Bascomb, Neal. The Nazi Hunters. (Scholastic; Gr 6-10).
Adolf Eichmann, the S.S. Commander in charge of the transport of millions of Europeans to concentration and labor camps during World War II, is the focus of this compelling and suspenseful title. Bascomb describes in detail the search for Eichmann across continents, the elaborate plans and courageous team assembled to kidnap him, the man’s capture in Argentina, and his trial in the newly formed state of Israel in 1961. In the end, Eichmann went quietly with his captors, and to the end insisted he was following orders. Average quality black-and-white photos, reproductions of documents, and maps illustrate the book.

Hanbury-Tenison, Robin and Robert Twigger. The Modern Explorers. (Thames & Hudson; Gr 9 Up).
Units of study on exploration begin in the early grades and often continue through high school. In years past the focus was on early ocean voyages and the individuals that led them, but since then many histories have expanded to include underwater and space travel. Asserting that “exploration is alive and well and never more popular than today,” the authors of this volume follow up with 39 accounts (including many first-hand) of travels to deserts, forests, mountain ranges, and the open sea with scientists, photojournalists, and adventurers. Numerous black-and-white archival photos and dramatic color images illustrate these remarkable contemporary journeys in search of river sources, remote populations, and an experience of a lifetime.

Hopkins, H. Joseph. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever (Beach Lane Books; Gr 2-5). Illustrated by Jill McElmurry.
Growing up in Northern California in the 1860s, Kate Sessions felt “at home in the woods,” that “the trees were her friends.” Later, after graduating from the University of California with a degree in science (the first woman to do so), she took a teaching job in San Diego. In that city’s nearly treeless landscape, it wasn’t long before Sessions became a gardener, determined to find plants that could thrive in a dry, warm climate. Hopkins relates how the woman was soon planting trees “along streets, by schools, and in small parks and plazas all over town.” In preparation for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, Sessions organized planting parties so that visitors could enjoy a shady City Park (now Balboa Park). Thanks to her love of nature and can-do spirit, San Diego today is a “lush leafy city.” McElmurry’s distinguished illustrations, imbued with a range of greens and earth tones, document the landscape’s transformation.

McClafferty. Carla Killough. Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break Moment. (Carolrhoda; Gr 7 Up).
Here’s a title that combines headline news, medical science, and sports. Stories of injuries sustained by both professional and young football players have been surfacing over the past few years, giving rise to concerns about the safety of the game. McClafferty begins with a history of  football, including the 1905 season that ended in 19 deaths and numerous critical injuries, and resulted in early changes to the rules of the sport. Combining personal stories, information on impacts sustained by athletes, the effects of concussions and brain injuries, and current research, the author brings readers up to date on the continuing efforts to make the sport safer. This attractively designed volume is supported by archival black-and-white and color photos, source notes, a bibliography, and a list of further reading. Consider pairing Fourth Down with Perri Klass and David Klass’s fiction title, Second Impact (FSG, 2013) for another look at the topic.

Rosenstock, Barb. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library (Calkins Creek; Gr 2-5). Illustrated by John O’Brien.
Books were Jefferson’s “constant companions” and he read and purchased them with enthusiasm. His extensive personal library formed the foundation of the second Library of Congress collection after first was destroyed in 1814. Rosenstock tells the story of the man’s passion for collecting “histories and contracts” and tomes on “medicine, music, and math.” Throughout this thoroughly delightful story, the author weaves in information on Jefferson’s personal life and his role as a statesman. Side notes, some framed by an illustration of an open book, offer additional facts and quotes by the man (“All that is necessary for a student is access to a library.”) John O’Brien’s pen-and-ink and watercolor art is rich in detail and its humorous touches that mirror the spirited text.

BUNTING, Eve. The Cart That Carried Martin. illus. by Don Tate. Charlesbridge. 2013. ISBN 9781580893879. JLG Level: I+ : Independent Readers (Grades 2–4).

“The cart was old. Its paint had faded. It was for sale outside Cook’s Antiques and Stuff. Nobody wanted it.” That was before it carried something heavier than the burden it bore. The wagon that no one wanted was borrowed for use in a funeral procession. Two mules led it through the streets while thousands of people sang, cried, and grieved. It was the funeral cart that carried Martin Luther King, Jr. whose spirit could not be contained in the coffin that bound him. Reading a newspaper article inspired Bunting’s latest picture book―a powerful tale of the modest artifact that now motivates men to remove their hats.

HOPKINS, H. Joseph. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever. illus. by Jill McElmurry. S & S/Beach Lane. 2013. ISBN 9781442414020. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

When Kate Sessions first saw San Diego’s City Park (as it was then called), it looked like the rest of the desert town―there was very little green. She became a tree hunter, asking for seeds from gardeners all over the world. Soon Kate’s seedlings were growing all over the city. In 1909, city planners met to discuss the upcoming Panama-California Exposition. Kate was hired to plant thousands of trees in what was now called Balboa Park before the visitors arrived in 1915. Could the young gardener (the first woman to graduate with a science degree from UC) prepare a treeless city park in such a short time? Hopkins’ first picture book explores the powerful impact of a woman who changed the landscape of San Diego.

MARCUS, Leonard S. Randolph Caldecott: The Man Who Could Not Stop Drawing. illus. by author. Farrar/Frances Foster. 2013. ISBN  9780374310257. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Seventy-five years ago, a new award was established to celebrate the most distinguished work by an American children’s book illustrator. Seventy-seven years earlier, the man for whom the award was named took his first job at age fifteen. He was hired as a clerk in a British bank. Though the job was stable, especially for a young man who had experienced health issues, banking was not his heart’s desire. More than anything he loved to draw. Whenever he could, he doodled ―even on his banking papers. He knew that he would have to move to London where editorial cartoons could give him the break he needed. Armed with a small portfolio, Caldecott took the opportunity to share his work with important editors. One of them liked his art, publishing the first of many illustrations in London Society. As his popularity rose, the artist was approached to take over the work of retiring illustrator, Walter Crane. His new job would be to create the drawings for children’s toybooks. Completely changing the format, style, and design, his first book immediately sold the first printing’s 10,000 copies. From doodles as a young boy, he became the most sought-after illustrator of his time. Today, his name is recognized by children and librarians all over the country. His name was Randolph Caldecott.

McCARTHY, Meghan. Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton. illus. by author. S & S/Paula Wiseman. 2013. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

In 1942 women weren’t allowed to be commercial pilots, but Betty Skelton was determined to fly. She became a stunt pilot, calling it “aerobatic flying.” Turning her plane upside down, she became known for her daring ribbon cuts, using her propeller to slice the banner. She flew barefoot and took her dog, Little Tinker. In 1951, Skelton broke an altitude record, soaring an amazing height of 29,050 feet―higher than the top of Mount Everest. From there she drove racecars, continuing her need for speed and record-setting daredevil deeds. McCarthy’s fascinating account includes quotes, a time line, and an extensive bibliography of a woman who became “The First Lady of Firsts.”

For audio/video versions of these booktalks, please visit JLG’s Shelf Life Blog.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

SPONSORED BY: Lerner Publishing Group, Scholastic Library Publishing, Black Rabbit Books, and School Library Journal

EVENT DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET/12:00 – 1:00 PM PT Register Now!

With the new school year here its time to restock those nonfiction collections!

Join us for our Nonfiction Book Buzz webcast to be sure you have the latest releases ready for your readers. Our featured panelists from Lerner Publishing Group, Scholastic Library Publishing and Black Rabbit Books will discuss the trends in nonfiction, hot new releases, and upcoming titles.

Panelists
Lindsay Matvick – Senior Publicist, Lerner Publishing Group

Lindsay Matvick is the senior publicist at Lerner Publishing Group. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Library Foundation. Prior to children’s book publishing, Lindsay worked in television as a promotions producer at ABC, CBS, and NBC stations across the country. Lindsay’s love for books was inspired by her mother who is a children’s book author.  Her favorite part of the day is family reading time with her son, Jack and daughter, Katie.

Tim Daly – Editor, Scholastic Library Publishing

Tim Daly is an editor for Scholastic Library Publishing. Tim has been with Scholastic for over 5 years, and has been in the publishing profession for over 10 years. He lives in Connecticut.

Jonathan Strickland- President, Black Rabbit Books

With Black Rabbit Books, Jonathan Strickland has created a K-12 publisher built on smart content derived from many sources amassed from a career spanning more than 25 years starting with Random House International (Bantam Doubleday Dell) and continuing through Penguin Putnam, World Almanac Education Group, and The Creative Company.

Jonathan’s commitment to creating feature-driven publishing is based upon a personal obsession to find the AHA! moment for each topic—and find the best way to present this to children.

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When readers of nonfiction see the names Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop on the cover of a book, they know they’re in for an adventure. Together this author and photographer dream team has written about and photographed expeditions on the trail of snow leopards in Mongolia, tarantulas in French Guiana, and the kakapo in New Zealand. On a recent trip, the two traveled with Pati Medici to the Pantanal Wetlands in Brazil, described as “the Everglades on steroids,” and home to tick swarms, pumas, wild pigs, giant amadillos, and the elusive tapir.

