Bailey, Diane. Ghosts In America.

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Bailey, Diane.  Ghosts In America.  Rosen Publishing Group  48p  $29.25                   978-1-4488-5527-8  2012  elm/ms  VG-BNS  series: America's Supernatural Secrets

Several intriguing ghost stories, accompanied by factual and scientific information, make up the core of this appealing book about American ghosts.  Up-to-date information is also presented about current phenomena and ghost-hunting activities.            While this thin volume does not include everything a young reader will want to know about ghosts in America, it presents intriguing stories, as well as the “science” behind current phenomena and ghost-hunting activities.  All this is done in a manner that will attract even the most reluctant reader. 

The layout is attractive, and, for the most part, sufficiently spooky to lead the reader on.  The only detraction is that a number of brightly-colored insets, with totally unrelated shorter stories, appear in the middle of the text of a longer story, interrupting the flow of the story.  This may also create confusion for some readers. 

Supplemental materials include a glossary, sources of further information, both print and electronic, a list of agencies, a good bibliography and a comprehensive index.  All in all, this volume will whet the appetite for well-researched ghost stories and encourage young readers to explore further.  It would be a good addition for elementary and middle-school collections.

Ghosts, Folklore, Spooky stories                                                                                                                                                       --Pat Naismith

 

Manning, Matthew/ Ricardo Osnaya. Ali Baba and the forty Thieves

Manning, Matthew/ Ricardo Osnaya Ali Baba and the forty Thieves
Stone Arch see Capstone 2011 72p 26.65
978-1-4342-1988-6 elm/ms Fairy Tales - Arabs - Folklore - VG-BNes
Graphic Revolve: (Stone Arch)


The graphic novel of the very popular fairy tale of Ali Baba and the forty thieves. The illustrator Ricardo Osnaya has taken this very popular Fairy tale and given it new life. A new generation of children will be able to enjoy this new illustrated version in graphic novel form. Ali Baba a young poor laborer from Arabia is on his way home after searching for firewood. He finds himself in the way of the infamous forty thieves who are riding behind him. Afraid they might just run over him or kill him. Ali Baba climbs a tree and hides until they pass. To his good fortune he discover the magic behind their great rock cave full of treasures.

What happens next is exciting and frightening and requires skill to outwit the thieves. Kids will enjoy this graphic novel and ask for more like it. Beautifully done with brilliant colors. Captures the mystery and intrigue of the moment. Yellows and gold are used to give bright and translucent light to accentuate special moments and things.

Includes: Information on “Arabian Nights”, about the author, About Illustrator, Glossary, Discussion Question, Writing Prompts

Graphic novel Diaz, Magna

Pecos Bill: Colossal Cowboy.

Tulien, Sean. Pecos Bill: Colossal Cowboy.
Stone Arch see Capstone 2010 39p 22.65 Graphic Spin(Stone Arch)
978-1-4342-1896-4 elem E-BN
This graphic novel is the story of the legendary Tall Tale character Pecos Bill. It is said that in the 1920’s, as baby, he fell off a wagon and was raised by wolves. He grew to be a man of legend who could wrestler with wild mares and do all kind of incredible things. This graphic novel is the story of the legendary character Pecos Bill. It is said that in the 1920’s, as baby, he fell off his family’s wagon on the way to the wild west. He was discovered by a she wolf and she adopted him into her family of cubs. He grew to be a man of legend who could grapple with wild mares, ride a wild cat and carry a herd of bulls on his back. As he grew into adulthood he left his pack and took off on his own with such good luck that he was found by his long lost brother, who recognized him. It is said he was the first to use a lasso, he was also the first to invent a branding iron. He met his match when he met Sue.
An entertaining graphic novel on a very colorful legendary tall tale cowboy of the wild west. Kids will enjoy the exaggerations of this legendary character. The book includes a 2 page spread of the Wild West Tribune where the reader will learn all about the legend of Pecos Bill and where it came from and a theory of whether it was based on facts or just a collection of fake lore.
This book also includes discussion questions and writing prompts and a glossary. Kids will enjoy this book and will probably want more information on this character. I am also sure they will be able to invent more adventures for Pecos Bill.
A capstone book with a website that offers student activities http://www.capstonekids.com/. Diaz, Magna

Johnny Appleseed.

Worth, Richard. Johnny Appleseed.
Enslow 2010 128p 31.93 Americans-Spirit of a Nation(Enslow)
978-0-7660-3352-8 ms/jr VG-BN
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) exemplified the American Spirit during the 1800’s. He was a pioneer, a good businessman, an individualist, and a teller of tall tales. Johnny Appleseed is a popular story with young readers. His life is an intricate tapestry of events and challenges that range from crossing a mountain in winter to going for help when a town is in danger of attack by Indians. His individualistic nature allowed him to be selfless in his desire to plant apple trees across the prairies.
The book is divided into eight chapters (American hero, Spirit of Individualism, Moveable Nursery, War of 1812, Business and Religion, Chapman Transforms the West, and the Legacy of Johnny Appleseed. In each chapter the author does of very credible job of relating to the life of John Chapman and America’s spread westward. The author also included other relevant events and activities so that the reader could grasp the total climate of the time period.
The book itself was formatted in a very readable fashion. The book size was quite easy to hold and page though the chapters. The pages were varied in format with quotes inserted into the edges to highlight a concept. The first page of each chapter was presented on a colored page with appropriate photo or graphic. In addition the book included a chronology, chapter notes, glossary, further reading (bibliography), web sites, and an index. McNeil,Linda