials, the book also contains an author’s note, notes, bibliography, and index. Wollett brings the incident alive by combining the historical accounts with the mystery surrounding the disaster. The author does a stellar job describing the gripping story in an age-appropriate way. For example, she focuses on the mystery of an unidentified little girl. Youth will enjoy evaluating the evidence and drawing their own conclusions.

This short book would be a good choice for reluctant readers looking for an interesting history project topic. Display it with other books about tragic fire disasters such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.

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

Published by Chicago Press on June 1, 2015.

Website Review: National Ice Cream Month

NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH is celebrated each July with National Ice Cream Day celebrated on the third Sunday in July.

The International Dairy Foods Association website provides a media kit with information about this special month as well as individual pages focusing on different aspects of ice cream. These pages would be useful for informational reading activities. Go to https://www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/ice-cream.

Go to Ben & Jerry’s How We Make Ice Cream page for a series of videos showing how ice cream moves from the farm and factory to the store. Go to http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/how-we-make-ice-cream.

To learn more about how ice cream is made, go to the How Ice Cream Works page from How Stuff Works at http://science.howstuffworks.com/…/edible-inn…/ice-cream.htm.

Explore the Ice Cream page at the Library of Congress for lots of photos and historical resources related to ice cream. Weave these into a history of ice cream project. Go to http://www.loc.gov/…/scitech/selected-internet/icecream.html.

Book Review: Deadly Design

DEADLY DESIGN by Debra Dockter is a fast-paced thriller involving mad scientists, genetic modification, and the sudden death of teens.

Kyle and Connor are genetically engineered identical twins born two years apart. When Connor dies of a heart attack without warning, Kyle soon discovers other patients created by Dr. Mueller aren’t living past their eighteenth birthdays. Can Kyle solve the mystery and save himself before his time runs out?

The genetics and medical aspects seem plausible enough to keep the suspense high and readers guessing. The writing flows smoothing making it a quick-red.

Designed for young adults, this science fiction, mystery-suspense will appeal to teens who enjoy friendship stories with a touch of romance as well as those seeking an action thriller. Librarians will find that the chilling, near-future science will attract those that enjoy plausible, medical thrillers.

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

Published by Putnam/Penguin on June 2, 2015.

Tech Review: MakeBeliefsComix

The MAKEBELIEFSCOMIX website (and app) provides an easy-to-use tool for creating comic strips.

Two, three, or four panel comics can be created. Users begin by naming their comic and providing their name. Next, youth add characters, words, objects, backgrounds, and talk/thought balloons to the panels. Users can change the background color too. Sidebar tools allow creators to scale, bring to font, and flip elements. Comics can be printed or emailed.

In addition to the tool itself, other resources are provided including materials for teachers, special needs, and ESOL/literacy. Writing prompts and tools are also available. Free e-books provide lots of classroom ideas.

Librarians will find endless uses for this easy-to-use comic strip generator.

The comic creator is now available as an App through iTunes.

To create a comic, go to http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/make-beliefs-comix/id795026580….

Book Review: The Mothman's Curse

THE MOTHMAN’S CURSE by Christine Hayes is a spooky thriller for middle grade readers.

Living in America’s most haunted town, Josie is accustomed to strange happenings in her family’s auction house. However, the appearance of a Polaroid camera that captures images of a ghost draws Josie and her brother into a century old mystery. A ghost, a monster, and a cursed pin are just a few of the creepy things these witty siblings encounter as they try to prevent a disaster in their small Ohio town.

This fast-paced suspense will keep readers on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next. Hayes’ conversational writing style is easy to read and her characters are well-developed.

What will make the story even more compelling for young readers is the connection to with local legends about a real Mothman. Create a display featuring this book along with others about legendary monsters like Bigfoot and Sasquatch.

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

Published by Roaring Brook on June 16, 2015.

Website Review: Funbrain

FUNBRAIN is a classic educational website for children containing games along with online books and comics.

