A Year Down Yonder

A Year Down Yonder
by: Richard Peck
Copyright: 2000
Pages: 130
Reading Level: 9-12

"You old busybody buzzard," he growled at Grandma.
"How'd you get in?"
"Your kitchen door's in the yard, you ossified old owl-hoot," Grandma yelled, returning fire. "I come to rob you blind."

A Year Down Yonder is a story of a 15 year old girl going to live with her grandma. Mary Alice's father had lost his job, and they couldn't afford to have her living with them anymore. So Mary Alice, a girl from Chicago goes to Illinois to live with her Grandma Dowdel. She has spent every summer down there before, but this time it was for the whole year, and Mary had no idea what was in store. In school she right off the bat makes an enemy, luckily Grandma Dowdel takes care of her.
Mary Alice learns that Grandma though has "Eyes in the back of her heart", she can also be ruthless. Especially with the poor boys trying to play there Halloween tricks. Mary Alice also learns to cook from her Grandma, often with other people pumpkins and pecans. Through out the story Grandma is constantly doing little things of service, and we see that she truly cares about those close to her life.
Mary Alice early on makes a friend Ina-Rae, and for Valentines Day we see a little bit of Grandma coming out of Mary Alice. They decide to play a trick on Carleen Lovejoy. The day of Valentines day Ina- Rae finds on her desk three love letters. We later find out they are from the one and only Mary Alice, but Carleen doesn't know this. Mary Alice eventually works up the courage to ask out the cutest boy in school, Royce McNabb. The Sunday he comes over things go less than planned and an unexpected guest drops in on Maxine Patch who was "naked- nude" posing (for the artist Arnold Green.) Maxine Patch comes running down the stairs with only a large snake wrapped around her. That seems to be the end of Mary Alice's and Royce's study date. However at the end of the year party they manage to sit together on the hayride. And years later they are married.

Recommended to: I think this is a fun read for anyone. Most people can relate to spending time with Grandma. I know mine is often mean but I know she has "Eyes in the back of her heart."
Problems: In the book the bully of the town has a child and abandons it during the school play, so this may be something parents need to discuss with there children.
My Reaction: This is such a fun book. Its a quick read, and doesn't dwell on details. Its just one fun story after another. Also would be a fun one to read with your daughter or granddaughter.

Tony Hawk

Discover The Life of A Sports Star: Tony Hawk
By: David and Patricia Armentrout
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 24
Reading Level: 8-12

This is a very simply but effective biography.Tony Hawk is a skateboard legend. This book celebrates his life and achievements. Shows he was a goal driven hard worker, achieving the 900. When no one thought it was possible. It also describes he is a happy family man, while still achieving his dreams.
Many argue that we should portray both the good and bad about the people who are going to be our children's role models. However I disagree, many people don't have major issues. So searching out those to prove they are real people isn't always helpful to children. However I love that in this book they talk about all the practice Tony Hawk has to do to become as good as he is. And it also talks about his first competition. At his very first competition, even after lots of practice he ended up failing, and leaving before it was over. It then goes on to say how choose to learn form the experience and grow and build from that.

Recommended to: Skateboarding enthusiast, as well as little boys just looking for someone to look up to.
Problems: None, this is a simple biography however its extremely appropriate for the age level.
My Reaction: I really liked it, enjoyed the layout and content, it always has lots of really neat photography's.

Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted
By: Gail Carson Levine
Copyright: 1997
Pages: 240
Reading Level: 9-12

"I want to be your forever and beyond, but you write that you are too young to marry or too old or too short or too hungry- until I crumple your letter up in despair, only to smooth them out again for the twelfth reading, hunting for hidden meanings."

