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Title Wave Order and Reviews Title: America's colonization and settlement : 1585 to 1763 / by Marcia Amidon Lusted. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-282-6 LCCN: 2011-015119 ISBN-10: 1-61080-282-9 Dewey: 973.2 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.4 Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED. School Library Journal (November 1, 2011) Gr 4-6-On the first page of each title, readers learn that their "mission" is to "think like a historian" so that they can learn about the past. Then, unnamed young narrators take family road trips and visit museums and living-history parks and interact, complete with dialogue, with fictional historians and museum staff, who help them discuss and analyze topics. The books close with "Mission Accomplished" summaries and suggestions for further activities. The format and large font limit space for significant background information and details, and the narratives often seem gimmicky, factors that will limit the usefulness of and audience for these books. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Title: The birth of the United States : 1754 to the 1820s / by Linda Crotta Brennan. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-285-7 LCCN: 2011-015122 ISBN-10: 1-61080-285-3 Dewey: 973.3 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 6.7 Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED. School Library Journal (November 1, 2011) Gr 4-6-On the first page of each title, readers learn that their "mission" is to "think like a historian" so that they can learn about the past. Then, unnamed young narrators take family road trips and visit museums and living-history parks and interact, complete with dialogue, with fictional historians and museum staff, who help them discuss and analyze topics. The books close with "Mission Accomplished" summaries and suggestions for further activities. The format and large font limit space for significant background information and details, and the narratives often seem gimmicky, factors that will limit the usefulness of

and audience for these books. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Title: Christopher Columbus / by Mervyn D. Kaufman. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2004, c2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2486-6 LCCN: 2003-015254 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2486-3 Dewey: 970.01 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 3.1 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

Title: Deciduous Forests / On Deck Earth Science Library, Biomes Publisher: Rigby, c2002 ISBN-13: 978-0-7578-2448-7 ISBN-10: 0-7578-2448-X Dewey: 570 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6

Title: Deserts / On Deck Earth Science Library, Biomes Publisher: Rigby, c2002 ISBN-13: 978-0-7578-2449-4 ISBN-10: 0-7578-2449-8 Dewey: 570 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6

Title: Dog tags : a young musician's sacrifice during WWII / Paul Kimpton and Ann Kaczkowski Kimpton. Publisher: GIA Publications, p2012, c2012 FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-329-96141-1 FollettBound ISBN-10: 0-329-96141-1 Original ISBN-13: 978-1-57999-882-0 Original ISBN-10: 1-57999-882-8 Dewey: -FicClassifications:Fiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.2

Title: The extraordinary Mark Twain (according to Susy) / by Barbara Kerley ; illustrated by Edwin Fotheringam. Publisher: Scholastic Press, p2010, c2010 FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-329-83914-7 LCCN: 2009-004752 FollettBound ISBN-10: 0-329-83914-4 Original ISBN-13: 978-0-545-12508-6 Original ISBN-10: 0-545-12508-1

Dewey: -FicClassifications:Fiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.5 Booklist (December 1, 2009 (Vol. 106, No. 7)) Grades 2-5. Two texts run though this unusual book. The first is Kerley’s account of Samuel Clemens’ 13year-old daughter, Susy, who decides to write her father’s biography in her journal. The second is a series of excerpts from that actual biography, neatly printed in scriptlike font with Susy’s misspellings intact. These entries appear on smaller, folded pages, each marked “JOURNAL,” that are tipped into the gutters of this large-format picture book’s double-page spreads. Though a story about someone writing a book sounds a bit static—and it sometimes is—Kerley manages to bring Susy and her famous father to life using plenty of household anecdotes. With a restrained palette and a fine sense of line, Fotheringham’s stylized, digital illustrations are wonderfully freewheeling, sometimes comical, and as eccentric as Susy’s subject. Appended are author’s notes on Samuel and Susy Clemens, tips on writing a biography, a time line, and source notes for quotes. An original. Horn Book (January/February, 2010) At age thirteen, Susy Clemens wrote a biography of her father, Mark Twain, an undertaking that informs this unusual account covering both Susy as biographer and Twain as biographee. Kerley details Susy's process of writing about and observing her father ("She noted his habits. She described his fine qualities. She even described his not-so-fine qualities"), mentioning that Susy would often include primary sources (such as a silly poem he wrote about their donkey) in her biography. Similarly, Kerley also uses primary sources, inserting seven small facsimiles of Susy's journal pages (complete with "frequently desperate" spellings) into the body of the book. Separate fonts represent Kerley's narrative, Susy's direct quotes, and Twain's own words. Fotheringham's muted palette and large, sturdy illustrations provide discreet counterpoint to this complicated design. The target audience may not be familiar with Twain's work for a few more years, and Kerley's author's-note references ("Ernest Hemingway said that 'all modern American literature comes from...Huckleberry Finn'") may be lost on middle-grade readers. The art of writing is not, however, and an appended guide to writing biographies sums up Susy's approach. Backmatter also includes a time line of Twain's life and source notes. Horn Book starred (Fall 2010) Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens's biography of her father informs this account covering both biographer and biographee. Kerley details Susy's process of writing about and observing her father, using primary sources and inserting seven small facsimiles of Susy's journal pages into the book. Fotheringham's muted palette and large, sturdy illustrations provide discreet counterpoint to a complicated design. Timeline.

