Hi! Fly Guy (Weston Woods) ©2005 by Tedd Arnold

 Hi! Fly Guy. DVD. 7 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47807-6. $59.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-47823-6: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 978-0-545-47822-9: $18.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47806-9: $12.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Fly Guy’s adventures begin with Tedd Arnold’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Cartwheel, 2005), and the sweet series for beginning readers soars to new heights with this outstanding DVD version. Buzz is looking for a smart pet to take to the Amazing Pet Show, and finds one talented fly for his jar. Is it a pest or a pet? Despite the naysayers, Fly Guy proves himself to be one fine flyer and a loyal pet. MacLeod Andrews gives an energetic and varied vocal performance and the animation by Soup2Nuts is hilarious. Best of all, the accompanying music and the Fly Guy song set the scene for a completely satisfying production. Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud’s musical stylings include a sliding clarinet, a guitar, and a harmonica as they steal the show while providing a spot-on match for Fly Guy’s humor and loop-the-loop aerial act. Special effects, from burps to buzzes, further enliven the text. Children will love the DVD and the CD as read-along aids or as pure, joyful entertainment. A delightful interview with the author follows the production. A brilliant marriage of text, art, and music.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

 Show Way. DVD. 12 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47811-3. 59.95. CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47810-6: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0545-47827-4: $29.95.
Gr 2-5–A Show Way was a quilt that had messages stitched into it showing the family’s journey North to freedom, offering hope and a guide for slaves in the South. That theme of “leading the way” is a thread running through Jackqueline Woodson’s carefully woven story (Putnam, 2005). Soonie’s great-grandma was only a child when she was sold away from her parents. The patchwork quilts that she pieced contained clues leading to freedom. She passed her skill and knowledge on to her daughter, and so it went—generation after generation of strong women, each adding their own piece to the patchwork of their family history. From slavery to civil rights to the author’s own daughter, viewers follow this celebration of the guiding influence that strong women can have in a family. Woodson has chosen each word with particular care, and the personal warmth shines through as she reads her own work with a smile in her voice. Hudson Talbott’s amazing multimedia illustrations joyously play on the quilt theme in wonderful spreads of both patterns and history. To see the author’s own child included in the illustrations at the end of a quilted line of strong women, her face the center of the “North Star” pattern, is heart-touching. There is also a brief interview with the author as she talks about her ancestors and the process of writing the story. This is a wonderful homage to the power of knowing your own history and being true to those who have shown you the way to follow your own dreams.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

 Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle. DVD. 86 min. Prod. by the Electron Project. Dist. by Video Project. 2012. ISBN unavail. $89.
Gr 9 Up–The political, social, and cultural dimensions of the campaign to establish the United State’s first offshore wind farm in Massachusetts’ famed Nantucket Sound is chronicled in this excellent program. This debate, which began in 2001 and went on for more than 10 years, is a complex tangle of regional and national political bedfellows, environmentalism, elitism, and localism. From the fisherman to the Kennedys, from Bill Koch to the Native American tribes, from Ken Salazar to Green Peace, the whole spectrum of concerned citizenry expresses their varied points of view—with plenty of inaccuracy and hypocrisy to go around. While there is a pro-clean energy leitmotif throughout the documentary, the directors do depict supporters and detractors with a fair hand. Through a satirical soundtrack and flashy graphic representations, viewers get a fuller sense of all the factors that inform a local campaign with national consequences. It is a humorous study in government process, media spin, grassroots advocacy, and the burgeoning field of eco-capitalism. Cape Spin is highly recommended for use in history, civics, environmental science, or political science classes at the high school, community college, and university level.–Vincent M. Livoti, University of Maine at August

 The Great Unexpected. By Sharon Creech. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2004-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-205-8. $51.75.
Gr 5-7–Two seemingly unique communities are entwined through history and fate in a way that only Sharon Creech can manage in her story (HarperCollins, 2012) about friendship. Naomi Dean, who has a habit of always being around when trouble starts, lives with her guardians in the little town of Blackbird Tree, and is best friends with Lizzie Scatterding, who “could talk the ears off a cornfield.” Things get interesting the day that the charming young Finn boy drops out of a tree and sets in motion some very strange and unexpected events. While the two girls puzzle over his appearance and compete for his attention, two ladies in Ireland are planning a few unusual things of their own. How the author ties all of the characters on both sides of the Atlantic together is slightly contrived, but her hints and clues keep the plot moving smoothly and logically. There are locked trunks, dogs, significant trees, Finns, and black birds in both communities, although the birds are called rooks in Ireland. Heather O’Neill and Erin Moon give each character a delightful and recognizable voice; Naomi’s is sweet and charming, Mrs. Kavanaugh’s is elegant, Mr. Farley and Crazy Cora sound elderly and gruff. Only the sing-song voice of Lizzie sounds out of place and slightly bothersome. As usual, Creech’s language and descriptions are vivid and beautiful. Rich symbolism abounds, and many common threads are woven together at the novel’s conclusion.–MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY

 Necromancing the Stone. By Lish McBride. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 11:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4498-4678-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4498-4679-4. $97.75.
Gr 9 Up–After killing Douglas Montgomery, an evil necromancer, in an act of self-defense, Sam LaCroix inherits all of his property, including his house and James, the pukis or house spirit. Sam also thinks he has absorbed all of Douglas’s ability to raise the dead. He’s struggling with his new powers, dealing with his friend Ramon’s transformation as a werebear, trying to train with his girlfriend Brid’s werewolf brothers, and adjusting to his place on the supernatural Council, when his sister is threatened. Sam knows the person is trying to get to him, and when Brid’s father, Brannick, is murdered, the killer appears to be a necromancer. Sam doesn’t realize that Douglas is back from the dead and, with the help of James, he may finish the job he started with Sam. If Sam can’t prove he didn’t kill Brannick, he may lose the support of the pack and be at the mercy of his worst enemy. In McBride’s witty and sarcastic sequel (2012) to Hold Me Closer Necromancer, (2010, both Holt), Jonathan Todd Ross captures Sam’s witty sarcasm and good-natured vulnerability and Chris Sorensen perfectly voices Douglas’s cold-heartedness. The author carries on with the themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, and adds to this the theme of accepting responsibility. This volume is as darkly hilarious, horrifically suspenseful, and heartbreaking as the first book.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

 Path of Beasts: The Keepers Trilogy, Book 3. By Lian Tanner. 6 CDs. 6:39 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library.Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-71091-8. $34.
Gr 3-6–After their perilous adventure in Spoke in City of Lies (2011), Goldie Roth and her friends have just returned to Jewel and are eager to see their homes and families again in the final title (2012, both Delacorte) in Tanner’s trilogy. Their joyous reunion is interrupted by the discovery that the Fugleman has taken over the city, with a mercenary army as well as his Blessed Guardians to enforce his orders. When the Fugleman brings a canon to the doors of the Museum, its up to Goldie and her friends to save both the Museum and the city, and to defeat the Fugleman once and for all. Their only hope lies at the end of the Beast Road, a path Goldie will walk knowing that no one has ever survived the journey. Fans of the previous titles will relish this thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Claudia Black returns for the final installment, providing the perfect vocal talent. Her smooth, pleasant voice for the third-person narration blends with shifts in pitch and accent for immediately recognizable characters. Not to be missed.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, CA

 Personal Effects. By E.M. Kokie. 8 CDs. 9:08 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0637-0. $54.97.
Gr 9 Up–Matt has had a rough time coping since his brother’s death in Iraq left him alone with his abusive father. When his father tries to keep him from looking through his brother’s personal effects, Matt can no longer just do as he’s told. Convinced that his things will give Matt insight into TJ’s “real” life, Matt secretly defies his father and discovers that his brother had a secret significant other in Wisconsin. Needing to deliver TJ’s final unmailed letter, Matt heads for Madison to seek out C, only to find that there was even more to TJ’s secret than he’d thought. Matt must choose a path for his own future. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps or will he defy him and accept who TJ truly was. Kokie’s stellar debut novel (Candlewick, 2012) is narrated by Nick Podehl who easily captures an unsure teenager’s emotional struggle. As Matt strives to find his own self-worth and uncover his brother’s TJ’s secrets, Podehl draws listeners in and keeps them invested in Matt’s story. He fluidly evokes the wide gamut of emotions that Matt experiences, while still maintaining a sense of underlying grief throughout. The expert narration coupled with a powerful and heartfelt story make this audiobook a must have for all high school and public library collections.–Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA

 Sophia’s War. By Avi. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2043-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2042-3. $66.75.
Gr 5-9–Set in 1776 during the American Revolution when New York was under siege by the British, Avi’s tale (Beach Lane Books, 2012) of resistance features an amazing female protagonist, trials aplenty as she tries to avenge her brother’s death, and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Sophia’s family believes in freedom and desperately wants America to govern itself. Her brother goes off to fight, is captured, and ends up dying in a filthy hold of a British prison boat. John Andre, a charming English officer who is billeted with Sophia’s family, fails to intervene to save her brother. Despite having a schoolgirl crush on Andre, Sophia is conflicted by his failure to save her brother. After witnessing the execution of Nathan Hale, Sophia is determined to help the American cause. Recruited as a spy, she becomes a maid in the home of the commander of the British forces in America. Sophia uncovers some crucial information and sets out to reach West Point before Benedict Arnold can turn it over to the British. Avi’s outstanding text and Angela Goethals’s spot-on narration make the Revolutionary War come alive for listeners, providing a real sense of the time period. A perfect choice for school and public libraries.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

