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READING STYLE GUIDE

Air in Motion

2/27/2021

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Hear the Wind Blow by Doe Boyle ill by Emily Paik

Lyrical text, expressive illustration, and the science of weather are beautifully blended in Hear the Wind Blow, a picture book describing the wind.
Beginning at dawn, when all is calm, with just a "kiss of air," the text progresses throughout the day as later a breeze sends leaves "scuttling in the gutter." Evidence of the approaching storm can also be observed when ocean waves begin cresting.
The narrative climaxes when hurricane force winds batter a community and a family must take shelter. The denouement describes the storm’s devastating effects. Individuals move outdoors and neighbors work together to clean up and repair damage.
Wires droop, and tree roots shudder-
​the world's atilt, without a rudder.
Boyle's reassuring text makes clear that the storm will pass. But a warning embedded in the verses emphasizes the importance of responding to signs which signal potentially extreme weather.
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You must listen! Heed each sound,
as the Earth turns round and round.
Paik captures the stages of the approaching storm using stark changes in the color pallet. The sky progresses from pastel blues to intense shades punctuated with diagonal slashes of rain. The story concludes by reverting to soft azure skies. ​​Most pages feature outdoor scenes. When the storm reaches its apex, the tempest is viewed through windows, while the family remains safe within their home.
Rhyming text and evocative illustrations are a key story element. But there is more. Back matter moves this picture book above and beyond a charming children's book. Wind is defined as air in motion. Bonus material includes a copy of the Beaufort Wind Force Scale with an accompany introduction to the scale and its history, a glossary, and a list of suggested supplemental books. An excellent addition to school and library STEM collections for young readers.
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Weather Spotting

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The National Weather Service invites interested individuals to become weather spotters. Students may be interested in creating a school-wide initiative to identify and catalogue local weather patterns.  Charting and reporting on weather conditions could be an interesting activity.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 1, 2021  Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company  ISBN:  978-0807545614
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They’re Back!

10/9/2020

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The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer

The penguins are back! Countless generations have loved Florence and Richard Atwater's Mr. Popper's Penguins. Awarded a Newbery Honor in 1939, this classic is a staple in home, school, classroom, and public libraries.
Like many readers, I hoped that the story would go on and speculated about what would become of Captain Cook, Greta, and their droll offspring. My wish has been granted. Award-winning author Eliot Schrefer continues the penguin saga with contemporary sensibilities while retaining the charm of the original.
Years after Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake established a penguin colony in the Arctic, a Popper descendant and her children move into the old Penguin Pavilion located in a neighboring Stillwater community. The kids, Nina and Joel, explore the basement and discover two eggs. The decision to take the eggs to school does not turn out well. Nina's egg cracks during a spelling quiz and a playground bully steals Joel's egg. Despite the difficulties and with a touch of Atwater-like magic, the long-forgotten penguin eggs hatch.
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These siblings are now caretakers for two chicks christened Ernest and Mae. ​They wonder: what to do? The local Penguin Foundation offers to sponsor an Arctic expedition to resettle these chicks with the colony established by Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake. There are a few perilous moments. Ernest inadvertently sabotages the boat's central navigation system, causing the boat to run aground. Their expedition braves a blinding arctic storm and below-freezing conditions.
A solution to the Antarctic animals' relocation dilemma is more complicated than the Poppers had originally considered. The conclusion satisfies environmental concerns while preserving the Popper Performing Penguins' legacy.
Schrefer handles the narrative with a light touch. Even the fantastic seems believable. He balances the wildly hilarious with serious threats to the penguins' existence. Ernest and Mae play their own version of chess while snacking on dried squid. There is even a penguin body surfing scene where the birds transport arrivals across the colony. Admiral Drake’s grandson makes a cameo appearance. Schrefer pays homage to the classic tale, neatly tying in elements from the original. Bonus: these penguins canoodle!
Jim Madsen's black and white illustrations are fresh, contemporary, and contribute to the story's appeal.
Oork! Oork! Confetti and ribbons, penguins, and Poppers! The Popper Penguin Rescue will delight fans of the original classic and introduce new generations to the magic of flightless birds in tuxedoes.
Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.
​Pub date: October 13, 2020  Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-0316495424
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Digging for Diamonds

10/5/2020

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Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

