Format: Nonfiction

Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every Day

Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every DayDo Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day: Encouraging Words from John Cena by John Cena, Susanna Harrison
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 0593377222
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When not appearing on the silver screen in action movies, voicing beloved animated bulls, or otherwise entertaining, John Cena has taken to writing books for kids. In Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every Day each of the 58 pages is filled with tried and true motivational and inspirational sayings. Somehow Cena manages to make each feel new, which is partly attributed to Susanna Harrison’s whimsical illustrations. Inclusive and diverse depictions of people dreaming, achieving, and finding joy will be appealing to kids of all ages. Each encouragement celebrates who they are and supports their aspirations to be the best they can be. 3rd grade and up.

 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

In the Shadow of the Moon

In the Shadow of the MoonIn the Shadow of the Moon: America, Russia, and the Hidden History of the Space Race by Amy Cherrix
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062888757
Pages: 336
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I was excited to read this book because I really knew nothing about the Space Race other than the major historical events. Amy Cherrix filled me in with everything I could have possibly wondered about this period in American & Soviet history with this impeccably researched book. I had no idea about the Nazi connection, the former Gulag prisoner turned Sputnik scientist, or the many differences between missiles! Cherrix’s book is very detailed (although the chapter about Laika is mercifully short). It’s fun to read but dense and wouldn’t be one I’d recommend to a reluctant reader. It would be great for a middle grade to high schooler who is researching the Space Race, or someone who is interested in rockets, space technology or the relationship between America and Russia.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

National Geographic Kids World Atlas

National Geographic Kids World AtlasNational Geographic Kids World Atlas 6th edition by National Geographic Kids
Published by National Geographic Kids on August 24, 2021
ISBN: 9781426372278
Pages: 216
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sixth edition. Rather than reporting on individual countries, the continents are divided into regions, such as Western Europe and Central Asia. At the back of the book, each country’s flag, area, population, etc. is listed. The first 55 pages, are a series of graphs and illustrations comparing the whole world. I was fascinated! I was surprised to learn that widespread use of technology and internet were attributed to English surpassing Mandarin Chinese as having the largest population of speakers. National Geographic is a recognized authority in mapping excellence and this is a solid atlas choice. I particularly liked that each continent was shown as both a physical and political map.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

I Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker

I Saw a Beautiful WoodpeckerI Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker by Ala Bankroft, Michał Skibiński
Published by Prestel Junior on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 3791374869
Pages: 128
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Goodreads
four-stars

A beautifully illustrated journal which follows an eight-year-old Polish boy at the start of WWII.  Young Michal wrote a short sentence for each entry,  some share his routine and mention family visits till eventually the start of the war in Warsaw.  Although short, it is possible to follow the progression of the changes to which families had to adapt.  As a child the author was unaware of the advance of the Germans but the movements of his father and grandparents signify the approaching danger. The illustrations are authentically Polish, the illustrator has captured the various locations and emotions of young Michal.  Each sentence contained in the journal is accompanied by a colorful painting, some depicting specific locations such as train stations and others of the weather and environment.  The final few pages express darkness in text and illustration as the war gets closer.

A lovely presentation which includes the original journal entries both in Polish and translated to English.  Young readers may prefer to read action filled historical fiction titles but this book will make an impression.   Librarians should consider adding this book to their WWII collections.  Art and history teachers of intermediate and middle school will find this an excellent addition to their classroom collections.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

The Beekeepers

The BeekeepersThe Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees by Dana L. Church
Published by Scholastic Focus on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338565540
Pages: 320
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Dana Church has done a tremendous amount of research on bumble bees–and has never been stung once!  She is intent on saving the bumble bees from extinction because of their use as pollinators in order to bring us fruits and vegetables.  She understands their motivations and tells the readers about the vast amount of past knowledge she has learned from other scientists. There are diagrams, photographs, and drawings, but they are often difficult to see because of being in black and white and fuzzy.  People are blamed because of their use of pesticides and we are made to realize that not using pesticides could be better for crops, as well as the bumble bees.  This book should win many awards because of the quality of the research, the many sources used, and the easily accessible style.  It is Cream worthy.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring Oceanside High School  Rockland

five-stars

The Body Book

The Body BookThe Body Book by Hannah Alice
Published by Nosy Crow on March 23, 2021
ISBN: 1536217255
Pages: 16
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a nice body book for younger kids. It goes through all of our major systems and layers each one on the next with a cool see-through series of illustrations. What I like about it is that it’s informative without being overwhelming and chooses to focus on just a few facts per page, which I think is easier for younger kids. You get a real sense of how each system functions and how we use them all.  It also has nice, info graphic-style illustrations in bold, eye-catching colors. A good classroom book.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Notes From a Young Black Chef

