The new federal ConnectED initiative should bring fast connections to almost all schools and libraries within five years. The project, a combination of enhanced broadband connectivity and teacher development, aims to leverage private-sector innovations to benefit students. President Obama also highlighted the role of libraries as partners in improving digital citizenship. Now it’s up to us. What experiences could we provide to our students and patrons if we had superior broadband?

I have four personal Cs of connectivity: content, creation, community, and concurrency. The benefits of the first two are predictable. But the real power of ConnectED lies in the potential of the last two.

Content is the gift and curse of greater broadband. As bandwidth increases, content grows to fill network capacity. While we might imagine expanded content to mean more enriched ebooks and multimedia-enhanced databases, a huge portion of many school networks is clogged with security camera footage.

It doesn’t have to be that way. But libraries need to understand how network configurations and technologies like traffic shaping can provide better, consistent connectivity for all broadband traffic by throttling select bandwidth-hogging services. Security cameras, for example, could be capped at 30 percent of bandwidth. So streaming video to classrooms could have a guaranteed consistent level of performance.

There’s also the issue of net neutrality, which seeks a position that doesn’t favor content from certain Internet providers, and makes traffic-shaping technologies especially important to understand. Service providers could use these technologies to slow down access to content from competitors.

On to my next C. Increased bandwidth expands the capability to create. Schools and libraries could use new resources to publish student- and teacher-authored materials. Think flipped classrooms. Teacher lectures are being recorded with interactive whiteboards and/or cameras, and being pushed out for students to view outside of school. Libraries might record presentations to share with a broader audience, too.

This idea is inexorably linked to the third C: community. A school or library with gigabit broadband in a community without high-speed access will struggle. So, institutions must tackle community access issues first, perhaps even by becoming local hubs for Internet service delivery. Once things are running smoothly, schools and libraries could support their larger communities by providing high-tech services, content delivery, and the creation or publication of locally important content.

Finally, the “ConnectEDness” that comes with high-speed connectivity holds great potential. Approaching gigabit speeds, interactions start to feel concurrent. One can truly be present in real time, even from a distance, as opposed to experiencing the molasseslike lag of high latency. Imagine what libraries could do with that.

We could build a support network to create richer virtual author visits by providing a space in the local library with high-speed broadband. If every library had a multimedia studio space for creation, speakers could use the same hardware for high-quality virtual presentations that feel like a live experience.

This just scratches the surface of things to do with high-speed broadband. Now’s the time to dream big—and to talk big. Share ideas. Establish the need for bandwidth in libraries before it arrives. Then, cross your fingers and hope that ConnectED will push through the morass of politics.

Illustration by E. B. Lewis from Jacqueline Woodson’s The Other Side.
Courtesy of Weston Woods.

Another school year is on the horizon and our focus this month highlights the relationships that children and teens make—with other kids and with adults—to help them navigate the stormy waters of growing up. Teachers and librarians have always been savvy about connecting kids to stories that engage with what is going on in their lives. Current research from the Search Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota, an organization that addresses critical issues in education and youth development to discover what kids need to succeed, zeroes in on developmental relationships “to understand how the connections that kids form with peers and adults influence their mastery of the skills and habits that are essential for success in school and in life.” (http://ow.ly/m6yNM)

The 10 titles we’ve chosen will be excellent for group listening and for generating discussions about what’s happening to the young people in the stories, from the poignant depiction of friendship in The Other Side to the real drama wrought by abuse in Eleanor and Park.

These audiobooks not only provide important group literary opportunities, they also help students understand how to develop the empathy necessary to build healthy relationships. If time for group listening is limited, have students select titles, listen to them on their own, and write about them; they will still develop that needed empathy, and they’ll also practice the critical writing skills found in so many state and national learning standards, including the following examples:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 5, 110.16 The student is expected to: (F) make connections (e.g., thematic links, author analysis) between and across multiple texts of various genres and provide textual evidence). (http://ow.ly/mkgJN)

English Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia, Writing, Grade 8, 8.7 The student will write in a variety of forms, including narration, exposition, persuasion, and informational. (d) Organize details to elaborate the central idea and provide unity. (http://ow.ly/mkggo)

Sure, the Web is a key resource for educators, but what’s the best way to share the good stuff you’ve collected with students and teachers and keep it all organized?

EduClipper may be an answer. The free tool, launched this spring, seeks to provide a one-stop solution for K–12 by giving educators and students a simple, easy-to-use destination for curating and sharing online.

EduClipper was created by Adam Bellow, a former teacher and son of a high-school librarian who also works as a K–12 technology consultant. After hearing from educators who sought a visual content curation platform that was student friendly and school safe, Bellow set out to create a solution.

After last year’s testing period, eduClipper launched to the public in May and is now used in more than 450 classrooms. Brad Currie, middle school vice principal and supervisor of instruction for the Chester (NJ) School District, uses eduClipper with the 150 educators in his district as a professional development resource. Jason Fisher, a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Riddells Creek Primary School in Victoria, Australia, shares it with his students as a collaborative research tool. Both sing eduClipper’s praises. “Staff members find eduClipper to be a great one-stop resource with huge potential in terms of their own professional development and promoting student collaboration,” says Currie. Fisher particularly likes that his students can comment on their sources in a description area provided within eduClipper.

EduClipper is tailor-made for K–12. Teachers and administrators can create accounts for students as young as five with varying levels of permissions. Do you want your students to interact only with content from your classroom? No problem. Do you prefer a curation tool that doesn’t allow comments? That’s doable, too. EduClipper offers a walled-garden approach that schools can adjust to fit their needs, instead of simply providing the private-world binary that’s all too familiar in online platforms.

Using eduClipper is simple, especially for those already familiar with online curation tools like Pinterest. Content can be “clipped” either through the eduClipper site or by using the bookmarklet tool in the browser. In addition to making it easy to clip links and images, the site also lets you grab video, documents, and embed code from creation tools on the Web bookmarklet—a great way to integrate student work from Google Drive.

While you can discover other eduClips and reClip them (this is similar to retweeting on Twitter or repinning on Pinterest), the site also offers collaborative clipboards where groups can add items to a shared space. These features are great, but the innovation that educators might appreciate most is one that generates formatted citations for online content. I hope that this will make that ever-helpful student citation, “it came from Google,” a thing of the past.

During our testing period, we ran into a few bugs that made our experience of browsing and clipping content less than seamless. When we brought up these problems with an eduClipper representative, we were told that the organization was aware of these issues and that fixes were currently in the works.

It’s tempting to compare the user experience of eduClipper with Pinterest or Pocket, a popular content-saving application. But those platforms are further along, so it’s an unfair comparison to make at this time. We’re looking forward to seeing eduClipper develop and work out its bugs, since the platform truly addresses a gap for K–12 students and educators.

Bellow says, “I think that teachers will find it a great way to connect to, build, or strengthen a personal learning network where they can curate with like-minded educators and find awesome content that they can use in their classroom or share with their students.”

EduClipper is free, available globally for K–12, and supports IE8+, Safari 3+, Firefox 4+, and Chrome. A mobile app version is in the works, though a launch date has not been set.

The books presented here have been chosen to support and enhance expeditions to favorite preschool and elementary-aged destinations: farms and other food-producing enterprises; museums (both natural history and art); nature reserves and outdoor-observation areas; community institutions; and zoos and aquariums. A mix of fact-filled offerings and fictional adventures, all of these titles pair handsome illustrations with well-written texts to entice young readers and listeners. They can be used in the classroom to support Common Core Standards by introducing and/or reviewing site-related subject matter and vocabulary as a starting point for post-trip research projects and to inspire creative art and writing projects and initiate personal written and oral narratives. Featuring class expeditions of all kinds, the titles can also be shared to generate discussion of behavioral dos and don’ts, model positive information-seeking methods, and dispel any fears or anxieties about going to unfamiliar places.

Best of all, these appealing volumes encapsulate the magic of a field-trip experience and expand the learning–and enjoyment–well beyond the designated outing.

Illustration by Harry Campbell

By Chad Sansing

Our classroom glows with activity. One kid drafts a how-to article in which he explains the steps involved in wiring a cardboard Minecraft controller. Another writes a branching-path, choose-your-own-adventure story in Twine, a free, downloadable interactive fiction app. A student who’s claimed throughout his middle-school career that he isn’t a writer leans close to his laptop screen, finding and fixing coding errors. He composes, compiles, and debugs more than 100 lines of code to light up a three-by-three-light LED display plugged into his laptop.

A pair of especially curious students sits huddled around our newest computer, an exposed-faced circuit board smaller than a paperback book. It’s called a Raspberry Pi. They’re watching how the code they write in one window changes the course of a game in another. They may not know it yet, but these kids are playing with an open-source computing platform that just might change the way we teach young people how to interact with computers.

What is Raspberry Pi, and how do I get started?

It’s a $25 computer that fits in the palm of your hand. While you supply the mouse, monitor, and keyboard connection, your “RPi” supplies the rest. It comes with a Linux-based operating system (an open-source alternative to Windows and Mac OSX) called Raspbian. The operating system is on a Micro SD card.

With its astounding price and flexible capabilities, the Raspberry Pi has the potential to challenge the digital divide and make coding in schools as commonplace as textbooks. Computing could truly become about what kids can make rather than what schools can buy. And making coding affordable for all students could foster creative, independent computing in a way that downloading the latest app does not.

The RPi was developed at the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory under the leadership of Eben Upton, trustee of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Concerned about the lack of programming in schools and the reluctance of parents to let kids hack expensive computers at home, the Foundation members set out to put the Raspberry Pi into kids’ hands so they could experiment with code and physical computing in a simple, cheap way. After alpha and beta phases in 2011, the Raspberry Pi went on sale in 2012, selling more than 500,000 devices by September of that year.

To get the little device up and going, a new user can either download Raspbian on a Micro SD card to boot the RPi or purchase a card preinstalled. A good way to start is with a card already loaded with Scratch (a popular plug-n-play visual programming language developed for kids at MIT) and IDLE (which allows for the use of Python, another programming language).

Scratch, used widely in schools and clubs, lets kids program animations and games through a visual interface. IDLE helps kids author text-based code to control circuits or actions on screens. It’s amazing to insert these tools into the RPi and watch a computer come to life from a tiny hard drive the size of a fingernail.

What if I don’t understand coding technology?

Don’t worry. There are many ways to get up to speed on the RPi. Among a host of online resources (see sidebar below), David S. Whale’s visual guide to starting a club helps educators and technical support staff get the RPi ready for classroom use. Fortunately for librarians, Whale, a school science ambassador in the UK, and other early RPi adopters have shared many strategies for purchasing, configuring, and using these diminutive computers with kids.

In addition to searching for online help, consider asking your IT person—or better, some tinkering-inclined students—to walk you through RPi, as my colleague Melissa Techman, a K–5 librarian in Albemarle County, Virginia, did, with great results.

Techman asked some sixth- and eighth- grade students at a local student-led professional development session to teach her how to use the RPi. “I was hiding a fear of anything electrical, but I wanted to get past that,” Techman says. She was motivated in part because she wanted to work with Teen Tech Girls, a local organization dedicated to helping girls find pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers and projects.

“My student mentors patiently showed how the connections worked and got me started reading circuit schematics,” says Techman. They showed her how to write simple code in Arduino, an open-source software for physical computing, in order to make lights blink in a pattern.

Within a week of that first learning session, Techman started Scratch and Minecraft lunch groups at her school. Another great outcome: The tutorial “gave me the confidence to learn alongside my own inventive young students and to try new things with several programs,” she says.

For novices like Techman, learning to program with Scratch on a computer you assemble yourself is one of those experiences that shows how fulfilling it is to become a coder and maker. Once we know that feeling, it becomes a happy task to imagine how reading, writing, and math relate to planning physical computing projects and composing code.

Techman also came away from her student session inspired with ideas for physical computing and writing projects to use with upper elementary grades. In addition to starting multiage Scratch, Minecraft, and physical computing mentoring groups in her school, she plans to partner with a local high school to find mentors for her young students. The high schoolers could help the younger kids write their own Web pages using Mozilla Webmaker’s Thimble platform, among other exercises.

Photograph courtesy of Raspberry Pi Foundation

What kind of physical computing can I do with the Raspberry Pi?

Using the RPi, kids can connect Scratch with Microsoft Kinect to write programs controlled by a player’s body. Or they can plug an Arduino circuit board into a laptop to light up or move attached objects by writing small “sketches”—short programs—of code.

Working with Python and IDLE to run a circuit or to modify a game like Minecraft makes it clear to kids how computers control the devices around us. Programming a blinking LED light or a Minecraft building helps them see how what we do with code translates into what happens virtually, on screen, as well as in the physical world of electricity.

They can use a MaKey MaKey board—a small, cheap ($50) circuit board built on the Arduino platform—to wire up anything from bananas to books. MaKey MaKey boards act as bridges between computers and other objects that can “talk” to Scratch like hand-held video game controllers. Anything conductive can become a part of a kid’s controller with MaKey MaKey. For example, in one well-known MaKey MaKey project, bananas can and do act as keys of an on-screen piano (demonstration). A wire from the MaKey MaKey connects to each banana. Another wire—the “earth contact”—goes from the board to the user. When the user touches the banana, the board registers the completed circuit and tells the computer to play a note.

Another idea: Make a digital book project with MaKey MaKey. It’s possible for a kid to animate a story in Scratch and then to “turn” its pages using a MaKey MaKey connected to her computer and a physical book decorated with conductive material like graphite or tin foil. The author can wire a decorated page of her book to a MaKey MaKey, hold the earth contact, and then tap her book to complete a circuit. The MaKey MaKey then tells the computer to advance her story on-screen.

Another very useful Raspberry Pi extension for physical computing, called Cobbler, connects the computer to a breadboard (a kind of pegboard for circuits) so users can write short programs that control physical parts like lights, motors, sensors.

Arduino is another great open-source software for physical computing. The Arduino sketch pad, a free download, provides embedded help as the learner writes programming commands.

Photograph by flickr.com/skokiepl

What else can kids make with Raspberry Pi?

Brad Jones, a youth technology librarian for the Skokie (IL) Public Library, runs a “Codebots” club for elementary school students, with the help of two staffers. Recently, kids in the club used Raspberry Pi computers to run Scratch and write programs for LEGO WeDo kits, another example of physical computing for kids.

“Try! Fail! Fix!” the kids were chanting. I was impressed by how patient these LEGO natives were. Things would break, and they’d shrug. “That’s OK. That’s how it goes with LEGOs,” says Jones.

Projects like this serve as ready pathways to increasingly sophisticated endeavors using the same open technology—like the recently Kickstarted “Brick Pi” project that uses Raspberry Pis to run robots built from Lego Mindstorm/NXT kits.

In my own middle school classroom, one eighth grader has learned how to run Minecraft: Pi Edition. He’s started using IDLE and programming tutorials to change the way he plays the game. For example, he created a never-ending bridge right under his avatar’s feet. A stone appears in front of his character wherever he walks so that he can never fall into water or lava—or fall from a great height while exploring the sky. By altering the materials that make up his “bridge,” my student can actually leave multihued trails that make his avatar into a kind of paintbrush walking the land. When feeling silly, we also make the LEDs on the breadboard blink as we play.

As the student puts it, “You can customize the technology to do whatever you want. You feel like you’ve accomplished something that’s actually useful and really cool.”

The bigger picture

Using tools like the RPi to bring the Maker movement into libraries and schools is a powerful way to combat academic passivity. Kim Wilkens, the founder of Teen Tech Girls, sees other benefits from learning to code and physical computing.

“Being able to code opens new avenues to create and explore,” says Wilkens. It “helps everyone build an understanding of the role of hardware and software in the technology we use and take for granted every day.”

Wilkens has found that by late elementary school, many girls lose sight of imagining themselves in computer or engineering careers. For such girls, engaging in coding, making, and physical computing with women mentors in formal and informal learning spaces helps them see that technology overlaps many fields. It’s not just for those who study “serious math” in high school or college.

Several major organizations allied with kids and educators, such as the MacArthur-supported Digital Media & Learning Hub, the Mozilla Foundation (webmaker.org /en-US), and the National Writing Project, are investing heavily in connected learning around code, making, and physical computing. This kind of support should encourage us to set our young male and female students loose on code. Where there is room for code—which encompasses art, creation, and inquiry—there is room for curiosity and empowerment. With a tool like Raspberry Pi, it takes just a small investment and a willingness to learn for us all to code, make, and connect with other people who are doing the same.

Photograph by flickr.com/skokiepl

1. Visit a site like Adafruit to find a starter kit that’s right for you. I suggest a kit that has all the cords you’ll need, a Cobbler extension kit, and a Micro SD card preinstalled with the Raspbian Wheezy operating system.

2. Gather old and unsupported mice, keyboards, and monitors from around your school, library, or community.

3. Once your kit arrives, assemble your Raspberry Pi! Check online tutorials for any help you need.

4. Follow the on-screen start-up prompts to get everything running.

5. Pick a project—for starters, try to make a single LED blink using your RPi. Document your progress and publish it online for others to see.

6. Keep your RPi and LED on display and invite kids and community members to change little bits of the code—like how long the light stays on—to dip their feet into physical computing. As interest grows, invite kids to create a club with you.

7. Keep documenting what folks make with the RPi and curate a display of their work in your learning space. You can encourage kids to do the same and publish their learning.

8. Pick a next step: Start learning how to install and program software like Minecraft: Pi Edition on your RPi or perhaps set up another computer or two around the first.

Raspberry Pi Quick Start guide

Raspberry Pi project ideas from MAKE magazine

An Adafruit Raspberry Pi starter kit for purchase

Great Raspberry Pi Projects Created by Kids Winners at the Cambridge Computing Centre 

Minecraft Pi Edition

David S. Whale (@whaleygeek) on setting up a Raspberry Pi club

An 11 year old’s blog on Raspberry Pi Projects

Chad Sansing (csansing@gmail.com) teaches middle school language arts in Staunton, VA. He works with the National Writing Project and Mozilla’s Webmaker project to champion kids’ connected learning.

During a maker party at the New York Hall of Science, kids used
MaKey MaKey circuit boards and Scratch programming language.
Photo courtesy NYSCI

Tinkerers of all ages are flexing their creative muscles during the Summer of Making and Connecting, a global project geared to empower digital crafters and match people with maker activities, online or on the street.

Running from June to mid-September, the campaign offers dozens of ways for kids, parents, and educators to make stuff digitally during the summer months and beyond. The venture is sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation in partnership with the National Writing Project (NWP) Educator Innovator and the Mozilla Foundation.

“People really love to play and make something,” says Elyse Eidman-Aadahl, NWP’s director of national programs and site development. “There’s a piece deep within us that wants to create, and we’re seeing it across so many domains.”

The project kicked off in June with the Maker Party, an online happening linking interested makers with design events, maker camps, coding challenges, and other activities. The idea was for people to bring their do-it-yourself spirit and apply digital tools to remix, collaborate, and share their creations over the open Web. Summertime makers are using the hashtag #clmooc on Twitter and elsewhere to tag their projects. You can also follow activities on the NWP Educator Innovator blog.

Makers can participate in real life, from Brooklyn to Uruguay, at physical events listed on the Maker Party site. Virginia-based educators Chad Sansing (@chadsansing) and Melissa Techman (@mtechman) launched a program called #nerdcamp this spring, and it’s continuing through the summer. On a recent July day at #nerdcamp, a mix of adults and one student were happily huddled together programming Arduinos, open-sourced circuit boards, to work with LED displays.

“The whole point is to tinker and see,” says Sansing, a language arts teacher at Shelburne Middle School in Staunton, VA (and author of the SLJ feature story “Life with Raspberry Pi”). Not all #nerdcamp projects succeed, however. That doesn’t matter to Sansing—and it shouldn’t to participants, either, he says. He especially likes it when grown-ups experience the rewards of “what it’s like to work on something you want to work on, for a long time, where you’re fully engaged.”

Virtual Summer of Making and Connecting participants include Susan Angel (@zsuzsannangel), a sixth- and seventh-grade teacher in Vancouver, BC, who built a short slideshow using Haiku Deck to promote her teaching and learning credo. Valerie Hill (@valibrarian), a teacher librarian at the Lewisville (TX) Independent School District and adjunct instructor at Texas Woman’s University, built a 3-D virtual book about media before and after Gutenberg. Adapting templates that Sansing had made, Techman crafted a page featuring thoughts people encounter while writing.

What happens to this outpouring of activity come September? The Summer of Making and Connecting “is not meant to live in the summer and die,” says Techman, a school librarian at Broadus Wood Elementary School in Earlysville, VA. “We want to bring ideas from the summer into classrooms, public libraries, and to other constituents.”

NWP’s Educator Innovator project is working on strategies to keep the creative connections flowing. And for those who didn’t get a jumpstart on the event this year, NWP and its partners plan to launch another one in the summer of 2014.

“This really is a movement,” says Eidman-Aadahl. “We want every young person to see that they can be a creator and maker of their own life.”

The importance of advocacy is evident to us during a crisis. When our libraries are threatened or our staff faces cuts, then we leap into motion. But we should be mindful of advocacy every day. With social media tools, we can plan and effectively communicate our messages creatively and consistently throughout the year.

Before school begins this fall, take time to craft a strategy for how you will talk about your library projects through social media. Especially if you are a solo librarian, making a calendar can help keep you on track.

Getting started

In the past, I’ve tended to be rather organic in my approach to social media. This year, I will be more organized. I’m crafting my yearlong social media advocacy plan now by adding a set of dated activities for marketing and communicating what the library does for the school. I know I will get the message out to the administration, my community, and students if I have scheduled myself to do it.

First, find a calendar tool for your plan. Google Calendar is my choice, because you can set it up to send you a daily or weekly agenda as well as hourly calendar alerts. Events can be set daily, weekly, or monthly. Next, decide what social media tools to use and to whom your messages will be directed. Ask yourself: How do I want to impact students? Parents? Administrators? In what way can I best communicate with each group, and what do I want to say?

Students may prefer Twitter, while parents may connect with Facebook. Some principals prefer looking at data; others, like a former principal of mine, like video.

You also need to figure out quantity of outreach. What times of year, and how often, should you contact each group? Should you ping students weekly or daily? Do monthly messages work well for parents? For administrators, are quarterly communications best? Perhaps you are a frequent tweeter, and don’t need to schedule this. One librarian I know implements effective “Twitter Tuesdays.”

Target your social networking efforts to the time of year: . There are many opportunities both to plan activities inside the library and to talk about them outside the library. Sync your social media calendar to these events.

Assessing your efforts

At the end of each month, assess whether you have met your goals. If not, don’t criticize yourself. Evaluate whether your goals are too ambitious, or what you can do to better meet them. The idea is to be more purposeful in our advocacy and to use social media to help us get the word out. Sharing what we do and inviting the larger community into our work is always valuable, not only for advocacy, but also for fostering a sense of community.

Carolyn Foote is a “technolibrarian” at Westlake High School in Austin, TX. She blogs at Not So Distant Future.

This year, on the first day of school, I discovered that my principal had decided that the best use of the library was to house large study halls every period of the day, nominally “supervised” by disinterested faculty members. Last year, I lost part of the library as an in-school suspension space for several months; next year, I’m losing the library computer lab one period every day.

When the school formed a committee to design research at each grade level, my colleague (now former colleague) and I were not invited—though the first meeting took place in the library. When we finally complained enough, we became members of the committee, but were pointedly ignored as we spoke in favor of teaching a scaffolded research process rather than concentrating on product rubrics. Still, I inundate my principal with quality articles about the value of school libraries and ask for proof of “best practices” when decisions like those described above come along. But since there’s no one at the administrative level supporting the library program, the two of us at the high school level are lone voices and considered argumentative.

ALA and AASL leaders, movers, and shakers—take the message to annual conferences for administrators. Make them hear. Some will still make their decisions based on whatever voodoo data they claim to be using, but they can’t say they didn’t know otherwise.

Catherine M. Andronik
Teacher Librarian
Brien McMahon High School
Norwalk, CT

Bravo on Rebecca T. Miller’s editorial (“It’s Time to Step Up,” June 2013, p. 11). I have never understood why the American Library Association hasn’t done more to help keep full-time certified librarians in school libraries. I hope your prediction of tapping Barbara Stripling as a leader for this charge comes true. SLJ is exciting under your editorship. Thank you!

