Archive for November, 2012

A Cosmic Perspective

November 29, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Reviews, Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have previously posted here about a couple of topics that are of great interest to me; how we are seemingly losing our connection to nature, and the wonder of space.  I have come across some great science books that suggest a “melding” of those two things that in this post I have dubbed, “A Cosmic Perspective”.  I believe children and adults alike sometimes fail to see the connection we all have to the world (and universe) around us. I don’t know the origin of the “Cosmic Perspective” phrase, but I borrow it from one of my favorite contemporary scientists…Neil DeGrasse Tyson.  He is the Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, and one of the more personable science advocates out there.  He often talks about the “big picture”, which he refers to the Cosmic Perspective.  He defines it on his website as many things, a few of which are most pertinent to my blog post:

  • The cosmic perspective shows Earth to be a mote, but a precious mote and, for the moment, the only home we have.
  • The cosmic perspective finds beauty in the images of planets, moons, stars, and nebulae but also celebrates the laws of physics that shape them.
  • The cosmic perspective opens our minds to extraordinary ideas but does not leave them so open that our brains spill out, making us susceptible to believing anything we’re told.

Here are some great new titles for all ages that will help you understand and appreciate the universe, perhaps from a new perspective:

A Black Hole is NOT a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano and Michael Carroll (ill.). February 2012. 9781570917837. Gr. 5-8.

Understanding the concepts of physics and astronomy is sometimes difficult, but luckily we have titles such as this one by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, a science education consultant.  She, along with illustrations by Michael Carroll, gives great examples that make it easier to visualize the concept of black holes, since we would be “spaghetti-fied*” if we actually visited one (*An actual scientific term…see page 51!).  DeCristofano compares a black hole to a whirlpool to explain how a black hole works, pulling in everything that strays too close.  She follows this up with chapters on gravity, black hole creation, properties, and location within our cosmic “neighborhood”.  Complete with other goodies like sidebars, a timeline, glossary, and more, this is an essential addition to your collection.

The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch. June 2012. 9780547478814. Gr. 4-8

It is easy to feel connectedness to Earth, since we can walk outside and use all of our senses to explore it.  But, for all of us who aren’t astronauts, we will always be tethered to Earth.  Fortunately, the good people at NASA are helping us experience space by their incredible photos of the universe, and their missions into space.  The Mighty Mars Rovers chronicles the amazing journey of Spirit and Opportunity on their journey to Mars and the exploration they have done on the Red Planet.  This book centers on the mission’s lead scientist, Steve Squyres.  Squyres lead a vast team of brilliant scientists that took the mission from concept to reality, despite so many obstacles along the way.  For example, the rovers endured getting stuck in a deep crater, trapped in a sandy soil up to its hubcaps, a global dust storm, and more.  Despite all of this, the rovers remained functional far beyond what scientists expected.  They thought they would be returning data to Earth for three months, and they are still going strong after six years! This is an amazing tale of science, perseverance, ingenuity, and adventure.

You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey and Kim Soyeon (ill.). September 2012. 9781926973357. PS-1.

This summary of this picture book begins with the declaration, “Kids are nature.” This is followed by the idea that the elements that make up our body were created when a star exploded.  This poetic concept matches the poetic text of the book, and is beautifully paired with diorama-style artwork. An author’s note at the end of the book assures readers that all of the concepts outlined are firmly rooted in science, and encourages readers to visit the publisher’s website, where there are more details on this, as well as lesson plans for educators, crafts, and more.  This book is a wonderful celebration of life and our connectedness to nature.

You Are A Star by Michael Parker and Judith Rossell (ill.). September 2012. 9780802728425. K-2.

Although this has a very similar-sounding title as the one above, the tone is quite different.  You Are A Star uses the same premise that part of the universe is inside of us all, but also features the reassuring theme that darkness is not scary, it is the “cradle from which you came.”  Its title and opening pages cleverly plays upon words and explains that, while children may aspire to be a sports star or movie star, they are already a star, in the cosmic sense.  This is a great title to read aloud to youngsters to allay fears about darkness and encourage children to feel connected to our universe.

Blogger: Ryan H.

