World Book Encyclopedia 2012

Kobasa, P. (Ed.). (2012). The World Book Encylopedia.Chicago, IL.:World Book Inc.

This reference set consists of 22 volumes, 21 with alphabetical entries and one index. The index includes a 32 page section on "Writing, Speaking and Research Skills" which includes directions for writing reports, book reports and research papers (including tips on editing), tips for public speaking, and a research section which focuses on getting to know the library and assessing the reliability of sources.  This section, while it has some good pointers, is very text heavy with black and white line drawing illustrations of students. The introduction to the set states many articles are written at different grade levels depending on the curriculum/age appropriateness of the topic (eg. mouse is written at a primary level while cell uses more advanced vocabulary) and some articles progress from simpler to more complex language as the entry progresses. World Book editors also assert that they use current research into how children read maps to guide their map design.  Each entry includes cross references within World Book, a list of related articles/books and headings within the text to guide reading. I tried to look up a "wonder" question we had in kindergarten - "Do polar bears hibernate?" - and found the answer after looking up bears, then following the 'related articles' suggestions to polar bears and finally to hibernation.  This required using three different volumes.  Polar bears don't hibernate, by the way.  While students often love the feeling of holding a big, thick, heavy book, these books use small, consistent font, small photos (often colour) and graphs, tables and diagrams in subdued colours which are not engaging for young readers (or adults for that matter). Having to pull out several volumes rather than click a mouse to follow links is also cumbersome. While the information has strong authority, being chosen by expert editors, the editors do make decisions about what content is important (23 pages for horses and 4 pages for bears). A print encyclopedia is one way to find accurate information (I did answer my 'wonder' question) but it is not as engaging or convenient as many contemporary non-fiction print or online options.

Intermediate, Young Adult, Teacher resource

(Although the editors argue World Book is for 'all ages', it is not accessible for primary students without adult help.)

Fallout

Tate, Niki. (2011). Fallout. Victoria, BC: Orca Books.

Teen suicide, a survivor, distant parents, slam poetry, someone who understands....  Nikki Tate's Fallout is a powerful and engaging story of a teen coping with her younger sister's suicide through writing and performing poetry.  We meet Tara one year after her sister's death.  She has left home and moved to another city where she works in a bookstore by day and meets with her slam poetry friends by night.  Every day is filled with memories - and poems. Prose descriptions of a slam poetry competition are interspersed with poems about a family dealing with suicide. Tara begins to open up to her new friends and find a few moments of relief and, eventually, someone who really understands. While the topic is complex, there is no prolonged analysis or discussion and the characters are not very developed. The story moves along quickly touching on many common teen concerns (parental expectations, teen sex, teen drinking, depression, walking home alone, balancing competition and friendship). This is not a 'deep' novel but with its sparse layout, large type and lots of white space it is a perfect high interest, low reading level (3.0)  for reluctant or struggling readers that will appeal to many other teens looking for a quick read.

Young Adult (Part of the Orca Soundings Series, also available as an e-book on Google Play)

Body Math

Dowdy, P. (2009). Body Math. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.

I just purchased a new batch of math resources for the library including the "Math Alive" series with Body Math, Nature Math, Building Math, Science Math, Transport Math and Travel Math. A great hybrid of a fact book, a puzzle book and an activity book, Body Math uses brightly coloured two page spreads with photos, graphs and diagrams to explore various math concepts. Using body parts and functions will appeal to those biology fans. While some of the hands-on activities are doable by keen late primary and motivated intermediate students, some will definitely need a little teacher or parent help. The text can be read for interest without doing the problems, though.  This book will appeal to those math enthusiasts who are always looking for a puzzle and a challenge.  It would also be useful for exploring concepts in the classroom. I particularly like how the series uses other areas of interest (nature, buildings, transportation) to hook students into mathematical thinking. 

Intermediate (with some help)/Young Adult (independently)/ Teacher resource

Can You Survive the Wilderness?

Doeden, M. (2012). Can You Survive the Wilderness. North Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press.

"It won't be easy, but if you stay calm and make good choices, you might be able to get out alive. Are you ready to find out whether you have what it takes?"

With 3 story paths, 41 choices, and 18 endings, the next generation of 'choose your own ending' books has arrived with this new addition to the "Can you survive..." series. This book is definitely part of the movement, sometimes called 'radical change literature', devoted to giving young readers more interactive and engaging reading experiences. While the 'choose your own ending' is nothing new, this book incorporates bright, high contrast photos, various types and colours of font, and non-fiction features like text boxes, glossary, internet links, an appendix of real survivors and a survival quiz. From the first page that outlines how to use the book in widely spaced and easy to read font, this book is very accessible. The adventure can be played out in three different settings: Alaska, Australia, or the Cascade Mountains. Each adventure has between 3 and 6 choices before you reach "The End" - either survival or not. Poor decisions lead to your death, but the descriptions are short and matter of fact with no gory details. Rather like beating the levels of a game or figuring out a puzzle this book is quite addicting.  I kept going back to make another choice or try a different adventure.

Intermediate, Young Adult (reluctant readers)

National Film Board Website

National Film Board Website Retrieved from http://www.nfb.ca/

This website is a wonderful resource for fun and educational films. This year I have used the stop motion animation tutorial, Animate Everything, with both Div. 6 & 7.  Div. 7 has explored 'balance' with videos like High Steel and Marianne's Theatre.  On the home page you can choose from channels like 'Animation', 'Kids Movies' and 'The Green Channel'.  In the wonderful 'interactive' section (accessible from the home page), you can access interactive films like "Out My Window" that lets you explore the views from various high rise windows around the world and here about those peoples' lives or "Waterlife" that documents environmental concerns about the water of the Great Lakes. With no subscription, you have access to over 2,000 films. If you create a password account, you can make play lists to keep track of your great finds and, if you feel 'techy', you can cut portions of films to create shorter clips.  With my education account, I have access to another 500 films. This is a great resource for entertainment and enrichment, but remember, it is not geared specifically for children and there is mature content on the site.  As with all web use, be sure to monitor your childrens' viewing.

