Review: A Week in Winter

A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In some ways, this book reminds me of the YA/older child book One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke. It has a lot of interwoven plot lines that finish together with a mostly happy ending. I wouldn't say it is excellent writing, but it is a comforting read, if you can keep all of the characters straight.

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Review: Armadilly Chili

Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If I were still teaching, especially in the lower grades, I would certainly add this book to a unit on re-writing folk tales. This is basically The Little Red Hen, translocated to the SouthWest. It would be an interesting book to read along with The Little Red Hen and then have the students write their own take-off version: Marie the Moose's Mousse, Aspic for Astronauts, whatever. Very colorful illustrations.

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Review: Waiting for Winter

Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice story. Appealing illustrations. Worthwhile.

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Review: The Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another graphic novel. I am not sure why I keep checking these out, when I know they aren't my favorites. I guess it is because of friends' recommendations.

Well, I didn't hate this one. There is at least some personal development, even with minor characters, which is good. And the two main characters are interesting. I am not terribly fond of the art work, but that is just me.

I am going to have to look for something that would designate books as graphic novels on my library search engine.

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Review: Awkward

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have finally found a few graphic novels that I enjoy and this is one. The difference here is not only is there a strong story line, but there is also enough going on that you can see some real character development. Some of the characters are still caricatures (e.g., the art club sponsor), but since they are minor characters, it just adds a bit of humor and doesn't really detract. Enjoyable.

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Review: Princess Princess Ever After

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Once again, I fail the graphic novel test. I just don't care for them, to be honest. The problem is, I expect some character depth and nuance and it just isn't there for me. The characters all seem like caricatures, rather than people with depth. We have the strong, black, hard-working, tough-talking princess. We have the slightly overweight, blond, simpering princess, and we have the relatively clueless prince. Sure, it is nice to have a lesbian romance, but it is a bit too superficial for me. Sorry, I didn't love this book. I am glad it exists, but the story could be better. The illustrations are good, though. They are heavily influenced by manga, so, if that is your thing, you may enjoy this book more than I did.

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Review: The Benefits of Being an Octopus

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this as an e-book from my library, which means I have to read it on my computer, since I don't have an e-reader. I originally was just going to read a bit of the first part and save it for later. A couple of hours later, I had finish both it and dinner. This is pretty major for me, as I really don't usually finish books that I try to read at my computer (a desktop).

I think the thing that got me involved so much is that Zoey actually seemed real. I could feel her anger, sadness, desperation, resentment, and all of the other emotions that beset her as she went about her days. I could see a lot of my former students (I am retired.) in her and I was rooting for her teachers to be able to help her.

Recommended.

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Review: Book Uncle and Me

Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a nice story about a child taking steps to influence people's minds. I also like that it shows that sometimes there are unintentional consequences of something we do - the original letter, in this case.

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Review: Building Our House

Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a sweet book about a family moving to the countryside and building their own house over the course of time.

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Review: Powerful

Powerful by Alicia Thomas-Woolf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are advantages and disadvantages of "reading" this book as an audiobook. The major advantage is that you can hear the song as it is sung, in the proper place in the text. The major disadvantage is that there are no pictures.

This book is for a much younger age group than I usually read books for. Perhaps this strategy works well for this younger age group, but for the age group I usually read books for, this strategy would need to be augmented with some more "Powerful" back up strategies. If there is real harm being inflicted, e.g., physical bullying, stronger measures are warranted.

Good for the pre-school crowd, though.

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Review: Giant Days, Vol. 1

Giant Days, Vol. 1 by John Allison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I first saw some of the angry illustrations in this book, I was sure that I was going to dislike it. I didn't (and still don't) like the exaggerated angry looks and evil-looking people. And then I read some of the story. I like the premise - three young women going off to their first semester at the university and forming a friendship. But some of the story lines were a bit much for me - the anger at the previous boyfriend, the pill-popping rave. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, I was interested. Since this book isn't available through my local library, I am even seriously contemplating buying the next installments in the series. I am still not sure what drew me in, but I am going to at least try the next one.