Why are scientists interested in the tapir?
The tapir is South America’s largest land mammal, and it’s what’s known as a “keystone” species: an animal whose lifestyle profoundly affects the health of its ecosystem, which makes it important to all the other animals and plants who share its habitat. Tapirs love fruit and they transport the seeds in the fruits they’ve eaten far from the trees on which they grew. Pati calls the tapir “the gardener in the forest” because it “plants” (complete with fertilizer) the seeds that grow into trees upon whose fruit many other animals depend. So tapirs are integral to the rainforest ecosystem. Yet very little is known about them—including how best to protect them.

The tapir looks almost prehistoric. Tell us about them.
A tropical animal with a long, flexible snout (which it can use a snorkel when it swims) and a stout body, four hoofed toes on front feet and three on each in back, the tapir looks like a cross between a hippo, an elephant, and something prehistoric. But tapirs aren’t related to elephants and hippos. Because of their flexible snouts, some people think they’re anteaters, but they’re not; their closest relatives are rhinos and horses. But the tapir is prehistoric; it has remained unchanged since the Pliocene, more than four million years ago, when mastodons and giant ground sloths roamed North America, and the first humans had not yet evolved in Africa. Tapirs lived all over Europe, Asia, and the Americas then. Now they’re found only in South America and Southeast Asia.

Your trip brought you to the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, a place that has been described as “South America’s Serengeti” and “the Everglades on steroids.” What challenges did that environment present?
One challenge was all that water. This is the world’s largest wetland, and so many areas are difficult to reach because in the wet season, they are flooded. It also presents a danger to a tapir if you dart one outside a trap. Tapirs often flee to water, and this can be very dangerous for the tapir if it rushes into water for safety and then collapses from the tranquilizer.  Another was the heat—especially when we had a tapir in a trap. Normally they would be in the shade of the forest or the cool of the water by mid-day; we were eager to get them out of the traps as soon as possible anyway, but after early morning, we were especially worried that hot temperatures would add to the stress. And for us, the ticks were a nuisance—they were thick as flocking on our pants, and their bites were itchy!

What sort of team must be assembled for this sort of mission?
Our team was headed by Brazilian scientist Patricia Medici and included her Brazilian field assistant, a Brazilian-American darting specialist, a French zoo veterinarian, a Brazilian specialist in animal diseases and parasites—plus photographer Nic Bishop from New Zealand and me from New Hampshire in the States.

What modern technology did the team use to track the animals?
We followed the tapirs with radio telemetry and tracked them with collars transmitting GPS information to orbiting satellites. We searched on foot, by car, and with motion-sensing remote cameras. And we (and off site, some of Pati’s other colleagues) used microscopes, PCR, powerful computers and other lab equipment to look at their blood, classify their ticks, and analyze their genetics.

Once a tapir is captured, what happens next?
We would dart the animal to tranquilize it, so it wouldn’t be frightened while we examined it and affixed a radio collar to its neck. It was thrilling to be so close to a tapir, we could touch it. But we had to work fast. You don’t want to use too much tranquilizing drug—but you don’t want your 400-pound tapir to wake up in the middle of an exam, either!

You noted in the book that one of the scientists’ goals was to find out how much roaming space tapirs need to survive. What did they discover? What other information do they hope to learn as they continue to study these animals?
Pati hasn’t crunched her data yet, as she is hoping to get more tapirs and more years of information before she analyzes it all for a large sample size. But it’s known that often animals of the same species have different space requirements in different habitats. Tigers, for instance, in the cold Russian far east may need 10 times the space that tigers in the tropics might use. As Pati points out, tapirs live in lots of very different kinds of places—from high mountains to the Amazon. Tapirs live in five different types of habitat just in Brazil alone. So it’s necessary to study them in each of these habitats to see what their needs are.

Was this a successful trip?
Pati said she thought this was the most successful of her research expeditions yet! Before Pati and her team left the field, they had captured and collared three new tapirs and microchipped another; recaptured three old friends; collected tapir poop, skin, hair, and blood; and located other tapirs with sightings, camera traps, and telemetry. It was just fantastic to be part of it!

How did it compare to some of your other trips to learn about animals: snow leopards in Mongolia, the tree kangaroo in New Guinea, the kakapo in New Zealand?
Each trip has different challenges and delights. The snow leopard work in the Altai Mountains of the Gobi demanded hours of difficult, high-altitude hiking on rocky scree—and as result we got incredible views of this stark and gorgeous landscape. To even get to the area where we’d look for tree kangaroos in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea, we had to hike to 10,000 feet on slippery mud for three days, bringing with us everything we’d need, including tents and scientific equipment, for two weeks. We didn’t camp in Brazil for the tapir book—we stayed in a comfortable fazenda on a cattle ranch, with beds and showers. But it was a very dramatic book. At first it seemed our dart guns and anesthetic wouldn’t work. We were capturing tapirs but couldn’t collar them. What was going wrong? That was part of the scientific challenge of field work, and figuring out the problems was something Pati’s team did beautifully.

Sy Montgomery, the tapir. From ‘The Tapir Scientist’ (Montgomery) Houghton Mifflin.

Any comment about the two recently named tapirs traipsing about the Pantanel: Nic Bishop and Sy Montgomery?
Both tapirs have been spotted repeatedly since they were collared, and Sy Montgomery has been seen with her new baby.

I understand you just returned from scuba diving in the Pacific with octopuses. Is another book in the works?
Indeed! The next book to appear will be Chasing Cheetahs, which Nic and I researched in Namibia together last summer at the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s African headquarters. In the South Pacific I was researching a book on octopus, working with underwater photographer Keith Ellenbogen to record how a team of researchers from Canada, Alaska, and Brazil are figuring out how octopuses’ personalities affect their food choices. No kidding—one of the things the team did was give each octopus we found a personality test!

I learned to scuba dive for that book, even though we ended up finding most of our octopuses in very shallow water in which we could snorkel—but I plan to use my scuba skills to work with Keith on a book on great white sharks after that.

The Tapir Scientist by Sy Montgomery, Illustrated by Nic Bishop (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013; Gr 4-8.)

Sy Montgomery reveals her passion for animals in this mini-documentary, courtesy of TeachingBooks.net

Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy. Yes! We Are Latinos! (Charlesbridge; Gr 4-8). illus. by David Diaz.
Twelve narrative poems tell the stories of children and teens living in the United States. The first-person entries all begin in the same way with the narrator’s name, country or culture, current home, followed by “I am Latino/a.” The characters hail from a variety of nations (Puerto Rico, Peru, etc.) and identify with diverse cultures (Zapotec, Sephardic). Several children claim mixed ancestry, such as Lili who is Chinese and Guatemalan. The poems bear witness to lives uprooted, families separated, pride in culture, and friends reunited in a new land. Each poem is followed by a nonfiction entry. For example, Mónica from El Salvador tells the story of a father who “went North” and how the family, which now resides in Houston, TX, was reunited. This poem is followed by a brief history of “Latino Immigration to the United States.” Through Mónica’s story, and her father’s reaction to the word “illegal,” readers will also learn that “undocumented” is the preferred term when referring to someone who does not have U. S. citizenship or the documentation to live in the country. A well-researched, poignant volume. The woodcut illustrations by David Diaz are superb.

The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth.(Smithsonian/DK; Gr 3-7).
Don’t let the title mislead you—this striking compendium covers microscopic, plant, and animal life. Interspersed among spreads detailing in text and images the varieties of bacteria, crustaceans, ferns, and turtles, are stunning double-page close-ups of fungi, the Venus Flytrap, a Barred Owl, African Elephants, and other forms of life. Captions and notes highlight features and the more than 1,500 specimens and species in the book. Next time your students need visual guides to conifers, sponges, or whales, send them to The Animal Book.

Lewis, John and Andrew Aydin. March. Book One. (Top Shelf Productions; Gr 9 Up). illus. by Nate Powell.
Congressman John Lewis was only 23 years old in 1963 when he addressed the crowd assembled at the National Mall in Washington, DC, during the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In this volume in graphic format, Lewis recounts his early years, his education, and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Lewis participated in non-violent anti-segregation protests from a young age and played a key role in played in lunch-counter sit-ins, bus boycotts, Freedom Rides, and other pivotal actions of the movement. This is a powerful story, told by one of America’s most distinguished activists. Two more volumes are planned. A guide for teachers is available online.

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song. (Little, Brown, Gr 2-6). illus. by Brian Pinkney.
There are a number of books written about the historic 1963 March on Washington, many offering a unique perspective on the event. In their latest collaboration this celebrated author and illustrator team tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s and Mahalia Jackson’s participation in the March, along the way touching on their childhoods, their dreams, and their friendship. End notes by the author and a time line add details and place the March in the context of the Civil Rights Movement, while the illustrator’s notes describe the traditions he drew on and his artistic influences—social realists painters Ben Shahn and Charles Wilbert White—broadening the use of this tribute.