For nearly two decades, librarians, teachers, and their students have enjoyed free educational games and online comics from Funbrain. Designed for youth in preschool through grade 8, the website contains over 100 interactive games focusing on math, reading, and literature topics.

Users can create a username and password to keep track of their gaming experiences. However, this isn’t required to use the website.

The Math Arcade provides a wide range of learning games associated with math concepts such as Space Slingshot, Cut It, Blast Off, and Space Fractions. These games aren’t intended for initial instruction, instead they’re a fun way to practice math skills. Beyond the arcade, youth will enjoy math baseball, tic-fac-toe squares, and connect the dots games.

The Reading Arcade provides access to books and comics for youth. Most are displayed in short episodes or chapters. Galactic Hot Dogs is the latest addition to this online collection. Tess’s Tree is a classic favorite. Books designed for younger children feature characters like Brainy Blueberry, Daisy Nuzzlehead, and Captain Buckleswash. Beyond the arcade, youth will enjoy the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, along with Lost Side of Subarea, and Skullduggery Island. Literacy games include Stay Afloat, The Plural Girls, and Grammar Gorillas.

In addition to learning games, the Playground section includes early learning activities designed for adults and children to experience together. Finally, the All Games area provides a master list of the materials including a list of the most popular games and resources organized by grade level.

Librarians will find this to be a popular website for youth seeking “free time” experiences with both educational and entertainment value. Many youth enjoy an affiliated world building website called Poptropica outside the school setting.

To learn more, go to http://www.funbrain.com.

Book Review: The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk

THE OCTOPUS SCIENTISTS: EXPLORING THE MIND OF A MOLLUSK by Sy Montgomery provides a fascinating look at the world of scientists studying octopus.

Part of the Scientists in the Field collection, the author provides stunning photographs to go with the interesting and informative scientific narrative. The story follows a group of scientists at the CRIBE’S field station as they collect information about the elusive octopus.

In addition to the engaging story of scientific investigation, the book also includes pages focusing on the scientists and fact sheets providing in-depth information on topics such as creature camouflage.

Feature this book in a library display focusing on creatures of the coral reef. Be sure teachers are aware of this growing collection of high-quality science books. The entire Scientists in the Field collection is a great way to address STEM standards and encourage careers in the sciences.

To learn more about the Scientists in the Field books, go to http://www.sciencemeetsadventure.com.

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

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on May 26, 2015.

App Review: Monster Heart Medic

MONSTER HEART MEDIC is an fascinating, interactive, educational adventure game focusing on the cardiovascular system and the importance of healthy habits.

Designed for ages 10-13, the fast-paced game will keep youth interested in learning about the cardiovascular system and how it’s affected by healthy living habits.

Game players are engaged in a quest to collect items related to 37 health fact achievements that are used to become an expert monster medic. Categories include medical exams, monster stories, keep it healthy, travel to medi supply, travel to hospital, travel to park, travel to apartment, and health choices.

Play begins at a fitness center where users are introduced to Ragnar who is training for a marathon. Players are in charge of figuring out what’s wrong with Ragnar’s cardiovascular system by clicking objects on the screen, going to places on the interactive map, and making choices based on readings and medical exams.

Users can choose between English and Spanish languages. They can also turn the music and narration on and off.

The bright, colorful graphics, catchy sounds, and interactive game environment will be attractive to youth. The short scenarios, focused information, and stress on achievements will keep youth interested.

Librarians will want to add this to their health and science app collections.

Download the app at http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/do…/monster_heart_medic

Published by the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Book Review: The Book Scavenger

BOOK SCAVENGER by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is a middle grades adventure filled with quests, clues, and ciphers.

When Emily stumbles upon a strange copy of The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe, she teams up with cipher-solving neighbor James to solve a mystery. However when the pair find themselves tailed by two thugs, they realize their quest has become much more than a book scavenger game.

The author did a stellar job weaving codes and ciphers into the storyline. Although adults will quickly figure out the mystery, youth are likely to be on the edge-of-their-seats until the last couple chapters.

Librarians will find a broad audience for this fast-paced suspense. Use this book as the focus of a display containing both fiction and nonfiction books focusing on treasure hunts, games, codes, and geocaching.