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Review: Modern Houses: Who Built That?: An Introduction to the Modern House and Their Architects

Modern Houses: Who Built That?: An Introduction to the Modern House and Their Architects by Didier Cornille
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have long been fascinated by floor plans (and maps in general, of which floor plans are a subset) and I am glad that this book has included not just views of the outsides of the houses, but also indications of how the insides are planned and arranged. And, unlike many people I know, I actually like the simple, blocky style of most of these houses.

This book was originally published in French as Toutes les Maisons Sont dans la Nature or All Houses Are in Nature. I am not sure what to make of the French title. Perhaps it is that all of the houses that are featured have extensive views of their surroundings. But the French title doesn't say anything about the idea that these houses (and other buildings) have a very different style from many of the houses that preceded them. So it is curious that the English title emphasizes the modernity of the houses, while the French title emphasizes the relationship to nature.

There are other books in this series, one on bridges and one on skyscrapers. Those interest me less than houses, so I will probably skip them.

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Review: Lotta on Troublemaker Street

Lotta on Troublemaker Street by Astrid Lindgren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This version of the story is somewhere between the original version and the Lotta Makes a Mess! version. The siblings' names are Jonas and Mary and, while the running away isn't part of the title, at least it is sort of included.

For me, the most interesting thing is that Mrs. Berg actually caters to Lotta's wishes. I am not sure I would have been so tolerant: helping her re-arrange the attic and decorate it, staying with her while she discovers and plays with the doll, and bringing her two meals. I am not surprised at the mother's matter of fact attitude, but she (the mother) doesn't seem to abet Lotta's plans as much as Mrs. Berg does.

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Review: Wombat Words of Wisdom and Other Oxymorons

Wombat Words of Wisdom and Other Oxymorons by Ian Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love to collect cartoons/comic strips from various parts of the world and I especially enjoy them when they feature some unique aspect of the place from which they originate. This book is a prime example of that, with the adorable wombat, Doug, as the main character, but many different iconic Australian animals as co-conspirators.

Besides that, it features some good puns, some guest characters from other comics (I am greatly amused by crossovers, for some reason), and above all, good art work. Art work is where a lot of comic strips fail, in my estimation, but this one does not disappoint. The art work is consistently good.

If there is one critique I have of the strip, it is that I am not a huge music / movie buff, so some of the extended pun strips about music groups or movies go a bit over my head, but the other strips about friendship and everyday adventures more than make up for it.

Recommended.

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Review: The Breaking News

The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess I don't find this book as comforting as many people do. Yes, it uses the "Mr. Rogers" device of looking for the helpers and doing small acts of kindness. But I find it a bit unsettling that the parents don't seem to explain to the children, in simplified terms at least, what is going on and what to expect in the future.

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Review: Snow White in New York

Snow White in New York by Fiona French
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book would be a good candidate for inclusion in an upper grades unit on multiple versions of classic stories / fairy tales. It really only works if students are already familiar with the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which cannot necessarily be assumed nowadays. Good illustrations. I would find it interesting to have students analyze what parts of the classic story work and don't work in a more modern setting. What has been left out? What has been added? Why?

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Review: Just Like Jackie

Just Like Jackie by Lindsey Stoddard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I was, as a child, almost the complete opposite of the protagonist, it took me a while to warm up to her. We have in common the tendency toward an inner dialog that differs substantially from the way options for action. It brought home to me, once again, the power of being able to see yourself in characters in the story. I am a bit ashamed to admit that I might have like the story better if I felt more like one of the characters.

Nevertheless, it is a powerful story. It suffers just a tiny bit from "all possible problems" syndrome, but the context is at least likely. The characters are interesting.

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Review: I Heard the Owl Call My Name

I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is another book that I really wasn't planning on reading right now, but somehow it drew me in. I have long been interested in understanding different cultures from their point of view and I think this book is one of the more successful ones, in that respect.

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Review: Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a fairly quick read about an important topic. I wasn't terribly anxious to read about this topic, as it is too painful right now, with similar events happening far too often. I don't know if it brings resolution to them or not. In a way, the book makes me feel more helpless than ever. The good things that happen are slightly unrealistic and the bad things all too common. In spite of that, I hope this book helps make things slightly better.

