Library Media Professionals, Classroom Educators and Administrators Alike Trust LMC Reviews
In each issue of LMC, our readers find 36 pages of reviews contributed by prcticing librarians, classroom teachers, and media/technology specialists. Our reviews support thoughtful collection development and help readers make more confident decisions when purchasing resources and meterials for their library and classroom programs. Here are some of our more recent reviews. For more, click teh archive files here and be sure to subscribe to LMC!
Riddell, Chris
Ottoline Goes to School
2009. 176pp. $10.99 hc. HarperCollins. 978-0-06-144900-0. Grades 2-4
Ottoline is an eccentric little girl living in an eccentric world. While her parents are on world travels Ottoline stays home with Mr. Monroe, her friend of a very hairy unknown animal origin. When Ottoline meets Cecily, Cecily convinces Ottoline to join her at Alice B. Smith School for the Differently Gifted where Ottoline discovers that Cecily’s bravado hides a deep desire to spend more time with her parents. Ottoline discovers her gift of spook spotting when she figures out that Cecily’s pony has been playing at being the ghostly figure, the Horse of the Hammersteins. This half chapter book, half graphic novel is silly and fantastic. This book and the rest of the Ottoline series will be thoroughly enjoyed by its intended young female audience. Recommended. Amanda Jones, Library Media Specialist, Dominion Trail Elementary, Ashburn, Virginia
Ottoline Goes to School
2009. 176pp. $10.99 hc. HarperCollins. 978-0-06-144900-0. Grades 2-4
Ottoline is an eccentric little girl living in an eccentric world. While her parents are on world travels Ottoline stays home with Mr. Monroe, her friend of a very hairy unknown animal origin. When Ottoline meets Cecily, Cecily convinces Ottoline to join her at Alice B. Smith School for the Differently Gifted where Ottoline discovers that Cecily’s bravado hides a deep desire to spend more time with her parents. Ottoline discovers her gift of spook spotting when she figures out that Cecily’s pony has been playing at being the ghostly figure, the Horse of the Hammersteins. This half chapter book, half graphic novel is silly and fantastic. This book and the rest of the Ottoline series will be thoroughly enjoyed by its intended young female audience. Recommended. Amanda Jones, Library Media Specialist, Dominion Trail Elementary, Ashburn, Virginia
Cuyler, Margery
Bullies Never Win
Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2009. 32pp. $16.99 hc. Simon & Schuster. 978-0-6898-6187-1. Grades K-2
Books about dealing with bullying are always in demand. Cuyler suggests a way to handle this pervasive problem. Jessica is a worrier and very insecure. Brenda, the aggressor, is described as "perfect." When Jessica finally builds up the courage to face Brenda, she declares that she will tell the teacher. The final solution, when it comes, is not realistic. The illustrations give the book a comic book flavor because of the bubble-encased drawings. There are other books that deal with this critical issue in a more realistic fashion, such as Bully by Judith Caseley (Greenwillow Books, 2001), Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner (Putnam, 1992), and Surviving Brick Johnson by Laurie Myers (Clarion Books, 2000). Additional Selection. Sandra Kitain, Author and Educational Reviewer, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Bullies Never Win
Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2009. 32pp. $16.99 hc. Simon & Schuster. 978-0-6898-6187-1. Grades K-2
Books about dealing with bullying are always in demand. Cuyler suggests a way to handle this pervasive problem. Jessica is a worrier and very insecure. Brenda, the aggressor, is described as "perfect." When Jessica finally builds up the courage to face Brenda, she declares that she will tell the teacher. The final solution, when it comes, is not realistic. The illustrations give the book a comic book flavor because of the bubble-encased drawings. There are other books that deal with this critical issue in a more realistic fashion, such as Bully by Judith Caseley (Greenwillow Books, 2001), Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner (Putnam, 1992), and Surviving Brick Johnson by Laurie Myers (Clarion Books, 2000). Additional Selection. Sandra Kitain, Author and Educational Reviewer, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Dahl, Michael
Dragonblood
2009. 40pp. ea. $21.26 ea. lb. Stone Arch Books. Grades 3-7