What makes this book particularly fun is the transmedia element. The Book Scavenger game is real and youth can participate by hiding and finding books.

To learn more about the game go to the Book Scavenger website at http://bookscavenger.com/.

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

Published by Henry Holt on June 2, 2015.

Website Review: NBC Learn

NBC LEARN is a website focusing on news and information of interest to K-12 students.

Thousands of standards aligned stories have been digitized from the NBC News archives dating back to the 1920s. Both subscription-based and free resources are available.

The subscription-based option is connected with the Pearson Online Learning Exchange (OLE).

The free resources include over a dozen video projects. While some collections focus on event-specific topics such as Pi Day, the Summer Olympics, and the Winter Olympics, others are connected to sports topics of interest such as the Science of Golf, Hockey, and Football. Topics specific to science include water, innovation, chemistry, and climate change.

History topics include a video series on the Civil Rights Era and one on the Titanic.

The Writers Speak to Kids is a video series containing over a dozen interviews with award-winning authors talking about the craft of creative writing. Librarians will be specifically interested in these short, quality videos.

To learn more, go to http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn.

Book Review: Because You'll Never Meet Me

BECAUSE YOU’LL NEVER MEET ME by Leah Thomas tells the story of pen pals who bond through their unique challenges and perspectives on life.

Ollie is allergic to electricity and Moritz lacks eyes, but has super-sensitive echolocation skills. They live lonely lives a world apart, but become close friends through their correspondence. Dealing with a disability and the challenge of being different are at the core of this engaging work of young adult fiction.

Through letters in alternating chapters, Thomas tells a humorous, but also serious story of two teens growing up in isolation. Careful readers will enjoy seeing the plot unfold and be satisfied by the multi-faceted conclusion.

Librarians will find this work of fiction appealing to those that enjoy quasi-realistic fiction with an epistolary approach. However, the hint of fantasy makes the story intriguing for those that enjoy mystery and science fiction.

Published by Bloomsbury, Macmillan on June 2, 2015.

App Review: The UnStealer

THE UNSTEALER by Joshua and Donna Wilson is cute picture e-book app for children.

In this adorable app for ages 6-8, the UnStealer takes “un”s. For instance, he turns unhappy situations into happy ones and changes an unfriendly, untrained dog into a friendly, trained dog. The app is only 18 pages long, but it’s effective in conveying a series of short stories.

Interactive elements are triggered by touching, dragging, and tilting the screen. Users touch the first word of the paragraph for audio narration. Touching colored words activates animation. Users return to the menu by touching the bottom of the screen.

The artwork is colorful and the font style is perfect for young readers.

The story is a great way to introduce the idea of descriptive words and discuss how removing just a couple letters turns a negative situation into a positive one.

Librarians and language arts teachers will enjoy the positive message and learning connections. Add this to your picture book apps for language arts.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-unstealer/id791804571…

Published by The Happy Dandelion. Learn more at http://www.thehappydandelion.com/.

Book Review: Circus Mirandus

CIRCUS MIRANDUS by Cassie Beasley is a middle grade fantasy filled with mysterious magic and family secrets.

Micah grew up hearing his grandfather’s stories about a magical circus. Now on his death bed, Grandpa Ephraim is hoping to communicate with the Lightbender who promised him a miracle when he attended this circus long ago. Micah and his friend Jenny set out on a quest to find the circus and help Ephraim get his wish, but it won’t be easy with Great-Aunt Gertrudis’ interference.

Beasley does an exceptional job balancing a boy’s magical hopes with the reality of death. This story of faith and yearning is written in a way that middle grade readers will understand.

Librarians will want to market this book to middle grade readers who enjoy magical characters that bridge reality and fantasy. Reminiscent of A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd, pair it with other books that have roots in reality with a twist of magic. Or, add it to a display of books about the circus that also includes nonfiction works about circus life.

For the book website, go to http://www.circusmirandus.com/.

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

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Group on June 2, 2015.

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.