Diane K. Zentz
Library Media Specialist
Warren Central High School
Indianapolis, IN

I am writing in response to SLJ’s article, “ALA Promises Expanded School Library Advocacy in 2013-14,” Extra Helping, June 18, 2013). A group of concerned citizens has been working on revitalizing the school libraries in our community in Michigan, and this past year we were able to partner with our district library to bring a certified librarian back to the middle school. We have watched the students respond with enthusiasm. Teachers bring students to the library during class. We also open the library during lunch, and we had to cap how many students could come in because the response was overwhelming. Our librarian is very popular with students, staff, and parents, and he has become an invaluable team member at our school.

Our Title I school is a now a priority school in Michigan, so a thriving library is of utmost importance. Students need to be guided in their research efforts and they need to be exposed to a variety of resources, but even more importantly, they need a place with a large collection of titles where they can read for pleasure. We are on our way to providing these things for our students. Now, with ALA’s advocacy we can find more support.

Heather Albee-Scott
Parent Volunteer
Parkside Media Center Project
Jackson, MI

 Vocabulary development

Paige Jaeger (“On Common Core: Vulcanizing Vocabulary,” June 2013, p. 18) acknowledges the contribution of reading to vocabulary growth, but suggests that we need more; we need to require “challenging (and engaging) nonfiction,” “integrate academic vocabulary into our classes,” and add word games. We don’t need more. School librarians know how to help students develop a large vocabulary: provide a collection of engaging, understandable books, and help readers find the right books for them.

Studies show that when interesting and comprehensible books are available, young people read them, and that self-selected reading results in profound development of literacy, including vocabulary. Dedicated pleasure readers acquire thousands of words each year through reading, far more than they could from direct instruction programs or word games.

It is sometimes argued that voluntary reading may not include “the right stuff.” We know, however, that dedicated pleasure readers typically choose different kinds of reading and more complex reading as they mature (L. LaBrant, 1958, “An Evaluation of Free Reading.” Hunnicutt and Iverson Eds., Research in the Three R’s. Harper & Bros.). Students involved in reading eventually choose what experts have decided were “good books” (R. Schoonover, 1938, “The Case for Voluminous Reading.” English Journal 27, 114-118).

Also, even though different types of books are written in different styles, there is substantial overlap; anyone who reads deeply in any area will acquire a great deal of the academic style, enough to make a considerable amount of academic reading comprehensible. Students who have read extensively from series such as “Fear Street,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” and “The Hunger Games” will have a much easier time with a New York Times editorial than those who have not done so. Self-selected reading is the bridge between conversational and academic language.

Jaeger notes that “Within the CCSS framework, everyone is in the vocabulary business.” Librarians were in the vocabulary business long before the Common Core [Common Core State Standards], and have been the most important part of it. Young people get a lot of their reading material from libraries, and for those living in poverty the library is often their only source of books.

Stephen Krashen Professor Emeritus
Rossier School of Education University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

In the 1840s, Elizabeth Blackwell decided to become a physician after an ailing female friend confided that she wished she could have been examined by a woman doctor. Tanya Lee Stone’s Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell (illustrated by Marjorie Priceman; Holt, 2013) reminds us that this was unheard of at the time. Shocking! Horrifying! What was she thinking? Blackwell applied to medical schools and was summarily turned down by 28 of them. She was accepted by her 29th choice—the medical school in Geneva, New York. When Blackwell arrived for classes, she learned that her acceptance had been voted on by the male students, who thought the whole thing was a joke.

But Blackwell toughed it out. Eventually, she graduated at the top of her class, but still had to land a job, which proved just as difficult as getting into medical school. As Stone says, “Being a doctor was definitely not an option [for women]. What do you think changed all that?” Blackwell did, of course. Although intended for elementary school readers, you can also share this simple book with high school students who will be shocked by the obstacles that Blackwell had to face. Also, tell them that today more than half of all medical students are women.

Women had to be plain, strong, and unmarried to serve as nurses in the Civil War, Kathleen Krull tells readers in Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women (illustrated by Carlyn Beccia; Walker, 2013). Thirty-year-old Alcott met those requirements. However, up until that moment, she had not succeeded at fulfilling her own prophecy, written at age 15: “I shall be rich and famous and happy before I die, see if I won’t!” An abolitionist, Louisa traveled to Washington, DC, to work in a hospital, tending to the Union soldiers who suffered horrible wounds and disfigurements. The experience lasted only a few weeks, but it changed her life forever. Alcott caught typhoid in the filthy hospital and was sent home to recover.

The future novelist continued to reflect on that period of her life, writing about it in her letters and her journals. She realized she could use that experience in her fiction writing as well. The first volume of Alcott’s Little Women, one of the first novels set during the Civil War, was published in 1868 and became a huge hit. “By the time Louisa was thirty-six, it made all of her dreams come true!” And by the time she died, the woman who had lived in poverty for most of her life was making the modern equivalent of $2 million a year.

Clara Lemlich couldn’t even speak English, let alone write it, when she arrived in America from Ukraine. Michelle Markel’s Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 (pictures by Melissa Sweet; HarperCollins, 2013) tells the ultimately joyful story about the tiny immigrant who attended school at night, earned meager wages, and worked under ghastly conditions in a garment factory. Determined to change it all, Lemlich led a huge walkout of women workers, inciting them in her native Yiddish. While her male colleagues were afraid to follow suit, the young champion urged a general strike, which eventually enabled many workers to unionize.

When discussing these biographies, I urge my booktalk audience to do what I do when something intrigues me: dig in, investigate, and find out more. I discovered that Blackwell wrote about the various men she met. Lemlich lived a long life as a union activist, and when she entered the Jewish Home for the Aged in the 1960s, she encouraged the workers to organize. Although these informational books were written for younger children, they will pique the interest of readers of all ages.

By Nell Coburn

“I want to know your top 10 best practices for storytime,” a colleague said to me a few months before I retired. “You’ve been in youth services four decades and you’ve long been a storytime trainer at Multnomah County Library (MCL). I bet you have some best practices I’ve never even thought of.”

This was an irresistible challenge, because it’s storytime that’s kept me in youth services for 40 years and storytime that I’ll miss most in retirement. Storytime is the premium service for children in public libraries across the country. For many youth librarians, it’s the most treasured part of our job. I’m sure my colleagues are aware of many storytime best practices, but I can suggest a few that might not be on everyone’s list.

I’ll start with something I’m passionate about: My longstanding belief that storytime is for children and adults. When I trained as a youth librarian in the 1970s in Prince George’s County, MD, storytime was a kids-only affair. As in most public libraries, parents and caregivers waited for their children outside the program room. A few of us encouraged them to join, but many librarians felt intimidated by the adult presence.

Back in those days, storytime was for three to five year olds. When we started offering programs for two year olds—and eventually, babies—we needed adults to accompany their children. It soon became obvious that everyone was benefiting from storytime. Now, most libraries make it clear that storytime is very much for children and their adults. I’ve underlined some key phrases from the MCL website’s description of storytime: “Parents learn how to foster early literacy skills to prepare their children for learning to read. Librarians answer questions about books and library services, and teach parents how to interest their children in books.”

How does that transfer into best practice? The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA) offer some effective techniques in their early literacy initiative, Every Child Ready to Read @your library, accessible online (everychildreadytoread.org). Since that venture began over a decade ago, MCL librarians have made it standard practice to make direct comments to adults during storytime.

Here’s an example: After sharing a book like Raffi and Nadine Bernard Westcott’s Down by the Bay (Crown) or Westcott’s The Lady with the Alligator Purse (Little, Brown, both 1988), a librarian might say: “Singing and rhyming help children learn that words are made up of different sound combinations. In songs, each syllable has a different note, so it’s easy to hear distinct sounds. Children who can do this are better able to sound out words when they are learning to read.”

Adults appreciate knowing that storytime materials and techniques are supported by research and boost early literacy skills. For many, this gives storytime more legitimacy and educational value.

Even more important than sharing such information with grown-ups is the ability to ensure active adult participation in storytime. The best storytimes are those during which adults are fully engaged—shaking out their wiggles, clapping, singing, dancing, and encouraging kids as they interact with the books.

This can be facilitated in multiple ways. I like to hang large-print copies of regularly used songs and rhymes on the wall, or have a collection stapled together in a take-home handout. It’s easier for grown-ups when the words are right in front of them. It helps storytime presenters, too: We don’t have to memorize all those songs! And a handout encourages parents and caregivers to share the songs and rhymes with their children later, further strengthening their early literacy skills.

Adult involvement has all sorts of positive outcomes beyond the educational ones. When grown-ups are engaged, we have fewer “adult behavior” challenges, such as chatting or cell phone use. This leads me to another best practice: Establish clear expectations for both adult and child storytime behavior. Effective instructions are positively worded and presented in simple, direct language. The focus should be on what storytime participants should do, rather than what they should not do.

Consider posting your expectations, briefly mentioning them at the beginning, or handing them out before a series of storytimes. For example, a clear, friendly statement may help adults realize that cell phone use during storytime is not appropriate. Here’s one to try: “Adults: Please help me make this storytime a good experience for all by turning off your phone, or putting it on vibrate. If you must accept a call during storytime, please step outside the room to do so.”

Help young parents understand that it’s best to take their child out of the room if he or she is disruptive, and that they are welcome back when the child is ready. According to MCL staff, this instruction is especially appreciated by immigrant parents with no storytime experience who may not know how they and their children should behave.

Likewise, a brief, straightforward statement can inform adults that we don’t expect their two year old to behave like a five year old: “Welcome! This is a storytime designed for two year olds, so please know that it will look different from some other storytimes you may have attended. Two year olds need to move, so we plan lots of movement activities and we don’t mind when they get up and roam around the room during the stories, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or disturb others.”

Adults who are actively involved and understand the educational value of storytime may be less likely to be chronically late. Of course, nothing is predictable where young children are involved, and there will be occasions when traffic, a child meltdown, or some minor home crisis will result in latecomers. The best practice here, I believe, is to welcome all attendees warmly and make them feel comfortable. Recently I observed a Spanish-language storytime during which families trickled in from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Everyone seemed fine with that, and the newcomers slipped into the group seamlessly. Spanish-speaking staff say that a relaxed regard for time is culturally appropriate, another factor to consider in our approach to latecomers.

I’ve always felt that one of storytime’s main purposes is to introduce children and grown-ups to the riches of the library’s collections. Adults often need a nudge in the direction of poetry and the fine information books available to children. To encourage them in these areas, I believe we should make it a point to feature poetry and nonfiction books in storytime.

Here are some suggestions. Byron Barton’s Building a House (Greenwillow, 1981) and Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop’s Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic, 1999) are fascinating and well-paced for storytime reading. A poetry book I’ve used again and again is Jack Prelutsky and Marc Brown’s Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young (Knopf, 1986), a gem containing a great selection of poems to match with picture books. The collection includes an assortment of poems about mud, puppies, and other ordinary things that delight small children and connect storytime to their immediate world. Try pairing Lillian Schulz’s “Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly” caterpillar rhyme with Eric Carle’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Philomel, 1969). The short poem nicely reinforces Carle’s simple science lesson.

If I have one pet peeve, it’s people who come for storytime and leave immediately after. In MCL storytime training, we encourage staff to invite participants to explore the collection and “find something wonderful to take home!” We also urge storytime presenters to accompany families to the shelves and offer assistance. Staff should not be expected to return to a public service desk right after their program. They can make themselves most useful by roaming the shelves with the participants they’ve just put under the storytime spell.

Often, adults like to linger and socialize after storytime. If you find that they aren’t also visiting the collection, set up a small selection of enticing materials in the program area. Encourage everyone to browse. You may even wind up doing quick booktalks about materials you’re encouraging families to check out. Include some cool materials for adults—a new cookbook, seasonal craft books, gardening books, magazines, or DVDs.

