Book Review: Great Falls

GREAT FALLS by Steve Watkins is a young adult novel exploring the relationship between a teen and his older brother who suffers from PTSD.

When high school football star Shane agrees to go on a camping trip with his older brother Jeremy, he soon realizes he’s in over his head. Military hero Jeremy is back from deployments in Iraq and suffering from the effects of this war experiences. A canoe, alcohol, and a rifle combine for a terrifying experience that escalates around every corner as Jeremy’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic.

Watkins effectively balances the fast-paced, action with an authentic, somber examination of a suffering soldier dealing with life after war.

Librarians will find this gripping story of brotherhood to be popular among young men.

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

Published by Candlewick on April 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: DOGOnews

DOGOnews is a website and app resource focusing on current events, news, and nonfiction articles for students and teachers.

The website consists of short articles. Most of these informational stories contain numerous images. Vocabulary words that may be unfamiliar to youth are highlighted and link to pop-up definitions and examples. Each article ends with reading comprehension questions, a critical thinking challenge, and vocabulary. A game helps readers review the vocabulary. While the website contains limited, education related advertising, it’s not distracting to readers.

Tabs lead users to articles about news, books, or movies. Within the news category, students can choose from science, sports, social studies, world, green, entertainment, fun, and other categories. They can also narrow by grade levels including K-3, 3-5, 3-8, and 3-5. This is useful when accessing articles that are appropriate for particular reading and interest levels. Within the book category, students can choose clubs, series, freebies, or seasonal works. Books are also organized by genre and reading level. Within the movie category, children can browse by categories such as mystery or animation.

The website also offers special features for students and teachers. Students can create their own avatar, earn badges, share articles, and write articles. Teachers can set up classroom accounts and make assignments.

The app works much the same way as the website. The easy-to-navigate app contains access to over 3,000 articles across the curriculum. Articles are categorized by grade level. Clicking on highlighted works leads to definitions and places are linked maps. Lesson plans are connected to national standards.

Librarians will find this easy-to-use resource is useful in reading activities. It’s also valuable for informational reading in the subject areas such as social studies and science.

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

To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dogonews/id740364862.

Book Review: The Most Important Thing

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: STORIES ABOUT SONS, FATHERS, AND GRANDFATHERS by Avi shares seven short stories exploring the complicated emotions experienced by boys and their dads.

From a boy meeting his grandfather for the first time to a child interviewing potential stepfathers, each story explores a different aspect of interpersonal relationships. While some stories focus on bullying, abandonment, abuse, and neglect, others explore acceptance, compassion, and discovery.

Librarians will find that these stories provide a nice introduction to Avi’s writing for young readers. Work with teachers to build short stories into a literature circle activities focusing on family relationships.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.avi-writer.com/.

Published April 26, 2016 by Candlewick. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Lie Tree

THE LIE TREE by Frances Hardinge is a heart-pounding historical mystery.

Set in the nineteenth century, Faith discovers a connection between a strange tree and the mystery of her father’s death. She soon discovers that this magical tree feeds on lies, but dispenses the truth through its hallucinogenic fruit. This complex, edge-of-your-seat fantasy will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Librarians will find that fans of Frances Hardinge will be thrilled with her latest historical fantasy. While the book’s main focus is on the mystery elements, mature readers will be impressed by the author’s connections to religion, feminism, and scientific debate.

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

Published by Amulet, an imprint of ABRAMS. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Learn Chemistry

LEARNCHEMISTRY is a teaching and learning resource from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

This educational resource provides access to thousands of online, educational resources for chemistry. It also connects chemistry to other disciplines such as art, health, and history. Resources can be accessed using key words. Users can also browse by audience, resource type, age group, or subject.

The website contains sections geared toward teachers, students, and higher education. The teacher section provides access to a chemistry education journal and forum for discussing teaching in the chemical sciences. The student section contains resources related to chemistry careers, a magazine geared to young adults, and an online network for those teens interested in studying chemistry.

Featured areas include chemistry guides, practical chemistry resources, math for chemists, and sub disciplines such as materials chemistry and space chemistry. Of particular note is a section providing science idea webs. These amazing visuals help connect primary science topics such as World War II, Vikings, or Ancient Egypt to chemistry concepts.