Rusch, Elizabeth. Volcano Rising. (Charlesbridge, Gr 2-5). illus. by Susan Swan.
Most often what we hear of and read about are the destructive forces of volcanoes—huge explosions spewing smoke and rivers of lava destroying everything in their paths. Here Rusch focuses on the lesser-known creative aspects of volcanoes: they form mountains and islands, and fertilize and repair scarred lands. Each spread in the book offers two texts: a few large-print sentences with general information for young readers, and a smaller print, longer paragraph adding pertinent facts. The author relates the amazing story of the 1943 eruption of a volcano in  Paricutin, Mexico, which began as an ash-exploding fissure in a cornfield, giving rise to a 500-foot high cone within a week. One year later it was 1,000 feet in height, offering scientists one more “laboratory” in which to study these natural forces. Swan’s dramatic scenes of fiery eruptions above ground in oranges and reds, submarine volcanoes bathed in blues, and serene mountain landscapes and islands rising from the middle of the ocean, will have children poring over these pages. Rusch is also the author of Eruption! for older readers, featured in last month’s “Nonfiction Notes.”

Sayre, April Pulley. Let’s Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat. (S & S/Beach Lane; K- Gr 3).
Though a minimal text and full-page color images, the author of Rah, Rah, Radishes! (2011) and Go, Go, Grapes! (2012, both S & S) explores the world of edible seeds. Each page in the book features two lines of rhyming text (“Peanut, pine nut./Go, nuts, go!”) accompanied by a close-up photo of an array of seeds. Along with familiar foods are others children may not be familiar with such as quinoa and carob. End notes explain why seeds are “such good foods,” discuss nut allergies, and answer questions (“Why don’t seeds we eat grow inside our stomachs?”). From units on farmer’s markets to cultures, this book has multiple curriculum applications. It’s also a great read-aloud choice.

Schwartz, David M. Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices.  Creston Books; Gr 1-4).
Just in time for the fall harvest season, Schwartz, the author of a number of books on math topics [How Much Is a Million? (HarperCollins,1985) and G Is for Googol (Tricycle, 1998)] examines the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to jack-o’-lantern to decaying squash–and its eventual rebirth as the seeds that remain begin to sprout. Schwartz adopts a first-person voice for his pumpkin and the critters and organisms that visit it. As School Library Journal’s reviewer noted, “The gross-out factor is high, as each of the rodents, insects, molds, fungi, etc., do their respective jobs.” Suggestions for classroom investigations are included. Consider pairing with Wendy Pfeffer’s A Log’s Life (S & S, 1997), a “gentler” look at decomposition.

Sandler, Martin W. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II. (Walker; Gr 7 Up).
Combining a lucid text; poignant black-and-white archival photos; reproductions of artwork, sketches, and documents; and charts, Sandler offers an in-depth, sensitive look at the internment of Japanese-Americans in the United States during the Second World War. He begins his narrative with information on the movement of more than 250,000 Japanese citizens to the United States at the turn of the 20th-century and ends with chapters devoted to redress and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. In between, the author covers Anti-American sentiment toward the Japanese before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, life in the relocation centers, and the Japanese-Americans who served in our military.

FLEMING, Candace. Papa’s Mechanical Fish. illus. by Boris Kulikov. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. 2013. ISBN 9780374399085. JLG Level: E : Easy Reading (Grades 1-3).

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” goes the well-known saying. Papa was an inventor, so he made a mechanical fish. It sunk. He added a fin and propeller. It almost worked, so he added a steering wheel and protected the surface with copper. Papa’s inspirations for improvement come from the fish themselves (and a little prodding from his daughter). How do fish know where they’re going? Papa adds portholes. Will his invention ever work well enough for use in war or transportation? Fleming’s inspirational tale of little-known inventor, Lodner Phillips, presents a creative mind that continued to think, whether he was immediately successful or not.

HEILIGMAN, Deborah. The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdös. illus. by LeUyen Pham. Roaring Brook. 2013. ISBN 9781596433076. JLG Level: BE : Biography Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Paul loved math more than anything. He counted and subtracted all day. Between his mother’s over-protectiveness and his obsession with equations, the young boy never learned to do things for himself. When he was 21, his work took him to places where he was alone. Another mathematician would take him home, wash his clothes, provide his meals, and pay his bills. Shouting “my brain is open,” Paul would announce that he was ready to do calculations early in the morning. His personal quirks were tolerated by friends and colleagues who loved him anyway. Heiligman’s picture book biography of an eccentric genius reveals a man who was good at his job and was willing to share his talents with others.

MARKEL, Michelle. Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909. illus. by Melissa Sweet. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. 2013. ISBN 9780061804427. JLG Level:  NE : Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Typical examples of leaders in American history include figures like George Washington or Benjamin Franklin. Clara was a five-foot-tall, nineteen-year-old girl when she took a stand for thousands of garment industry workers to strike for the improvement of their working conditions and benefits. If a worker bled twice on her cloth, she could lose her job. If she were a few minutes late to work, she could lose half a day’s pay. Working under unbelievable conditions (two toilets and one sink for 300 hundred girls), these teenagers made women’s clothing instead of getting an education. Clara was determined to improve things, so she took a stand. Though beaten and arrested 17 times, the immigrant seamstress dared to challenge the establishment and make a difference for those around her and the workers yet to come. Sweet’s brilliant collage and watercolor illustrations weave Markel’s words into an inspirational story of fighting for equality.

ROCHE, Suzzy. Want to Be in a Band? illus. by Giselle Porter. Random/Schwartz & Wade. 2013. ISBN9780375968792. JLG Level: E+ : Easy Reading (Grades 1–3).

What does it take to start a band? A little sister can ask her two older siblings. Then they can teach her everything they know. A new musician’s fingers may tire while playing the guitar, but practice is important. Performing for others may give a novice stage fright, but playing for her parents is a baby step in the right direction. After the band chooses a name, they can have a public performance. Maybe it will lead to a gig in a club, but the sisters shouldn’t worry if it’s not a big-time appearance. Based on her own experiences, folk-indie rock band The Roches, the author’s advice continues as she encourages budding musicians in the process of starting a band.

SAY, Allen. The Favorite Daughter. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. ISBN 9780545176620. JLG Level: CE : City Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Yuriko is upset when her Japanese name is mispronounced at school. Even her teacher calls her “Eureka.” As the teasing continues, she decides she wants an American name. Her wise and patient father goes along with her wishes and takes his “new” daughter, Michelle, to a Japanese garden in San Francisco. While looking for a souvenir with her name on it, they see a Japanese ink painting artist. After learning her real name, he paints a lily and uses traditional characters to write it out. She’s delighted with her special remembrance and decides to learn to paint it too. On their trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, father and daughter are disappointed to see it buried in fog. He encourages the youngster to use her imagination to recreate the bridge for her school project. Her father points out that she wants an ordinary name, but something different from everyone else for her artwork. Perhaps he’s given her more to think about than a school assignment. Say’s illustrations accompany the thought-provoking dialogue.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

Cummins, Julie. Flying Solo: How Ruth Elder Soared into America’s Heart. (Roaring Brook/Macmillan; Gr 2-4).
In 1927, the news media was abuzz with Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean. People around the world followed the story with fascination and more than a few were inspired to take to the sky. Hearing about Lindbergh, the glamorous and plucky aviatrix Ruth Elder decided to become the first woman to transverse the Atlantic in a plane. Cummins follows the woman’s unsuccessful attempt that ended in a dramatic rescue 36 hours into the flight, and her later career that propelled her both into the sky and the limelight. Dramatic pastel spreads echo the life and charm of this flamboyant woman, endowed with “grit and gumption.” Consider introducing this book in conjunction with some of the other, numerous picture biographies on pilots−men and women−and during Women’s History Month in March.

Goldstone, Bruce. That’s a Possibility! A Book About What Might Happen. (Holt; Gr 3-6).
If you’re reading these words, it’s probable that you work with children and/or purchase books for them. Lucky for you, here’s a new title that clearly defines and carefully explains the difference between “possible,” “probable,” “likely,” “certain” (and their antonyms), and discusses those terms in relation to the word “odds.” With numerous illustrated examples incorporating colorful photos and diagrams, this kid-friendly introduction to probability from the author of Great Estimations (2006) and Greater Estimations (2008, both Holt), will find a home in both literacy and math classrooms.

Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Scientists: Experiments, Explosions (and What the Neighbors Thought). (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Gr 4-7). Illus. by Kathryn Hewitt.
In her characteristic lively prose, the author offers profiles of 20 scientists (including two teams), from Chinese astronomer Zhang Heng (born 78 AD) to English ethnologist Jane Goodall (born 1934). The entries are filled with anecdotes about the subject’s personal lives, personalities, interests, and quirks (more than a few of the scientists were accomplished painters, a couple were loners, and readers will find a confirmed grouch or two in the bunch), as well as the passions that lead to their significant, sometimes world-changing observations, discoveries, and theories. Spot art and full-page oil portraits of the individuals, each carrying tools of their trade, accompany the profiles. Scientists is the latest entry in Krull’s well-regarded “Lives of” series that includes volumes on artists, presidents, musicians, and others. A great read-aloud choice, that is sure to send readers to the biography shelves.

Rusch, Elizabeth. Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Gr 5-10). Photos by Tom Uhlman.
In 1985, the Columbian volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupted, killing more than 23,000 people in the nearby town of Amero. The book follows scientists working with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP), in particular their efforts to monitor the impending eruptions of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines (1991) and Mount Merapi in Indonesia (2010). As one of the scientists noted, “Volcanoes don’t necessarily move from deep sleep to violent eruption in a straight orderly progression, they ramp up and drop down, ramp up and drop down,” making the tracking of these events difficult, dangerous, and often, dramatic. The book discusses what scientists must consider when determining whether a volcano is ready to erupt, when to evacuate populations, and the array of hazards produced—from lava bombs and landslides to toxic gases and acid rain. Maps and color photos offer before-and-after images of landscapes and towns that have experienced the destruction wrought by these powerful forces. Who knew the United States has 160 volcanoes?

BURLEIGH, Robert. Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer. illus. by Raúl Colón. S & S/Paula Wiseman. 2013. ISBN 9781416958192. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

When Henrietta was a young woman, male students outnumbered the females in her college astronomy classes. Once she graduated, the young astronomer was paid thirty cents an hour to record information that male scientists in the observatory researched. Hour after hour she poured over the photographs. Eventually she began to see differences in the dots that represented the stars. Some stars dimmed while others brightened. Determined to unlock the mystery, Henrietta kept a chart and slowly a pattern began to emerge. What had she found? What impact would it make on astronomy? Burleigh’s text is beautifully illustrated by the acclaimed Colón, and supplemented with back matter for use in further research about this little-known pioneering woman astronomer.

CATE, Annette LeBlanc. Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard. Candlewick. 2013. ISBN 9780763645618. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

“More exciting than slugs! More varieties than squirrels! Less dangerous than grizzly bears!” Perhaps best of all: bird-watching can be done in the safety of your own backyard. With a sketchbook and a pencil, even kids can learn about a bird’s characteristics. Observing its color, shape, actions, and interactions, the careful young scientist can learn to study nature. From “Be a Birdbrain” suggestions to “Wing Tips” that provide facts for novices, this new picture book is loaded with prodding questions. For example, observers can notice how a bird spends its time. Is it a loner? Does it stay in groups? Silly cartoons and speech bubbles punctuate the text, encouraging readers to linger over the detailed drawings to extract a plethora of facts. No matter where kids live, by looking up, beginning hobbyists can observe the world around them. Now they know what to look for.

STEWART, Melissa and Allen Young. No Monkeys, No Chocolate. illus. by Nicole Wong. Charlesbridge. 2013. ISBN 9781580892872. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

What does it take to make chocolate? Milk? Sugar? Beans? Coffin flies? Lizards? Monkeys? Learning about the life cycle of a cocoa tree becomes fun and informative as readers discover how plants and animals work together to produce the bean that becomes chocolate. Cocoa pods don’t form without flowers and the midges that pollinate them. Flowers won’t bloom without the maggots that eat the ants’ brains which prevent the leaf-cutter ants from killing the leaves that feed the flowers. Fungi in the soil break down dead plants and animals, providing nutrients for the roots of the cocoa tree. A supporting cast of bookworms adds humor to the text. “I thought this book was about monkeys,” he says. “Well, we aren’t done yet. They must be coming,” she replies. To find out how monkeys help in the production of cocoa beans, kids will have to read it for themselves.

WEITEKAMP, Margaret A. with David DeVorkin. Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery. illus. by Diane Kidd.  Abrams. 2013. ISBN 9781419704239. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Remember when Pluto’s status as a planet was revoked? Since 1930, when the small planet was discovered, idiosyncrasies kept scientists from being completely satisfied with its inclusion in the list of nine planets. Finally in 2006, scientists created the definition of a planet, and Pluto was outvoted. Weitekamp’s new informational picture book takes the reader back through time as Pluto is discovered, studied, and named by an eleven-year-old girl. Index, glossary, and a Who’s Who guide support common text nonfiction needs. Humorous illustrations and Pluto’s witty comments ensure that this new title will be a hit in a science classroom or in a storytime.

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

Grades 5 & Up Nonfiction

ALOIAN, Molly. George Washington: Hero of the American Revolution. ISBN 978-0-7787-0799-8.
––––.Phillis Wheatley: Poet of the Revolutionary Era. ISBN 978-0-7787-0803-2.
COCCA, Lisa Colozza. Marquis de Lafayette: Fighting for America’s Freedom. ISBN 978-0-7787-0802-5.
ROBERTS, Steve. King George III: England’s Struggle to Keep America. ISBN 978-0-7787-0800-1.
ea vol: 48p. (Understanding the American Revolution Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Crabtree. 2013. PLB $30.60.

CORNIOLEY, Pearl Witherington with Hervé Larroque. Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent. ed. by Kathryn Atwood. 208p. appendix. bibliog. index. maps. notes. photos. Chicago Review. Aug. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-487-1.

CRAFT, Jerry & Kathleen Sullivan. Pitching for the Stars: My Seasons Across the Color Line. 136p. bibliog. index. photos. Texas Tech Univ. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-89672-787-8; ebook $14.95. ISBN 978-0-89672-788-5.

DOESCHER, Ian. William Shakespeare’s Star Wars®: Verily, A New Hope. illus. by Nicolas Delort. 170p. Quirk. July 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-637-6; ebook $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-655-0. LC 2012953985.

EVYAGOTAILAK, Darla & Mindy Willett. No Borders: Kigliqangittuq. 34p. (The Land Is Our Storybook Series). diags. glossary. illus. maps. Fifth House. 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-92708-307-9.

FITZGERALD, Michael Oren. Children of the Tipi: Life in the Buffalo Days. 40p. maps. photos. Wisdom Tales. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-937786-09-0.

FURGANG, Adam & Kathy Furgang. Cultivating Positive Peer Groups and Friendships. ISBN 978-1-4488-8311-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-8317-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-8324-0. LC 2012017872.
LANDAU, Jennifer.Dealing with Bullies, Cliques, and Social Stress. ISBN 978-1-4488-8313-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-8321-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-8325-7. LC 2012009244.
MEYER, Terry.Navigating a New School. ISBN 978-1-4488-8312-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8319-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-8326-4. LC 2012018548.
WATSON, Stephanie.How Not to Choke on Tests: Achieving Academic and Testing Success. ISBN 978-1-4488-8310-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-8315-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-8323-3.
ea vol: 64p. (The Middle School Survival Handbook Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. PLB $31.95; pap. $12.95; ebook $31.95.

GAY, Kathlyn. Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide. 182p. (It Happened to Me Series). bibliog. notes. photos. websites. Scarecrow. 2013. Tr $50. ISBN 978-0-8108-8360-4; ebook $49.99. ISBN 978-0-8108-8361-1. LC 2012043200.

GIBSON, Karen Bush. Women Aviators: 26 Stories of Pioneer Flights, Daring Missions, and Record-Setting Journeys. 240p. (Women of Action Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. photos. websites. Chicago Review Press. July 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-540-3.

HILMERS, David with Rick Houston. Man on a Mission: The David Hilmers Story. 144p. photos. Zonderkidz. 2013. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-310-73613-4.

HODGES, Henry & Margaret Engel. How to Act Like a Kid: Backstage Secrets of a Young Performer. 256p. further reading. glossary. photos. reprods. websites. Disney. 2013. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6320-6.

KENNEY, Karen Latchana. David Karp: The Mastermind Behind Tumblr. 48p. (Gateway Biographies Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Lerner. 2013. RTE $26.60. ISBN 978-1-4677-1285-9; ebook $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1286-6. LC 2012038057.

KOVACS, Lawrence. Inca: Dicover the Culture and Geography of a Lost Civilization with 25 Projects. illus. by Farah Rizvi. 128p. (Build It Yourself Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. websites. Nomad. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-141-2; pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-140-5.

LATHAM, Donna. Canals and Dams: Investigate Feats of Engineering. illus. by Andrew Christensen. 128p. (Build It Yourself Series). charts. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. websites. Nomad. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-169-6; pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-165-8.

MOONEY, Carla. Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation. illus. by Sam Carbaugh. 128p. (Inquire and Investigate Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. websites. Nomad. July 2013. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-184-9; Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-188-7.

MULDER, Michelle. Pedal It!: How Bicycles Are Changing the World. charts. diags. index. ISBN 978-1-4598-0219-3.
TATE, Nikki. Down to Earth: How Kids Help Feed the World. ISBN 978-1-4598-0423-4.
ea vol: 48p. (Orca Footprints Series). bibliog. illus. photos. reprods. websites. Orca. 2013. Tr $19.95.

MUNDURUKU, Daniel, retel. Amazonia: Indigenous Tales from Brazil. tr. from Portuguese by Jane Springer. illus. by Nikolai Popov. 96p. glossary. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2013. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-185-4.

O’REILLY, Bill. Kennedy’s Last Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation. 336p. bibliog. chron. diags. further reading. index. maps. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Holt. July 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9802-0.

OWINGS, Lisa. The Black Mamba. ISBN 978-1-60014-877-4. LC 2012035841.
––––.The Black Widow Spider. ISBN 978-1-60014-878-1. LC 2012034292.
––––.The Deathstalker Scorpion. ISBN 978-1-60014-879-8. LC 2012035264.
––––.Killer Bees. ISBN 978-1-60014-880-4. LC 2012031234.
ea vol: 24p. (Nature’s Deadliest Series). further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Bellwether Media. 2013. PLB $22.95.