 We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart. By Walter Dean Myers. CD. 33:51 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1112-2. $29.95.
Gr 3 Up–The sweeping scope of Myers’s free verse poems (HarperCollins, 2011) is captured beautifully and interpreted dramatically on this CD by a diverse cast of narrators. This eminently patriotic book celebrates free expression and attempts to paint with word pictures the depth and breadth of the varied American experience. Rarely are all ethnicities given voice in a treatise on American freedom, liberty, and values, but the panorama of people who built America is well represented here. In fact, the book alone, without the CD, falls flat with its oddly-proportioned, crowded murals in a sea of white space. It is only with the soaring music, stirring sound effects, and talented team of multicultural readers that this book’s meaning and powerful purpose come to life. When a Native American voices Tecumseh’s words to the accompaniment of reed flute and eagle flight, listeners understand their intent. From Jimi Hendrix’s guitar riff to the sound of boxes of tea being dumped in Boston Harbor, meaning is enhanced. Not a young child’s picture book, the complicated concepts, vocabulary, and mature images are best for older students. Charles R. Smith Jr.’s book, I Am America (Cartwheel, 2003), is a better fit for earlier grades. Annotated quotations and art notes provide helpful references, as do the author’s and artist’s prefaces. Useful for biography units or civics classes, the chorus of voices, music, and sounds tell the unique story of America and its people in 33 breathless minutes. Truly inspirational.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

 The Barber of the Beasts. Performed by Zak Morgan. CD. 40:26 min. with booklet. Prod. by MyKazoo. Dist. byCD Universe. 2012. ISBN unavail. $9.89.
K-Gr 3–Zak Morgan, a former Grammy Award nominee, presents 13 original songs and one cover on his fourth family music album. With his background in children’s literature, Morgan writes some very clever lyrics for his songs and exhibits a fondness for puns. Having total creative freedom on this project, Morgan has explored classical and orchestral music utilizing violin, viola, cello, upright bass, piano, harmonium, oboe, flute, piccolo, trumpet, tuba, trombone, drums, tubular bells, glockenspiel, and percussion. The songs, in blues, sea shanty, jazz, Western, hard rock, and easy listening musical styles, feature guitars, bass, ukulele, mandolin, esseharpa, accordion, concertina, and harmonium. The instrumental performances are outstanding, as are Morgan’s vocals: his versatile voice handles ultra-smooth and very gravelly tones with equal assurance. “Overture” and “Winter March” are instrumental pieces. “The Barber of the Beasts” and “Minor Miners” are performed in operatic and classical styles, with a boys’ group in the latter that sounds like the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Among the other songs are “First Grade,” “Snow Day,” “The White Shark’s Chum,” “The Case of the Dry Markers,” “Nancy Jane,” “The Cricket & the Coin,” “Mr. E,” “Swinging on a Star,” “Let Me In,” and “Wash My Hands.” The booklet includes a glossary of words from the songs. An excellent and creative production.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

 Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You? Performed by Lyle Cogen. CD. approx.18 min. Prod. byMaZac Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $9.99.
Gr 1-8–This concept album from singer/anti-bullying activist Lyle Cogen challenges kids to determine what role they play each day in school. Two pieces, “Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You?” and “No Put Downs,” are from her one-woman musical play “Sticks and Stones.” Opening with the Latin-infused production number “Bystander,” Cogan shows the bystander’s point of view and encourages the change necessary to become more involved to help those being bullied. “You Ain’t Nothing but a Bully” is a techno-pop/rap about what motivates the bully’s behavior. “Don’t Laugh at Me,” the pop tune/ballad by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, gives the viewpoint of the victim of bullying. With a defiant attitude, Cogen recites the unifying poem for the album, “Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You?” The hip-hop tune “No Put Downs” offers an alternative behavior to bullies. The album closes with the Billy Steinberg/Tom Kelly classic ballad “True Colors,” adapted so it fuses the text to form a pop/rap song to appeal to a wide range of musical interests. Cogen is an impassioned, polished performer. While probably not a golden ticket solution, this could be a very useful tool in combating bullies by encouraging boys and girls to place tags on the various roles and encourage bystanders to speak up.–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

 Ozomatli Presents OzoKids. CD. approx. 37 min. Hornblow Group/Megaforce Records. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.98.
PreS-Gr 3–The Grammy award-winning Los Angeles-based Latin fusion group, Ozomatli, continues to defy being pigeon-holed. Never afraid to try new things, they accepted a challenge from PBS television to shed gang-violence and explicit lyrics and record several education-focused songs. Their new album is aimed at youngsters yet maintains a gritty, urban edge that should have wide appeal. Fusing Latino, hip-hop, reggae, techno pop, and rock, these 14 original tunes will teach youngsters and please grownups, too. The sophisticated and engaging arrangements feature a wide variety of musical styles and instrumentation. “Trees” explains what’s necessary for a tree to grow. “Germs” talks about good and bad germs. “Exercise” espouses its importance and various forms. “Water” lists the many forms it takes. “Pirana” encourages facing fears. Among the catchy numbers are “Moose on the Loose” (a techno rap), “Balloon Fest” (a cha-cha), “Like It’s Your Birthday,” “Let’s Go to the Movies” (features a strong percussion beat), “Spelling” (a fusion-infused spelling lesson), and “Changito” (a high-octane song sure to get kids up and moving). Rock on, Ozo!–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

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The following titles are reviewed in the February 1 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

DVD

Art

Behind the Color Wheel: Using Color in Art and Design. DVD. 24 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-665-1. $109.

Drugs & Alcohol

Performance Enhancing Substances in Sport. DVD. 21 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by VEA. Dist. by Insight Media. 2012. ISBN unavail. $129.