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Book Review: Moo Hoo

November 26, 2012 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , ,

Moo Hoo by Candace Ryan and Mike Lowery (ill.). April 2012. 9780802723376. Gr. PS-K

Last fall, I posted How to Make Friends, which featured advice from a few picture books for little kids looking for play-mates.  As the mom of a four-year-old, I was particularly interested in gently encouraging my daughter to play nicely with her peers.   Now that my daughter is attending preschool with a whole class full of other kids, I feel like friendship has only gotten more complicated.

That’s where Moo Hoo comes in. In this book, you can see that two isn’t too hard—especially if you have something in common.  Cow and Owl both love superheroes, they like to make music, and they are pretty good as cooperating to fix broken toys.  They are best friends.   But when Kangaroo shows up, Cow and Owl don’t really know what to do.  Kangaroo seems to like the same things they like, but they look the other way when Roo tries to play with them.

Of course, three isn’t so bad, and in the end Cow, Owl, and Roo form the “New True Crew.”  It’s a simple story primarily told with sound words that manage to convey a great deal of emotion and create a fun tongue twister for parents and teachers who attempt to read it aloud.    The team behind Ribbit Rabbit have created another wonderful ode to friendship that will be perfect for your littlest listeners who are still working out the social intricacies of their world.

Not to mention, these little animals are adorable.  Check out the crew, and color them too! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. :)

You might also be interested in exploring these character education titles with your children or students to talk about getting along.

Blogger: Mindy R.

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This Book Is for Everyone: Embracing Diversity within Identity

November 23, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , , , ,

We all know that there are very good books out there that depict characters of diverse backgrounds, making it easier to reach out to the kids we know from diverse backgrounds. But finding those titles and including them only on displays or in themes entitled Diversity is a disservice both to the books and to kids.

Books featuring characters of color, characters with disabilities, or LGBT characters belong in standard collections, thematic units of study, and in the hands of all readers—not only in those of the communities they represent.

Here are some new titles that deserve to be read—and not only by the young people they represent.

Black Boy White School by Brian Walker chronicles a powerful year in the life of Anthony Jones, a streetwise and academically able 14-year-old growing up in a gritty neighborhood in East Cleveland. After finding that he has been awarded a full scholarship at Belton Academy, an overwhelmingly white prep school in Maine, “Ant” witnesses the horrific murder of a close friend and decides to go, despite reservations about leaving home and entering a daunting new environment. During Anthony’s freshman year, he grapples with racism and socioeconomic tensions as he struggles with his own identity. A thoroughly likeable character caught in two difficult worlds, Anthony has a lot to share. Rough language and violence underscore Walker’s important story.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills and I Am J by Cris Beam share a similar premise—both protagonists are young men who were born in girls’ bodies. In Beautiful Music, Gabe (born Elizabeth) has a passion for music and a part-time night DJ gig at a community radio station. His show—Beautiful Music for Ugly Children—attracts some local attention—mostly good, but also a couple of hateful young men bent on destroying Gabe. With the support of his friends, Gabe finds a way to pave a future for himself.

In I am J, Cris Beam draws on her experiences as a teacher at an LGBT high school in Los Angeles to tell the story of J, who was born as Jennifer. While he is living as a girl, J feels alienated from his family and friends, but he knows that they wouldn’t accept him as a boy. He feels trapped and running away seems like the only answer, which is a common choice among LGBT youth. J finds help in a high school similar to the one in which the author taught, where he learns about transitioning, starts to build a support system, and finally begins to feel comfortable in his own skin. Teen readers may find that they relate to J’s outsider status and his frustration with labels that don’t quite fit, even if they have no experience with transgender individuals.

Include the above titles in an Identity theme or unit—inclusive of everyone—encouraging students to tackle questions such as, “How do you know when you have found your place in the world?” and “How and why do people change?” And challenge kids to try books featuring characters unlike themselves!

Bibliography of Titles for Identity Theme:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. 9780316013680. 2007. Gr 9-12.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. 9780738732510. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Black Boy White School by Brian Walker. 9780061914836. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston. 9780763661465. March 2013. Gr 9-12.

The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau. 9780399158452. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. 9780439357623. 2002. Gr 7-12.

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick. 9780316127974. 2012. Gr 7-12.

