Archive for June, 2011

Fascinating Science Series for Middle School Boys

June 30, 2011 · Filed under Grade Levels, Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

In an article entitled The Gross and the Gory: Making a Reading Connection with Boys, it says: “Boys are looking to be engaged in reading. They want to read fun books that they can talk about and share. Secondly, boys see books as a way to find their identity. Reading gross and gory books tends to make boys see themselves as edgy—someone who pushes the boundaries—or, in the case of toilet humor, funny.” With this statement in mind, I decided to go on a search for high-interest science books for boys. Each series listed does an amazing job of captivating the reader with full-color photographs and appealing text. Reluctant readers are the main audience for these titles, but I think that anyone can enjoy books about shattered bones and doomsday rocks! I am confident that boys will be excited about these yucky series and will be pleading for more!

Powerful Medicine Series

This series analyzes the function of medicine and highlights real people who have conquered medical issues. Eye-catching, full-color photographs (not for the faint of heart) will fascinate students who are studying the human body or interested in working in the medical field. This high-interest science series is a wonderful edition to any medical collection, not only for the content but the additional resources listed.

Incredibly Disgusting Food Series

A fun and revealing series, Incredibly Disgusting Food will have you thinking twice about what you eat or drink. Uncensored medical photographs are included in order to give you a scared-straight approach, that will have students wanting to learn more! Think about it..do you really want to know what the mystery meat is inside hot dogs, lunch meat and sausage? (I know I don’t!) This series will not disappoint!

Bizarre Science Series 

This five book series will  entertain reluctant readers on bizarre science topics with fun and shocking facts (depending on the topic). Magnified full-color photographs and energetic text are sure to disgust and delight students. Be prepared to hold your stomach, especially when you meet the potato termite queen!

Yucky Science Series

Laughter and giggles will  ensue when reading about various topics, such as Snot, Poop, Vomit and More! Yucky Science is a fantastic series that will help students learn about life and earth science with a gross twist. Also check out this series for a very helpful question and answer format, that will engage readers and have them asking questions such as: Why do you feel like you want to throw-up after riding a roller-coaster?


Bibliography:

Bad Burns: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Faulty Hearts: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Leukemia: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Lost Sight: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Shattered Bones: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Wounded Brains: True Survival Stories (Powerful Medicine) by Sandra Markle. 2011.

Carbonated Beverages: The Incredibly Disgusting Story (Incredibly Disgusting Food) by Adam Furgang. 2011.

Fake Foods: The Incredibly Disgusting Story (Incredibly Disgusting Food) by Paula Johanson. 2011.

Mystery Meat: Hot Dogs, Sausages, and Lunch Meats: The Incredibly Disgusting Story (Incredibly Disgusting Food) by Stephanie Watson. 2011.

Salty and Sugary Snacks: The Incredibly Disgusting Story (Incredibly Disgusting Food) by Adam Furgang. 2011.

Bloodsucking Creatures (Bizarre Science) by Ron Knapp. 2011.

Bugged-Out Insects (Bizarre Science) by Margaret Anderson. 2011.

Doomsday Rocks from Space (Bizarre Science) by Margaret Poynter. 2011.

Mummy Secrets Uncovered (Bizarre Science) by Ron Knapp. 2011.

Weird Meat-Eating Plants (Bizarre Science) by Nathan Aaseng. 2011.

Chocolate Ants, Maggot Cheese, and More: The Yucky Food Book (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Dung Beetles, Slugs, Leeches, and More: The Yucky Animal Book (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Poop Collectors, Armpit Sniffers, and More: The Yucky Jobs (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Smog, Oil Spills, Sewage, and More: The Yucky Pollution Book (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Snot, Poop, Vomit, and More: The Yucky Body Book (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Tapeworms, Foot Fungus, Lice, and More: The Yucky Disease Book (Yucky Science) by Alvin Silverstein. 2011.

Blogger: Kristin J.

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Book review: Return of the Dapper Men

June 27, 2011 · Filed under Graphic Novel, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Reviews, Science Fiction · Tagged , , ,

Return of the Dapper Men by Jim McCann, with art by Janet Lee.

In the land of Anorev time has ceased to exist, and machines and children are left to their own devices.  Without time, everything remains status quo.  The children cannot grow older, and they find themselves toiling away with play.  The machines are also in the same situation, but they remain constantly at their task.  So long has time not existed that the groups are separated from its reality.  The children hide themselves underground, while the machines stay in their homes.