Projects within the website include an interactive Periodic Table, This Day in Chemistry page, an Experimentation Hub focusing on investigation, Faces of Chemistry page featuring chemists, and chemistry wiki.

Librarians will find this website to be filled with useful information, data, articles, lessons, and other resources. Work with science teachers to mine the best resources and weave them into the science curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry.

Book Review: Red's Planet

RED’S PLANET by Eddie Pittman is the first book in a new, science fiction graphic novel series for middle grade readers.

When Red stows away on a UFO to get away from her foster family, she begins an adventure that crosses the galaxy. After her spaceship crashes, Red and an odd assortment of aliens must survive on a hostile planet.

The high-quality, color illustrations and fast-paced story will easily attract readers to this new science fiction series. Librarians will find a large audience for this graphic novel among readers of Bone, Amulet, Hilo, and the many other middle grade fantasy series. Fans of Eddie Pittman and his Disney series Phineas and Ferb will enjoy the familiar batter of characters and nonstop action.

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

Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS on April 19, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: BBC Bitesize

BBC BITESIZE is a website providing small chunks of instruction on key topics across the curriculum.

Although designed for students living in the United Kingdom, the focused, online study guides are useful in the K-12 US curriculum too. The website provides elementary, middle, and secondary content in areas such as art, music, media studies, English, science, technology, social studies, business, history, and many other areas. Users can access content by primary or secondary grades or by subject area.

While some topics include learning guides, others contain short animated clips, video clips, interactive games, quizzes, tutorials, or other instructional content.

While the website can be overwhelming for students, librarians will find a wealth of resources. Work with teachers to connect specific topics to the curriculum and link students directly to the resource such as the tutorial or video clip.

To visit the website, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/education.

Book Review: Gorillas Up Close

GORILLAS UP CLOSE by Christena Nippert-Eng is an amazing, informational book exploring all aspects of the gorilla world.

Designed for middle grade readers, the book contains dozens of short chapters examining the lives of gorillas both in the wild and living in zoos. While learning facts about these creatures, readers will also enjoy getting to know individual gorillas by name. The book concludes with tips, additional resources, an author’s note, and index.

From the adorable cover photograph to the attractive layout, librarians will find readers immediately engaged in this impressive work of nonfiction. Photos, maps, diagrams, and fact boxes will also draw in readers. The book will be of interest to readers who enjoy nonfiction narrative as well as those who are seeking a title useful in research projects.

Published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan on April 19, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Carnegie Cyber Academy

THE CARNEGIE CYBER ACADEMY is a professional-quality website focusing on digital citizenship.

The Training Missions section explores cybersecurity topics such as email threats and website safety. Students earn badges as they complete tasks. Four missions are currently available. Each mission has an online component as well as a hint sheet that can be downloaded.

The Academy Library contains useful information on searching for resources, evaluating source credibility, and using web resources. The Cyberpedia is an encyclopedia of key vocabulary related to digital literacy.

The Fun Stuff area provides short animations and games on curriculum-related topics as well as themes such as holidays. Links to the YouTube Channel provide additional resources on topics such as cyberbullying. The Carnegie Cadets: The MySecureCyberspace Game is a downloadable game focusing on digital literacy skills. The News and Cadet Life pages aren’t being updated but have interesting archival information.

The Faculty Pages help teachers locate useful information for teaching digital citizenship. A Classroom and Support Materials section provides many more resources for teachers including over a dozen lesson starters, downloadable materials, a youth user manual, and other resources.

Librarians will find many uses for the engaging digital citizenship information, games, and learning activities. While the website can be used as a self-contained information literacy curriculum, pieces on specific topics such as online reputations, netiquette, and online safety can be woven into the existing curriculum.

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

Book Review: Are We There Yet?

ARE WE THERE YET? by Dan Santat is an inventive picture book that explores the age old question “are we there yet?”.

When a young boy becomes bored on a long road trip to his grandmother’s birthday party, he imagines that time goes so slow that it begin flowing backwards. Along the way he sees pirates, knights, camels, and even dinosaurs. However, soon the story shifts to the future.

