Milo and Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks
© 2009 by Amy Wummer.

Mysteries provide a perfect entree for exploring a wide variety of critical thinking skills. With their emphasis on clear observation, logical thinking, and well-drawn conclusions, mysteries support many Common Core State Standards (CCSS). They also lend themselves to an array of interesting writing assignments, an important component of the CCSS and one on which many states are placing particular emphasis.

This month’s column features some of our favorite mysteries, along with ideas for expanding the learning possibilities presented by each title and/or series. Employing the Common Core State Standards doesn’t mean that learning can’t be fun. Kids love mysteries, so why not use them to teach new skills in thinking, researching, and writing? We guarantee that these titles will spark student interest.

Elementary School

A to Z Mysteries, Books D-G (The Deadly Dungeon, The Empty Envelope, The Falcon’s Feathers, The Goose’s Gold). Written by Ron Roy. Narrated by David Pittu. 3 CDs. 3:25 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-0735-7. $30. K-Gr 3
From A to Z, these beginning chapter book mysteries maintain a comfortable format with each audiobook combining three or four stories from the series. Each “case” title is a letter of the alphabet and continuity is nicely incorporated with Pittu narrating them all. His conversational and friendly voice fits the pacing as Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose band together to solve each case. Listeners will be asking for all the letters of the alphabet.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Instructional Extension: Connecting the theme or subject of a story to research can strengthen both the listening experience and learning. For example, to discover more about the birds in The Falcon’s Feathers, use the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All about Birds website (www.allaboutbirds.org). Enter the search term “falcon” to find information about the peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, and prairie falcon.

Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues. Written by Donald Sobol. Narrated by Greg Steinbruner. 2 CDs. 1:18 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4281-7221-0. $25.75. Gr 3-5

This title, one in the classic series about 10-year-old detective Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown, features ten new cases for the Idaville mystery solver. Encyclopedia, his police chief dad, and his group of friends follow the trail of each case to its satisfying end. The familiar format of presenting clues for listeners to put together gives opportunities for thinking and problem solving. Steinbruner’s pacing is comfortable, highlighting the simple sentences and pausing before each solution to build suspense,

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters.

Instructional Extension: The University of North Carolina’s excellent Learn NC website (www.learningnc.org/lp/pages/3031) offers several activities to enliven lesson plans for the first book in this series, Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. The rubric for a good mystery story and the Mystery Worksheet are adaptable to any book in the series and provide a jumping-off point for writing projects.

The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case: A Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Book for Young Readers. Written by Alexander McCall Smith. Narrated by Adjoa Andoh. CD. 1 hr. Listening Library. 2012. ISBN 978-0-4490-1142-3. $15. K-Gr 3

Intrepid female detective, Precious Ramotswe, is introduced here as a child, solving her first case. Andoh’s excellent narration presents the lilt, cadence, and authenticity of Botswana culture. Adult fans of the well-known #1 Ladies Detective Agency will be listening along to find out how Precious came to become a world-famous detective. Sure to provide fun for family and classroom audiences.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths, from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

Instructional Extension: Classroom discussion and research about Botswana could follow listening to this mystery. Facts and information about the country can be found in many online encyclopedias, books, and the Botswana embassy website (www.botswanaembassy.org) where the country’s history, a video gallery, and visitor attractions are included. Students may choose one topic to share with the class to highlight any study about Africa.

Milo and Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks. Written by Lewis B. Montgomery. Narrated by Chantale Hosein and Vinnie Penna. CD. 48 min. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1199-3. $15.95. K-Gr 3

Milo has just received his Dash Marlow Super Sleuth kit when he discovers his first mystery. Working, somewhat reluctantly, with new neighbor Jazz, these two young detectives set out to determine who stole Jazz’s brother’s lucky socks from his high school locker. The pair use their critical thinking skills to find the socks before the big baseball game. Penna and Hosein’s performances are appropriately young and their pacing heightens the tension and excitement of this first mystery in Montgomery’s series.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy. RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

Instructional Extension: Dash Marlow instructs his followers to use these “Super Sleuthing Skills: Observe, Think Logically, Draw Conclusions.” A fun writing project can be built around any one of the “Milo and Jazz Mysteries” by using flow maps to organize the sequence of events with the goal of producing a summary of the story that includes at least three details from the book to answer the questions posed in the standard.

Middle/High School

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity. Written by Mac Barnett. Narrated by Arte Johnson. 3 CDs. 2:55 hrs. Listening Library. 2010. ISBN 978-0-3077-1042-0. $30. Gr 4-6

When 12-year-old Steve Brixton, a fan of Bailey Brothers detective novels, is mistaken for a real detective, he must elude librarians, police, and the mysterious Mr. E as he seeks a missing quilt containing coded information. Arte Johnson gives Steve’s predicament a matter-of-fact, almost sardonic tone, with methodical pacing and understatement that provides listeners with laugh-out-loud enjoyment of this wholly improbable story. Fans will also enjoy the other titles in this series, The Ghostwriter Secret and It Happened on a Train, also available from Listening Library.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.7 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Instructional Extension: Visit this go-to website that provides thorough information and multiple ideas for classroom extensions as well as descriptions of mystery series, novels, and picture books: Carol Hurst Children’s Literature—Mysteries in the Classroom Fiction, Non-Fiction and Activities for Pre-School through Ninth Grade (www.carolhurst.com/subjects/mysteries.html).

Pair the following two titles for an interesting comparison of Victorian and contemporary girl sleuths:

The Case of the Missing Marquess, an Enola Holms Mystery. Written by Nancy Springer. Narrated by Katherine Kellgren. 4 CDs. 4:31 hrs. Recorded Books. 2006. ISBN 978-1-4193-8985-6. $51.75. Gr 5-8

Smart and resourceful, 14-year-old Enola is determined to avoid the finishing school her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, have selected for her when her mother suddenly vanishes. Setting off for London on a bicycle, Enola stumbles upon another missing person’s case—a young marquess who seems to have been kidnapped. Kellgren delves into this adventure with her customary gusto and superb pacing, providing a host of excellent 19th-century character voices. Lucky for listeners, this is just the beginning of a long series, all narrated by the incomparable Kellgren.

The London Eye Mystery. Written by Siobhan Dowd. Narrated by Paul Checquer. AudioGo. 2010. ISBN 978-1-4056-5462-3. $25. Gr 6-10

Ted’s cousin Salim comes to visit from Manchester before moving to New York with his mother, and Salim’s only wish is to ride the London Eye, the massive wheel erected to mark the new millennium. Ted (whose brain is “wired differently”) and his older sister Kat watch Salim board the Eye and are stunned when he doesn’t get off. What follows is an intricate, intriguing, and thrilling race against time as Ted uses his keen observation skills to find his cousin. Checquer’s measured pacing accurately portrays Ted’s personality and reinforces the family conflicts, and his variety of British accents provides context for American listeners.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact.

Instructional Extension: After listening to this mystery, students may be interested to learn more about “Interesting Things You Never Knew about The London Eye” by visiting http://ow.ly/gHXMI. The LondonNet site (http://ow.ly/GHXEM) not only includes facts, but also provides links to other London attractions such as the Tower of London. This is a good place to start a class project investigating London’s most important historical places.

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour. Written by Michael D. Beil. Narrated by Tai Alexandra Ricci. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Listening Library. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-7960-8. $50. Gr 4-6

Three friends attending the all-girls Catholic school, St. Veronica’s, become embroiled in a mystery of major proportions when they try to help a strange older woman who lives next to the church. A precious artifact has gone missing and the girls must use their best math and language skills to discover its whereabouts and expose the villain. Ricci personifies the voices of the young sleuths and creates believable voices for the supporting characters. Listeners may want to follow along with or refer to the print edition to see the graphs, charts, and other puzzles that serve as clues. Three more mysteries featuring these girl detectives provide additional fun.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

Instructional Extension: Girl detectives are an interesting group, from the classic Nancy Drew to Harriet the Spy to the young women in the previous two examples. Students can prepare a chart to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between girl and boy detectives in their methods of solving cases, leading to an interesting writing project.

Sharon Grover is Head of Youth Services at the Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI. Lizette (Liz) Hannegan was a school librarian and the district library supervisor for the Arlington (VA) Public Schools before her retirement. They are co-authors of Listening to Learn (ALA Editions, 2011).

Together with DreamWorks Pictures and Fox/Newscorp, Participant Media will be funding the efforts with Disney In-Home to create special packaging for the DVDs, which will include an Educator’s Guide for teachers as well as complete lesson plans relating to the significance of Abraham Lincoln’s leadership and the importance of that period in our nation’s history. Disney Educational Productions will handle distribution.

The timing of the announcement coincides with Lincoln’s birthday and the launch of Participant’s new “Stand Tall: Live Like Lincoln” campaign, which will bring the film to eight U.S. towns all named Lincoln, followed in mid-March with screenings at 15 Lincoln high schools across the country in largely underserved communities, according to the company.