Dragon in the Desert. 978-1-4342-1260-3. Illustrated by Tou Vue It Screams at Night. 978-1-4342-1261-0. Illustrated by Yap KunRong Dragonblood is a low-level, high-interest adventure series with very controlled vocabulary. In each book, a teenager is on a quest or in trouble. Each main character has dragon blood in his veins giving him amazing powers, which the reader discovers at the climax. There are colorful graphic-type illustrations that will draw in young and reluctant readers. However, I don’t think that this series will be read by many students. The stories are very short and have too little substance. If you have middle school students who read at an exceptionally low reading level, you might want to look at this series. Glossary. Additional Selection. Melinda W. Miller, PreK-12 Library Media Specialist, Colton-Pierrepont Central School, Colton, New York
Dragonblood
2009. 40pp. ea. $21.26 ea. lb. Stone Arch Books. Grades 3-7
Dragon in the Desert. 978-1-4342-1260-3. Illustrated by Tou Vue It Screams at Night. 978-1-4342-1261-0. Illustrated by Yap KunRong Dragonblood is a low-level, high-interest adventure series with very controlled vocabulary. In each book, a teenager is on a quest or in trouble. Each main character has dragon blood in his veins giving him amazing powers, which the reader discovers at the climax. There are colorful graphic-type illustrations that will draw in young and reluctant readers. However, I don’t think that this series will be read by many students. The stories are very short and have too little substance. If you have middle school students who read at an exceptionally low reading level, you might want to look at this series. Glossary. Additional Selection. Melinda W. Miller, PreK-12 Library Media Specialist, Colton-Pierrepont Central School, Colton, New York
Davis, Tanita S.
Mare’s War
2009. 352pp. $19.99 lb. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House). 978-0-375-95714-7. Grades 9-12
Mare’s War touches upon many themes, yet does so comfortably, at a pace that seems appropriate. This novel is engaging, from the segregation of rural Alabama, to the London and Paris of the World War II era, to the teen world of modern day California. African-American grandmother Mare decides to take her 16- and 18-year-old grand-daughters Octavia and Tali on a road trip from California to her old home in Alabama. As they travel east, she tells them the story of her early life. This includes when she joined the U.S. Army as a WAC, her experiences as she faced discrimination, her fears of inadequacy, her rejection by her own mother, her responsibility for a sister, and the challenges of friendship and dating. All of these are mirrored in Octavia and Tali’s own lives as Mare leads them to overcome their fears, which they begin to realize are similar to those their grandmother faced when she was young. The girls begin to see that then and now aren’t so very different as they develop a genuine appreciation for their feisty grandmother. Recommended. Barbara Foraker, Librarian, Cherokee High School, Rogersville, Tennessee
Mare’s War
2009. 352pp. $19.99 lb. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House). 978-0-375-95714-7. Grades 9-12
Mare’s War touches upon many themes, yet does so comfortably, at a pace that seems appropriate. This novel is engaging, from the segregation of rural Alabama, to the London and Paris of the World War II era, to the teen world of modern day California. African-American grandmother Mare decides to take her 16- and 18-year-old grand-daughters Octavia and Tali on a road trip from California to her old home in Alabama. As they travel east, she tells them the story of her early life. This includes when she joined the U.S. Army as a WAC, her experiences as she faced discrimination, her fears of inadequacy, her rejection by her own mother, her responsibility for a sister, and the challenges of friendship and dating. All of these are mirrored in Octavia and Tali’s own lives as Mare leads them to overcome their fears, which they begin to realize are similar to those their grandmother faced when she was young. The girls begin to see that then and now aren’t so very different as they develop a genuine appreciation for their feisty grandmother. Recommended. Barbara Foraker, Librarian, Cherokee High School, Rogersville, Tennessee
Yamamoto, Lun Lun
Swans in Space
2009. 160pp. $8.99 pbk. UDON Entertainment. 978-1-897376-93-5. Grades 2-4
This is a silly story about Corona Hoshino whose dad and brother are crazy for “Space Patrol,” a television show about space aliens. Corona suddenly becomes involved in “Space Patrol” training. What follows is an account of her training experiences and never-ending push to succeed. The story is hard to follow, and is vapid and foolish. Not Recommended. Joanne Ligamari, Library Media Teacher, Twin Rivers School District, Sacramento, California