Careful readers will spot QR codes that can be read by electronic devices. These codes lead to secret messages. Young readers will also notice small things like the way the parent’s clothing changes and his dad’s beard grows as time flies. Children will also enjoy the play on the word “present” at the end of the story.

Librarians will find that the illustrator’s use of upside down pages will be a hit with children. Buy multiple copies of this book because it will fly off the shelves.

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

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

Website Review: Fraboom

FRABOOM is an interactive, online children’s museum for ages six through twelve.

The Map section of the website leads to each area of the website such as The Mouth, Drawing Academy, Bugs, and more. Although much of the website is free, a subscription-based version is also available. The free registration allows users to save their personalized icon and game scores.

The Games section include dozens of fun science and social studies related games. The Video section connects to Fraboom TV for free video content. The short, engaging cartoons feature engaging science and social studies content. The Interactive Video section features interactive books. Bug Book and A Dinosaur Ate My Homework are available for free. Periodically the website offers free online classes in topics such has drawing.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun home to school connection.

To visit the website, go to https://fraboom.com/.

Book Review: Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans

JULIUS ZEBRA: RUMBLE WITH THE ROMANS by Gary Northfield is a zany, fast-paced romp through ancient Rome starring a zebra, a lion, and a warthog.

Three captured African animals find themselves in the Colosseum where they must become gladiators to gain their freedom.

This first book in a new series concludes with a guide to Roman numerals and a glossary.

Librarians will find that this highly illustrated middle grade book is a hit with upper elementary children. The short chapters and one-stop action will keep even reluctant readers engaged.

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

Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Capstone Kids

CAPSTONE KIDS is an engaging children’s website featuring characters from Capstone books.

The Characters section takes children to information about dozens of book characters. These pages contain short videos, information about the characters, book lists, interesting background information, author/illustrator information, and sometimes downloadable such as activities that can be printed.

The Make Stuff section features recipes, magic tricks, drawing, fold it, crafts, and projects. Written with children in mind, each page provides simple instructions, materials, additional project ideas, and downloadable handouts.

The Contests section is updated as new opportunities arise such as the Create the Scrappers Contest.

The Explore section features facts about a wide range of topics. Each page contains a topic, jokes, activities, information, quizzes, and games.

The Games and Quizzes sections feature dozens of games related to science, folk tales, health care, and other topics.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun way to connect reluctant readers to the world of books. Create a display that features book series and characters along with a tablet or laptop where children can explore the website. Periodically rotate the featured series. The short articles in the characters and explore sections would be useful for informational reading activities.

To visit the website, go to http://capstonekids.com/.

Book Review: The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin

THE MECHANICAL MIND OF JOHN COGGIN by Elinor Teele is a whimsical, middle grade fantasy adventure about siblings who runaway from their cruel aunt and the family coffin business.

John is a young inventor who dreams of something more than working for the family funeral business. Together with his sister, they run away from home and try to evade their mean aunt who is always just one step behind them. Along the way, the siblings meet an array of fascinating characters including a circus troupe.

Librarians will find that readers enjoy the mix of quirky humor and daring escapes. Fans of the turn-of-the-twentieth century time period and steampunk-like environments will also enjoy the adventure. John Coggin’s talent for engineering will be a draw for budding inventors.

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

Published by Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Biblionasium

BIBLIONASIUM is a website designed to enhance a child’s reading experience and encourage reading.

Youth can track their favorite books, add to a wish list, identify finished books, and record books they own. They can even invite friends to join the fun. Suggested reading is based on age and includes popular series, book prize winners, and the rotating categories.

Teachers and parents can set up challenges for children. They can also buy or donate books. There’s also a resource section with notable articles, book lists, fun stuff for kids, and reading resources. A page even explains how to match children with books of the appropriate reading level.

Librarians will find that this is a useful free system for both parents and teachers. Parents can sign up their children and track their reading activities, while teachers can follow entire classes.

