Lincoln’s Spymaster: Allan Pinkerton, America’s First Private Eye
Samantha Seiple
This was a book that, as I was reading, kept thinking how much would appeal to kids. The text is very engaging, the story suspenseful, and the idea of spies, Jesse James, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War all wrapped up into one is intriguing. The prologue immediately grabs the reader's attention and shows Pinkerton's skills as a spy. Pinkerton’s agency was a precursor to the Secret Service, and his story was very interesting to me as background for what turned into a very successful business that still exists today. It was easy-to-read, included lots of visuals (seeing a picture of Pinkerton with Lincoln together blew my mind!), and followed the story of Pinkerton from his beginning days as a spy and later as an outlaw hunter in chronological order.
The cover is great; Pinkerton’s expression, I think, shows that he is watching events carefully. The dust jacket provides quite a bit of information, while the hard cover has an imprint of an eye. This book has 224 pages so it is more suitable for more experienced readers. There are quite a few black and white photographs to help picture the scenario, although the book in general might have been more exciting visually.
Supplemental information includes Source Notes, Index, Contents, and list of The Players which I found myself referring to again and again. They included: The Pinkerson Detective Agency, The Union, The Rogues' Gallery - The Reno Brothers Gang, The James-Younger Gang, The Confederacy, The Baltimore Plotters, and Border Ruffians/Proslavery.
This book should be very appealing to kids. I see it attracting a wide range of readers including those interested in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, Spies/Detectives, True Life stories, train robberies, outlaws, and action/adventure stories.
Samantha Seiple
This was a book that, as I was reading, kept thinking how much would appeal to kids. The text is very engaging, the story suspenseful, and the idea of spies, Jesse James, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War all wrapped up into one is intriguing. The prologue immediately grabs the reader's attention and shows Pinkerton's skills as a spy. Pinkerton’s agency was a precursor to the Secret Service, and his story was very interesting to me as background for what turned into a very successful business that still exists today. It was easy-to-read, included lots of visuals (seeing a picture of Pinkerton with Lincoln together blew my mind!), and followed the story of Pinkerton from his beginning days as a spy and later as an outlaw hunter in chronological order.
The cover is great; Pinkerton’s expression, I think, shows that he is watching events carefully. The dust jacket provides quite a bit of information, while the hard cover has an imprint of an eye. This book has 224 pages so it is more suitable for more experienced readers. There are quite a few black and white photographs to help picture the scenario, although the book in general might have been more exciting visually.
Supplemental information includes Source Notes, Index, Contents, and list of The Players which I found myself referring to again and again. They included: The Pinkerson Detective Agency, The Union, The Rogues' Gallery - The Reno Brothers Gang, The James-Younger Gang, The Confederacy, The Baltimore Plotters, and Border Ruffians/Proslavery.
This book should be very appealing to kids. I see it attracting a wide range of readers including those interested in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, Spies/Detectives, True Life stories, train robberies, outlaws, and action/adventure stories.
Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet
Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. Dyson
With Mars in the news so much, and the very real possibility of going there to live, this book provides excellent descriptions of exactly what needs to be done for that to happen. By the end you realize Buzz Aldrin really is a rocket scientist! It begins with a captivating cover and includes some really fabulous activities that enhance the topic. It is organized as if the reader is starting here on Earth, then traveling and approaching Mars, to the time when a habitat is built. There is an enormous air of authority coming from Buzz Aldrin. Everything is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. The maps of Mars, the colorful illustrations and photos, and the timelines (especially for making Mars green) makes this packed with useful information for the very specific task of making a home on Mars. It seems that every detail of such a mission has been considered and answered.
This book, part of the National Geographic Kids series, is a very readable and allows kids to jump around the book. It is a very interesting, super kid friendly book that will appeal to a wide audience of readers. It makes intelligent predictions about what might happen in the future. Kids can get very excited about this topic. Every page is stuffed with information about Mars making it a very useful and interactive book, and an excellent choice for science fair material. It provides excellent descriptions and attractive illustrations, photos and cover. The text makes it sound like Buzz Aldrin is talking directly to the reader, even in some captions on photos, like on page 41, where he mentions the Pathfinder leaving tracks on Mars like he left footprints on the moon.
Supportive features include a Table of Contents, Book and Websites listed for further study, Glossary, Quotation Credits, Photo and Image Credits, Index, and Afterword. The book is chock full of fabulous activities to try (p. 18-19 - activity demonstrates how Earth and Mars circle the sun), timeline of Mars exploration (p. 48-49), map of Mars (p. 50-51), timeline for making Mars green (p. 88-89), and more that a Children's Librarian like me would love for program extensions. In addition, there are many useful additional graphics (p.10-11, solar system illustration shows where Mars is; p.12 - items you won't need on Mars, p. 28-29 - map of canals on Mars). This would be useful as a teacher's guide too, for the science curriculum and STEM. An introduction and conclusion are also included.