Each school hosting a screening will receive new audio-visual equipment to best experience Lincoln and any future films screened at the school, including a 120-inch portable screen, Blu-ray and DVD player, a projector, and new speakers. The screenings will be followed by moderated conversations and distribution of Disney’s educational curricula.

“As more and more people began to see the film, we received letters from teachers asking if it could be available in their classrooms,” director Steven Spielberg says. “We realized that the educational value that Lincoln could have was not only for the adult audiences—who have studied his life in history books—but for the young students in the classroom as well.”

Adds Participant Media CEO  Jim Berk, “Before the film was released, we engaged Penn Schoen Berland to conduct a research study to help inform the focus of our Social Action campaign…Among the findings of the study was that more than half of Americans think it’s important to learn about Lincoln, but two thirds say they know little to nothing about him. While I’m sure that’s changed thanks to the tremendous popularity of the film and all the surrounding attention, it still clearly indicated the need to better educate our students about the 16th President’s accomplishments.”

To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, you can download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up), which was reviewed in this week’s Touch and Go column.

The album, inspired by their canoe trip down the Mississippi River, features original mostly folk, country, and bluegrass numbers enhanced by virtuoso performances on a variety of instruments, including accordion, auto-harp, rhumba box, fiddle, udu, drums, pots and pans, tuba, trombone, and many others. According to a recent review in School Library Journal, “this unique, outstanding musical performance should have a place in every library.”

The two childhood friends took a month-long journey on the Mississippi, but never dreamed that their voyage would take them to the Grammys. About to board a plane home to Minnesota, Mailander told SLJ, “We are thrilled that the recording academy chose our album to represent the quality music that’s being made in the children’s genre right now. All the nominees were deserving and we’re honored to be in such great company.”

Four other children’s albums were nominated for a Grammy this year by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences in the Best Children’s Album category: Bill Harley’s High Dive and Other Things That Could Have Happened (Round River); the JumpinJazz Kids’s A Swinging Jungle Tale (JumpinJazzKids), narrated by James Murray and featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al Jarreau, Hubert Laws, and various artists; Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie (Smithsonian Folkways), re-imagined renditions of classic Guthrie favorites by Elizabeth Mitchell; and the Pop Ups’s (Brooklyn-based music duo Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein) Radio Jungle (CDBaby.com).

Back in the classroom, there will be much to discuss, including why the amendment was necessary on the heels of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the political maneuvering necessary to secure the amendment’s passage, and the medium’s depiction of the event and the historical figures. To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up). Your students will be intrigued.

Six chapters delve into topics such as the “Players on the Stage of History,” “The Conflict,” and “The President” discussing the Civil War, those who fought for and against the amendment, Lincoln’s presidency, and more. Incorporated into the text are quotes by Lincoln and his contemporaries, archival images, and other primary source material.Throughout the text are black-and-white period photos, sometimes juxtaposed against shots of similar scenes re-created for the film (in color), and embedded videos offering commentary by Spielberg, the actors, and others who worked on the film.

In the videos, Spielberg speaks to Lincoln’s relevancy today as a “most vivid model of a leader, of leadership,” who advocated for “things that we hold dear today.” Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays the president in the movie, comments on Lincoln’s accessibility—the “ever-open door of the White House.” Other actors discuss their research in preparation for their roles—and their challenges—including  Sally Field who plays Mary Todd Lincoln, Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley, the “personal modiste” of the First Lady, and  David Strathairn as William H. Seward, Lincoln’s the Secretary of State.

Much notice has been paid to the film’s authenticity. In the chapter, “Bringing History to Life” viewers hear from Rick Carter, the production designer, on scouting sets and props, and Joanna Johnston, the costume designer, who dressed the 140-member cast. Johnston mentions Mary Todd Lincoln’s outfits, many of which were “exact replicas” of those she wore in life….”  (“For the president, clothing was purely a way of keeping out the weather.”) Ben Burtt’s narrative addresses his quest to “research and record historic sounds” and to re-create those he could from the ticking of the portico clock to the off-screen bombardment of a cannonade. Museum officials allowed Burtt to record the sound of Lincoln’s actual watch, heard in the film.

Page turns and video runs are fluid and readers will be guided through this production by a table of contents and discreetly placed icons. The app ends with a film clip and link to the iTunes page to purchase tracks from the motion picture. In all, a production for fans of the president and the film, and, to be sure, something for visual learners.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal.

For some recently published books for students on Lincoln, see Vicki Reutter’s Whiskers, Dreams, and Grave-Robbing Schemes.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Nintendo)

The annual Mushroom Kingdom holiday of Sticker Fest is taking place at the festival grounds in Decalburg. But Mario’s old nemesis, the evil Bowser, disrupts the event, scattering the kingdom’s sticker collection far and wide and kidnapping Princess Peach. It’s up to Mario and the spirited royal sticker caretaker, Kersti, to set things right. With Kersti’s help, Mario can paperize any environment, taking three-dimensional objects and flattening them into an ever-folding paper world. Mario’s trusty hammer and stiff boot are his main weapons, but he also uses a variety of stickers to enhance his power. Most battles are enjoyable and follow the classic running, swinging, and jumping associated with Mario games. Mario is such a happy and charming character that players can’t help but laugh alongside this mustached hero. Throughout the game, you collect specific items to turn into stickers, which are needed to solve puzzles and mazes. Some of the best and most rewarding parts of the game are in finding the solutions to move to the next stage. There’s lots of Mario-style fun here that will provide hours of adventure, making you smile over and over again. Rating: E for Everyone. Platform: Nintendo 3DS.—Ryan A., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Burning Lights, Chris Tomlin (Sparrow Records)

Music has always been an important part of my life, as is being a person of faith. That’s why it’s really cool to have an opportunity to listen to Christian themes in modern music. Worship leader, musician, and songwriter Chris Tomlin does just that on Burning Lights, his seventh studio album. Tomlin’s trademark songs express Biblical themes combined with personal reflection, and they’re truly meaningful and inspirational to the listener. The appeal of many of the 12 tracks is in Tomlin’s emotional call to his audience. He recognizes the difficulty and challenges we face on a daily basis, and that in tough times, we need to seek comfort from God. He does this by mixing Christian lyrics with electronic beats, strings, and rap vocals in a traditional Brit-rock style. For example, on the opening track, “Awake My Soul,” featuring Lecrae, he recites a passage from the Book of Ezekiel, which adds a whole new dimension to the power of the song. The same goes for “Crown Him,” in which Tomlin reconstructs the timeless hymm “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” with the help of Karl Jobe’s vocals. Other notable tracks include “Whom Shall I Fear,” “Lay Me Down,” and Thank You God for Saving Me.” Although this album is definitely not for everyone, it’s worth taking a listen to.—Latyese M., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Contrast, Conor Maynard (Capital)

This 20-year-old YouTube sensation has hit it big and may just be a continuation of the British invasion that began with One Direction and Adele. With his debut album, Contrast, Maynard has already conquered the U.K. pop chart and is now bringing his success to the States.  Lucky for him, he has all the ingredients for a recipe for fame—good looks, sex appeal, a great voice, self-esteem, and the backing of powerful people in the music industry. On the track “Pictures,” written by Frank Ocean, Maynard’s voice comes across with such depth and maturity it literally shines. On “Lift Off,” the fast-paced beat and pumped-up pop sound produced by the Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams works perfectly with Maynard’s voice. One of the best tracks is “Better Than You,” where he’s paired up with the feisty Rita Ora. Listeners will definitely feel the great chemistry between these two performers. Other tracks to check out are “Turn Around,” with Ne-Yo, “Animal,” and “Vegas Girl.”  It will be interesting to see what comes next from this new heartthrob of the music industry.—Maureen L., grade 12, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

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

For all the latest reviews in this subject area and more, check out our new Book Verdict site! Book Verdict is fully accessible to all users, though certain content and functionality are only available to subscribers.To log in to your account, click here. To view the new subscription options, Get Started With Book Verdict ProToday.Don’t know if you have an account with us? It’s easy to check and verify your email, or create a new account.

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.

Multimedia informational resources have been a boon for learners across disciplines. Witness some of the apps we’ve reviewed: Pyramids 3D, Bobo Explores Light, Al Gore’s Our Choice and Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomy.

Now there’s The Orchestra, which brings the sights and sounds of London’s Philharmonia to readers and listeners everywhere. Don’t miss it.

For those who didn’t grow up immersed in orchestral practices, trying to understand the art and its ensembles may seem daunting. Even a seasoned musician may open The Orchestra (Touch Press, $13.99; Gr 3 Up) and wonder, where do I begin, for the options are vast. Starting with the commentary of the conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, will give listeners a flavor of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, and open their minds to the complexity of Salonen’s task. His level of thought and his narrative are deep; as the engineer and artistic guide for the orchestra, he speaks at a level suitable for high school or college students. But there is plenty in this app that will have a place with students as young as the elementary grades; for example, the individual showcases for each orchestral instrument.