Ella Enchanted is a story of a baby blessed with a curse. The Blessing of Obedience. As a young girl her mother passes away, leaving her with the one command to never tell anyone of the curse. At her mothers funeral she meets Prince Char and there friendship begins. Ella's father is a merchant and is rarely home, so him and Ella don't really have any sort of relationship. Ella's cook, Mandy soon tells her that she is a fairy, but can only do little magic. Which doesn't involve bringing her mother back to life, no matter how Ella pleads. Ella is soon sent to Finishing School. Where she meets Areida, who has an Ayorthian accent. The soon become good friends, and Areida even teaches Ella Ayorthian. Ella easily picks up languages, and knows how to say several things in many languages.
The trouble with Ella's curse starts when she meets Hattie, who is Dame Olga's daughter along with Olive. Hattie discovers that Ella must do anything she commands, but doesn't know why. As she is shipped of to Finishing School with these two, Hattie makes her life often miserable. And the final straw is when she commands Ella to never be friends with Areida ever again.
Ella devises a plan to run away when she sees that Lucinda and her father might be at a Giants wedding. She escapes in the middle of the night, taking Hattie's wig with her. On her journey she has two very pleasant day but then runs into Ogres and they read her thoughts and know she must be obedient. So they take her with them till they can find more food, to make the meal complete. At night she tries to run away, but after being commanded to stay she is overwhelmed by the curse and cannot leave. Knowing how persuasive Ogres can be she learns there language. In the morning she is able to charm them back to sleep convincing them they are to full to eat her as well.
The Prince soon rides up, and they capture the sleeping Ogres.
Prince Char sends Ella with an escort to Giant Ville for the wedding. She makes it in time and finds Lucinda. However she becomes very frightened when hearing how she is constantly turning those who reject her gift into squirrels. So she pretends to only speak and understand Ayorthiana. Lucinda commands Ella to be happy about her gift, and so Ella becomes ecstatic to follow orders. And is even thrilled when her father reports that she will have to marry a wealthy man, to solve there money problems.
However when the Wealthy Man appears to have lost everything, her father turns to marrying Dame Olga himself. At the wedding Ella escapes from Lucinda, and Prince Char finds her hiding. They bond by searching for hidden passageways, and sliding down railings.
There friendship becomes more when they continually write letters to one another. However when Prince Char confesses his love, Ella realizes she cannot be with him. Because it would be bad for the kingdom. Not being able to tell Char the truth, she writes him pretending to be Hattie. She writes him telling him that she has already wed, and was only playing with the Prince as a form of entertainment.
Both heart-broken, they stop writing. However when news of a Formal three day Ball is announced, Ella cant help but go. Hidden by a mask. She can't stand seeing the Prince with all the other girls, and introduces herself. Quickly winning him over. Eventually on the third night, Hattie overcome with jealousy rips off her mask. She is revealed, and runs home unable to face Char. In the process losing the very glass slipper her and Char found in the abandoned castle.
Prince Char arrives at her house with the slipper saying he will marry the woman who it belongs to. Both sister try with no luck. Ella refuses to marry Char knowing the curse who destroy the kingdom somehow. However in rejecting the Prince she overcomes the curse. "When you asked for my hand a few minutes ago, I was still too young to marry." I looked up at him and saw a smile start. "I'm older now, so much older that not only can I marry, but I can beg you to marry me." I knelt and took his hand.
He didn't let me kneel before him. He pulled me up and kissed me again. I took that to signify his consent.
The End

Recommend to: Everyone! Maybe boys might not enjoy this as much. But it still has adventure and mystical creatures. Maybe I'm bias but I think this a book everyone would love.
Problems: It shows a broken family, where the Dad is never around. And a evil step-mother.
My Reaction: Loved this book. So fun with all the languages, and thinking up all the things the curse makes Ella do. So detailed. I absolutely loved Prince Char's letter. I'm a sucker for Romance.

Killer Dinosaurs

KILLER DINOSAURS
by: Andrew Goldsmith
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 8-12

"Fright Factor:
The sight of this killer charging at you would probably frighten you to death."

Killer Dinosaurs, is the ultimate Non-Fiction Dinosaur book. Its layout is so fun with information on one side of the page. A big picture in the middle, and on the other side is Extreme Scores. Which scores each area like Mobility, body mass, jaw power, fright factor, hunting skills, and give a "Total Score" out of 50. It has the top 10 frightening Dinosaurs, and then it has additional ones which were close, but didn't make the cut. They also have an area for Stats making it fun for boys to compare and talk about. As any good non-fiction book it also has a glossary of words you might not know.

In its introduction it also talks about why they rated those key things why body mass is important to a Dinosaur, or how there hunting skills were rated. Based on in a pack, or alone. Waiting for the ambush or constantly on the prowl. Another neat feature of this book is pictures of real fossils and bones found and included in the book. Bringing to life the knowledge just learned.

