Green, Jen. You Wouldn’t Want To Be a Polar Explorer! rev. ed.

Green, Jen.  You Wouldn’t Want To Be a Polar Explorer! rev. ed.  Scholastic/Watts   2017  35p   $29.00  ISBN 978-0-531-23832-5     elem/ms  VG-BN         

In You Wouldn't Want To Be a Polar Explorer! the reader accompanies Sir Ernest Shackleton on his voyage to explore the South Pole. The reader travels along and faces the many dangers that the crew faced on Shackleton's journey from 1914 to 1916, including having the ship become frozen in the ocean, being stranded, and being hungry. The text is exciting and suspenseful as well as very informative. The writing is fun and will engage young readers.

The graphics are as exciting and interesting as the text. David Antram has created many full-color, fun illustrations that truly compliment the text. The expressions on characters’ faces will having young readers laughing out loud.
     

This is one book in the You Wouldn’t Want To Be series. There are currently 28 books in this highly acclaimed series.  

Summary: Explains Sir Ernest Shackleton’s voyages to explore the South Pole. 

Polar Exploration                                                 --Virginia McGarvey

Green, Sara. American Girl.

Green, Sara. American Girl. Scholastic/Childrens Press      2017  24p   $25.95      ISBN 978-0-531-23804-2  elem/ms      Nonfiction  VG-BN

So many girls have yearned to have an American Girl doll in the last 30 years, some girls who live close to stores even celebrate their birthdays with American Girl birthday parties. The history of the company with its signature dolls, magazine, and website is covered in this densely packed book of facts, charts, and photos. At times the print is small, but well worth a close look, as so much information is presented on how the brand has changed over the years.  Great for browsing or use in a report about a famous invention.  The book includes a glossary, a timeline, an index and a list for further reading. 

The Brands We Know series features 23 well-known brands that are used and recognized by young readers. Each book includes great photos, information, a glossary, a timeline, an index and a list for further reading. From food to toys to technology, a great series about the history of an invention. Gr. 2-7  

Summary: A history of the American Girl brand: how the brand expanded over time and its connection to magazines, dolls, and technology. Fascinating look at one of the most popular dolls for children. Great photos, charts. Grades 3-7.    

Dolls, Toys                                                       --Lois McNicol

Green, Sara. Transformers.

Green, Sara. Transformers. Scholastic/Childrens Press 2017  24p   $25.95      ISBN 98-0-531-23807-3  elem/ms  Nonfiction  VG-BN

Who hasn’t loved playing with Transformers over the last 30-some years? The history of the company, with its signature toys and its connections to comics, cartoons, movies and conventions, is covered in this densely packed book of facts, charts, and photos. At times the print is small, but well worth a close look, as so much information is presented on how the toy has changed over the years.  Great for browsing or use in a report about a famous invention.  This book includes a glossary, a timeline, an index and lists for further reading.    

Brands We Know is a series that features 23 well-known brands that are used and recognized by young readers. Each book includes great photos, information, a glossary, a timeline, an index and lists for further reading. From food to toys to technology, a great series about the history of an invention. Gr. 2-7. 

Transformers, Toys                                                --Lois McNicol

Zeke Meeks vs His Big Phony Cousin. (Zeke Meeks)

Green, D.L.  Zeke Meeks vs His Big Phony Cousin. (Zeke Meeks)  Capstone/Picture window  2014  128p  ISBN 15.99  ISBN 978-1-4795-2167-8  elem  Realistic fiction  VG

Elementary students who like realistic fiction will like this new humorous title in which they meet Zeke, who is a video game lover and trickster.  When Zeke’s class was assigned a class project, Zeke offered to show the class his project on the last day.  As usual, he put off doing his project and had no idea what he even wanted to show off.  As he watched his classmates display their projects, he still wondered what he could do for his project.  When Zeke’s cousin Sam and family arrived, Zeke was excited about his visit with Sam, as he hoped the two of them would have fun together.  But after Sam’s arrival, Zeke realized that having his cousin here was no fun at all.  Sam’s family thought he was perfect in every way, and Zeke learned that his cousin was a big phony.  After a conflict, Zeke and Sam finally began to bond and then the two learned to have fun together.  Since Zeke taught Sam how to play video games for the first time, he used his teaching skills to his advantage, and this became his big project.

The author uses easy-to-read text, black-and-white illustrations, information about the author and illustrator, questions about manners classes, tips for faking a sickness, and a glossary of big words (according to Zeke).

For schools that use Accelerated Reader, an existing test is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 163767).  Ten titles have been published so far in this chapter-book series. 

Summary: “Zeke can't wait for his cousin Sam to arrive for a visit. But once Sam arrives, Zeke quickly tires of his guest's constant bragging and sucking up. Is Sam really perfect or is he just a big phony?”  In this first book of a new series, students meet Zeke Meeks, a third-grade boy with his share of problems.      

Cousins-Fiction                                 --Charleen Forba-Mayer

Green, Sara. Bomb-Sniffing Dogs.

Green, Sara.  Bomb-Sniffing Dogs.  Scholastic Press  2014  24p  $22.95  ISBN 978-0-531-26176-7    series: Dogs to the Rescue  elem/ms  Nonfiction  E-BNes

This book covers a topic not often found in children’s books: the training of dogs for security detail, military conflict, and border control is explained. The breeds of dogs most suited to the task, the variety of work done by these dogs and their life after retirement will provide researchers with information for reports as well as provide insight into working dogs for dog lovers.  Crisp, colorful illustrations supplement the text.  A glossary of highlighted terms in the text, an index and lists of resources for further reading complete the text. This is a “must purchase” for libraries, given the times we live in.

Summary: Discusses the training and variety of work done by bomb-sniffing dogs. Crisp, colorful illustrations supplement the text.  Grades 3-8.     

Bomb-Sniffing Dogs                                                --Lois McNicol