School Library Journal» Pick of the Day

Pick of the Day: Sukey’s Circle (DVD)

SLJ — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 13:00:14 +0000

Sukey’s Circle! Vol. 3: Mini Shows. DVD. 33 min. Sukeymolloy.com. 2013. ISBN unavail. $15.99.
PreS–K–With her reassuring, gentle manner, Sukey Molloy delivers 15 mini shows that encourage young children to play, sing, and move. Each segment begins and ends with the series’ theme song, making these perfect to use individually during transitional moments between activities. Her original songs, along with some traditional ones such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” will have toddlers singing along. Molloy demonstrates fun movements and invites viewers to perform them with her. A trained dancer, she makes her movements large and expressive, yet easy to follow. The set features primary colors against a white background. Simple graphics offer some variety, as in the “Puppet Song,” where Molloy catches bubbles against a black background or when she performs the joyful dance, “I Am a Tree,” against a backdrop of forest imagery. Molloy’s Sunshine family includes plush dolls, Sunny and Tick Tock, whom she addresses and asks questions. A spattering of brief stories illustrated with uncomplicated graphics reminiscent of felt board shapes include the rhyming “Five Golden Apples” and “These Are My Eyes.” Molloy’s simple and soothing offering is a welcome respite from some of the frenetic, over-stimulating programs that target young children.–Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Daisy Gets Lost

SLJ — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:00:50 +0000

RASCHKA, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost. illus. by author. 32p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81741-4; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81742-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81743-8.
PreS-Gr 2–The lovable pup from A Ball for Daisy (Random, 2011) is back. Nearly wordless like its predecessor, this evocative story depicts another misadventure in the park. While playing fetch with her human and her new blue ball, Daisy sees a squirrel. In typical doggie fashion, she merrily chases the critter into the woods and gets lost. Frantic, she howls and looks for the child while the youngster searches for her. The two find each other in the end, though Daisy is still eyeing that pesky squirrel. A clever mix of layouts–mostly full spreads, occasionally changing to two to eight panels across two pages–propels the action. As in his previous work, Raschka masterfully imbues his ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations with a stunning range of emotions. With a few brushstrokes, he captures the excitement in the lolling canine tongue, the alarm and anguish of being lost, the relief and joy of the cozy reunion. Whether a cautionary tale or one familiar to any pet owner, this book is a must for Daisy fans everywhere.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

Pick of the Day: Out of This Place (Audio)

SLJ — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:00:44 +0000

Out of This Place. By Emma Cameron. 3 CDs. 3:19 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4692-7497-3. $54.97.
Gr 9 Up–Three friends who want to leave high school and move on describe their anguish in Cameron’s novel written in verse (Candlewick, 2013). Luke, who tries to stay out of trouble at school, spends his time playing cricket, works at the local supermarket, and hangs out at the beach. While trying to figure out where he fits in, he applies for a scholarship and traineeship to get out of school. Bongo spends his time getting wasted to block the memories of his younger brother, Dylan, who was placed in a foster home due to their alcoholic and abusive stepdad and drug addict mother. He’s tired of being around addicts and misses his sibling, so he runs away from home. Casey has a very controlling father, and she’s not allowed to participate in any school activities or have a job. She wants to get away and have some freedom, so she leaves home without saying goodbye. Desperate to leave their lives behind, they all choose to get “out of this place.” They learn lessons along the way and go in directions they never imagined. The story is told from alternating points of view by narrators Candice Moll, Leonardo Nam, and David Atlas. Their expert Australian accents capture the emotions of the three Aussie teens desperately wanting to live life on their own terms.–Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library,OR

Pick of the Day: Timeless Thomas | DVD

SLJ — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:00:18 +0000

Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives. DVD. 17:22 min. Spoken Arts. 2013. ISBN 0-8045-8140-1. $50; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 0-8045-4239-2: $29.95.
Gr 2–6–Thomas Alva Edison and his inventive mind had a huge impact on society, perhaps more than most people realize. This is the focus of Gene Barretta’s book (Holt, 2012.) In the DVD, the author provides a live-action introduction, taking viewers toEdison’s workshop and showing many of his inventions. This provides a nice segue into the book itself, which is read by Steve Chiamadia while Barretta’s warm and humorous cartoon illustrations are scanned iconographically. The presentation is fascinating because it focuses less onEdison’s life than on his legacy. AtEdison’s lab, students are introduced to an invention and then shown how it impacts us today. The connections that are made are enlightening as viewers learn how Edison was instrumental in the technology that led to modern-day movies, batteries, tattoos, vending machines, and much more. Barretta also emphasizes the work involved, and howEdisonlearned from his failures as well as his successes. This fascinating presentation provides unique insights and thought-provoking connections.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary,Federal Way, WA