Recommended to: All Children, but especially little boys. Its a super fun informational book, about everyone's favorite thing. Dinosaurs.
Problems: Some of the things it rates might make children scared.
My Reaction: Favorite Non-Fiction book so far, it took a subject with is always fun to learn about. And made it more fun and exciting.

Louella Mae, She's Run Away!

Louella Mae, She's Run Away!
By: Karen Beaumount Alarcon
Illustrated by: Rosanne Litzinger
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

"Fetch the ol' hound dog!
Fetch all your kin!
Louella Mae's run away again!

She's not in the cornfields!
She's not in the hay!
Where, oh where, is Louella Mae?"

Louella Mae, has run away. This cleaver rhyming book is the search for Louella Mae. They look in the cornfields, and the hay. They call the neighbors, and the kin, to find Louella Mae. No luck, so they "round up the horses", and "hitch up the team". They look by the stream, the tree, and the barn. They then go into the forest and find a great big bear, a deep ditch, and a well. The look on the ridge, and the bridge, and then they give up and decide Louella Mae really is gone. The get inside the house and find Louella Mae, the pig, hiding in the tub.
This book is so cleaver, because the whole time you are thinking they are looking for a little girl Louella Mae. Or at least that is what I thought, So I was very surprised to find that it was pig that cause all that trouble and searching.

Recommend to: Everyone, this is a great bedtime story because the rhymes are silly and soothing.
Problems: At one point in the illustrations there is a little girl falling out of the wagon, and throughout the book the little girl is some what ignored. Its a little sad.
My Reaction: Loved it, I picked it off the shelf when I saw the title. My name is Martha Mae, so I love the name. And I feel even more in love when I found out it was a pig, not the little girl I was expecting. I also was very interested to read another children's book by Karen Beaumont. It was similar but the illustrations were so different it felt completely new. Having the publisher always pick the illustrator makes me wonder what they would choose. Because both seemed to fit perfectly for the writing. Yet they were both completely different.

Move Over, Rover!

Move Over, Rover!
By: Karen Beaumont
Illustrated by: Jane Dyer
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8

Move Over, Rover! Is a fun story of Rover the dog and some unlikely friends. The story starts with Rover sitting in his dog house wishing he had friends to play with, in the wonderful sunny weather. It then begins to pour and there is lightening. So as Rover is sleeping the Cat comes up and says, "Move over, Rover!". Rover lets her in, and soon Raccoon comes over and says "Skit-scat, Cat! Move over, Rover!" so they let him in.Then squirrel, and Blue Jay, Snake, and Mouse come along. And each time they let them in, except Mouse. They have a "full house" by the time mouse gets there. Then they all smell an awful smell and "scamper, scurry!" from the doghouse. Then we see skunk all alone in the doghouse, sleeping right through the storm.
After the storm has past all the animals come back out from there new hiding places, and wonder where Rover is. We then see Rover in his doghouse.
"...chewing on a bone.
Soaked and sopping,
tail flip-flopping,
happy he's alone!"

Recommended to: All animal lovers, or any children at all. The animals are so fun.
Problems: Maybe parents might feel its teaching to be rude, since the animals demand to be let inside the doghouse. But at the same time it teaches sharing.
My Reaction: The illustrations are beautiful in this book. And it was fun to go back to the first page and find all the animals I didn't see the first time. Many of the animals are hidden in the grass or leaves so look close, to find them all.

Love That Dog

Love That Dog
By: Sharon Creech
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 128
Reading Level: 8-12

"March 1
Yes
you can type up
the yellow dog poem
that looks like a dog
but this time
keep the spaces
exactly
the same
and maybe
it would look
really really good
on yellow paper."

This is a fun book, it is written all in poetry by a young boy, Jack. Jack at first is very much against poetry saying it is only for girls. Then he kind of starts to like poetry, but makes his teacher promise to not read it out loud or put it on the board. He slowly keeps exploring poetry and learns he is kind of good at it. He imitates several other poems, and finds that he really likes it. Soon he allows his teacher to post his on the board, and get embarrassed when all the other children tell him good job. He writes most of his poems about his yellow dog, sky. Who he writes called out to him at the pound saying "Pick me! Pick me!" We then soon find out that his dog was run over by a blue truck, the very same blue truck he writes about at the beginning. The teacher then encourages Jack to write to Mr. Walter Dean Myers. And ask him to come to the class and talk about his poems. But plans to hide his one that it written just like Walter Dean Myers. He comes and the whole class loves it, especially Jack. He ends up mailing him a Thank you note, and including his poem Love That Dog which was inspired by Mr. Walter Dean Myers.

