Hackett, Jennifer. Game Design (Behind the Scenes).

Hackett, Jennifer. Game Design (Behind the Scenes).  Scholastic/ Childrens Press  2018  48p  $31.00  ISBN 978-0-531-23503-4    elem Nonfiction  VG-BNS  series: A True Book.

Beginning with a timeline of game development and moving into the earliest of electronic games and controllers, the author goes on to discuss the different types of computer-based gaming, the process of designing a video game, and the changes that cutting-edge technology will bring to this industry.  She describes the steps necessary to design a game: setting the scene, developing characters, making a storyboard, and creating a script.  She then explains 3-D modeling and virtual-reality settings.  The descriptive text is crisply written and enhanced by excellent, well-captioned photographs of both males and females, and it will appeal to young readers. It begins with a mini quiz and ends with a page of “true” statistics, a bibliography of books and web sites, a glossary, and an index.  Highly recommended for elementary and middle-school libraries.  

Summary: Beginning with a timeline of game development and moving into the earliest of electronic games and controllers, the author goes on to discuss the different types of computer-based gaming, the process of designing a video game, and the changes that cutting-edge technology will bring to this industry.    

Computers, Game Design                             --Susan Ogintz

A True Book biography series by Scholastic/Childrens Press

Doak, Robin S.  Harriet Tubman.  Scholastic/Childrens Press  2017  48p  $29.00      ISBN 978-0-531-21595-1    elem/ms  Biography  Series: A True Book  VG       

This succinct book provides biographical information about Harriet Tubman, beginning with her early life and her that of her family as she grew up in slavery. It follows her flight to freedom and her work on the Underground Railroad.

In addition to the well-written text, the book has visual appeal. Each double-page spread includes a photograph or illustration that is either full-color or black-and-white, depending on when the picture was taken.  This adds a sense of sequence to the text. Captions are included for clarity. The book concludes with statistics, a list of additional print and electronic resources, a glossary, and an index.
     

This book is part of the True Book series. There are 448 current titles in this series.  

Summary: This biography describes the life of Harriet Tubman, including information about her childhood growing up as a slave and her work on the Underground Railroad.

Tubman, Harriet                                                   --Virginia McGarvey

Doak, Robin S.  Kate Middleton. Scholastic/Childrens Press  2017  48p  ISBN 978-0-531-21596-8     elem/ms   Biography  Series: True Book E-BNS

Many people are fascinated by the British Royal family, especially the marriage of commoner Kate Middleton to Prince William. Take a look at her childhood, meeting the prince, and their friendship and eventual romance. See what it really means to be royalty, as well as to become a mother to the future King of England. Readers will not be disappointed when they see all the good work that is being done by this new member of the royal family. Wonderful photographs enhance the text, with captions further detailing the Middleton's life.      

Books in the True Book series are easy and fun to read, and this one is a winner as usual.

Summary: The life of the Duchess of Cambridge from commoner to future queen.       

British Monarchy, Kate Middleton                                        --Erin Daley

Doak, Robin S.  Malala Yousafzai. Scholastic/Childrens Press      2017  48p   $24.33      ISBN 978-0-531-21191-5    elem/ms      Biography  Series: True Book  VG-BN

In this introductory biography, the young reader learns about Pakistan under the Taliban and about Malala Yousafzai, the young woman who has spoken out so bravely and  vociferously about the rights of girls to an education. The reader gets to know a bit about Malala’s life, her family, and what happened to her in her native Pakistan, when she spoke out in favor of education for girls and was subsequently attacked. Her recovery from the attack and subsequent life are also covered. Also featured is a glossary, a short list of other books and resources to be consulted, and a “True or False” question at the beginning of the book that is answered at the end.  There are good photographic illustrations and an index as well.  This would be a great book to use in an elementary school when introducing the subject of biographies, or of women’s rights.      

Summary: In this introductory biography, the young reader learns about Pakistan under the Taliban and about Malala Yousafzai, the young woman who has spoken out so bravely and vociferously about the rights of girls to an education.   