How do we stay fresh when we do storytimes week after week, year after year? We need to look for opportunities to continue our education in storytime techniques. Even after 40 years, I love learning new rhymes and songs from colleagues. I love seeing how someone else approaches a title and discovering which new titles work well for them. The best way to grow our storytime skills is through observation, an important part of new staff training at MCL. Veteran staff benefit from observation as well: We should all get out of our own libraries and observe our colleagues elsewhere several times a year. Managers can support this practice by incorporating it into yearly staff performance appraisals.

MCL youth librarians also enhance their skills through a practice called “storytime highlights.” During several monthly youth services meetings, a few librarians share a favorite song, rhyme, puppet story, or activity. They also meet periodically for “circle of practice” sessions before the meeting. Each session focuses on supporting skills in a specific area, such as toddler time, family storytime, or songs and rhymes for babies.

I’ll close with one of my strongest beliefs about storytime. Perhaps it’s more of a “best concept” than a best practice, but it affects everything else we do. This is something I learned from the wise Marjie Crammer, who for decades headed the children’s department at the New Carrollton (MD) Library. Marjie would tell her staff: “Storytime is not about you; it’s about the children.”

Over the years, I’ve adjusted that a bit: “Storytime is not a performance; it’s an interactive experience between you and the people in front of you on any particular day.” Staff attending MCL storytime training say this is what they remember most. It takes the pressure off and keeps the focus on the children. Come to think of it, let’s move that to best practice number one. I don’t doubt it will hold for another 40 years.

Nell Colburn served as a children’s librarian for over 40 years at Multnomah County Library in Portland, OR, and at public libraries in Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Washington. She is the 2013 recipient of the Oregon Library Association’s Eveyln Sibley Lampman Award for significant contributions in library service to the children of Oregon. She also cowrote SLJ’s “First Steps” column with Renea Arnold from 2004-2012.

Such childhood delight and any attendant anxieties about friends and teachers are familiar enough. But my concern has shifted now that I am an adult, and one who feels a certain responsibility for the many children directly and indirectly involved in my life and work. The gap between the haves and the have-nots, which during my childhood sparked all kinds of unease, has grown wider and more deeply troubling.

Rising economic inequality and the persistent digital divide should have us all on high alert for the well-being of many of our children. In a recent Salon article, Andrew Leonard puts it in stark terms as he reflects on the rise of the Internet and rising economic inequality—and how they interrelate. “Twenty years after the Internet first started significantly transforming how we live, society has become more unequal and polarized,” he writes. (See, “The Internet’s greatest disruptive innovation: Inequality,” July 19, 2013)

“Today, the more skilled you are, the more you benefit from new technology. There is no question that for those with talent, drive and access to education, the connected society offers practically unlimited opportunity,” he writes. “But, if you are not so skilled, it’s a different story.” Leonard cites shifts in the job market brought by innovations in software, which continue to rattle the work world.

As the job landscape continues to shift, the mission of schools and libraries to address the gap intensifies, and the work of the key players, teachers and librarians, has never been more essential. Of course, they need support with infrastructure—like that provided by the recently proposed reforms to the E-rate program*—to level the playing field. And, as critically, we need enough teachers and librarians to go around, so we don’t keep exacerbating the other gaps with what’s been called an attention gap as class sizes grow and librarians get stretched thin. Our kids need all the engaged grown-ups they can get in their lives.

I know I am not alone as I fret. Luckily, librarians and other educators are full of new ideas, striving toward the common good for our children. Let’s give them what they need to do their work.

Rebecca T. Miller
Editor-in-Chief
rmiller@mediasourceinc.com

*This article has been amended to reflect that the updates to the E-rate program are not final. Comments from stakeholders, including librarians, are welcome and encouraged via the Electronic Comment Filing System before the FCC acts on Proceeding 13-184.

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library (Rosenstock)
©2013 by John O’Brien

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

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

The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Preschool to Grade 4

ADLER, David A. Things That Float and Things That Don’t. illus. by Anna Raff. 32p. Holiday House. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2862-5. LC 2012045827.

ALLAN, Nicholas. Picasso’s Trousers. illus. by author. 32p. reprods. Red Fox. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-099-49536-9.

ARGUETA, Jorge. Tamalitos: Un poema para cocinar/A Cooking Poem. tr. from Spanish by Elisa Amado. illus. by Domi. 32p. Groundwood/Tigrillo. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-300-1.

BLEIMAN, Andrew. Hello, Mommy ZooBorns! 24p. (Ready-to-Read Series). S & S/Spotlight. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4382-2; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4383-9. ebook available. LC 2012020354.

CELENZA, Anna Harwell. Saint-Saëns’s Danse Macabre. illus. by JoAnn E. Kitchel. 32p. w/CD. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-348-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-612-8. LC 2012024575.

CLAYTON, Sally Pomme. Greek Myths: Stories of Sun, Stone and Sea. illus. by Jane Ray. 78p. bibliog. index. maps. Frances Lincoln. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-84780-227-9.

COHN, Scotti. On the Move: Mass Migrations. illus. by Susan Detwiler. ISBN 978-1-60718-616-8; ISBN 978-1-60718-628-1; ISBN 978-1-60718-640-3.

LORD, Michelle. Nature Recycles: How About You? illus. by Cathy Morrison. ISBN 978-1-60718-615-1; ISBN 978-1-60718-627-4; ISBN 978-1-60718-639-7.

ea vol: 32p. websites. Sylvan Dell. 2013. Tr $17.95; pap. $9.95; ebook $9.99.

CORNELL, Kari. Awesome Snacks and Appetizers. ISBN 978-0-7613-6642-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-1717-5. LC 2012048903.

––––.Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks. ISBN 978-0-7613-6639-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-1715-1. LC 2012048904.

––––.Terrific Veggies on the Side. ISBN 978-0-7613-6640-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-1716-8. LC 2012048909.

ea vol: photos by Brie Cohen. 32p. (You’re the Chef Series). chart. diag. further reading. glossary. illus. index. websites. Millbrook. Sept.2013. lib. ed. $26.60; ebook $19.95.

FENTON, Corinne. Queenie: One Elephant’s Story. illus. by Peter Gouldthorpe. 24p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6375-9. LC 2012947255.

FLATT, Lizann. Sizing Up Winter. illus. by Ashley Barron. 32p. (Math in Nature Series). Owlkids. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-82-1. LC 2012954723.

GATES, Valerie. The Other Colors: An ABC Book. photos by Ann Cutting. 56p. Sky Pony. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-537-7. LC 2012040716.

GERBER, Carole. Spring Blossoms. illus. by Leslie Evans. 32p. Charlesbridge. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-412-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-594-7. LC 2012000791.

GIEBINK, Bruce. Minnesota Bug Hunt. 32p. Minnesota Historical Society Press. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-87351-865-9. LC 2012044590.

HILL, Laban Carrick. When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. illus. by Theodore Taylor III. 32p. bibliog. chron. websites. Roaring Brook. Aug. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-540-7.

HIMMELMAN, John. Noisy Frog Sing-Along. illus. by author. 32p. Dawn. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-339-0; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-340-6. LC 2013009691.

KALMAN, Bobbie. Baby Carnivores. ISBN 978-0-7787-1010-3; ISBN 978-0-7787-1015-8.

––––.Baby Rodents. ISBN 978-0-7787-1009-7; ISBN 978-0-7787-1014-1.

ea vol: 24p. (It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals Series). diag. glossary. illus. index. photos. Crabtree. 2013. lib. ed. $22.60; pap. $7.95. ebook available.

KAVIN, Kim. Native Americans: Discover the History & Cultures of the First Americans with 15 Projects. illus. by Beth Hetland. 128p. (Build It Yourself Series). chart. chron. diag. glossary. index. map. websites. Nomad. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-175-7; pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-170-2.

KING, Martin Luther III. My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illus. by AG Ford. 32p. HarperCollins/Amistad. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-028075-8; lib. ed. $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-028076-5.

MORDEN, Daniel. Demeter and Persephone. Bk. 1. 40p. ISBN 978-1-84686-834-4. LC 2012020208.

––––. Orpheus and Eurydice. Bk. 3. 40p. ISBN 978-1-84686-784-2. LC 2012011236.

––––.Theseus and the Minotaur. Bk. 2. 64p. ISBN 978-1-84686-782-8.

ea vol: illus. by Carole Hénaff. (Greek Myths Series). bibliog. diags. maps. Barefoot. 2013. pap. $7.99.

NELSON, Steve & Jack Rollins. Frosty the Snowman. illus. by Wade Zahares. 28p. w/CD. Imagine/A Peter Yarrow Bk. Nov. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-62354-012-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-671-5. LC 2012046363.

ODE, Eric. Sea Star Wishes: Poems from the Coast. illus. by Erik Brooks. 32p. Sasquatch. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-57061-790-4.

OWEN, Cheryl. Gifts for Kids to Make. 128p. (The Craft Library Series). index. photos. Hamlyn. 2013. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-600-62515-5.

PELLETIER, Mia. Avati: Discovering Arctic Ecology. illus. by Sara Otterstätter. 48p. glossary. map. Inhabit Media. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-927095-13-3.

ROSENSTOCK, Barb. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library. illus. by John O’Brien. 32p. bibliog. notes. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-932-2. LC 2013931061.

SAYRE, April Pulley. Let’s Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat. photos by author. 32p. S & S/Beach Lane. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6728-6. ebook available.

SCHWARTZ, David M. Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices. photos by Dwight Kuhn. 32p. glossary. Creston Books. Aug. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-939547-03-3.

SILVERBERG, Cory. What Makes a Baby. illus. by Fiona Smyth. 36p. Seven Stories. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60980-485-5. LC 2013001628.

The Three Little Pigs. illus. by Emily Bolam. 32p. (A Story House Book). Boxer Bks. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-907152-67-2.

How to Train a Train (Eaton)
©2013 by John Rocco.

Fiction

BERRY, Julie. All the Truth That’s in Me. Viking. Sept. p. 109.

BLACK, Holly.The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 109.

BROWN, Peter. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 66.

COOPER, Elisha. Train. illus. by author. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. p. 69.

COUSINS, Lucy. Peck, Peck, Peck. illus. by author. Candlewick. Aug. p. 70.

DICAMILLO, Kate. Flora & Ulysses. illus. by K. G. Campbell. Candlewick. Sept. p. 96.

EATON, Jason Carter. How to Train a Train. illus. by John Rocco. Candlewick. Sept. p. 72.

EDINGER, Monica. Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad. illus. by Robert Byrd. Candlewick. Oct. p. 97.

GERSTEIN, Mordicai. The First Drawing. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 74.

HARRINGTON, Karen. Sure Signs of Crazy. Little, Brown. p. 100.

HEST, Amy. When Charley Met Grampa. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick. Sept. p. 76.

KITTSCHER, Kristen. The Wig in the Window. HarperCollins/Harper. p. 102.

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. Houghton Harcourt. p. 80.

LAROCHELLE, David. Moo! illus. by Mike Wohnoutka. Walker. Sept. p. 80.

NESS, Patrick. More Than This. Candlewick. Sept. p. 114.

PARK, Linda Sue. Xander’s Panda Party. illus. by Matt Phelan. Clarion. Sept. p. 86.

QUICK, Matthew. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. Little, Brown. Aug. p. 115.

ROWELL, Rainbow. Fangirl. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. p. 115.

RUBIN, Adam. Secret Pizza Party. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. Dial. Sept. p. 89.

TWOHY, Mike. Outfoxed. illus. by author. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Sept. p. 91.

VANCE, Alexander. The Heartbreak Messenger. Feiwel & Friends. p. 106.

Nonfiction

GOLDSTONE, Bruce. That’s a Possibility! Holt. p. 122.

RUSCH, Elizabeth. Eruption! (Scientists in the Field Series). Houghton Mifflin. p. 129.

SAMPSON, Sally. ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. S & S. Aug. p. 129.

SANDLER, Martin W. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II. Walker. Aug. p. 129.

From the Adult Books 4 Teens Blog

KINDT, Matt. Red Handed. First Second. (June 10 post)

DISCLAFANI, Anton. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp forGirls. Riverhead. (June 17 post)

WALLS, Jeannette. The Silver Star. Scribner. (June 18 post)

DVD

LMNO Peas. Weston Woods. p. 50.

Last Flight of Petr Ginz. First Run Features. p. 51.

AUDIO

Anna and the Cupcakes. Performed by The Bari Koral Family Rock Band. Bari Koral. p. 58.

