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311 pp.
| HarperTeen
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-268023-5$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-06-268025-9
(4)
YA
On his eighteenth birthday, Patrick receives a letter from his long-dead mother. Only she's not dead--his dad's been lying to him for years. As "Pack" unravels the mystery, he loses his supportive girlfriend and his whole life turns upside-down. Though readers may not feel satisfied by the hurried resolution to the mystery, Pack is an interesting character and his complicated relationship with food and exercise adds dimension.
(4)
4-6
Five preteens from diverse backgrounds train together at a local gym to prepare for a televised junior ninja competition in this high-interest series-starter. The stock characters are nevertheless relatable, and the brief backstories provided are intriguing. Details of the athletic competition keep the action rocketing forward, and the ending sets up forthcoming volumes. An interview with real-life American Ninja Warrior star Allyssa Beird adds authenticity and appeal.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77138-967-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Exploring Our Community series.
The five friends from Ritchie's informational series prepare for an upcoming swim meet. Coach Penny makes sure they stretch, get good sleep, support one another, eat nutritiously, and have fun. The informal narrative is accompanied by bold-faced health-science facts or suggestions on every spread. Sunny digital illustrations include bird's-eye, close-up, and panoramic views of the diverse group of healthy kids. Includes ideas for active play. Glos.
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503820210$18.95
(4)
K-3
My Day Learning Health and Safety series.
Each slight easy-reader text enumerates multiple straightforward ways that the child characters--and young readers--can take care of their bodies. David gets exercise through biking; Emily wears sunscreen to the park; Pearl brushes her teeth twice each day. Bright, relevant full-page photos provide new readers with resting points on every spread. Follow-up questions encouraging personal connections are appended. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these My Day Learning Health and Safety titles: David's New Bike, Emily Goes to the Park, and Pearl's New Tooth.
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503820234$18.95
(4)
K-3
My Day Learning Health and Safety series.
Each slight easy-reader text enumerates multiple straightforward ways that the child characters--and young readers--can take care of their bodies. David gets exercise through biking; Emily wears sunscreen to the park; Pearl brushes her teeth twice each day. Bright, relevant full-page photos provide new readers with resting points on every spread. Follow-up questions encouraging personal connections are appended. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these My Day Learning Health and Safety titles: David's New Bike, Emily Goes to the Park, and Pearl's New Tooth.
183 pp.
| Feiwel
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-15107-0$13.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-250-15106-3
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jon Bozak.
A tough fifth-grade year made Marc feel "dumb" (especially in math) and weak ("I can do ZERO pull-ups!"); worst of all, he's been targeted by the school bully. All this changes when Uncle Jake, a Navy SEAL, teaches Marc about discipline, goals, and hard work via his "Warrior Code." Retired SEAL officer Willink's preachy story, illustrated with bland line drawings, nevertheless offers useful insight on bullies and self-betterment.
(4)
YA
Issues in Society series.
An introduction explicates this worldwide health problem. One chapter zeroes in on the mental and physical consequences of obesity and four subsequent chapters explore possible solutions: government regulation, education, marketing restrictions, taxation of sugary drinks and snacks. Generic color photos and occasional "Viewpoint" sections add interest to the dense prose and dull, textbook-like layout. Reading list, websites. Ind.
(4)
K-3
Healthy Plates series.
The importance of various types of exercise (aerobic, strength-building, stretching) is outlined in very broad strokes on double-page spreads; one page touches on healthy food choices and a recipe for trail mix (paired with a photo showing trail mix with very different ingredients) is appended. The active full-color photos are enticing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Math Everywhere! series.
Challenging multi-step word problems center on practical topics--fitness, gardening, money, weather--with scenarios and questions that are livelier than typical word-problem fare. Hints offer formulas, unit conversions, and suggestions for rounding, but more substantive problem-solving strategies are not suggested or demonstrated. Well-chosen stock photos are included, and detailed answers are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Math Everywhere! titles: Fitness Math, Garden Math, Money Math, and Weather Math.
24 pp.
| Millbrook
| April, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-1349-8$23.93
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-2535-4
(4)
K-3
Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits series.
Illustrated by
Renée Kurilla.
On her class's field day, super-cheerful Natalie ("captain of the Beach Ball Relay!") relates, in exclamation-point-heavy text, some basic information about exercise and its importance in kids' lives. Exaggeratedly cartoony illustrations show Natalie and her classmates doing the three types of exercise: aerobic, anaerobic, and stretching. It's all very basic but may get kids moving. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
24 pp.
| Amicus High Interest
| September, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60753-586-7$18.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-60753-686-4
(3)
K-3
Healthy Me! series.
