Stefoff, Rebecca. Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, the More it Remains the Same.

Stefoff, Rebecca. Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, the More it Remains the Same.  Capstone Publishers  2018     32p  $27.32    ISBN 978-1-5157-6387-1    elem/ms   E-BNS  series: Fact Finders: Why Do We Say That?

We love this grammar book for upper-elementary and middle-school kids! It starts out by making it easy to decide which pronoun to use (me, myself, or I), by stating that if the subject of the sentence is "I", then, and only then, should "I" be used. Nicely put, and I wish that more adults could get their heads around that concept! The book goes on to discuss grammar and its evolution in the English language, which is helpful and informative. There is also a section on the use of "myself," which is very instructional and a topic not often discussed. The example sentences that the author uses are humorous, and she keeps the tone of her instruction light and fun. Organization is good, with a glossary, an index, references for further research, chapters, and appropriate illustrations.

The author touches upon rules, punctuation, Old English, modern English, grammar changes, emojis, Internet language, and the future of language. Students are also given opportunities to try writing sentences using the proper pronouns.

The author includes color photographs, interesting “Did You Know” facts, a glossary of terms, a list of recommended books, critical thinking questions, a special code to use on FactHound for more fun, and an index. The title would make a great addition to an elementary or middle school collection for teaching grammatical concepts.    

Summary: This is a good book on grammar, and specifically the use of first-person pronouns, for any age (really), but geared toward upper-elementary and middle-school readers. Well organized and fun to read, it is also very informative.

English-language Grammar  --Carol Kennedy and Charleen Forba-MacCain

Stefoff, Rebecca Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, The More It Remains the Same

Stefoff, Rebecca         Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, The More It Remains the Same         Capstone Publishers 2018   32p            27.32  978-1-5157-6387-1            elm/ms                       E-BN   

This is a good book on grammar, and specifically the use of first-person pronouns, for any age (really), but geared toward upper-elementary and middle-school readers. Well organized and fun to read, it is also very informative.   I love this grammar book for upper-elementary and middle-school kids! It starts out by making it easy to decide which pronoun to use, (me, myself, or I), by stating that if the subject of the sentence is "I", then, and only then, should "I" be used. Nicely put, and I wish that more adults could get their heads around that concept! The book goes on to discuss grammar and its evolution in the English language, which is helpful and informative. There is also a section on the use of "myself," which is very instructional and a topic not often discussed. The example sentences that the author uses are humorous, and she keeps the tone of her instruction light and fun. Organization is good, with a glossary, an index, references for further research, chapters, and appropriate illustrations.
            Fact Finders (Capstone)       Within the Fact Finders series, this is also part of a smaller series that includes books on similes and metaphors, idioms, and cliches.       Kennedy, Carol   

Vickers, Rebecca. Types of Words: Unleashing Powerful Parts of Speech.

Vickers, Rebecca.  Types of Words: Unleashing Powerful Parts of Speech.  Capstone/Heinemann  2014  56p  ISBN 978-1-4239-7657-6  ms  VG-BN  Nonfiction      

Types of Words is a handy, engaging, and gently humorous guide that tackles the important subject of word types. It looks at a variety of topics and shows how understanding types of words allows writers and speakers to improve their communications. It includes useful tips along with amusing examples and images that serve as accessories to the straightforward presentation of grammatical rules and conventions. At times an explanation of a part of speech may seem incorrect or contrary to what an accomplished writer or grammarian knows, but usually such instances are explained and made sensible in the next section, as is the case with adverbs and prepositions, which are not parts of speech one usually thinks of as overlapping or easily confused. There is an error on page thirty where the future perfect continuous tense is listed in place of the future continuous. This is not the sort of book that most young readers will want to read from cover to cover, but it is short enough that it can be done without undue strain. The book would make a fine companion to a more in-depth text on grammar, or a book from which to take short lessons. There is a section in the back that includes lists of prepositions and irregular verbs, as well as advice on using a dictionary and a thorough glossary of the concepts covered in the main body of the text. It is a readable text with the information broken down into bite-sized portions that are easily digestible and pleasantly presented. 

There are four books in the Find Your Way With Words series, each of which offers a straightforward presentation of rules and conventions along with tips, amusing examples, and images.