It is only through the kinship of the boy Ayden and his machine friend Zoe that any contact between the two groups remains.  However, the world of Anorev will never be the same, because the return of 314 Dapper Men falling from the sky starts time again.  Tick Tock…

Readers will be enamored by the richness of imagination in graphic novel storytelling, a richness that could rival that of the great Roald Dahl.  An all age appropriate graphic novel that has the potential to garner many awards this coming fall.

Tuan N.

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Book Review: In the Garden of Beasts

June 23, 2011 · Filed under High School, History, Mackin Picks, Nonfiction, Reviews · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

  In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson. 2011.

The year is 1933, and President Roosevelt is looking for a new American Ambassador for Germany. Many have turned down the job, but one man accepts. William E. Dodd, a history professor, thinks that being an ambassador will give him more time to work on his book, The Old South. But things are not as they seem in Germany, and the longer the Dodds reside there, more and more of Hitler’s infamous designs are revealed including a night of horror and bloodshed.

In the Garden of Beasts focuses mainly on Ambassador Dodd and his crusade to change not only German policies regarding American tourists and, to a lesser degree, the Jewish population, but also the way Ambassadors did business. As a “Jeffersonian Democrat,” Dodd was appalled at the exorbitant amount of money spent on dinners and parties by ambassadors and foreign diplomats. This view made him vastly unpopular with his peers. Dodd added to his unpopularity by standing against Hitler’s injustice and often refusing to attend Hitler’s dinners or speeches. While Dodd failed at alerting the U.S. of Hitler’s nefarious designs, he did what he could to stand against them.

Laron’s narrative also focuses on Martha Dodd, Ambassador Dodd’s daughter, and her many affairs with men, including a member of the Soviet NKVD (a predecessor of the KGB), and the head of the Gestapo. One of the most interesting aspects of the book was to see Martha’s evolution of thought concerning Germany and Hitler’s government. She started out enchanted by Germany and its people. A journalist at heart, Martha recorded many of the events she witnessed and her thoughts concerning them, often rationalizing the cruel treatment of the Jewish people. However, as time progressed, Martha grew more and more weary of Hitler’s reign.

If you’ve never read a work by Erik Larson, go immediately to your library (or Mackin.com for our Mackin customers) and check out this book. You should probably also reserve his older works such as Devil in the White City (2003) or Thunderstruck (2006), so they will be waiting for you when you finish this one. Larson manages to weave an engaging historical narrative while keeping his work nonfiction. Granted, this may be the history major (also the history nerd) in me, but I am amazed at Larson’s ability to do such thorough research, that he can create a fiction-like story that keeps readers engaged until the end.

Lindsey L.

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Bringing the Arts Alive

June 20, 2011 · Filed under History, Intermediate (3-5), Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I think science is fascinating, but, to be honest, my heart is in the arts.  I live for poetry and music, and perhaps some of your students feel the same.  Or maybe they will after immersing themselves in these beautiful picture book biographies.

 

Poets have a particular way of seeing the world.  Two recent picture books stood out to me in the way they captured  this unique view.  Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People is a celebration of words.  English and Spanish words fill the illustrations to create a dynamic scene that gives a strong sense of the way Neruda saw the world.   This is a beautiful tribute to this amazing poet that will be appreciated by poetry lovers of all ages.

Liberty’s Voice: The  Story of Emma Lazarus tells of poet Emma Lazarus’ journey from privileged girl to accomplished poet to passionate humanitarian.  Emma’s creative spirit is made visual in the illustrations by a colorful swirl. She used her poetic talent to bring attention to the plight of the poor immigrants in New York City, and her words became the voice of the Statue of Liberty in 1903.

Music is more than just background noise.  In Roots and Blues: A Celebration, Arnold Adoff shows how music was a means of survival through slavery.  The book begins with a powerful look at slavery in a poem called “Chained” accompanied by a striking illustration of slaves in chains.  It follows as the music is passed down through generations, played in back rooms of clubs, and eventually celebrated as an art all its own.

Similarly, Stephen Alcorn’s picture book biography, Odetta: The Queen of Folk, brings folk music alive through the large, colorful illustrations and poetic text.  We see the young singer find her voice and watch her find a place in the civil rights movement.  She united people of all races with her music and became an inspiration to many.  Use this book to talk about the power of music to inspire or to the ways that the Jim Crow laws affected people.

Any of these books would be at home in a social studies classroom to talk about the role that the arts has played in history.

Bibliography:

Liberty’s Voice: The Story of Emma Lazarus by Erica Silverman. 2011.

