Lassieur, Allison. Cyber Spies and Secret Agents of Modern Times.

Lassieur, Allison. Cyber Spies and Secret Agents of Modern Times. Capstone Publishers  2017     64p   $33.99  ISBN 978-0-7565-5498-9 elem/ms  Nonfiction  E-BN          

Even in modern times, spies play a key role in the "sharing" of classified information (legitimately or illegitimately) between nations, organizations and individuals. Today many of the spies have been from Russia and "hide in plain sight" or disenchanted Americans such as Edward Snowden. The emphasis of this book is not so much on the HUMINT (human intelligence gathering) but on the variety of people and tools used in cyber spying.
     

From the black-framed pages and the redacted table of contents, to the font and information related, this book is an engaging read about a topic that is little explored at the upper-elementary and middle-school levels. While most adults are aware of of the clandestine side of computer spying and hacking, many students today are less than aware of the "intelligence" aspects of cyber spying. Readers of this book will learn not just about the spies but also about the tools of the trade. The cover image is sure to grab middle-school readers. All of the photos in the book are rendered in shades of black, white and sepia, further enhancing the secretive and sinister aspects of spying. Sidebars throughout the book explain spying techniques and “Did you know?” items such as a lack of powers to arrest (page 23) and the NROL-71 spy satellite (page 57). There are also text boxes that tackle myths about a spy’s life, and "Q & A" sections throughout the book with questions such as: “Do I have to speak several foreign languages?” (pg. 25) and “I can’t wait to get all the spy gadgets. I do get gadgets, don’t I?”

The book concludes with a timeline, a glossary, a list of additional resources (print and web), a list of critical thinking/common core resources, sources notes, a bibliography, and an index. 

This series entitled Spies! is complete in four volumes covering spies during specific periods of time: World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and modern times. This is a most fascinating set of books.   

Summary: Even in modern times, spies play a key role in the "sharing" of classified information (legitimately or illegitimately) between nations, organizations and individuals.

Spies                                                                   --Lynn Fisher

Lassieur, Allison. Can You Survive Being Lost At Sea? An Interactive Survival Adventure.

Lassieur, Allison.  Can You Survive Being Lost At Sea? An Interactive Survival Adventure. Capstone Publishers     2013  112p      ISBN 978-1-4296-6861-3 

Series: You Choose: Survival  elem  Hardback    E-BNe Nonfiction

This narrative nonfiction has the reader making choices based on knowledge and common sense to lead to either survival or destruction in a misadventure at sea.  There are three possible scenarios presented, and at key points in each story line, the reader makes choices in order to move the story forward.  Along the way, the reader learns some important principles of survival.  If he or she tries each option, he or she will learn lessons – for example, drinking sea water is deadly, no matter how thirsty you are.

The vocabulary is controlled and there is a glossary in the back.  The last chapter gives a summation of survival thoughts.  Then there are four real-life examples of survival at sea.  A quiz asks readers to prioritize their survival needs.  A bibliography lists four titles and the publisher-sponsored web site.  The index lists terms that are used in the narrative.  The writing is clear and presents plausible situations for survival at sea.  Making the right choices leads the readers to rescue, while less sensible choices lead to death.  The reader can easily go back and change choices to change outcomes.  The illustrations enhance the factual information and lend excitement to the story.

This book will appeal to boys and some girls in grades 3-6.  The series, You Choose: Survival, presents survival situations where the reader makes choices that influence the outcome.       

Summary: This book offers three main survival scenarios involving being lost at sea, with multiple possible endings.  Each choice emphasizes the principles of survival. 

Survival, Maritime danger                                         --Joan Theal

Lassieur, Allison. Colonial America: An Interactive History Adventure.

Lassieur, Allison.        Colonial America: An Interactive History Adventure.       

Capstone Publishers 2011   112p   22.99  978-1-4296-5481-4           

elm/ms                       You Choose: History (Capstone)     E-BNS

Life in Colonial America has never been presented

in a more user-friendly format!  Students will learn about indentured servants,

sailors and soldiers and their contributions to pre-Revolutionary War days and

life in Philadelphia prior to the war.           This is one of the best of the ╥You

Choose╙ adventures.  Its comprehensive nature shows Colonial America╒s

highlights including life as an indentured servant, life as a ship worker or

soldier, and life as an apprentice to the owner of a print shop.  The format

includes an introduction, three chapters which give equal treatment to the major

issues or people of the times and a conclusion.  Social studies teachers

continually look for ways to combine literacy study with learning, and this book

suits this purpose divinely.  Students will anxiously turn pages to see if they

die in the French & Indian War or return home to help with the family farm.  Do

you help the Colonists╒ cause in the American Revolution or do you perish from

yellow fever?  Just imagine dying from a strike to the head with a tomahawk, or

from disobeying your ship captain’s orders to go below during a storm and

drowning!  At the end of each section of new information, the reader chooses a

path, turns to that page and reads on.  The history lessons come alive as the

author fills in the possible dialog between an indentured servant and an agent

or between a soldier (you!) and a general.  The support pictures are

appropriately placed to aide the young reader comprehend all of the contents.  

The timeline helps the reader place each event in chronological order, the

glossary helps with vocabulary and the extra questions to study are a useful

addition for encouraging additional reflection about a topic.      This series

includes books that support the early civilizations of world history, the major

events of American history, life-changing events like the sinking of the Titanic

and fascinating topics like pirates.  ╥You Choose╙ which topic you will study as

you navigate the pages of this creative series.      Squaresky, Martha