RICHARDSON, Gillian. 10 Plants That Shook the World. illus. by Kim Rosen. 129p. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. maps. photos. Annick. 2013. RTE $24.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-445-8; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-444-1.

RIVKIN, Jennifer. Physical Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7914-8; ISBN 978-0-7787-7919-3. LC 2013000562.
STUCKEY, Rachel. Cyber Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7913-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-7918-6. LC 2013000584.
WEBB, Margaret. Social Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7915-5; ISBN 978-0-7787-7920-9. LC 2013000583.
ea vol: 48p. (Take a Stand Against Bullying Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Crabtree. 2013. PLB $30.60; pap. $10.95.

SANFORD, William R. Apache Chief Geronimo. ISBN 978-0-7660-4093-9. LC 2011048759.
––––.Hunkpapa Lakota Chief Sitting Bull. ISBN 978-0-7660-4097-7. LC 2011050446.
––––.Nez Percé Chief Joseph. ISBN 978-0-7660-4092-2. LC 2011048763.
––––.Oglala Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. ISBN 978-0-7660-4094-6. LC 2011048758.
ea vol: 48p. (Native American Chiefs and Warriors Series). further reading. glossary. index. maps. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Enslow. 2013. PLB $21.26.

SETTERINGTON, Ken. Branded by the Pink Triangle. 196p. appendix. bibliog. charts. chron. map. notes. photos. reprods. Second Story. 2013. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-926920-96-2.

WALKER, Jackie & Pamela Dittmer McKuen. Expressionista: How to Express Your True Self Through (and Despite) Fashion. 224p. appendix. illus. Beyond Words. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-429-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-428-9; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-8523-5.

WEISMAN, Stefanie. The Secrets of Top Students: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College. 288p. charts. notes. Sourcebooks. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8079-5.

WEXLER, Bruce. The Hatfields & the McCoys. 176p. charts. photos. reprods. Skyhorse. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-600-8.

Authors and illustrators on SLJ‘s Day of Dialog “Informational Picture Books” panel. (l. to r.) Jonah Winter, Kathleen T. Isaacs (moderator), Thomas Gonzalez, Jim Arnosky, Jennifer Berne, and Elisha Cooper.

Nearly 250 librarians got an information boost from the first panel of authors and illustrators at School Library Journal’s annual Day of Dialog, the pre-BEA event. Moderated by Kathleen T. Isaacs, author of Picturing the World: Informational Picture Books for Children (ALA, 2013), the lively discussion offered Jim Arnosky, Jennifer Berne, Elisha Cooper, Thomas Gonzalez, and Jonah Winter the chance to share more information about their creative processes, who they write for, and why they choose to create nonfiction for young readers.

The prolific Arnosky said he gets inspiration for his work as an outgrowth of his interest in the natural world, which can be seen in his recent Shimmer and Splash (Sterling). “Once I learn about one animal, I wind up learning about a dozen more. My wife and I just get in a truck, go where they live, and stay there for months. It’s a self-perpetuating thing for me.” An illustrator as well as an author, his creative process sometimes starts off as a movielike stream of images, which later gets populated by facts. He knows he’s latched onto a future project when a subject continues to occupy his thoughts. “A book is a special medium; it’s like a poem, or a good song. And it stays with you and becomes a part of your mind,” he shared.

Jonah Winter

Winter also compared writing an informational title to another art form. “An author is like a sculptor. You scrape away at the marble until an actual figure appears.” While writing picture book biographies such as You Never Heard of Willie Mays?! (Random), he is conscious of the images that go along with the story, mindful of the pacing and the format’s usual 32-page count.

Berne agreed with the sculptor motif, and added that, as an author carves away, “somehow the right path appears” which allows you to figure out “what needs to go and what needs to stay.”

Cooper said he relishes working on a project because, “you start off ignorant at first, but then your curiosity takes over, and you fall in love with it.” He added, “there’s an art in the gathering, but an art in the carving down.”

Illustrator Gonzalez, who recently completed work on Alice B. McGinty’s Gandhi (Amazon), spoke from an artist’s point of view. “The pace is given to me, which is a little bit of a challenge, but at the same time it forces me to resolve any issues. I do like to sneak things in here and there; working on a book then becomes like leaving your fingerprint.” Winter responded, “And, that’s what makes a picture book interesting though, the liberties the illustrator can take.”

Thomas Gonzalez and Jennifer Berne

With the current resurgence of nonfiction, especially in light of Common Core State Standards, the need for accuracy in informational books is as important as ever. While the panelists believe that getting the facts right is always a goal, some of them had different opinions on the level of accuracy needed for a children’s title. Gonzalez makes sure to steer clear from anachronisms in his illustrations, “I do spend a lot of time researching on the time period and the subject’s background. You don’t want to include an iPhone in a picture book about Gandhi.”

Berne said she felt strongly that authors are charged with presenting someone’s life to the world, and it’s a crime to change historical facts. “You can see a life through 100 different kinds of lenses, but it still has to be the truth. I feel a real responsibility to the person I’m writing about.” Her On A Beam Of Light: A Story Of Albert Einstein (Chronicle), offers a different look at the famous scientist’s life.

Winter argued, “I believe in staying true to the essence of the figure, but there may be some details that need to be excluded or even altered for the condensed picture book format, which I’ll mention in the author’s note. I know this is a bit controversial, but I want to tell a good story.”

Cooper quipped that in his picture book Train (Scholastic), the trains actually run on time, as opposed to real-life schedules. He shared that the author’s goal is to be factual, but he or she has to move the story forward, and there are countless choices to be made. “We have to draw a line in a certain way.”

(l. to r.) Jim Arnosky and Elisha Cooper

Arnosky, who writes about the natural world, also noted that he treats, “a tree as if it were a historical figure. I feel a responsibility to that tree. And, I don’t want to add anything in my books that kids will have to unlearn later.” Arnosky said he is also very aware of his audience, and is sure to include vocabulary found in everyday conversation. He said candidly, “I don’t use a dictionary. I never did, because if I were talking to my grandsons I wouldn’t try to find a better word, I’d just talk. I make these books for children that are waiting to see another story about animals.”

Berne shared that she writes for kids, and for the adults who read the books to young readers. “It absolutely has to be as good for the adult reader. I try to imagine a whole crowd of people at different ages,” she said, adding that she likes to take into account what the subject of the biography would think about the work as well.

Cooper pictures a smaller audience in his head: “I write for a small group of people who are close to me, who I love and respect.”

GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. Frog Song. illus. by Gennady Spirin. Holt. 2013. ISBN 9780805092547. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K–2).

“Slurp!” The Darwin’s frog in Chile scoops up the tadpoles and keeps them in his vocal sacs for seven weeks. Then the froglets jump out of his mouth. A wood frog in Canada sings a “brackbrack!” song when she calls her mate. The female Surinam toad carries 100 eggs in the skin on her back. In four months, tadpoles will swim through her skin and away from their mother. Children will learn how frogs and toads sing all over the world as they incubate and hatch their babies. Gorgeous tempera, watercolor, and pencil illustrations provide young students with eye-opening visuals.

KRULL, Kathleen and Paul Brewer. The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny). illus. by Stacy Innerst. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. ISBN 9780547509914. JLG Level: E+ : Easy Reading (Grades 1–3).

Lots of kids learn to play guitar or drums, but not every musical kid makes history. The Fab Four, otherwise known as the Beatles, zoomed to stardom from Liverpool, England to San Francisco―and everywhere in between. After seventeen straight times of singing it, they recorded their first song―”Love Me Do.” Their next song, “Please Please Me,” hit number one on England’s music charts. The band that laughingly considered calling themselves the Rainbows, created Beatlemania. They played for the Queen Mother―and even joked with her while onstage. When interviewed, they answered questions, but their sense of humor got in the way of a serious response. When George was asked what he called his hairstyle, he replied, “Arthur.” Ringo answered “How did you find America?” with “We went to Greenland and made a left.” After all, don’t silly questions deserve silly answers? The husband and wife team of Krull and Brewer guide the reader from the start of the Beatles’s career until their final album, Abbey Road―though you may have to be a fan to see the importance of the album cover tribute illustration. Adults sharing the story with kids will have a soundtrack playing in the back of their minds while they read. The listeners will want to hear it too.

MARKLE, Sandra. Bats: Biggest! Littlest! Boyds Mills. 2013. ISBN 9781590789520. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K–2).

The Great Fruit-Eating Bat carries and eats figs while he flies. The Tube-Lipped Nectar Bat has a tongue so long that it’s attached to its ribcage. When not in use, the tongue curls up next to its heart. The Gray-Headed Flying Fox carries her baby with her, while Free-Tailed Bats cluster together on their own as their mother forages for food. Bats are as small as six inches and have a wingspan as big as three feet. Markle amazes readers with fascinating fats about bats―big and little, in this new addition to an animal series that includes large photographs and fonts.

ROSENTHAL, Amy Krouse and Tom Lichtenheld. Exclamation Mark. Scholastic. 2013. ISBN  9780545436793. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K–2).

