Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction

Power On!: Life-Changing Technology

Power On!: Life-Changing TechnologyPower On! Power On!: Life-Changing Technology Life-Changing Technology by Eleanor Cardell
Published by Full Tilt Press on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 1629206075
Goodreads
four-stars

Power On! focuses on four technological enhancements that made a big impact on the technology we now use. The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 ultimately led to the formation of the telecommunications company AT&T, transcontinental telephone lines, and the 911 system. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first “fireside chats” in 1933 helped American people connect more directly with the President via radio. Now people are connected to our President via television, internet, and twitter. The video game Space Invaders was released in Japan in 1978 which launched an entirely new billion dollar industry — the video game industry. Apple released the first iPhone in 2007 and sold a million phones in just 74 days. That first iPhone has led to touchscreen technology and changed the way we communicate.

Power On! Is part of the Flash Points non-fiction “high-low” series and should appeal to upper elementary/middle school readers and includes a bibliography, index, glossary, and quiz. The design is appealing with lot of photographs and a “How and Why” and “Ripple Effects” timeline in each chapter.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi LeonardKawhi Leonard by Jon M. Fishman
Published by Lerner Publications on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541500415
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This biography of San Antonio Spurs star player Kawhi Leonard is part of the Sports All-Stars series. Leonard is known for his big hands and wide wingspan (the distance from fingertip to fingertip when your arms are spread straight out). The book covers his early career as a high school basketball star (voted best basketball player in the state of California), his college career, and his professional career with the Spurs. Along the way, he has had to overcome the tragic death of his father while still in high school and various injuries. He also gives back to his community, even donating a new car he won to an organization helping children. His latest endeavor is designing clothing. With brief chapters and photographs, the attractive design should appeal to basketball enthusiasts and is appropriate for upper elementary/middle school readers (grades 4-6). The book includes an index, glossary, bibliography, and source notes.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

three-stars

Birds from Head to Tail

Birds from Head to TailBirds from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick, Kwanchai Moriya
Published by Kids Can Press on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1771389257
Pages: 36
Goodreads
four-stars

Birds is part of the From Head to Tail series of early science picture books.  From nicely illustrated end pages to the two page spreads with informational text, this book is fun and educational.  Several pages include only a hint of the bird while others display the bird in full glory.  Alternate spreads ask the reader a question and the following illustrations and text reply with the answer.  In many cases the piece of anatomy is enough to identify but then Roderick and Moriya throw in a stumper like the Kiwi or Blue-Footed Booby.

Children who love nature and animals will want to take this from the public library over and over.  While there is not enough information for even primary class reports this book belongs in early grade media centers.  Make your favorite child happy by reading Birds but be ready for repeated request to open the cover and devour.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars