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32 pp.
| Peachtree
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-68263-049-5$17.95
(3)
K-3
Gray Whale tenderly leads Little Whale from the "warm southern sea" to the "cool, rich waters of the North" to find food and join family. The blue-gray charcoal illustrations evoke the whales' underwater world. In one particularly arresting spread, the massive animals look small in the large expanse of ocean, adding to the impressiveness of the whales' migratory journey.
275 pp.
| Candlewick
| July, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-9231-5$15.99
(3)
4-6
In 1970 Alabama, Argentinean American sixth-grader Lu Olivera discovers her passion for running, develops a crush, and is caught in the middle of her desegregated school's growing racial tensions. After Lu becomes friends with African American Belinda, and the segregationist George Wallace becomes governor, Lu stands up for what's right. Lu's shift from bystander to ally is well portrayed, and her first-person narration is often funny and utterly engaging.
32 pp.
| Peachtree
| March, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-924-7$16.95
(3)
PS
Throughout her cub's first year, Big Bear introduces Little One to ursine life, from new forest growth to a cool swim, from autumn berries to their winter den. Realistic, textured black-and-white charcoal illustrations capture the natural beauty of their woodland home--streaming light, a rushing waterfall, the star-filled sky. The large, square shape is just right for lap-reading.
178 pp.
| New Mexico
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8263-4442-7$24.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Matt Celeskey.
Weaver imagines the lives (and often gristly deaths) of five youths from various prehistoric eras, grounding their lengthy, at times slow-moving, stories in evidence from actual fossil remains. Additional summaries at the end of each chapter recap and extend the excellent factual information. Crude color illustrations of modern and ancient people, landscapes, and tools are found throughout.
308 pp.
| HarperTeen
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-009476-8$17.99
(4)
YA
In this sequel to Memory Boy, sixteen-year-old Miles, thirteen-year-old Sarah, and their parents have finally found a place to live after volcanic eruptions decimated the climate, but the Minneapolis-bred family struggles to make it in the remote forest. Tensions are built and then disappointingly fall to the wayside, but fans of wilderness-set survivor stories will be entertained.
48 pp.
| Abrams
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-0014-9$18.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Chris Lane.
Archival photographs, publicity shots, and original illustrations combine with an engaging text to present a well-researched chronological biography of Harry Houdini. Sidebars featuring historical information illuminate the time period, and the frequent use of Houdini's own words provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of his personal and professional life. This is a solid addition to biography collections. Reading list, websites. Ind.
198 pp.
| Farrar
| April, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-35062-8$16.99
(3)
YA
Trace Bonham (Saturday Night Dirt; Super Stock Rookie) returns as a teen pro Super Stock driver. As his success continues to grow, doubters question its legitimacy, including Trace himself who wonders if his own engine is being juiced. Once again, Weaver's authentic car talk and sympathetic characters work in tandem, keeping this series moving on the right track.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-14647-8$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Andréa Wesson.
Although Alma the opera-singing cat and her owner decide she's ready for her debut, Alma worries that people won't believe a cat can sing about love. She tries a disguise but ultimately goes onstage as herself. Dramatic perspectives in the expressive watercolor illustrations show the audience at first dumbfounded, then cheering for the feline diva.
199 pp.
| Farrar
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-35061-1$14.95
(3)
YA
In this continuation of Saturday Night Dirt, Trace Bonham's career hits the fast track when a corporate sponsor chooses him as the new young face of their stock car racing team. Trace looks to an exciting but questionable future without his Headwaters Speedway friends. The accessible characters and authentic race descriptions work well together to propel the story.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-618-45239-2$16.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Debbie Tilley.
Frederick, who never wins any contests at the fair because he's so infernally loud, finally finds his voice after entering the "Mom-Hollering Contest." The somewhat formulaic plotting and rather pat "be yourself" message are forgivable because of the great particularity of the dialogue and the pen-and-ink and watercolor art (check out Frederick's hand-sewn masterpiece, which wins first prize for "loudest shirt").