This book has an Ohio connection since author Marianne Dyson who grew up in Canton, OH .
The publication timing is unfortunate since we've gotten more information about Mars, such as water being present, since it was published. But more and more information is coming back all the time that will constantly change what we know about Mars. In the meantime, I highly recommend future scientists and astronauts reading this one.
Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. Dyson
With Mars in the news so much, and the very real possibility of going there to live, this book provides excellent descriptions of exactly what needs to be done for that to happen. By the end you realize Buzz Aldrin really is a rocket scientist! It begins with a captivating cover and includes some really fabulous activities that enhance the topic. It is organized as if the reader is starting here on Earth, then traveling and approaching Mars, to the time when a habitat is built. There is an enormous air of authority coming from Buzz Aldrin. Everything is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. The maps of Mars, the colorful illustrations and photos, and the timelines (especially for making Mars green) makes this packed with useful information for the very specific task of making a home on Mars. It seems that every detail of such a mission has been considered and answered.
This book, part of the National Geographic Kids series, is a very readable and allows kids to jump around the book. It is a very interesting, super kid friendly book that will appeal to a wide audience of readers. It makes intelligent predictions about what might happen in the future. Kids can get very excited about this topic. Every page is stuffed with information about Mars making it a very useful and interactive book, and an excellent choice for science fair material. It provides excellent descriptions and attractive illustrations, photos and cover. The text makes it sound like Buzz Aldrin is talking directly to the reader, even in some captions on photos, like on page 41, where he mentions the Pathfinder leaving tracks on Mars like he left footprints on the moon.
Supportive features include a Table of Contents, Book and Websites listed for further study, Glossary, Quotation Credits, Photo and Image Credits, Index, and Afterword. The book is chock full of fabulous activities to try (p. 18-19 - activity demonstrates how Earth and Mars circle the sun), timeline of Mars exploration (p. 48-49), map of Mars (p. 50-51), timeline for making Mars green (p. 88-89), and more that a Children's Librarian like me would love for program extensions. In addition, there are many useful additional graphics (p.10-11, solar system illustration shows where Mars is; p.12 - items you won't need on Mars, p. 28-29 - map of canals on Mars). This would be useful as a teacher's guide too, for the science curriculum and STEM. An introduction and conclusion are also included.
This book has an Ohio connection since author Marianne Dyson who grew up in Canton, OH .
The publication timing is unfortunate since we've gotten more information about Mars, such as water being present, since it was published. But more and more information is coming back all the time that will constantly change what we know about Mars. In the meantime, I highly recommend future scientists and astronauts reading this one.
The Rain Wizard: The Amazing, Mysterious, True Life of Charles Mallory Hatfield
Larry Dane Brimner
The cover of this book is so appealing, so right off the bat kids will be attracted to it and want to pick it up. I like that there is some texture to it and that Hatfield has a glow giving a wizard look. Then, the idea of a rain wizard. Wow! What a fascinating story. Someone really made it rain? But was he a scientist or con man?
I had certainly never heard of Hatfield before. The book begins with a definition on opening spread: "Pluviculture - The art of making it rain". Is such a thing possible? I mean, we've all heard of the Indian Rain Dance, but does anyone ever think it can really be done? Hatfield's story is told chronologically. The writing is very good. It is captivating and interesting that a city would hire this man to solve their drought problem. The story becomes quite suspenseful as the storm in San Diego (the floods of January 1916) progresses and causes devastation, all while Hatfield continues his process of making rain. Was he the cause? We don't know. Unfortunately, Hatfield never left his "recipe" for making it rain, although I imagine it is toxic based on the reports of the awful smell. Still, it's a wonder why no one was ever interested in following up on his method. I've often thought back to this book as fires raged in the western portion of the country.
The book design is one of the strengths including large, relevant, high-quality photographs that cover a 2-page spread, with large accompanying captions. It has a nice layout - the left side of each chapter is a photograph, right side has the title in large print with the chapter number highlighted in the top right corner. A large print quote or text is inserted inside each chapter. And there is generous white space.
The book is fully documented with For More Information books/films/music/websites, Source Notes by chapter and page number, Index, Picture Credits, and Author's Note(talks about research contradictions). The primary sources are great.
I do wish the author had done more research about the science (consulting experts, etc.) to figure out if he was a con artist or not, perhaps follow up on some clues about the odiferous nature of the process. It is curious that no one else has ever figured out Hatfield's recipe. Unless it was all a complete con. The reader can decide for himself. Or maybe it would make a good science fair project for some curious student.
Larry Dane Brimner
The cover of this book is so appealing, so right off the bat kids will be attracted to it and want to pick it up. I like that there is some texture to it and that Hatfield has a glow giving a wizard look. Then, the idea of a rain wizard. Wow! What a fascinating story. Someone really made it rain? But was he a scientist or con man?