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt. 9780375846915. 2007. Gr. 8-12.

Carly’s Voice: Breaking through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann. 9781439194140. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White by Lila Quintero Weaver. 9780817357146. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Dead to You by Lisa McMann. 9781442403888. 2012. Gr 10-12.

Double by Jenny Valentine. 9781423147145. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Flip by Martyn Bedford. 9780385908085. 2011. Gr 9-12.

I Am J by Cris Beam. 9780316053617. 2011. Gr 9-12.

Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde. 9780375866654. 2010. Gr 10-12.

The List by Siobhan Vivian. 9780545169172. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena. 9780385903295. 2008. Gr 9-12.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth. 9780062020567. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Guestblogger:  Lori C.

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My Favorite Fictional Teachers

November 19, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , ,

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and in thinking about what I am grateful for this year, I keep coming back to teachers.  I’m grateful for all the teachers at my daughter’s school for the work they do both in and out of the classroom. I’m grateful for the teachers I had as a child who prepared me for college and my eventual career choice.  I am also grateful for my favorite fictional teachers who never let me forget that a good teacher can change your life.

Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind by Valerie Hobbs. August 2012. 9780374324964. Gr. 4-8

Minnie has had enough change in her life lately.  Her dad lost his job at a law firm, and now the family has had to move from California to New Mexico, where Minnie is starting middle school with no friends.  Her uncle is back from being deployed in Iraq, but he is different now.  He spends all of his time in the basement building some kind of model helicopter.  All Minnie wants is to stay out of the spotlight at her new school, to do her work and get through the year without drawing too much attention to herself.  But Miss Marks’ language arts class is different.  Miss Marks encourages her students to express themselves and ask questions even when the topics get controversial, and soon there is controversy about Miss Marks herself.  I couldn’t help but cheer for Minnie as she stood up for her favorite teacher.

Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes. May 2012. 9780763653125. Gr. 9-12

Paige’s entire life has been focused on one thing: being a Homecoming Princess in her senior year of high school.  It’s what she’s always wanted.  That’s what her mother says anyway.  After a huge mistake changes everything, Paige starts her senior year on the outs with her friends, not sure where she stands with her boyfriend, and searching for who she really wants to be. She signed up for a creative writing class assuming it would be an easy A, but Mr. Tremont challenges and inspires Paige to see a life beyond the here and now of high school, beyond mistakes she has made, and beyond her preconceptions about people.  I appreciated this look at prejudice and self discovery set in a small town.

These both happen to be language arts teachers, but I have also loved Ms. Shepherd the science teacher  in Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande, Miss Pointy the 5th grade teacher in Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell, and of course, Miss Honey from Matilda.

Who are your favorite teachers (fictional or otherwise)?

Blogger: Mindy R.

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Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone

November 15, 2012 · Filed under Graphic Novel, High School, Middle School (6-8), Reviews · Tagged , , , , , ,

I am always amazed at the diversity and sheer number of good books that are out there.  If you are anything like me, your “To-Read” list is so large it would take a couple of lifetimes to get through it.  Despite this choice and diversity, I tend to gravitate toward one or two favorite types/genres/styles of books, even when I know I should expand my horizons a bit.

Here, I set out to change that.

I admit it…I don’t “get” graphic novels.  Sure, as a kid, I read the occasional comic book, but it was really the bottle of soda part of the Sunday drugstore outing that I was really interested in.  However, the allure and popularity of graphic novels is undeniable, and I feel that I am missing something.  So, here is my first installment of Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone…

It can be intimidating trying to find out where to start, and I wanted to make sure I was starting with good titles.  So I researched and read reviews, and came up with just a few titles that sounded interesting to get me started.  Here are my thoughts:

Mangaman by Barry Lyga (ill. by Colleen Doran). 2011. 9780547423159. Gr. 7-12.

Barry Lyga is one of my favorite young adult authors.  (I reviewed his latest YA novel, I Hunt Killers here) When I saw that he had authored a graphic novel, I knew I had to check it out.  In reading the summary of Mangaman, it talked about how Lyga has created a funny “metafictive masterpiece” that pokes fun of the manga genre.