Title: Ferdinand Magellan / by Mervyn D. Kaufman. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2004, c2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2487-3 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2487-1 Dewey: 910 Interest Level: 3-6 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

LCCN: 2003-015255 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Reading Level: 3.0

Title: Fossils / On Deck Earth Science Library, Earth Rocks Publisher: Rigby, c2002 ISBN-13: 978-0-7578-2441-8 ISBN-10: 0-7578-2441-2 Dewey: 550 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6

Title: The Great Depression and World War II : 1929 to 1945 / by Sheryl Peterson. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-287-1 LCCN: 2011-015124 ISBN-10: 1-61080-287-X Dewey: 973.917 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 6.1 Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED. School Library Journal (November 1, 2011) Gr 4-6-On the first page of each title, readers learn that their "mission" is to "think like a historian" so that they can learn about the past. Then, unnamed young narrators take family road trips and visit museums and living-history parks and interact, complete with dialogue, with fictional historians and museum staff, who help them discuss and analyze topics. The books close with "Mission Accomplished" summaries and suggestions for further activities. The format and large font limit space for significant background information and details, and the narratives often seem gimmicky, factors that will limit the usefulness of and audience for these books. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Title: Half upon a time / by James Riley. Publisher: Aladdin, p2010, c2010 ISBN-13: 978-1-41699-593-7 ISBN-10: 1-41699-593-5 Dewey: -FicInterest Level: 3-6

LCCN: 2010-012714 Classifications:Fiction Reading Level: 5.3

Horn Book (Spring 2011) Jack dislikes princesses. But when one falls out of the sky, he gets swept up into adventure. Jack and Princess May are both related to famous fairy-tale characters, and they encounter other familiar figures on their journey. The lively, humor-filled story is chock-full of action, which keeps the intricate plot moving. An unresolved ending will leave readers eagerly anticipating a sequel. Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2010) This fractured fairy tale features a hip contemporary voice but relies too heavily on relayed history. Opening with a line that captures both context and fabulously sardonic attitude--"Once upon a time, Jack wouldn't have been caught dead in a princess rescue"--Riley quickly establishes his protagonists: Jack, pragmatic but mopey, waiting for any chance to rescue a princess, and May, sporting blue-streaked hair, a cell phone and a Punk Princess T-shirt, who has dropped in from another realm. Jack assumes that May's a princess; May knows only that her grandmother was kidnapped. They set out to rescue grandma, picking up an elegant prince who annoys Jack by being competent. May's voice is more often feistily modern ("Then you went and got eaten! What's that about!?") than stilted (she describes grandma as "[s]o full of life"), but she's positioned within the narrative mainly to be fought over and protected.

