Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction

Exposing Hate: Prejudice, Hatred and Violence in Action

Exposing Hate: Prejudice, Hatred and Violence in ActionExposing Hate: Prejudice, Hatred, and Violence in Action by Michael Miller
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541539257
Pages: 144
Goodreads
five-stars

There has been an explosion in the number of hate groups since the elections of Presidents Obama and Trump. Michael Miller addresses the types of hate groups, the history and reasons behind their rise. He also discusses ways to recognize and confront such hatred in this extremely well researched book. Recommend for shelves of middle and high school libraries.

Presence of TOC, glossary, index, source notes, bibliography and further information. Very useful as a resource in hate crimes, hate speech and hate groups. Photos, graphs and charts accompany the information in the text.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race

American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space RaceAmerican Moonshot Young Readers' Edition: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race by Douglas Brinkley
Published by HarperCollins on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 0062660284
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars

July 20, 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s historical landing on the moon. Author Douglas Brinkley, in this Young Adult version, has written an outstanding and equally as fascinating book that gives the beginnings of the race to the moon, but also the continuation of President Kennedy’s aspiration to be the first country to step foot on the moon.

Well organized and chronologically written which makes the text easier to follow with the various progressions of the great race — politically, patriotically and personally. Many photos of the time span that correlate with the chapters. TOC, bibliography and source notes present — no index. Great resource for research on the beginnings of the space race and information of President Kennedy’s involvement.

Recommended for grades 4 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Instagraphics: A Visual Guide to Your Universe

Instagraphics: A Visual Guide to Your UniverseInstaGraphics: A Visual Guide to Your Universe by Dan Green
Published by Scholastic Nonfiction on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338215574
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

Dan Green’s InstaGraphics: A Visual Guide to Your Universe will delight fans of Scholastic’s Book of World Records or Nat Geo Kid’s Weird But True series.  Each page is visually dynamic with color photos, short text boxes and little known (and oddly curious) facts that reel in the reader.  Chapters cover a variety of topics on natural disasters, animals, the human body and technology. While this nonfiction will surely be in high demand due to its eye-catching page displays of infographics, charts and visuals, it does not offer enough knowledge on any given topic.  Hopefully this will prove a springboard for readers to then dive more deeply into other meatier nonfiction. There is definitely “gross-factor” appeal with this title and library displays could certainly play up the sections on longest finger nails (358.1 inches!), the dung beetle (and its love of manure) and the delicious (and potentially fatal) pufferfish.  A glossary is also included.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

four-stars

Prince Harry and Meghan

Prince Harry and MeghanPrince Harry & Meghan: Royals for a New Era by Jill Sherman
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541539451
Pages: 48
Goodreads
three-stars

There’s something here for many of us: Harry’s military background; Meghan’s acting career and their romance; and even though this book is aimed at middle/upper elementary, those of us who remember Princess Diana will enjoy the depth of information included about her. 

The book seems heavier with details about Harry and the text feels strained to discuss Meghan’s background. Browsers will enjoy the full-color photos, but it will take a very interested reader to access all the interesting information in the text. Backmatter includes a time-line, source notes, selected bibliography, books and websites for further reading, and a detailed index. Students needing a print source for a report would find this acceptable.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

three-stars

Gems

GemsGems by Claudia Martin
Published by Qeb Publishing -- Quarto Library on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1682973255
Pages: 24
Goodreads
four-stars

Gems by Claudia Martin is an inviting nonfiction work for children ages 5 through 8.  Colorful, sharp photographs reveal the beauty of the gemstones. Every two-age spread is a chapter with a few very brief facts on a different subtopic. This provides just enough information to introduce  primary students to gems while the photos provide the wow factor. Teachers will like the table of contents, index, bold topic headings, and glossary. recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine

four-stars

Fly Girls Young Readers’ Edition: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History

Fly Girls Young Readers’ Edition: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation HistoryFly Girls Young Readers’ Edition: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O'Brien
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 1328618420
Pages: 320
Goodreads
three-stars

This Young Readers’ Edition of the acclaimed Fly Girls shared the story of five female pilots who fought to be a part of one of the most popular forms of entertainment of the 1920s – air races.  These women persevered when they were doubted by legions of spectators and publicly shamed by their male counterparts.  On top of this misogyny, they overcame wide ranges of obstacles, including horrendous weather and malfunctioning airplanes.

While the stories of these women were captivating on their own, the writer’s style in this YR edition was troubling.  Many of the anecdotes were partially told stories, usually with a beginning and an exciting middle, but no real ending.  Matching this book to the right readers might be a challenge.

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

 

three-stars

Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game

Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing GameBeastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game by Rachel Poliquin
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1771389133
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Each page of this compact nonfiction book presents a series of common items, things found around a house or workshop or whatever setting is pictured (and these are generally not associated with the animal for an added challenge), and asks the reader to guess which animal can be made. Many common animals are used, but when made from items like 3 billiard balls, 2 feather dusters, and dinosaur feet, can you guess which one? Brilliantly conceived and exquisitely illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, this book will engage even the most reluctant reader. Teachers will find ways to use this in units on animal adaptations and could model a fun, engaging lesson that challenges students to craft their own beastly puzzle. This reviewer hopes for a Beastly Puzzles 2 and 3 and 4 and…

Recommended for Cream of the Crop. For readers in grades 1-8.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

World’s Deadliest Reptiles

World’s Deadliest ReptilesWorld's Deadliest Reptiles by Tom Jackson
Published by Hungry Tomato (R) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541500903
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This nonfiction book starts and ends with facts about what makes the deadliest reptiles so deadly. In between these fact pages are 10 specific deadly reptiles (snakes, crocodiles, alligators, lizards, and one turtle) with an additional mention of four dangerous reptiles. The book includes a mix of photographs and illustrations meant to capture the interest of graphic novel readers, which could work, but the text is small and dense so it would be best for stronger readers in grades 3-5 (ages 8-11).

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

From an Idea to Disney

From an Idea to DisneyFrom an Idea to Disney: How Branding Made Disney a Household Name by Lowey Bundy Sichol
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 132845360X
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a non fiction book that goes in depth into Disney as a business. It starts with a background on Walt Disney and moves though a history of the company including movies and the parks. Terminology is defined on the pages to make it more accessible to children reading it. There are also fun facts spread throughout the text that spin off from the main text and inspire additional research. Disney style cartoon-like illustrations are provided to complement the text and engage readers.

This would be a great beginning non-fiction book for reading cover to cover. Children will be drawn in by the art of things like Cinderella’s castle on the cover, things like Mikey throughout and the subject matter exploring a favorite theme.  It would be appropriate for lower to middle elementary aged children. If a reader likes this book then the author has others she has written of similar style and reading level. These titles can inspire an interest in business and how it works.

Reviewed by Kathleen Powers, Winslow Public Library, Winslow, ME

four-stars

Dreaming in Code

four-stars

Interesting life story of a woman from the 1800s. Great for high school and women studies.

Ada  Byron Lovelace the daughter of Lord Byron was the first computer programmer. In the 1800s Ada Byron Lovelace had a strict divorced mother and poet Lord Byron for her dad. She spent a lot of time alone but was tutored in math problems, mental puzzles, and the scientific discovery method at a time when the industrial revolution was at its hight. When Ada was 17 she met Charles Babbage, an inventor, who she collaborated with. They worked on concepts that were the foundation for computers two hundred years before they became common.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle school, Gray

four-stars