Title: Owen and Mzee Told by: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
Publisher: Scholastic, 2004
Reading Level: 4.7
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 30
Summary:
During the tsunami in the eastern Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, a young hippopotamus was left stranded in the coral reef off the shore of Manidi, a city in Kenya. Villagers worked together to rescue the 600-pound 2-year old hippopotamus from the ocean. After much effort, they rescued the hippo who they named Owen. They transported Owen to Haller Park, an animal sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya. Upon his arrival, Owen was introduced to Mzee, a 130 year old, unfriendly, tortoise. After a little warming up on the part of Mzee, the unlikely pair soon built a strong friendship. They can often been seen near each other, and Mzee has taught Owen many tips for survival. The unheard-of friendship has sparked the interest of many people. Today, visitors go to Haller Park to see Owen and Mzee.
Recommended Readers: I would recommend this book to anyone but especially those children who are interested in animals, other cultures, or the topic of friendship.
Possible Problems: I can't really think of any possible problems this book might present. It does have a lot of information within its pages, but I feel like it is written in a reader-friendly way. Even though it is nonfiction, it reads like a story.
Reaction: Usually when I think about nonfiction books about animals, it does not excite me, but this is a book I can get excited about. The story itself is remarkable. I feel like the story tellers did a great job of incorporating facts about these animals, the country of Kenya, and the tsunami in a way that is both interesting and easy to read. The pictures of the rescue of Owen and the friendship of Owen and Mzee are very memorable.
Title: "A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman" by David A. Adler
Publisher: Holiday House, 1992
Reading Level: 4.7
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 30
Summary:
This book depicts the story of Harriet Tubman, a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery. From a young age, she realized that slavery was wrong and often disobeyed her owners. She was often whipped and beaten for her disobedience. One time, to avoid being whipped, she ran away and lived with the pigs and ate what they ate. She got so hungry that she went back to the house and whipped multiple times. The abolitionist movement was starting up during Harriet's time in slavery. One time, in an attempt to help a slave run away, Harriet was hit in the head with a metal weight and suffered many headaches and sleeping spells as a result.
Shortly after marrying John Tubman in 1844, Harriet began planning her escape from slavery. Harriet and others snuck away from the cabin during the middle of the night, heading north to freedom. They had to turn back, though, so Harriet decided to make the trip herself two nights later. Along the way, Harriet stayed at the homes of white people who believed that slavery was wrong. This trail of houses was known as the Underground Railroad. Harriet eventually made it to Pennsylvania, where she was a free woman.
She worked washing dishes in Pennsylvania. She used most of the money that she made washing dishes to help fund her trips back to the south to lead other slaves on the Underground Railroad. She would use music to alert other slaves of her arrival. Harriet became known as Moses because she led so many people to freedom.
In 1865, the Civil War ended and slavery was officially abolished. Harriet moved to New York and remarried a soldier in the northern army by the name of Nelson Davis. She began working with former slaves and helped with the suffrage movement in the United States. She died in 1913 and is still known today as the Moses of a great conductor of the Underground Railroad.
Recommended Readers:
I feel like this is a good read for every child because it teaches the importance of being a leader and taking action to right wrongs.
Possible Problems:
Because Harriet Tubman did so much in her lifetime, it is hard to capture her accomplishments in only 30 short pages. Some people might think that this book doesn't quite do her justice because it is so brief.
Reaction:
I have always loved the story of Harriet Tubman. I love the courage and bravery that she had and the proactive approach she took in her life. I do feel like this book didn't quite do her justice, but I think that it would at least expose students to her accomplishments and get them interested in finding out more about her.
Title: "Healthy for Life: Snowboarding" by Jim Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Cherry Lake Publishing, 2008
Reading Level: Age Range: 8-12
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 29
Summary :
As the title suggests, this book is all about snowboarding. It covers the popularity of snowboarding today, the history of snowboarding, the equipment used in snowboarding,t he safety precautions needed when snowboarding, and the physical benefits of snowboarding. It says that snowboarding is becoming one of the world's fastest-growing sports, but it hasn't always been popular. Many ski resorts banned snowboarders. The first snowboard was called a snurfer and was invented by Sherman Popper who attached two skis together. Now snowboards are innovative fiberglass boards which the book calls high-tech marvels. It is important for each snowboarder to choose their board wisely. Many beginning boarders want to pick a shorter board because it is easier to maneuver. Along with picking the right board, snowboarders need to pick the right boots and bindings. To be safe on the slopes, boarders should wear a helmet, goggles, wrist supports. Because falling down is inevitable for beginning snowboarders, it is important for them to realize how to properly fall with their arms tucked in to their sides. Although it may not look it, snowboarding is a very physically demanding sport. A snowboarder could burn up to 500 calories in one hour. Professionals and serious snowboarders train all year round to be in the optimum physical shape for snowboarding. With enough stamina and practice, anyone can become a snowboarder.