Pick of the Day: Counting by 7s

SLJ — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 09:00:29 +0000

SLOAN, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s. 384p. Dial. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3855-3. LC 2012004994.
Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Willow Chase lived with her adoptive parents in Bakersfield, California. There in the midst of the high desert, she grew a garden in her backyard, her sanctuary. She was excited about starting a new school, hoping this time she might fit in, might find a friend. Willow had been identified in preschool as highly gifted, most of the time causing confusion and feelings of ineptness in her teachers. Now at her new school she is accused of cheating because no one has ever finished the state proficiency test in just 17 minutes, let alone gotten a perfect score. Her reward is behavioral counseling with Dell Duke, an ineffectual counselor with organizational and social issues of his own. She does make a friend when Mai Nguyen brings her brother, Quang-ha, to his appointment, and their lives begin to intertwine when Willow’s parents are killed in an auto accident. For the second time in her life she is an orphan, forced to find a “new normal.” She is taken in temporarily by Mai’s mother, who must stay ahead of Social Services. While Willow sees herself as just an observer, trying to figure out the social norms of regular family life, she is actually a catalyst for change, bringing together unsuspecting people and changing their lives forever. The narration cleverly shifts among characters as the story evolves. Willow’s philosophical and intellectual observations contrast with Quang-ha’s typical teenage boy obsessions and the struggles of a Vietnamese family fighting to live above the poverty level. Willow’s story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers’ hearts long after the last page.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Oblivion (Audio)

SLJ — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:00:14 +0000

Oblivion: The Gatekeepers, Book 5. By Anthony Horowitz. 17 cassettes or 17 CDs. 20:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-5787-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-5783-2. $108.75.
Gr 9 Up–The final book (2013) in Horowitz’s series finds the fate of the world in the hands of five teenagers: Matt, Pedro, Scott, Jamie, and Scarlet. They are the Gatekeepers. At the end of Necropolis (2009, both Scholastic), after entering a special door, the teens are flung to different parts of the world. They emerge into a dangerous and horrific world 10 years in the future that is beset by evil, torture, murder, death, plagues, famine, and other catastrophes, and on the verge of destruction orchestrated by the evil Old Ones headed by Chaos. To defeat the Old Ones, the five Gatekeepers must be together for the final battle. Much of the story revolves around each Gatekeeper’s struggle to overcome obstacles and challenges to make their way to Oblivion, a frozen, desolate area ofAntarctica where Chaos and the Old Ones are waiting. Horowitz’s story is fast-moving, intense, and unflinchingly graphic. Listeners new to the series will be able to follow this volume because past details are included. However, to fully grasp this tale’s scope and complexity, listeners should be familiar with the first four titles. Simon Prebbles’s reading masterfully conveys the terror of this dangerous dystopian world. His consistent portrayal of multiple characters and accents is excellent. This intense, suspense-filled conclusion will keep listeners riveted right up to the end.–Mary Olounye,Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Living with Jackie Chan

SLJ — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 09:00:42 +0000

KNOWLES, Jo. Living with Jackie Chan. 384p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6280-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6716-0.
Gr 9 Up–Seventeen-year-old Josh expected to be hanging out with his friends and going to parties during his senior year, but all that changed after a one-night stand ended in an unexpected pregnancy. Afraid to face the girl whose life he believes he ruined, Josh moves in with his Jackie Chan-loving Uncle Larry and begins a new life at a new school.Yet no matter how hard he tries, he can’t escape his past. Overcome with guilt and regret, Josh concentrates on helping his uncle with his karate class. His growing friendship with his neighbor, Stella, forces Josh to face his past in an attempt to find forgiveness, especially from his own worst enemy: himself. In this companion to Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick, 2009), Knowles provides readers with an intimate look at Josh a year after the events of the first book. Tormented by his past actions, Josh is constantly at war with his feelings, denying himself any happiness as penance. As the emotional core of the book, Josh is a complex yet incredibly likable character with whom readers will empathize. Similarly, both Larry and Stella possess dynamic, well-developed personalities, making it easy to believe how crucial a role they play in Josh’s recovery. Divided into four parts, the compelling narrative offers an honest and frank look at teen pregnancy from the male’s perspective, and while the book could have been a depressing read in another author’s hands, Knowles succeeds in writing a character-driven story that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking.–Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH

Pick of the Day: Nelson Mandela | DVD

SLJ — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:00:19 +0000

Nelson Mandela. DVD. 10 min. Weston Woods. 2013. ISBN 978-0-545-60947-0. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-60948-7: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-60949-4: $29.95.
Gr 1–4–Kadir Nelson’s evocative biography (HarperCollins, 2013) of Nelson Mandela receives stellar treatment in this exceptional DVD presentation. The author provides just enough information to introduce apartheid and Mandela’s role in changing the political landscape of South Africa, while involving, but not overwhelming, children. Viewers feel the loss of Mandela’s father and his sorrow as he leaves home to attend school. His rise as a political activist, the 27 years he spent in prison, and his eventual election to the leadership of his nation are all told clearly in crisp and expressive text. Throughout, Mandela is presented as a figure both heroic and human. This, too, is emphasized in Kadir Nelson’s exceptional paintings that glow with an inner warmth. The iconographic presentation allows the audience to truly appreciate both the careful details and the subtle power of the illustrations as actor Forest Whitaker’s rich voice reads the story with background music and crowd sound effects that draw viewers in. The DVD includes an interview with the author in which he talks about his artwork and relates his boyhood experience of attending a speech given by Mandela. This excellent presentation about an extraordinary world leader merits a place in all libraries serving children.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary,FederalWay,WA

Pick of the Day: Hero on a Bicycle | Audio

SLJ — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 13:00:52 +0000

Hero on a Bicycle. By Shirley Hughes. 3 CDs. 3:35 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4692-7493-5. $54.97.
Gr 5–8–The first novel (Candlewick, 2013) by octogenarian Shirley Hughes, the award-winning picture book author and illustrator, is set inItalyin 1944. The story follows 13-year-old Paolo, his 16-year-old sister Costanza, and their mother. The family lives in the outskirts of Nazi-occupied Florence. Their father, an anti-Fascist, fled when the Nazi’s took control, leaving the family in a politically precarious position. Paolo’s nighttime forays into the city on his bicycle have brought his family into contact with the Partisans, the Italian resistance, who ask them “in a convincing manner, made more convincing because of the gun” to help them. Told in third-person narration, the story builds in tension, skillfully shifting between the perspectives of each main character as well as the many well-developed secondary characters who add depth and understanding to an age-old question this story seeks to answer: What motivates people’s actions in times of war? Simon Vance’s incomparable vocal style is a perfect fit for this intense and suspenseful work of historical fiction. With his strong and consistently paced narration, as well as subtle and skillful character voices, Vance’s performance is both nuanced and captivating. A website (www.heroonabicycle.co.uk) offers additional material to supplement lesson plans or deepen book discussions. For those interested in offering students more in-depth information about the time period, other supplemental sources would be required. Highly recommended for students who enjoyed John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (David Fickling Bks., 2007) and historical or WWII fiction.–Chani Craig.ConverseMiddle School. Palmer, MA

Pick of the Day: That’s a Possibility! A Book About What Might Happen

SLJ — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 09:00:08 +0000

GOLDSTONE, Bruce. That’s a Possibility!: A Book About What Might Happen. 32p. illus. photos. Holt. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8998-1.
K-Gr 4–As he did in Great Estimations (Holt, 2006), Goldstone takes a mathematical concept and makes it easily understandable for children and great fun as well. Using a question/answer format, he explains possibility, impossibility, probability, improbability, and certainty. Each concept is accompanied by photographs that are not only sharp and clear, but that also employ colors that make the pictures really pop. Varying sizes and fonts add interest, and the subjects that Goldstone has chosen to illustrate the concepts have a great deal of child appeal. The pages featuring combinations have adorable Squidgy the Bear dressed in the 100 outfits made possible by his possessing 10 shirts and 10 pairs of pants. It’s “bearly possible” to predict which outfit he will wear because of the 1 in 100 odds. This book will be a boon to teachers working with these concepts, and it will attract browsers as well. A first purchase.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Pick of the Day: Constitution USA with Peter Sagal | DVD

