Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.

Adler, David A.   Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.  Holiday House  2014  138p  $18.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-2950-9    ms/hs   Biography  VG    

Adler has created a portrait of the man who grew from a sickly child into a passionate conservationist, skilled outdoorsman, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning mediator, as well as one of America's most colorful presidents. The book covers Roosevelt's early life as well as his many adventures before and after his election as president of the United States.  For middle- and high-school readers, this will be a useful resource; the text can be dry in places, but it is generally clear and easy to read.  The history of Roosevelt's parents may seem somewhat extraneous, but the details prove interesting and certainly relevant to the portrait of the man he grew up to be.  The photographs and political cartoons included with the text add depth, and the work is thoroughly cited, should someone want to seek out the author’s sources, perhaps for a report.  This is a very well-written, information-filled book, but given the subject matter, it could have been written in a significantly more engaging manner.  

Summary: A portrait of the man who grew from a sickly child into a passionate conservationist, skilled outdoorsman, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning mediator, as well as one of America's most colorful presidents.

Theodore Roosevelt, Politics                    -- Bethany Geleskie

Bad Kitty for President

Bruel, Nick       Bad Kitty for President 

 Macmillan Books/ Roaring Brook Press      2012  142p  $13.99      978-1-59643-669-5    VG       elem        Animal stories

When Old Cat resigns as president of the Neighborhood Cat Club, Bad Kitty decides he would be a good replacement and runs on the platform of getting rid of stray cats in the neighborhood.  Bad Kitty hires a campaign manager, learns about garnering election money, enters debates, earns a party endorsement, and sets out on the campaign trail.  With the 2012 presidential election coming up in November, this is a perfect book to introduce young readers to the election process.  There is a nonfiction feel to the book that is heavy on facts and only uses Bad Kitty as a vehicle to explain the election process.  The mudslinging ads by rival candidates, the reason money is contributed to nominees, and the arduous process leading up to voting day is told by Kitty, his adversaries, and Uncle Murray.  Edna Prunelove is on hand in the appendix to explain election terms denoted with an asterisk in the text.  Children may miss some of the barbs embedded in the text, but adults will chuckle, especially at Edna’s definitions of words like "debate" and "delegates" and the split in values between the left and right sides of the street cats.  Uncle Murray and Edna provide many interesting facts about the election process, including the fact that North Dakota does not require people to register to vote and the origin of the word "ballot".  This is the perfect reading experience for children grades 1-5 to understand the upcoming political election.         

VG    Lois McNicol      Elections, Electoral politics

 

Asselin, Kristine Carlson. The Real Story about Government and Politics in Colonial America.

Capstone Publishers, 2012.    30p   $19.99  ISBN 978-1-42966-139-3  elm/ms    VG-BNes          

     This book is an introduction to the government and politics of colonial America that explains how laws were created and enforced, who ran the government, what Native American laws were like, and more.  Upper elementary students will gain a better understanding of how government and politics were handled by the thirteen colonies from 1607 to 1776. 

     During this time, the colonies based their governments on the system in Great Britain.  Before the colonists arrived in America, American Indian tribes ruled the land and established their own forms of government.  The Iroquois Confederacy and the Powhatan Confederacy are described in detail.  When more colonists arrived, the American Indians were pushed out of their lands and moved westward. 

     The colonies were created by men seeking charters from Great Britain’s king, and each colony set up its formal system of government while Parliament gave them permission to create laws and taxes.  Each colony was appointed a governor and then selected twelve men to serve on the governor's council.  Citizens were elected to the colony's assembly.  The governor appointed the sheriff, coroner, judges, and constables.  In the section on crime and punishment, students learn that criminals were branded on their right hands.  Serious crimes were punished by hanging, and the famous Salem witch trials are described. 

     Four wars were fought in America between 1689 and 1763, and their cost forced Great Britain to tax the colonies.  As a result of these taxes, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, but it was later revoked by the Townsend Act.  The colonists did not like being taxed, and in Boston forty-five tons of tea were destroyed in the Boston Tea Party.
     The book includes reprints of color portraits, “Fast Fact” boxes, glossary terms interspersed through the chapters, an additional glossary at the back, recommended books and Internet sites, and an index.  Students are also given a code to use on FactHound to gain additional information.  Each title in the Life in American Colonies series includes primary sources, maps, and fun-to-read, fact-filled texts that provide the answers to what life was really like in the American colonies. At the time of this review six titles have been published. 
Subject: United States -- Politics and government.
Charleen Forba-Mayer

 

Political Profiles: Sarah Palin.