I did find Mangaman to be funny and inventive.  Ryoko Kiyama is flung into our world through a tear in the fabric of reality.  He looks and acts like a character in a manga book, so he obviously has a hard time fitting in.  (His eyes turn to hearts when he sees a pretty girl, he trails “speed lines” when he moves quickly, etc.)  He is here on Earth learning about our culture while a government scientist tries to complete a machine that will return him to his world of manga.  This gets more complicated when he meets the school’s prettiest and most popular girl, and has to choose between her world and his. (Note: there is a brief moment of sexuality in this book, and although it is presented in a rather innocuous, lighthearted way, I would recommend this title for older readers).

Olympians series by George O’Connor:

Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess. 2010. 9781596436497. Gr. 5-8.

Hades: Lord of the Dead. 2012. 9781596437616. Gr. 5-8.

Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory. 2011. 9781596437241. Gr. 5-8.

Zeus: King of the Gods. 2010. 9781596436251. Gr. 5-8.

I recently read the brilliant novel, Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller.  It is a retelling of the Trojan War from Patroclus’ perspective, and it rekindled my interest in mythology and folklore.  I came across the Olympians graphic novel series, and decided to check it out.

Each book in this series focuses on a key figure in mythology: Zeus, Athena, Hera, and Hades.  Secondary characters are highlighted as well, as they weave in and out of the lives of the main character.  For example, the story of Hades is told through the life of Kore and her mother Demeter.  Kore is kidnapped by the Lord of the Underworld, and eventually becomes Persephone, Queen of the Underworld.

In my opinion, the graphic novel format is ideal for this topic.  I always had trouble keeping the Greek/Roman names straight, as well as what the characters were known for.  These titles memorably lay this out in a visual and very entertaining way.  After all, the Greek gods were the first superheroes!  This series would be a great supplement to any lesson or discussion about mythology. Each title includes a family tree of the main players, discussion guide, bibliography, and in-depth notes/references.

Conclusion:  While I have only dipped my toe into the sea of graphic novels, I must say that I am impressed.  The creativity and artistry is magnificent, and some stories are just better told visually. I think that the Olympians series is particularly exceptional, and it has caused me to look for other titles about mythology.  I have to confess that I was going to include a review of a traditional Japanese manga title here, but I just didn’t care for it enough to justify a review.  Perhaps manga will be featured in another installment of Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone!

Blogger: Ryan H.

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Kate DiCamillo Contest Winners!

November 12, 2012 · Filed under Contest · Tagged

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!  We loved reading about all of your connections to Kate DiCamillo’s books.  We used Random.org to choose the winners from among the commenters.  Without further ado, here are the lucky winners:

  • Grand Prize goes to Margo Jantzi!  You will receieve a complete set of DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series along with two adorable Mercy Watson plush toys, and a tote bag.
  • Second prize goes to Rhonda P!  You will receive an autographed special edition of Because of Winn-Dixie along with a Winn-Dixie plush toy.
  • Third prize goes to Kathy Evanilla!  You will receive an autographed special edition of Because of Winn-Dixie and a Bink & Gollie T-shirt.

Margo, Rhonda, and Kathy: Please email us at booksinbloom@mackin.com with your mailing address, so we can send out your prizes.

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Funny Picture Book Read Alouds

November 12, 2012 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , ,

I’ve written several times about how I enjoyed reading aloud to my boys when they were little and to my daycare kids, and how they loved being read to.  These funny picture books will be enjoyed by all—and I picked them for their appeal to adults as well. They are the perfect marriage of text and illustrations—with much of the story and the humor communicated through the pictures.  Each will work great for one-on-one reading, or reading to a small group, or as a classroom read-aloud.

Dog in Charge by K.L. Going (ill. by Dan Santat). 2012. 9780803734791. Gr PK-2.

Dog is a good Dog. A smart Dog. The very best Dog.  He sits, stays, and even dances on command—and is rewarded with yummy dog treats.  When the family leaves for the store, he is in charge of the five cats.  Or is he?  The cats don’t sit and they don’t stay.  Soon every room in the house is a mess, and Dog is in despair.  He is not a good dog or a smart dog—and there will be no yummy treats in his future.  Collapsing to the floor to think, he falls asleep.  But these cats really do love their dog, and they don’t want him to get in trouble.  By the time the family gets home, Dog is once again the very best Dog.  And the cats?  They are “good cats. Smart cats. The very best cats.”