SLJ — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:00:27 +0000

ConstitutionUSAwith Peter Sagal. 2 DVDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by TPT National Prods. and Insignia Films. Dist. by PBS Dist. 2013. ISBN 978-1-60883-901-8. $29.99.
Gr 9 Up–Sagal, the find-humor-in-our-everyday-lives NPR host, broadly examines our Constitution in both historical and contemporary contexts in a manner that will transfix viewers. Metaphorically traversing the country on a red, white, and blue Harley-Davidson, his goal is to recount the perspective of the document’s development as well as to examine it in terms of today’s critical issues. “A More Perfect Union,” the first segment, describes the intriguing manner in which our federal system of government was determined and issues facing us today as a result of federal, state, and local control questions. “It’s a Free Country” studies the Bill of Rights, and the controversies surrounding those individual freedoms in today’s society are detailed. The Fourteenth Amendment, passed after the Civil War to guarantee equal protection for individuals and groups, and its subsequent landmark impact is the focus of “Created Equal.” Finally, Sagal leads a discussion about the vitality of this remarkable document from the perspective of the 21st-century social and political milieu in “Built to Last.” The nicely paced presentation uses a variety of presentation techniques, such as graphics and humor, to connect with today’s students. There’s also an effective balance of commentary from constitutional scholars as well as ordinary citizens impacted by this document. Several bonus sections add to its usefulness, particularly commentary by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Each chapter includes the scene selection option. English language subtitles and a Spanish language audio are optional. Both classroom teachers and media professionals will find this a popular addition to every school’s collection.–Dwain Thomas, formerlyLakeParkHigh School,Roselle,IL

Pick of the Day: The Adventures of South Pole Pig

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:37 +0000

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. 288p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-63455-5.
K-Gr 4–Her name is Flora, and she’s a pig. She’s curious and longs to explore beyond the perimeters of the pigpen. She dreams of going to Antarctica with the sled dogs on the farm and becoming a sled pig. When she is put in a crate onboard a ship, she sees the expedition as an opportunity while the crew views her as potential pork chops. Then they are shipwrecked and readers will root for spunky Flora as she discovers just how brave and needed she can be. Simple black-line drawings add a welcoming charm. Told in the voice of a seasoned storyteller, this novel has chapters that will work perfectly for sharing aloud with younger children or as a read-alone for more competent readers. Flora will encourage every listener to dream of being their best self. Move over Wilbur and Babe, there’s a new pig in town.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Pick of the Day: Janie Face to Face (Audio)

SLJ — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:00:49 +0000

Janie Face to Face. By Caroline B. Cooney. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 11 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-6246-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-5116-8. $77.75.
Gr 7 Up–Cooney wraps up her popular thriller romance series that debuted more than 20 years ago about a young girl who discovers her face on a milk carton, setting in motion a series of rollercoaster events that affected many lives. In this installment (Delacorte, 2013), Janie Johnson/Jenny Spring is still walking the tightrope between her “real” parents and the parents who raised her for most of her life and is desperately trying to figure out who she is. Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan has a difficult task, as Cooney moves the viewpoint from character to character in order to present the whole story. She conveys the confusion and frustration of Janie/Jenny using a higher pitch and alternating volume as she goes from shy and fearful to strong and joyful. Bresnahan tackles each of the secondary characters including Jenny’s brothers and sister, both sets of her parents, on again off again boyfriend Reeve, and the unstable kidnapper Hannah who started it all. Each voice has a unique quality and the character comes through clearly thanks to the narrator’s use of tone, pitch, and volume. Those unfamiliar with the series will still be able to follow the plotting as Cooney continually refers back to past events. However, after listening to this engrossing tale, they are sure to want to discover how it all started. Cooney has also included a bonus short story, “What Janie Saw,” that fans of the series will embrace with gusto.– Shari Fesko,SouthfieldPublic Library, MI

Pick of the Day: Orphan Train Rider (Audio)

SLJ — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:00:05 +0000

Orphan Train Rider: One Boy’s True Story. By Andrea Warren. 2 CDs. 1:26 hrs. AudioGo. 2013. ISBN 978-0-7927-9640-4. $29.95.”
Gr 4-7–Using one young man’s journey as her focus,Warren tells about the amazing, sometimes heart-warming, and often tragic westward journey (Houghton Mifflin, 1996) that more than 200,000 children took on the Orphan Train between 1854 and1930 insearch of families. Although he was not technically an orphan, Lee Nailling’s father placed him and his brothers in an orphanage after their mother’s death. Dressed in new clothes, Lee rode the train from Upstate New York toTexasin 1926 with two of his six siblings. Not all children found homes, and many were taken in by families who abused them or used them as workers. Lee was lucky to have been placed with loving and understanding parents who renamed him and raised him as their own; he was luckier still to be reunited with some of his siblings late in his life. Chapters alternate between Lee’s experiences and the history of the Orphan Trains, the Children’s Aid Society, and other agencies that placed orphaned or homeless children with rural families. Laura Hicks expressively tells Lee’s emotional tale and exhibits the same enthusiasm when relating dates and facts, varying her inflection for quotes and narration. Have the book available so listeners can peruse the black-and-white photographs and reproductions. This compelling true story, skillfully researched and narrated, will be of great interest to young people.–MaryAnn Karre,West Middle School,Binghamton,NY

