If you've ever wondered why glaciers matter, this is the book to read. It gives a succinct introduction to the roles of glaciers in our world and the ways that scientists are studying them. The text is quite accessible, with a kid friendly vocabulary. Pages emphasize photographs more than text, so it's a quick read that provides a quick introduction to the concepts. This is a good choice for elementary age readers.
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I've been working to use up some of my extra yarn this winter. I had a variegated skein that I bought somewhere on sale but didn't have a plan to use. So I made this hat with attached scarf from a pattern I found in an old magazine. The last section (dark blue) came from another skein after the first ran out to make the scarf long enough to be usable.
Early education about the Civil Rights Movement tends to focus on MLK, Rosa Parks, and school integration. Voting rights are mentioned but typically only in passing. This book sets out to give young readers more information. While the text is simple and succinct, it gives a clear picture of the state of voting before Freedom Summer, the dangers and methods faced, and why voting matters. While none of the topics are explored in much depth, it does lay out the facts in a way that is easily understood.
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No joke, I was one of those kids who found the experience of watching "Dead Poets Society" deep and transformative, so when a book is billed as the modern version of that film I'm going to be there reading it. So let's give this one a listen and see if the story of a teenage boy finding a college mentor lives up to the hype.
First, a word of warning: if you find excessive use of the word "bro" annoying, this is not the book for you. Expect a "bro" in most every panel. That minor annoyance aside, this is a fun collection of stories. It's not deep but if you like quirky team adventures (think Fry Guys, Narwhal and Jelly, Rutabaga the Adventure Chef) then give BroBots a read. The stories are simple and easy to follow with a dose of accessible humor. They can be enjoyed by both small children and adult companions. And since it is a collection of stories, it can be read in small doses.
I'm a known fan of the Science Comics series, so when I saw a history themed comic series I was intrigued. And this book does not disappoint. This is no surface history. It digs deep into the musical and cultural influences. It looks at influential figures and how the social climate affected the development of hip-hop. It is quite text heavy, so this isn't a lazy read by any means. But if you have even a passing interest in hip-hop or in the changes in musical genres over time, this is well worth the effort to read.
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Author: Marcykate Connolly and Kathryn Holmes
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: The Bigfoot Files by Lindsay Eagar
Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage
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Summary (provided by publisher): Cat knows aliens are real, and she’s determined to prove it. By studying the Weston Farm Circles, her town’s legendary crop circle phenomenon, she’ll not only demonstrate the existence of extraterrestrial life, but also win the grand prize in the McMurray Youth Science Competition—a feat she’s sure will impress her distant NASA scientist father.
Dani most certainly does not believe in aliens. How can she, when they go against every scientific principle she’s been taught? So when Dani is paired with Cat to enter the McMurray Youth Science Competition—which she has to win to avoid going to her parents’ artsy summer camp—she knows she’s at a disadvantage. Her solution? Disprove Cat’s theory, of course . . . without telling her partner her true intentions.
But as the girls bond over science, it becomes clear that there is something strange about the Weston Farm Circles. And when Dani and Cat’s project is threatened by suspicious forces, they’ll have to work together to expose the truth, once and for all.
My opinion: This book uses diverse elements to strong effect. It balances personal issues (primarily that of parental expectations and social challenges in middle school) with science, belief, and skepticism. Cat and Dani may be of different opinions when it comes to aliens but their approach to their experiment is always grounded in good science. Readers will recognize the elements and steps of a good study in their exploration of their topic. While the conspiracy elements go pretty far afield, the heart of the book is grounded and realistic and makes for compelling reading.
More information: The Thirteen Circle releases January 30.
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