Unfortunately, plot twists and revelations all derive their meaning from past events in Jack's world, forcing the text to be so expository that emotional investment never quite catches up. (Fantasy. 8-10) Title: Hernan Cortes / by Thomas Streissguth. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2004, c2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2489-7 LCCN: 2003-015258 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2489-8 Dewey: 972 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 3.9 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

Title: Juan Ponce de Leon / by Marc Tyler Nobleman. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2005, c2005 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2667-9 LCCN: 2003-023421 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2667-X Dewey: 972.9 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 3.5 Horn Book (Spring 2005) This liberally illustrated biography of Ponce de Leon is too brief to provide even a basic outline of his life and the impact of his explorations on the world. Small text boxes labeled "Fact!" are unhelpful because most recount unproven legends about the subject. Relevant maps, photos, and reproductions appear throughout. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. School Library Journal (March 1, 2005) Gr 3-5-These books may be accurate, but they aren't exactly motivating. In short chapters, the authors give children a steady march through the explorers' journeys. Lots of the information is repeated in picture captions, the time line in the back, and the Fast Facts page. Simple maps and a few reproductions or modern photos help break up the monotony of the historical paintings and plodding narratives. The use of "Fact!" boxes makes readers wonder what the rest of the text is conveying and adds to the choppiness of the entire presentation. Going to the recommended Web sites provides deeper knowledge of the subject, but the reading levels there are much higher than in the books. Especially disheartening are the unattractive cover portraits in which not even Leif Eriksson appears exciting or dangerous.-Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Title: Keeper / Kathi Appelt ; illustrated by August Hall. Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, p2010, c2010 ISBN-13: 978-1-41695-060-8 LCCN: 2010-000795 ISBN-10: 1-41695-060-5 Dewey: -FicClassifications:Fiction Interest Level: 5-8 Reading Level: 4.7 Booklist (June 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 19)) Grades 4-7. Rare is the middle-grade book with an epigraph from The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, but that famous poem’s sense of longing is well suited to this thoughtful story. Ten-year-old Keeper lives on the Texas coast with her guardian and a small, close community of people and animals, who have all been looking forward to the next blue moon and the traditions and happiness they expect will come with it. Instead, the community experiences a string of disappointing events, and Keeper, feeling responsible, sails away to find her birth mother, whom she believes is a mermaid capable of making everything right.

After being tossed about by the sea, Keeper makes it safely back to shore, though any growth in her wisdom and awareness that occurs during the story’s 24-hour span is left unclear. Occasional, hazy illustrations add to the mythical mood. A complex plot structure, varying points of view, subtle symbolism, and allusions to classics, from Lewis Carroll’s Alice stories to old sea legends, make for a literary exploration of the search for love and meaning that will absorb and reward patient, thoughtful readers.

Title: Leif Eriksson / by Jason Glaser ; consultant, Roland Thorstensson. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2005, c2005 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2664-8 LCCN: 2003-026618 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2664-5 Dewey: 970.01 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 3.1 School Library Journal (March 1, 2005) Gr 3-5-These books may be accurate, but they aren't exactly motivating. In short chapters, the authors give children a steady march through the explorers' journeys. Lots of the information is repeated in picture captions, the time line in the back, and the Fast Facts page. Simple maps and a few reproductions or modern photos help break up the monotony of the historical paintings and plodding narratives. The use of "Fact!" boxes makes readers wonder what the rest of the text is conveying and adds to the choppiness of the entire presentation. Going to the recommended Web sites provides deeper knowledge of the subject, but the reading levels there are much higher than in the books. Especially disheartening are the unattractive cover portraits in which not even Leif Eriksson appears exciting or dangerous.-Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Title: Lewis and Clark / by Jason Glaser. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2005, c2005 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2665-5 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2665-3 Dewey: 973.4 Interest Level: 3-6 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

LCCN: 2003-026874 Classifications:Collective Biography Nonfiction Reading Level: 3.0

Title: Marco Polo / by Kathleen McFarren. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2004, c2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2490-3 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2490-1 Dewey: 910.4 Interest Level: 3-6 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

LCCN: 2003-015361 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Reading Level: 3.3

Title: Military aircraft of WWI / Ole Steen Hansen ; illustrators, Gerry Haylock ... et al.. Publisher: Crabtree Pub., p2003, c2003 ISBN-13: 978-0-7787-1201-5 LCCN: 2002-156482