Whoever said that reading about punctuation would be boring? Exclamation Mark is a laugh-out-loud adventure that appeals to everyone’s insecurities. “It seemed like the only time he [the exclamation mark] didn’t stand out was when he was asleep.” He was different, no matter how hard he tried to fit in. When an inquisitive question mark asks him more questions than he can handle, he finds his voice, shouting, “STOP!” It feels good to shout, so he tries something else―accepting himself.  Finding his place in the world could have endless possibilities. Simply told and illustrated, Rosenthal and Lichtenheld have created a classic that goes far beyond a language arts lesson.

STONE, Tanya Lee. Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell. Holt. 2013. ISBN 9780805090482. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K–2).

Elizabeth Blackwell never walked away from a challenge. Whether it was sleeping on the floor to toughen herself up or carrying her brother over her head until she got her way, the little girl was determined to succeed. As a woman in the 1840s, she ran into a road block. She had decided to become a doctor even though everyone always said  that women can’t be doctors. Twenty-eight medical colleges refused to admit her, but Elizabeth wouldn’t give up. “No” was an answer she could not accept. Stone includes a two-page author’s note with more facts about the life of America’s first female doctor. Her narrative biographical account is perfect for reading aloud.

For strategies about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK/Smithsonian Institution; Gr 5-8). Combining photographs, artist’s renderings, diagrams, and maps, and paragraph-length introductions and captions across topical spreads, this attractive survey covers subjects from “Planet Earth” to “Mapping the World.” While subtopics are not dealt with in great depth, the book will delight the curious and offer a sampling of subjects to investigate. From the nearly surreal spectacle of the Northern Lights to a desert in bloom, readers will witness some wondrous sites.

Kespert, Deborah. Explore! The Most Dangerous Journeys of All Time (Thames & Hudson, Gr 4-7).
In all, 20 climbs, voyages, treks, and missions by individuals or teams are recorded in this plush-with-illustrations survey. Four pages are devoted to each journey, which note the challenges and dangers and provide background information on the person(s) making the trip (women are well represented), and often, a full-page portrait or photo of the adventurer. Loads of other captioned images are also included: archival photos, diagrams, maps, and drawings, among others. A few sidebars of related information or facts about others who completed or attempted similar journeys are also related. This book is bound to send readers on a trip to the biography section looking for longer works on these intrepid travelers. It’s also a great introduction to nonfiction for children who like adventure stories.

McLellan, Todd. Things Come Apart (Thames & Hudson; Gr 9 Up).
Here’s a book for every teen (and adult) who can’t resist an opportunity to take things apart. While exposing the “teardown” of objects, the text, written by conservators, engineers, and tinkerers, will have readers thinking about design (past and present), and the people around the world who people who have created, assembled, and repaired these objects from an upright piano to an iPad 2, all photographed in glorious detail and full color.

Mulder, Michelle. Pedal It! How Bicycles Are Changing the World.
Tate, Nikki. Down to Earth: How Kids Help Feed the World. (Both Orca; Gr 3-7).
There are many revolutions occuring around the world, and these titles in the “Orca Footprint” series are covering those of the quiet sort. Each book provides a little history on its topic, then jumps into an engaging text filled with personal notes in fact boxes and sidebars (Mulder’s “On My Route” and Tate’s “On Dark Creek Farm”). The abundant color photos will have kids poring over scenes of  bicyclists pedaling their businesses about towns and villages and a Maasai child milking a goat. These informative books will encourage readers to think  about how people around the world live, feed themselves, and get around. Consider them for science and social studies classrooms. They’ll also be enjoyed by any child looking for a good book to read. Engaging and eye opening.

Stern, Rebecca and Brad Wolfe, eds. Breakfast on Mars (Roaring Brook, Gr 6-9).
Have you ever tried to find essays for middle school students to serve as mentor texts? Not so easy. The 37 selections here include the typically assigned essays from persuasive to the “how-to.” Featuring selections by Rita Williams-Garcia, Elizabeth Winthrop, Scott Westerfeld, and Kristen Miller, among others, they range from the poignant (Alane Ferguson on the death of a friend), to the informative (Michael Hearst on “The Incredibly Amazing Humpback Anglerfish”), to the humorous (Ned Vizzini on “Why We Need Tails”). Kids will find more than a few entries to suit their tastes, by authors that Margaret Cho comments, “believe that boundaries can be crossed and lines erased, and that sometimes the weirdest ideas are the best ones.”

Games Galore
It’s impossible for kids to get bored when J.J. Ferrer’s The Art of Stone Skipping and Other Fun Old-Time Games (Imagine/Charlesbridge, 2013; Gr 3-6) is on hand. This treasure trove of things to do is jam-packed with everything from Sock Ball to Simon Says, Jump Rope to Jacks, Giant Steps to Ghost in the Graveyard. Children will also find basic intros to card games, yo-yo tricks, string games, juggling, and more. Encompassing endeavors appropriate for partner pairs or large groups, solitary amusements and simple crafts, indoor and outdoor pastimes, brain challengers and road-trip while-awayers, the activities are presented with easy-to-follow instructions, helpful tips, and try-‘em-out variations. Lively sketches, fun facts, and historical tidbits are scattered throughout, and the inviting layout will keep kids turning pages to seek out more ideas.

Nature’s Wonderments
As Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield point out in The Stick Book (Frances Lincoln, 2012; Gr 2-6), these time-proven playthings can be almost anything—“…a sword with which to fight off fierce dragons in the forest, a tracking stick to help you creep after secretive creatures, a wand to cast magic spells or a broomstick to transport you to other worlds.” Simple descriptions introduce stick-based activities, games, and crafts, all enchantingly illustrated with vibrant full-color photos of kids outdoors and in action. Coded for level of difficulty, the projects range from the very simple (make stick characters out of clay and found objects) to the more challenging (build a mini raft), and several activities are tailor-made for tickling imaginations (make a story-telling stick, or assemble a storyboard collage to represent a favorite book). Used as a starting point, these creative ideas can be adapted to suit various environments, from classroom to schoolyard to park.

Puppet Palooza
Always enjoyable to make, puppets have the added benefit of encouraging imagination, creativity, and self-expression through performance and dramatic play. In 10-Minute Puppets (Workman, 2010; Gr 2-5), professional puppeteer Noel MacNeal combines crystal-clear directions with an anyone-can-do-it approach to introduce 30 projects. Featured here are simple finger puppets, critters concocted out of socks and gloves, cutouts manipulated by sticks, shadow puppets, quick paper puppets, and a variety of easy-to-make theaters.

Full-color photos of kids and their creations are sprinkled throughout, the instructions include helpful drawings, and the book ends with suggestions for putting together and performing shows. With projects appropriate for preschool through elementary-age students, as well as suggestions for more elaborate detailing, this book can be used to accommodate a broad range of ages and abilities.

More experienced crafters will be enchanted by Diana Schoenbrun’s Puppet Play (Andrews McMeel, 2011; Gr 3-7), which presents 20 adorable characters made with recycled and reused mittens, towels, socks, and other items. Spanning from a superhero monkey to a wacky wizard, each project includes a difficulty rating, crisp full-color photos, and thorough step-by-step directions.

Scintillating Science
Helaine Becker’s Magic Up Your Sleeve (Maple Tree, 2010; Gr 3-6) blends directions for audience-wowing magic tricks with brief explanations of the scientific facts behind each and every show-stopping ta-da. Utilizing common household items, the offerings include cognitive and optical illusions, examples of math “magic,” and wonders based on physics and chemistry concepts. Other spreads focus on the history of magic, famous practitioners, and tips for putting on the perfect performance.

The breezy narrative tone and colorful digital cartoons keep the content light and the science easy to swallow. Invite students to polish up their magic wands, boggle their friends’ minds with their presentations, and use online and print resources to further investigate what makes seemingly impossible feats possible.

Mark Latno’s The Paper Boomerang Book (Chicago Review, 2010; Gr 5 Up) highlights devices that are “…a cinch to make, graceful in flight, and fun to fly.” A brief history is followed by clear step-by-step directions for making a “trainer” boomerang, instructions for holding and throwing it correctly, and tips for fine-tuning and troubleshooting (one model can be used indoors). Once the nuts and bolts are mastered, kids can test the effectiveness of various design tweaks and materials to perfect their boomerang’s aeronautics, and hone their skills with tricks and fancy throws. The text includes helpful photos and diagrams.

Educators and their students can delve into the chapter on boomerang theory and the physics of flight, follow up the author’s suggestions for experimentation (“Throw, Observe, Modify”), or further explore the history of these ancient tools and/or their current-day use in sports competitions (start with the United States Boomerang Association).

Sewing, Sticking, and Scrapbooking
In Sewing School (Storey, 2010; Gr 2-8), Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle place the emphasis on establishing skills, building confidence, and inspiring creativity rather than on achieving perfection. After covering the basics (threading a needle, simple stitches, etc.), the authors present an array of sewing projects, including perfect-for-cuddling pillows and animal “Stuffies,” tote bags and wallets, and personality-expressing wearable items. Each step is accompanied by a clear photo. Snapshots of charmingly less-than-perfect child-created projects are sprinkled throughout along with tips to help youngsters make each item their own. An introduction written for adults offers up helpful ideas for sewing with a group, and the required pattern pieces can be stored in a sturdy envelope provided at book’s end.