Simon Oliver and his double bass (‘The Orchestra’) Touch Press

Each showcase consists of a photo of the instrument that can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees; a video narration and demonstration of the sounds that instrument produces; a written entry; a “Did You Know?” fact; a keyboard (showing the range of the instrument); and an orchestral excerpt performed by the artist during an ensemble performance. Percussion instruments have touch pads to mimic the sounds made by drums. Many of the musicians’ video narratives are endearing (particularly the brass section, notably Katy Wooley’s French Horn video and Alistair Mackie’s on the trumpet), which make the instruments instantly accessible. This section would be also useful for young people trying to determine which instrument to study, for each video explains the working of the instrument and depicts a musician playing it. The snare drum excerpts are wonderful and worth a special mention.

Continuing through the app, users have a choice of orchestral pieces that highlight specific instruments. Claude Debussy’s  Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird are two examples, but the real joy in listening to these pieces comes from the commentaries provided by the musicians and the conductor. There are also opportunities to to listen (with or without full score) to thoughtful conversations amongst orchestral members concerning the expression, technique, and even conducting style while watching the orchestra perform. It is fascinating. When principal flutist Samuel Coles confesses, “I spend whole days practicing flute so that I can forget technique…(in concert)” viewers will gain a new appreciation for the work that goes into creating art.

The text is no less engaging than the audio-visuals. Penned by Mark Swed (chief classic music critic of the L.A. Times), it covers the history of the orchestra, makes suggestions on how to listen to orchestral music and interpret a score. Of special note in the introduction is the mention of El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education program, which has created a moral and social system based on its 125 youth orchestras.

The power of orchestral music is compelling; this app provides unique and rich experiences that can be appreciated by both beginners and professionals.—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY

Eds. note: You’ll hear from the conductor and the musicians on the trailer for this app.

Once again, Touch Press delivers an absorbing, in-depth look at a topic that will dazzle readers and viewers. This app takes viewers on a virtual tour deep inside the tombs and pyramids of Egypt’s Giza Plateau. 

On opening Pyramids 3D: Wonders of the Old Kingdom (Touch Press LLP; $13.99; Gr 6 Up), viewers soar over the Giza Plateau under the bright desert sun while the sounds of birds and the wind are heard in the background. In all, there are nine “Places” to visit at this ancient necropolis, from King Khafre’s Tomb to The Great Pyramid. Tapping on the entrance to a monument will bring viewers inside. Once there, they can take a virtual tour of the pyramid or tomb, methodically following arrows and using the floor plan as a guide, or swiping the floors and walls to move about independently within the labyrinths. The “Expert Intros” for each location, the only audio provided in this app, are informative, yet all too brief.

A menu at the top of each screen provides an alphabetized index of sites to explore and a “Quick tips” menu explains how to navigate within the monuments. Illuminated areas signal statues, wall carvings, and drawings that offer additional information. A tap on a picture label provides a description of the work. Titles, terms, and locales are defined and illustrated with maps. Throughout the app, scenes offer a “Then and Now” feature allowing users to toggle between the clean lines, vibrant colors, and the smooth surfaces that artists imagine these walls and items had millennia ago, and the fading colors and damage wrought by time, and in some cases, vandalism.

‘Statue of a Woman Making Bread’ from ‘Pyramids 3D’ (Touch Press) Photo by Sandro Vannini

An “Objects” option allows viewers to examine a collection of 40 artifacts, each of which can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees. The clarity of detail is noteworthy. Particularly stunning is the “Golden Mask of Tutankhamun,” which shines as users tip their iPads to fully appreciate the pairing of ancient artistry and modern technology. Other artifacts include statues and statuettes, a gold-handled knife, and a piece of jewelry. For each item, details (size, material, etc.) and notes are provided.

The accompanying text offers an introduction and 10 chapters on topics ranging from “A Brief History of Ancient Egypt” and “The Pyramid Builders” to “The Mystery of the Queen’s Burial” and the 1954 “Discovery of the Solar Boats.” Fascinating details along with a timeline and photos of the site and artifacts are included. A postscript by the author—the noted archeologist Zahi Hawass—discusses recent political developments in Egypt and the plans for the Giza Plateau, its protection, and continued excavation.

Both the spectacular photography by Sandro Vannini and superb 3-D imaging will impress viewers, who will undoubtedly wish the app contained a larger collection of photos and locations to explore. A splendid production.—Deirdre Reddington, Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY

Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars (Atlantic)

Unorthodox Jukebox is a great album even though it only has 10 tracks. Mars’s contemporary pop style is more infectious on Unorthodox as he mixes strong vocals with R&B, reggae, ’80s new wave, doo-wop, and funk sounds. Mars has a boyish charm, but he’s able to bring sincerity to everything he produces. This album shows us a more confident and mature Mars with a rawer, almost sleazier side, then lets us see some of his vulnerability. Definitely check out the new wave ’80s sound on “Locked Out of Heaven,” the breezy listening on “Treasure,” the Michael Jackson influence on “Moonshine,” the reggae steel drum jam on “Show Me,” and the beautiful piano ballad on “When I Was Your Man.” Bruno Mars shines on Unorthodox Jukebox and makes a strong statement to the music world.—Latyese M., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Forza Horizon (Microsoft)

If you love the open road, Forza Horizon is the auto-racing game for you. Set in the gorgeous Colorado countryside, the story is based on the Horizon Festival. Races fall into themed categories, and you gradually build your skills by moving from one tier to the next, which heightens the sense of excitement. With the expansive terrain, great new features are the mixed-surfaces events and point-to-point races.  Players need to vary their driving styles to handle the constantly shifting non-asphalt roads, which is both refreshing and challenging.  The name of the game here is competition—and it’s embedded in the game play. Your speed is captured and posted on the leader board, as well as on Xbox Live for the whole world to see.  Horizon’s multiplayer is very intense and action-packed, but the cooperative free-roam system also has a lot to offer and is probably underutilized.  Overall Forza Horizon is a terrific racing game that provides hours of entertaining fun and features the thrill of exploring the Wild West. Rated: T for Teen Platform: Xbox 360.—James M., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Image from ‘Atlas by Collins’

A number of apps address the state of our planet. One of the first produced for students was Al Gore’s award-winning Our Choice (Melcher Media/Push Pop Press; $4.99), featuring stunning photography, informative video clips, and a compelling message about global warming. In 7 Billion: How Your World Will Change (National Geographic; $4.99) thought-provoking photos, videos, charts, and articles examine the impact of population growth on the earth, including commentary on food sources, family size, and the most challenged regions of the world. Fragile Earth, one of SLJ’s Top 10 Apps of 2012, offers a gallery of photos detailing the impact of human endeavors and natural phenomena on the environment. Satellite and land photographs, taken from minutes to years apart, depict the alarming before-and-after effects of mining, deforestation, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other events on our landscape.

The recently released Atlas by Collins takes a look at our planet from a number of perspectives. Cathy Potter reviews it below.

Chart, “Energy Consumption,” from ‘Atlas by Collins’

Gr 6 Up-The expansive Atlas by Collins contains seven globes: satellite, physical, political, population, environment, communications, and energy. For each thematic section text and illustrations combine to provide an overview of the subject.

“Living Earth” explores the natural world and a variety of landscapes, as well as changes in and threats to the planet, among other topics. “People and Power” considers where energy reserves are located, where energy is produced and consumed, how technology connects the world, and more. These and other subjects are addressed through questions (“What are the major environmental threats to our planet and the areas most affected? “What energy reserves does each country contain?” “Where in the world can you get mobile phone coverage?) and detailed answers are provided along with captioned photos, charts, and graphs (sources cited).

Viewers swipe to spin the 3-D globes; pinch and pull to zoom in and out. While zooming in the globe will switch to Google Maps, but an Internet connection is required to take advantage of this feature. A location bar at the top of each screen marks the city and country or region displayed. A tap on the information symbol opens a window that reveals country statistics and information on the nation’s land, climate, economy, demographics, and transportation, and a few images–information that will be useful to student researchers. Each entry also includes links to the country’s web site.

Menus below each globe provide readers with a plethora of information about our planet including birth rates, pollution hotspots, and Internet usage. Color-coded keys and symbols help readers interpret the information presented. (The app contains no narration or sound effects.)

The satellite globe is the only one that downloads when users purchase the app. The others must be installed individually, and the amount of time required to do so is considerable. While the breadth of information in Atlas by Collins is impressive, the download time, tendency to shut down, and substantial amount of storage space required (1.3 GB) may prove problematic for some users.—Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, ME

Eds. note: For a look inside Atlas by Collins take a peek at the trailer.

A Picture-Book Biography in Spanish

My Name Is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz / Me llamo Celia: La vida de Celia Cruz (illus. by Rafael López, Luna Rising, 2004)

Listen to Monica Brown’s story about Celia Cruz in the singer’s native tongue.

A French Canadian Classic

The Hockey Sweater (illus.by Sheldon Cohen, House of Anansi Press, 1979)

Experience Roch Carrier’s story in French, as read by the author.

