16. National Geographic Kids - June/July 2011

MAGAZINE (ages 6-14)

Brief Description: National Geographic Kids is a visual smorgasbord! Bright fun photos and short quick articles and facts punctuate every page, making this a treat for today's visually-oriented young person. Great features include the "weird but true" section, "sports funnies" and "animal myths busted." I also liked "bet you didn't know" which features six surprising facts about sharks, including that "you are more likely to win American Idol than to be killed by a shark." There are several charming stories about animals and the unusual friends they've made, and, as the cover promised, a nice section on water which included three hotels with water features that are not your average hotel pool! Several games are included which make the magazine more interactive. The section on the intelligence of various animals was also interesting.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: I like this shiny bright presentation of animals and other topics interesting to kids. I found the articles quite short and were primarily comprised of a listing of facts with accompanying photographs. The games were fun, and the section in which you "stump your parents" wasn't as easy as I thought it would be! There were some tough questions in there! I liked the minimal advertisements, and the ones present were for toothbrushes, newly released books, goldfish crackers, and Seaworld - not bad. I'd give the publication an A+ for content and gorgeous photography and graphics.

Curriculum/Programming: Not sure what I'd do around this magazine for programming at the library, but it is a fantastic supplement to a science curriculum centered around the study of animals. I think I'd use this on a Friday afternoon as additional reading for students in grades 4 or 5.

15. "Tales From Earthsea" directed by Goro Miyazaki (Walt Disney Pictures, 2010 in the US)

DVD (ages 12+)

Brief Description: The light is fading, balance between the world of the living and the dead has been lost, and the world is out of sync. A young prince named Arren murders his father and takes his sword, and becomes a vagabond who meets with an Archmage named Sparrowhawk. Together they travel to the city of Hortown where Lord Cob wants to challenge Sparrowhawk and prove he has achieved eternal life. They stay on the outskirts of the city with Sparrowhawk's friend Tenar who is watching over a young girl named Therru. The showdown between the two magicians doesn't occur as Sparrowhawk's powers are negated when he enters Lord Cob's castle. The ultimate battle between good and evil occurs between Lord Cob and the two kids. In a frightening and powerful climax, the viewer learns whether or not eternal life is desirable after all.

Awards: In Japan, the movie was awarded "Worst Movie" in Bunshun's Raspberry Awards; Goro Miyazaki won "worst director."

Personal Opinion: I found the film mystifying, violent, and strange. I thought the visual elements of the film were fantastic - the sweeping landscapes and detail in nature, but the story was bizarre and quite frightening in the end. I hadn't realized how poorly the Japanese movie market received the film before viewing it, or I wouldn't have selected it for my project! I liked the character of Tenar, and thought Timothy Dalton did a good voice for Sparrowhawk, but Prince Arren was too bizarre to appreciate, at least for me, in his rage moments and his kindness. I never really understood his motives for murdering his father. Too many loose ends, too much violence and frightening images made this an unpleasant movie experience. Not jumping to recommend to anyone but those who are enchanted with anime and want to compare Goyo's work to his father's. I had such high expectations after seeing all the work that Hayao Miyazaki has done...

Programming/Curriculum: I would compare the two Miyazaki styles using this film and either "Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind" or "Princess Mononoke" which both have a more violent edge - to see how the styles of the two directors differ. Also, an anime festival might include this film along with a discussion over refreshments.

14. Virals by Kathy Reichs, Narrated by Kristin Milioti (Penguin Audio, 2010)

AUDIO BOOK: SCIENCE FICTION (ages 11-16)

Brief Description: Prepare for an exhilarating ride on a science fiction roller coaster with snarky, brilliant, teenager Tory Brennan. Tory has lost her mom, and is sent to live with her cerebral professor father who knows nothing about her existence. Their strained relationship permits Tory a certain independence allowing her to get involved in much mischief, in the name of what's right. When a beloved wolf/dog puppy she names Cooper goes missing from the island on which her father's lab is located, and when strange Veteran's dog tags are found in a clearing, the mysteries in this story are ramped up to high volume. With her three nerdy science buddies, Hi, Shelton and Ben, this unlikely group seeks to uncover not only the dog tags' owner or the disappearance of "Coop," but a 40-year-old murder as well. Their own lives are threatened as they get a little too snoopy - but who is chasing them?

Awards: None...YET!

Personal Opinion: Notice the listing of both audio book and regular book above. While narrator Krising Mirioti conveys the perfect teen voice of Tory, I simply couldn't "listen" quickly enough and resorted to reading in order to reach the exciting and unexpected climax sooner! Truly, though, Mirioti does a great job with expression in this audio book; it must be listened to if the listener can remain patient! I could not put down this incredibly fast-paced novel of mystery, intrigue, humor, excitement, and suspense.