ISBN-10: 0-7787-1201-X Dewey: 940.4 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 6.9 Library Media Connection (February 2004) This series will appeal to the reader who has a keen interest in the history of aircraft and in identifying aircraft. Chapters in each title include double page spreads with detailed photos and illustrations of the aircraft in action. The text relates a brief history of the highlighted aircraft and places it in the context of aviation history, but, due to the brevity of the text, the series would not be useful for report writing. However, the detailed artwork would appeal to the student with an interest in aviation or with specific questions about a particular aircraft. Each title concludes with a guide of illustrations and descriptions of each aircraft to aid in identification. Glossary. Index. Additional Selection. Sandra Lee, Teacher/Librarian, Mary Institute, St. Louis (Missouri) Country Day School [Editor's Note: Titles in this series are also available in paperback editions.]

Title: Starting early --a story about a boy and his bugle in America during WWII Publisher: GIA Publications, p2011, c2011 FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-329-96142-8 FollettBound ISBN-10: 0-329-96142-X Original ISBN-13: 978-1-57999-805-9 Original ISBN-10: 1-57999-805-4 Dewey: -FicClassifications:Fiction Interest Level: 3-6

Title: A tale dark & Grimm / Adam Gidwitz. Publisher: Dutton Children's Books, p2010, c2010 ISBN-13: 978-0-525-42334-8 LCCN: 2009-053289 ISBN-10: 0-525-42334-6 Dewey: -FicClassifications:Fiction Interest Level: 5-8 Reading Level: 4.6 Booklist (November 15, 2010 (Vol. 107, No. 6)) Grades 4-7. As if Hansel and Gretel didn’t already have it tough in their original fairy tale, Gidwitz retrofits a handful of other obscure Grimm stories and casts the siblings as heroes. Connecting the dots, he crafts a narrative that has the twins beheaded (and reheaded, thankfully), dismembered, hunted, killed, brought back to life, sent to hell, and a number of other terrible fates en route to their happily ever after. Some adults will blanch at the way Gidwitz merrily embraces the gruesomeness prevalent in the original tales, but kids won’t mind a bit, and they’ll get some laughs out of the way he intrudes on the narrative (“This is when things start to get, well . . . awesome. But in a horrible, bloody kind of way”). The author also snarkily comments on the themes, sometimes a bit too heavy-handedly. The question many readers might have about the Grimms’ tales is perfectly pondered by the long-suffering twins: “Are there no good grown-ups anymore?” Not in these forests, kiddos. Horn Book (January/February, 2011) Instead of the oft-tried technique of expanding a single Grimms' fairy tale into a novel, Gidwitz takes several tales and weaves them together into one darkly humorous chapter book starring Hansel and Gretel. The brother and sister are two of the unluckiest children ever, as they fall into the clutches of a succession of terrible grown-ups, from their father who cuts off their heads to the baker woman who wants to eat them, and even the devil himself. In the bloodiest and most terrifying story, Gretel falls in love with a handsome young man who lures her to his home in the woods where he daily hacks young women to pieces for dinner. The author introduces the stories and interrupts them periodically in passages set off in bold type, speaking directly to the reader in a deliberately modern and informal tone:

'I'm sorry. I wish I could have skipped this part. I really do. Gretel cutting off her own finger?' The commentary can occasionally feel grating, but the combination of powerful stories and grade-school humor will probably introduce Grimm fairy tales to modern children just as Percy Jackson has popularized Greek mythology. SUSAN DOVE LEMPKE Title: The U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction : 1850 to 1877 / by Brian Howell. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-289-5 LCCN: 2011-015126 ISBN-10: 1-61080-289-6 Dewey: 973.8 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.1 Booklist (October 1, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 3)) Grades 3-6. There are lots of books about the Civil War and its aftermath, but this one finds an effective way to get kids involved in the history. Part of the Language Arts Explorer: History Digs series, this compact volume is narrated by an unnamed child, who is helping a museum curator set up a Civil War museum. The first boxes that the narrator unpacks hold documents and exhibits about slavery. Each day, the child learns more about the origins of the war, its battles, and Reconstruction. Through simply told prose in first person, the book provides a great deal of information, presented in ways that kids can understand. It also gives solid background in how research is done. The overarching premise of the introductory chapter—“Your mission is to think like a historian”—gets a bit lost, but the final page includes questions to ponder, ones that work well in the classroom. Photographs and numerous reproductions of historical documents add to the usefulness of this slim book, which concludes with an extensive glossary. Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED.