An Ojibwe Young Reader Book

Awesiinyensag: Dibaajimowinan Ji-Gikinoo’amaageng (by Anton Treuer et al., illus. by Wesley Ballinger, Wiigwaas Press, 2010)

Hear Anton Treuer describe the collaborative effort behind this unique title.

An Early Reader 

Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! (Toon Books, 2009)

Tune in to Julie Chung and Yixin Zhang as they read Geoffrey Hayes’s popular book in Mandarin Chinese.

A Puerto Rican Classic

Juan Bobo Sends the Pig to Mass (as told by Arí Acevedo-Feliciano, illus. by Tom Wrenn, August House Story Cove, 2008)

Watch this animated video as Denise Arribas narrates a story about the beloved fool.

A French-language winner of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award

La saison des pluies (Soulières éditeur, 2011)

Listen to author Mario Brassard introduce and read from his celebrated title.

 A Graphic Novel in Russian

Little Mouse Gets Ready (Toon Books, 2009)

Listen to Elena Makarov’s reading of Jeff Smith’s Little Mouse in Russian.

A Bilingual Spanish/English Folktale

Tell Me a Cuento / Cuéntame un story (as told by Joe Hayes, illus. by Geronimo Garcia, Cinco Puntos Press, 1998)

Hear storyteller Joe Hayes’s fluid bilingual rendition of this tale.

Nick Glass and Carin Bringelson would love to hear about your favorite bilingual stories. Write to them at nick@TeachingBooks.net.

Red, Taylor Swift (Big Machine)

Red is Swift’s fourth studio album. Many of the 16 tracks have a love-related theme, clearly influenced by her past relationships.  If anything, this has made her even more alluring and loved by the music industry. Her collaboration on this album with Max Martin, Ed Sheeran, and Shellback add to her mastery of a broader range of musical styles, which only cements her position as a pop diva. Definitely check out the pop chant-along “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the dubstep-inspired “I Knew You Were Trouble,” as well as the alternative country sounds in “All Too Well” and “Stay Stay Stay.” Red is a fabulous album that will continue to solidify Swift’s musical career.—Claire H., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Just Dance 4 (Ubisoft)

With 43 tracks of party-pleasing music, Just Dance 4 is the latest installment in the Just Dance franchise. Balancing contemporary rock and pop with classic Barry White and Rick Astley provides listeners with hours of fun, as well as an awesome workout and fitness experience. Like other Just Dance games, you follow the figure on the screen while pictograms in the bottom-right corner tell you what the next move is, and the score bar at the top left lets you know your score. If you’ve never played this type of game, it might take you a turn or two to get the hang of things. The choreography is the most important part of the game with lots of arm and hip shaking. Sometimes, the motion sensor didn’t properly register the slower dance moves, but overall, the game is still a blast.

Dance Quests add extra challenges to each song and a few tracks are designed purely for multiplayer capability, like Dirty Dancing’s “Time of My Life” and Rocky Horror’s “The Time Warp.”  There is also a Battle Mode feature in which players compete head to head in traditional dance-off style. The new Just Sweat mode allows you to get an intense workout by selecting a specific style like ’80s aerobics, Latin Dance, Cheerleading Bootcamp, or Kickboxing fight moves. Workouts range from 10 to 45 minutes and an on-screen calorie counter is included. This new component alone might be all the reason you need to get in shape in the comfort of your very own home. Rating: E for Everyone. Platform: PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360.—Geena G., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Skylanders Giants (Activision)

Sylanders Giants, like the original Sylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, is a very kid-friendly action-adventure game that has added more depth and difficulty, and some new features. This is a very magical game for me since it’s essentially Pokemon come to life. The Skylanders Giants starter pack includes the game, the Portal of Power, and great Skylanders toys (four Giants—Tree Rex, Crusher, Bouncer, and Swarm). The 16-level main story also features Heroic Challenges, Arena Battles, and Skystones. Each Skylander controls one of the eight elements: water, air, tech, earth, magic, fire, undead, and life, using these to battle enemy monsters (very Pokemon-like). You can pick up accessories and powers as the game progresses. The point of the game is to build an arsenal of Skylanders that you can use at any time to battle the evil Kaos. The Giants were the “first” Skylanders and they possess powers and abilities necessary to save the world.

Skylanders Giants provides hours of entertainment since the variety of characters and added difficulty levels keep the action fresh as well as challenging. The negative side is that Activision will release 16 new characters over the next few months along with upgrades to the older characters. So if you want to keep up to date, you’ll have to spend more money, which is a bit of a bummer. Rated: E for Everyone. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and 3DS.—Nick M., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Push and Shove, No Doubt (Interscope Records)

Fans of No Doubt have been waiting for a new album for about ten years, and thankfully, Push and Shove does not disappoint. These 11 tracks mark a return to the group’s type of ska-punk sound reminiscent of the 80’s and 90’s pop scene. This by no means makes the album sound dated. On the contrary, No Doubt mixes in electro-pop, dancehall, and semi-dubstep with Mazor Lazer, all expertly produced by Spike Stent. The songs have a catchy dance beat that gives the album character and a certain uniqueness that not all artists possess. Definitely check out “Settle Down,” “Looking Hot,” “One More Summer,” and “Sparkle,” to name just a few. Fans of No Doubt or just Gwen Stefani will be satisfied with this release. Hopefully the next album won’t take as long.—Latyese, grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Borderlands 2 (Gearbox)

The enemy, Handsome Jack, has just attempted to murder you. Luckily you are nursed back to full fighting strength by none other than the chatty robot Claptrap from the original Borderlands. Stuck in Pandora, your mission is to stop Handsome Jack and his army of robots from claiming all the riches of Pandora for Hyperion Corp. Most of the quests focus on the town of Sanctuary, which helps streamline the action sequences and gives the player the ability to tackle side quests when needed. Combat is the heart of a game where there is plenty of shoot-em up action complete with a treasure trove reward. Players choose one of four vault hunters and each one possesses certain fighting skills or psychic powers. No matter if you’re Salvador the Gunzerker, Axton the commando, Maya the siren, or Zero the assassin, you can wield any of the weapons from pistols to bazookas that Borderlands 2 has to offer. Some weapons do more than fire bullets; they set the enemy on fire, electrocute them, or cover them with corrosive goo. The Borderlands 2 campaign is more fun to play with friends, and now with Badass Rank players can receive Badass redeemable tokens when they win certain challenges. Borderlands 2 will provide hours of combat and shooting rampages that should satisfy those who are into war games. Rating: M for Mature. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC.—James M, grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

FIFA 13 (EA Sports)

FIFA 13 is definitely a step up from FIFA 12, and that is saying a lot since I loved FIFA 12. With the addition of First Touch Control players can add more weight to the initial touch that is put on the ball. This introduces an air of risk since passes are not certain to hit their mark, and play does not become rote. The dribbling feature is also better since players can pull both triggers when handling the ball. This ensures that the player will face the opponent resulting in a maximum offensive advantage. The improved AI really keeps the game going, allowing teammates more focus in creating plays and driving the ball. The feel here is more flexible, adjustable, and adaptable, which is just more challenging and fun. Another great feature is the EA Sports Football Club. The Catalogue rewards players’ actions with in-game items that will boost career mode players. Match Day draws in the real soccer season by rating what players and teams are doing in real-time while you play the game version. FIFA 13 also incorporates Kinect features so players can give verbal commands as well. This is truly an awesome game experience that delivers lots of excitement and demanding play. Rating: E for everyone. Platform: Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation3.—Ryan A., grade 9, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, Vol. 1 & 2. 2 DVDs. approx. 2 hrs. ea. Shout!Factory. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60399-841-3/ ISBN 978-1-60399-842-0. $14.97 ea.
Gr 4-9–Each volume in “R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour” series, currently airing on The Hub TV Network, features five 20-minute episodes from the first season that combine creepy, spine-thrilling adventures with problems children face. In the two-part episode, “Really You,” in the first volume, a spoiled child learns a valuable lesson about love when her doll threatens to take her place. “The Dead Body” is a spooky ghost story. A Santa grants a boy’s wish by destroying his home in “A Creature Was Stirring,” and a werewolf father protects his daughter with a silver necklace in “Nightmare Inn.” The second volume continues with the spookiness and focuses mainly on the theme of friendship. “Red Dress” reveals that everything comes with a price, while “Game Over” and “Alien Candy” demonstrate that friends are our most valuable resource. “The Walls” and “Ghostly Stare” deal with greed. While all the stories may not end happily-ever-after, problems are faced head-on and valuable lessons are often learned. These spooky adventures feature guest stars such as Bailee Madison, Calum Worthy, and Grayson Russell. With its fine acting and mild scare factor, these episodes are sure to be popular with tweens and young teens.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY 