I had certainly never heard of Hatfield before. The book begins with a definition on opening spread: "Pluviculture - The art of making it rain". Is such a thing possible? I mean, we've all heard of the Indian Rain Dance, but does anyone ever think it can really be done? Hatfield's story is told chronologically. The writing is very good. It is captivating and interesting that a city would hire this man to solve their drought problem. The story becomes quite suspenseful as the storm in San Diego (the floods of January 1916) progresses and causes devastation, all while Hatfield continues his process of making rain. Was he the cause? We don't know. Unfortunately, Hatfield never left his "recipe" for making it rain, although I imagine it is toxic based on the reports of the awful smell. Still, it's a wonder why no one was ever interested in following up on his method. I've often thought back to this book as fires raged in the western portion of the country.
The book design is one of the strengths including large, relevant, high-quality photographs that cover a 2-page spread, with large accompanying captions. It has a nice layout - the left side of each chapter is a photograph, right side has the title in large print with the chapter number highlighted in the top right corner. A large print quote or text is inserted inside each chapter. And there is generous white space.
The book is fully documented with For More Information books/films/music/websites, Source Notes by chapter and page number, Index, Picture Credits, and Author's Note(talks about research contradictions). The primary sources are great.
I do wish the author had done more research about the science (consulting experts, etc.) to figure out if he was a con artist or not, perhaps follow up on some clues about the odiferous nature of the process. It is curious that no one else has ever figured out Hatfield's recipe. Unless it was all a complete con. The reader can decide for himself. Or maybe it would make a good science fair project for some curious student.
Hot Pink: The Life & Fashions of Elsa Schiaparelli
Susan Goldman Rubin
How can this hot pink cover not catch your attention? This signature color of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli runs throughout the book creating a distinctive design element. The visual presentation is gorgeous. Large color photographs with captions showcase her designs, with her quotes enlarged throughout the large print, producing a book so beautiful it’s worthy of the coffee table. The paper cover is finished in entirely pink, while the hard cover works equally well in black and white with a pink title. The inside flaps are striped pink, page borders and accent pages are in hot pink. Pink print is used for captions and by the first letter on a leading paragraph. The back matter is printed on pink paper. You get the idea. No one can miss the color this designer made famous.
Although fun to skim through, the background context for her fashions such as World War II and the cubism and surrealism periods make it an engaging read as well. It includes some history of women's fashion just prior to her period as well as mention of some competing fashion designers of her time. A bit about her personal life and being a single mother of Gogo rounds out this fascinating title.
It’s packed full of documentation including an epilogue, author's note, lists of places to see her works, her fashion firsts, artworks inspiring to her and that she inspired, bibliography, source notes, image credits, and index. (One error was found when the year 1976 was listed as a date for attending her daughter's wedding. It should have been 1973. Schiaparelli was dead by 1976.)
I am not sure I've ever read or even seen another book about a fashion designer for children. It's not quite long enough for a biography report (only 56 pages) but will provide plenty of supplemental information. With fashion design a current hot topic with television shows like Project Runway and Fashion Star, this will be very appealing to young wannabe designers who can follow the stubborn and determined girl reach her dream of leaving her mark on the fashion world.
Susan Goldman Rubin
How can this hot pink cover not catch your attention? This signature color of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli runs throughout the book creating a distinctive design element. The visual presentation is gorgeous. Large color photographs with captions showcase her designs, with her quotes enlarged throughout the large print, producing a book so beautiful it’s worthy of the coffee table. The paper cover is finished in entirely pink, while the hard cover works equally well in black and white with a pink title. The inside flaps are striped pink, page borders and accent pages are in hot pink. Pink print is used for captions and by the first letter on a leading paragraph. The back matter is printed on pink paper. You get the idea. No one can miss the color this designer made famous.
Although fun to skim through, the background context for her fashions such as World War II and the cubism and surrealism periods make it an engaging read as well. It includes some history of women's fashion just prior to her period as well as mention of some competing fashion designers of her time. A bit about her personal life and being a single mother of Gogo rounds out this fascinating title.
It’s packed full of documentation including an epilogue, author's note, lists of places to see her works, her fashion firsts, artworks inspiring to her and that she inspired, bibliography, source notes, image credits, and index. (One error was found when the year 1976 was listed as a date for attending her daughter's wedding. It should have been 1973. Schiaparelli was dead by 1976.)
I am not sure I've ever read or even seen another book about a fashion designer for children. It's not quite long enough for a biography report (only 56 pages) but will provide plenty of supplemental information. With fashion design a current hot topic with television shows like Project Runway and Fashion Star, this will be very appealing to young wannabe designers who can follow the stubborn and determined girl reach her dream of leaving her mark on the fashion world.
Flying Cars: The True Story
Andrew Glass
LIke "Jump Back, Paul", this book also has a Dayton, Ohio connection to the Wright Brothers and the front pages even include a quote from Wilbur Wright.