Recommended Readers:
Any child who is active and likes to try new things will love this book. I think that most boys would be drawn to it because of the content, but girls will like it as well because snowboarding is such a universal sport.
Possible Problems:
I don't see any problems that can come from this book. The content and pictures are appropriate.
Reaction:
I don't snowboard, but I really enjoyed learning about it. Jim Fitzpatrick wrote the information in this book in such a way that it is interesting and informative. I love the side information about the cost of snowboarding, fitness tips, and other fun facts. The pictures are beautiful.
Title: "Welcome to Chile" written by Karen Kwek
Publisher: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2004
Reading Level: ages 7-10
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 48
Summary:
This book looks at all the different aspects of the country of Chile. Chile is a long, skinny country in South America. The land is broken up into three regions: the Andes mountain range, the central valley, and the coastal ranges. Because it is south of the equator, Chile's seasons are the opposite of ours here in North America. The native Chileans were ruled by the Spanish from the 1500s to 1810, where they declared their independence. From there the Chilean government underwent many changes. They have been a democracy, a socialist government, a dictatorship, and are now a democracy again. Now the people elect their head of state, or president. He then elects his own ministers, and together they serve for six years. The people of Chile are very family-oriented. It is one of the only countries where divorce is illegal. In 1973, many women had to work out of the home because of government issues, so today most households have both parents in the workforce. Chileans go to school from the ages of 6 to 14 in a primary school. They then move on to a secondary school where they study generals for two years, and then they choose a field in the natural sciences or vocational work to study for the remaining two years. Attendance at a university, public or private, is an option but not mandatory for Chileans. Chile is a predominately Catholic country, but Chileans are free to choose whatever religion they want. Chile is rich in the arts. They love music, theatre, and literature. The biggest sport in Chile is soccer but other sports and games are also played. In Chile, the biggest meal of the day is lunch which usually consists of a salad, a meat dish, and a vegetable.
Recommended Readers:
I think that every child could benefit from learning about another country. It's always good to expose children to other cultures, and I think that this is a fun book to do that with.
Possible Problems:
One problem with this book is that even though it was written fairly recently, some of the facts are already out of date like the current president.
Reaction:
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot of information about the country in Chile, but it is written in a very reader-friendly way. I like that the pictures are both photographs and illustrations of different aspects of the country. I like that most of the pictures have children in them; it makes it easy for children to relate to.
Title: "Let's Talk about Death and Dying" by Pete Sanders
Publisher: Gloucester Press, 1990
Reading Level: Could not Find
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 31
Summary:
As the title suggests, this is an informative book that talks all about the process of dying and death. It teaches children that even though they may not be close to death, chances are they will feel the effects of death by the passing away of someone close to them. It explains the idea of death by first explaining what it means to be alive. We are alive when our heart pumps blood and we are breathing. When these things stop, then we are dead. This book explains the process of dying and different ways that death occurs such as from illness, disease, or accidents. Sometimes a person may be dying for a long time, and other times death comes suddenly. It then goes on to explain all of the things people feel when they experience the loss of a loved one. Some people get angry, some are sad, and some people pretend like it never happened. It is important for people to understand that grief is a perfectly natural part of death. Those who are affected by a death need time to cope with the loss. Children need to make sure that they express their feelings. It is ok to cry. Sometimes talking about the loss is one of the best ways to cope with it. Some adults, though, find it difficult to talk about. They end up telling children half-truths like the person just went to sleep. This causes children to be nervous about sleeping. When children experience the loss of a loved one, they should talk to their parents or friends about it.
Recommended Readers:
Because death is a part of our life here on earth, I think that it would be helpful for every child to read this book. Of course children who are mourning the loss of a loved one would benefit from reading this, but it would also be nice for children to read to prepare themselves to cope with death in the future.
Possible Problems:
I really don't see any problems that would come from this book other than children might be distracted by the low-quality of the photographs.
Reaction:
I did not like this book as much as I thought that I would. To me it seemed a little overkill. One of the reasons I may have thought this is because I am pretty familiar with the concept of death. I understand what it means to die, but many little children don't. This would be one of those books that I would read to children because I feel like it is an important concept for them to understand, not necessarily because I like the book.
Title: "Everybody Works" by Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler
Publisher: The Millbrook Press, 2003
Reading Level: Age Range: infants-preshcoolers
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 28
Summary:
This book explains all about what work is and who works. It shows that work is more than just going to a job, even though that is a big aspect of it. The book shows that work is helping others and shows pictures of doctors, firemen, and a mother reading to her child. Work can also be making things like clothing creating things like music and art work. The people who grow the food and the people who cook the food are also working. Some people deliver things like the mail or sell things like magazines for work. Those who build and fix things are also working. In the home, at the office, or outside are all different places that people work. Some people work for money, others to volunteer, and others still work for enjoyment. Children also work by helping their parents and doing their school work.