The Americans on D-Day. DVD. 56 min. with tchr’s. guide on CD. Prod. by Labyrinth Media & Pub. Dist. by Livingbattlefield.org. 2012. ISBN 978-0-615-67814-6. $25.
Gr 7 Up–The June 1944 assault on Hitler’s Fortress Europe by Allied military forces is remembered as a pivotal point in 20th-century history. This well-crafted documentary takes an unusual approach to explaining the planning and execution phases of the invasion. In addition to the usual assemblage of vintage still images and film footage, the producers attempt to bring viewers to the front lines as a contemporary battlefield guide leads us into the foray as he assumes the roles of various soldiers—American as well as German— taking part in combat. Supplemented by a well-formulated mix of credible re-creations, interviews with actual participants on both sides, and crisp graphics, the audience is on the Normandy battlefields as well as in airborne gliders and naval landing craft as were the combatants on this horrifying day. While the content focuses on American forces, the larger picture clearly emerges and concludes with a moving visit to the vast American cemetery in Normandy. In covering World War II, only select highlights of the offensive are presented so that the film can be used within classroom periods. This film is also available as part of a trilogy—The American Road to Victory—which includes coverage of the Battle of the Bulge as well as the Allied push into Germany. Options include chapter selection, closed-captioning, and descriptive video as well as two extra segments on weapons, training, and the uniforms of this campaign. The accompanying CD includes basic lesson/activity suggestions. Even though the tour guide can be a bit overly intense at times, this is a solid purchase for all media collections.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Otto Frank, Father of Anne. DVD. 75 min. MVD Entertainment Group. 2012. ISBN unavail. $119.97.
Gr 9 Up–Anne Frank’s diary has been translated into more than 67 languages and, as a result of her father’s persistence, it has become the world’s greatest single document about the Holocaust. In David DeJongh’s revealing documentary, we meet Otto, Anne’s father, who was an officer in Germany’s army during WW I. The family fled to Holland during Hitler’s reign, and Anne’s diary was written while they were in hiding. Otto survived Auschwitz and was disconsolate over losing his daughters and wife. But his life took on a singular, passionate purpose when Anne’s diary anonymously came to him. He edited the diaries and doggedly pursued publishers to print the book. Finally, faced with rejection, he paid for the printing of the initial editions. Firsthand interviews and rare footage from Europe reveal controversies and battles unimagined by the Diary’s readers. There were also lawsuits over stage and screen rights. Testimonies revealing the Franks’ life in hiding and Otto’s own bias favoring his younger daughter contribute to a compelling investigation of a father’s mission to make his daughter’s voice heard. This film offers conflicting accounts form eyewitnesses about the events surrounding Anne and her diary as well as source material that is sure to spark discussion and debate. An excellent addition to Holocaust collections.–Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Carter’s Unfocused, One-Track Mind. By Brent Crawford. 7 CDs. 8:06 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61106-285-4. $59.97.
Gr 9 Up–Will Carter returns as a sophomore to Merrian High after summer vacation, and his 15-year-old male hormone induced ADD is at a record high. He’s still in love with Abby, who has been accepted into the prestigious New York Drama School. She encourages Carter to apply, much to the initial dismay of his mother—he’s leaving “just when he is getting fit to live with.?? The possibility of moving to New York—and being alone with Abby—catapults Carter’s goldfish-like attention span to become focused on reaching his goals: raising a plummeting GPA (albeit with the help of numerous Saturday detentions) and being accepted at NYDS. A handful of side stories fill in the school year. Amber Lee gives birth (not Carter’s baby); Carter’s sister falls in love with his nemesis, Scary Terry; he and his “boys” form a flight club with one pair of boxing gloves; and the drama geeks thwart the principal’s plans to shut down the controversial musical, Rent. Carter’s internal conversations are cover-your-mouth funny in their perfect blend of male teenage crudeness, hidden vulnerability, and raw honesty. Nick Podehl talent as a voice actor is unmatched, and his narration here is spot-on. Brent Crawford’s terrific novel (Hyperion, 2012) offers listeners a glimpse into the typical mind of a young adult male who can’t remember his own phone number, but knows all the colors of his girlfriend’s bras. A must-have.–Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

Sun Hill Market. 2 CDs. approx. 95 min. Prod. by Sun Hill Records. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.
PreS-Gr 3–Steven Courtney follows-up his Million Smiles to Go (2011) with this incredible collection of 30 songs. Spanning rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, and beyond, each track is richly constructed, featuring Courtney’s sometimes Tom Petty-like lead vocals accompanied by as little as an acoustic guitar or as much as a full band with a jamming brass section. Courtney wrote the majority of the songs, but he manages to put his unique, exciting stamp on traditional tunes such as “This Old Man,” “Rockabye Baby,” and “Wee Willie Winkie.” His impressive skill as a musician is evident in the strength of each song in this vast collection. Among the numbers are “Bag of Dreams,” “Day in the Country,” “Hat Like That,” “Monkey McKobboh,” “Spaceman,” “Skyscraper,” “Back to the Farm,” and more. Enjoyable listening for the whole family, this is a must-have for every collection.–Veronica De Fazio, Plainfield Public Library District, IL

Welcome to the Village! CD. approx. 37 min. Prod. by Aya World Prods. Dist. by NewSound Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $13.98.
PreS-Gr 4–The voices of hundreds of children can be heard on Aaron Nigel Smith’s latest recording. Best known for his work on the PBS show Between the Lions, Smith will surprise listeners as he skillfully mixes original songs with traditional and classical tunes that he arranged in this well-programmed, charming album. Opening with the traditional Nigerian song, “Fanga Alafia” (the title means welcome and blessings), it continues with wonderful arrangements of “Man Gave Names” (a Bob Dylan song that features solos by Laurie Berkner, Lucky Diaz, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo), “One Love” (Bob Marley’s reggae/rhythm and blues classic), and “Sound the Trumpet” (Henry Purcell’s baroque duet features Smith and a boy soprano). Other highlights include Dan Zanes’s solo on “Grateful” and the traditional call-response song from Ghana, “Che Che Cole.” Smith has done an admirable job of making “Banana Boat Song” (the traditional Jamaican mento song) and “Wonderful World” (the Thiele/Weiss classic) his own. He closes with “Siyahamba,” a South African hymn whose title means “We Are Marching in the Light of God” in Zulu. Proceeds from the sale of the album will aid the Cura Rotary Home orphanage and school in Nairobi, Kenya.–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

World of Wonder. CD. 32 min. CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.97.
PreS-Gr 3–San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Alison Faith Levy, formerly the lead singer of the kindie band The Sippy Cups, returns to the kid music scene with her first solo album. Each song has Levy’s trademark big production sound, whether a sensitive ballad, an up-tempo rocking number, or a middle-of-the-road tune. Lyrics of the ten original songs are smart and have lots of kid appeal. Highlights include a large-sounding rendition of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” with several added verses, the participation/movement songs “Reach for the Sky/Like a Spinning Top” (though these are technically two different songs, the gospel-inspired “Reach” leads smoothly into the rocking “Top”), the joyous soft-shoe/lullaby “Baby Anteater,” and the classic folksong, “I Had a Rooster.” Levy closes the recording with “One More Cupcake, a percussion-driven request for “just one more” because one treat is often just not enough. Welcome back, Alison!–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Flesh & Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy. By Albert Marrin. 4 CDs. 4:21 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01476-9. $30.
Gr 5 Up–Albert Marrin takes the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 and uses it as a jumping-off point to discuss immigration and working conditions in the early 20th century in his powerful National Book Award nominee (Knopf, 2011). The fire, which was the most devastating disaster in New York City’s history until the terrorist attack of 2001, created huge cause for concern in the factories and sweatshops in America at the time. The immigrants, who had been working exceedingly long hours in unsafe conditions to make ends meet, were suddenly encouraged to join unions that would fight to give them workers’ rights. With this catalytic event, new laws were put in place to protect workers, many of the rights that we enjoy and take for granted today can be directly linked to this time period. John H. Mayer’s straightforward and even delivery takes listeners step-by-step through the history leading to the immigrant work culture existing in New York City at the time of the Triangle Fire. Although the audiobook can stand on its own, have the print version available so listeners can peruse the numerous photos. A must-have addition to school and public library nonfiction collections.– Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, CT

For all the latest reviews in this subject area and more, check out our new Book Verdict site! Book Verdict is fully accessible to all users, though certain content and functionality are only available to subscribers.To log in to your account, click here. To view the new subscription options, Get Started With Book Verdict Pro Today.

Don’t know if you have an account with us? It’s easy to check and verify your email, or create a new account.

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

DVD

Art Instruction

Steps4Kids to Draw: Animals, People, Shapes & Things. DVD. 90 min. Steps4Kids. 2012. ISBN unavail. $24.99.

A Program for Magical Story Times. DVD. 15 min. with CD (22 min.), spiral-bound book, 3 paperbacks. Granny Press. 2012. ISBN 978-0-945110-17-0. $79.

Language Arts

The Raven:  Edgar Allen Poe. DVD. 10 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Prod. by Seven Hills Voice Prod. Dist by TMW Media. 2012. ISBN unavail. $69.95.