Odetta: The Queen of Folk by Stephen Alcorn. 2010.

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown. 2011.

Roots and Blues: A Celebration by Arnold Adoff. 2011.

Blogger:  Mindy R

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Book Review: Abandon

June 16, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Novels, Paranormal, Reviews, Romance · Tagged , , , , ,

Abandon by Meg Cabot. 2011.

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with Greek mythology. I remember pouring over stories of Hermes and Perseus, but the one story I kept coming back to was The Myth of Hades and Persephone. The romantic in me adores the fact that Hades is willing to allow the earth to be destroyed in order to be with the woman he loves. I’m sure it sounds sappy, but stories of soul-mates and star-crossed love have always been my favorites. Many teens love these kinds of tales as well, which is why I know they will become hooked on the Abandon trilogy.

Pierce Olivera has been to the Underworld and survived. Seems crazy, right? After her near-death experience, Pierce and her mother decide to move away from their past, and make a fresh start on Isla Huesos (Bone Island). The only bad thing is, the Underworld and John (aka “Prince Terrifying”) still haunt her dreams and reality. Will Pierce ever be able to escape death’s grasp and live a normal teenaged life?

Abandon is definitely not your typical Meg Cabot novel. Many readers know her as the “reigning grande dame of teenage chick lit” (which she is), but this is her return to the young-adult paranormal genre.  Pierce typifies many of Cabot’s leading ladies. She is self-sufficient, and the reader ultimately cares about what happens to her. One of the main reasons I adore Pierce is for this statement alone: “It’s only in fairy tales that princesses can afford to wait for the handsome prince to save them. In real life, they have to bust out of their own coffins and do the saving themselves.”

Although Abandon is a modern re-telling of the Hades and Persephone myth, do not expect it to play out exactly like the Greek myth. Also, keep in mind that this book is the first in a trilogy. Knowing this may help you with the pacing of Abandon. Cabot uses foreshadowing as a way to tell the story from Pierce’s point of view. This is an effective method of storytelling, but it might become confusing at times. If you become confused, keep going! I promise that this title is definitely worth your time–especially if you are a huge fan of paranormal romance! Plus, it’s Meg Cabot! In my mind, everything she does turns to gold. Can you tell I’m a groupie?

Look for the next book in the Abandon trilogy, Underworld, coming out in summer 2012!

If you absolutely cannot get enough of the Hades and Persephone myth, be sure to check out: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter.

Kristin J.

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What It Means to Be a Hero

June 13, 2011 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Social Studies · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Anyone of us might be a hero.  The students in your schools might change the world one day, and it may begin with a book.

Giant Steps to Change the World In Giant Steps to Change the World, Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya, have created a book with illustrator Sean Qualls, that is designed to inspire and intrigue.  They refer to the heroic accomplishments of several people without naming them in the text, though they are fairly easily matched up to the names in the end pages.  In the hands of a capable teacher, this book could serve as a great way to get discussion rolling in a social studies classroom.

President Obama’s first children’s book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, looks at thirteen Americans who have the qualities he would like to see in his daughters.  The diverse group includes Jackie Robinson who exemplifies courage, Georgia O’Keeffe for creativity, and many other men and women of various backgrounds and accomplishments.  The result is an inspirational book that may open a discussion about citizenship or serve as a way to introduce an assignment in which kids write about their heroes.

UndergroundUnderground  proves that you don’t need a lot of words to tell a powerful story. Each spread is dominated by dramatic illustrations with only a few well-chosen words.  The author’s note provides the historical context and opens a discussion of the meaning of freedom during the time of the Underground Railroad and beyond.  He closes by dedicating the book to a woman who runs a social organization to help people in need.  He describes this woman as a hero helping people reach freedom.

Energy IslandIf I were looking for a hero, I might choose the people of Samso Island in Denmark, who were inspired to work together to accomplish something truly heroic: to become almost completely energy independent.  Energy Island is a great cross-curricular choice as it highlights the social studies aspect of community and change in a far-off land, and the sidebars throughout present the science of renewable energy and climate change.  An inspiring choice!

Bibliography:

Energy Island by Allan Drummond. 2011.

Giant Steps to Change the World by Spike Lee. 2011.

Of Thee I Sing : A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama. 2010.

Underground by Shane Evans. 2011.

Blogger: Mindy R

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Book Review: Forgotten

June 9, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Paranormal, Reviews, Romance · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Forgotten by Cat Patrick. 2011.