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Meet a most unlikely pair. Gnu and Shrew sit together on the banks of a crocodile infested river. Gnu shares a secret with his friend: a cave filled with diamonds is on the other side of this very wide and deep river. Gnu dreams of someday obtaining the diamonds. With wealth from these gems he could get his own Ferris wheel or perhaps a golden bicycle.
As he imagines the possibilities, the bespectacled Shrew sets to work, figuring out how to cross the river. Gnu’s musings spark Shrew's thought processes. For example a revolving wheel has a possible practical application for a paddleboat design.
It will come as no surprise that Shrew's skill and hard work pay off.  He obtains the diamonds and sets off to travel around the world. Success is his.
But what will become of Gnu? Schmitzlein gives this tale of perseverance and friendship a happy ending. The final page offers a hint to the happily-ever-after for this twosome. Hurrah for Gnu and Shrew. ​
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A word about the illustrations. Sandu restricts the main color palette to deep yellow and complementary turquoise This color scheme accents the contrasting natures of the two protagonists. The cover features Gnu dreamily gazing at a butterfly while Shrew, tongue sticking out, is concentrating on the workings of a lightbulb. However, the animals are not drawn to scale. Similar sizes suggest that each character is equally important.
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Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

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This book can be introduced by inviting readers to view the cover and then consider: What is a gnu? What is a shrew? Which character on the cover do you suspect is the gnu and which is the shrew? Why do you think you may be correct?

Facts about two uncommon animals.
Meet the gnu. This member of the antelope family is native to Africa. The horned animals with shaggy manes and tails are very strong and can run up to 50 miles per hour. Their main predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Often gnus that attempt to cross a river are attacked and eaten by crocodiles. The gnu is also known as a wildebeest.
Note: The "g" is not voiced. It might be interesting to discover other words that begin with "gn." Hint: gnat, gnome and gnaw are three common words.
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Shrews are tiny mole-like animals with long noses and very sharp, spiky teeth. They have small eyes and cannot see well but have excellent senses of hearing and smell. They are very active and need to eat constantly. A shrew can consume from one half to two times its body weight each day! Shrews are venomous. The venom is stored within grooves in the shrew's teeth.
There are 385 different species of shrews. They can be found throughout the world.
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​Why do you think that the author selected these animals for the story?

The Power of Bold Ideas

There are dreamers like Gnu who imagine great things. There are makers like Shrew who experiment and develop solutions to problems. Together, the two make a great pair. Bold ideas combined with effort can produce remarkable results. In September 1962, President John F. Kennedy suggested that man could go to the moon. At the time it seemed unlikely. The dream was achieved in July 1969 after seven years of planning, testing, and experimenting by a team of technicians, scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
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What new dreams might be imagined? What dedicated individuals will make those dreams a reality?

Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: October 1, 2020  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682631461
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Art and Nature

8/19/2020

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Beatrix Potter, Scientist (She Made History)
​by Lindsay H. Metcalf ill by Junyi Wu

The connection between art and science is symbiotic. Scientists record observations with accurate representations of phenomena. Artists rely on a careful study of anatomy and physiology to inform their art.
It is no surprise that artist Beatrix Potter studied her surroundings and recorded her findings with precision. What is remarkable is that her published books are not scientific treatises, but instead are delightful fantasies.
Metcalf gives young readers fresh insight into the life of the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Each summer Beatrix’s family would travel to Scotland. It was there that the young girl met Charles McIntosh , the postman who encouraged her study of life forms. She was a dedicated researcher, making meticulous drawings, examining small animal skeletons, and preparing slides for microscopic observation.
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Potter's specific field of study was fungi: the study of mushroom spores. She made a breakthrough discovery on the germination of these spores and prepared a paper for the Linnean Society of London. She could not present her paper in person, as women were not allowed to join this scientific society. She withdrew her paper from consideration after the society said her findings needed more work. Shortly afterward, she discontinued her fungi research. History does not explain her abandonment of nature studies. A century later the Linnean Society apologized for the treatment of Beatrix Potter and other women.​
Metcalf enhances this picture book with backmatter that includes "More About Beatrix Potter," a Timeline, Bibliography, Source Notes, and suggestions for Further Reading. Wu's soft colored pencil illustrations honor both the wonders of nature and storytelling. Her style does not attempt to imitate the precision of Potter's studies. Her illustrations focus on Beatrix and her joy of discovery.
Beatrix Potter, Scientist explores the value of close observation in the fields of both science and art and speaks to the work of women in science. Add to biography and STEM collections.