Swans in Space
2009. 160pp. $8.99 pbk. UDON Entertainment. 978-1-897376-93-5. Grades 2-4
This is a silly story about Corona Hoshino whose dad and brother are crazy for “Space Patrol,” a television show about space aliens. Corona suddenly becomes involved in “Space Patrol” training. What follows is an account of her training experiences and never-ending push to succeed. The story is hard to follow, and is vapid and foolish. Not Recommended. Joanne Ligamari, Library Media Teacher, Twin Rivers School District, Sacramento, California
Ledu, Stéphanie
chickaDEE Animal Adventures: Discover the World’s Amazing Animals
2009. 128pp. $19.95 hc. Owlkids Books. 978-2-89579-173-7. Grades 1-4
The beautiful large color photos and simple explanations of more than 150 animals around the world make this children’s book a great reference tool about animal characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. The book is organized by region and provides fun facts about everything from common domestic and farm animals, to the exotic inhabitants of faraway habitats, to rare breeds of animals. Even newly emergent readers can gather information from looking at the pictures and reading the simple captions. The colorful layout, with boxed information and lots of white space, will appeal to all students for research or browsing. Recommended. Teresa Raimo, Media Specialist, Ridgefield Park (New Jersey) School District
chickaDEE Animal Adventures: Discover the World’s Amazing Animals
2009. 128pp. $19.95 hc. Owlkids Books. 978-2-89579-173-7. Grades 1-4
The beautiful large color photos and simple explanations of more than 150 animals around the world make this children’s book a great reference tool about animal characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. The book is organized by region and provides fun facts about everything from common domestic and farm animals, to the exotic inhabitants of faraway habitats, to rare breeds of animals. Even newly emergent readers can gather information from looking at the pictures and reading the simple captions. The colorful layout, with boxed information and lots of white space, will appeal to all students for research or browsing. Recommended. Teresa Raimo, Media Specialist, Ridgefield Park (New Jersey) School District
Schuman, Michael A.
Americans: The Spirit of a Nation
2009. 128pp. ea. $31.93 ea. lb. Enslow Publishers, Inc. Grades 5-12
Frederick Douglass: “Truth Is of No Color”. 978-0-7660-3025-1 Jim Thorpe: “There’s No Such Thing as Can’t”. 978-0-7660-3021-3 These new titles in this series continue an established tradition of excellence. The books are well-researched, informative, and enjoyable to read. The attractive format, including full-page sidebars on individuals and important events in the subjects’ lives, provide added appeal and value. The illustrations are appropriate and informative, and nicely complement the text. In addition to exploring the subjects’ lives from childhood to death, the author closes each book by explaining the legacy and impact on future generations that each person has had. A chronology, glossary, lists for further reading and websites, and an index conclude each book. Chapter notes are also included, which provide an excellent tool for teaching source citation. This series will not only prove to be a valuable tool for research, but also a wonderful choice for biography enthusiasts. Index.
Americans: The Spirit of a Nation
2009. 128pp. ea. $31.93 ea. lb. Enslow Publishers, Inc. Grades 5-12
Frederick Douglass: “Truth Is of No Color”. 978-0-7660-3025-1 Jim Thorpe: “There’s No Such Thing as Can’t”. 978-0-7660-3021-3 These new titles in this series continue an established tradition of excellence. The books are well-researched, informative, and enjoyable to read. The attractive format, including full-page sidebars on individuals and important events in the subjects’ lives, provide added appeal and value. The illustrations are appropriate and informative, and nicely complement the text. In addition to exploring the subjects’ lives from childhood to death, the author closes each book by explaining the legacy and impact on future generations that each person has had. A chronology, glossary, lists for further reading and websites, and an index conclude each book. Chapter notes are also included, which provide an excellent tool for teaching source citation. This series will not only prove to be a valuable tool for research, but also a wonderful choice for biography enthusiasts. Index.