This book provides an extremely interesting and memorable history of flying automobiles and their designers -in chronological order, as outlined in the table of contents- that left me cheering for their eventual success the entire way (especially during the period before our current road system was as well developed as it has become) because, really, who doesn’t want a flying car? The writing is captivating. The author mentions in his author's note that he tried to convey the enthusiasm of the inventors, and I think he was successful. This was such a joy to read and remained in my mind long after I finished, and I think kids would find it fascinating as well.
The wonderful black and white photographs document the various flying cars, showing many of the planes and their design drawings, patents, promotions, and even the first pilot's license. All are well captioned. The photo from 1920 showing the typical road conditions says so much about why this contraption was desired.
Chapters explain the positives and negatives of each design, and what was happening historically for it not to catch on, for example (p. 34) "...the few drivers who could afford an expensive, fashionable ride during the Great Depression wanted the heavy chrome and rich leather of a luxury car, not a three-wheel wingless Whatsit, no matter how sleek it was..." The name of the car being described is listed on the bottom, right hand next to the page number, which makes for easy searching. Quotations are shown in italics.
The cover is an attention-grabber, depicting a flying car on the front. The paper cover is more detailed than the hard cover underneath which shows only the flying car. The back paper cover shows the drawings to a 4D Triangular Framed Auto-Airplane - a really cute design for a flying car.
Based on the author's bibliography note, this may well be a definitive book on the subject. Other supplemental material includes Contents, Author's Note, Glossary, Source Notes by chapter and page, Acknowledgments, Picture Credits, Index, and the author's research process.
This book talks about a time when even cars were a new invention, so combining the idea of flight with driving would seem perfectly reasonable. I think it gives some indication why each failed to catch on, and although new designs for "skycars" are currently underway, and the dream is not dead, the reader has a better understanding of the roadblocks (pardon the pun.) This will be appealing to a wide range of kids.
Andrew Glass
LIke "Jump Back, Paul", this book also has a Dayton, Ohio connection to the Wright Brothers and the front pages even include a quote from Wilbur Wright.
This book provides an extremely interesting and memorable history of flying automobiles and their designers -in chronological order, as outlined in the table of contents- that left me cheering for their eventual success the entire way (especially during the period before our current road system was as well developed as it has become) because, really, who doesn’t want a flying car? The writing is captivating. The author mentions in his author's note that he tried to convey the enthusiasm of the inventors, and I think he was successful. This was such a joy to read and remained in my mind long after I finished, and I think kids would find it fascinating as well.
The wonderful black and white photographs document the various flying cars, showing many of the planes and their design drawings, patents, promotions, and even the first pilot's license. All are well captioned. The photo from 1920 showing the typical road conditions says so much about why this contraption was desired.
Chapters explain the positives and negatives of each design, and what was happening historically for it not to catch on, for example (p. 34) "...the few drivers who could afford an expensive, fashionable ride during the Great Depression wanted the heavy chrome and rich leather of a luxury car, not a three-wheel wingless Whatsit, no matter how sleek it was..." The name of the car being described is listed on the bottom, right hand next to the page number, which makes for easy searching. Quotations are shown in italics.
The cover is an attention-grabber, depicting a flying car on the front. The paper cover is more detailed than the hard cover underneath which shows only the flying car. The back paper cover shows the drawings to a 4D Triangular Framed Auto-Airplane - a really cute design for a flying car.
Based on the author's bibliography note, this may well be a definitive book on the subject. Other supplemental material includes Contents, Author's Note, Glossary, Source Notes by chapter and page, Acknowledgments, Picture Credits, Index, and the author's research process.
This book talks about a time when even cars were a new invention, so combining the idea of flight with driving would seem perfectly reasonable. I think it gives some indication why each failed to catch on, and although new designs for "skycars" are currently underway, and the dream is not dead, the reader has a better understanding of the roadblocks (pardon the pun.) This will be appealing to a wide range of kids.
Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Sally Derby
This book has not only an Ohio connection, but a Dayton, Ohio connection, which is one reason I appreciated it so much. Kid here have heard of Paul Laurence Dunbar, are taught about this fellow high schooler of Orville and Wilbur Wright, can visit his home just west of downtown, and can probably even recite some of his poetry. (Most adult readers will be familiar with his line from Sympathy, "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!")
The voice of this book is distinct, reminiscent of a grandmother sharing Dunbar's story. There wouldn’t be a story without the inclusion of some of the poems written by Dunbar, and since his poems couldn’t tell his entire story either, this is a wonderful combination of both.
Speaking of combinations, both the classical and dialect styles of poetry he wrote are included showing Dunbar’s skill as a poet. After Dunbar's story is completely told, the reader comes to understand why the dialect poetry was so important. His decision to write in dialect had to do with the fact that whites did it incorrectly, and it was what sold the best, but writing in dialect also brought with it criticism by other African Americans. The selection of poems seems appropriate for young readers. I worried at first that children would have trouble reading the poetry in dialect, but we are taught how to read them and, used as a read-aloud, this could have a big impact. By the end, I enjoyed the dialect poetry more than the classical poetry. It is easy to jump around in the book and read the poems found most interesting, and spending time leisurely reflecting on the poems and ideas.