Pick of the Day: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

SLJ — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 09:00:02 +0000

QUICK, Matthew. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. 280p. Little, Brown. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-22133-7.
Gr 10 Up–Leonard Peacock has big plans for his 18th birthday. He plans to kill Asher Beal and then commit suicide. Leonard is a loner, an outcast, a misfit. Asher is a superpopular jock/bully. But they used to be friends, best friends. Something happened when they were 12, something bad. Leonard has had no one to confide in–his washed-up rock-musician dad is on the lam and his self-absorbed, oblivious mother forgets that she has a son. His anger, emotional pain, and brokenness build until he feels there is nothing left to do but end his life and the cause of his misery. As he gives gifts to the four people who mean something to him, he reveals some of his anguish. One recipient, his teacher Herr Silverman, picks up on his suicidal signals and offers the listening ear Leonard so desperately needs. As the heartbreaking climax unfolds, readers learn about the sexual and emotional trauma the teen has endured. Fortunately, there is no bloodshed, just the shedding of many overdue tears. Leonard knows he needs help and readers will hope he gets it. This is a difficult, yet powerful, book. Quick’s use of flashbacks, internal dialogue, and interpersonal communication is brilliant, and the suspense about what happened between Leonard and Asher builds tangibly. The masterful writing takes readers inside Leonard’s tormented mind, enabling a compassionate response to him and to others dealing with trauma. May there be more Herr Silvermans willing to take personal risks to save the Leonard Peacocks.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Pick of the Day: Darius & Twig (Audio)

SLJ — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:00:11 +0000

Darius and Twig. By Walter Dean Myers. 4 cassettes or 4 CDs: 4:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-6203-4, CD: ISBN 978-1-61976. $46.75.
Gr 8 Up–Darius and Twig both dream of leaving their poor neighborhood for better and safer lives. In a world where the “hoodies” with their drugs, guns, and agendas are slowly taking over, the pair band together to spur each other on to be the best so that they might earn college scholarships and leave the hood. Twig, a prodigy runner, struggles with balancing his love for running with the competitive field that he must enter if he wants to earn a scholarship. Darius, a gifted writer, strives to publish his work in order to gain the attention he needs for college offers. Each teen finds solace in the other’s support. When one of the bullies from their school is shot, Darius feels that he must get involved, even though it could endanger his goal. Narrator Brandon Gill does a great job differentiating between the two boys as they make their way through the obstacles set before them. His delivery suits the story’s slow and thoughtful pace, letting listeners stop to consider the same choices that Darius and Twig must make along their emotional journey. Listeners will root for the boys’ success and many will find themselves relating easily to the problems they face in their lower socioeconomic neighborhood. This novel (Amistad, 2013) is a good choice for high school and public libraries in urban settings or where Myers is a popular author.–Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA

Pick of the Day: Train

SLJ — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:00:30 +0000

COOPER, Elisha. Train. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38495-7.
PreS-Gr 2–Starting at a city terminal, Cooper takes readers on a commuter train that clatters out of a metropolis. At a suburban stop, the perspective shifts to a larger passenger train traveling between cities, jumps to a freight train slowly creeping across the Great Plains, then an overnight train, and finally a sleek high-speed train. The artist’s characteristic muted watercolor and pencil illustrations are sketchlike yet very detailed. Transitions between busy cityscapes and serene panoramic vistas, outsides of stations and insides of train cars, and the refrain of “passengers off, passengers on” perfectly capture the feeling of riding the rails. No “choo-choo” noises here–“As the train leaves, it sounds like the da dum da dum of a beating heart. Then silence.” Through the richness of the prose, not only the sounds but also the smells of the trains come to life–“grease and rust and burnt toast.” As the author’s note reveals, Cooper mixed many real-life details with a few fictional ones, such as a futuristic San Francisco depot at the end of the story. The longer text and somewhat stylized illustrations make the book most suitable for a one-on-one perusal with sophisticated young train aficionados but it is a wonderful foray into the “train books” category and a distinguished addition to most collections.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