Guidance–General

Before You Hook Up: Dating Rights and Responsibilities. DVD. 22 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-155548-572-6. $149.95.

Children and Divorce: Children Teaching Children About Divorce. DVD. 46:46 min. Professor Child. 2012. ISBN unavail. $34.99.

How to Say NO and Really Mean It. DVD. 20 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-155548-579-5. $149.95.

Guidance–Careers

Do You Have What It Takes? Fashion Design Careers. DVD. 22 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning ZoneXpress. 2012. ISBN unavail. $79.95.

Job Interview Secrets. DVD. 17 min. with tchr’s guide. Prod. by VEA. Dist. by Insight Media. 2012. ISBN unavail. $129.

Health

54321+8 Countdown to Your Health. DVD. 24 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning ZoneXPress. 2012. ISBN unavail. $79.95.

Get Off the SoFAS! Avoiding Solid Fats & Added Sugars.

DVD. 36 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-607-1. $99.

Nutrition Labels: Reading Between the Lines.

DVD. 21 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-619-4. $89.

Pass on the Salt: Shaking the Habit. DVD. 20 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-618-7. $89.

The Top 5 Food Mistakes Most Teens Make and How to Fix Them. DVD. 25 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55548-930-4. $149.95.

Language Arts

Chowder. DVD. 12 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2012. ISBN 1-933938-91-9. $49.95.

Wind Flyers. DVD. 7 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2012. ISBN 1-033938-90-0. $49.95.

Science

The Atomic States of America. DVD. 70 min./90min. Video Project. 2012. ISBN unavail. K-12: $89, public library:  $39.95.

Geologic Journey II, Episode 2: Along the African Rift. DVD. 51 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Prod. by CBC and 90th Parallel Prods. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2010, 2012 release. ISBN 1-93777-229-2. $250.

Social Studies

Families of Italy (Families of the World Series). DVD. 30 min. with tchr’s. guide. Master Communications. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60480-155-2. $29.95.

Audio

Many of these titles are available for download and/or in Playaway format. Check distributors’ websites, playaway.com, and audio download retailers for availability and price.

Language Arts

Ask the Passengers. By A. S. King. 7 CDs. 8:05 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01511-7. $50.

Bear Says Thanks. By Karma Wilson. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-4703-2919-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2918-1. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-4169-5856-7: $16.99.

Burn for Burn. By Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-0759-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-0760-6. $66.75.

Button Down. By Anne Ylvisaker. 3 CDs. 2:56 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0626-4. $54.97.

Fish in the Sky. By Fridrik Erlings. 6 CDs. 6:53 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0630-1. $54.97. 

Flock: Stork Trilogy, Book 3. By Wendy Delsol. 8 CDs. 9:45 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0631-8. $54.97.

The Forgiveness Garden. By Lauren Thompson. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-4703-2982-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-038-3. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-3126-259903: $16.99.

The Freedom Maze. By Delia Sherman. 8 CDs. 8:19 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-499-01463-9. $55.

The Infects. By Sean Beaudoin,. 8 CDs. 8:48 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0634-9. $54.97.

Island of Silence: Unwanteds, Book 2. By Lisa McMann. 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2986-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2977-8. $77.75.

Jump into the Sky. By Shelley Pearsall. 7 CDs. 8:24 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01404-2. $40.

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. By L. Frank Baum. 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Tantor Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4526-1027-6. $47.99.

Library Lily. By Gillian Shields. CD. 6:10 min. with hardcover book. Spoken Arts. 2012. ISBN 0-8045-4243-0. $29.95.

Little Blue Truck. By Alice Schertle. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2925-9, CD ISBN978-1-4703-2924-2. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-1520-5661-2:$16.99.

Malcolm at Midnight. By W.H. Beck. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2070-6, CD: ISBN 987-1-4703-2071-3. $51.75.

Poison Princess: The Arcana Chronicles, Book 1. By Kresley Cole. 11 cassettes or 11 CDs. 12:30 hrs.Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2988-4, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2980-8. $108.75.

Seconds Away: A Mickey Bolitar Novel. By Harlan Coben. 7 CDs. 7:46 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-0498-6. $74.97.

Secrets of the Magic Ring. By Karen McQuestion. 3 CDs. 3:29 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-3111-2. $49.97.

Skylark. By Megan Spooner. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 11 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-4477-8. CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-5576-1. $97.75.

Vertigo. By Kristina Dunker. 6 CDs. 6:48 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-8088-1. $49.97.

The Villain Virus: NERDS, Book 4. By Michael Buckley. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2609-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2610-4. $51.75.

Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker: Take My Advice! By Robin Palmer. 5 CDs. 5:14 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5879-8. $49.97. 

Music

Apple Apple. Performed by The Harmonica Pocket. CD. approx. 49 min. CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Backyard Astronauts. Performed by Mr. Richard. CD. approx. 32 min. Prod. by Bark Records/Mr. Richard. Dist. by AV Café. 2012.ISBN unavail. $12.

A Boy and His Guitar. Performed by Mr. Billy. CD. 40 min. Prod. by Flying Bounce House Records/Mister Billy. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.95.