Primitive black and white illustrations complement and expand the text. While there is no photograph of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the melancholy acrylic and pencil illustrations seem to match the poetry better than photographs could have. Also, graphics on each chapter title page provide hints of what is to come. The book has a nice feel and size and I liked the design and distinctive title.
Supplemental material includes a Chronology, Timeline, Index, Source Notes, and Bibliography. Side Trips on the Research Journey by chapter and acknowledgements round it out. Derby has contacted Dunbar experts for this book's research.
Although the fictional grandma voice seems authentic, it creates a blurry line in terms of what is fiction and what is true, an issue that pops up more and more often with current "creative" nonfiction. An author's notes explains how Derby handled factual debates throughout the telling, which to me were very clear as I read it.
This would be especially appealing to the African American children in our community who finally have an accessible book about Dunbar, and a biography about this local hero which also fits into the 100-page biography requirement (ha!). But I would highly recommend this title to readers from all over, not just Dayton, interested in poetry and dialect as well.
Sally Derby
This book has not only an Ohio connection, but a Dayton, Ohio connection, which is one reason I appreciated it so much. Kid here have heard of Paul Laurence Dunbar, are taught about this fellow high schooler of Orville and Wilbur Wright, can visit his home just west of downtown, and can probably even recite some of his poetry. (Most adult readers will be familiar with his line from Sympathy, "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!")
The voice of this book is distinct, reminiscent of a grandmother sharing Dunbar's story. There wouldn’t be a story without the inclusion of some of the poems written by Dunbar, and since his poems couldn’t tell his entire story either, this is a wonderful combination of both.
Speaking of combinations, both the classical and dialect styles of poetry he wrote are included showing Dunbar’s skill as a poet. After Dunbar's story is completely told, the reader comes to understand why the dialect poetry was so important. His decision to write in dialect had to do with the fact that whites did it incorrectly, and it was what sold the best, but writing in dialect also brought with it criticism by other African Americans. The selection of poems seems appropriate for young readers. I worried at first that children would have trouble reading the poetry in dialect, but we are taught how to read them and, used as a read-aloud, this could have a big impact. By the end, I enjoyed the dialect poetry more than the classical poetry. It is easy to jump around in the book and read the poems found most interesting, and spending time leisurely reflecting on the poems and ideas.
Primitive black and white illustrations complement and expand the text. While there is no photograph of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the melancholy acrylic and pencil illustrations seem to match the poetry better than photographs could have. Also, graphics on each chapter title page provide hints of what is to come. The book has a nice feel and size and I liked the design and distinctive title.
Supplemental material includes a Chronology, Timeline, Index, Source Notes, and Bibliography. Side Trips on the Research Journey by chapter and acknowledgements round it out. Derby has contacted Dunbar experts for this book's research.
Although the fictional grandma voice seems authentic, it creates a blurry line in terms of what is fiction and what is true, an issue that pops up more and more often with current "creative" nonfiction. An author's notes explains how Derby handled factual debates throughout the telling, which to me were very clear as I read it.
This would be especially appealing to the African American children in our community who finally have an accessible book about Dunbar, and a biography about this local hero which also fits into the 100-page biography requirement (ha!). But I would highly recommend this title to readers from all over, not just Dayton, interested in poetry and dialect as well.
Trombone Shorty
Andrews, Troy "Trombone Shorty"
This autobiography of musician Trombone Shorty appears in picture book format for our youngest readers. Told in 1st person by Troy Andrews in a distinctive voice (Where Y'at?), he tells the story of how he got his nickname. It is very accessible storytelling that will appeal to lots of kids. I loved his comparison about wanting his music to sound like the gumbo his mother made. It's an uplifting story, about a slice in the life of a current musician children may know.
There are so many things I love about this book and one is the design, starting with a cover that immediately lets you know what this book is about. You see the young boy, you see the trombone. It pops. The dust cover is very active and eye-catching and seems more appropriate for younger children. The back dust cover shows him with the other boys in his "band". The hard cover uses different, but equally captivating images better for older children. The endpapers are bright yellow like a trombone. The illustrations are in watercolor and collage that match the style of the music (angled, slightly off, 3D) and capture his personality. A wonderful job was done not to lose any information or illustrations in the gutter. An illustrator note explains the method used and some of the symbolism in the book (balloons).
Author's Note talks about his journey from a young child to become a musician which includes some photographs of him playing when the trombone is bigger than he is. One criticism is that the illustrations make him look much older than he does in the photos. Also, the author's note missed an opportunity to expand on the information about his life. At the end, a casual photo of grown-up Troy Andrews appears.