London has a unique problem. Every morning at precisely 4:33 a.m., her past is wiped from her memory, and she wakes up with only memories of the future. She remembers her future the way we remember our past, somethings are clear and others seem hazy. She’s able to cope with her problem by leaving herself detailed notes each night before going to sleep. Then London meets Luke, a boy she can’t seem to remember no matter how unforgettable their relationship is. London also keeps having visions of a funeral, but she can’t see whose it is. Her determination to find the answer will uncover long hidden family secrets, and perhaps the key to understanding her memory loss.

If you’re thinking this sounds an awful lot like 50 First Dates, you’re partially correct. The difference is that London only remembers people who will be in her future, aside from Luke, but no one from her past. First-time novelist Cat Patrick creates a compelling story though I could have used a little more explanation. I found myself slightly confused for about the first third of the novel until I could fully grasp London’s condition. However, that qualm is quickly overruled by my love for this book. It has the feel of a paranormal romance without all the angst of forbidden romance. Luke is definitely on my list for top male leads in a YA novel. He’s sensitive, caring and doesn’t give up on the love he’s found with London. London herself is a memorable character. She’s fiercely loyal and handles her problems with wit and determination. I think my favorite thing about her is that she isn’t whiny. Yes, there are times she gets frustrated with herself and her memory problems, but she moves on and deals with the problems at hand. The relationship between London and her friend Page feels realistic. I love that London doesn’t give up on their friendship throughout the entire book. The twists in the plot are also compelling. A few revelations sent me paging back through the book to see if there were any signs leading up to them.

All in all, a compelling read.

Lindsey L.

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Help Rebuild Joplin’s School Libraries

June 8, 2011 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , ,

Joplin Tornado ReliefIn response to the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, Mackin has created a special Funds4Books Disaster Relief program to to help rebuild the school library collections that were damaged in Joplin.  The Missouri Association of School Librarians provided this update on the organization’s website:

“All Joplin librarians are safe, however several of their schools have been destroyed or heavily damaged. Irving Elementary and Joplin High School are total losses, and East Middle School is severely damaged. The school year has ended early and summer school has been canceled.”

School may be out for the summer, but the Joplin Area School District has only twelve weeks to rebuild for the 2011-2012 school year.  This is where Mackin comes in.

In cooperation with the Joplin School District, the Missouri Association of School Librarians, and the Southwest Regional Association of School Librarians, Mackin Educational Resources invites Books in Bloom readers (and beyond–spread the word!) help Joplin rebuild by donating to the Funds4Books Disaster Relief program.   100% of funds raised will be given to librarians who lost their libraries, and Mackin will match 10% of every $100 donated!

Donate Now

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Science titles for Middle and High School

June 6, 2011 · Filed under High School, Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

During one of my reference internships at a public library, I remember looking for appealing science books for teens. Thinking it wouldn’t be that hard of a task, I searched through the stacks and found that many of the science-related books were 10-20 years old! Now I know that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover (but I do anyway, to a point), but book covers need to be appealing in order for them to be used appropriately. Luckily the market has realized this, which is why I am sharing this amazing list of new science books that also have intriguing book covers. Introduce science in a whole new way, and be prepared for these books to fly off the shelves!

Join biology professor and arachnologist Greta Binford, on a journey to the Caribbean in search of the deadly recluse spider, the Loxosceles. Her mission is to use its venom to answer many scientific questions. Spiders are continuously misunderstood and feared, but Binford gives us a more positive perspective on these fascinating creatures. Kids will love this book for the intriguing story as well as the excellent full-color photographs.

Elephant Talk focuses on the way elephants use trumpets, growls, squeaks, chirps, and rumbles in order to communicate with one another. Not only do elephants communicate audibly, but they can also receive messages by using their feet to feel vibrations in the ground. These gentle giants are on the brink of extinction as a result of habitat loss and being illegally hunted for their ivory tusks. Researchers hope that learning more about elephant communication will save the species, but only time will tell. Students will love learning about these amazing creatures and may be interested in reenacting some of the communication styles in the classroom.

Two of the many misconceptions about  video-gamers is that they are ‘lazy’ or ‘not living in the real world.’ Jane McGonigal’s goal is to inform the reader on how gaming can be positive for our society. One example is that gamers are skilled problem-solvers and team-players, because they are able to cooperate with others in order to solve virtual game challenges. This hot topic will  interest gamers and non-gamers alike.

Because of their isolated habitat, polar bears are possibly the least understood of the great bears.  Stories throughout history characterize the viciousness of polar bears, but hunting of these bears has claimed a larger toll. Besides hunting, the polar bear’s environment is rapidly changing by melting ice. History, myth, and reality are encompassed in this gripping novel about the polar bear’s survival.