Petrillo, Lisa. bio
Morgan Reynolds 2009 112p 28.95
Political Profiles 978-159935133-9 jr/sr VG-BN
This is a biography of Sarah Palin, a relative unknown, who was chosen as the first female Republican vice-presidential candidate, and only the second woman in U.S. history to appear on a major party ticket. Few juvenile biographies on Sarah Palin have been produced, so this title may fill a gap in many library collections. Author Lisa Petrillo attempts to report Sarah Palin’s life story in a non-partisan way, although the text leans (slightly) towards judgmental. The text is crisp, interesting and straightforward. Controversial issues (for example: Palin’s attempt to censor “Daddy’s Roommate,” Creationist beliefs, and rigid views regarding abortion) are addressed.
Students will find Palin’s unconventional frontier upbringing interesting. Palin’s determination to succeed is balanced with descriptions of how she overcame failures to succeed. This is a recurring theme.
Vivid photographs liberally highlight the text and chronicle Palin’s childhood, adolescence, and political career. Panoramic pictures of Alaskan landscapes and towns bring locations to life. Two double-page photos should be noted, however. On pages 18-19, students may be distressed by the photo of a young Sarah Palin scratching her nose and holding up a bloody, dead bird, at a table of dead ptarmigan with her siblings. Also, on pages 88-89, the “L” in “PALIN” disappears into the gutter of the book, so her campaign supporters appear to be holding up the word “PAIN.”
In addition to an adequate index, the book includes sources, bibliography, several websites, and photo credits. Welliver, Hilary

Political Profiles: John Lewis.

Sapet, Kerrily. Political Profiles: John Lewis.
Morgan Reynolds 2009 128p 28.95
Political Profiles (Morgan R)#8
978-1-59935-130-8 ms/hs VG-BN
Although not a name in the mainstream political arena, John Lewis is a formidable choice for a series which includes Barack Obama and John McCain. Lewis’s life, struggles, devotion to a cause and accomplishments in Congress are highlighted. John Lewis’s name is not well-known. However, his role in history is undeniable. He will be remembered as a man who fought for a cause, and he will be remembered as a Congressman who lived to see the fruits of his battles for basic human rights. The seven chapters of this book show him as the child of a poor background who did not accept his place in the South. Instead, after viewing, firsthand, the integration of the North, he never relented in his fight to achieve equality for all African Americans. Doors opened for him because he deemed it so. Lewis was a Freedom Rider, he helped to form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating committee, he appeared with Martin Luther King at various protests and he was a leading civil rights organizer. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, he took on the state of Alabama, a seemingly insurmountable objective. His fearlessness in the face of adversity led him to many more successes in life. Today, as a Congressman, he has advocated for changes in education, health, and the environment, to name a few. The full-page portrait of John Lewis is the title page to each new chapter, and his is the face of determination and pride. Additional photographs portray a period of American history that is not a proud period, and Kerrily Sapet’s biographical information is thorough and well-researched. She ends with a timeline, a bibliography, a list of sources to consult and an index. Squaresky, Martha

Joe Biden

Young, Jeff C. Joe Biden

Morgan Reynolds 2010 112p 28.95 Political Profiles

978-159935131-5 ms/hs E-BNS

Beginning with a discussion of Joe Biden’s family history, this biography continues with an in-depth look at his life. Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born onto a middle class family in Scranton, PA and moved to Wilmington, DE when he was a child. First elected to the Senate from Delaware in 1972, he shortly faced tragedy when his wife and daughter were killed and his sons injured in a traffic accident. Convinced to continue his Congressional career, he sponsored many bills designed to protect ordinary citizens and was dedicated to furthering the common good. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in both 1988 and 2008. Upon the nomination and election of Barack Obama in 2008, he became the vice president.
This is a very well written and insightful book and a succinct and lucid treatment of the subject. It is remarkably nonjudgmental and non-sensationalized and is objective in its treatment of a remarkable man. It carefully discusses both the positive and negative aspects of Biden’s life. The descriptive text is enhanced by excellent well-captioned photographs and ends with a timeline, source notes, a bibliography of books and web sites, and an index. Ogintz, Susan

Rise & Fall of Senator Joe McCarthy.

Giblin, James Cross. Rise & Fall of Senator Joe McCarthy.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 294p 22.00
978-0-618-61058-7 ms/hs
With the backdrop of the social history of the 1950s, Giblin identifies how McCarthy was able to rise to power and then shows how the structure of the government helped bring him back down. Historic black and white illustrations highlight the text in the appropriate places. This is an excellent resource for middle and high school libraries because “those who don’t learn from the history are condemned to repeat it.”
Using the backdrop of the social history of the 1950’s, Giblin well written book identifies how Senator McCarthy was able to rise to power and become a bully to politicians, educators, entertainers, and other citizens. Giblin then shows how the checks and balances built into the U.S. government system helped bring him down. Giblin explores McCarthy’s background and his character is dealt with in an even handed manner even though the reader will see that McCarthy was power hungry and mean spirited and that he ruined many lives of honorable people. In a final chapter, entitled “After McCarthy’s Death...”, the author writes about what happened to some of the main characters in McCarthy’s life. The two best parts of the book are the bibliography and source notes section at the end of the book. In this section he talks in depth about the books he read to prepare to write this title and then goes chapter by chapter and notes where he got the information for the chapter. Historic black and white illustrations highlight the text in the appropriate places. This title is a very interesting read and is also a first rate resource for research. It would be an excellent selection for middle and high school libraries because “those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” . Recommended for Tristate Books of Note. Weinraub, Tina

Kaye, Marilyn. Demon Chick.