To visit the website, go to https://www.biblionasium.com/

Book Review: Horrible Bear

HORRIBLE BEAR by Ame Dyckman tells the humorous, but powerful story of accidents, mistakes, and apologies.

Written for young children, this adorable picture book focuses on a young girl who becomes upset when a bear accidentally breaks her kite. She ultimately realizes the impact of her anger and the need for empathy and compassion.

Illustrator Zachariah OHora’s use of large, solid blocks of color while still paying attention to facial details make this picture book particularly compelling.

Librarians will find the social/emotional themes to be spot-on for early primary grade learners. Teachers will find many opportunities for classroom connections.

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

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette on April 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Save Me a Seat

SAVE ME A SEAT by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan tells the story of a recent immigrant trying to survive his new American public school.

When Ravi Suryanarayanan moves from India to America, he expects a smooth transition. After all, he’s an excellent student, good at sports, and speaks English. However, classmate Dillon Samreen plans to add Ravi to his torture list along with another student named Joe Sylvester that he’s already bullying. As the story evolves, Ravi and Joe form a unlikely friendship that is often poignant and sometimes humorous.

Told through alternating first-person narratives featuring Ravi and his classmate Joe, middle grade readers will enjoy the real-world school situations and empathize with the plight of both Ravi and Joe.

From sitting alone in the lunchroom to dealing with mispronounced names, librarians will find that many children can relate to the characters in this school story. The addition of the glossaries and recipes at the end of the book make this title particularly effective for classroom reading activities.

To learn more about the authors go to http://sarahweeks.com/ andhttps://twitter.com/gitavarad1.

Published by Scholastic on April 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Waylon! One Awesome Thing

WAYLON! ONE AWESOME THING by Sara Pennypacker is the first book in a new chapter series featuring a fourth grader with a passion for science.

A spin-off from the popular Clementine books, this series focuses on the friends and family of a science-loving boy named Waylon Zakowski. While Waylon wants to keep his class together, others want to pigeonhole friends into cliques. Waylon looks for a way to bring the diverse class together.

Librarians will find the balance of charm and humor just right for chapter book readers. Fans of Sara Pennypacker will be thrilled to find another series to explore. Teachers will find this intelligent, quiet, and thoughtful male lead character refreshing.

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

Published by Disney-Hyperion on April 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Bystander Revolution

BYSTANDER REVOLUTION is a website offering advice about things individuals can do to defuse bullying and help change cultural attitudes.

The website explores “simple acts of kindness, courage, and inclusion anyone can use to take the power out of bullying.”

The Videos section features short, informational videos by well-known public figures like author John Green and access Lily Collins. Be sure to start with the overview video featuring thoughts from 28 contributors. Videos are categorized by types of advice, problems, and solutions. A search tool provides access to the video content.

Three sections of the website are designed to help users get started. The Find Solutions area focuses on written advice and tips. The Start a Discussion area provides video playlists and discussion questions. The Weekly Stand area shares how one action each week can have an impact. The Challenges area focuses on using social media for change.

The Help section provides immediate assistance along with other resources to help answer questions.

Social media links including Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information and resources. Downloads and merchandise are available for those that would like to extend the campaign.

Librarians will find this website useful in planning anti-bullying campaigns. Consider using the videos to jumpstart classroom discussions. Create an interactive display featuring a video playlist or feature the weekly stand ideas in your school.

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

Book Review: The Not-So-Faraway Adventure

THE NOT-SO-FARAWAY ADVENTURE by Andrew Larson is a heartwarming picture book telling the story of a child and her grandfather who plan a trip to the beach together.

Theo enjoys exploring her grandfather’s trunk full of photographs, maps, postcards, and other items from his many adventures. For her grandfather’s birthday, she plans a trip to the beach where they have an adventure together.

The simple, colorful illustrations effectively capture the day-to-day activities of Theo and her Poppa drawing readers into the story.

From the memory trunk and map making activity to the family beach adventure, librarians will find this multi-generational book appeals to young readers. The engaging story provides endless opportunities for classroom discussions and activities.

To learn more about the author, go to http://andrewlarsen.ca/.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://ireneluxbacher.com/.

Published by Kids Can Press on April 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.