More Women Who Changed Our World

She Made History: Women Who Changed Our World is an ongoing picture book series celebrating the contributions of women. In addition to well-known historical figures such as Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, Phillis Wheatley, and Susan B. Anthony, the series introduces young readers to other women who have been change agents. Alice Coachman the first African American woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, Kathryn Johnston the first girl to play Little League baseball, and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman who led the NASA team which built the Hubble Space Telescope are some of the featured woman who have made history.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0807551752
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Science meets Fantasy

8/10/2020

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The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman narrated by Simon Vance

It's Kate's birthday and rich Uncle Herman, who wears a banana yellow suit and is a bit unorthodox, presents her with a most unusual gift: a train. Not a toy. This is a mammoth-sized steam-belching machine on a track in her backyard. When Kate and her younger brother Tom climb aboard, they begin an adventure that is beyond their wildest imaginings.
The Silver Arrow is a dream come true. Tom and a Kate create their ideal train with such delightful cars as a library car, a swimming pool car, and even a candy car. But the children soon learn that this will not be a pleasure excursion. They are tasked with transporting endangered species to less hostile environments. Kate is the conductor. She is charged with protecting and finding proper homes for animals such as a white bellied heron and a fishing cat.  Yes, they really exist. I looked them up.
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There is no evil villain in this tale. The nemesis is time. Kate must deliver all the animals to a new habitat. But the engine’s coal supply is rapidly depleting, the train is running out of track, and the polar bear can't survive much longer in a warm passenger car. While it is clear that humans are responsible for endangering the animals’ existence, this isn’t a blame game. It’s a race to save, to repair, to protect.
Although the story is told in third person, the narrator is obviously speaking from Kate’s point of view. Grossman keeps the tale focused on Kate and her perceptions of the world, from her developing realization of a larger life purpose to her admiration for science, particularly her hero Grace Hopper.
Vance is the perfect match for Grossman’s fantasy. His smooth narration draws listeners in and keeps them enthralled. His phrasing and subtle emphasis on specific words is sublime. The voices for the individual characters match the personality of each, from the rumbling engine and the gruff porcupine to the wondering awe of two youngsters. 
​The ride careens to a wild and wondrous conclusion that will leave readers breathless. But it's served along alongside the comfort of French toast with loads of syrup and melted butter.
Good news: Uncle Herbert makes clear that more adventures await these siblings.
This magical tale is an incredible mix of science and fantasy. There is an unusual selection of intriguing animals with distinctive personalities. Who knew that I would be enchanted by a porcupine, a pangolin, and green mamba? Kate's hero is Grace Hopper and the narrative is sprinkled with delightful Hopper trivia. Grossman has fashioned a fantastic amalgam of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, falling into a strange and wonderful land with droll talking animals and The Magic School Bus, journeying on extraordinary scientific expeditions.  It's a winning, winsome combination.
Listen to a sample here.
Audiobook accessed via NetGalley.
Release date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Hachette Audio
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Hands On. Minds On.

3/14/2020

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Recently several parents and grandparent have asked about materials for homeschoolers.  They are familiar with available packaged programs. They have wonder: Is there something more? Yes, there is. 

TinkerActive Workbooks

​TinkerActive Workbook series is designed for young learners ages 5-8.  Three disciplines are covered within each grade level: English, Math, and Science. 
The workbooks are sturdy, with stiff, laminate covers.  This will protect from spills that may occur. Thick quality paper, pages with round corners.  A lot of thought is evident in the creation of this series.
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All workbooks follow a similar pattern: A concept is introduced with Let's Learn About which consists of basic information and a few interesting activities to practice the concept. Then the real fun begins with Let's Tinker, Let's Make, and Let's Engineer projects related to the concept.  All activities require a collection of materials and simple tools, such as glue, markers, scissors, boxes, etc. Each consumable book includes stickers and a magnetic merit badge. These hands on, minds on projects are FUN. From the clever quirky minds at Odd Dot.
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Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor
by Temple Grandin with Betsy Lerner