Curlee, Lynn
Trains
2009. 48pp. $19.99 hc. Atheneum (Simon & Schuster). 978-1-4169-4848-3. Grades 4-8
Curlee, an award-winning author and illustrator, presents a fascinating account of how, over the last two centuries, this transport innovation helped the United States expand westward, affected urban development, and transformed the country into an economic superpower. Although trains are no longer the predominant form of transportation in the United States, other countries continue to invest heavily in this mode of transport and the technologies behind it. Youngsters will understand the fascination of a culture first seeing an “iron horse,” and they will explore Curlee’s many eye-catching and detailed acrylic paintings. Curlee also offers source notes and a two-page detailed illustration of how a steam locomotive works, so it is an excellent resource for report writing. Recommended. Caroline Geck, School Library Media Specialist, Newark Public Schools, New Jersey
Trains
2009. 48pp. $19.99 hc. Atheneum (Simon & Schuster). 978-1-4169-4848-3. Grades 4-8
Curlee, an award-winning author and illustrator, presents a fascinating account of how, over the last two centuries, this transport innovation helped the United States expand westward, affected urban development, and transformed the country into an economic superpower. Although trains are no longer the predominant form of transportation in the United States, other countries continue to invest heavily in this mode of transport and the technologies behind it. Youngsters will understand the fascination of a culture first seeing an “iron horse,” and they will explore Curlee’s many eye-catching and detailed acrylic paintings. Curlee also offers source notes and a two-page detailed illustration of how a steam locomotive works, so it is an excellent resource for report writing. Recommended. Caroline Geck, School Library Media Specialist, Newark Public Schools, New Jersey
Rissman, Rebecca
Disabilities and Differences
2009. 24pp. ea. $20.71 ea. lb. Acorn (Heinemann Library). Grades PreK-2
We All Communicate. 978-1-4329-2152-1 We All Learn. . 978-1-4329-2153-8 We All Move. . 978-1-4329-2150-7 We All Play. . 978-1-4329-2151-4 We All Read. . 978-1-4329-2154-5 In this series, the author starts each book with a diverse picture of people from dissimilar races, genders, ages, and physical disparities. As each book progresses, the reader learns how the people are unalike in the way they learn, read, move, play, and communicate. Examples are given of daily life events and situations that show various disabilities and cross-age interaction. Cultural differences are also seen in this easy-to-read series. Teachers will appreciate the comprehensive photographs of differences and disabilities of people around the world and the inclusion of “Words to Know” at the end of each volume. Recommended. Shiela Martina Keaise, Children’s Librarian, Walterboro, South Carolina [Editor’s Note: Also available in paperback.]
Disabilities and Differences
2009. 24pp. ea. $20.71 ea. lb. Acorn (Heinemann Library). Grades PreK-2
We All Communicate. 978-1-4329-2152-1 We All Learn. . 978-1-4329-2153-8 We All Move. . 978-1-4329-2150-7 We All Play. . 978-1-4329-2151-4 We All Read. . 978-1-4329-2154-5 In this series, the author starts each book with a diverse picture of people from dissimilar races, genders, ages, and physical disparities. As each book progresses, the reader learns how the people are unalike in the way they learn, read, move, play, and communicate. Examples are given of daily life events and situations that show various disabilities and cross-age interaction. Cultural differences are also seen in this easy-to-read series. Teachers will appreciate the comprehensive photographs of differences and disabilities of people around the world and the inclusion of “Words to Know” at the end of each volume. Recommended. Shiela Martina Keaise, Children’s Librarian, Walterboro, South Carolina [Editor’s Note: Also available in paperback.]
How’d They Build That?
School Bus
2009. 58 min. $8.99. Marvelous Media LLC. Grades 3-5
While the idea behind this video is a good one, the end product is not worth your library budget. The narrator has a clear, yet monotonous voice tailored to older students, but would probably bore students of all ages. While the content would be more interesting to a kindergarten or first grade student riding the school bus for the first time, or that student fixated on automobiles and mechanics, the vocabulary is difficult. The background music also changes frequently. The picture quality is the best part of the video, as the visuals clearly take the viewer down the Green Mile assembly line. Additional Selection. Stacy Rosenthal, Librarian, Council Rock High School South, Holland, Pennsylvania
School Bus
2009. 58 min. $8.99. Marvelous Media LLC. Grades 3-5
While the idea behind this video is a good one, the end product is not worth your library budget. The narrator has a clear, yet monotonous voice tailored to older students, but would probably bore students of all ages. While the content would be more interesting to a kindergarten or first grade student riding the school bus for the first time, or that student fixated on automobiles and mechanics, the vocabulary is difficult. The background music also changes frequently. The picture quality is the best part of the video, as the visuals clearly take the viewer down the Green Mile assembly line. Additional Selection. Stacy Rosenthal, Librarian, Council Rock High School South, Holland, Pennsylvania
