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

Adler, David, and Michael S. Adler. A Picture Book of Daniel Boone.

Adler, David, and Michael S. Adler.  A Picture Book of Daniel Boone.  Holiday House  2013  unp  ISBN 978-0-8234-2748-2  elem  E-BNe  Biography

Using a simple narrative approach, David Adler and his son Michael Adler present the life of Daniel Boone, an American pioneer whose exploits were being told even before his death in 1820.  Rather than over-dramatize an already adventurous life, the authors clearly lay out facts and permit readers to draw their own conclusions. The brevity of the text keeps the information focused on the action of Boone’s restless spirit, which spurred him ever-westward.  However, since the text is abbreviated, it also glosses over the encroachment of settlers on native lands and the hostile relationship between the two groups.  The timeline, source notes for quotations, and the authors’ note at the end are helpful additions. 

Of special note are the illustrations by Matt Collins.  The richly colorful digital artwork in double-page spreads is certain to engage readers and enhance the reading experience for young people. The artwork clearly depicts the lushness of the West’s unexplored lands. This is an appealing addition to elementary-school and public-library collections.        

Summary: Provides a brief summary of the life of American pioneer Daniel Boone.

Daniel Boone                                                --Hillary Welliver     

Adler, David A. Things That Float and Things That Don’t.

Adler, David A.   Things That Float and Things That Don’t.  Holiday House  2013  unp      ISBN 978-0-8234-2862-5    elem (Grades 1-4)      Hardback    E-BN  Science

With illustrations by Anna Raff showing children engaging in scientific experiments while wearing smiles, along with visually descriptive charts and weights, this book will engage the young scientist as well as those who ponder why some things float and others don’t.  Terms such as “cubic foot”, “density”, “displace” and “dissolve” are highlighted in the text with definitions embedded within sentences. Explanations are clear and concise, with real-life examples and safe science experiments that can be completed by children with minimal adult help.  This book presents a fantastic way to introduce readers to the theories of hydrostatics and buoyancy, regardless of the age of the reader.  It is strongly recommended for all elementary school library collections or as a gift for budding scientists.     

Summary: Easily comprehensible description and explanation of buoyancy, density, hydrostatics and displacement. Using readily available household items, young people can see and experience for themselves why some things float and other do not.                                                              --Lois McNicol

Adler, David. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

Adler, David.  Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.  Holiday House 2013 140p      $18.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-2365-1      ms/hs             E-BN 

Harriet Tubman was a girl who was born a slave with a fighting spirit for freedom.  She believed in freedom and was willing to go the extra mile to make sure she could help as many runaway slaves as possible, through the Underground Railroad.  Her birth name was Araminta, but it was shortened to Minty.  Harriet’s stubbornness and determination may have saved her life on many occasions.  Once she was able to run away to freedom she turned back and became a freedom fighter herself, leading many runaway slaves through the Underground Railroad to their own freedom.

She was a woman who showed no fear in the face of adversity, and who was willing to sacrifice what she had, to help free her family and others from slavery.

The isn’t just a biography of Harriet Tubman -- it is also a chronicle of the Civil War years in the United States and the bravery of those who were willing to give their lives for what they believed.  Some of the pictures are quite disturbingly graphic, but they show the true nature of slave life during that time in American history.

There are plenty of pictures, fact boxes, maps, a timeline, an author’s note and an index.           

Tubman, Harriet,1820-1913-Biography, African American Women      --Magna Diaz

A Picture Book of Sam Houston

Adler, David A. and Michelle S. Adler     A Picture Book of Sam Houston 

Holiday House      2012  unp   $17.95     978-0-8234-2369-9   VG-BNes    elem  Picture Book Biographies (Holiday) 

Elementary students are introduced to the life and times of Sam Houston, "a teacher, a lawyer, a war hero, and a statesman … best known for defeating the Mexican Army in 1836 and establishing Texas as an independent nation".  Students gain some knowledge of Sam’s upbringing and family life in Tennessee, along with his time living among the Cherokee Indians.  Sam’s early career as an educator to his life as a soldier, attorney general, governor, United States senator, and president of the Republic of Texas are all covered.  Students discover how Texas gained its independence from Mexico, along with the battles that were fought, and how Texas became the 28th state of the United States of America.  The author describes the Alamo, the British War of 1812, and the victory at San Jacinto.  Houston’s three marriages are discussed, especially his marriage to Margaret Lea, which produced eight children. 