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Calling All Minds is an intriguing mix of inventor mini-biographies, images of registered inventions from the U.S. Patent office with step-by step project instructions.  Grandin frames these elements within a running narrative describing her personal journey of discovery.  She introduces readers to her thinking process, her experiments with various concepts, and schematic drawings of her creations. 
The book is organized into five general sections: "Things Made of Paper," "Levers and Pulleys," "Things Made of Wood," "Things That Fly", and "Optical Illusions." Each section includes a cornucopia of material that is loosely connected. Like the discovery process, they do not flow in a strict linear fashion, instead inviting moments of serendipity along the way.
​"Things Made of Paper" chapter callout boxes contain a plethora of STEM-related components. Readers will find brief introductions to the history of these inventions: moveable type, the typewriter, Liquid Paper, scissors, and Crayola crayons. Bonus material includes an explanation of the term QWERTY and a discussion of the Fibonacci "golden ratio."  Makers are treated to directions for creating Handmade Paper, Paper Snowflakes, a Crystal Snowflake, a Kaleidoscope, and Water Bombs.
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Explorer Academy by Trudi Trueit

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National Geographic takes on a new publishing venture with Explorer Academy, a fiction series combining action-adventure with science, technology and world exploration. Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado is a member of Explorer Academy, an international team of young people training to become the world's future scientists.
Trueit has created stories with action, intrigue, and suspense galore. At one point in my reading I replied to a request from an individual near me, saying “I can’t come right now. Cruz is trapped underwater and can’t breathe.” 
​Those who love scientific and geographical trivia will be fascinated with all the factoids scattered throughout the narrative. All volumes are chock-full of fascinating futuristic tech gadgets. There is a Jules Verne quality to the series, envisioning scientific achievements that may become a future reality.
​National Geographic has created a wealth of extras to enhance the series. The treasure trove of online resources includes codes and ciphers to solve, profiles of scientists working on cutting edge advances. There’s an animation video of C.A.V.E. (Computer Animated Virtual Experience), a slide show of "Weird But True" facts,  and personality quiz to determine a science-interest type.

Crafty Cat series by Charise Harper

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Comics, a charming cat, and crafts. What more could you ask for?
Crafty Cat and the Crafty Camp Crisis is a story of expectations, making friends, and dealing with bullies is appropriate for younger readers. Back pages include directions for making each of the six monster crafts described in the text. 
​I followed the directions for making mini monsters. This is a fun and easy-to-do project. These paper critters would be great as place cards. Add a message to accompany a gift package. Set one of a shelf for an expected surprise.
​With great characters, clever dialog, and simple craft projects, Charise Mericle Harper has a created a graphic novel series for young craft and comic enthusiasts.
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Bonus: There's No Place Like Home

Looking for additional resources to support home-centered learning?  Try these.
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KidLitTV stories, crafts & activities
Celebrated actors read children's books.
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Activity guides from Just Us Books
Create with Jarrett  J. Krosoczka
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​Plan your day with this suggested daily schedule from NESCA (Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents. Accessed via Lorena Germán 
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Curiosity on Mars

10/29/2019

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Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho ill by Katherine Roy

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Here's an intriguing approach for an informational picture book: anthropomorphize a mobile space laboratory. Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars introduces young readers to Curiosity, a two-thousand-pound laboratory exploring the geology and climate of Mars for seven years.
With succinct sentences and elegant language Richard Ho describes the mission, history, and accomplishments of the scientific endeavor.
​It ...is quiet...but not still.
Vast...but not empty.
Barren...but not lifeless.
Near the book's conclusion the perspective shifts. Moving beyond Curiosity's close-up view, the planet Mars takes up the narration and provides readers with an expanded view of space exploration.
Katherine Roy's predominantly red color palette is awe-inspiring. Full two-page spreads echo the vastness of the endeavor. Inset images offer additional details. A gatefold reveals a stunning panoramic vista. Magnificent!
​Supplemental matter includes Mars at a Glance factoids, background information of the Curiosity project, a brief description of each of the previous unmanned explorers, list of additional print and online resources.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: October 29, 2019 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press ISBN: 978-1250198334
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Friendship & Other Discoveries

10/9/2019

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Nina Soni, Former Best Friend
​by Kashmira Sheth ill by Jenn Kocsmiersky