Journalist Donovan Hohn’s quest is to figure out what happened to 28,800 rubber duckies that fell off a ship in transit to Seattle in 1992. Who knew that his journey would begin with Eric Carle’s 10 Little Rubber Ducks and lead him to learning about the science of ocean currents! This environmental voyage shows us that rubber duckies are not quite as harmless as they may seem.

Bibliography:

Elephant Talk: The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication by Ann Downer. 2011.

Great White Bear: A Natural and Unnatural History of the Polar Bear by Kieran Mulvaney. 2011.

Moby-Duck : The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea by Donovan Hohn. 2011.

Reality is Broken : Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal. 2011.

Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider by Kathryn Lasky. 2011.

Blogger: Kristin J

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Cold-Blooded Books for Budding Herpetologists

June 2, 2011 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Mackin Picks, Nonfiction, Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I grew up with three sisters.  I do not remember any conversations about snakes or lizards.  Not one.

Now I have two sons.  By the time my older son, Alex, was four years old, he insisted on picking out his own books when we went to the library.  No more charming picture books for him—oh no.  He wanted books with more…bite.  Sharks, spiders, lizards…and especially snakes.

I was appalled to find out how many snake books were in our little local library.

Each year spawns more and more reptile books, and this year is no exception.  So here are some titles for any intermediate budding herpetologists you may know.

Nic Bishop is a renowned wildlife photographer who has written about frogs, spiders, butterflies and moths, and marsupials.  In his latest, Lizards, he combines his dazzling photography with conversational text to show just how fascinating lizards are.  I especially enjoyed the end notes, in which he explained some of the problems he had in finding and photographing his trickier subjects, including what it took to get shots of a lizard running across water and of a chameleon catching its dinner.

A new high-interest series, Wild About Snakes, is perfect for reptile enthusiasts as well as report writers. Each title explores the physical characteristics of a particular wild snake, as well as its habitat, behavior, and life cycle.  Anacondas, Cobras, Garter Snakes, and Rattlesnakes are already out, and in August watch out for Boa Constrictors, Black Mambas, Kingsnakes, and Pythons.

 

By the time Alex was eight, he was no longer satisfied with just reading about reptiles—oh no.  “Mom, can I HAVE a snake?”  So here are two series to satisfy (encourage?) hopeful pet owners.

The My Pet series (Weigl) includes a separate book for snakes, geckos, and iguanas.  As well as providing general information about the animal, each book discusses questions one should ask before becoming a pet owner.  What type of habitat does the animal need?  What does it eat?  How often should it be handled? How BIG will it grow?  Colorful photographs and fact boxes help to engage kids who are taking this first step toward pet ownership.

Keeping Unusual Pets is another great series for helping kids understand the responsibilities of owning not-so-common pets, including snakes and lizards.  A bit more advanced than the My Pet series, these titles explain the pros and cons of owning a snake or a lizard, the emotional side of owning a pet, and how to choose the right animal and care for it.

By the time Alex was 13, he was providing all the care for his reptiles—oh yes, you saw the plural suffix (a Kenyan sand boa, a ball python, a leopard gecko, and a blue-tongued skink).  And about that time, my younger son, Nathan, started asking, “Mom, can I have a bird?”

But that might have to be another post.

Bibliography:

Anacondas (Wild About Snakes) by Megan Kopp. 2011.

Black Mambas (Wild About Snakes) by Melanie A. Howard. 2011.

Boa Constrictors (Wild About Snakes) by Melanie A. Howard. 2011.

Cobras (Wild About Snakes) by Megan Kopp. 2011.

Garter Snakes (Wild About Snakes) by Heather L. Montgomery. 2011.

Gecko (My Pet) by Rennay Craats. 2010.

Iguana (My Pet) by Elizabeth Simon. 2011.

Kingsnakes (Wild About Snakes) by Heather L. Montgomery. 2011.

Lizards by Nic Bishop. 2010.

Lizards (Keeping Unusual Pets) by Peter Heathcote. 2010.

Pythons (Wild About Snakes) by Dianna Dorisi-Winget. 2011

Rattlesnakes (Wild About Snakes) by Heather L. Montgomery. 2011.

Snake (My Pet) by Rennay Craats. 2011.

Snakes (Keeping Unusual Pets) by Sonia Hernandez-Divers. 2010.

Blogger:  Tracey L

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