The beautiful illustrations, created in Corel Painter, show students what things looked like in Houston's day.  The book includes important dates, source notes, a selected bibliography, and recommended websites, and it can be used for casual reading or beginning-level research.  Schools that participate in Accelerated Reader will be able to use quiz #149742 for students.  At the time of this review, 32 books have been published in this series featuring important figures in United States history. 

                Charleen Forba-Mayer  Houston, Sam, 1793-1863.
 

Perimeter, Area, and Volume: A Monster Book of Dimensions

Adler, David A.   Perimeter, Area, and Volume: A Monster Book of Dimensions   Holiday House     2012  unp   $16.95      978-0-8234-2290-6    VG       elem

"Monsters guide readers through the use of various math skills in a movie theater, demonstrating how to calculate the perimeter of the set, the area of the movie screen, and the volume of a popcorn box."  Geared toward upper-elementary students, this book teaches them how to measure perimeter, area, and volume using monster examples.  Students gain a better understanding of each term, along with synonyms.  The author presents readers with one-, two-, and three-dimensional objects and ways to solve mathematical problems involving perimeter, circumference, volume, and area.  Each monster example includes color illustrations and calculations for students to try and/or check their own work.  Students who are interested in mathematics will appreciate this new title, and so will math teachers who need to deliver the concepts in a new way.

The book includes colorful illustrations, helpful math examples, bold keywords for students to focus on, and an easy-to-read text.  Schools that participate in Accelerated Reader will be able to use the existing quiz #149749. “This book is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for third-grade, fourth-grade, and fifth-grade mathematics in measurement and data: (3.MD. 5-8), (4.MD. 2-3), and (5.MD. 3-5).”          

VG    Charleen Forba-Mayer    Weights and measures

 

Adler, David. A Little At A Time

Adler, David A Little At A Time
Holiday House 2010 unp 16.95
978-0-8234-1739-1 elem Questions and answers -- Fiction. VG-BNe


“While enjoying a morning together, a little boy asks his grandfather a series of questions about how things got to be the way they are, such as tall trees, deep holes, and big dinosaurs in the museum they visit, but Grandpa's answer is always the same.” In this title, elementary students are presented with a Grandpa and his young grandson. As the two spend time together, they travel through the city and see trees, construction sites, tall buildings, litter on streets, smoke in the air, dinosaurs at a museum, and other places. The young grandson is very inquisitive and asks Grandpa a lot of questions. Grandpa takes his time and calmly answers each question with an explanation then follows it up with “a little at a time.” After hearing Grandpa’s responses, the young grandson begins to know how he is going to respond.

Beautifully illustrated with oil paintings, readers will see the characters in real form. Young readers will be able read the text since it is written in an easy-to-read fashion and grandpa’s responses are simply explained and repetitive. Readers will be able to relate their experiences with grandparents with the Grandpa and his grandson in this story. Realistic Fiction Forba-Mayer, Charleen

Adler, David and Michael Adler. A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez

Adler, David and Michael Adler A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez
Holiday House 2010 unp 17.95 978-0-8234-2202-9 elem
Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993 VG-BNe


An illustrated exploration of the life of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
In this title, elementary students will gain a better understanding of who Cesar Chavez was and what earned him fame and recognition. Beautifully illustrated with colorful pictures, students will be drawn into the story of this brave man. Written in an easy-to-read fashion, elementary students will learn of Cesar╒s upbringing as a child through his last days on this earth in 1993. While Chavez and his family struggled to make ends meet as produce pickers, his father taught him that their dignity was more important than money, leading to the family's homelessness for some time. Cesar╒s strong values and beliefs helped him have the courage to fight for better working conditions and fair wages for farmworkers. Through his work, Chavez organized marches and church meetings and activated sit-ins and hunger strikes. Even though Cesar was jailed for some of his actions, he knew that his work and dedication was his lifelong mission for farmworkers.