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Nina Soni’s life just got more complicated. She accidentally destroys her best friend's art project. Nina fears that Jay will no longer be her friend. She is stymied when her teacher assigns a Personal Narrative Project. She has nothing to write. Her life is as boring as plain rice.
​Then she discovers an interesting phenomenon that will be the basis for her person narrative. To her dismay, she learns that her idea is the same experiment used by  Jay at last year's science fair. She is discouraged.
When her sister's birthday party plans fall through, Jay and Nina come together and develop a clever solution to the birthday dilemma. Upon reflection, Nina realizes that retelling events of the past twenty-four hours will make an interesting writing project. 
​Crisis averted. Friendship restored. Assignment completed. Things are working out!
Nina has a way with words.  She images that one day she will make a brilliant scientific discovery. She will name it Ninacillian, similar to Alexander Fleming's penicillin. 
The narrative is liberally sprinkled with her unique definitions. Some are spot on. All feature her quirky perspective.
For=get-ful-ness means your mind becomes so full of new thoughts and ideas that it pushes out the old ones.
Former means once-upon-a-time.
Sheth includes numerous references to Nina’s Indian-American heritage, including traditional foods such as roti and kachumber.  ​Her notebook Sakhi means friend in Hindi. The family watches Mahabharat, a long-running series based on the Hindu ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharat.
Nina Soni, Former Best Friend is the first title in this series for young readers. Easy-to-read font, lots of lists, and handy trim size make this a good choice for early chapter book readers.  Kocsmiersky’s black and white line drawings capture nine-year-old Nina's irrepressible nature.

Scientific Discoveries

If Nina can try this experiment, so can young readers. Caution: It takes a very large and extra-sharp knife as well as some muscle power to bisect and chop a dense head of cabbage. That part of the experiment is best left to an adult.
  • Cut a cabbage in half and chop into thin shreds.
  • Place the cabbage in a large glass or other stain-resistant bowl.
  • Submerge the cabbage in warm water. Let it rest for about 24 hours until the cabbage water is pink
  • Strain the liquid and discard the cabbage shreds.
  • Pour a small amount into individual containers.
  • Add one additional liquid to each container of cabbage juice. Label the contents of each container.
  • Record your observations.
Below are the results of my pH experiment. 
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Dish soap
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Lemon juice
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Baking soda
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Vinegar
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682630570
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Lunar Landing

7/16/2019

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Lunar Landing July 20, 1969

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things,
​not because they are easy, but because they are hard

John F. Kennedy
Fifty years ago, the United States made history when astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon. The Apollo 11 mission was the culmination of years of research and testing. Relive this momentous occasion with these stunning books for young readers. A picture book, historical fiction in graphic novel format, a comic book, and an illustrated volume of free verse brilliantly showcase this incredible accomplishment and the variety of formats authors employ to bring true stories to life.

Go for the Moon: A Rocket, A Boy, and the First Moon Landing
by Chris Gall

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From childhood, Chris Gall has always been fascinated with rockets and space exploration. Go for the Moon: A Rocket, A Boy, and the First Moon Landing chronicles the parallel stories of the Apollo 11 launch and a young boy’s attempt to replicate the event on a personal and considerably smaller scale. His rocket is a water rocket that he transports via a little red wagon. He builds a lunar module from cardboard boxes and climbs inside. He and his brother replicate the difficulty of precisely reaching the moon with a soccer ball and a stone.
Gorgeously illustrated and chock full of fascinating facts, the generous trim size invites readers to experience the Apollo11 mission from a kid’s point of view. Grab a glass of Tang and share in the adventure.
​Copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: June 11, 2019 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press ISBN: 978-1250155795

Rocket to the Moon!: 
​Big Ideas That Changed the World

​by Don Brown

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Big Ideas That Changed the World, a series created by Don Brown, "celebrates the hard-won succession of ideas that ultimately remade the world." Rocket to the Moon! is the first book in Don Brown's Big Ideas That Changed the World series This volume recounts the history and development of rockets.
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A substantial portion of the book is devoted to the United States' space exploration, including the "space race" with Russia. The narrative culminates with the successful Apollo 11 lunar landing.
​Line drawings, and link wash are clean and straightforward, moving the narrative along. The full-page panel of the moon's surface appropriately gives readers pause. Pacing shows the module’s slow descent to the Sea of Tranquility with a series of jagged-edge panels. Horizontal panels zoom in on one footstep as it descends the ladder to the moon's surface.