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Review: In here, out there! In här, ut där!: Children's Picture Book English-Swedish

In here, out there! In här, ut där!: Children's Picture Book English-Swedish by Sandra Hamer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This adorable book would probably be effectively translated as "In one ear and out the other". It is a bilingual book with English on top and Swedish underneath and it is really cute. I am proud to say that I also understood on joke in it that is not directly translatable: the little boy's name is Jakob, but on this particular day, he is Nejkob. [Ja means "yes" and Nej means "no".] I have read this several times and I am starting to remember a few words. Ja, it is a bit hopeless; nej, I am not giving up.


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Review: You're the Only One I Can Tell: Inside the Language of Women's Friendships

You're the Only One I Can Tell: Inside the Language of Women's Friendships by Deborah Tannen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I started this book a long while ago, but I read multiple books at a time and it got buried under the onslaught. I have finally finished it and I would now love to recommend it to friends for discussion purposes. And, I may have to read it again, just to consolidate my own thoughts about friendship and talking. The book has given me insight into some of the successes and failures of my own attempts to talk with friends. I usually feel that I am pretty good at understanding what others are feeling, but that hubris may be a bit misplaced, especially with attempts to connect with people of different backgrounds and experiences. Recommended for people who are interested in the connections between linguistics, sociology, and psychology - or people who are interested in talking to friends. It is not just for women, but in my experience women talk in this manner much more than men do.

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Review: Mission to Pluto: The First Visit to an Ice Dwarf and the Kuiper Belt

Mission to Pluto: The First Visit to an Ice Dwarf and the Kuiper Belt by Mary Kay Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing book. The text is readable and interesting. The people are presented in interesting ways. The information is solid. And the pictures and illustrations are fabulous. If I were still teaching, I would definitely include this in my personal classroom library. A magnificent book for older kids and interested adults.

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Review: The Length of a String

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In spite of this fairly common trope - connecting the past to the present through a diary - I found this book engrossing and worthwhile. The characters are well-drawn and the story interesting. The connections between past and present are sometimes a bit tenuous, but, in a way, that only adds to the feeling that sometimes you just can't know everything and you must accept what you do know.

Aside: in this digital age, I wonder what will take the place of these olden-days, relatively ubiquitous diaries. Having recently needed to look for old photographs for an upcoming wedding, I discovered that digitized pictures aren't always as available as I thought. My current computer doesn't have a CD reader attached and I didn't upload all of the pictures from my first computer era. Interestingly, the most accessible, but most tedious to use, are the (hard copy) pictures in that I long ago placed in albums. I wonder how children generations from now will find out about their heritage.

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Review: The Length of a String

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In spite of this fairly common trope - connecting the past to the present through a diary - I found this book engrossing and worthwhile. The characters are well-drawn and the story interesting. The connections between past and present are sometimes a bit tenuous, but, in a way, that only adds to the feeling that sometimes you just can't know everything and you must accept what you do know.

Aside: in this digital age, I wonder what will take the place of these olden-days, relatively ubiquitous diaries. Having recently needed to look for old photographs for an upcoming wedding, I recently discovered that digitized pictures aren't as available as I thought. My current computer doesn't have a CD reader attached and I didn't upload all of the pictures from my first computer era. Interestingly, the most accessible, but most tedious to use, are the (hard copy) pictures in that I long ago placed in albums. I wonder how children generations from now will find out about their heritage.

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Review: Dietland

Dietland by Sarai Walker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It is a bit too disturbing for my tastes. It makes some good points, but I had to skim over parts of it, because I am a chicken reader.

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Review: Middle School: Escape to Australia

Middle School: Escape to Australia by James Patterson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I am glad this book exists, so that middle school kids, usually boys, have something funny to read. The premise is beyond unlikely, so if they can swallow that, the rest of the book is ha ha hilarious. Or not. I am not the right demographic for this book. I don't think bullying or harassing people is funny. And puke and poop jokes just aren't for me either. Out of masochism, I did actually read the whole book, so there is that to be said for it. Other than that, I will pass.

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Review: Front Desk

Front Desk by Kelly Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the story. I am sometimes worried when a book tries to take on too many problems at one time, but all of the different side problems in this instance are tied together neatly into one whole. Rather than distracting, they show different aspects of the same problem and how they differently effect each person. It could easily have slipped into tokenism (one black man, one white woman, one Latino friend, etc.), but it didn't feel like that. It doesn't have the depth that would make it an all time classic for me, but it certainly is worthy.