Call Me a Nerd! CD. Performed by The Nerdz. 36 min. Call Me a Nerd. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Escalator. Performed by David Tobocman. CD. 30 min. Prod. by Elsewhere Records. Dist by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.98.

Go! CD. Performed by The Alphabet Rockers. approx. 38 min. School Time Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $14.99.

Green and Bumpy. Performed by Deep Friend Pickle Project. CD. approx. 41 min. Prod. by Green and Bumpy Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.97.

Huh-uh. Performed by Barry G and the Dream Jam Kids CD. approx. 24 min. Prod. by myKaZoo Music. Dist. by CD Universe. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.99.

I Am Sleepy with Sukey Molloy. CD. 43 min. Sukey Molloy. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.99.

I Can Do It! Performed by Patty Shukla. CD. approx. 36 min. Prod. by Patty Shukla Kids Music. Dist. by AV Café. 2012.ISBN unavail. $14.

Imagination. Performed by Sulinha Boucher. CD. 40:62 min. Sulinha.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Playing in the Band. CD. 44 min. Prod. by Little Rockers Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.97.

Reading Rocks! Performed by Johnnette Dowing. CD. 49 min. Prod. by Wiggle Work Records. Dist. byCDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Social Studies

The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure. By Martin W. Sandler. 4 CDs. 3:53 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5197-3. $54.97.

Each 300-word entry must be submitted by an intergenerational team consisting of one young person, 8 to 18 years old, and one older person, at least 50 years old, from the United States or Canada. The essay must be an original, true story about a real event or experience in the older entrant’s life and be based on an actual interview the young person completes in person, over the phone, or via the Internet with a living older adult.

One grand prize award winner will receive a Lenovo ThinkCentre computer and a keepsake timepiece from Expressions of Time, a family owned retailer of quality clocks and home accessories. Ten Legacy Award winners will receive a keepsake timepiece from Expressions of Time, and all of the winners will receive a framed award certificate and an autographed copy of Dream, an award-winning bestseller about time, legacies, and dreams.

This national contest is run by the Legacy Project at www.legacyproject.org, a big-picture learning project, and the nonprofit organization Generations United in Washington, DC. The contest deadline is March 22, 2013.

What the Common Core Standards do not include or replace is content standards, so curriculum specialists and librarians and the teachers with whom they work are left to determine how to meld them together with their state content standards. It’s not an impossible task—what the Common Core really calls for is an end to rote learning and repetition, focusing instead on rigorous inquiry and discussion that will enable our students to think critically, listen attentively, use technology strategically, and communicate effectively. And, of course, this all starts in kindergarten.

We think audiobooks offer teachers and librarians a unique way to engage students with learning that supports these objectives. To that end, this month’s column focuses entirely on titles that support specific Common Core Standards, with content standards for various states included as examples of how they work together, from kindergarten through high school.

Elementary School

Kitten’s First Full Moon. Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Narrated by Joan Allen. CD. 6 min. with hardcover book. Weston Woods. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-37422-4. $29.95. PreS-Gr 1
The Caldecott Medal story of a kitten searching for a tantalizing bowl of milk has made a lovely transition to audio. A fanciful musical underbed follows the action as kitten tumbles, chases, and climbs to reach the elusive bowl of milk in the sky. Allen’s vocal pacing pairs nicely with looking at the illustrations. As kitten finally finds the milk waiting on the porch, quiet satisfaction and humor bring a happy end to the tale.

Common Core Standard: SL.K.2. Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.

Content Standard: Baltimore County (MD) Public Schools (Kindergarten, Language Arts)

Sequence and retell events or stories.
Comprehend information in fiction and non-fiction texts.

From Seed to Plant. Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. Narrated by Erin Mallon. CD. 12:34 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 1-4301-1079-8. $18.95. K-Gr 2
With fitting music, well-placed sound effects, and clear narration, this nonfiction title combines information and style. The introduction includes page-turn signal instructions as well as a note about how the text and captions are spoken, allowing listeners to easily follow the location of words on each page. Mallon’s light voice and excellent pacing affords students time to study the illustrations that depict the terminology of plant life cycles. The very useful project and facts about seeds at the end provides a natural extension for primary grade science lessons.

Common Core Standard: RI.1.2. Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.

Content Standard: Madison (WI) Metropolitan School District (Grade 1, Life Science)

Communicate that new plants grow from seeds, leaves, stem cuttings, roots and bulbs, and as plants grow, they develop structures that serve their basic life cycle needs.

Pair the next two audiobooks to introduce the upcoming presidential elections, using the same Common Core and content standards for both. Note: Virginia has not adopted the Common Core State Standards, but does provide a comparison and analysis with the Common Core (www.virginia.doe.virginia.gov/testing/common_core/Index.shtml).

So You Want to Be President? Written by Judith St. George. Illustrated by David Small. Narrated by Stockard Channing. CD. 22:05 min. with hardcover book. Weston Woods. 2002. ISBN 978-1-55592-132-3. $29.95. K-Gr 4
This Caldecott Medal winner features humorous facts about U.S. presidents with a viewpoint especially interesting to children. Droll, cartoon-style illustrations extend the text and provide intriguing presidential caricatures. Difficult issues are presented in age-appropriate fashion. Channing’s reading enhances the humor and the background music includes variations of “Hail to the Chief” and other patriotic songs that lend an energetic air to the narration.

The Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud. Written by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain. Illustrated by Larry Day. Narrated by Richard Poe. CD. 15 min. with hardcover book. Recorded Books. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4640-4049-8. $37.75. Gr 2-4
Political discord is nothing new, as Jurmain humorously reveals in this snapshot of two admired patriots. As “different as pickles and ice cream,” both physically and philosophically, Adams and Jefferson stopped speaking to each other for nearly a decade while their political parties wrangled to the point of violence. Day’s illustrations provide plenty of historical detail and Poe’s forthright narration and steady pacing hit just the right note to keep readers turning the page.

Common Core Standard:RI.3.3. Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Content Standard: Virginia Standards of Learning (Grade 3 History and Social Science, Civics)

3.11 The student will explain the importance of the basic principles that form the foundation of a republican form of government by

a) describing the individual rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and equality under the law;

d) describing how people can serve the community, state, and nation.

Middle School

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum. Written by Candace Fleming. Narrated by Christopher Lane. 4 CDs. 3 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-1136-6. $54.97. Gr 6-9
From the jaunty introductory circus music to the sensational tidbits of Barnum’s life, this engaging biography of America’s greatest purveyor of humbug gives all the detail kids (and adults, too) will want to know. Beginning with Barnum’s impoverished childhood and ending with the famous circus that still bears his name, Lane’s comfortable pacing and rich voice take listeners back to an earlier time and the 19th-century fascination with human curiosities: Tom Thumb, bearded ladies, and Chang and Eng are among Barnum’s many featured oddities. It’s not all about amusement, as Fleming includes Barnum’s darker side as well, presenting a well-rounded portrait of the celebrated showman. A bonus CD contains photographs and other illustrated material from the print edition.

Common Core Standard: RI.8.7. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Content Standard: Hawaii State Standards (Social Studies, Grade 8)

HI.2. Historical Understanding: Change, Continuity, and Causality: Understand change and/or continuity and cause and/or effect in history.

SS.8.2.1. Historical Sources: Differentiate between primary and secondary sources, understanding the potential and limitations of each.

The Mighty Miss Malone. Written by Christopher Paul Curtis. Narrated by Bahni Turpin. 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Listening Library. 2012. ISBN 978-0-3079-6824-1. $44. Gr 6-8
Twelve-year-old Deza Malone’s family is struggling with Depression-era life in Gary, Indiana, but their strength to persevere is a testament to resilience, good humor, high hopes, and courage. As her father searches for work far away from home, Deza, her mother, and her brother are determined to follow him. When they do, the trials of racism, hunger, and homelessness are palpable. Turpin’s talent embodies the voice of Deza as she journeys to find not only herself but also her most important family values.

Common Core Standard: RL.7.9. Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and an historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

Content Standard: Georgia Department of Education (English Language Arts, Grade 7: ELA7R1)

c. Relate a literary work to information about its setting or historical moment.

A Wrinkle in Time. Written by Madeleine L’Engle. Narrated by Hope Davis. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Listening Library. 2012. ISBN 978-0-3079-1659-4. $25. Gr 6-8
This 50th anniversary production of L’Engle’s Newbery-winning story introduces a new generation to Meg Murry and her younger brother, Charles Wallace, as they travel to rescue their father, a trip that truly “wrinkles time.” Engaging vocal interpretations of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which contrast nicely with the young voices Davis employs for the children. An introduction read by the late author adds to the enchantment of this classic tale. A Common Core text exemplar for grades 6-8.

Common Core Standard: RL.6.3. Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

Content Standard: Oklahoma State Department of Education (Oklahoma C3 Standards, Language Arts, Grade 6)

2. Inferences and Interpretation

b. Make inferences or draw conclusions about characters’ qualities and actions (i.e., based on knowledge of plot, setting, characters’ motives, characters’ appearances, other characters’ responses to a character).

High School

The Book Thief. Written by Marcus Zusak. Narrated by Allan Corduner. 11 CDs. 13:56 hrs. Listening Library.ISBN 978-0-7393-3800-1. $75. Gr 9-12
Nazi Germany during World War II is the backdrop for this “small story” that explores the power of words to affect the human condition. Death is the narrator here, performed with detached perfection by Corduner, recounting the story of the young thief, Liesel, who discovers books have the ability to sustain her community amidst the horrors of war. This 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor Book is also a Common Core text exemplar for grades 9-10.

Common Core Standard: RL.9-10.2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Content Standard: Massachusetts (Reading Standards for Literature 6-12)

Grades 9-10: MA.8.A. Relate a work of fiction, poetry, or drama to the seminal ideas of its time.

The Scorpio Races. Written by Maggie Stiefvater. Narrated by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham. 7 CDs. 12 hrs. Scholastic Audio. ISBN 978-0-545-35705-0. $79.99. Gr 8-12

From the author’s original music to the sweeping drama of Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly’s quest to win the deadly annual water horse races, the dual performances of West and Hardingham drive the narrative to its satisfying conclusion. This 2012 Odyssey Honor award winner showcases how a listening experience can raise a strong narrative to an even higher level as the tension builds.