Pick of the Day: A Black Hole Is NOT a Hole (Audio)

Phyllis Levy Mandell — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:00:30 +0000

A Black Hole Is NOT a Hole. By Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano. CD. 1:17 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2181-1. $15.
Gr 5-7–Gravity, quasars, the formation of black holes, and the meaning of event horizon are just some of the ideas covered in the impressive scope of this book (Charlesbridge, 2012). DeCristofano does a commendable job of introducing concepts that are difficult to visualize and making them accessible by providing examples with which students can identify. For example, the type of snow used in snowballs helps describe density of matter and whirlpools are used to explain the pull of black holes. Many scientists and their work are introduced including Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Grote Reber, a pioneer of the radio telescope. Ideas like a black hole being lumpy or smooth depending on the collapsing star it comes from and the concept of “spaghettification,” the stretching out of objects, will intrigue students. The author’s conversational tone and infusion of humor will hook listeners. Maxell Glick, Tara Sands, and Everette Plen provide well-paced narration; Plen makes occasional comic quips. There’s a four-page glossary at the end that provides succinct definitions. Make sure to have the book available so listeners can peruse the illustrations, diagrams, charts, and photos.–C. A. Fehmel,St. LouisCounty Library, MO

Pick of the Day: Listen to the Birds (Audio)

SLJ — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:55:14 +0000

Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music. CD. 26 min. with book. TheSecretMountain. 2013. ISBN 978-1-923163-89-5. $16.95.
K-Gr 2–The London Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Moscow, the Toronto Chamber Orchestra, and several other professional music groups give instrumental voice to a wide variety of birds. These wonderful performances feature whole orchestras or single instruments, such as voices, flute, violin, organ, piano, and harpsichord. Excerpts from 20 classical pieces include “Spring” from Four Seasons (Vivaldi); Le Chant des Oiseaux (Janequin); “Melancholy” from Cantus Arcticus (Rautavaara); “The Bird” from Peter and the Wolf (Prokofiev); “Hens and Roosters,” “Aviary,” and “The Swan,” from The Carnival of the Animals (Saint-Saëns); “Dance of the Little Swans” from Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky); “Song of the Lark” from Album for the Young (Tchaikovsky); “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks” from Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky); “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” from Concerto for Organ and Orchestra (Handel); “The Robin” from Small Sketches of Birds (Messiaen); “Papageno and Papagena” from The Magic Flute (Mozart); “Dance of the Firebird” from Firebird (Stravinsky); and more. The accompanying, illustrated book includes notes about the birds, the musical excerpts, and the composers; a glossary of musical terms; and a time line of the composers and their periods. A truly enriching experience.–Beverly Wrigglesworth,San Antonio Public Library, TX

Pick of the Day: Secret Pizza Party

SLJ — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:00:04 +0000

RUBIN, Adam. Secret Pizza Party. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. 40p. Dial. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3947-5. LC 2012025360.
Gr 1-4–Raccoon, paws and nose pressed plaintively to the glass, stares longingly into a pizza parlor. His nemesis, the Pizza Man, chases him off with a broom, and an unseen narrator rhapsodizes, “Ah, pizza… So beautiful, you could hang it on the wall of a museum. So convenient you could eat it in the bathtub.” Raccoon reappears looking forlorn, and the narrator suggests a pizza party at Raccoon’s house–a secret pizza party because, “When you make something secret, you make it special. Regular handshake: Boring. Secret handshake: Booyah!” Wearing stilts and a trench coat, Raccoon absconds with a stolen pizza only to discover an enormous SECRET PIZZA PARTY happening nearby. Unfortunately, he is unable to play it cool and blows his disguise as he rolls around in a pizza-induced frenzy. He flees from the broom-wielding mob (led by the Pizza Man), but his armload of pizza and giant grin prove that he has no regrets. Because the narrator converses directly with Raccoon, listeners are aligned with him and identify with the roguish creature. The skillful gouache-and-ink compositions are full of sly details and visual humor. It’s hard not to giggle at scenes like the lanky pizza man with angry eyebrows and a handlebar mustache rolling out dough while glaring at a “Wanted” poster featuring the raccoon. With a casually diverse cast of characters, Secret Pizza Party is a sure hit for primary-grade kids, who will appreciate the subtle humor and absurdity.–Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN