Stille, Darlene R. Invisible Exposure: Science of Ultraviolet Rays
Compass Point Books/Capstone 2010 48p 27.99
978-0-7565-4215-3 ms VG
Headline Science (Capstone)
This title examines the issue of UV rays as the author discusses both the problems that they cause as well as their current usefulness for medicine and science. Stille details the harm UV rays do to human skin and eyes and cautions the reader to use sun block and sun glasses. There is also a section about tanning beds that have become very popular with young adults yet can trigger cancer problems. Stille also discusses the flip side of UV rays and how they have been helpful in treating diseases, developing green science, and furthering the science of astronomy. Many clear, color photographs highlight the text along with side bars and charts. They are all placed appropriately within the text and are helpful to the understanding of the issue. Some of the photographs are what some young readers would call “gross” because they are unflinching pictures of what UV rays could do to skin. The format for this title includes a brief timeline that starts in 1704 and goes up to 2009. In addition, there is a glossary and a list of other informative books. As for the Internet, this book points to facthound.com, a safe but limited source that might appeal to the younger readers for whom this book is intended. Source notes and an index round out this book. Although this is written at around the 6th grade level, it could be useful as a high interest title for upper grades. It could be compared to a decent article on the internet in terms of information.
Although this book is written at around the 6th grade level, it could be useful as a high interest title for upper grades. It could be compared to a decent article on the internet in terms of information. Weinraub, Tina
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Crane, Dede. Poster Boy.
Crane, Dede. Poster Boy.
Groundwood see Douglas McIntyre 2009 214p 17.95 978-0-88899-855-2 hs Gray hangs out with his friends, thinks about losing his virginity, and finds his younger sister irritating. Then he learns that she is in the last stage of cancer, and everything in his life changes -- the family dynamic, his interests, his friendships. Gray learns about causes of cancer, and he becomes interested in the environment as a result. The story pulls the reader in, as we see Gray develop as a character and a young adult. Caution--Gray and his friends regularly get high, think about losing their virginity, and use swear words. The language is crude at times, reflecting how young people actually talk. There were a few surprising typos. An example on page 210 “lifting two eggs from its grassy nest (its” instead of “their”). The strongest element of the story is the characters and how they cope with stress, and change. This is a good realistic novel that is clearly aimed at pulling in reluctant male readers. Kennedy, Carol
Groundwood see Douglas McIntyre 2009 214p 17.95 978-0-88899-855-2 hs Gray hangs out with his friends, thinks about losing his virginity, and finds his younger sister irritating. Then he learns that she is in the last stage of cancer, and everything in his life changes -- the family dynamic, his interests, his friendships. Gray learns about causes of cancer, and he becomes interested in the environment as a result. The story pulls the reader in, as we see Gray develop as a character and a young adult. Caution--Gray and his friends regularly get high, think about losing their virginity, and use swear words. The language is crude at times, reflecting how young people actually talk. There were a few surprising typos. An example on page 210 “lifting two eggs from its grassy nest (its” instead of “their”). The strongest element of the story is the characters and how they cope with stress, and change. This is a good realistic novel that is clearly aimed at pulling in reluctant male readers. Kennedy, Carol
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Chenoweth, Emily Hello Goodbye.
Chenoweth, Emily Hello Goodbye.
Random House/Knopf/Anchor/Three Rivers 2009 272p 25.00 978-1-4000-6517-2 hs/adult
Vacationing at an exclusive New Hampshire resort gives friends and family an opportunity to say their goodbyes to Helen, who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. A beautifully written and compelling novel of love and loss, the story begins with Helen collapsing in the kitchen after her morning run. Only her husband, Elliott, has been told by the doctors that she only has nine months to live. Keeping the secret from her and teenage Abby, Elliott plans a vacation at an exclusive resort to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. While the story revolves around Helen, with third person narratives, Elliot and Abby, as well as their friends, deal with her decline.
Elliott is beautifully portrayed as the solicitous husband, who drinks to deal with his impending grief. Abby grows from a self-absorbed teen to grieving but competent young woman. The story glows with love and loss, and all the characters are believably portrayed.
A mild sexual encounter, drug and alcohol use make this a novel for older teens, and the subject matter seems more appropriate for adult readers. PN
Random House/Knopf/Anchor/Three Rivers 2009 272p 25.00 978-1-4000-6517-2 hs/adult
Vacationing at an exclusive New Hampshire resort gives friends and family an opportunity to say their goodbyes to Helen, who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. A beautifully written and compelling novel of love and loss, the story begins with Helen collapsing in the kitchen after her morning run. Only her husband, Elliott, has been told by the doctors that she only has nine months to live. Keeping the secret from her and teenage Abby, Elliott plans a vacation at an exclusive resort to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. While the story revolves around Helen, with third person narratives, Elliot and Abby, as well as their friends, deal with her decline.
Elliott is beautifully portrayed as the solicitous husband, who drinks to deal with his impending grief. Abby grows from a self-absorbed teen to grieving but competent young woman. The story glows with love and loss, and all the characters are believably portrayed.