Music

Read and Sing with Hap Palmer: Musical Picture Books for Young Children. DVD. 30 min. Prod. by Hap-Pal Music. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $14.98.

Science

Birth of an Ocean: One Ocean, Episode I. DVD. 44 min. Prod. by Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2010, 2012 release. ISBN 1-93777-221-7. $250.

Social Studies

American Experience: Clinton. 2 DVDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by WGBH Educational Foundation. Dist. by PBS Dist. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60883-619-2. $29.99.

The First Ladies. 2 DVDs. 7 hrs. PBS Dist. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60883-724-3.  $34.99.

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

Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens. By Brandon Sanderson. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-0529-8, CD: ISBN 978-4618-0530-4. $51.75. 

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian. By Eoin Colfer. 6 CDs. 7:30 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-99121-8. $37.

Between the Lines. By Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer. 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 8:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-0089-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-3308-7. $77.75.

Breaking Stalin’s Nose. By Eugene Yelchin. 2 cassettes or CDs. 2 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4560-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4561-5. $25.75

The Car. By Gary Paulsen. 4 CDs. 4:20 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-1067-3. $39.97.

Classic Poems for Boys. CD. 65:08 min. with notes. Naxos Audiobooks. 2012. ISBN 978-184-379-618-3. $14.98.

Classic Poems for Girls. CD. 64:45 min. with booklet. Naxos Audiobooks. 2012. ISBN 978-184-379-620-6. $14.98.

Dancing Carl. By Gary Paulsen. 2 CDs. 2:21 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-4070-1. $39.97.

Diva: The Flappers. By Jillian Larkin. 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-74718-1. $44.

Drowning Instinct. By Ilsa Bick. 8 CDs. 9:52 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0761-2. $49.97.

Fake Mustache: Or How Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kids) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius. By Tom Angleberger. 3 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4610-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4609-4. $30.75.

Fury. By Elizabeth Miles. 8 cassettes or 8 CDs. 9 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-3346-9, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-3548-7. $87.75.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns: The Fire and Thorns Trilogy, Book 1. By Rae Carson. 10 cassettes or 10 CDs. 12:25 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4935-4, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4936-1. $87.75.

The Great Gazzoon: A Tall Tale with Tunes and Turbulence. By Rick Scott and Valley Hennell. 3 CDs. 4 hrs. with music CD, songbook. Prod. by Grand PooBa Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN 978-0-9733515-7-6. $24.99.

Hidden. By Helen Frost. 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-2100-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-2099-5. $25.75.

How to Steal a Dog. By Barbara O’Connor. 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette:  ISBN 978-1-4640-2370-5, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-2369-9. $46.75.

If I Were You Readers Theater Performance Kit. By Ron Hubbard. 3 CDs. with script, instructions, program book. Galaxy Press. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61986-172-5. $24.95.

I’m So Sure. By Jenny B. Jones. 7 CDs. 7:10 hrs. Oasis Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61375-138-1. $27.99.

The Kill Order (Maze Runner Prequel). By James Dashner. 8 CDs. 9:58 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01436-3. $44.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell. By Chris Colfer. 8 CDs. 8:59 hrs. Hachette Audio for AudioGo. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61969-125-4. $69.99.

Letters to Elise: A Peter Townsend Novella. By Amanda Hocking. 3 CDs. 2:50 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5829-3. $39.97.

Long Lankin. By Lindsey Barraclogh. 9 CDs.10:06 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5198-0. $54.97.

The Milo & Jazz Mysteries #1: The Case of the Stinky Socks. By Lewis B. Montgomery. CD. 48 min. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1199-3. $15.95; with paperback book, ISBN 978-1-4301-1200-6: $20.95.

Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind. By Valerie Hobbs. 4 CDs 4:30 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01036-5. $30.

Mrs. Cooney Is Looney!: The Weird School, Book 7. By Dan Gutman. cassette or CD. 45 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4498-6432-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4498-0433-0. $15.75.

Muncle Trogg. By Janet Foxley. 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4 hr. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 9780104561-3552-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4561-3553-9. $46.75.

My Farm Friends. By Wendell Minor. CD. 8:24 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1096-5. $29.95.

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece. By Annabel Pitcher. 5 CDs. Hachette Audio for AudioGo. 2012. ISBN 978-1-67969-127-8. $54.99.

Nanushka: A Russian Children’s Story. CD. 30 min. CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.97.

Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus. By Kate O’Hearn. 8 CDs. 8:29 hrs. AudioGo. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4458-2084-2. $69.95.

Rift: A Nightshade Novel. By Andrea Cremer. 10CDs. 12:11 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01508-7. $60.

Space Cadet. By Robert A. Heinlein. 7 CDs. 7:30 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-936223-13-8. $49.

Such Wicked Intent: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, Book 2. By Kenneth Oppel. 7 CDs. 8:17 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-0297-5. $87.97.

Wake: A Watersong Novel. By Amanda Hocking. 6 CDs. 7:30 hrs. Macmillan Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4272-2214-5. $29.99.

Music

Catchin’ Some Peazzz. CD. 44:33 min. with lyrics online. Hot Peas ’n Butter. 2012. ISBN unavail. $17.

Electric Bananas. CD. approx. 40 min. AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.97.

Moo Moo Cha Cha Cha and Other Fun Songs. CD. approx. 25 min. AV Café. ISBN unavail. $14.

Puzzle. CD. 33 min. Megs Melodies. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.99.

Raise a Ruckus. CD. 32 min. Hullabaloo Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.

Sing Loud. CD. 34 min. Prod. by Green Circle Music. Dist. by Melissa Green Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.99.

Someone Else’s Shoes. CD. approx. 48 min. Recess Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.99.

Spicy Kid. CD. 26:48 min. Prod. by Squirrel Mechanic. Dist. by Midwest Tape. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.99.

W Is for Wapiti! An Alphabet Songbook. CD. 50 min. with hardcover book. Prod. by The Secret Mountain. Dist. by Independent Publishers Group. 2012. ISBN 978-2-923163-83-3. $16.95.

Social Studies

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917. By Sally M. Walker. 3 CDs. 2:52 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01466-0. $27.

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery. By Steve Sheinkin. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-4490-1498-1. $45.

Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem. By Rosalyn Schanzer. 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4313-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4314-7. $25.75.

With his hulking body and sledge-hammer-shaped fists, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) has been the villain in a kid-favorite arcade video game for 30 years, smashing buildings and causing mayhem throughout Niceland, damage adeptly repaired by the ever-cheerful Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer). Fed up with being another 8-bit baddie, Ralph is ready to take a shot at being the good guy and decides to prove his mettle by earning a medal.

His quest takes him—via power cord—to “Hero’s Duty,” a modern, first-person shooter game starring the stalwart Sergeant Calhoun (Glee’s Jane Lynch) and a mass of evil alien cy-bugs. Next, he crash-lands in the candy-themed kart-racing game, “Sugar Rush,” where he meets spunky Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), a feisty and outspoken youngster who is determined to earn a place in the starting lineup despite her propensity for glitching. The two form an alliance, and Ralph believes he has finally made a friend, until events that he has inadvertently set in action—and a carefully camouflaged villain—cause everything to crash down around them. Will Ralph be able to set things right before it’s too late?

Designed to look and sound like an old-school arcade game, the movie’s official website provides a trailer, a selection of behind-the-scenes videos, and a gallery of movie images. A characters option introduces each of the major players with a bright illustration, a bar chart of personality-specific statistics (e.g., “Fist Power” for Ralph or “Heart” for Vanellope), a brief bio, and downloads. Showcased here are some familiar videogame villains featured in the film, including the orange-colored ghost from “Pac-Man” and Dr. Eggman from “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Kids can also try their hand at online versions of the movie’s three arcade games, providing a fun interactive extension to the viewing experience. Each offering’s graphic style, music, and milieu are cleverly suited to its particular era (a classic 1980’s pixilated veneer for “Fix-it Felix, Jr.,” a super-cute Nintendo-esque ‘90s look for “Sugar Rush,” and a hyper-realistic setting for “Hero’s Duty”).

Book Tie-ins: Picture Books

A selection of Wreck-It Ralph books geared to a variety of reading levels will win over movie fans. A “Little Golden Book” version (PreS-K) of the tale recaps the action in a straightforward narrative, briefly touching upon the story’s highpoints. The colorful cartoon illustrations provide just enough detail to delineate events, while emphasizing Ralph’s super-size fists and Vanellope’s perky nature. Illustrated throughout with glossy large-size images, the “Big Golden Book” retelling (PreS-Gr 4; both Random House) incorporates more elements from the plot, providing dialogue along with a bit more character development. In both the narrative and artwork, transitions between scenes set in the different game worlds and in the arcade are clean and easy to follow.

The illustrations evoke the movie animation, and shifting perspectives and close-ups effectively underscore the unfolding action and the characters’ emotions. The text’s clear writing style and basic vocabulary make the book appropriate for sharing aloud or for independent readers. Some of the same images are presented in Wreck-It Ralph: Read-Along Storybook and CD (Disney, 2012; PreS-Gr 4), a staple-bound paperback that presents a more streamlined retelling. Narrated with plenty of expression, the audio CD also includes lines of dialogue performed by the movie actors, lively sound effects, and background music.