Kaye, Marilyn. Demon Chick.
Henry Holt 2009 215p 16.99 978-0-8050-8880-9 hs

A daughter is sold to the devil before she is born so that the mother can have political power. Jessica reaches her 16th birthday without really ever knowing her mother because she spent her life in boarding schools. Then just when she is lead to believe she will have time with her mother, she is taken to Hell to live before she even knew what life really was all about. Jessica Hunsucker considered herself a mousy kind of girl who knew how to fade into the background. With her dull brown hair, the braces on her teeth and her thick glasses, there would never be a glamour life for Jessica. Then she gets a call that she must be ready to go home. This from a mother who has never had time for her. Jessica barely knows who her mother is and has only had a few words with her in her whole life. Could it be possible that her mother has finally decided to spend time with her? Her mother assistant meets Jessica at the door and whisks her away to get a new look. This is a surprise to Jessica as she learns that she can change her hair color, gets contacts and her braces are taken off. She should have suspected something when the braces came off before they should have. The new Jessica was glamourous and beautiful! She look like everything she always wanted to be but she had yet to meet her mother. That night Jessica waited and waited for her mother but she was once more disappointed and was sent to bed with the promise that she would see her mother in the morning and her mother would see the new Jessica then. Morning never came because Jessica was taken that night to Hell. It was then that she discovered the truth about her new look and her mother’s evil intention. Her mother had already sold Jessica at birth and it was time for the devil to collect and in return her mother would get the political power she wanted but she has evil plans for the destruction of the world. When Jessica discovers the truth about her mother’s evil plan, Jessica must escape Hell and return to earth to set things right but can she do it in time to save the people of the world? An exciting, humorous supernatural love story with a satisfying ending. Diaz, Magna

Road to Revolution (Cartoon Chronicles of America )

Mack, Stan & Susan Champlin
Road to Revolution (Cartoon Chronicles of America )
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 122p 10.99 978-1-59990-371-2 all ages
This graphic novel is packed with action, humor, and the dramatic events of the American Revolution. Since the colonists wanted the British out of Boston, Nick and Penny try to help the cause. Nick (an orphan) and Penny (a daughter of a tavern owner) both lived in Boston. The political climate was tense. Although Nick and Penny come from completely different backgrounds, they have an idea of how to help getting the British out of Boston. It is a great read for young readers in which they will get a good combination of fact and fiction written in a very readable format that will entice even the most reluctant reader. However, they both need to gain the trust of someone in the inner circle of the revolution. Their campaign to oust the British begin when Nick accidentally bumps a British person who in turn knocks Penny to the ground and dirties her shirt. Dislike is instantaneous for both of them until they realize that they are on the same side of the situation. Their escapades will delight the readers as well as imparting historical information. In the epilogue the authors delineate what is fact and what is fiction for the readers. McNeil, Linda

Abraham Lincoln. by Karen Judson

Judson, Karen. Abraham Lincoln.
Enslow, 2008, 128p, $31.93, 978-0-7660-3170-8.

This biography of Abraham Lincoln is expertly crafted for middle school students. It includes his childhood, entry into politics, Presidency, assassination and the legacy of his life. The coverage is amazingly complete and yet written in a simple easy to read style. An example of the depth is the description of John Wilkes Booth’s plot to kill not only the President but also the Vice-president and Secretary of State. The names of the conspirators and their roles are given. The pages are attractive with colorful illustrations, and color highlighted text blocks.
Included are a chronology, chapter notes, glossary, index, and both web, and print resources for further research. The series currently includes four titles - Claire Barton, Edgar Allan Poe, and Matthew Brady besides Abraham Lincoln. JT

Judson, Lincoln, Politics, assassinations booth, Presidency, Enslow

Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji

Nanji, Shenaaz. Child of Dandelions.
Front Street Books (see Boyd's Mill Press), 2008, $17.95, 214p, 978-1932425932
Multicultural fiction
Sabine was born in Uganda, all she has even known is Uganda. She is Ugandan not like some of the other Indians who are British. Her father assures her there will be no trouble for them.
Her friend Zena is African from Uganda and they have been the best of friends all. Their short lives and they share everything. Now their friendships is being tested by the actions of a country gone mad.

As the country faces a count down for all Indians to leave the country of Uganda, Sabine’s family feels fairly secure they are safe, then a beloved uncle disappears and her father must run for his life in a night of terror. Sabine’s world comes slowly to a stand still as Zena turns her back on Sabine and her places herself in danger mother trying to save her father. It is at this point that Sabine must find strength to recognize that she is a refugee in her own country and must move forward into an uncertain future in an unknown country if she hopes to survive.

An incredible story of a world turned upside down by politics, racism, and intolerance. Once you start on this journey, you will not be able to put the book down until the end. Excellent storytelling.

A tale that will take you into the world of Africans and Indians living precariously in a hostile land to both natives and visitors. MD