Deep Sea Diver. Performed by Recess Monkey. Recess Monkey. p. 58.

Doll Bones. By Holly Black. Listening Library. p. 53.

I Like Everything About You (Yes I Do!). Performed by Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble. Crosspulse Media. p. 59.

Joshua Dread. By Lee Bacon. Listening Library. p. 55.

Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music. The Secret Mountain.p. 59.

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High Relevancy, Wide Breadth The most significant strength of this database comes from the high relevancy of the articles to today’s students’ needs and the wide breadth of information covered in them. Articles are presented under the headings “Cyberbullying and Safety,” “Communication Basics,” “Social Networking,” “Privacy and Digital Ethics,” “Search and Research Skills,” “Tools for the Digital Age,” “Careers and Entrepreneurship,” “Internet Biographies,” and “Gaming.” Each of these is subdivided into smaller, more specific categories. For instance, “Communication Basics” is divided into sections on online predators, blogs, digital journalism, slander and libel, texting and sexting, and Twitter and other microblogs. In all categories, the information is well-organized and the writing is clear and engaging. The use of real-life cautionary tales (the Tyler Clementi story in material on cyberbullying and the Kaavya Viswanathan story in the plagiarism section, etc.) adds a modicum of necessary tension in an otherwise upbeat presentation.

Special features are built in to each article. The strong presence of audiovisual accompaniments will be of particular use to students who are studying English as a second language or to those who struggle with reading comprehension. With a single click, students can have the article read to them. A complementary function highlights the word being read in one color and the relevant sentence in another color. Other special features include Google Translate and share buttons. Students who use information from the database for research projects will find citing the information a breeze, as citations for each article are included in MLA and APA formats.

Video Component Links to dozens of videos are embedded throughout the database content. Each video highlights some aspect of the article at hand. For the most part, the videos are substantive and highly complementary. For instance, in the article “Twitter: What Is It Good For?” a 41-second video features a news clip that shows a Congressional forum where politicians keep up with their constituents’ questions and concerns in real time using Twitter. A few of the videos act more as colorful fillers. For instance, a video in the “Fan Fiction Writing” section is a 17-second look at a teenage girl typing. Many of the pieces come from Learning Zone Xpress, a vendor of educational products. These videos feature teen actors talking about various online issues and are not only visually arresting, but also add a humanizing, personal touch to technology-heavy content. In addition to the visual lure of the videos, the database includes scores of well-curated, high-resolution stock images.

Interactive Tutorials Rosen’s interactive tutorials help with becoming a citizen journalist, creating a digital business plan or a multimedia presentation, recording a podcast, and filming a public service announcement. These tutorials invite users to create a plan for a digital product rather than help them to finish it. For each activity, users are prompted to enter their name, topic of interest, the websites they’ve used in their research, and the tools they plan to use to create a finished product. Links called “Tips” take users to relevant Digital Literacy content. For instance, when students are prompted to list websites used in their research, the “Tip” leads to articles on finding credible information online and on researching people, places, and events.

Curriculum Compatibility The articles and activities in Digital Literacy are designed to correlate with Common Core, the learning standards in the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), and the learning standards in the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The database is compatible with iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and netbooks.

Resources for Teachers A section for teachers, librarians, and administrators offers detailed information on curriculum correlations. In addition, there are tips on creating lesson plans, signing up for the Digital Literacy newsletter, tracking usage statistics, and more.

Conclusion Digital Literacy is packed with timely, up-to-date information for 21st-century students. Dynamic and attractive, this database will help users to navigate the complex world of the Internet. A first-rate product.

DAVIS, Kaylee N. The Barnes & Noble Guide to Children’s Books. 312p. chron. index. reprods. Sterling. 2013. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4351-4528-3.

Davis surveys more than 1000 titles and includes a detailed review, a photo of the full-color book jacket, the original date of publication, the publisher, and any award information. The categories are broad and filled with old and new classics, series titles, innovative format books, nonfiction and reference, poetry, and other topics. Categories are organized by age, subject, or reading level and are alphabetical by author. There are bonus pages with essays from famous authors and illustrators writing about their craft and their childhood, giving insight into how they became who they are today. A chronological list of Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King Award winners and a combined author and title index round out the volume. It would make a spectacular gift for any parent of a young child. It can be their guide to choosing the right book at the right time–sort of like having their very own librarian by their side. A solid choice for parenting shelves.–Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY

POE, Elizabeth A. From Children’s Literature to Readers Theatre. 208p. appendix. bibliog. ebook available. index. reprods. ALA. 2013. pap. $45. ISBN 978-0-8389-1049-8. ebook available. LC 2012027258.

This book differs from other good books on the topic, such as Aaron Shepard’s Stories on Stage (Shepard, 2005), in that Poe employs a completely reader-centric approach. Not only do students read and direct the scripts, but they also choose the stories and write them. As one can deduce, this provides extra reading time to find that perfect story, and even more time to collaborate in writing and presenting an entertaining performance. To make the process clearer, Poe also includes examples of literature adaptations to scripts with a short commentary following each one. Additionally, the book incorporates a list of 100 annotated titles that would make good readers theatre for audiences from age three to YA and appendixes that include a sample program, time line, and assignment rubric. An effective tool for developing lifelong readers.–Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield

SÁNCHEZ GONZÁLEZ, Lisa. The Stories I Read to the Children: The Life and Writing of Pura Belpré, the Legendary Storyteller, Children’s Author and New York Public Librarian. 286p. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. notes. photos. Center for Puerto Rican Studies, CUNY. 2013. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-878483-80-5; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-878483-45-4. LC 2012041664.

This presentation of the library work and writing of Pura Belpré will likely be both frustrating and inspiring to librarians. Belpré’s multifaceted work in pioneering library service to Spanish-speaking children is best known today through her appealing children’s books, still widely used in library collections, and the ALA book award in her name honoring current Latino authors and illustrators of children’s books. Sánchez González begins her tribute in scholarly discourse on Belpré’s role, through her life and writing, in the Puerto Rican diaspora. The actual biographical material is fragmented with bits of general history, explanations, and suppositions. The academic analysis, followed by a small selection of photographs, leads to a welcome and substantial collection of Belpré’s own writing: reprints of the texts of four picture books and 13 stories from The Tiger and the Rabbit, and Other Tales (Houghton Harcourt, 1965) and Once in Puerto Rico (Warne, 1973). Storytellers may especially like the next section of 15 unpublished stories. Finally, and perhaps the real heart of the volume, come a dozen apparently never published manuscripts of talks and essays in which Belpré discusses Puerto Rican folklore, writing for bilingual children, and a great deal of her own experience in storytelling and library work. Here the fine, rich view of decades of library service to culturally diverse children and the history of children’s services set shining examples for today’s librarians. Some readers may never get to this section. Many might be advised to start here.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

SNOW, Sharon & Yvonne Reed. Teens Have Style!: Fashion Programs for Young Adults at the Library. 161p. appendix. bibliog. ebook available. glossary. index. websites. Libraries Unlimited. 2013. pap. $40. ISBN 978-1-59884-892-2. LC 2012041226.

Informative and well-thought-out, this book is outstanding. Readers will be amazed by the number of ideas and the precise step-by-step instructions on how to implement them in library programming. With a little imagination and adaptation, most of them could be used with any age group. Suggestions include a prom fashion show or fair, “Manga Fashionistas,” a rotten sneaker contest, and a program about the influence of art in fashion. The authors clearly know fashion, teens, and successful programming. Their expertise shines through in the information presented, organization of the book, and “Bibliographies, Resources, and Websites” sections that conclude each chapter. This resource closes with appendixes filled with terms, quotes, trivia, tips, directions, and handouts. Each idea has an overview of the program that includes ways to adapt it depending on staff and size of venue, publicity ideas, and registration strategies. A “Before the Program” section details recommendations for where to find local contacts, and detailed lists of supplies are appended. The “Day of the Program” section includes setup, activities, suggested goodie bags, refreshments, and more.–Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT

WEBBER, Desiree, et. al. Travel the Globe: Story Times, Activities, and Crafts for Children. 2nd ed.illus. by Sandy Shropshire. 256p. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. Libraries Unlimited. 2012. lib. ed. $45. ISBN 978-1-61069-124-6; ebook $45. ISBN 978-1-61069-125-3. LC 2012030564.

Five children’s librarians and assistants who have spent countless hours planning storytimes contributed to the multitude of ideas in this compilation of fingerplays, songs, books, and activities for kids from preschool to third grade. It is organized alphabetically by the 14 countries included. Within each section, there are separate suggestions for the youngest audiences and more sophisticated concepts for older children. Veteran storytellers and beginners alike can find ideas for flannel-board stories and games, as well as other suggestions for media such as a CD or DVD to use in programming. Attractive reproducible outlines, which can be embellished, aid in creating flannel-board patterns or simple finger puppets. This edition keeps the information from the original book, but it has been updated with more current titles in the bibliography, new media choices, and new sources for craft ideas.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Touch Press/Deutsche Grammophon. 2013. iOS, requires 6.0 for the Free (Lite) or iPad $13.99 versions 1.0.1. Compatible with the iPhone 4 or above, optimized for iPhone 5. $7.99.
Gr 7 Up−When considering Beethoven’s 9th Symphony you’ll be tempted to go for the free app, but don’t do it; it’s the best kind of worst tease. Instead, purchase the full version, but you’ll need to decide: iPhone or iPad app? Don’t skimp. The phone app has all the music of the iPad app, but lacks the commentaries of the experts. Your last consideration will be the listening options; the app states, “BEST WITH HEADPHONES.” Trust me, it is.

The production’s home page streams the “Ode to Joy,” and although you sense you will be humming it all night, don’t resist. Once you begin to explore the symphony, you won’t be able to stop. There are four performances each with a different conductor: Ferenc Fricsay, Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, and Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Each concert piece can be listened to while reading either the full synchronized score or a replica of Beethoven’s handwritten score (amazing), or watching an electric pin-light version that lights up the corresponding parts of the orchestral seating chart as various instruments come in and out. Bernstein’s performance also includes a video of the maestro conducting the symphony with the Wiener Philharmoniker in 1979.

During all the pieces, a phrase-by-phrase analysis by David Owen Norris explains the music in an endearing, informal manner. For example, midway through the first movement he writes, “Those opening sparks of rhythm have caught fire, and in their light we can see we’re back at the beginning….” Norris also contributed the historical analysis that offers background on Beethoven’s life, including his descent into deafness and the genesis of the Ninth Symphony.

Finally (and really, this shouldn’t come last), there are the “Insights” by some of the world’s finest musicians and scholars. Don’t skip this section. Start with Suzy Klein, who makes the Ninth Symphony accessible and drops in some humor along the way. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel helps explain Beethoven’s status as a universal symbol of music, and pianist Alice Sara Ott shares why the “Ode to Joy” is the basis of hope, optimism, and human rights, and discusses why music is a unique language that can unite people with idealism. Without hesitation, an app for all collections.−Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, NY

Over in the Jungle. Marianne Berkes. Dawn Publications. 2013/2012. illus. by Jeanette Canyon. iOS, requires 4.2 or later; $4.99. iBooks, 1.3 or later. $6.99.
PreS-K−Sung to the tune of the classic children’s counting song, this app, based on Berkes’s picture book of the same title (2007), is sure to become a favorite of the preschool crowd. In addition to the rainforest setting, this version features outstanding design, vibrant art, realistic sound effects, a supplemental nonfiction text, and a challenging game.

Each page of the rhyming text introduces a jungle animal and a number of offspring from one to ten. Ocelots, honey bears, howler monkeys, leaf cutter ants, and other rainforest animals make an appearance, offering children an opportunity to learn about creatures they may not have encountered before. Taps, swipes, and jiggles to the screen trigger movements and/or additional sound effects.Users can choose to read the story themselves, have it read to them, or listen to it sung. As the words are voiced, the text is highlighted. Those choosing to listen to the song will be treated to the catchy tune that retains the narration’s expressiveness. A touch to the arrow that appears on every page will allow children to hear the text (or song) repeated.

