Mara, Wil. Fire Breathing, Sword Swallowing, & Other Death Defying Circus Science.

Mara, Wil. Fire Breathing, Sword Swallowing, & Other Death Defying Circus Science. Capstone Publishers  2018  32p  $27.99    ISBN 978-1-5157-7283-5  elem/ms  VG-BNS  series: Circus Science (Capstone)  

This book provides a unique blend of circus activities and science.  Each activity is thoroughly explained, the science behind each is provided, and the dangers are enumerated. Safety chapters are presented at the end of the book. With a high interest level (for who doesn’t like danger?) and wonderful textual descriptions and photographs on each feat, this book offers much to readers of nonfiction. The text structures in place to facilitate reading include clarity in the organization of each event, photographs to support the text, vocabulary words defined on the page they first appear, extra side bar facts that highlight important information, and alternative activities that the reader can try at home (less dangerous, of course). The death-defying feats included in this volume are high-wire walking, human cannonballs, the trapeze, sword swallowing, fire breathing, glass walking, the globe of terror, knife throwing, the hair hang, and the wheel of death. The photographs that support each activity are chilling and thrilling. What makes this book special is its alignment to the science curriculum. With each activity, one studies the science behind its success. To name just a few of the concepts that students will study, one finds volume, pressure, force,  projectiles, friction, and displacement. Alongside a science book that shows each new concept, one could use this book to offer real-life examples, thus adding validation to the lessons. This series will find fans in students who like to understand how things work. It will also appeal to students who want to explore extensions of learning on their own.    

Books that explain the science behind real-life activities -- in this case, circus acts -- are invaluable for instruction. Elementary school and middle-school libraries will want multiple sets for the resourceful science teacher as well as for interested students.

Summary: This book provides a unique blend of circus activities and science.

Circus Arts, Science                           --Martha Squaresky

Mobley, Jeannie. Bobby Lee and the Criminal Element.

Mobley, Jeannie. Bobby Lee and the Criminal Element. Holiday House 2017 228p  $16.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-3781-8  elem/ms  Historical Fiction  E-BN         

When Bobbie Lee becomes an orphan at age 13 in 1929, he decides that his future lies as a criminal working for a famous Chicago gang. His pickpocketing skills should allow him to be useful to mob leaders. He boards a steam-powered train and finds himself investigating a murder that happened in New Orleans, his hometown. Also traveling on the train are three men and a widow with her baby, all potential suspects in the widow’s husband’s death. Details on train travel in the early 20th century flow smoothly into the story, as do descriptions of the changing countryside between Louisiana and Chicago. Also incorporated into this historical novel are facts about Jim Crow laws and Prohibition and how these institutions affected daily life. A compelling mystery drives the story, which has an authentic feel and maintains consistent tension and danger within a framework of soulful contemplation about whether Bobbie Lee is suited to be a criminal or not. Believable supporting characters and some humorous moments as well as historical facts make this a perfect historical novel. A great book to accompany social studies units on race relations in the 1920s and the effects of the Jim Crow laws. An addendum explains the inspiration for the story as well as historical facts about race relations, jazz, and railroad life in the 1920s. Strongly recommended as an adjunct to teaching about Prohibition or Jim Crow laws and their impact on people.  

Summary: Bobbie Lee, 13 years old, decides to travel to Chicago to become a criminal in a famous gang. His trip via railroad from New Orleans to Chicago is packed with action and mystery. The novel refers to the Jim Crow Laws and to facts about steam railroads. Grades 4-8.

Mystery-Fiction, Prohibition, Jim Crow-Fiction     --Lois McNicol

Orenstein, Denise Gosliner. Dirt.

Orenstein, Denise Gosliner. Dirt. Scholastic Press  2017  212p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-92585-3    elem/ms     Animal Stories  VG-BN         

Yonder is eleven. Her mother has died and her father is sunken in depression and she will not speak. She is teased at school and lonely.  Her only friend is Dirt, the overweight Shetland pony belonging to her mean next-door neighbor. When a sign goes up offering Dirt for sale for horse meat, Yonder takes action. She cleans out her bedroom and brings Dirt into the house. However, social services get involved and Yonder is taken to a foster home. She runs away. Tracking down the buyer of Dirt, she discovers a failed zoo that is mistreating the animals. Yonder shows great courage and perseverance to rescue Dirt and the other animals. She has exciting adventures and learns how to trust again. The ending is hopeful.
 

Girls and animal lovers will gravitate to this title. The reader will want to cry, rail out at injustice and finally cheer for Yonder.  A great read for grades 3-7.  

Summary: Yonder has her troubles but moves a Shetland pony named Dirt into her house to prevent the sale of him for horse meat.  Adventure ensues as she rescues Dirt and other animals. 

Horse Stories                                                                                                  --Joan Theal

Rodriguez, David, & Ignacio Segesso. Moby Dick.

Rodriguez, David, & Ignacio Segesso. Moby Dick. Capstone Publishers     2018 78p $27.32   ISBN 978-1-4965-5573-1    elem/ms   Graphic Novel  E-BNe     

This graphic-novel version of the classic story Moby Dick, translated from Spanish, is very well done, and it includes notes on Melville, information on legendary whales, and notes on the novel and its cinematic adaptations. 

The author of the adaptation is an established screenwriter, and the illustrator has a wide variety of experiences and has won awards for his work. In a skinny little book, they have succeeded in conveying the adventure, pathos, heart and humor of this great novel.  This is a highly recommended way to get kids interested in classical literature. Recommended for elementary and middle-school readers, and hi-lo readers at the high-school level.  

Summary: This graphic-novel version of the classic story Moby Dick, translated from Spanish, is very well done, and it includes notes on Melville, information on legendary whales, and notes on the novel and the movies that have been made from it.

Moby Dick, Adventure stories                                                                      --Carol Kennedy

Stefoff, Rebecca. Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, the More it Remains the Same.

Stefoff, Rebecca. Me, Myself, and I: The More Grammar Changes, the More it Remains the Same.  Capstone Publishers  2018     32p  $27.32    ISBN 978-1-5157-6387-1    elem/ms   E-BNS  series: Fact Finders: Why Do We Say That?

We love this grammar book for upper-elementary and middle-school kids! It starts out by making it easy to decide which pronoun to use (me, myself, or I), by stating that if the subject of the sentence is "I", then, and only then, should "I" be used. Nicely put, and I wish that more adults could get their heads around that concept! The book goes on to discuss grammar and its evolution in the English language, which is helpful and informative. There is also a section on the use of "myself," which is very instructional and a topic not often discussed. The example sentences that the author uses are humorous, and she keeps the tone of her instruction light and fun. Organization is good, with a glossary, an index, references for further research, chapters, and appropriate illustrations.

The author touches upon rules, punctuation, Old English, modern English, grammar changes, emojis, Internet language, and the future of language. Students are also given opportunities to try writing sentences using the proper pronouns.

The author includes color photographs, interesting “Did You Know” facts, a glossary of terms, a list of recommended books, critical thinking questions, a special code to use on FactHound for more fun, and an index. The title would make a great addition to an elementary or middle school collection for teaching grammatical concepts.    

Summary: This is a good book on grammar, and specifically the use of first-person pronouns, for any age (really), but geared toward upper-elementary and middle-school readers. Well organized and fun to read, it is also very informative.

English-language Grammar  --Carol Kennedy and Charleen Forba-MacCain