Recommended Readers:
This would be a great book to have children read before a career day or before they are asked to share what they want to do when they grow up. It is great for children to see the different options that are available for work.
Possible Problems:
I don't see any real problems that would arise from reading this book. It really shows every category of job available. The pictures seem to be pretty diverse. There are both males and females in all of the different roles. Also, the ethnicity of the people is divers, so it shows children that everybody really can pick whichever job they want. They are not limited by their background.
Reaction:
I think that this book is really fun. I have never really thought about all of the different areas that we work, so it was fun to see representations of all those different fields of work. I think that the pictures are beautiful, and I really like the layout of the book. It is very colorful and inviting.
Title: "10 Things You Need to Know About: Cliques" by Jen Jones
Publisher: Capstone Press, 2008
Reading Level: Could Not Find
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 32
Summary:
The transition to junior is a time of big changes. One of those changes is that, all of a sudden, not everyone is able to get along well with each other like in elementary school. Social groups, called cliques, soon form. This book talks about ten things that should be known about cliques. The first is that there are four types of major groups of cliques: the popular kids, the wannabe popular kids, the cliques of people with common interests, and the loners. The second thing is that cliques can be good because it gives people a sense of belonging, and bad because cliques eliminate a person's options for making friends. Number three, the formation of cliques brings labels that are placed on people. Fourth, cliques can be dangerous because there is usually a single leader who may not always make good decisions. Fifth, sometimes a person's talent will not be seen as accepted by the group, so people sometimes hide those talents instead of developing them. The sixth fact is that being in a clique one day does not guarantee that you will be in it the next day. Seventh, being popular does not mean being happy. Often those who are the most popular feel a lot of pressure to remain popular. Eighth, cliques are in existence even after high school. Cliques form in the workplace and in the neighborhood. The ninth tip is that there are things that can be done like saying "hi" to others and sticking up to bullies that will help break down the existence of cliques. The last fact is that a person doesn't have to be scared of standing alone. Sometimes the "drifter" that goes back and forth between groups has the most fun.
Recommended Readers: This book is targeted for girls who are transitioning from elementary school to junior high. I would recommend it for students as young as 4th grade, though, because I feel like around that time is when cliques really begin to form.
Possible Problems: My biggest problem with the book was when they categorize the four types of cliques. I think that the author was trying to use the language of her audience by calling the groups popular, wannabes, and loners, but I think that she could have used different vocabulary. Children might begin calling others by those names if they haven't already heard them before.
Reaction: This is a book that I could picture myself reading and really enjoying in about the sixth grade. The layout makes it a really fun read, and I love that they included a clique quiz in the back. I remember loving those types of things in books.
Title: "Blue Banquet Biography: Chris Brown" by: Kathleen Tracy
Publisher: Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2008
Reading Level: Could Not Find
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 32
Summary:
Today Chris Brown is an R&B artist who plays to the cheers of sold out crowds. He hasn't always known the life of a famous celebrity, though. Christopher Maurice Brown grew up in the small Virginia town of Tappahannock. The population of 2,000 people is about the same number who lived there when it was first founded 1608. Chris always loved to sing and performed, but he did not know that he would be doing it professionally. His father happened to be talking to local production company at a gas station, and his career started from there. Chris went to New York and was introduced to Tina Davis, an executive at Def Jam records, who saw great potential in Chris. When Tina lost her job after Def Jam records' merger, she became Brown's manager. He signed with Jive Records, and his first single "Run It" climbed up the charts to number one where it stayed for five weeks. Chris Brown's song became the biggest debut song produced by a male vocalist ever. He worked to keep from being a one-hit wonder and began touring and producing albums. While on the road, Chris tries to balance his busy schedule. His goal is to be a role model for young children, so he puts his school work at a top priority. He wants to show kids that school really is cool. He also makes it a point to show boys how important it is to treat women. His father was abusive to his mother when he was growing up, so he has seen how damaging that type of attitude is. He loves the ladies and treats them as a perfect gentleman. Brown's talents are not limited to singing. He also dances and acts in tv series and in feature films; he is an all-around performer. Chris also finds time to serve others and perform at charity events. One day he hopes to make his own clothing line that will be fashionable but affordable, so children that grow up in the poverty that he did will be able to afford nice things. With all of his accomplishments, Chris still thinks of himself as a small town boy who grew up in a little town in Virginia. He hopes that his story will help everyone to see that you don't have to be from a big city to make it big.