Summary: Types of Words is a handy, engaging, and gently humorous guide that tackles the important subject of word types. It looks at a variety of topics and shows how understanding types of words allows writers and speakers to improve their communications.  

Grammar                                                                                                        --Bethany Geleskie     

Pulver, Robin. The Case of Incapacitated Capitals.

Pulver, Robin.    The Case of Incapacitated Capitals.            Holiday House   unp  $16.95          978-0-8234-2402-3  2012             elm/ms                  VG-BN                      Grammar                                   

Mr. Wright’s students want him to have a day off, but when they write a letter to the principal, they forget to use capitalization!  Mr. Wright turns this thoughtful gesture into a grammar lesson for his caring students.

“Creative”, “colorful” and “seamless” are three descriptions that fit this book.  First, the author creatively entices children to learn capitalization rules by turning these rules into a children’s book with a story!  The lower-case and upper-case letters share their woes while the story is told in the third person.  As the plot moves forward, the children learn how to correctly use capital letters in a letter that they have written to Ms. Allcap, the principal, requesting that she give their teacher, Mr. Wright, a much-needed day off.  Secondly, the book is colorful, a feature that the illustrator has used to subtly move children forward, both literally and figuratively.  Simply stated, children will learn the rules of capitalization through the combined use of art and grammar.  Finally, the book is seamless.  It flows naturally; by the time students finish it, they have learned that capitalization is as easy as writing a letter!  The rules are woven in throughout the story, and children will not feel that they must memorize the rules of grammar. 

Three extra features at the end of the book are excellent.  In the first, the reader learns how letters got the name “lowercase” and “uppercase”.  Next, the letter is presented, and next to each capital letter the rule is restated in its shortened form.  Finally, useful rules for capitalization are enumerated, and children who did not learn the lesson from Robin Pulver’s story can learn the lesson in a more traditional way.                  --Martha Squaresky

 

Fogarty, Mignon Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

Fogarty, Mignon   Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students      

Henry Holt/Macmillan children's pub group 2011  294p  19.99 978-0-8050-8943-1       E-BN         

     From podcast sensation to most needed author, Grammar Girl covers it all from the parts of speech to writing style in a easy to read witty style. This is a one stop essential book every student should have as a resource.       The author’s witty styles effectively transfers from her podcast world to the written page. This book is divided into five basic sections: Grammar Schmammer, parts of speech, sentenced for life, punch up your punctuation, quick and dirty tips, your right to write. In addition at the rear of the book you have an appendix, glossary, bibliography, index, etc.
     What makes this book so powerful is quick and dirty tricks that helps readers remember weaknesses in grammar, punctuation, etc. Add to this the memory tricks for readers who have trouble with various areas of the English language. My favorite section was reading through the “Quick and Dirty Grammar At A Glance”. Pop quiz sections randomly scattered throughout the text force the reader to stop and focus.
     The color choices and paper for the book were a love hate experience for me. The texture of the paper was not a very high quality. A clay based paper would have made a better tactile experience. On the other hand, I found the choice of orange type and black and white line graphics very effective. Orange when used in this manner is very calming to the eye. It also presents an unusually formatted page that works to grab the reader’s eye to specific parts of the page.
     It is a well written book that should be a resource for every student.
                  Grammar     Linda McNeil

 

Loewn, Nancy. Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes.

Loewn, Nancy.      Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes.      

Picture Window Books(Capstone)   2011  unp   20.49 978-1-4048-6271-5 

all ages                E-BN

      This book explains that a simile shows us what two things have in common.

Readers will understand this figure of speech that is supported by very

descriptive watercolors.          

This text is crisply written and beautifully

illustrated with a low reading level accompanied by watercolor illustrations.

The inclusion of fill in the blanks, where to obtain more information, web sites

and a glossary make this a useful classroom/research tool.

     After the importance of an informative text, the most supportive factor of

this book is humorous appeal to young readers.  The layout of the various pages

is diversified and well balanced between text and full color illustrations so

that similes are grouped together.  The flow and balance of both the text and

visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and

reluctant readers.

     The author and illustrator have created a powerful book for classroom

teachers to use with the figure of speech lessons. And for those who might pick

it up in a library, they are in for a treat.          McNeil, Linda