Includes beautiful color pictures, a list of important dates, source notes, recommended websites, and an author╒s note. Forba-Mayer, Charleen

Adler, David Frederck Douglas, A Nobel Life

Adler, David Frederck Douglas, A Nobel Life
Holiday House 2010 138p 18.95
978-0-8234-2056-8 elm/ms E-BN
Frederick Douglass wore many hats: slave, free man, lecturer, writer, diplomat, husband, father and grandfather. He rose above his “station” of uneducated slave to become one of America’s most noted fighters of injustice. Adler presents a thorough biography of his life and accomplishments.
The legacy that Frederick Douglass left mankind is chronicled extraordinarily well by David Adler in this biography. Three components combine to make this book impossible to put down: quotations, anecdotes and organization of the data and photographs. Long before Martin Luther King made his “I have a dream” speech, Douglass said, “I do not despair of this country. The doom of slavery is certain. I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope.” (61). Was it fate or his own life philosophy that kept Douglass from joining John Brown at Harpers Ferry where surely he would have met his death? It is up to the reader to decide since Adler does not offer an answer to this question. (79) The anecdote of Douglass’s meeting with Miss Amanda, the daughter of Douglass’s former owner, is only one of many in this book in which Douglass shows his poise, sense of forgiveness and life purpose, that of ensuring equality for black Americans. Amanda and Douglass met as equals just as they had been as children. The text is divided into 15 chapters, from his birth through his years as a slave, and finally, through his years as a free man who never wavered in his commitment. Adler has given us many portraits of this man to ponder. Was it his stature or eloquence that made him so respected? Was it his intelligence or his commitment to his cause that made him such an amazing advocate of the cause of freedom? Whichever the reader chooses, he/she will be in for a treat with every turn of the page. The book ends with a timeline, an extensive section of notes and bibliographical listings and an index.
Please note the unfortunate error on p. 81. “soon lto be”....should be “soon to be”. This book needs to be in the biography section of a public library, a high school library and a middle school library. Literacy teachers will want to include this book in a unit of famous African Americans as well. Squaresky, Martha

Honest Abe Lincoln.

Adler, David. Honest Abe Lincoln.
Holiday House 2009 32p 15.95 978-0-8234-2057-5 elem
This biography shows us how to interest young readers in learning about Abe Lincoln by combining interesting stories about Lincoln's honesty and sense of humor with information about his life and career as a politician. David Adler did his homework to find interesting stories about Abe Lincoln. Children will undoubtedly enjoy the anecdotes that he found in sources such as "Abe Lincoln's Yarns and Stories." In addition to learning some biographical data about Lincoln, we also learn why he grew a beard, how he saved a pig from mud and how he walked miles to deliver mail to his neighbors. He garnered the title "Honest Abe" throughout his early years due to his unflinching desire to "make things right" such as in the example of how his cash register was wrong at the end of a hard day's work yet Lincoln walked 3 miles to return an overcharge. In another charming story, we learn that Lincoln used his top hat to store the mail. Upon arriving at the recipient's house, Lincoln popped off his hat and handed out the letters! Lincoln wasn't just another honest man. He was a storyteller as well, and Adler shared a stellar example in the chapter entitled, "A Talent for Hunting," in which he tells us about Jake, a local hunter who shot many birds at a time by pretending to be a turnip in the field. Adler combines stories like these with historical references to Lincoln's career showing us how to entice young readers to read nonfiction. The illustrations are lifelike and fun, especially the one with the pig wallowing in mud, yet serious and real, as in the illustration of the assassination at Ford Theater.
The book ends with a list of important dates, Adler's sources, and notes. The reading level is 2.7, but people of all ages will enjoy sharing the information in this book with others. MS

It's Time to Sleep, it's Time to Dream.

Adler, David It's Time to Sleep, it's Time to Dream.
Holiday House 2009 32p 16.95 978-0-8234-1924-1 elem

"A parent lulls a child to sleep with visions of soft spring breezes, lazy summer days, cool autumn winds, and moonlit winter nights." Written for elementary students and their parents, this easy fiction title on bedtime will be a hit with parents who use it to comfort their child for bedtime. Adler uses basic language and repetitive text to describe each of the four seasons and to comfort the child. Almost each double-page spread begins with "it's time to sleep; it's time to dream." The child and his stuffed rabbit are seen exploring various seasonal changes including leaves and snow falling, beach adventures, picking spring flowers, and being surrounded by wonderful animals, including nighthawks, chipmunks, turtles, toads, black bears, and various birds.

The illustrator, Kay Chorao, uses silhouettes on each double-page spread that shows the family preparing for bedtime. Beautifully illustrated with colored pencil and watercolor, these soothing pictures will put any child to sleep or be able to assist a family undergo the sometimes difficult task of putting a child to bed. Simple text and great illustrations will make this title very appealing to young readers. C. Forba-Mayer