Pages containing three or four easy-to-read sentences face colorful full-page photos to explain the importance sleep, exercise, nutrition, and hygiene have on human health and well-being. Gleisner offers basic physiology facts as well as encouragement of good choices. "Healthy Hints" sidebars add to the main text; final "Get Started" lists offer practical tips for optimizing personal responsibility. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Healthy Me! titles: My Body Needs Exercise, My Body Needs Food, My Body Needs Rest, and My Body Needs to be Clean.
196 pp.
| Simon Pulse
| January, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58270-409-8$18.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-58270-408-1$9.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4424-7662-2
(3)
YA
Holcombe describes her journey to fitness and health, which she began at age fourteen, when she weighed 230 pounds. Teens looking to lose weight slowly, safely, and permanently will be inspired by this story of one girl's determination to come to peace with her body. The information on exercise, nutrition, and motivation (plus a list of resources at the back) is solid and should prove helpful.
32 pp.
| Sea to Sea
| March, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59771-396-2$28.50
(3)
K-3
Let's Read and Talk About... series.
Each double-page spread poses a main question, which is answered with several more targeted questions and simple responses. Full-color photos on each page show kids playing, eating, and taking care of themselves. Boxes suggest activities and topics for discussion. Subjects are basic and appropriate for the audience; the tone is upbeat and encourages personal responsibility. Glos., ind. Review covers these Let's Read and Talk About titles: Keeping Clean and Keeping Fit.
(4)
K-3
Move and Get Healthy series.
Illustrated by
Tatevik Avakyan.
These books provide many suggestions for getting healthy and staying active in suburban and city settings. Science is incorporated with explanations of topics such as nutrition, body systems, muscles, the heart, and sweat. Full-page illustrations and sidebars balance out the sometimes-dense text; a couple of the more technical illustrations are not effective. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Move and Get Healthy titles: Get Moving in the City and Get Moving with Friends and Family.
(4)
K-3
Move and Get Healthy series.
Illustrated by
Tatevik Avakyan.
These books provide many suggestions for getting healthy and staying active in suburban and city settings. Science is incorporated with explanations of topics such as nutrition, body systems, muscles, the heart, and sweat. Full-page illustrations and sidebars balance out the sometimes-dense text; a couple of the more technical illustrations are not effective. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Move and Get Healthy titles: Get Moving in the City and Get Moving with Friends and Family.
48 pp.
| Heinemann
| May, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4329-1086-0$31.43
(4)
4-6
Do It Yourself series.
This book offers basic information on how to stay healthy, covering the physiology of exercising and the importance of good nutrition and sufficient sleep. Young readers may not, however, show much enthusiasm for some of the accompanying activities, such as a step-by-step deep breathing exercise and a stair-stepping routine. Photos and digital art illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
112 pp.
| Twenty-First Century
| April, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-8225-6784-4$30.60
(3)
YA
Twenty-first Century Medical Library series.
Taking the perspective that managing healthy body weight begins in childhood and is vital in adolescence, Murphy explores America's obesity epidemic and describes medical consequences of being overweight. The book contains solid information; each chapter begins with an individual teen's story, which will draw in readers. Black-and-white photos and charts break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
40 pp.
| Harcourt
| March, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-206069-5$15.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Arthur Howard.
Mrs. Teaberry convinces Mr. Putter to run a senior marathon (he's got his eye on second prize: "a train set with lights and switches and tunnels"). Tabby has her doubts, but Zeke's enthusiasm proves useful to Mr. Putter. Rylant's text is easy to read and satisfying, and Howard's expressive illustrations once again display the four friends' complementary personalities.
32 pp.
| Walker
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8027-9558-8$15.95
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-8027-9559-5$16.85
(4)
K-3
In his fourth classroom adventure, .I.Q. the mouse is pumped for the upcoming Student Fitness Challenge. He diligently notes each lesson from Health Month: "Eat a balanced diet," "Drink plenty of water," "Get lots of sleep," and "Stay active." The informative text is unabashedly didactic, but the neatly rendered illustrations keep the tone light.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9695-9$28.21
(4)
4-6
Real Deal series.
Sheen dutifully covers the basics of physical activity (e.g., the three main types and levels), then discusses the importance of exercising and eating sensibly, ultimately connecting a healthy body with emotional health. Sidebars, including thought-provoking "What do you think?" boxes, are interspersed with stock photos in a busy layout. The book concludes with stretching tips. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.