Featuring a stylish hot-pink handbag, cute-as-can-be piggy bank, ready-to-personalize smart phone holder, and more, Jolie Dobson’s The Duct Tape Book (Firefly, 2012; Gr 5 Up) presents 25 projects made from this versatile adhesive, which is available in a rainbow of colors and attractive patterns. Throughout, detailed instructions are supported with diagrams that help clarify each procedure. Full-color photos of finished products make these cleverly envisioned items all the more appealing, and kids will be able to apply the duct-tape-manipulating basics they learn to their own designs. Have youngsters search the internet for duct tape art and fashion sites to further investigate this fresh and fun form of self-expression.

Candice F. Ransom’s Scrapbooking Just for You! (Sterling, 2010; Gr 4 Up) introduces the fundamentals of this popular pastime, highlighting various techniques, providing useful layout tips, and discussing important design elements. The author’s tone is cheerful, as she encourages kids to personalize and add meaning to their creations with journaling, play with colors and textures, and just enjoy being creative. Attractively illustrated with sample scrapbook pages, the book invites browsing and will get kids itching to make their own works of art, and a section of projects including picture frames, mini albums, and more, will get them started.

Paper Pursuits: Make It or Fold It
Perfect for teens, Arnold E. Grummer’s Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking (Storey, 2011; Gr 6 Up) opens with a section about papermaking history, processes, and tools and then launches into the step-by-step process for transforming newspaper, wrappers, sales circulars, magazines, envelopes and other scraps into beautiful and unique finished products. Once they understand the essentials, kids can experiment with other techniques including pulp layering and painting, texturing, paper casting into shapes, and much more. A section of gift- (or craft-fair) worthy projects includes cards, mobiles, spinwheels, notebooks, ornaments, and other handsome objects, all presented with easy-to-follow directions and photos. Suggestions for variations appear throughout, encouraging crafters to be creative and adventurous.

Beginning with clear explanations of common techniques, Paul Jackson and Miri Golan’s Origami Zoo (2011; Gr 1-6) presents 25 fun-to-fold creations. The projects are organized from the “very simple” (a beginner-appropriate mouse, penguin, and more) to an “advanced” 43-step dinosaur that will challenge even experienced origami aficionados. Full-color photos introduce each elegant critter, and the lucid directions and large-size diagrams are accessibly laid out on clean white backgrounds, making each fold easy to comprehend and replicate. A packet of 60 sheets of origami paper in deep jewel tones is included to help group leaders get started.

Taking a similar approach, Jackson’s Origami Toys: That Tumble, Fly, and Spin (2010, both Gibbs Smith) provides instructions for creating interactive toys including a barking dog, wing-flapping bird, catapult, and glider. Consider making a connection between art and literature by sharing Tom Angleberger’s entertaining The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Amulet, 2010), Nathaniel Lachenmeyer’s thoughtful The Origami Master (Albert Whitman, 2008), Kristine O’Connell George’s charming Fold Me a Poem (Harcourt, 2005), or Molly Bang’s magical The Paper Crane (Greenwillow, 1985).

hat will be in your tote as you head out to the beach, a nearby lake, or your own front stoop this summer? Our bags are already heavy with Paula Byrne’s The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things (Harper Collins, 2013), and Mark Bittman’s VB6 (Clarkson Potter, 2013), on his adventures as a part-time vegan. Then there’s Robert Caro’s The Passage of Power (Random, 2013), the fourth volume the author has written about Lyndon Johnson, this one weighing in at a hefty 700 pages, and Emile Simpson’s War From the Ground Up: Twenty-First-Century Combat as Politics (Oxford University, 2013), which Marc insists is a must-read, “to understand the long war that is likely to be before us for at least the next two decades.” Sure, all three of us will also be borrowing novels and short stories from our local libraries. But, like so many children and teens in schools across the country, we also enjoy reading nonfiction for pleasure.

How can we use the summer to provide kids with more opportunities to grow confident as nonfiction readers? Let’s start with the summer reading list at your school. What’s on it? Discussions about summer reading often surface the deep-seated beliefs about students’ reading habits that shape the choices teachers and librarians make throughout the year. Some educators require a specific list of books or a range of genres. Others allow children and teens to make their own selections. Each school has to grapple with balancing students’ interests and teachers’ expectations and make the decision that feels right for its community.

Regardless of what approach your school or district takes, we hope that your required or recommended reading lists include nonfiction. Unless you are in a year-round school district, summer is often the time students have the most freedom and flexibility with their schedules and reading. For avid readers, this is the time to follow their interests. For students who have not been exposed to a great deal of self-selected nonfiction, the summer reading list can point them in that direction and help them discover books they may not find on their own.

If you are recommending summer reading lists to your students and patrons, be aware that nonfiction is not represented equally on all of them. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Association for Library Services to Children’s recommendations are on three graded lists, each annotated, and include a mix of fiction and nonfiction. A great list based on children’s suggestions is the International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Annual Children’s Choices. The Horn Book Magazine’s recommended reading list also includes fiction and nonfiction, while the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge recommends only fiction on its website.

If you are creating your own summer reading list, be sure to share the 2013 Orbis Pictus Award, 2013 ALA Robert F. Sibert Medal, and 2013 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award winners and honor recipients. These titles, along with the National Council of the Social Studies–Children’s Book Council Notable Trade Books and the 2013 National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Trade Books lists provide marvelous nonfiction offerings of interest to students.

But let’s not forget, for most students it’s the content of the book that will drive their selection, not the shiny award stickers on the cover, or the special display case you so carefully put together. Children choose nonfiction for many reasons. To convince their parents they are ready for a pet, they may select books about taking care of animals. If they’re interested in growing vegetables on their apartment balcony, they may read about container gardening. Some kids spend summers attending sports camps or playing baseball on a local team or in a nearby ballpark, and read up on techniques to improve their skills. Still others collect shells, explore the local pond, or go birding with their families. Some children build go-carts or craft, others are armchair travelers.

During the vacation season, and indeed throughout the school year, students need to see adults reading nonfiction for pleasure. They need to know that their parents and teachers and family friends enjoy nonfiction as a leisure activity, and they should see their own lives reflected in their reading choices whether selecting fiction or nonfiction. Let’s hope that this summer students are encouraged to choose nonfiction both for pleasure and personal enrichment.

As anyone who has followed our work in School Library Journal knows, Sue and I are advocates of clustering books (“Wondering How to Put Common Core into Practice? It’s Easier than you Think.” SLJ, Nov, 2012). But the focus on rereading short passages suggested a new idea: constellations. A constellation is a linked set of brief passages that librarians can select and offer to teachers as a course pack, or to students as an example of what close reading can yield.

It is one thing to juxtapose related materials such as books, databases, websites, and YouTube videos (as suggested in the above article), but quite another to choose and present excerpts, passages, and chapters that both link together and serve to support the kind of close reading and rereading that Common Core demands. While an experienced—or highly motivated—teacher can pull together such resources, clearly this sort of mining is within a librarian’s expertise. And it is this type of work that will become ever more important in the school environment as more print materials are available in e-formats. So, from a pure show-your-value-to-teachers-and-admins point-of-view, constellations are worth your time. Their real reason for being, though, is students.

Here are some examples of constellations:
For teachers: access a print of Dorothea Lange’s black-and-white photo “Migrant Mother (available free of copyright from the Library of Congress). Find a passage about the image from a series title about the Great Depression; juxtapose that text with the appropriate pages from Martin W. Sandler’s account of the photo in The Dust Bowl Through the Lens (Walker, 2009), Elizabeth Partridge’s Restless Spirit (Viking, 1998), Don Nardo’s Migrant Mother (Compass Point, 2011), and Albert Marrin’s Years of Dust (Dutton, 2009). These resources will provide at significantly different descriptions of how and where Lange took the photo and of the people portrayed in the photo, as well as distinct accounts of how (or whether) the image was retouched, cropped, and framed. This one constellation offers lessons in visual literacy, history, and historiography, and an opportunity for a close reading of texts and an image.

For students and teachers: Write down the first five words of the Gettysburg Address: “Fourscore and seven years ago.” Consider what those words mean, and why Abraham Lincoln chose them. Teachers can reference Gary Wills on YouTube discussing his Lincoln at Gettysburg (S & S, 1992), in which he masterfully analyzes that speech. For Lincoln’s listeners who knew their Bible, the word “fourscore” recalled Psalm 90:10: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (King James Version)

Digging deeper, what does “fourscore” mean? Check your Oxford English Dictionary and you’ll discover that “score” as a 20-year period comes from the same root as to “shear” as a sheep, and to “mark or notch.” At one time, when counting his sheep, herders would score, or notch, a stick after the 20th creature passed by. “Fourscore and seven years ago,” closely read (and reread), offers links to the deep resonances of a famous phrase, a modern interpretation, and a trip into etymology.