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen. 2012. 9780763655990. Gr PK-2.

“This hat is not mine. I just stole it,” admits a tiny fish sporting a tiny hat.  He goes on to tell us that the hat belongs to a big fish that was sleeping, and reasons that the big fish probably won’t wake up for a long time, and if he does wake up, he probably won’t even notice his missing hat, and if he does notice, he won’t know who took it, and if he does, he won’t know where the thief is going.  But the reader sees that the rationale isn’t holding up—the big fish does wake up, and he does notice his missing hat, and he does know who took it, and so on.  The little fish swims into the tall plants that grow close together, thinking that no one will find him.  Kids will know, however, that the little fish is about to get his comeuppance…and the big fish will get his hat.

A Birthday for Bear by Bonnie Becker (ill. by Kady MacDonald Denton). 2012. 9780763658236. Gr PK-2.

It is Bear’s birthday, but he refuses to acknowledge it.  He always keeps very busy on his birthday, dusting and sweeping and mopping and scrubbing.  But Mouse is determined that Bear will celebrate his birthday.  When a fake party invitation doesn’t work, he pretends to be a balloon deliveryman, and then a postman with a birthday card.  He even tries coming down the chimney dressed in a red Santa suit and carrying a present.  Finally Bear cries out, “I DO NOT LIKE BIRTHDAYS!”  But can he really resist that present?  This fourth Bear and Mouse picture book is just as charming as the others, and the fusion of text and illustrations is as delicious as Bear’s birthday cake.

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds (ill. by Peter Brown). 2012. 9781442402973. Gr PK-2.

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, especially the fat, crisp ones that grow freely in Crackenhopper Field.  He stops whenever he can to pick some and eat them.  He can’t get enough of them—until creepy carrots start following him home.  He sees their threatening forms everywhere…but no one else does.  Finally Jasper has an idea:  those creepy carrots can’t get him if they can’t get out!  So he builds a thick wall around the field, and surrounds it with a moat filled with crocodiles.  He heads home, assured that those creepy veggies will never get out.  The carrots?  They are cheering because Jasper will never get back IN! This silly-scary book is great for kids who don’t want their scary books too scary.

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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Common Core and the Language Arts Classroom

November 8, 2012 · Filed under Biography, High School, History, Memoir, Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Social Studies · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lately, whenever the topic of the Common Core State Standards comes up in conversations with educators, I don’t typically see enthusiastic responses. Everyone knows about the standards and understands that they mean a shift in teaching. Most educators have heard that Common Core calls for a higher level of rigor and more nonfiction. Some are making the shift from novel units to thematic units, teaching texts in the context of other texts. But what lots of people don’t know is that the development of the standards has paralleled the unveiling of really awesome books. Here is just a taste.

Middle School

The Giant and How He Humbugged America by Jim Murphy. 2012. 9780439691840. Gr 5-8.

The Giant and How He Humbugged America is a historical narrative about the discovery in 1869 of an over-sized petrified man and how it led to a series of scandalous claims and money-making scams. The engrossing story hooks the reader from the beginning. With chapter titles, photos and illustrations, primary documents, and detailed post-text material on other famous hoaxes, the author’s research, notes, and bibliography, this book supports the kind of reading that Common Core articulates. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Duped!: True Stories of the World’s Best Swindlers by Andreas Schroeder.2011. 9781554513505. Gr 4-7.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum by Candace Fleming. 2009. 9780375945977. Gr 5-8.

Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter. 2007. 9780060775704. Gr 5-7.

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker. 2011. 9780805089455. Gr 5-8.

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 is a riveting account of a little-known event in Canadian history. Fascinating background information about Halifax, the French ship Mont-Blanc and her journey, and several families directly affected by the incident set up the chain of events leading to the explosion in Halifax Harbour. The rich text, photographs, maps, diagrams, primary documents, source notes, and bibliography support Common Core recommendations for text quality and rigor. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson. 2012. 9780545116749. Gr 4-8.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong. 1998. 9780375810497. Gr 7-12.