Additional supportive features provide additional information in the 'About the Trombone Shorty Foundation' which gives the website and mission. Acknowledgments. There is no bibliography. There is some conflicting information about how he acquired the trombone, and there is a missed opportunity to learn more about jazz or whatever.
This book is going to appeal to lots of children and is a good connection to diversity, music, Mardi Gras, musical instruments, musicians, jazz, trombones, and more.
Andrews, Troy "Trombone Shorty"
This autobiography of musician Trombone Shorty appears in picture book format for our youngest readers. Told in 1st person by Troy Andrews in a distinctive voice (Where Y'at?), he tells the story of how he got his nickname. It is very accessible storytelling that will appeal to lots of kids. I loved his comparison about wanting his music to sound like the gumbo his mother made. It's an uplifting story, about a slice in the life of a current musician children may know.
There are so many things I love about this book and one is the design, starting with a cover that immediately lets you know what this book is about. You see the young boy, you see the trombone. It pops. The dust cover is very active and eye-catching and seems more appropriate for younger children. The back dust cover shows him with the other boys in his "band". The hard cover uses different, but equally captivating images better for older children. The endpapers are bright yellow like a trombone. The illustrations are in watercolor and collage that match the style of the music (angled, slightly off, 3D) and capture his personality. A wonderful job was done not to lose any information or illustrations in the gutter. An illustrator note explains the method used and some of the symbolism in the book (balloons).
Author's Note talks about his journey from a young child to become a musician which includes some photographs of him playing when the trombone is bigger than he is. One criticism is that the illustrations make him look much older than he does in the photos. Also, the author's note missed an opportunity to expand on the information about his life. At the end, a casual photo of grown-up Troy Andrews appears.
Additional supportive features provide additional information in the 'About the Trombone Shorty Foundation' which gives the website and mission. Acknowledgments. There is no bibliography. There is some conflicting information about how he acquired the trombone, and there is a missed opportunity to learn more about jazz or whatever.
This book is going to appeal to lots of children and is a good connection to diversity, music, Mardi Gras, musical instruments, musicians, jazz, trombones, and more.
This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon
Nancy Plain
This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed, but due to its poor packaging I doubt many readers will ever see it. I'll admit, I thought it was for adults. Only the back cover indicates that it is intended for juveniles, though it has absolutely no child appeal.
It is a biography of the founder of ornithology and bird painter Audubon. It tells of Audubon's privileged upbringing in France, coming to America, his personal life, and struggle to support his family while doing the thing he loved to do, study birds. Taking place during the early years of our nation, readers will enjoy seeing Audubon's life in the frontier. The writing is excellent and easy-to-read and I would even say geared toward children. Many Audubon quotes are inserted throughout. It is filled with gorgeous illustrations of Audubon's paintings and each one has a caption identifying it, which matches the action in the text. Some words are defined in the text.
Supplemental information includes: Contents, Illustrations, Acknowledgements, Introduction (provides a little information about Audubon's methods and goals), Glossary, Appendix : Looking for Audubon and his world (Historical Sites, Museums and Galleries, Wildlife Societies and an Educational Institution), Notes by chapter and page, Bibliography, Illustration credits, Index. Footnotes are not good for the intended age group.
All ages will enjoy this short book (only 100 pages, so it will work for a biography report).
This will appeal to bird lovers and adventurers.
Nancy Plain
This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed, but due to its poor packaging I doubt many readers will ever see it. I'll admit, I thought it was for adults. Only the back cover indicates that it is intended for juveniles, though it has absolutely no child appeal.
It is a biography of the founder of ornithology and bird painter Audubon. It tells of Audubon's privileged upbringing in France, coming to America, his personal life, and struggle to support his family while doing the thing he loved to do, study birds. Taking place during the early years of our nation, readers will enjoy seeing Audubon's life in the frontier. The writing is excellent and easy-to-read and I would even say geared toward children. Many Audubon quotes are inserted throughout. It is filled with gorgeous illustrations of Audubon's paintings and each one has a caption identifying it, which matches the action in the text. Some words are defined in the text.
Supplemental information includes: Contents, Illustrations, Acknowledgements, Introduction (provides a little information about Audubon's methods and goals), Glossary, Appendix : Looking for Audubon and his world (Historical Sites, Museums and Galleries, Wildlife Societies and an Educational Institution), Notes by chapter and page, Bibliography, Illustration credits, Index. Footnotes are not good for the intended age group.
All ages will enjoy this short book (only 100 pages, so it will work for a biography report).
This will appeal to bird lovers and adventurers.
Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary
Gail Jarrow
This is the second book in the Medical detection series in which readers learn where the famous phrase "Typhoid Mary" came from while learning the fascinating story behind it. It's quite a feat to make the subject of public health and sanitation exciting, but Jarrow has done it with this suspenseful and melodramatic chronicle of perhaps the most famous person known to have typhoid fever. With the feel of a tabloid story, readers are pulled into Mary's story with the merging of historical with scientific detection. And there is a lot of science. Luckily, the engaging over-the-top language and delightful images provide a nice contrast.