To prompt thinking: Try this: open up Jim Murphy’s The Real Benedict Arnold (Clarion, 2007) and Steve Sheinkin’s The Notorious Benedict Arnold (Roaring Brook, 2010) and select passages where the authors each explain bad Ben’s motivations. Or, open up a random book on your shelves—I grabbed Russell Freedman’s Kids at Work (Clarion, 1994) and found this: “Boys began working as doffers when they were seven or younger. It was their job to remove the whirling bobbins when they were filled with thread and replace them with empty ones.” Link to definitions of “doffers,” “whirling,” and “bobbins, as well as books on Iqbal Masih,  or M.T. Anderson’s recent Op-Ed in the The New York Times on the Bangladesh clothing factory fire.

Get the idea? Find a passage or passages, a phrase or an image, and then search for related links that can be excerpted and/or highlighted. As you do so, you’re training young people to discover more in the starting place (thus close reading and rereading) and to follow what can be a endless—and exciting—trail of curiosity and inquiry. Let me know how it goes.

Freedman, Russell. Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty. (Holiday House, 2013; Gr 5 Up).
Freedman’s reputation precedes him, and for the uninitiated, Franklin is a stellar example of his exemplary skills as a storyteller, a historian, and a biographer. The book covers the statesmen’s life from his early years and apprenticeships in Boston and Philadelphia, to his role in the fight for American independence, and his later years when he served as a diplomat. Freedman relates information on Franklin’s well-known experiments with electricity as well as some of the lesser-known accomplishments as a printer, writer, inventor, scientist, and postmaster, played against a vibrant period of American history. The book is profusely illustrated with reproductions of paintings, engravings, sketches, and maps, both period and later. Rich with detail and telling anecdotes about the fascinating and colorful man, this is a book for all collections.

Lowe, George and Huw Lewis-Jones. The Conquest of Everest: Original Photographs from the Legendary First Assent. (Thames & Hudson, 2013; Gr 9 Up).
If you have teen readers interested  in true-life adventures, you’re likely own a copy of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air (Villard,1997; Gr 9 Up). Chances are that after reading that story about the 1996 expedition that led to the deaths of eight climbers on the slopes of Mt. Everest, the same group of armchair adventurers will devour anything they can get their hands on about Everest expeditions. In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent in 1953, Thames & Hudson has released this spectacular edition of more than 160 black-and-white and color photos taken during that climb by the legendary climber and photographer George Lowe. The book includes photos of base camp, portraits of the mountaineers and locals, and breathtaking panoramas taken from the slopes. In addition to commentary by the authors, the book contains the reflections of Sir Edmund Hillary, Norbu Tenzing Norgay, and others who participated on the legendary climb.

Paxmann, Christine. From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture for Children (Prestel, 2012; Gr 4 Up), illustrated by Anne Ibelings.
An oversize, beautifully illustrated and designed survey of dwellings and monuments from caves and pyramids to blobitecture and “Eco-architects, flood houses, and vertical gardens.” Each spread in the book explores one or more structures with an introductory paragraph, highlighted facts, and large watercolor-and-collage illustrations. The images feature number tabs, which correspond to additional bits of information on the building(s) ornamentation, design, dimensions, architect(s), materials, and cultural relevance. As the author notes, “Architecture is far more than the construction of buildings, it is the visible chronicle of history.”

Here are some ways authors typically engage readers through their writing styles:

• Strong Introductions. Engaging leads can grab readers from the start. They also help to instill curiosity, create a sense of immediacy, and make readers feel a connection to the subject. This connection may be obvious or subtle. In American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Clarion, 2003), Jim Murphy establishes the setting as he describes a hot and humid Philadelphia on August 3, 1793. “The sun came up, as it had every day since the end of May, bright, hot, and unrelenting.…Dead fish and gooey vegetable matter were exposed and rotted, while swarms of insects droned in the heavy, humid air. In Philadelphia itself an increasing number of cats were dropping dead every day, attracting, as one Philadelphia complained, ‘an amazing number of flies, and other insects.’ Mosquitoes were everywhere, though their high-pitched whirring was particularly loud near rain barrels, gutters, and open sewers.” (p. 1). But Murphy does more than simply paint a portrait of a foul-smelling city at the height of summer. He plants clues for readers, who may or may not be aware that mosquitoes carried the yellow fever virus.

• Varying Sentence Structure. Prose writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, benefits from a writer’s careful attention to sentence structure, and the ways in which varying lengths creates a sense of rhythm, dramatic appeal, and emotional tension. Robert Burleigh does this in Night Flight (S & S, 2011), his verse biography of Amelia Earhart, when he writes: “Everything she has ever learned courses through her blood./Now or Never. All or nothing.” Readers feel the suspense equally through the sentence structure and the content of the sentences. Jean Craighead George also accomplishes this masterfully in The Wolves are Back (Dutton, 2008). “Where had they been? Shot. Every one. Many years ago the directors of the national parks decided that only the gentle animals should grace the beautiful wilderness. Rangers, hunters, and ranchers were told to shoot every wolf they saw. They did.” Readers feel the impact of those shots in the short, staccato sentences.

• Similes and Metaphors. Some are quick to associate similes and metaphors with the flowery language of poetry and fiction, and consider them a luxury that informational text cannot afford. But similes and metaphors help young readers understand newly encountered concepts. When a simile or a metaphor is clear, and the comparison is made to something familiar to children or young adults, it allows readers to attach new information to their pre-existing schema. Consider the comparisons that zoologist Nicola Davies makes in in her picture book Big Blue Whale (Candlewick,1997). The author uses similes to describe the whale’s skin: “It’s springy and smooth like a hard-boiled egg, and it’s as slippery as wet soap.” Simile is also used to establish a sense of scale, as the whale’s ear is “as small as the end of a pencil.” Deborah Hopkinson employs the use of simile in her verse picture book Annie and Helen (Random, 2012): “Helen was like a small, wild bird, throwing herself against the bars of a dark silent cage.” The comparison is concrete and clear, and conveys to young readers a new way to consider emotion, and how trapped Helen Keller could have felt without sight, hearing, or speech.

• Alliteration and Onomatopoeia. Poetry and fiction are not the only arenas in which writers can have fun with language. Alliteration and onomatopoeia are particularly effective in nonfiction picture storybooks that can be read aloud in one sitting. The repetition and approximation of sounds provides young listeners and readers with a sensory experience with which to connect to the new information they are learning about, while making the reading experience playful and pleasing. April Pulley Sayre frequently employs the use of both alliteration and onomatopoeia in her nonfiction picture book writing. In Here Come the Humpbacks! (2013), she writes: “The mother and calf swim over underwater hills and valleys. They see seaweed and sailfish and squid. They pass turtles and trash.” Here, alliteration creates imagery for readers. In Trout are Made of Trees (2008, both Charlesbridge), Sayre uses both devices to recreate life in a stream: “Crane flies, caddisflies, shrimp and stone flies shred leaves. Rip and snip!”

• Verse. Nonfiction need not be written in the traditional format of prose paragraphs. Many picture book and even chapter-length nonfiction books are written in verse. Marilyn Nelson’s Fortune’s Bones (2004) and Carver (2001, both Front Street), are wonderful examples of full-length biography in verse. The author provides readers with rich information about her subjects. This information, in combination with the white space on the page, asks readers to consider the gaps that are an inherent part of any life story, particularly for enslaved men such as Fortune. Doreen Rapport’s collection of picture-book biographies are told in verse format, along with quotes excerpted from the written or spoken words of her subjects. The juxtaposition of verse, blank space, and pull-quotes offers readers ample opportunity to consider the subject as the narrative is constructed.

• Strong Conclusions. Clear conclusions do more than simply wrap-up the main idea of a work of nonfiction. Conclusions can carry readers out of the book and into the world, prompting action. They can prompt inquiry, reminding readers of what else there is to learn about a subject. Conclusions can also establish one final emotional connection to readers. Consider the last paragraph in Russell Freedman’s Who was First? Discovering the Americas (Clarion, 2007). “Perhaps one day soon, somewhere in the Americas, someone walking across a field will discover a surprising new clue—an ancient stone tool made with care and left in that very spot by a human being who was alive once. Behind that ancient tool will be a hand reaching out of the past and taking ours.” (p. 81).

The more students consider a writer’s craft in nonfiction, the more they will see that elements of good writing overlap. The above examples of similes included alliteration. Strong introductions and conclusions are often comprised of several of these elements working together. Good writing occurs in the combined use of these stylistic moves. Reading nonfiction with an eye for these choices, and discussing a writer’s craft in class with a connection to the content of the texts, will allow your students to see the interplay between reading nonfiction and writing nonfiction.

Smith (pictured left) performs the following pieces as part of his program—”I Could Pee on This,” “Seriously,” “Kneel Before Me,” “A Cat Like Me,” “I’m So Mad I Could…,” and “Man’s Best Friend.” Several high school students have chosen the book, which was a YALSA Quick Pick, for their performance in the UIL competition.

“I am extremely flattered that the students would want to use my—excuse me, the cats’—poems in the competition,” Marciuliano (at right), also the writer of the internationally syndicated comic, Sally Forth, told SLJTeen. “Second, I think anything that encourages a greater interest in poetry—whether it be an author using rhythm to evoke an emotive response or a tabby employing meter to recapture tearing through 1,000 sheets of toilet paper—makes this English major very happy indeed. I wish all the participants the best of luck!”

A companion book of dog poems is coming this year, titled I Could Chew on This (Chronicle, July 2013).