Recommend to: Anyone not excited about poetry, or anyone who is. The book made me want to write constantly in poems.
Problems: He does talk about his Dog dying which might make some children sad.
My Reaction: This was such a fun read, the style is unlike any other book I have ever read. It was like very cute and well done. I really felt like I was reading a child's journal full of poems.

Heckedy Peg

Heckedy Peg
by: Audrey Wood
Illustrated by: Don Wood
Copyright: 1992
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

Heckedy Peg is a folktale book, about Seven children and there mother. The Children's names are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Their mother leaves the house to run some errands,and since the children had been so good that morning she told them they could ask for anything they wanted and she would bring it to them. Monday asked for a tub of butter, Tuesday asked for a pocket knife, and so on. She kissed her children goodbye, and told the children to not let anyone inside the house. As they were playing and witch hobbled by the road and called to the children and said
" I'm Heckedy Peg.
I've lost my leg.
Let me in!"
The children reply "We can't". Heckedy Peg finally convinces the children to lit her pipe in exchange for gold. When they light her pipe she turns the children into food. Monday bread, Tuesday a pie, Wednesday milk, and so on. So she gathered the food into her cart and carried it home. Soon the mother returns to find her children gone, a bird who has seen the whole things chirps "follow me!" So she does. Just as Heckedy Peg is about to eat her new supper there is a knock at the door, the mother tricks the witch and gets all her children back safe.

Recommended to: Slightly older children, it can be very scary. Also read right before bed wouldn't be my choice.
Problems: Leaving your children home alone, might be against some people values.
My Reaction: I kind of had mixed feelings for this book. I love how cleaver the story is, but the illustrations and general story is rather creepy. How she jumps off a bridge at the end, seems a little violent. But most folktales are so I think its perfect for its genera.

Dog and Bear

Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories
by: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

This book is a different style than I have seen before. Its a picture book with three short stories with in. All about a dog and a bear. First one is Bear in the Chair, and is the story of a Bear stuck in a chair. The Dog tries to help the Bear get over his fear and allows him to slide down his back. They are trying to get down because they want to go outside to play. But they then realize that he has left his scarf on the chair. So they play indoors.
The next story is called "Play with Me! Play with Me!" And is where dog tries and tries to get bear to play with him. However Bear is reading a story, which happens to be about them. After Bear finishes the story he realizes that Dog just wants to be his friend and play with him. So when he finally stops reading to play with dog he asks "what shall we do?". Dog relies with "Read to Me! Read to Me!"
The final story is called "Dog Changes His Name." This story is about Dog he feels like his name is to boring. He thinks of many names but every time Bear thinks about it and doesn't think it fits him very well. His first idea is spot, but bear says "But you don't have any spots." So they finally decide on "My Best Friend Dog", "or just Dog for short".

Recommended to: Younger children. Its kind of fun because it has several stories so you get to know Dog and Bear more.
Problems: When Dog is trying to find a new name, Bear sort of tells him that he can't be a champ, or a prince, and what not. And that is not the best message to be sending to children.
My Reaction: This story was a little to simple for my personal taste. But it had fun illustrations. I don't think its something I would ever purchase, but if I ever found it in the library it would be good to read to a small child.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends
Poems and drawings by: Shel Silverstein
Copyright: 2004
Pages:192

Invitation
"If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-re, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!"

Shel Silverstein is the reason I loved poetry as a child. His cleaver and super creative poems are so fun. I remember just sitting in the library with my friends giggling and trying to keep quiet. It still makes me laugh, but I think different poems stood out to me now that I'm older. Shel Silverstein's, Where the Sidewalk Ends is so genius and fun because it has these fun abstract drawings. People with skinny arms, and super long necks, and long- haired boys who can fly over cities. His poems are all different, long, short, deep, and silly. Shel Silverstein has an amazing ability to connect with children, relate to them in a way not many can.