At the end of the story, viewers are invited to find the 55 offspring depicted populating one final, colorful jungle scene. An icon in the shape of a leaf brings users to a menu page from which they can access animal facts and photos; author, illustrator, and publisher information; and other apps by the developer.Over in the Jungle is a feast for the senses. From the authentic background sounds to the deftly crafted polymer clay animals of the images, each page is a delight. This app is perfect for sharing one-on-one or in a storyhour.−Cindy Wall, Southington Library, CT

LMNO Peas (Weston Woods)
©2010 by Keith Baker

LMNO Peas. DVD. 6 min. with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2013. ISBN 978-0-545-57155-5. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-575-57156-2: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-575-57154-8: $29.95.

PreS-Gr 1–Keith Baker’s incredibly inventive occupation-based alphabet book (Beach Lane, 2010) has been beautifully designed and hilariously interpreted by premier animators, Soup2Nuts. You will never look at little green peas the same way again! Tiny round pea people cavort about with delightful vocals by Crystal Taliefero and backup singers, including the Oakview Elementary Choir. The peas literally animate the alphabet, illuminating different activities and jobs for each of the 26 letters, beginning with acrobats, astronauts, and artists. They humorously demonstrate actions and occupations like climbers and campers; painters, poets, and plumbers; quitters and quarterbacks. The DVD is punctuated by infectious rhythms and rhymes that young children will want to emulate again and again. Baker’s colorful letters are constantly swarming with unique pea people. Turn on the read-along subtitles so students can follow the highlighted letters and words easily. A teacher’s guide is included, as is an outstanding interview with the author/illustrator. “We are peas! The alphabet peas! Now tell us, please, who are you?” This perfect lead-in invites teachers and kids to follow the pattern with other veggies. Never has the alphabet been more entertaining.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur & Thomas Jefferson Schools, Binghamton, NY

The Last Flight of Petr Ginz. DVD. 67 min. First Run Features. 2013. ISBN unavail. $24.95.

Gr 12 Up–If only Petr Ginz had survived World War II, his contribution to literature, art, and humanity would have enriched the world. Such is the sentiment viewers are likely to feel after watching this unique biography of a Czech boy living during the Nazi occupation. Petr lived in Prague, attended a school for exceptional children, read Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, and created illustrated literary fantasies all before he was transported to Auschwitz in 1944 and murdered at age 17. Despite deepening Nazi intrusions into Jewish life, Petr managed to create optimistic diaries and novels festooned with artwork. Cleverly disguised as “written by Jules Verne, illustrated by Petr Ginz,” he self-published the allegorical tale Ka-Du, a story about a mechanical monster designed to help its evil creators conquer the world. Clearly meant to parallel Nazi activity, Petr finished his masterpiece just before being deported to the Terezin Ghetto. There, he continued writing and drawing, even creating a cryptic code to record events. His life is retold by his surviving younger sister and through creative animation based on his original art. Black-and-white footage, stills, and family photos add to this affecting story. John Califra’s musical score sets the tone for this documentary about an intellectual youth undaunted by the Holocaust. Winning awards in Jerusalem, Atlanta, and Toronto, this film is an entertaining and powerful testament to a persistently positive and talented young man. An excellent choice for history, art, music, and social ethics classes.–Robin Levin, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher/Fellow, Ft. Washakie, WY

Doll Bones. By Holly Black. 5 CDs. 5:12 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2292-4. $35.

Gr 5-8–Black’s tale (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2013) of friendship and the trials of growing up is set against the backdrop of a spooky ghost story. Zach Barlow loves to make things up. He and his friends Poppy and Alice spend every afternoon concocting new adventures for their dolls and action figures. However, Zach’s recently returned father is less than thrilled about his son spending his time playing with dolls instead of taking part in more age-appropriate activities, such as basketball. When he commits a drastic act to force Zach to give up his play-acting, it precipitates a series of events that send Zach, Poppy, and Alice on a midnight quest to lay to rest the soul of a murdered girl, a soul that now inhabits a bone china doll.  Along the way, the trio uncovers secrets about the past and one another, and discovers that they are capable of more than they ever realized. Nick Podehl expertly voices the three friends as well as the unforgettable characters Tin-Shoe Joe and the pink-haired librarian, Miss Katherine. Black has written an adventurous ghost tale that fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Peg Kehret and devotees of the author’s previous novels will love.–Michaela Schied, formerly, Indian River Middle School, Philadelphia, NY

Joshua Dread. By Lee Bacon. 5 CDs. 5:46 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2185-9. $45.

Gr 4-7–Sixth grader Joshua Dread’s life is far from ordinary. As the son of the super villains, the Dread Duo, Josh spends most of his time traveling from town to town. Living in Sheepdale for a while, Josh has adjusted to a fairly normal existence, when he becomes “gyfted” with the power of spontaneous combustion. When new girl Sophie shows up at school, Josh finds another “gyfted” teen, but Sophie is also the daughter of Captain Justice, his parents’ archenemy. When his parents are taken by smoke creatures, it is up to Josh, with help from Sophie and his “ungyfted” best friend, Milton, to help save the day. Bacon has developed an entertaining and clever plot and two dynamite tweens with superpowers in this novel (Delacorte, 2012). Narrator Maxwell Glick captures the comic antics of the superheroes and villains perfectly and his voices for Joshua and Sophie reflect their unique personalities. A fun read filled with comedy and daring antics. The second book in the series, Joshua Dread: The Nameless Hero, is scheduled for September 2013 publication.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

Anna and the Cupcakes. Performed by The Bari Koral Family Rock Band. CD. approx. 32 min. Bari Koral. 2012. ISBN unavail. $13.57.

PreS-Gr 2–In this follow-up to their 2010 album, Rock and Roll Garden, singer-songwriter Koral and her crew of talented musicians combine pop, folk, and rock in a delightful collection of 10 child-friendly songs, which cover such topics as shoes, trains, rocket ships, and a mother’s love for her baby. Also included is a toe-tapping sing-along that will get children up as they act out the movements of several different animals, a very groovy take on the gingerbread man, and a song that beautifully describes the life cycle of a butterfly in terms that even young children can understand. While several of the numbers could be used for story times or in the classroom, all of the songs would be great for family listening. A fun must-have for every collection.–Veronica De Fazio, Plainfield Public Library District, IL

Deep Sea Diver. Performed by Recess Monkey. CD. 42 min. Recess Monkey. 2013. ISBN unavail. $14.99.

PreS-Gr 3–This ocean-themed album, set in a submarine, travels the seven seas discovering musical treasures. Drew Holloway and Jack Forman welcome drummer Korum Bishoff, a new band member, on their ninth album, a rip-roaring, high energy mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, Latin, sea shanty, folk, and pop musical styles. With outstanding vocal and instrumental performances on guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, Wurly, and drums, the band begins with the rousing, rhythm powered “Tambourine Submarine.” Then a drum-playing fish demonstrates every kind of music on his drum set in “Fish Sticks.” They discover a coral reef that is actually a “Choral Reef” that makes beautiful music. “Shrimp” has size issues, but realizes there are perks to being short. A “Seahorse” is the deep sea cowboy’s mount as he ropes shrimp and patrols the mangroves. The other songs include “The Deep End” (of the swimming pool), “Beach Ball,” “Compass Rose,” “Tattoo Me,” “The Seven Cs” (all the crew’s names begin with that letter), “Seagull,” “Up Periscope,” “Walkie Talkies,” “Making Waves,” and “Stranded” (when a best friend moves away). With zippy, quirky lyrics and superb musicianship, Recess Monkey continues to be a cut above other kindie bands.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

I Like Everything About You (Yes I Do!). Performed by Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble. CD. 42 min. Crosspulse Media. 2013. ISBN unavail. $15.

Gr all levels–This outstanding first album for children and families from Crosspulse Percussion features melodies, rhythms, and instruments from around the world, with an emphasis on African music. Keith Terry, Omar Ledezma, Amber Hines, Evie Ladin, and Tacuma King make up the ensemble, and all give excellent performances on vocals (with gorgeous harmonies), instruments, and body rhythms. In a number of songs, they make creative use of body sounds: whistling, claps, steps, stomps, snaps, and clogging foot percussion. Well-known instruments include banjo, upright bass, harmonica, tin can, chopsticks, sticks, cowbell, and tambourine. The ensemble also performs on different kinds of drums: seko drums, congas, frame drum, and krin (African slit or log drums); and on such world instruments and percussion as nose flute, bolon, cajón, bamboo spoons, gongi bells, karinyan, maracas, quitiplas (bamboo stamping tubes), and claves. Many numbers are traditional folk songs from various cultures: “Yamawele” (Congo); “Little Liza Jane” from England, but with African rhythms; “Cumbe” a scarf dance from Venezuela; “Rara” (Haiti); “CooCoo” (Appalachia); and “Krin” (Ghana). Keith Terry contributes three pieces: “Jalan-Jalan,” “I Like Everything About You,” and “Body Beat” which moves from African American hambone through modern body music, Duke Ellington’s “Caravan,” a Spanish rap, and ends with intricate rhythms. The funky “Walkin’ the Dog,” “Breaths” (a Sweet Honey in the Rock song), and “Flores” by Pedro Izquierdo of Havana round out the playlist. This unique album is a great introduction to world music and rhythm for children and a listening feast for the whole family.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music. CD. 26 min. with book. The Secret Mountain. 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

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The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

DVD

Arts & Crafts

Book SmARTS & Crafts: Crafts & Activities for Tweens & Teens. 2 DVDs. approx. 3 hrs. Page Turner Adventures. 2013. ISBN unavail. $175.

Dance

Ballet Class for Kids! A Fantasy Garden I & II. DVD. 70 min. Kultur. 2013. ISBN 978-0-7697-5011-8. $19.99.

Entertainment

Adventures of Bailey: A Night in Cowtown. DVD. 85 min. Prod. by Engine 15 Media Group, Hungry Bear Prods. Dist. by Entertainment One. 2013. ISBN unavail. $14.98.

Car’s Life 3: The Royal Heist. DVD 85 min. Prod. by Engine 15 Media Group and Spark Plug Entertainment. Dist. by Entertainment One. 2013. ISBN 1-4172-3958-1. $12.98.

Guidance

Children and Grief: Children Teaching Children about Grief. DVD. 40 min. with workbook online. Professor Child. ISBN unavail. $34.99.

Health

Maintaining a Healthy Heart: An Owner’s Guide. DVD. 21 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2013. ISBN 978-1-55548-974-8. $149.95.

In-Service

Grief & Loss: A Child’s Perspective. DVD. 22 min. Listen 2 Kids Prods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-9982270-1-6. $24.95.

Language Arts

Big Mouth. DVD. 8 min. National Film Board of Canada. 2013. ISBN unavail. $99.

Great Authors of the British Isles (Series). 4 DVDs. 56 min. ea. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Centre Communications. Dist. by Ambrose Video. 2012. ISBN unavail. $199.99 ser. Includes: Beowulf to Shakespeare/The Renaissance Writers; Augustan and Romantic Poets/Early Novelists; Children’s Literature/The Genre Innovators; 20th Century Poets and Playwrights/20th Century Novelists.

Great Irish Authors. DVD. approx. 1:30 hrs. with tchr’s. guide. Ambrose Video. 2013. ISBN unavail. $49.99.

WordGirl vs. the Energy Monster. DVD. 50 min. PBS Dist. 2013. ISBN 978-1-60883-866-0. $9.99.

Music

Monkey Monkey Music: Let’s All Make a Circle. DVD. 45 min. with tchr’s. guide. Monkey Monkey Music. 2013. ISBN unavail. $19.99.

Science

The New Green Giants. DVD. 47 min. Bullfrog Films. 2013. ISBN 978-1-93777-248-9. $250.

Social Studies

Bidder 70. DVD. 72 min. Prod. by Gage and Gage Prods. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2013. ISBN 1-93777-247-0, $295.

La Joya and the Warriors of the Mist. DVD 60 min. Prod. by Worldwide Media Organization. Dist. by Worldwide Academic Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-59163-959-6. $29.95.

Nothing Like Chocolate. DVD. 68 min./55 min. Prod. by Mirror and Hammer Films. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2013. ISBN 1-93777-246-2 $295.

Orchestra of Exiles. DVD. 1:25 hrs. Prod. by Aronson Films. Dist. by First Run Features. 2012, 2013 release. ISBN unavail. $27.95.