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Review: The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle

The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book came to me at an interesting time. I have been following the progress of a person who called himself the Cycling Sketcher. He started in Virginia and bicycled to California. As often as he could, he would accompany his daily progress with a watercolor sketch. This is basically what the protagonist in this story does as well. Given that she is supposedly 12 years old and has only a small amount of money, you know the story will be completely far-fetched (and it was), but it was rather endearing, anyway. If I can set aside my penchant for realistic stories that are really realistic, rather than obviously fantasy, I must admit, I enjoyed this MC for her determination and persistence. And her observations of people.

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Review: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I am not sure I accept the science behind the original accident (lightning causing a case of acquired savant syndrome), and it is a tiny bit problematic that a mathematical genius has to have happened accidentally, rather than being a naturally acquired ability, but if you accept the premise, the rest of the book turns out to be interesting. There are a number of discussable issues in the book that might make it an interesting read-aloud for older elementary or middle school kids: differences/oddities, outstanding ability, how the teacher deals with students, group projects, school requirements, lunchroom issues, etc. More things to think about than I expected. And I like the resolution/non-resolution of the ending.

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Review: Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is Hidden Figures for the younger set and is well worth its while. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, but I think this book is even better at giving a coherent picture of how Katherine Johnson did what she did. If there is any critique I would make about the book, it would be that it doesn't make quite a big enough point about both the sexism and racism that she faced. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend it.

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Review: Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion by Loree Griffin Burns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think my favorite part of this book is the story of how the main researcher get interested in following ocean currents: the Nike shoes showing up along the western coast of the US, followed by the bathtub toys. It is an interesting, and in many ways tragic, story of what we are doing to our oceans.

I do have one complaint about the copy of the book I got. The library covers the books with plastic, in order to preserve them for a long time. But the flyleaves of the book have great maps of the ocean currents, along with some text explaining parts of the maps. Unfortunately, some of the text is covered up by the plastic and the dust jacket, so, unless I would be bold enough to damage the cover, I couldn't read all of it. Since I dislike damaging books, I didn't. I love maps, though, and I am sorry these weren't repeated inside the book as well.

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Review: The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk

The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a gorgeously photographed book on a great topic. The only problem with it is that it is a bit too much for the audience that I assume it is designed for: older elementary through high school students. I like that the author introduced each of the researchers and explained how they became interested in octopuses. And it is helpful to detail the struggles that scientists have when doing field research. I must admit, however, that I skimmed many of the parts about the wonders and the beauty of the world in which the octopuses live. I was eager to hear more about the octopuses, not so much the different fish and other denizens of the deep. Still, I am enjoying these science books that I have been perusing lately.

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Review: It's Code Red!

It's Code Red! by Zapiro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is probably better than the 3 stars I am giving it, but I can't tell how much better, since I don't know enough about South African politics. The cartoons, as is typical of editorial cartoons, depend quite a bit more on the reader's personal knowledge of the political events depicted than cartoons from the same country, but with a more personal focus, e.g., like Madam and Eve. I could understand much of the humor of Madam and Eve; it was more of a struggle with Zapiro. On the other hand, these cartoons also give me a bit more courage about the political situations around the world. In spite of corruption, infighting, and greed, there does seem to be some political progress. I hope that is the case for the United States as well.

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Review: The Science of Breakable Things

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

OK, I admit, I didn't really read this book carefully. I read the first third of the book and then skimmed the rest, so you are welcome to completely discount this review. The book deals with the MC's mother's descent into depression. It is good that it indicates that depression is a long, on-going struggle, but it annoys me greatly that they didn't explain all this to the MC, Natalie, until close to the end of the book. The father should really have known much better. He should have known that kids will often blame themselves for issues that their parents have and he should have been MUCH more pro-active about explaining all of this to Natalie. If she had been 5 years old, I could see explaining it to her in simple terms, but the main character is in around 7th grade, so she would be 12 or 13 - plenty old enough to explain it in much clearer language. The "give her time" bit just doesn't suffice. I am glad for a book that deals with a parent's depression. I wish it had been handled more openly.

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Review: The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing Sea

The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing Sea by Bryn Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought at first that this book had an unfortunate layout. There are LOTS of words on the pages, and the pages are large. The pictures are good, but I was afraid that the text would overwhelm them. To my surprise, the text was quite readable and interesting. The choices of living things to discuss were good: some are flourishing because of pollution, warming, and acidification, while others are suffering. The book gives a good perspective on change, in that it may throw off a delicate balance in different ways for different animals/plants.

Enjoyable and valuable, though saddening in many ways. We are such poor stewards of our Earth.

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Review: Save Me a Seat

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On literary merit alone, this book would not deserve 4 stars. The writing is fine, but it is friendly-style writing, not compelling, good writing. What does deserve the 4 stars is that the authors get the kids pretty much right. Yes, the bully is a bit over the top stereotype, but I have met so many bullies like that, it doesn't feel unreal to me.

There is one review (not this one) which details some excellent teaching points. If you are considering using this book as a read-aloud, you should check out that review.

I enjoyed reading the book: another one to add a bit of diversity and different points of view.

P.S. There is a clever and appealing set of added material at the end of the book. First, there are two glossaries, one from Ravi's perspective and one from Joe's. Then, there are two different recipe's, one for Ravi's mother's Indian cookies and the other for Joe's mom's apple crisp.

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Review: Save Me a Seat

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On literary merit alone, this book would not deserve 4 stars. The writing is fine, but it is friendly-style writing, not compelling, good writing. What does deserve the 4 stars is that the authors get the kids pretty much right. Yes, the bully is a bit over the top stereotype, but I have met so many bullies like that, it doesn't feel unreal to me.

There is one review (not this one) which details some excellent teaching points. If you are considering using this book as a read-aloud, you should check out that review.

I enjoyed reading the book: another one to add a bit of diversity and different points of view.

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Review: The Frog Scientist

The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was written for a slightly older audience than I expected and thus the level of difficulty of the text and the descriptions were more advanced than I expected. So, I have tagged it as good for students a bit older than middle grades elementary. The book is semi-biographical and semi-scientific. The biographical parts capture the human interest side of science, the scientific parts elucidate some of the intricacies of scientific research. On the whole, it is well-balanced. I appreciate the little box at the end explaining that the real scientific research was a bit more complicated than the text could cover. There is also a glossary and a bibliography. And the photos throughout are also excellent.

I was interested in this book, because one of my book clubs read The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History and it begins with an extensive discussion of the problems with frogs dying out. This book doesn't mention the larger problem of many more species beyond just the many endangered frog species, but it is an interesting accompaniment, even if the audiences for the books are different.

Finally, it should be mentioned that this book includes quite a few people who are not white Caucasians. This would make an excellent choice for people who are looking to make their book selections more inclusive.

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Review: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson

Here's to You, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is actually a re-read, as I am sure I read this when I was young, too.

I was a bit surprised that this book frustrated me a bit. I felt like Rachel's problems were only touched on - even glossed over. How was she supposed to relax? Why did the family seem to be so on edge with the brother? I guess I didn't perceive her brother's actions as so completely over the top, but rather as a very bright (yes, probably gifted) boy who has discovered that the world often hides the truth from itself and he needs to confront that. In the end, the parents did do what they needed to do and the hiring of the tutor worked, but I would like to have seen more whole family resolution, too.

Since I am interested in gifted kids, I was also interested in the gifted angle for both Rachel and her brother. Rachel is the typical good-girl gifted female. She does everything right and people just seem to never see when she is foundering. Charles, on the other hand, is the quintessential bad-boy gifted kid. Rebelling, clowning around, sarcastic, refusing to take work seriously unless it is work that he has chosen. People don't see his needs either. They see him as a behavior problem. Their sister Jessica is never seen really beyond her acne and her helpfulness.

I liked this book better as a kid.

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Review: Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not a huge fan of free verse novels, but it did seem to work for this book. With the exception of the rather abrupt ending, I enjoyed this book. It is interesting to see the familiar through unfamiliar eyes and it brings to mind my own year as a foreign student in Germany - many things seem like missteps. I would like to have seen a bit more, but I suppose the story is really about family and not about being a stranger in a new land.