Shackleton’s Stowaway by Victoria McKernan. 2006. 9780440419846. Gr 6-9.

Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck by Margarita Engle. 2011. 9780805092400. Gr 6-10.

Classics such as Theodore Taylor’s The Cay. 1969. 9780385079068. Gr 5-8.

The Brontë Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne by Catherine Reef.  2012. 9780547579665. Gr 6-8.

The Brontë Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne is a chapter-by-chapter account of the lives of England’s most famous literary sisters. This family biography introduces young readers to these celebrated authors of poetry and fiction. A section at the end of the book features the titles of their complete works, including letters, correspondence, and childhood writings. Complement this book with supporting titles such as Church, Countryside, City, and Victoria and Her Court—the titles in the Benchmark Books’ Life in Victorian England series by Virginia Schomp (2010-11, Gr 6-10), and classics such as Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg. 2012.  9780802798183. Gr 5-8.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous describes the deaths of 19 of history’s most famous personalities. Each entry features basic information about the person in question, along with detailed and intriguing information about his or her death and remains. Following the chapter is a spread with great related information that middle schoolers will find fascinating (i.e., Things to do with Old Mummies; Boneyard Words; The Guillotine) in short bullet points, timelines, graphs, lists, and charts. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Death: Corpses, Cadavers, and Other Grave Matters by Elizabeth Murray. 2010. 9780761338512. Gr 6-9.

Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora. 2008. 9780142411834. Gr 7-10.

Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg. 2012. 9780385904698. Gr 6-8.

Good Night, Commander by Ahmad Akbarpour. 2010.  9780888999894. Gr 5-8.

High School

Earth Wars: The Battle for Global Resources by Geoff Hiscock. 2012. 9781118152881. Gr 11-Adult.

Earth Wars: The Battle for Global Resources argues that the scarcity of key resources—food, water, energy, and metals—will shape the future of the earth and society. Hiscock explores the problems and possible solutions that could arise as the powers with ownership of these resources face off against one another. The writing is clear and concise and is accompanied by maps, charts, notes, sidebars, quotes, and a bibliography. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Earthgirl by Jennifer Cowan. 2010. 9780888998897. Gr 9-12.

47 Things You Can Do for the Environment by Lexi Petronis. 2012. 9780982732212. Gr 7-12.

The documentary Climate Refugees: The Human Face of Climate Change directed by Michael Nash. The Video Project. 2011. Gr 9-Adult.

Yellow Dirt: An American Story of a Poisoned Land and a People Betrayed by Judy Pasternak. 2011. 9781416594826. Gr 10-Adult.

Yellow Dirt: An American Story of a Poisoned Land and a People Betrayed explores a time in history when the U.S. government’s push for nuclear weapon capability led to brazen disregard for the Navajo people living and working where the uranium was mined. Knowing about the health risks related to uranium exposure, mining companies employed hundreds of Navajo workers, while the government failed to regulate the mines. Contaminated lands, along with high cancer and birth defect rates, were the result, but no effort was made to clean up the mess or compensate the Navajo Nation until decades later. The book begins with a handy list of “Principal Characters” and ends with an up-to-date afterword and includes photographs, primary source material, and detailed notes. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats by Kristen Iversen. 2012. 9780307955630. Gr 10-Adult.

Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac. 2006. 9780803729216 Gr 7-12.

Native Universe: Voices of Indian America by Gerald McMaster. 2008. 9781426203350. Gr 9-Adult.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. 2009. 9780316013680. Gr 9-12.

Andrew Jenks: My Adventures as a Young Filmmaker. March 2013. 9780545417273. Gr 9-12.

Andrew Jenks: My Adventures as a Young Filmmaker is the autobiographical story of the man behind MTV’s World of Jenks—a documentary series in which he spends time with a variety different people as they pursue their lives and dreams. The visually engrossing book narrates Jenks’s early rise as a filmmaker (he is now 26). “I want to tell the stories of my generation. I want to be a filmmaker that is able to capture what my generation thinks, how they act, and what they ultimately stand for,” says Jenks. Complement this book with supporting titles such as these:

Making Film History: Rewrite, Reshoot, and Recut the World’s Greatest Films by Robert Gerst. 2012. 9781615931224. Gr 9-Adult.

The documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner. 2008. 9780767085977. Gr 7-Adult.

Reel Culture: 50 Classic Movies You Should Know About (So You Can Impress Your Friends) by Mimi O’Connor. 2009. 9780981973319. Gr 10-Adult.

Guestblogger: Lori C.

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In the Sea: Exploring the Ocean in Books

November 5, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Mackin Picks, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Earlier this year, I blogged about the Sylvia Earle biography for kids by Claire A. Nivola and how inspiring Earle’s love of the sea was to me. For the young readers in your libraries who may have felt similarly after reading Life in the Ocean, here are more books that will take them under the sea.

Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas by Molly Bang. May 2012. 9780545273220. Gr. K-2

It all starts with the sun.  We learned about photosynthesis in Molly Bang’s Living Sunlight, and she expands on that in this book as she explains that everything is connected to the sun, even under the ocean.  Bang simplifies the text in a way that makes the science accessible to young readers and provides more information in the notes.  She even acknowledges  that the subject is much more vast than the generalizations she includes in the book, which just may inspire young science enthusiasts to do more research!

City Fish, Country Fish  by Mary Cerullo. May 2012. 9780884483236. Gr. 2-5

In the spirit of the classic story “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse,” Mary Cerullo compares a fish’s life in the bustling tropical seas to life in the comparatively quieter cold oceans.  The vivid photographs in this book are sure to attract browsers, and the fascinating comparisons between city fish and country fish will draw readers into the text.  I gave this title the “Mackin Pick” flower because it caught everyone’s attention here in the office.  I think all the librarians in the department read it—or at least paged through it to look at the photographs.  It really is quite beautiful.  I’m sure your students will be drawn to it just as much as we were! :)

I’m Not a Plastic Bag by Rachel Hope Allison. April 2012. 9781936393541. Gr. K-8

This visual allegory follows a plastic bag on its journey to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is portrayed as a monster.  It seems friendly, but it proves deadly for animals that get too close.  All it wants is someone to notice it, to pay attention.  Allison has created a beautiful wordless story that will be of interest to kids, teens, and adults.  Teachers may want to share it as part of an environmental unit or to talk about ocean currents—perhaps pair it with Tracking Trash by Loree Griffin Burns.  Readers are sure to be more aware of how their actions connect to the ocean and the importance of reducing waste thanks to this book.

No matter how far from the ocean you may be, these books will immerse readers in ocean life, but don’t stop there!  Here are even more great books to take you to the sea:

Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea by Helaine Becker. January 2012. 9781554537464. Gr. 4-6

Far From Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage by Sophie Webb. 2011. 9780618597291. Gr. 4-6

Make a Splash!: A Kid’s Guide to Protecting Our Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers by Cathryn Berger Kaye. October 2012. 9781575424170. Gr. 4-6

Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems by Kate Combs. March 2012. 9780811872843. Gr. PS-3

Wow! Ocean! by Robert Neubecker. 2011. 9781423131137. Gr. PS-2

Blogger: Mindy R.

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Kate DiCamillo Contest

November 2, 2012 · Filed under Contest, Easy Readers, Fiction, Humor, Intermediate (3-5), Novels, Primary (K-2), Realistic · Tagged , , , ,

  We here at Mackin are big fans of Kate DiCamillo and her body of work.  Whenever a new book comes out, we fight over who gets to read the ARC first!  We love her so much, we interviewed her for our latest Compendium!  Check out the interview here.  So we are so excited that Candlewick has provided some wonderful prizes for us to share with our readers!  What are these wonderful prizes?  We thought you’d never ask!

The grand prize winner will receive a complete set of DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series along with two adorable Mercy Watson plush toys, and a tote bag.

The second prize winner will receive an autographed special edition of Because of Winn-Dixie along with a Winn-Dixie plush toy.

The third prize winner will receive also receive an autographed special edition of Because of Winn-Dixie and a fabulous Bink & Gollie T-shirt.

That’s right folks…THREE prizes!  Three chances to win!  All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite Kate DiCamillo book, or if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading her work yet, which book you’ll like to start with.

We’ll announce the lucky winners next Friday!  Good Luck!

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