Title: U.S. growth and change in the 19th century : 1801 to 1861 / by Brian Howell. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-290-1 LCCN: 2011-015127 ISBN-10: 1-61080-290-X Dewey: 973.5 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.9 Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED. School Library Journal (November 1, 2011) Gr 4-6-On the first page of each title, readers learn that their "mission" is to "think like a historian" so that they can learn about the past. Then, unnamed young narrators take family road trips and visit museums

and living-history parks and interact, complete with dialogue, with fictional historians and museum staff, who help them discuss and analyze topics. The books close with "Mission Accomplished" summaries and suggestions for further activities. The format and large font limit space for significant background information and details, and the narratives often seem gimmicky, factors that will limit the usefulness of and audience for these books. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Title: The United States enters the 20th century : 1890 to 1930 / by DeAnn Herringshaw. Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub., p2012, c2012 ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-288-8 LCCN: 2011-015125 ISBN-10: 1-61080-288-8 Dewey: 973.91 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 6.2 Library Media Connection (May/June 2012) Stories in each title are told through the eyes of a student who acts as a historian gathering facts, artifacts, and photographs from interviews, museums, and other locations. A mission is given at the beginning of each book. "Consider This" asks the reader to think about what might have happened if another path had been chosen. Sidebars offer information, "Further Missions" gives the reader more activities. Although the chapters are short, these are good starter books for historical periods. Librarians will want to add these books to their collection as they deal with research, prediction, and creative problem solving. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Sue N. Howard, Educational Reviewer, Memphis, Tennessee. RECOMMENDED. School Library Journal (November 1, 2011) Gr 4-6-On the first page of each title, readers learn that their "mission" is to "think like a historian" so that they can learn about the past. Then, unnamed young narrators take family road trips and visit museums and living-history parks and interact, complete with dialogue, with fictional historians and museum staff, who help them discuss and analyze topics. The books close with "Mission Accomplished" summaries and suggestions for further activities. The format and large font limit space for significant background information and details, and the narratives often seem gimmicky, factors that will limit the usefulness of and audience for these books. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Title: Vasco da Gama / by Kathleen McFarren. Publisher: Capstone Press, p2004, c2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-7368-2491-0 ISBN-10: 0-7368-2491-X Dewey: 910 Interest Level: 3-6 Library Media Connection 10/01/04

LCCN: 2003-015382 Classifications:Biography Nonfiction Reading Level: 4.8

Title: Zebrafish / written by Sharon Emerson ; illustrated by Renee Kurilla. Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, p2010, c2010 ISBN-13: 978-1-41699-525-8 ISBN-10: 1-41699-525-0 Dewey: 741.5 Classifications:Nonfiction Interest Level: 5-8 Reading Level: 2.3

Booklist (March 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 14)) Grades 5-8. Several friends, led by the purple-haired Vita, try to figure out how to make their band work despite the fact that no one knows how to play anything. But when Vita, whose older brother is a cancer researcher, learns that band-member Tanya has leukemia, she begins to wonder how their upcoming performance might be put to a greater good. Emerson’s graphic novel (developed with Peter Reynolds’ FableVision media company) succeeds on several levels: the characters are credibly diverse in personality and appearance, and their individual stories are carefully twisted into a full and complex story arc. Additionally, information about leukemia’s physical toll on a young patient and research methods to combat it are integrated cleanly and without didacticism. Full-color panels vary in size and shape, with scenes moving from the stage to a soda shop to the back corridors of the hospital. Gentler and for a younger crowd than Judd Winick’s Pedro and Me (2000), this bouncy cartoon story nonetheless mines equally serious territory, and stands a good chance of finding wide popularity to boot. Horn Book (Fall 2010) Teenager Vita is trying to start a band called Zebrafish when she learns that one of her group members is undergoing chemotherapy. This leads to to a benefit concert to buy medical equipment that will help her sick friend. Though overtly message-driven (it's good to help others), this graphic novel presents an unusual topic and a likable bunch of characters.

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