All Ages

Out of the Box

Mulder, M. (2011). Out of the Box. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.

"I wonder why some people can have terrible lives and still find things to be happy about, and other people can have everything and still be miserable."

This is the question Ellie asks herself when a summer with her fun-loving Aunt Jeanette takes her out of the round of tears, arguments and accusations that haunts her home life and offers her a different view of the world.  Jeanette lost her partner, Alison, to leukemia.  Ellie goes to Victoria to stay with Jeanette for the whole summer and help clean out the basement (a project long planned with Alison).  They find an old bandoneon (an Argentinian instrument like an accordion) in the basement and Ellie falls in love.  During her stay Ellie helps her aunt at the soup kitchen, makes a new friend, searches for the original owner of the bandoneon and realizes that life can be different. With her aunt's help, Ellie learns that it is not her job to solve all the problems for the adults in her life - it is all right to just be thirteen.  Far from trite, this novel's conclusion holds out hope while remaining realistic.  A gentle portrayal of mental illness and how it can affect others, this empowering novel reveals the joy and freedom available to those who have the courage to reach out to others.

This novel is included in the Canadian Children's Book Center's Best Books for Kids and Teens 2012.

Intermediate/Young Adult

Mister Monday

Nix, Garth. (2003). Mister Monday: The Keys to the Kingdom. Random House Audio/Listening Library. (Audio Book Read by Allan Corduner).

I haven't listened to an audio book since our family driving trip across Canada.  Yes, they were life savers!  Listening to this young adult book from the public library brought back all those memories of being immersed in a story while doing something else at the same time - a great way to multi-task.  Garth Nix is a master storyteller and Allan Corduner brought the characters to life (although my son found his attempt at a young girl's voice annoying). The reader ( I mean listener) follows 12 year old Arthur Penhaligon on a fast-paced fantasy ride through time and space as he tries to find the remedy to a plague in his own world and time. Chosen as the 'rightful heir' to the first key of  "The House", Arthur battles creatures of the 'nothing' and vengeful trustees with the help of an orphaned girl he meets in "The House".  The first of a series of seven books (one for each day of the week guarded by a trustee), Mister Monday left me wanting to read the rest of the series.  In audio book format this story would be perfect for reluctant or struggling readers looking for an exciting story at their own age level.

Here is a link to the Keys to the Kingdom website.

Young Adult, Intermediate (due to audio format)

The Hunger Games

 

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The hunger games. New York, Toronto: Scholastic Inc.

Reminiscent of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and Logan's Run (for those of us old enough to remember it), this fast-paced dystopian fantasy follows the adventures of Katniss and Peeta, two teenagers chosen as 'tributes' who must fight to the death. Each character is seen through the eyes of the narrator, Katniss, and the readers' understanding of the actions and motivations of the characters grows with Katniss' insights. Where Katniss has holes in her knowledge, so does the reader. The two children question and test their own morals, and their relationship, in the face of ever increasing dangers. Collins has combined gripping suspense, clever plots, unexpected alliances, unrequited love, devastating losses, and a heart-stopping climax to successfully engage pre-teen, teen and even adult readers.  The ending sets the stage beautifully for a sequel - I can't wait to read the next one!

Young Adult

Maxed Out

Greer, D. (2012). Maxed out. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.

The fact that  Daphne Greer worked with people with special needs for sixteen years shines through in this touching and true to life story of Max, a young teen who is trying to hold his family together after his fathers' death.  Max's mother has fallen into depression and spends her time either at work or in bed, crying, leaving Max to look after his older brother, Duncan, who has autism.  Max loves his brother but becomes more and more frustrated as Duncan's behaviours make everything more difficult from routine chores to playing hockey with his friends. Hockey is Duncan's passion - and his last connection with his Dad.  Finally, Max works out a plan so that he can play in the big game - with disasterous consequences.  When life seems totally out of control, Max calls the Kids Help Line in the middle of the night.  From hurtful statements made in anger to the supportive acts of a true friend, the characters in this high interest, low reading level story really ring true. Many teens will be able to relate to Max's feelings of being 'Maxed out' and not knowing where to turn.

Young Adult (Hi-Lo)

The Book Theif

Zusak, M. (2006). The Book Thief. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

This multi-award winning book, including the Commonwealth Writers Prize, Daniel Elliot Peace Award, School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year and many more, is a must read. Narrated by Death, this book follows the life of a poor young girl in Nazi Germany who becomes 'the book theif'. Put into foster care by her destitute mother, Liesel builds a network of loved ones on Himmel Street, including her curmudgeonly foster mother, her foster father who teaches her to read, a poor neighbourhood boy who becomes a constant companion, and a Jewish boxer her foster father agrees to hide in the basement.  Liesel is a clever, curious girl who sees the world and those in it in poetic detail.   Books (and words) become Liesel's secret strength even before she learns to read and each book theft occurs at a turning point in her life. Zusak portrays the injustice and horrors of Nazi Germany with compassion and hope and creates characters with depth. Despite, or perhaps because of, the tragedies in Leisel's life she never succumbs to the hatred around her. Be ready to laugh, cry and mourn - Zusak's poetic language and imagery bring this book to life.

Young Adult