Common Core Standard: RL.9-10.5. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Content Standard: Illinois State Board of Education (English Language Arts)

State Goal #1: Read with understanding and fluency

C. Comprehend a broad range of reading material

1.C.4e. Analyze how authors and illustrators use text and art to express and emphasize their ideas (e.g., imagery, multiple points of view).

The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic. Written by Allan Wolf. Narrated by Michael Page, Phil Gigante, Christopher Lane, Laural Merlington, and Angela Dawe. 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-2937-8. $59.97. G. 9-12
There are many observances of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, but here is a distinctly unique perspective featuring voices unheard from before: the Morse code telegrapher, the mail clerks, the captain, the crow’s nest lookout, even a ship’s rat and the fateful iceberg. These and more, including the unsinkable Molly Brown, give the outstanding ensemble cast many opportunities to present a “you are there” feeling as the inevitable becomes reality. Even though listeners know the outcome, the approaching doom is still a surprise, until the last feeble Morse code transmission is sent. A tour-de-force narrative and production.

Common Core Standard: RL.9-10.3. Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Content Standard: English Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools, Grades 9-10

Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text

3.4 Determine characters’ traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy.

Literary Criticism

3.11 Evaluate the aesthetic qualities of style, including the impact of diction and figurative language on tone, mood, and theme, using the terminology of literary criticism. (Aesthetic approach)

In “Summer Reading Loss” (Reading Teacher, May 2007), Maryann Mraz and Timothy Rasinski wrote: “…the reality of summer reading loss is well documented—and it is more persistent among students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are already at risk for academic failure.” Thankfully, they also state that students who take part in summer reading interventions maintain those skills. In fact, students who participate in public library summer reading programs demonstrate increased achievement in reading skills when they return to school in the fall, according to the conclusions drawn by Carol Fiore and Susan Roman in their article, “Proof Positive” (School Library Journal, Nov. 2010). The Search Institute (www.search-institute.org), a nonprofit organization investigating what young people need to succeed, identifies reading for pleasure as one of the ‘40 Developmental Assets’ necessary for healthy growth. So it’s gratifying to see that when Denise Geier, a curriculum director in Middletown Township, NJ, created summer reading lists for her students (“Sweating Over the Summer Book List.” Library Media Connection, March 2005), she determined the focus should be on “…reading just for the fun of it…” and enlisted help from public librarians for recommendations.

Our own experience closely mirrors Geier’s. We have worked with language arts teachers to produce high-interest, varied, middle school summer reading lists, successfully advocating for titles that had quality audio productions, allowing students to read with their ears or with their eyes. Listening to audiobooks gives a well-documented boost to the very skills lost during the summer months, according to Gene Wolfson’s “Using Audiobooks to Meet the Needs of Adolescent Readers” (American Secondary Education, Spring 2008).

Roger Sutton, in “Remixing Reading” (The Horn Book, March/April 2012; http://tinyurl.com/82pzrvn), states that “books, readers, and reading are always changing, both definitionally and individually, as an original text is transformed across media and its readers become viewers, listeners, players, and co-authors in the experience of story.” Given choices, students can be motivated to listen to an audiobook, read a graphic novel, or see a movie version of a favorite novel, all of which serve to nourish literacy skills.

Our audiobook selections this month focus on middle school students, providing not only listening pleasure but also opportunities to increase reading comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary acquisition. Get kids listening and beat the summer slide!

Aliens on Vacation (The Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast Series). Written by Clete Barrett Smith. Narrated by Joshua Swanson. 6 CD. 7 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0133-6. $54.97. Gr 5-7
David, aka Scrub, is horrified to squander the summer in tiny, boring Forest Glen, WA, with the grandmother he’s never met. Grandma, who goes by the name Sunshine, runs the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, hosting a very bizarre clientele and a secret in which David is soon embroiled. Swanson mines all of the humor and tension of this light summer tale, imbuing both humans and aliens with distinctive voices. He is especially effective with the budding romance between David and Amy, a local girl who shows David that aliens have rights, too.
Standard: Students will compare and contrast different ways of life and understand the factors contributing to individual differences.

The Beasts of Clawstone Castle. Written by Eva Ibbotson. Narrated by Jenny Sterlin. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4281-2183-6. $51.75. Gr 5-8
Madlyn and Rollo, spending their summer holiday in the country with elderly relatives, fall under the spell of the crumbling Clawstone Castle and its legendary Wild White Cattle. When the brother–sister duo enlist the help of some alarming ghosts to attract more paying visitors to the castle, Clawstone’s increasing success prompts local rivals to hatch a dastardly plan. Sterlin’s expressive reading, spot-on pacing, and ability to flawlessly define the different characters enhances this rollicking British mix of fantasy and social commentary.
Standard: Students will explore concepts of role, status, and social standing to evaluate the interactions of individuals and social groups.

