Reviews
A noteworthy review of Our Thirteen Colonies from School Library Journal on June 1, 2004
Each book includes a clear, concise discussion of the Native Americans, exploration and settlement, Colonial life, events leading up to the Revolution, and the arguments in each colony’s legislature about ratification of the Constitution. Maps, etchings, prints, portraits, and… View →
A noteworthy review of Kids' Guides from Booklist on May 15, 2004
For children needing to prepare, mentally and otherwise, for first encounters with the Great Outdoors, these upbeat primers to Kids’ Guides to the Outdoors series provide both basic information and a confidence-boosting attitude. Punctuated with color photos of enthusiastic-looking View →
A noteworthy review of Our Thirteen Colonies from Library Media Connection on May 1, 2004
This new series gives a colorful and more politically correct introduction to the history of the early colonies than books published some years ago. Each entry contains a timeline, short glossary, brief list of the colony’s founding fathers, page of Web sites, index, and books and… View →
A noteworthy review of The World of NASCAR from School Library Journal on May 1, 2004
Basic introductions to the lives of NASCAR racers, illustrated with excellent full-color photos of the cars and the personalities. Helmet describes Winston Cup champion Matt Kenseth’s victory in Phoenix, AZ, in 2002. The text relates the strategy and… View →
A noteworthy review of Our Cultural Heritage from Library Media Connection on May 1, 2004
These books each look at life in the old country and reasons for leaving, the ethnic group’s transition to life in America, the descendants’ situation in the U.S. today, and their contributions to American culture. Full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions are… View →
A noteworthy review of Exploring Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures from Booklist on May 1, 2004
These titles in the Exploring Dinosaurs series begin with action-packed scenes that imagine the creatures roaming their ancient forests. Later chapters present facts and speculations about the dinosaurs’ physical characteristics, habits, and finally, their extinction. Vocabulary… View →
A noteworthy review of Scrapbooks of America from Library Media Connection on May 1, 2004
Historical fiction buffs will love this series. This is a first person narrative of what life was like in Harlem during the age of the Harlem Renaissance, primarily the 1920s. Simon Brocade, AKA Shaky Bones, is the young narrator. He is interested in writing… View →
A noteworthy review of Our People from School Library Journal on April 1, 2004
Both biographies have minimal fictionalization of conversation and emotion. Although Kent’s portrayal of these women is idealistic and simplified, the texts are fluid and appropriate for the target audience. Each book contains full-page sidebars that explain relevant topics, for… View →
A noteworthy review of Our People from School Library Journal on April 1, 2004
Common to these titles are brief, but not particularly easy, texts with large, clear type in a cleanly designed format. Relevant facts are scattered throughout the wide margins along with a few full-page sidebars that provide related historical background. In addition, these books… View →
A noteworthy review of Our Galaxy and Beyond from Librarian's Book Review on April 1, 2004
An interesting, fact-filled, introduction on Jupiter for those middle grades. This would be useful for reports or recreational reading. View →
A noteworthy review of Music Makers from Children's Bookwatch on April 1, 2004
Elementary-level schools featuring beginning band and music courses now have the perfect choice to accompany their music programs: a 14 titles series Music Makers which provides overviews of instruments for grades 2-6. Each instrument or class of instruments receives its own bright… View →
A noteworthy review of Journey to Freedom: The African American Library from Library Media Connection on March 1, 2004
Sixteen years after his death, James Baldwin remains one of America’s literary giants and is remembered as a crusader whose legacy of words brought a peaceful change in the Civil Rights Movement. This slender volume traces significant milestones in Baldwin’s life: his… View →