A staple-bound picture book zooms in on Ralph’s adventures in Sugar Rush (Random House, 2012; PreS-Gr 2) as he and Vanellope work together to mix, bake, and decorate a kart confection for the race, and their reluctant alliance gradually blossoms into friendship. Fast-reading text and soft-edged candy-colored illustrations convey the events along with the characters’ growing affection. One Sweet Race (Disney, 2012; PreS-Gr 1), an original picture book set in the world of Sugar Rush, stars Rancis Fluggerbutter, a blonde-haired boy with a jauntily angled chocolate-bonbon cap. When he trades his belongings to purchase a souped-up candy racing kart, it proves impossible to control, and he ends up in a wreck with “bubble gum airbag” deployed. Never fear! Vanellope helps him to piece together a homemade vehicle with a “fudge-bucket seat,” “shock-olate absorbers,” and “taffy bear-rakes,” allowing him to triumph and learn a lesson about friendship. Created by one of the movie’s visual design artists, the artwork depicts the sugar-sweet characters, confection-filled backdrops, and racing action.

Easy Reader/Chapter Books

Game On! (PreS-Gr 1; Random House, 2012), a “Step 2” easy reader, recounts the movie’s plot in a concise narrative that utilizes short sentences and basic, often-repeated vocabulary words. Employing clean lines and muted colors, the illustrations add interest and support the text with visual clues. Beginning readers will enjoy re-living the familiar events, as Ralph discovers that “He does not need a medal to be a Good Guy.”

Standing at 9-feet tall, weighing 643 pounds, and continually yelling, I’m Gonna Wreck It! (Random House; Gr 1-4), the film’s hero recounts his story in a lively first-person narrative. Written in an accessible style, this easy chapter book combines simple vocabulary, short and snappy sentences, and humorous black-and-white cartoons to tell “a pretty crazy story about some Good Guys, some Bad Guys, a cute kid, and lots of gooey taffy.” The text clearly conveys the events, while remaining in character with a warmly informal tone and exclamations like, “Mother Hubbard!” The Kapow! cover (Ralph fisting his way through a brick wall), invitingly open format, and protagonist’s perspective will draw readers into the tale.

Clear and descriptive writing, humorous dialogue, and fast-paced plot make the The Junior Novelization (Random House; Gr 3-6) appropriate for both independent readers and sharing aloud with younger movie fans. The prologue sets the scene by introducing Litwak’s Family Fun Center, with its “ringing bells and electronic beeps,” kids racing from console to console, and the fact that the real action takes place when the arcade closes at night. Told in suspenseful chapters, the tale touches upon themes of finding friendship, discovering untapped talents, and helping others. A colorful cover showing the vivacious Vanellope perched on Ralph’s shoulder, the two smiling affectionately at each other, welcomes movie viewers. Eight pages of captioned full-color artwork are nestled within, along with black-and-white images of a pixilated Ralph.

Go Behind the Scenes

Movie devotees as well as readers with an interest in visual design and animation will enjoy perusing the profusely illustrated pages of Jennifer Lee and Maggie Malone’s The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (Chronicle, 2012; Gr 5 Up). Stating that the movie is a bit of  a departure for Disney Animation, the authors point to the involvement of Moore, who brought with him “an edgy animation aesthetic and a bold, risky sense of humor” along with a commitment to creating a film with a modern sensibility. Well-written chapters delve into each of the very different video-game worlds, describing the design process, settings, and character development (at various times, Ralph was envisioned as a troll, caveman, Sasquatch, and gorilla, as shown in the concept artwork).

Other sections introduce “Game Central” (a train-station-like hub through which the characters travel from one game console to another), scenes set in the human world of the arcade, and characters that were cut before production. Commentary from the creative staff is woven into the narrative, along with pull-out quotes, providing an interesting look at how the film’s look and storyline evolved side by side. The handsome pages are filled with concept art, character sketches, story boards, and models (including an amazing built-from-candy rendition of the Sugar Rush town square).

Publication Information

SAXON, Victoria, adapt. Wreck-It Ralph. illus. by Lorelay Bove. “A Little Golden Bk.” Random. 2012. Tr $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2972-6.

BAZALDUA, Barbara, adapt. Wreck-It Ralph. illus. by the Disney Studio Artists. “A Big Golden Bk.” Random. 2012. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2954-2.

GLASS, Calliope, adapt. Wreck-It Ralph: Read-Along Storybook and CD. illus. by the Disney Storybook Artists. Disney Pr. 2012. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-142316061-8. w/CD.

O’HARA, Ellen. Wreck-It Ralph: Sugar Rush. illus. by Cory Loftis. Random. 2012. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2959-7.

RISCO, Elle D. Wreck-It Ralph: One Sweet Race. illus. by Brittney Lee. Disney. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-142316628-3.

AMERIKANER, Susan. Wreck-It Ralph: Game On! illus. by the Disney Storybook Artists. Random House. 2012. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-8116-8; pap.  $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2889-7.

BAZALDUA, Barbara, adapt. Wreck-It Ralph: I’m Gonna Wreck It! illus. by David Gilson. Random House. 2012. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2958-0.

TRIMBLE, Irene, adapt. Wreck-It Ralph: The Junior Novelization. Random House. 2012. pap.  $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2960-3.

LEE, Jennifer & Maggie Malone. The Art of Wreck-It Ralph. Chronicle. 2012. Tr $40. ISBN 978-1-4521-1101-8.

Bloom, a seemingly regular teenager, discovers her true identity as a fairy and travels to the dimension of Magix to attend Alfea College, a much-respected fairy school, and hone her magical powers. Here, she forms friendships with five other students: carefree and charismatic Stella, Fairy of the Shining Sun; Flora, group peacemaker and Fairy of Nature; Musa, Fairy of Music and resident mystery-solver; science-savvy Tecna, Fairy of Technology; and audacious and athletic Aisha, Fairy of Waves (voiced by Keke Palmer). Calling themselves the Winx Club, the girls work hard at their studies and have fun spending time together. When threatened by evil forces, including a trio of mischief-making witches from Cloudtower Academy known as the Trix, Bloom and her cohorts transform from trendily dressed teens into winged fairies and band together to use their unique abilities to vanquish their foes. The girls often team up—and hang out—with the Specialists, a group of wizards/warriors-in-training from nearby Red Fountain School. Themes of identity, exploring one’s strengths (magical and otherwise), and friendships and romances are mixed with humor and good-versus-evil adventures.

Kids can visit Nickelodeon’s Winx website to find out more about the characters, watch videos and full episodes, take quizzes (“Which Winx are you?”), and sample a variety of online games. For newcomers to the series, a “Winx 101” option provides background on the personalities and plotlines with a click-on timeline of images and clips.

Book Tie-ins: Novels and Graphic Novels

Followers of these fashion-forward fairy friends will enjoy reading about their heroines’ adventures in two new book series that emphasize teamwork, camaraderie, and self-discovery. Random House has launched a series of fast-reading chapter books based on the show’s plot, each featuring an inviting cover image of a bright-eyed Bloom. Welcome to Alfea reveals how the ordinary sixteen-year-old protagonist discovers her hidden talents when she stumbles upon Stella, a blonde-haired girl with wings, being bullied by a bunch of gruesome creatures at the park. Wanting to help, Bloom somehow taps into her magical powers, thus discovering her true identity as a fairy. Heading off to the Magic Dimension with Stella, she settles in and makes new friends, has her first run in with the wicked witch triumvirate, and starts to truly believe in her newfound abilities. In the second volume, Bloom begins to uncover the secrets of her past, while encountering Trouble with Trix (both Random, 2012; Gr 2-5), who are determined to steal Bloom’s greatest strength, the power of the Dragon Flame. Both tales are clearly written with accessible vocabulary, concisely described action, and entertaining dialogue. Magical adventures and battles with monsters alternate with friendship issues and personal dilemmas. Each volume includes eight pages of full-color photos from the show. Series viewers will appreciate learning about or revisiting Bloom’s beginnings.

Readers with a taste for storytelling that blends succinct narrative with vibrant visuals will be drawn to Viz Media’s graphic novel series. Adorned with sherbet-hued images of the fairies and title logos that sparkle, each volume includes two stand-alone stories. Bloom’s Discovery of her identity as a fairy is recapped in the first book, along with a tale about her “First Day in Magix” and first skirmish with the Trix. In Secrets of Alfea, the fairies are getting ready to host a party for the Red Fountain boys, and it’s up to Bloom to stop the Trix from making mischief.