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Review: Just as Long as We're Together

Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am sure I read this many, many years ago, when it was a lot newer. Surprisingly, it hasn't aged all that badly. It reminds me a lot of teaching middle school - all of the painful friend/not friend, lonely, teasing/showing romantic interest, young teen issues.

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Review: The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though I usually like books with more text than this one, this book would be a very good introduction to many different types of lessons on war, courage, historical preservation, and lives of people in war-torn countries.

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Review: Animals Charles Darwin Saw: An Around the World Adventure

Animals Charles Darwin Saw: An Around the World Adventure by Sandra Markle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For me, this book was vastly different from Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure on the Silk Road. While, I wasn't quite as impressed with the pictures, they are actually well done, appealing, and helpful. But the inclusion of the animals for this story is absolutely integral to it. There is a purpose for mentioning the animals, as they were central to the whole venture.

If I have a quibble with it at all, I am just a tad disappointed that it is mentioned more than once that the theory of evolution might be regarded as controversial. It was when it was first introduced and for many years afterwards, but today, among scientists, this simply isn't true. There are still discoveries being made with regard to exact mechanisms of inheritance and change, but the general idea of evolution is integral to virtually all of biology. It is almost like saying that the theory of gravity is controversial. New discoveries change some of the details, but not the overall scope.

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Review: Imagine

Imagine by John Lennon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was a bit disappointed in this book, too. I couldn't help looking at the illustrations and thinking about the book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!. Yes, it is a lovely song and I truly like it, but it isn't realistic to think the world, especially the animal world, could live like this. Birds eat the fish; they don't stop squabbling over it and take up an olive branch. Large birds eat smaller birds; they don't sit on telephone wires together and link wings in friendship. Somehow, instead of birds, I would rather have seen people, trying to live together in peace, building components of society together.

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Review: Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure on the Silk Road

Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure on the Silk Road by Sandra Markle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was actually a bit disappointed in this book, which I read because one of my GR friends liked it. I think that, had I been expecting more of a story about Marco Polo, I might have enjoyed it more, but the title and the friend's review let me to believe there would be more of the story about the animals. Instead, they seem to be mentioned, almost as an afterthought on the pages where they appear. The people and places seem to be much more a focus of the story. I do like the illustrations, though.

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Review: Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure on the Silk Road

Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure on the Silk Road by Sandra Markle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was actually a bit disappointed in this book, which I read because one of my GR friends liked it. I think that, had I been expecting more of a story about Marco Polo, I might have enjoyed it more, but the title and the friend's review let me to believe there would be more of the story about the animals. Instead, they seem to be mentioned, almost as an afterthought on the pages where they appear. The people and places seem to be much more a focus of the story.

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Review: Speediest!: 19 Very Fast Animals

Speediest!: 19 Very Fast Animals by Steve Jenkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Same review as for Stinkiest: It is too bad I am retired from teaching and didn't know about this book when I had students (but, given the publication date, this is impossible). This is the perfect type of book for those readers who prefer non-fiction. Great pictures; un-dumbed down text; lots of short bits of text to look at; maps. Recommended for middle and upper elementary school students.

I would get all of the books in this series for a middle to upper elementary classroom. Well worthwhile.

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Review: Stinkiest!: 20 Smelly Animals

Stinkiest!: 20 Smelly Animals by Steve Jenkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is too bad I am retired from teaching and didn't know about this book when I had students (but, given the publication date, this is impossible). This is the perfect type of book for those readers who prefer non-fiction. Great pictures; un-dumbed down text; lots of short bits of text to look at; maps. Recommended for middle and upper elementary school students.

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Review: Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but it would be even better if it had included more. The fly-leaf lists of women inventors were really nice.

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Review: When We Were Alone

When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a sweet, comforting look at a rather sad and uncomfortable topic: the sending of children away from their native communities to boarding schools that denied their culture.

The only criticism I have, if it can be said to be such, is that, since I have been reading about this general topic for a while now, it wasn't immediately clear to me that the book was about Cree native Americans/Canadians. It left me wishing there had been a little more information. But, I am an adult, and this may well be all that children can absorb.

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