Notes From a Young Black ChefNotes from a Young Black Chef (Adapted for Young Adults) by Joshua David Stein, Kwame Onwuachi
Published by Delacorte Press on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 0593176006
Pages: 272
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the inspiring story of Kwame Onwuachi’s rise from his childhood in the Bronx, to his connecting to his history in Nigeria, to his time in Louisiana,  to his fame on the show Top Chef, and finally his opening of several critically acclaimed restaurants  before he turned 30. This book is adapted for young adults and would be terrific for both those interested in triumphs over adversity and/or cooking. The food history was interesting and there a few recipes in the back.  It’s not exactly a quick read and is probably best suited for high school aged kids but this would definitely be a good one for anyone thinking about getting into professional cooking. It’s a tough world and this book underlines how challenging and rewarding it can be.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Technology

TechnologyTechnology by Catherine C Finan
Published by Bearport Publishing on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647476771
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Technology

 

In Catherine Finan’s very short book she shows how technology has used science to solve problems.  Whether discussing the first flush toilet from 1596 to toilets of today that play music, to Leonardo da Vinci who had the idea for a helicopter years ago, to space suits that can handle temperatures from + 250 to – 250 degrees Fahrenheit, there are small bites of information.  The illustrations and photographs are excellent.  There are directions at the end describing how to make a coin battery from pennies, cardstock, vinegar, aluminum foil, and scotch tape.  A Glossary is included along with books and websites for further reading as well as an Index.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

WOW in the World: The How and Wow of the Human Body

WOW in the World: The How and Wow of the Human BodyWow in the World: The How and Wow of the Human Body: From Your Tongue to Your Toes and All the Guts in Between by Guy Raz, Jack Teagle, Mindy Thomas
Published by Clarion Books on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0358306639
Pages: 192
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

WOW in the World:  The HOW and WOW of the Human Body

 

Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz have written a book, based on their children’s podcast, covering all parts of the human body aimed at elementary students.  It is filled with facts, humor, and the answers to the type of questions students wonder about: “Mindy Interviews Her Lungs”. “What is the Color of My Pee Telling me?”, and “The Scoop on Poop”, for example.  Poop gets an eight-page spread with the different types illustrated.  Farts get four pages.  The drawings are excellent and confer so much information.

One thing I did notice was that menstruation wasn’t mentioned.  The butt gets four pages and even describes animals that don’t have butts.  There is a Glossary, a bibliography, and QR codes to take readers to the podcast sections.  The Source Notes are extensive and impressive and there is an index.  This book should be in all elementary and public libraries and is recommended for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Apollo 8: The Mission that Changed Everything

Apollo 8: The Mission that Changed EverythingApollo 8: The Mission That Changed Everything by Martin W. Sandler
Published by Candlewick Press on September 19th 2018
ISBN: 0763694894
Pages: 176
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Full of color and black and white images along with glossy pages, this nonfiction book offers an historical glimpse at the successful launch that put the United States at the front of the space race in the late 1960s.  The book begins with a look at the engineering evolution of rocket launches dating as far back as the 1920s and the creation of NASA in Huntsville, Alabama in 1958. Focusing on the three astronauts, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, as pioneers and daredevils helps explain just how uncharted and dangerous this mission was.  Interviews with the wives of these pilots gave a unique perspective as to what an impact this space program had both on the nation and at a personal level. The layout is at times problematic with inserted articles interrupting the flow of the chapter’s body of text. It can be several pages before you can pick up with the writing. This is a better fit for a high school nonfiction collection due to complex text and historical references that are not often taught at the middle school level.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

four-stars