The Red Fountain Boys return in the second adventure, when their decision to detour from a troll-transporting mission and pay a visit to the girls ends up in disaster and they must all work together to set things right. The Magic of Friendship (all Viz Media, 2012; Gr 3-6) describes how hard-working Bloom beats out two other girls for a part-time waitressing job, and then takes on a terrifying swamp monster (and the evil Trix) with the help of her friends. The show’s mix of humor, action, and fantasy translates well into the graphic novel format. The artwork emphasizes exaggerated facial expressions for comic beats, dynamically delineates rampaging monsters and magical-forces wielding fairies, and colorfully depicts the other-worldly settings and dazzling transformations. With lithe lines and sharp angles, the illustrations have a sophisticated look, and dabs of personal drama—friendship issues and crushes—will also reel in tween readers.

Expand their Horizons

Encourage Winx Club viewers as well fans of the Disney Fairies to stretch their wings and dip into other fairy fare. Starring a feisty protagonist, The Night Fairy (Candlewick, 2010; Gr 1-5) details the adventures of Flora, a young fairy with injured wings who must learn to fend for herself in the wilds of a giantess’s (aka human woman’s) garden. Laura Amy Schlitz’s vivacious storytelling and Angela Barrett’s elegant and atmospheric artwork present an evocatively imagined fairy’s-eye view of the world, while providing a suspenseful tale that percolates with exciting danger, fortitude-testing challenges, and newfound friendships.

Beginning with Silence and Stone (2010; Gr 2-5), Kathleen Duey’s easy chapter book series, “The Faeries’ Promise,” serves as a companion to her popular “Unicorn’s Secret” series (both S & S). Alida, a young faerie princess, has been locked away in a castle for years by Lord Dunraven, a man determined to stop any contact between people and magical creatures. With the help of a daring human boy named Gavin, she makes her escape and embarks on a quest to find the rest of her family. Though she finally has the opportunity to tap into her fairy powers, danger lurks everywhere, and the two friends are continually threatened by capture. Sandara Tang’s fine-lined drawings depict the dramatic high points and add to the magical mood.

Gail Carson Levine and David Christiana’s Fairies and the Quest for Never Land (Disney, 2010; Gr 2-5) stars Gwendolyn Carlisle, a descendant of the famed Wendy Darling and latest recipient of the “kiss” necklace (actually an old button made from an acorn), given by Peter Pan to Wendy long ago and passed down for years from mother to daughter. She breathlessly awaits a magical nighttime visit, but when Peter Pan finally comes to fetch her to Never Land, things do not go as expected: not only is the evil dragon Kyto on the loose, but Gwendolyn must work hard to earn the trust of  the fairies who are determined to recapture the flame-spewing beast. A resourceful heroine, short and suspenseful chapters, and whimsical full-color artwork add up to a fun-filled, sprinkled-with-shimmer adventure. Readers may also want to check out the other well-written and handsomely illustrated entries in the duo’s “Disney Fairies” series.

Looking for more offerings to tempt fairy devotees? Check out “Gossamer Wings and Magical Charms: Tales of the Fairy Realm.”

Publication Information

REISFELD, Randi, adapt. Winx Club: Welcome to Alfea. Vol. 1. ISBN 978-0-307-97994-0.

_____. Winx Club: Trouble with Trix. Vol. 2. ISBN 978-0-307-97995-7.

ea vol: Random. 2012. pap. $4.99.

Winx Club: Volume 1: Bloom’s Discovery. ISBN 978-1-4215-4159-4.

Winx Club: Volume 2: Secrets of Alfea. ISBN 978-1-4215-4160-0.

Winx Club: Volume 3: The Magic of Friendship. ISBN 978-1-4215-4161-7.

ea vol: Viz Media. 2012. pap. $6.99.

SCHLITZ, Amy. The Night Fairy. illus. by Angela Barrett. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763636746; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9780763652951; ebook $6.99. ISBN 9780763654399.

DUEY, Kathleen. Silence and Stone. illus. by Sandara Tang. (The Faeries’ Promise Series). S & S. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781416984566; pap. $4.99. ISBN 9781416984573; ebook $5.99. ISBN 9781442413016.

LEVINE, Gail Carson. Fairies and the Quest for Never Land. illus. by David Christiana. Disney. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1423109358; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1423160120.

Elections around the world: ePals World Elections Center is intended to help students learn about global election processes, candidates, and issues by involving them in a wide range of interactive activities. The site, featuring projects and activities for whole-class and independent learning, includes videos on the recent French presidential inauguration, the 2012 Venezuelan presidential candidates, the U.S. Republican and Democratic Conventions, and more. In “Students Speak,” users can share their thoughts through their writing and artwork. Students can also make and upload a Presidential Minute” video in which they address their country’s leader with their concerns and advice. There’s a section where users can check out videos that were previously uploaded concerning past elections.  In the “Teachers’ Corner,” educators can find “Election Projects” such as “Romney–Obama Presidential Election” and “What Are Constitutional Governments?”

Kids can also research and share information about their country’s candidates with each other. In addition, there’s an international focus with fact pages for countries that have had or will have presidential elections in 2012, including the U.S., the Russian Federation, Taiwan, Mexico, Slovenia, Gabon, South Korea, France, Sierra Leone, and Venezuela. This section includes materials focusing on each country’s political structure, such as its form of government, election processes, terms of office, voting regulations, and more. Among the games available are “On the Road to the White House,” “Win the White House,”  “Get the House in Order–The United Kingdom,” “History Challenge Australia,” and many more.

“Every teacher understands the power of the teachable moment,” says Nina Zolt, ePals co-founder and chief learning officer. “The World Elections Center provides a terrific opportunity for students around the globe to explore, communicate with peers, and generally become involved in 2012 elections and issues around the world that will have a direct impact on their futures.”

Tell Me a Story

Literacy initiative: Storyline Online is a free streaming video site where members of the Screen Actor Guild (SAG) read children’s books with the goal of promoting literacy and inspiring the love of reading. Annette Bening is the latest volunteer actor to lend her talents to this project. She reads Avi Slodovinick’s The Tooth (Kane/Miller, 2010) while the illustrations by Manon Gauthier are scanned, with some animation added. In the story, a little girl goes to the dentist to have her tooth extracted and notices a homeless man on the street. When she leaves the dentist’s office, she gives him her tooth and tells him to put it under his pillow.

For each book, there are downloadable supplemental activities to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills. To date, there are 25 books in the program, each read by a different actor. They include Betty White narrating Gene Zion’s Harry, the Dirty Dog (Harper, 1956), James Earl Jones reading Evelyn Coleman’s To Be a Drum (Albert Whitman & Company, 1998), and Jane Kaczmarek reading Thank You, Mr. Falker (Philomel, 1998) by Patricia Polacco.

The 2^nd Law, Muse (Warner Brothers)

The title of Muse’s sixth studio album is inspired by the second law of thermodynamics and it certainly seems to fit. This unpredictable album deals with survival within a society by showcasing Muse’s ability to reinvent itself. Each of its previous albums stressed a specific musical style, but on The 2^nd Law the listener hears a multitude of styles and sounds all together on one album. Tracks go from loud symphonic and throbbing synths and guitar solos to classic sounds with simple vocals to dubstep.  From the thunderous opening track “Survival,” which became the official anthem of the London Summer Olympics to the passionate but simple sounding “Save Me” and “Liquid State,” written and sung by bassist Chris Wolstenholme. Other great tracks are “The 2^nd Law: Isolated System,” “Panic Station,” and “Supremacy.” Even though the album is all over the place musically, it is still an artistic feat. Muse fans should be pleased.—Uma P, grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Uno, Green Day (Warner Brothers)

This is the ninth studio album for Green Day, which has evolved from the bratty, rebellious punk band from Dookie to making rock operas and Broadway plays. Uno, the first of a garage-rock trilogy that will be released over the next few months, tries to combine the commercial pop-punk sound with the smart-aleckness of earlier times. Many of the songs on Uno are about themes the group has addressed over their long career. Uno is a typical record that tries to capture the past and not something I expected from Green Day. It is a solid album but nothing earth shattering; Green Day just seems to coast on this one. Tracks to check out are “Sweet 16,” “Fell for You,” “Troublemaker,” “Let Yourself Go,” and “Oh Love.”—Maureen L., grade 12, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Madden NFL 13 (EA Games)

There are definitely a lot of changes accompanying this latest installment of the Madden NFL franchise and many are for the better.  First is the addition of receiver awareness. The receiver must be ready (indicated by the icon changing from a gray to color) before the quarterback can throw him a pass. This is much more realistic since a blind throw into the field should not result in a completed pass. Also a new physics engine breaks the repetitive sequences that have occurred in other versions. This makes playing challenging, exciting and more interesting. The game has a more subdued and classic presentation style and swapped out the former booth announcers for the likes of Phil Simms and Jim Nantz. Instead of loud hip-hop and rock and roll tunes it has opted for instrumental scores, changing the whole feel of the game. Another improvement is that Xbox players can use the Kinect microphone and call out commands such as blitz or deep pass rather than using the traditional controls. Madden NFL 13 provides hours of great football entertainment and has made some dramatic changes that were needed to set this installment apart. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Rating : E for Everyone.—Will P.,grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School