The design of this book is excellent. The cover says "sensationalism" and seems appropriate for the time frame, and the tabloid feel of the book is an attraction. So many details have been attended to from the diversity of images (engaging illustrations and photographs, mixed with comics), black corners on each page for easy index reference, color contrast between pages and text, appropriate bold type, consistency between titles and quotes. It's a complete package and a good design for the intended age group.
Supplemental material includes a Glossary, Timeline, For More Information - on Typhoid Mary Case (Nonfiction, Fiction), on Typhoid Fever (websites), Author's Note (reason for writing it, goal, research method), Source Notes by chapter and page, Bibliography, Index, Picture Credits. It is well researched and the author points out inaccuracies in documents. Famous Typhoid Victims (with photographs) is an additional bonus at the end of the book, although it was slightly confusing because the people mentioned were not in the story. A reference to the CDC on how to wash hands is also included.
The book demonstrates a lack of understanding about the disease at the time and brings the topic into awareness. The cast of characters introduced is varied and interesting, and the author is skilled at introducing each one. It does evoke emotion and there is some sympathy for Mary's treatment, although the author seems to tell the story more in favor of the state. Issue of medical privacy that is so important nowadays did not exist for her.
The reader is left with questions that can never be answered. Why was she treated this way? Others did more damage than she did but were not put into seclusion.
This title should have big child appeal and will be good for older tweens and teens who have an interest in medical thrillers and true life stories.
Gail Jarrow
This is the second book in the Medical detection series in which readers learn where the famous phrase "Typhoid Mary" came from while learning the fascinating story behind it. It's quite a feat to make the subject of public health and sanitation exciting, but Jarrow has done it with this suspenseful and melodramatic chronicle of perhaps the most famous person known to have typhoid fever. With the feel of a tabloid story, readers are pulled into Mary's story with the merging of historical with scientific detection. And there is a lot of science. Luckily, the engaging over-the-top language and delightful images provide a nice contrast.
The design of this book is excellent. The cover says "sensationalism" and seems appropriate for the time frame, and the tabloid feel of the book is an attraction. So many details have been attended to from the diversity of images (engaging illustrations and photographs, mixed with comics), black corners on each page for easy index reference, color contrast between pages and text, appropriate bold type, consistency between titles and quotes. It's a complete package and a good design for the intended age group.
Supplemental material includes a Glossary, Timeline, For More Information - on Typhoid Mary Case (Nonfiction, Fiction), on Typhoid Fever (websites), Author's Note (reason for writing it, goal, research method), Source Notes by chapter and page, Bibliography, Index, Picture Credits. It is well researched and the author points out inaccuracies in documents. Famous Typhoid Victims (with photographs) is an additional bonus at the end of the book, although it was slightly confusing because the people mentioned were not in the story. A reference to the CDC on how to wash hands is also included.
The book demonstrates a lack of understanding about the disease at the time and brings the topic into awareness. The cast of characters introduced is varied and interesting, and the author is skilled at introducing each one. It does evoke emotion and there is some sympathy for Mary's treatment, although the author seems to tell the story more in favor of the state. Issue of medical privacy that is so important nowadays did not exist for her.
The reader is left with questions that can never be answered. Why was she treated this way? Others did more damage than she did but were not put into seclusion.
This title should have big child appeal and will be good for older tweens and teens who have an interest in medical thrillers and true life stories.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir
Margarita Engle
This memoir written in verse is arranged by ranges of years, with Spanish and English language intermingled. Engle writes with a childhood understanding of the time when Cuba's revolution cut her extended family off from the U.S. where she had dual citizenship. She considered herself a "twin" in which one stayed in Cuba and one stayed in Los Angeles. The poems include historical, political, and cultural topics of the time period.
This is a beautiful and passionate book I enjoyed reading in one sitting while enjoying a late summer thunderstorm under the protection of a covered patio. It was emotional and magical, and I think to some degree I understood the author's conflict about where she belonged. It provides a surprising amount of information in a non-conventional format, including the Cold War, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and passport issues. One quibble for me might be that it seemed to rush through her later years. Or maybe I was just enjoying it so much that I wanted to know more.
The dust jacket is based on a poem that talks of our lives being like two wings of a bird, of which I think Engle was writing. There is a plain hard cover underneath. A flower/vine motif is used throughout at the beginning of each chapter. Otherwise, there is no visual support. Contents are included with a Cold War Timeline and an Author's Note explaining these poems are based on childhood memories up to age 14. It lacks a map of where Cuba is located and it's distance from LA, which would have made a nice visual. Although there are no accuracy issues with the time, the Cuban dictator is not included in the timeline. Also, there is no bibliography of Cuban resources. And since this is a firsthand account, there is no documentation. Therefore, a reader might need to go outside the book to get background information on topics discussed within the poems.