Recommended to: Everyone, there is a poem in here for everyone.
Problems: There are some silly poems which could easily offend someone.
My Reaction: I love this book, and all of his poems. It brings back so many childhood memories, and I can't wait to share it with my children.

Hands

Hands
By: Lois Ehlert
Copyright: 1997
Pages: 20
Reading Level: 4-8

Fun, interactive book, with photographs of vintage everyday objects. Its fun because as she is talking about gardening you are turning the page which is in the shape of a garden glove. Its a simple story of a child learning how to use her hands, which different tools and to do different things. She helps both her father and mother, and decides that one day she wants to be an artist. This book is super fun because the whole book is in the shape of a work glove, and then when you open it up each page is different. Some pages you lift up or open up to the side, so as a child reads it they too are using there hands exploring the pages.

Recommended to: Children ages 4 and up, its some what delicate. As even the copy in our library has some tape repair on it. I can see it easily being destroyed in the hands of a young child.
Problems: It kind of assumes the roles of parents are the mother sews and the father builds things.
My reaction: I really liked it, the vintage look makes it a very hip book. I also really liked the concept of it, and love any book with flip up pages and hidden surprises.

C is for Coyote

C is for Coyote: A Southwest Alphabet Book
Photographs by: Art Wolfe and Gavriel Jecan
Text by: Andrea Helman
Copyright: 2002
Pages:32
Reading Level: 4-8

This is how a educational book should be. This books layout is so fun, makes it a breeze to look though all the letters. Its simple yet fun, and all around educational. This is fun because it is specific for the Southwest Dessert. It mentions different animals, parks, and even the Native American people who live there. The photographs are brilliant in this book, and really show the beauty of the dessert. There is an informational paragraph with each letter and picture. However they aren't full of dry information but are written like they were talking to there best friend. Making them fun to read, and easy to understand. My favorite was D is for Dune. "Like rippled white snow, huge mounds of sand form dunes at White Sands National Monument. The dunes are always on the move as strong winds blow the sparkly crystals up one side and w h o o s h! Down the other."

Recommended to: Children from all over the world, many wont have the chance to visit the Southwest and a chance to see the beauty it offers is one of a kind.
Problems: I didn't find any.
My Reaction: Beautiful photographs, and a fun layout. An example of a perfect children's non- fiction.

Why Are Animals Red?

Why Are Animals Red?
by: Melissa Stewart
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

This is a beautiful book, full of bright red photography. I really liked how simple it was. Making the reading level lower, and the comprehension a lot higher. Why are animals red, gives a wide selection of animals from all over the world. And explains just that, why each one is red. Some for protection, others for attracting mates, and some are red as a warning to the animals around them. Unlike a lot of informational books this one limits the writing, and only shares the key information for each animal. Making it easy for children to stay focused throughout the book.

Recommended to: Any child, the information is easy to grasp, and then would also be fun to share with there friends.
Problems: It does only share limited information, so if a child need to do a project and was looking for lots of information they would need to find an additional source.
My Reaction: I liked it, the photographers displayed what was being mentioned in the paragraph next to them, making it a good addition. Its also has a clean layout, making it easy to find what you're looking for.

Hybrid Cars

Our Environment: Hybrid Cars
By: Kareen D. Povey
Copyright: 2006
Pages:48
Reading Level: 9-12

Hybrid Cars is a very informative book, going over many issues involving cars a daily part of our lives. I is meant for children with a glossary in the back with words that might be more difficult, however the information may not be as important for those who don't drive, let along purchase cars. However they did an excellent job covering both sides both the pros and cons of Hybrids. They also talk about several other options and other ways to save on fuel, and money. They also talk about smog, and statics of the causes and prevention. They talk about how Hybrids are more expensive to buy and might not be a reasonable solution for everyone. I actually enjoyed reading this book, because I learned a lot about Hybrids that I didn't know. I knew they were beneficial for the environment, however not how they work or the differences in Hybrids.

Recommended to: Children who want to know more. If they aren't interested in the subject they wont bother reading or learning anything. However this is easy to understand and has the perfect about of detail, for a child who wants to be informed.
Problems: This book looks like it was created many years ago, when it was really created in 2006, so I probably wouldn't pick it up if I was a child. Making the information useless if no one reads it.
My Reaction: I was actually surprised that there was a book all about Hybrid cars. In this Internet age it always surprises me that there are still books made with this important information. However I wish the information was presented in a more fun way.