A mild sexual encounter, drug and alcohol use make this a novel for older teens, and the subject matter seems more appropriate for adult readers. PN
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hello Goodbye.
Chenoweth, Emily. Hello Goodbye.
Random House/Knopf/Anchor/Three Rivers 2009 272p 25.00
978-1-4000-6517-2 hs/adult
Vacationing at an exclusive New Hampshire resort gives friends and family an opportunity to say their goodbyes to Helen, who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.
A beautifully written and compelling novel of love and loss, the story begins with Helen collapsing in the kitchen after her morning run. Only her husband, Elliott, has been told by the doctors that she has only nine months to live. Keeping the secret from her and teenage Abby, Elliott plans a vacation at an exclusive resort to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. While the story revolves around Helen, with third person narratives, Elliot and Abby, as well as their friends, deal with her decline.
Elliott is beautifully portrayed as the solicitous husband, who drinks to deal with his impending grief. Abby grows from a self-absorbed teen to grieving but competent young woman. The story glows with love and loss, and all the characters are believably portrayed.
A mild sexual encounter, drug, and alcohol use make this a novel for older teens, and the subject matter seems more appropriate for adult readers. PN
Random House/Knopf/Anchor/Three Rivers 2009 272p 25.00
978-1-4000-6517-2 hs/adult
Vacationing at an exclusive New Hampshire resort gives friends and family an opportunity to say their goodbyes to Helen, who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.
A beautifully written and compelling novel of love and loss, the story begins with Helen collapsing in the kitchen after her morning run. Only her husband, Elliott, has been told by the doctors that she has only nine months to live. Keeping the secret from her and teenage Abby, Elliott plans a vacation at an exclusive resort to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. While the story revolves around Helen, with third person narratives, Elliot and Abby, as well as their friends, deal with her decline.
Elliott is beautifully portrayed as the solicitous husband, who drinks to deal with his impending grief. Abby grows from a self-absorbed teen to grieving but competent young woman. The story glows with love and loss, and all the characters are believably portrayed.
A mild sexual encounter, drug, and alcohol use make this a novel for older teens, and the subject matter seems more appropriate for adult readers. PN
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Lucky Place
Vincent, Zu. Lucky Place, The.
Front Street Books (see Boyds Mills), 2008, 230p, $17.95, 978-1-932425-70-3.
Front_Street_Books, Vincent, alcoholism, cancer, families, life_struggles, coping
Cassie grows up in 60’s suburbia torn between her two fathers. Sykes, the “Old Daddy” is an alcoholic gambler who once left her at the racetrack because he was too drunk to remember. Ellis, the “New Daddy” loves and raises her from the age of three after her mother divorces Sykes. Cassie loves Ellis as a father but feels guilty about it. Sykes rarely contacts Cassie and her brother and offers no support, eventually leaving their lives forever. Cassie tells the story from age three to age 12 and the author is able to show this maturing process in the writing. Cassie is the type of child that feels responsible for making everything okay, keeping her own thoughts inside. When Ellis becomes ill from cancer, Cassie takes on the burdens of her mother and the rest of the family. The story will grab readers from the start and compel them to read to the very end. The characters are real, if not always endearing and the story line is smooth and captivating. This is an emotional title that is at times quite heart wrenching. The chapters are short vignettes of Cassie's life and thoughts. The book contains mild curse words. This book will appeal to mature middle school and to high school readers, especially girls. Recommended for Tristate Books of Note.
Cassie grows up in 60’s suburbia torn between her two fathers: the one who loved her but was unable to be her father and the one who nurtured and loved her throughout her childhood. The writing is stark and engaging and the characters are real. For mature middle school and high school readers. TW
Front Street Books (see Boyds Mills), 2008, 230p, $17.95, 978-1-932425-70-3.
Front_Street_Books, Vincent, alcoholism, cancer, families, life_struggles, coping
Cassie grows up in 60’s suburbia torn between her two fathers. Sykes, the “Old Daddy” is an alcoholic gambler who once left her at the racetrack because he was too drunk to remember. Ellis, the “New Daddy” loves and raises her from the age of three after her mother divorces Sykes. Cassie loves Ellis as a father but feels guilty about it. Sykes rarely contacts Cassie and her brother and offers no support, eventually leaving their lives forever. Cassie tells the story from age three to age 12 and the author is able to show this maturing process in the writing. Cassie is the type of child that feels responsible for making everything okay, keeping her own thoughts inside. When Ellis becomes ill from cancer, Cassie takes on the burdens of her mother and the rest of the family. The story will grab readers from the start and compel them to read to the very end. The characters are real, if not always endearing and the story line is smooth and captivating. This is an emotional title that is at times quite heart wrenching. The chapters are short vignettes of Cassie's life and thoughts. The book contains mild curse words. This book will appeal to mature middle school and to high school readers, especially girls. Recommended for Tristate Books of Note.
Cassie grows up in 60’s suburbia torn between her two fathers: the one who loved her but was unable to be her father and the one who nurtured and loved her throughout her childhood. The writing is stark and engaging and the characters are real. For mature middle school and high school readers. TW
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