Reviews
A noteworthy review of Engineering that Made America from School Library Journal on April 1, 2017
Some engineering feats are so deeply woven into the fabric of the United States that it is hard to imagine a time when they were only an idea, a vision. This series explores the histories of various engineering marvels from their inception to the present day. Each title begins with a… View →
A noteworthy review of Dangerous Jobs in Action from School Library Journal on April 1, 2017
What better way to communicate the dangers inherent in a risky occupation than by sharing the stories of real men and women at work? Job details (conditions, equipment, safety concerns, etc.) are integrated into the narrative. Deep-Sea Fishermen, Smoke Jumpers, and Oil Rig Workers also… View →
A noteworthy review of Highly Guarded Places from Horn Book Guide on April 1, 2017
Highly Guarded Places series. It’s all about protection in these examinations of guarding important or high-profile entities. From America’s gold storehouse and nuclear facilities to prisons or the president, these seven entries briefly describe the history and necessary… View →
A noteworthy review of Comparison Fun from Booklist on March 15, 2017
The content of these playful books in the Comparison Fun series perfectly matches the series title. Each book uses a variety of often whimsical comparisons to bring to life one small corner of the natural world. Although many books make one or two such comparisons, they are the backbone… View →
A noteworthy review of Geology Rocks! from School Library Connection on March 1, 2017
This series provides accurate, reliable information that will enable students to understand rocks and minerals. Each title focuses on a different area of geology and looks at the identification and uses of each area. Easy-to-read text allows readers to explore what their world is made… View →
A noteworthy review of How America Works from School Library Connection on March 1, 2017
This social studies series for juveniles gives insight into the foundations of the U.S. and the workings of our government. Each book has the same format, featuring four chapters, vocabulary words highlighted in the text, and a ‘To Learn More’ page at the end of the book.… View →
A noteworthy review of Engineering that Made America from Booklist on March 1, 2017
Kids handed the Engineering That Made America series will be immediately drawn to its subject matter. In part, that’s because each title begins not with a feat of engineering but with a person. Golden Gate Bridge begins with one man, Michael O’ Shaughnessy, turning his… View →
A noteworthy review of Holiday Crafts from Children's Bookwatch on January 1, 2017
‘Christmas Crafts’ is a title from the outstanding Holiday Crafts book series from The Child’s World and specifically intended for children age 7 and up. Following a brief introduction to the Christmas holiday and its 2,000 year history, there are brightly illustrated… View →
A noteworthy review of Earth-Friendly Projects from Children's Bookwatch on November 1, 2016
‘Build a Neighborhood Library’ is an intriguing title from the Earth Friendly Projects series for elementary age children, to make with adult supervision or assistance. The book begins by exploring the different kinds and sizes of libraries, with an introduction From Trees to View →
A noteworthy review of Beginning Sports from School Library Journal on November 1, 2016
Notable for its excellent coverage of some lesser-covered sports, this series is a useful selection to round out easy reader collections. Very basic info and small asides give a general rundown of how each sport is played. Color-blocked backgrounds and bright photos keep the focus on the View →
A noteworthy review of How America Works from School Library Journal on November 1, 2016
With 24 pages per book, these titles are brief. Even so, elegant design and substantive content make them strong contenders. Each one tackles a specific component of U.S. government and describes, in brief, the influences and other formative issues surrounding it. For instance, in How… View →
A noteworthy review of Incredible Sports Records from Booklist on November 1, 2016
From the Incredible Sports Records series, this appealing book looks at Olympic records. While results from the 2016 Summer Games are not included, that matters less than media hype might suggest. Michael Phelps’ record for the most gold medals in one year (eight in 2008) still… View →
A noteworthy review of Highly Guarded Places from School Library Journal on November 1, 2016
Well-writlen text and a copious amount of illustrations on an attention grabbing subject make for an attractive series. Each title begins with a real-life account concerning an immense peril to U.S. citizens or property. After the hook, the text delves into where the recognizable (and… View →
A noteworthy review of Wonders of Space from School Library Connection on November 1, 2016
Each of the books in this series is quite astonishing for its intriguing presentation of facts about unknown worlds light-years away. Every space mission, starting in 1977 with Gary Flandro’s vision from JPL for a ‘Grand Tour of Space’ with… View →
A noteworthy review of Pet Care from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Pet Care series. Published fall 2015. Straightforward but limited descriptions of pets aim to prepare readers for ownership of each animal; sections discuss living environment, diet, and care required. Layouts feature simple text in blue and red circles and photographs with arrow-shaped… View →
A noteworthy review of Titanic Stories from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Titanic Stories series. Providing a wealth of in-depth information, intimate details, and lesser-known facts about the Titanic, this series explores every aspect of the doomed voyage in readable narratives. With a focus on the perspectives of individual travelers, each book is aided by… View →
A noteworthy review of True Stories, Real People from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
True Stories, Real People series. Each short, inspiring biography is divided into four or five chapters written in an objective, unpretentious manner. Quotation sources are fastidiously footnoted and listed in the back matter. Navigation is easy thanks to clean layouts and a simple color View →
A noteworthy review of On the Hunt with Animal Predators from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
On the Hunt with Animal Predators series. This slight book presents basic information about one of the most feared sea creatures including habitat, behaviors, food sources, and reproduction. The brief narrative is interesting but may be inadequate for report-driven readers. Large… View →
A noteworthy review of Natural Disaster True Survival Stories from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Natural Disaster True Survival Stories series. In a series about real-life disaster survival, this volume focuses on the earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. A brief introduction describes this disaster, followed by five chapters that detail real individuals’ involvement.… View →
A noteworthy review of Natural Disaster True Survival Stories from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Natural Disaster True Survival Stories series. In a series about real-life disaster survival, these volumes focus on weather-related events in the U.S. In each book, a brief introduction describes the disaster and four or five chapters detail real individuals’ involvement.… View →
A noteworthy review of On the Hunt with Animal Predators from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
On the Hunt with Animal Predators series. These slight books present basic information about large carnivores that prey on weaker animals. Characteristics of each species are recounted, including their habitats, social behaviors, food sources, and nurturing of offspring. The simply… View →
A noteworthy review of How America Works from Booklist on October 1, 2016
The How America Works series examines foundational elements of the U.S. government at a level appropriate for upper-elementary readers. This volume introduces the U.S. Constitution by first describing why the country’s founders felt it was needed, the events of the 1787… View →
A noteworthy review of Eyewitness to World War II from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Eyewitness to World War II series. Each book in this series looks at a specific aspect of World War II with an emphasis on first-hand accounts. The age-appropriate prose is engaging but provides minimum background information, making the volumes better as supplementary texts for… View →
A noteworthy review of Wonders of Space from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2016
Wonders of Space series. Accounts of major events in space exploration—including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, Voyager probes, Mars rovers, and Hubble telescope as well as recent missions to Saturn and Pluto—are presented in short narrative formats, with numerous… View →