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916. Written by Michael Capuzzo. Narrated by Taylor Mali. 3 CDs. 3:30 hrs. 2010. AudioGo. 2010. ISBN 978-1-4281-2183-6. $39.95. Gr 6-10
In the summer of 1916, the Jersey Shore became a popular place for ocean swimming. Unknown to tourists or the general public, a young great white shark had also taken up residence at the beach. The gruesome attacks will appeal particularly to reluctant male readers, with Mali’s deliberate narration highlighting the anxiety of shore dwellers and visitors. His reporter’s style, increasing speed and volume as tension builds, allows science and sensationalism to combine in creating a rousing summer read.
Standard: Students will investigate and understand the interactions among populations in a biological community.

Dead End in Norvelt. Written and narrated by Jack Gantos. 6 CDs. 7:16 hrs. Macmillan Young Listeners. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4272-1356-3. $29.99. Gr 5-8
“Grounded for life” two weeks into summer vacation of 1962, 12-year-old Jack manages to find adventure in this wild, semi-autobiographical novel. Norvelt, a small, planned community developed during the Great Depression by Eleanor Roosevelt, is dying—literally. Apprenticed to elderly, arthritic neighbor, Ms. Volker, Jack helps create obituaries for the original Norvelt residents who are expiring at an alarming rate, making the boy wonder what is going on. Gantos meshes history and humor with his unvoiced, earnest reading and a bonus interview, telling listeners how he blended fact and fiction to create this 2012 Newbery Medal winner. Steer students to these websites about the real Norvelt, PA, for more information: http://tinyurl.com/NorveltHistoricalMarker and http://tinyurl.com/RecallingOldNorvelt. Standard: Students will identify the causes of the Great Depression, its impact on Americans, and the major features of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Moon Over Manifest. Written by Clare Vanderpool. Narrated by Jenna Lamia, Cassandra Campbell, and Kirby Heyborne. 8 CDs. 8:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2011. ISBN 978-0-3079-6816-6. $40. Gr 5-8
After years of riding the rails, Abilene Tucker’s father suddenly decides she must spend the summer of 1936 with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, a town devastated by drought and the Great Depression. Amidst the heat and dust, Abilene discovers a mystery stretching back to 1918 that includes the town’s coal mining legacy and the boys who went off to fight in World War I. Lamia expertly creates myriad voices for children and adults across Manifest’s decades, with Heyborne and Campbell ably rounding out the supporting cast of this 2011 Newbery Award winner. Standard: Students will evaluate the credibility and perspective of a variety of sources such as biographies, diaries, journals, artifacts, eyewitness interviews, and other primary and secondary source materials.

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place. Written by E. L. Konigsburg. Narrated by Molly Ringwald. 5 CDs. 5:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-8609-2. $45. Gr 6-9
Bullied by fellow campers and a despotic camp director, Margaret Rose Kane is thrilled to spend the summer with her beloved great-uncles while her parents are in Peru. However, trouble is brewing in the uncles’ backyard, where towers they have been creating from found objects are slated for demolition by a city council bent on removing “blight.” To save the towers, Margaret enlists a quirky group of sympathizers to educate the community on the important role of art, especially outsider art. Ringwald’s performance is exhilarating, capturing the precocious teen, her Hungarian uncles, and an eccentric cast of secondary characters. Students can explore the history of outsider art through this article from Encyclopedia Britannica online: http://tinyurl.com/Art-Outsider. Standard: Students will compare and contrast the characteristics of public art.

Shark Wars. Written by E. J. Altbacker. Narrated by Joshua Swanson. 5 CDs. 5:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2011. ISBN 978-0-3079-1687-7. $30. Gr 4-7
Gray, an adolescent reef shark (or so he thinks), is growing so large and behaving so badly that he’s banned from the reef to find his own way in the Big Blue. With his dogfish friend, Barkley, he joins a tough shark clan, or shiver, where he only gets into more trouble. Sharks with human characteristics and references to the “landsharks” who hunt from above are part of the humor in this engaging story, enhanced by Swanson’s fully voiced sharks and excellent pacing and emotional inflection. (Note: There are two sequels—The Battle of Riptide and Into the Abyss.) Students may want to learn about the real characteristics of great white sharks at the Smithsonian website: http://tinyurl.com/c9uhft6. Standard: Students will list the characteristics of ocean dwelling mammals, i.e. specific species of shark.

Small as an Elephant. Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Narrated by William Dufris. 5 CDs. 5 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0336-1. $49.97. Gr 5-8
Jack wakes up in Acadia National Park to discover that his mother has abandoned him. Wavering between panic, despair, and anger, he tries first to find her, hiding from authorities. When that proves futile, he sets out on a harrowing journey to see Lydia, the only live elephant in Maine. As Jack travels, he slowly reveals his mother’s “spinning episodes” and his fear of being separated from her. Dufris’s raspy voice turns in an emotional performance that demonstrates Jack’s resentment, panic, and pain. Both the Acadia National Park (www.nps.gov/acad) and Elephant Facts (www.elephant-facts.com) websites provide interesting additional information about the central themes of the story. Standard: Students will be able to describe the characteristics of large land mammals (i.e., the elephant) and understand the history and mission of the National Park Service.