Test-Taking Skills

Big Test Success: Motivational Videos for Kids. DVD. 45 min. Page Turner Adventures. 2013. ISBN unavail. $99.

Audio

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

Bilingual Education

Hola Hello. CD. 40:20 min. CDBaby.com. 2013. ISBN unavail. $15.

Language Arts

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & the Beast. By Robin McKinley. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-6024-5, CD: ISBN 987-1-4703-7725-0. $54.75.

Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School: In Harm’s Way. By Andrew Clements. 3 CDs. 3:30 hrs. S & S Audio. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4423-5302-2. $14.99.

Bittersweet. By Sarah Ockler. 9 CDS. 10:59 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2349-5. $65.

Chasing the Prophecy: The Beyonders, Book 3. By Brandon Mull. 13 cassettes or 13 CDs. 15:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-7302-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-5785-6. $108.75.

Clementine and the Spring Trip. By Sara Pennypacker. 1 cassette or 2 CDs. 2:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4407-7813-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-5784-9. $46.75.

Clockwork Princess: Infernal Devices, Book 3. By Cassandra Clare. 14 CDs. 16.25 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4703-6249-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-4639-3. $97.75.

Colossus Rises: Seven Wonders, Book 1. By Peter Lerangis. 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Harper Audio. 2013. ISBN 978-0-06-228636-9. $19.99.

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.

Dark Triumph: His Fair Assassin, Book 2. By Robin LaFevers. 12 cassettes or 12 CDs. 13:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-2395-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-2394-1. $108.75.

The End of Infinity: Jack Blank Adventure Trilogy #3. By Matt Myklusch. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-0768-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-0769-9. $97.75.

Family Tree #1: Better to Wish. By Ann M. Martin. 4 CDs. 4:34 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2232-0. $30.

Ghoulish Song. By William Alexander. 4 CDs. 3:57 hrs. Simon & Schuster Audio. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4423-6306-9. $19.99.

Gorgeous. By Paul Rudnick. 10 CDs. 12:02 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2013. ISBN 978-0-545-58522-4. $64.99.

The Head That Wears a Crown: Speeches for Royal Men by William Shakespeare. Performed by Alan Cumming. CD. approx. 45 min. Prod. by GPR Records. Dist. by Naxos. 2013. ISBN 978-0-9888369-4-5. $19.95.

Hold Fast. By Blue Balliett. 7 CDs. 7:44 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2013. ISBN 978-0-545-49766-4. $34.99.

In a Glass Grimmly. By Adam Gidwitz. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-6202-7, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-196-9. $66.75.

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.

Jimmy the Greatest! By Jairo Buitrago. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-6200-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-5. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 97801-5549-8178-6: $18.95.

The Look. By Sophia Bennett. 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 8:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-1517-5, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-1525-1. $66.75.

Nerd Girls: A Catastrophe of Nerdish Proportions. By Alan Lawrence Sitomer. 8 cassettes or 8 CDs. 9 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-0521-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-0522-0. $66.75.

Odessa Again. By Dana Reinhardt. 3 CDs.3:42 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-449-01530-8. $30.

Otis and the Puppy. By Loren Long. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-5089-5, CD ISBN 978-1-4703-5088-8. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-3992-5469-7: $17.99.

The Pirate’s Coin: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure. By Marianne Malone. 5 CDs. 5:12 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2162-0,. $35.

The Program. By Suzanne Young. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 10:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2013. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4730-4657-7, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-4655-3. $87.75.

Puppy Mudge Finds a Friend (Picture Book Readalongs). By Cynthia Rylant. CD. 3:22 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4301-1414-7. $18.95.

Puppy Mudge Wants to Play (Picture Book Readalongs). By Cynthia Rylant. CD. 3:13 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4301-1414-7. $18.95.

Rear-View Mirrors. By Paul Fleischman. 2 CDs. 2:31 hrs. AudioGO. 2013. ISBN 978-0-7927-9445-5. $49.95.

The Runaway King: The Ascendancy Trilogy, Book 2. By Jennifer A. Nielsen. 7 CDs. 8:27 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2013. ISBN 978-0-545-58082-3. $64.99.

Silent Letters Loud and Clear. By Robin Pulver. CD. 12:35 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4301-1119-1. $18.95.

A Slave Story: From Africa to Charleston. CD. 31 min. The Simone Club. 2013. ISBN unavail. $6.98.

Tiger Lily. By Jodi Lynn Anderson. 6 CDs. 7:14 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-385-36852-0. $50.

Twerp. By Mark Goldblatt. 5 CDs. 5:22 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2158-3. $40.

The Vine Basket. By Josanne La Valley. 5 CDs. 5:53 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-385-36388-4.4. $45.

Music

Everyone Is Someone: Songs of Social and Emotional Responsibility. Performed by David Kisor (and friends). CD. 42:23 min. Growing Sound. 2012. ISBN unavail. $9.99.

15 Songs Every Kid Should Know. Performed by various artists. CD. 41 min. Prod. by Bossy Frog Prods. Dist. by AV Café. 2013. ISBN unavail. $15.

Hide and Seek. Performed by The Battersby Duo. CD. 29:40 min. Battersby Duo. 2013. ISBN unavail. $12.

Latin Dreamland. CD. 26:16 min. with booklet. Putumayo Kids. 2013. ISBN unavail. $14.98.

Science

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.

Social Studies

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.

RUSCH, Elizabeth. Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives. 76p. (Scientists in the Field Series). bibliog. diag. glossary. index. map. notes. Houghton Mifflin. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-50350-9. LC 2012034055.

Gr 5-9–What does another book about volcanoes or natural disasters matter to a nonfiction section these days? In the case of this addition to the series, it matters a lot. This book gives tragic and terrifying volcanoes a sense of story that other books lack by talking about real-life crises and how individuals came together to keep millions of people safe. Young geology enthusiasts may not realize that there are so many volcanoes in the world, erupting constantly and posing threats to so many people, so the maps and personal narratives are eye-opening. The text is easy to understand but does not oversimplify the content, and the captions for the full-color photos give brief but valuable information about the images. In addition to telling the stories of specific, recent volcanic eruptions and how volcanologists reacted, there are also many pages with general information that help readers gain necessary vocabulary and see the big picture of volcanic activity. The book includes an extensive index, a helpful glossary, chapter notes citing sources, and a selected bibliography that is fairly lengthy, covering quite a breadth of sources. A great addition for all collections.–Trina Bolfing, Westbank Libraries, Austin, TX

SAMPSON, Sally. ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. 208p. S & S. Aug. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8587-9; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8589-3.

Gr 3-8–By the creator of ChopChop: The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families, this book has a simple concept: teach kids to cook wholesome foods and you will not only get help in the kitchen and build positive family memories, but also set up youngsters for a lifetime of healthy eating. With a balance of health food and kid appeal as well as kitchen chemistry, history, and the facts about smart choices, this is more than a collection of recipes. Many (soups, salad dressings, smoothies, sandwiches, vegetables, chocolate chip cookies, and more) merely provide the basic instructions and then invite kids to build their own; the smoothie section includes a simple chart that they can use to select ingredients that sound appealing. Included in the beginning is a note to children, a note for parents, a list of essential ingredients and equipment to have on hand, and even a seasoning experiment. Each recipe lets youngsters know if an adult is needed, the hands-on time, the total time, kitchen gear necessary, and, of course, ingredients. The photographs show fully engaged kids having a really good time making and enjoying beautiful food. A delicious standout title, sure to inspire the next generation of chefs.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

SANDLER, Martin W. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II. 176p. bibliog. charts. further reading. illus. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Walker. Aug. 2013. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2277-5; PLB $23.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-2278-2.

Gr 7 Up–Sandler expertly crafts a narrative that manages to explain the horror and incomprehensibility of locking up American citizens in prison camps simply because of their ethnic ancestry. Japanese American relocation has long been expurgated from school history texts about World War II, and here this delicate topic is handled with sensitivity and insight, providing an in-depth look at the full story, from anti-Japanese sentiments during the first wave of immigration through more current issues such as redress. A close examination of both the nation’s feelings after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the political conversations that followed is an important part of the story that leads up to the actual relocation of hundreds of thousands of people. There is also a lengthy and moving section about the young Japanese Americans who served in the military in a variety of capacities, from actual combat to intelligence and translation services. Sandler makes it clear that these brave folks were battling prejudice and tyranny overseas while their families and friends were suffering under it back at home. The irony was not lost on them. Photographs help to further the narrative and yet tell their own story, offering rich detail and putting a human face on this tragic episode. A must-have for any library collection.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

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The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 5 & Up

ANDERSON, Michael. Abraham Lincoln. ISBN 978-1-61530-942-9. LC 2012020487.

––––.Ronald Reagan. ISBN 978-1-61530-944-3. LC 2012026713.

HOLLAR, Sherman. Andrew Jackson. ISBN 978-1-61530-941-2. LC 2012019291.

––––.Barack Obama. map. ISBN 978-1-61530-945-0. LC 2012034011.

ea vol: 80p. (Pivotal Presidents: Profiles in Leadership Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Britannica. 2013. lib. ed. $32.90. ebook available.

ARETHA, David. Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. 112p. (The Civil Rights Movement Series). bibliog. chron. index. notes. photos. Morgan Reynolds. 2013. lib. ed. $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-372-2. ebook available. LC 2012035355.

BARBER, Nicola. Cloning and Genetic Engineering. illus. ISBN 978-1-4488-7187-2. LC 2012013797.

––––.The Death Penalty. chron. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-7185-8. LC 2012021963.

COSTER, Patience. Animal Rights. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-7184-1. LC 2012023102.

––––.Euthanasia. ISBN 978-1-4488-7186-5. LC 2012026948.

ea vol: 48p. (Both Sides of the Story Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $29.25. ebook available.

BASCOMB, Neal. The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 256p. bibliog. index. map. notes. photos. reprods. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-43099-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-56239-3.

BOW, James. What Is the Executive Branch? ISBN 978-0-7787-0902-2.

––––.What Is the Legislative Branch? ISBN 978-0-7787-0879-7.

RODGER, Ellen. What Is the Judicial Branch? reprods. ISBN 978-0-7787-0880-3. LC 2013001275.

ea vol: 32p. (Your Guide to Government Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Crabtree. 2013. lib. ed. $26.60.

CARSON, Mary Kay. Beyond the Solar System: Exploring Galaxies, Black Holes, Alien Planets, and More: A History with 21 Activities. 124p. charts. chron. diags. further reading. glossary. illus. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Chicago Review Press. 2013. pap. $18.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-544-1. LC 2012046330.

CATTERALL, Clive. The Hot Air Balloon Book: Build and Launch Kongming Lanterns, Solar Tetroons, and More. 240p. (Science in Motion Series). chart. diag. illus. photos. Chicago Review Press. Aug. 2013. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-096-5.

CORRIGAN, Jim. The Korean War. 172p. chron. glossary. photos. (Modern American Conflicts Series). Morgan Reynolds. 2013. $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-403-3.

CYRUS, Kurt. Your Skeleton Is Showing: Rhymes of Blunder from Six Feet Under. illus. by Crab Scrambly. 32p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3846-4. LC 2011014439.

DAKERS, Diane. The Beatles: Leading the British Invasion. ISBN 978-0-7787-1035-6; ISBN 978-0-7787-1045-5.

DOWN, Susan Brophy. Muhammad Ali: The Greatest. ISBN 978-0-7787-1034-9; ISBN 978-0-7787-1043-1.

ea vol: 112p. (Crabtree Groundbreaker Biographies Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Crabtree. 2013. lib. ed. $33.27; pap. $12.95. ebook available.

FARNDON, John, Alex Woolf, Anne Rooney, & Liz Gogerly. Great Scientists. ISBN 978-1-4777-0405-9. LC 2012032245.

––––.Great Mathematicians. ISBN 978-1-4777-0402-8. LC 2012032367.

ea vol: 128p. (Great People in History Series). chart. diag. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $34.60. ebook available.

GOLDISH, Meish. Disabled Dogs. ISBN 978-1-61772-697-2. LC 2012032978.

––––.Soldiers’ Dogs. ISBN 978-1-61772-696-5. LC 2012032064.

ea vol: 32p. (Dog Heroes Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Bearport. 2013. lib. ed. $25.27.