163 pp.
| Farrar
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-35060-4$14.95
(3)
YA
The lives of car-obsessed teenagers merge one Saturday night at Headwaters Speedway. Along the way, tensions build: Trace suspects sabotage on his street stock car, while Melody tries desperately to keep her dad's small-town racetrack in business. Short chapters featuring strong characters may draw reluctant readers, while the detailed car talk and exciting action will appeal to racing fans.
80 pp.
| New Mexico
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8263-4304-8$16.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
George Lawrence.
Rosie, a beetle, describes traveling with Darwin aboard the Beagle. Simply and entertainingly, Rosie describes the amazing animals Darwin encounters on his trip around the world and explains how he developed his theory of the origin of species. Delicate pencil drawings and color illustrations aid in understanding the subject. A detailed afterword separates fact from fiction. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
159 pp.
| Tundra
| November, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-88776-747-0$24.95
(4)
4-6
This photographic smorgasbord provides readers with a glimpse of Canada from its founding in 1864 through the twentieth century. The organization can be difficult to follow; while each chapter has a linear progression, the entire volume slips back and forth in time. It's less a comprehensive history than the title suggests, but the story told through the photos is captivating. Ind.
40 pp.
| National
| October, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0185-8$17.90
(3)
K-3
National Geographic Science Chapters series.
After a brief introduction to its subject, each book provides a clear, engaging introduction to the topic. "Did you know?" text boxes in Tide Pools offer supplemental facts ("If a sea star loses an arm, it can grow another one"). The books' clean design features many well-captioned photographs (which are also included on the striking endpapers), charts, and diagrams. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Geographic Science Chapters titles: All about Tide Pools, Underground Towns, Treetops, and Other Animal Hiding Places, and Wetlands Journey.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| November, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-618-61488-2$16.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Emily Arnold McCully.
A curious cat wreaks havoc in a myriad of places, including the kitchen, a closet, and a bedroom. Each time, Cat is scolded: "Cat? Out!" When the feline trots through paint in the studio, however, he's finally forgiven; his paw prints reveal a heart-shaped design. Playful type design and lively watercolor illustrations elevate the slight story.
199 pp.
| Farrar
| August, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-31725-6$16.00
(2)
YA
Tall, stooped, short-faced, and bug-eyed, with a strange, musky odor, David has been tormented all his life. He's fostered with a kind farming couple and ultimately must decide whether to have "corrective" surgery. The depiction of David is inventive, and readers will be drawn into his story and secrets, likely recognizing his batlike traits before he spreads his wings.
Reviewer: Lauren Adams
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2007
(4)
YA
Sixteen-year-old Jed is contacted by a mysterious girl who claims that Jed's father is having an extramarital affair with her mother. Jed's first-person narrative presents a realistic, acutely observed portrait of a family torn apart by infidelity. It is only in the last few chapters, when events take an over-dramatic and somewhat macabre turn, that the story becomes less than convincing.
56 pp.
| Tundra
| November, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-88776-606-4$$17.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Bonnie Shemie.
Assisted by detailed watercolor illustrations, the text traces the relationship between architecture and changes in North American history and culture over a four-hundred-year period. Structures range from the familiar to the lesser known. Despite its too-small type, this slim volume delivers a solid introduction to the diversity of American architecture. Glos., ind.
301 pp.
| Winslow
| May, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-58837-001-1$$16.95
(2)
YA
Fifteen-year-old Kady, who first earned the trust of her mentally disabled neighbor by gently drawing him out, now feels as trapped by young Rooster's worship as she does by her hardworking parents and their orange grove. A wealthy boy with marijuana offers escape--until an accident wakes her up. Each of the characters' distinct personalities and relationships are delineated by their actions in this well-crafted novel.
Reviewer: Lauren Adams
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2001
(4)
YA
In 2008, after a volcanic eruption plunges the country into ecological and social chaos, fifteen-year-old Miles and his family leave their home, traveling in an exotic vehicle that Miles invented. Their planned destination--the family cabin--has been taken over by squatters, so they must travel further north into rural Minnesota. The plot structure is disjointed, but the situation is intriguing.