Recommended Readers:
I think that this book would appeal to both boys and girls because Chris Brown, as an artist, appeals to both boys and girls. I think that most children will have heard about Chris Brown, and those who are really into his music or his style of music will be particularly interested in reading this book.
Possible Problems:
Chris Brown really is a good role model for students. Almost everything in this book is a positive example of the kind of character that he has. The only thing that I would be concerned about is that he says on page 19 that he hopes to be a sex symbol one day. I think that this would be a phrase that would concern a few parents.
Reaction:
I was really impressed with all of the information that was in this book. It goes into much more detail than I was expecting. Although it has a lot of information, it is not hard to read. Now that I have read all about Chris Brown, I want to go and listen to some of his songs. It made me a Chris Brown fan.
Title: "Wonderful Houses around the World" by Yoshio Komatsu
Publisher: Shelter Publications, 2004
Reading Level: Age Range: 5 to 12
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 42
Summary:
This book looks at different houses around the world. The first page shows a picture of the house and then the following page shows an illustrated look at the inside of the house, including the different rooms, who lives in the house, and some of the things people in that community do. The first house they look at is a white, moveable tent home in Mongolia. Most people in that area are animal herders, so it is important for them to be able to move their home with their work. The second type of house is circular community home in China. It looks like an apartment complex that is in a circle. All of the houses within the community face the ancestor worship table that is in the center of the circle. Houses in Indonesia have really pointy roofs because they believe that the gods live in the roof. A grass roof sits atop houses in India, and the clay wall exteriors keep the inside of the home cool. In Romania, the thatched-roofs have two raised areas for smoke to escape. These holes make the house look like it has eyes. In areas in both Tunisia and Spain, the houses are built underground. In Togo the houses are made entirely of mud that is painted with red paint. In Senegal, the center hut in the village has an upside down roof with a hole in the middle. This is to help catch and store rain water because the water, even in the well, is very salty. Finally, in Bolivia the houses are acorn-shaped edifices made of blocks made out of root-bound earth.
Recommended Readers:
Like many books about other cultures, I would recommend this book to every child. It gives a good perspective of the conditions that people in different countries live in. I also think that it would give a greater appreciation to children for the place that they live.
Possible Problems:
The picture of the family from Togo shows a picture of a boy without any clothes on. It was taken in a way that nothing is really showing, but some parents might not want their child to read the book because of it. It also talks about worshipping gods, chasing away evil spirits, and worshipping ancestors, which might something parents don't want their child to read about. I don't feel like it is a really big problem, though, because it is not promoted in the book; it is just shown as a way of life.
Reaction:
This book was really interesting to me. I love that it showed the families in the photographs and showed what role children in that culture have. I also love the illustrations that showed what the inside of the house looks like. I would have never thought about setting it up that way, but I am glad that the author this book did.
Title: "How to Draw Cartoon Symbols of the United States of America" by Curt and Kelley Visca
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004
Reading Level: Age Range: 5 to 10
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 24
Summary:
This is a step by step guide to drawing cartoon depictions of 8 symbols that are characteristic of the United States. Each page gives a full-page description of the symbols itself and a guide on how to draw it. Each picture has red lines to show where new lines are being added to the drawing. The first symbol in the book is the American flag. It explains that the design for the flag was adopted on June 14, 1777. The colors (red, white, and blue) stand for bravery, goodness, and justice. The next symbol is a bald eagle, which was chosen as our national bird in 1972 and represents freedom and power. Because hunters and pesticides killed them, there were only about 2500 bald eagles in the United States in the 1970s. That is why it is currently on our list of endangered species. Next up is the statue of liberty that stands 151 feet in the air on Liberty Island in New York. Her torch represents liberty. The tablet she holds represents independence and has July 4, 1776 written on it. Finally, the crown on her head has seven spikes which represent the seven continents of the earth. The Liberty Bell is the next symbol. It used to be used to call people together for special events like the reading of the Declaration of Independence. In 1846, a crack appeared on the bell, and it hasn't sounded since. George Washington is the next symbol in the book. He is known as the founding father of our country. He fought in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. In 1787 he was unanimously voted as the first president of the United States. Good old Uncle Sam is the sixth symbol. He is a character that was introduced in the War of 1812 to represent the American government. The pilgrims are also a symbol in this book. The pilgrims were the first group of settlers to come to the United States in 1620. The final symbol in this book is Mount Rushmore. It is a statue of some of the presidents of this country that is located in the black hills of South Dakota. The order of the presidents is: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.
Recommended Readers:
This would be a good choice for any child who likes to draw or doodle.
Possible Problems:
I don't see any problems that this book would present. It shows children how to draw while giving them a brief lesson on history.
Reaction:
I think that this is a really innovative book. The drawings that they teach are simple enough that everyone would be able to do it. I love the blend of art and history.