HAND, Carol. Depleted & Contaminated Soil and Your Food Supply. chart. ISBN 978-1-4488-8414-8. LC 2012023106.

HEOS, Bridget. Radioactive Contamination and Your Risk. ISBN 978-1-4488-8415-5. LC 2012024850.

LANDAU, Jennifer. Pesticides and Your Body. ISBN 978-1-4488-8413-1. LC 2012018544.

ea vol: 48p. (Incredibly Disgusting Environments Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $29.25. ebook available.

KRULL, Kathleen. Lives of the Scientists: Experiments, Explosions (and What the Neighbors Thought). illus. by Kathryn Hewitt. 96p. (Lives of Series). further reading. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $20.99. ISBN 978-0-15-205909-5. LC 2012953333.

LAVERY, Brian. The Conquest of the Ocean: An Illustrated History of Seafaring. 400p. bibliog. diag. glossary. index. map. photos. reprods. DK. Sept. 2013. Tr $30. ISBN 978-1-4654-0841-9.

MEISSNER, David & Kim Richardson. Call of the Klondike: A True Gold Rush Adventure. 168p. bibliog. chron. further reading. illus. map. photos. reprods. websites. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-823-3. LC 2013931060.

MOONEY, Brian. Great Leaders. chron. ISBN 978-1-4777-0403-5. LC 2012032376.

STANGROOM, Jeremy & James Garvey. Great Philosophers. diag. ISBN 978-1-4777-0404-2. LC 2012032781.

ea vol: 128p. (Great People in History Series). further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $34.60. ebook available.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, The. An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists and Their Work. 180p. chron. photos. reprods. Chicago Review Press. Sept. 2013. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-897-8. LC 2013009403.

PAYMENT, Simone. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Navy SEALS. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-4488-8380-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-8385-1. LC 2012014776.

POOLOS, J. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command. ISBN 978-1-4488-8383-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8390-5. LC 2012018783.

SHEA, Therese. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Army Green Berets. ISBN 978-1-4488-8381-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-8387-5. LC 2012017970.

ea vol: 64p. (Inside Special Forces Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $31.95; pap. $12.95; ebook available.

STERN, Rebecca. Breakfast on Mars: and 37 Other Delectable Essays. 224p. Roaring Brook. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-737-1.

WAGNER, Lisa. Cool World Cooking: Fun and Tasty Recipes for Kids! 160p. glossary. index. map. photos. Scarletta/Junior Scarletta Readers. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-938063-12-1. ebook available.

WELLDON, Christine. Reporter in Disguise: The Intrepid Vic Steinberg. 78p. bibliog. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-233-7.

WILSON, Janet. Our Rights: How Kids Are Changing the World. illus. by author. 32p. photos. Second Story. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-926920-95-5.

WOLFE, Mike with Lily Sprengelmeyer. Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure. 128p. illus. index. photos. reprods. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00848-0; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01930-1. ebook available.

YASUDA, Anita. Explore Native American Cultures!: With 25 Great Projects. illus. by Jennifer K. Keller. 90p. chron. glossary. index. map. websites. Nomad. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-160-3.

BERRY, Julie. All the Truth That’s in Me. 288p. Viking. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78615-2. LC 2012043218.

Gr 8 Up–The village setting of this novel evokes the rigid religious communities of Colonial times, but Berry cleverly sets her story in an unnamed time and place so the protagonist’s anguish and the town’s mystery are the focus. Sixteen-year-old Judith is still in love with Lucas, even after his father held her prisoner for two years and violently silenced her by cutting out part of her tongue. Another girl went missing at the same time and her body was found washed down a stream. Only Judith knows the truth of what happened to Lottie, but her muteness leaves her an outcast in the village, even from her own mother, and the truth stays bottled up inside her. Told from Judith’s narrow, troubled perspective, the story unwinds in taut chapters that peel back what happened two years before and gradually allows Judith to find her voice again. The austerity of the village and its harshly judgmental inhabitants help sustain a mood of dread. Judith does find tenderness in surprising places, and these secondary characters relieve not just her isolation but also offer readers moments of fun and promise as well. Lyrical language, a good mystery, and a compelling heroine–this is a page-turner with substance.–Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library, AZ

BLACK, Holly. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. 419p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21310-3. ebook available. LC 2012043790.

Gr 9 Up–A dystopian thriller with a chilling twist. Tana, 17, passes out at a party and wakes up in a house filled with corpses. Her friends lie in crusted pools of blood as she searches through piles of belongings for her keys and boots. Her first thought is that someone must have left a window open. In Tana’s world, vampire attacks happen. At the tender age of six, she witnessed her mother’s transformation from a loving parent to a creature so desperate for blood it would lure and attack its own daughter. It is because of things like this that Coldtowns, quarantined cities where the infected go to live and die, exist. Along with Tana, the only other survivors of the party are Gavriel, a handsome and mysterious vampire, and Aidan, her newly infected ex. She decides to take them directly to Coldtown, but if crossing the barricades means staying there indefinitely, Tana’s not sure she’s ready to leave life as she knows it behind. Twilight fans will enjoy the drama, but its fan base need not be limited to those who read paranormal romance. Teens with a yen for dark, futuristic novels, and maybe even a few Anne Rice readers, will find this a refreshing take on vampire lit. As always, Black’s writing is quick paced and thought-provoking. A must-have for any teen collection.–Jennifer Furuyama, Pendleton Public Library, OR

NESS, Patrick. More Than This. 480p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6258-5. ebook available.

Gr 9 Up–This haunting and consistently surprising novel raises deep questions about what it means to be alive, but it doesn’t try to console readers with easy or pat answers. As the story opens, teenage Seth is experiencing his own death in painful detail. In the next chapter, he wakes up physically weak, covered in bandages and strange wounds, and wonders if he is in Hell or the future or somewhere else entirely. As he tries to survive in and make sense of his strange yet familiar surroundings, he is plagued by intense flashbacks of his life before he died: his guilt over the tragedy that befell his little brother, his burgeoning romance with another boy in his small town, and the events that led to his (dubious) death. Upon discovering two other young people in the blighted place he’s landed, Seth begins to learn the Matrix-like truth about what has happened to the rest of humanity, how he can escape, and whether he even wants to. The intense themes in this novel make it more appropriate for older teens, but the language and sexual scenarios are clear, relevant, and neither graphic or gratuitous. A delicate balance between dystopian survival and philosophical grappling means that many different kinds of readers should appreciate the story.–Kyle Lukoff, Corlears School, New York City

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

ROWELL, Rainbow. Fangirl. 416p. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03095-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03096-2.

Gr 9 Up–This charming coming-of-age novel tells the story of a painfully shy teen who prefers the fantasy world of fanfiction to reality. Cath expected to survive her first year of college with the help of her twin sister. Wren, however, is taking full advantage of her newfound freedom from parental supervision, spending a great deal of time partying and very little time with her needy, nerdy, slightly pathetic sister. Feeling lost and alone, Cath scurries from class to class, hiding in her room and working on her Simon Snow fanfiction omnibus. When she writes, she can escape herself and be somewhere else. Otherwise she’s just another social misfit stuck with a surly roommate, her roommate’s overly friendly, kinda cute boyfriend (who might also be flirting with Cath), and a family that’s falling apart. Sometimes, however, real life can become better than fantasy. Even if getting there feels like an epic battle. Cath is an exceptionally well-developed, self-aware, and endearing character, partly because she is so quirky and flawed. There are also great secondary characters, but because Cath doesn’t want to get involved in the messiness of their lives, readers are also kept from knowing them more fully. The plot is multilayered and filled with complex subjects (such as divorce, abandonment, and mental illness) handled in a realistic manner, and the writing effortlessly and seamlessly weaves these threads together. This book will find a wide audience, especially among older fans of Harry Potter.–Heather E. Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

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The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 9 & Up

ATWATER-RHODES, Amelia. Promises to Keep. 236p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74192-7; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99032-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98872-1.

BARDUGO, Leigh. Siege and Storm. Bk. 2. 448p. (The Grisha Trilogy). illus. Holt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9460-2. ebook available.

BARNHOLDT, Lauren. Right of Way. 308p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5127-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5129-2. LC 2012021578.

BENWAY, Robin. Also Known As. 310p. Walker. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3390-0. LC 2012026254.

BLOCK, Francesca Lia. Love in the Time of Global Warming. 240p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9627-9.

CARMICHAEL, Clay. Brother, Brother. 320p. Roaring Brook. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-743-2.

COOK, Trish & Brendan Halpin. A Really Awesome Mess. 288p. Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-363-5; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-364-2. LC 2012045978.

ELDRIDGE, Courtney. Ghost Time. 416p. Amazon. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1657-8; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6657-3.

GOLD, Maya. Spellbinding. 263p. Scholastic/Point. 2013. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-43380-8. LC 2012016692.

GOEGLEIN, T. M. Flicker & Burn. Bk. 2. 352p. (Cold Fury Series). Putnam. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25721-6. LC 2012043305.

GRATTON, Tessa. The Lost Sun. Bk. 1. 352p. (The United States of Asgard Series). Random. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97746-5; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97747-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97748-9. LC 2012027695.

HAYDU, Corey Ann. OCD Love Story. 352p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5732-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5734-8.

HENRY, April. The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die. 224p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9541-8.

ISERSON, David. Firecracker. 336p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-370-9.

JAY, Stacey. Of Beast and Beauty. 400p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74320-4; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99100-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98142-4.

JAYNE, Hannah. Truly, Madly, Deadly. 304p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8121-1.

KEPLINGER, Kody. Secrets & Lies. 87p. Little, Brown/Poppy. 2013. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-24909-6.

KIEM, Elizabeth. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy. 288p. SohoTeen. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-263-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-264-8.

KLAUSNER, Julie. Art Girls Are Easy. 232p. Little, Brown/Poppy. 2013. $9.99. ISBN 9780316233972.

KNOX, Elizabeth. Mortal Fire. 448p. Farrar/Frances Foster. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38829-4.

LONDON, Alex. Proxy. 384p. Philomel. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25776-6. ebook available.

LUNETTA, Demitria. In the After. 480p. Harper Collins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210545-5; ebook available.

MASSEY, David. Torn. 288p. Scholastic/Chicken House. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-49645-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-52378-3. LC 2012024405.

MATTHEIS, Philipp. How to Lose Everything: A Mostly True Story. tr. from German by Kathryn Malczyk. 207p. Zest. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-936976-40-9.

MCGINNIS, Mindy. Not a Drop to Drink. 320p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219850-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219852-5.

METZGER, Lois. A Trick of the Light. 196p. bibliog. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-213308-3. LC 2012019039.

MILLER, Kimberly Ann. Triangles. 216p. Spencer Hill. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-937053-36-9; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-937053-37-6.

MILLER, Lauren. Parallel. 432p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219977-5. LC 2012038128.

NAPOLI, Donna Jo. Skin. 352p. Amazon. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1721-6; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6721-1.

NAYLOR, Phyllis Reynolds. Now I’ll Tell You Everything. 544p. S & S/Atheneum. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4590-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6161-1.

PATRICK, Cat & Suzanne Young. Just Like Fate. 304p. S & S/Simon Pulse. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7271-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7273-0.

ROCK, J. K. Camp Boyfriend. 324p. Spencer Hill. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-939392-50-3. ebook available.

SMITH, Hilary T. Wild Awake. 375p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-218468-9. LC 2012045524.

SONES, Sonya. To Be Perfectly Honest. 496p. S & S. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-689-87604-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-442-49477-0.

STOHL, Margaret. Icons. 428p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20518-4. LC 2012040163.

STROHM, Stephanie Kate. Confederates Don’t Wear Couture. 208p. further reading. websites. Houghton/Graphia. 2013. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-97258-9.

TAUB, Melinda. Still Star-Crossed. 352p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74350-1; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99118-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81665-3. LC 2012032626.

WEST, Kasie. The Distance Between Us. 320p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-223565-7. LC 2013003173.

WHITNEY, Daisy. When You Were Here. 262p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-316-20974-8. ebook available. LC 2012031409.

WILLIAMS, Avery. The Impossibility of Tomorrow. Bk. 2. 375p. (Incarnation Series). S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4319-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4321-1.