Letter Sounds

Kathy Ross Crafts: Letter Sounds
By: Kathy Ross
Illustrated by: Jan Barger
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 4-8

When I first picked up this book I didn't read the front well enough, apparently. I thought it was going to just learning letter sounds. However this is a book filled with creative craft ideas for young children. And each craft goes along with a letter, and that is how it teaches the letter sounds. This is such a fun idea, combining letters and crafts. There are many letters in the alphabet so there are for sure some creative projects in this book. One that I just laughed and loved was Ii is for...Icy Ice Skates. Its a project where you create ice skates for your favorite doll by freezing them in a small container of water. Then (with parent permission) you can glide the doll over a waterproof floor, and then will slip and slide all over the place. The really cool thing about this craft book is it used everyday objects, that you will most likely already have around the house. Each project is so different teaching different medians of art as well.

Recommended to: Mothers, what a fun source of creative ideas for those rainy days. Crafts can often get messy but isn't it worth it if they are learning while making it.
Problems: All the children in this book are white, but that is only someone looking for a problem. I'm pretty sure no one else would have even noticed.
My Reaction: I was surprised by how cleaver all of these were. They were also very age appropriate, and most of the time taught a word or animal along with each letter. This is definitely a book I'll be getting for my children.

Button Girl

Button Girl: More than 20 Cute-as-a-Button Projects
By: Mikyla Bruder
Photographs by: Scott M. Nobles
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 9-12

Button Girl is a cute crafty book, filled with ideas. I really liked this craft book because it first teaches a skill, of sowing buttons, as well as creativity. And at the same time it teaches a little history, explaining how buttons have gone from bones, to very expensive high class display of nobility, to now commonplace things we rarely thing about. This book is simple enough for older children to actually do the crafts, but involve some prep and purchasing. Which is a great opportunity for bonding with parents. This book has several sections that include gifts ideas, "button Bijoux", and even greeting cards.
My favorite project and one I want to try is the Button Ring, you take a flat button and buy a ring blank, and after roughening up the bottoms you hot glue the button on. And then you have a brand new ring, that easy.
Another project that is a little more complicated is Brenda's Button Necklace. It requires some more supplies, but the end result looks really cool. You use wire instead of string and string the buttons on to a wire necklace, making sure they all face forward. Then you dangle that from a single wire necklace.
There are many more cool ideas inside you will have to check out.

Recommended to: Girls and mothers, perfect projects for Saturday afternoons. Even has great ideas for birthday parties.
Problems: None here.
My Reaction: I remember getting books like this when I was a girl, I loved them. But also easily forgot about them. I would only get around to doing one or maybe two projects from each book. So I would recommend having them in an area they are easily seen and used.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating
By: Morgan Hughes
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 8-12

This book probably could have been combined with another book. It had important information, but not enough to be its own book. This book had a lot of white space. It is part of a series from Junior Sport however I'm not sure they have found an efficient enough way to present the information. It's not a terribly long book, but I also wasn't really excited to see what came next. The best part of this book was every page or so they would include one neat fact. About the other information on the page. However I think that they should have included many more of these through out the book. Ice Skating, has the basics of figure, hockey, and speed skating. And includes the important differences in the blades. However I'm not sure how helpful any of this information would be to a beginner skater. And a skater who knows there stuff would be bored reading this.

Recommended to: For someone who wants a small introduction to different types of skating. But I only recommend this to someone who is ready to look more into it, as this book doesn't give enough information.
Problems: None I don't see how this could offend anyone.
My Reaction: As I kind of stated about, this has been my least favorite non-fiction. It has a catchy cover, but that is about all it has going for it. Would not start skating after reading this book.

Girls' Snowboarding

Girls' Snowboarding: Showing Off Your Style
by: Heather E. Schwartz
Copyright: 2008
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 9-12

This is an eye grabbing informational book. At first I thought it was going to just be fact after fact, but it reads more like a how to. Which is really awesome. This book could get any girl excited to snowboard. I also really liked that fact, its written especially for young girls. This is important because I think it is currently a mainly male driven sport, so if this book can get girls excited and spread the word that's great. This book has awesome pictures, and the layout makes it fun and exciting to read. This book also has more information in the back, like fun facts and where to find more information for yourself. And any book that encourages further learning is great!

Recommended to: Young girls, this could get them excited to try a new hobby.
Problems: None, this shows you that its not only a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun.
My Reaction: I picked this book off the shelf because it looked fun to read, I have personally tried snowboarding several times and am still no good. But this made me want to get back on the mountain and try again. It talked about some tricks you can try, which sound really fun.

Nicaragua

Countries of the World: Nicaragua
by: Janet Riehecky
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 24
Reading Level: 8-12

Countries of the World is a series that includes many countries all over the world. Nicaragua is the one I thought would be interesting, because it's a country I know very little about. The style of this book is very informative. It is done very simple, and neatly. Because of this it might not be the first book a child picks up to read. However it would be extremely helpful when writing a report or just wanting to learn a little quickly about this country. I would put this reading level a little bit higher, however a neat part of the book includes a section that explains the more challenging words. This same section also includes a hands on activity for the children to do, and a part to learn a little of the language. Also each page is organized into categories, and at the bottom has one important fact on each page, so it is easy to find key information. The coolest fact I found while reading this book is that Nicaragua celebrates there independence day on the same day as my birthday, September 15th.

Recommended to: Child doing country report. It would also be easy for a parent to read to child, and explain concepts. Its a fairly basic informational book.
Problems: It does show some of the problems Nicaragua faces, but it is reality. I think its important to not only learn about the food they eat, but what there real life living situations are.
My Reaction: This is a short and to the point book, even though it isn't eye catching the information is interesting. It also includes real life pictures which gives you a small insight into the country.

Children Just Like me

Children Just Like Me
By: Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
Copyright: 1995
Pages: 80
Reading Level: 9-12

"If I could change anything in the world, I would make everything cheaper and I would make all the water clean- I hate the smell of dirty water." (Sarala from Tamil Nadu, India)

This is an informational book that takes a look into children's lives all over the world. This book doesn't try to show the lives of all children in that Country but just looks at one. And looks at it from there perspective. My favorite part of this book is when they quote each child talking about there country or family. They share about the food, religion, home, pets, and hobbies of each child. Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley visited 31 countries to make the book. UNICEF arranged most of the trip, they carried 242lb of equipment all over the world. Interviewing all of the children.

Recommend to: All children. This is a great way of learning all about the world.
Problems: None, this book does an excellent job at accurately portraying each child.
My Reaction: This was the great book, even for me. I learned so much, and it has so much information that I can pick it up again and again.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

The Story of Ruby Bridges
By: Robert Coles
Illustrated by: George Ford
Copyright: 1995
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

"Please, God, try to forgive those people.
Because even if they say those bad things,
They don't know what they're doing.
So you could forgive them..."

This is a true story of Ruby Bridges, who was one of the first African American girls to be chosen to go to an all white school. This book is that story. It starts with a little background, her father lost his job on a farm and they moved to New Orleans. Both her parents worked very hard, and took them to church every Sunday. When Ruby was chosen her parents were very proud, because they knew how important this was. They prayed for strength for Ruby and as a family.
They knew that they would be faced with resistance, but I'm not sure anyone especially Ruby knew that this much resistance would then become part of her daily routine. The local police refused to escort Ruby, so the President called in federal marshals to escort Ruby through the very angry crowds. Everyday she was met with people yelling mean things at her, and not only that but she was also the only child left in the school. Since all the other parents refused t have their children attend school with a Black child. Miss Hurley, Ruby's teacher was also the only teacher that would teach Ruby. One morning Miss Hurley saw Ruby stop in front of the crowd and say something. When Ruby got inside, Miss Hurley asked what she had said to the screaming crowded. Ruby replied and told her she had said nothing to the people, she was praying for them. Like she did everyday, however this day was the first she had forgotten.

Recommended to: I think this is a great introduction to the problems our nation had, and continues to have with segregation. I think this would be best read in a classroom setting where it can be discussed.
Problems: This is a very gentle approach to a serious subject. However I don't think there is anything, wrong with this wonderful story.
My Reaction: I adored the illustrations in this book. The illustrations were amazingly beautiful for such an ugly period of our history. I think this is such an inspiring story for all children. What a change one child can make.