Although I loved this book, I am unsure of child appeal. It is probably better suited for tweens, teens, and even adults interested in history, politics, and poetry. On the plus side, the sparse text makes it a fast read which will be very appealing to younger readers.
Margarita Engle
This memoir written in verse is arranged by ranges of years, with Spanish and English language intermingled. Engle writes with a childhood understanding of the time when Cuba's revolution cut her extended family off from the U.S. where she had dual citizenship. She considered herself a "twin" in which one stayed in Cuba and one stayed in Los Angeles. The poems include historical, political, and cultural topics of the time period.
This is a beautiful and passionate book I enjoyed reading in one sitting while enjoying a late summer thunderstorm under the protection of a covered patio. It was emotional and magical, and I think to some degree I understood the author's conflict about where she belonged. It provides a surprising amount of information in a non-conventional format, including the Cold War, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and passport issues. One quibble for me might be that it seemed to rush through her later years. Or maybe I was just enjoying it so much that I wanted to know more.
The dust jacket is based on a poem that talks of our lives being like two wings of a bird, of which I think Engle was writing. There is a plain hard cover underneath. A flower/vine motif is used throughout at the beginning of each chapter. Otherwise, there is no visual support. Contents are included with a Cold War Timeline and an Author's Note explaining these poems are based on childhood memories up to age 14. It lacks a map of where Cuba is located and it's distance from LA, which would have made a nice visual. Although there are no accuracy issues with the time, the Cuban dictator is not included in the timeline. Also, there is no bibliography of Cuban resources. And since this is a firsthand account, there is no documentation. Therefore, a reader might need to go outside the book to get background information on topics discussed within the poems.
Although I loved this book, I am unsure of child appeal. It is probably better suited for tweens, teens, and even adults interested in history, politics, and poetry. On the plus side, the sparse text makes it a fast read which will be very appealing to younger readers.
Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs
Meghan McCarthy
With its distinctive voice of someone telling the reader a story, and the equally unique and colorful illustrations of wide-eyed characters, this biography is a good choice for younger children. The title is catchy, the story is interesting, the illustrations include text bubbles and graphics (KaBoom!), and the fun starts on the front cover, continues to the endpapers showing various characters wearing earmuffs (love the moose earmuffs!) and ends on the back cover with an earmuffed dog. Many supportive features include plaques describing the lightbulbs of various inventors, other inventions by Chester, a bibliography, “A Note about this Book” and “All about Patents.” One positive for me is that, although it is thoroughly researched and documented, the author doesn’t presume to know all the facts by using phrases such as “we know for sure” and encourages the reader to question holes in the evidence. It shows a little about the patent process. One missing item is that it never lists when Chester was born.
Meghan McCarthy
With its distinctive voice of someone telling the reader a story, and the equally unique and colorful illustrations of wide-eyed characters, this biography is a good choice for younger children. The title is catchy, the story is interesting, the illustrations include text bubbles and graphics (KaBoom!), and the fun starts on the front cover, continues to the endpapers showing various characters wearing earmuffs (love the moose earmuffs!) and ends on the back cover with an earmuffed dog. Many supportive features include plaques describing the lightbulbs of various inventors, other inventions by Chester, a bibliography, “A Note about this Book” and “All about Patents.” One positive for me is that, although it is thoroughly researched and documented, the author doesn’t presume to know all the facts by using phrases such as “we know for sure” and encourages the reader to question holes in the evidence. It shows a little about the patent process. One missing item is that it never lists when Chester was born.
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda with Liz Welch
Told through alternating chapters by Caitlin from the United States and Martin from Zimbabwe, this memoir will impress readers with the strong dedication from two teens to maintain a friendship by mail that many would have given up on. The inspirational writing will have many searching for their own pen pal. The photographs of the pair show their obvious differences and it was a pleasure to return to them again and again as the suspenseful story progressed. The book is organized into four parts (Hallo!, Clues, Generosity, A Future) following the deepening friendship of Caitlyn and Martin. The cover design resembles an airmail envelope reminding us this takes place before e-mail is common. The epilogue at the end updates readers on where the pair are now. This is a unique story and a cultural lesson full of love and caring that will appeal to tweens and teens.
Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda with Liz Welch
Told through alternating chapters by Caitlin from the United States and Martin from Zimbabwe, this memoir will impress readers with the strong dedication from two teens to maintain a friendship by mail that many would have given up on. The inspirational writing will have many searching for their own pen pal. The photographs of the pair show their obvious differences and it was a pleasure to return to them again and again as the suspenseful story progressed. The book is organized into four parts (Hallo!, Clues, Generosity, A Future) following the deepening friendship of Caitlyn and Martin. The cover design resembles an airmail envelope reminding us this takes place before e-mail is common. The epilogue at the end updates readers on where the pair are now. This is a unique story and a cultural lesson full of love and caring that will appeal to tweens and teens.