Yousafzai, Malala                                                 --Carol Kennedy

Doak, Robin S.  Steve Jobs. Scholastic/Childrens Press      2017  48p  ISBN 978-0-531-21907-2     elem/ms   Biography  Series: True Book   E-BNS          

Though Steve Jobs is known for being an innovator and creative genius, his road to success was not always easy and his legacy is not all positive. The Apple founder and CEO was a smart and determined person who often had trouble working with others and was not always a part of the Apple team. His inventive mind, which brought us such products as iPads, smartphones and iPods, was what brought him and Apple back into the spotlight and encouraged the public to focus on the good he was doing. Great photographs and a good history will make readers want to lean more about Jobs, even with the many other biographies that are available.    

This is part of the True Book series, which provides great reads with just the right amount of information to keep readers well informed without being overwhelmed.

Summary: The life of Apple founder Steve Jobs. 

Computers, Steve Jobs                                                   --Erin Daley

Green, Sara. American Girl.

Green, Sara. American Girl. Scholastic/Childrens Press      2017  24p   $25.95      ISBN 978-0-531-23804-2  elem/ms      Nonfiction  VG-BN

So many girls have yearned to have an American Girl doll in the last 30 years, some girls who live close to stores even celebrate their birthdays with American Girl birthday parties. The history of the company with its signature dolls, magazine, and website is covered in this densely packed book of facts, charts, and photos. At times the print is small, but well worth a close look, as so much information is presented on how the brand has changed over the years.  Great for browsing or use in a report about a famous invention.  The book includes a glossary, a timeline, an index and a list for further reading. 

The Brands We Know series features 23 well-known brands that are used and recognized by young readers. Each book includes great photos, information, a glossary, a timeline, an index and a list for further reading. From food to toys to technology, a great series about the history of an invention. Gr. 2-7  

Summary: A history of the American Girl brand: how the brand expanded over time and its connection to magazines, dolls, and technology. Fascinating look at one of the most popular dolls for children. Great photos, charts. Grades 3-7.    

Dolls, Toys                                                       --Lois McNicol

Green, Sara. Transformers.

Green, Sara. Transformers. Scholastic/Childrens Press 2017  24p   $25.95      ISBN 98-0-531-23807-3  elem/ms  Nonfiction  VG-BN

Who hasn’t loved playing with Transformers over the last 30-some years? The history of the company, with its signature toys and its connections to comics, cartoons, movies and conventions, is covered in this densely packed book of facts, charts, and photos. At times the print is small, but well worth a close look, as so much information is presented on how the toy has changed over the years.  Great for browsing or use in a report about a famous invention.  This book includes a glossary, a timeline, an index and lists for further reading.    

Brands We Know is a series that features 23 well-known brands that are used and recognized by young readers. Each book includes great photos, information, a glossary, a timeline, an index and lists for further reading. From food to toys to technology, a great series about the history of an invention. Gr. 2-7. 

Transformers, Toys                                                --Lois McNicol

Gregory, Josh. Cesar Chavez.

Gregory, Josh. Cesar Chavez. Scholastic/Childrens Press     2017  48p   $24.33      ISBN 978-0-531-21172-4    elem/ms  Biography  VG-BN       

In this brief biography, the elementary-age student learns about the life and work of Cesar Chavez, founder and head of tbe United Farm Workers’ Union. Beginning with his grandparents’ immigration to the United States from Mexico in the 1880s, the book takes its readers on a journey describing Chavez’s family life and hard times as a farm worker who dropped out of school after the 8th grade but continued to read and learn on his own. From struggle to struggle, he is pictured as a man committed to bettering the lives of migrant workers in the United States. More detail about the working conditions and wages of the farm workers would have been welcome in this book, as some of the descriptions of their lives is a bit vague, especially on pages 16-24. It is mentioned that the wages were too low, but no numbers are cited. It is also stated that there were unsafe conditions out in the fields, but again, no real details are given. However, by the book’s end, the reader has gotten an idea of the tenacity of Chavez and the difference the union has made in wages and working conditions. This reviewer thinks the readers could have handled a little bit more detail about working conditions and wages, to further motivate the reasons for their struggle.

A timeline, a glossary, many nice black-and-white photographs, a list of resources and an index are included in the book.     

Cesar Chavez is part of the series A True Book, which covers a very wide variety of nonfiction topics for elementary-age students.  

Summary: In this brief biography, the elementary-age student learns about the life and work of Cesar Chavez, founder and head of tbe United Farm Workers’ Union.  

Chavez, Cesar.                                                    --Carol Kennedy