Sheen, Barbara. Foods of Afghanistan

Sheen, Barbara.          Foods of Afghanistan            

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch

 2011   64p     30.00  978-0-7377-5420-9           

elm/ms             A Taste of Culture(Cengage)      VG-BN 

Through a variety of recipes and an introduction to the

different foods used in the recipes, the author presents the culture and food of

Afghanistan.   What better way to learn about a people and their culture than

through their food and traditions. This delightful little book does just this

for Afghanistan. From full color illustrations of different aspects of society

and food, to sidebars that highlight  specific aspects of the culture such as

"Eating in Afghanistan" (page 7) and "Afghan homes and families" (page 42), and

simple ecipes such as "Chicken norma" (page 23) and "Spiced chickpeas" (page 33),

this easily read book presents the reader with a great overview of not only

Afghani food, but it╒s rituals, culture, religion and society. Metric

conversions, notes (substantial for both print and nonprint resources), glossary

and an index conclude this book.    This series afford readers the opportunity to

learn about different nations and cultures through the food they eat, and the

rituals that often accompany this process. A wonderful way to learn about

different cultures. Elementary and middle school students will find them easy

and a fun way to learn new recipes and about different cultures. High school

students will find the book useful for culinary classes.    Fisher, Lynn

Sheen, Barbara. Michael Phelps

Sheen, Barbara Michael Phelps
Lucent Books see Gale/Cengage 2010 96p 33.45
978-1-4205-0282-4 ms/hs Phelps, Michael, Swimming VG-BNS
People in the News (Gale/Lucent)


Part of a series of biographies on some of today’s “most prominent newsmakers,” this is a well-rounded book about the personal life and swimming career of Michael Phelps. Michael Phelps is one of the premier swimming stars of the twenty-first century and one of the members of the 2008 United States Olympic Swim Team. In Beijing, Phelps won an incredible eight gold medals, a feat never previously accomplished. This book covers his life from his earliest days watching his older sisters practice and compete in the pool to the discovery of his incredible talent and his quest for Olympic glory. The book gives an evenhanded picture of a nice young man who is incredibly self-competitive and determined to accomplish his chosen goals. His personal life is presented in relation to his sports life and includes his two brushes with the law.
This is a very well written and insightful book, a succinct and lucid treatment of Michael. It is remarkably nonjudgmental and non-sensationalized and objective in its treatment of a remarkable athlete. The descriptive text is enhanced by excellent well-captioned photographs and informative fact boxes of interesting trivia, and important statistics about the superstar and his sport. It ends with a timeline, source notes, a bibliography of books and web sites, and an index. Ogintz, Susan

Sheen, Barbara Meyer, Stephenie: Twilight Saga Author

Sheen, Barbara Meyer, Stephenie: Twilight Saga Author
Kidhaven Press see Gale/Cengage 2010 48p 28.75
978-0-7377-5066-9 elm/ms E-BNe Innovators (Cengage)


An accounting of the author of the recently published Twilight Saga. Stephenie Meyer has proved to be a fresh breath to young readers. Readers will find answers to their questions between the covers of this book.
Meyer’s life before Twilight was that of an English teacher and SuperMom with two small boys. It was just oridinary in most respects. As a child she always liked to watch Saturday morning cartoons where she favored the X-men. She was always an avid storyteller. Many times she would find herself telling herself stories that she had made up for one reason or another.
Then one night she had a dream in which she dreamed of this scene where an average teenage girl was walking in a meadow with a butterscotch eyed vampire. Upon wakening she went to her computer and wrote out the story before her family awoke. Thus began the Twilight Saga.
Stephenie’s dramatic rise to successful writer will full the hearts of many new authors and give them hope. International fame earned so rapidly is certainly something that constantly awes Stephanie.

The inclusion of chronology, chapter notes, several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers. McNeil, Linda