T-Minus:
​The Race to the Moon

by Jim Ottaviani ill Zonder Cannon Kevin Cannon

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Jim Ottaviani’s fictionalized retelling of the race between the USA and the USSR to reach the moon is a gripping, emotionally charged saga. T-Minus: The Race to the Moon chronicles the development of space exploration and the back stories of key players such as Robert Goddard and Sergei Korolev.
The failures, successes, political intrigue come to a climax when Apollo 11 reaches its destination and NASA's astronaut takes the first steps on the moon.
Hard to put down. Read the author’s notes for information on his storytelling process as well as suggested bibliography.
Inventive placement of rockets which break out of rigid panel frames and span the entire vertical space is noteworthy. The black and white line art is well-suited to the subject matter.
Public library copy.
​Pub date: May 9, 2009 Publisher: Adallin ISBN: 978-1416949602
Countdown:
​2979 Days to the Moon
 

by Suzanne Slade ill Thomas Gonzales
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Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon chronicles events leading up to and concluding with the first lunar landing on July 20, 1969. The narrative begins with the challenge uttered by President John F. Kennedy in May 1961.
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Suzanne Slade, a mechanical engineer who worked on several space projects including the development of Saturn V rocket, is well qualified to write this superlative work of nonfiction. Her lyrical text vivifies the marvel of space exploration. The free verse is accompanied by direct quotations, systematically describing each of the eleven Apollo missions.
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Gonzalez' paintings are enhanced with infographic spreads located between chapters. Generous trim size (10.3" x 11") while accessible and easy to handle, gives added emphasis to the grandeur of this achievement. The book's text, with clear clean font is thoughtful placed, awarding the narrative added significance. For contrast, pages describing the Apollo 8 expedition as it moves to the far side of the moon are black with striking white text. ​
Electronic copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 5, 2019 Publisher: Amulet Books ISBN: 978-1419734045
Copy provided by publisher
​Pub date:Sept 1, 2018 Publisher: Peachtree Publishers ISBN: 978-0399246531

Video Resources

Field Trip

Take a cross-country tour of Apollo 11 celebrations throughout the United States. The Smithsonian has curated a list of cities around the United States that are holding a variety of events this summer to coincide with the anniversary, from exhibitions to rocket launches to parades. Commemorate the Apollo 11 mission and lunar landing in a city near you,
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Winged Poetry

4/25/2019

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Superlative Birds by Leslie Bulion ill Robert Meganck

Which birds can do what birds do, best?
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Bulion takes flight (most of the time) in her latest collection of STEM inspired poetry.
This antholog of verse celebrates the avian species. Meet a dozen birds, each exhibiting a distinguishing characteristic that can be classified as superlative. Discover which bird has the widest wingspan (wandering albatross), most feathers (emperor penguin), longest round-trip migration (Arctic tern), and most accurate hearing (barn owl).
Lots of fascinating trivia tidbits here.
​Thoughtful page design presents engaging text that is easy to read. A superlative trait appears as side vertical banner. A corresponding poem describes the bird's unique and noteworthy characteristics. All poetic verses are accompanied by a brief science note containing additonal information. Meganck's softly-colored line drawings, while anatomically accurate have a whimsical appearance, especially the bird’s facial expressions. Charming! The narrator, a chick-a-dee, provides running commentary on each page and ties individual pages together with a common thread.
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Here's where this slim volume stands out: it is more than a study of avian characteristics. It’s poetry. Bulion uses a variety of poetic forms including couplet, free-verse, limerick, song lyrics and more. The construction of various poem forms are discussed in the back matter. The author chooses a specific poetry format based on the subject, offering rationale for each poem’s form. For example: since the Arctic tern spends most of its life over the sea, this verse is based on rhythm and rhyme of a sea chantey. Because the jacana lives in Spanish-speaking Central and South American countries, this poem is a soledad, a Spanish form of poetry.
Back matter includes a glossary, poetry notes, and additional resources including websites, books, activities such as bird walks and local or global projects.
Combining intriguing avian information with an introduction to various forms poetry make this a stellar addition to schools, libraries, local wildlife and nature centers.  It can also serve as a resource for educators, combining science with literature. Superlative Birds is STEM at its best. Magnificent work Leslie Bulion and Robert Meganck.

More Poetry Please

Looking for more rhythm and rhyme books that celebrate the animal kingdom?
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March1, 2019  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN:  978-1561459513
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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