Programming/Curriculum: This book would work well a part of a study of viruses, and in particular, the parvovirus and how it reacts in dogs.

13. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, 2011)

BOOK: NONFICTION (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: A wonderful biography of Amelia Earhart - as promised by our instructor! This book chronicles Amelia's life and is broken into chapters describing her childhood through her final flight. As was mentioned by Jonathan, the interesting portions of the book are the sections between the biography which convey the last radio transmissions that Amelia had. Language is simple and appropriate for the 8 - 12 year old audience indicated on the flap. Punctuated throughout the book are wonderful illustrations and photographs - these "extras" enhance the story and enrich the text by bringing the story to life. The biographical portions illustrate dedication to the rights of women and ground breaking attitudes towards equality.

Awards: Starred Reviews from Horn Book, SLJ, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Kirkus.

Personal Opinion: I loved reading about his amazing and brave woman who flinched at nothing, though I sure wish she had taken the time to learn about her RADIO! I was unaware of her work at Purdue and found her relationship with Putnam surprising, realizing that I knew nothing about Amelia except her legendary disappearance. I found the writing a bit stiff - it could have read a bit more like an exciting novel, but the sections on the radio transmission were very compelling. In fact, I read these aloud as one unit, skipping the biography and going back to read that on its own. I'm eager to recommend this book to kids at the library!

Programming/Curriculum: Candace Fleming has a fantastic curriculum guide on her website. I'd read and discuss this book aloud with students in preparation for them writing their own biographies using some form of narrative similar to the radio transmission section which told a story of their own.

12. Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam by Walter Dean Myers, Collages by Ann Grifalconi (Harper Collins, 2002)

PICTURE BOOK FOR OLDER READERS: WAR (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: In sparse language and eerily-pieced collages, Myers chronicles one day of an American soldier in Vietnam. As he searches for the enemy, he notices birds, trees, landscapes and the beauty surrounding him. He is quickly drawn back to the task at hand by his squad leader, and recalls that the enemy is out there somewhere. The unnamed soldier's fear is expressed, and shots are fired. Bombers are called in, and the soldiers watch as the valley is destroyed. Our soldier expresses his sadness at this, and when he finally sees the enemy face to face, he is surprised, and they both look at one another recognizing each others' humanity.

Awards: Jefferson Cup Award, 2003; West Virginia Childrens Book Award, 2005

Personal Opinion: As with other books on war, I found this book disturbing and beautifully crafted. The short sentences, juxtaposition of nature with the horrors of war, and the fear of the soldiers makes this book extremely compelling. I was reminded often of War is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker. Also, having read Walter Dean Myers Fallen Angels, I had a more complete background to the daily "dropping in" of soldiers to possible enemy territory, then the evening return to camp and the exhaustion that overcame these young men.

Programming/Curriculum: Use this short book with older readers as an introduction to a unit on the Vietnam War, and as an inspiration for writing poetry about and illustrating a situation that the student found difficult.

11. The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong (Viking, 2008)

BOOK: REALISTIC FICTION/SURVIVAL/ACTION-ADVENTURE (ages 11-16)

Brief Description: An engrossing story of a family grieving the loss of their mother, The Great Wide Sea will completely captivate the reader. Ben, Dylan and Gerry are suddenly whisked away by their father on a year-long adventure sailing in the Bahamas. They are shocked by this revelation, but have no choice but to go. The strained relationship between the boys, and particularly 15 year old Ben and the father prevails for most of the first half of the book. When a series of accidents, which function as foreshadowing, draw them slightly closer together, the narrative relaxes the reader into complacency, however, there is always an undercurrent of tension right under the surface of the story. When Ben wakes up to discover his father missing, and a serious storm begins to howl, the story takes a dramatic turn which doesn't ebb until the final chapter when we learn about the meaning of forgiveness.

Awards: Booklist, Starred Review; YALSA Best Books for YA, 2010; YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2010; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2010.

Personal Opinion: I nearly read this in one sitting, and, sorry for the cliche, but I couldn't put it down. How nice it is when we encounter a "zipless" read and thoroughly enjoy a book; this was certainly one of them. The pacing was smooth and fast, characters were beautifully developed, and misunderstandings prevailed but were resolved by the end. I enjoy survival stories, and this one measured up well, but here, we have an element of relationship that isn't always present in other stories of this nature. The web of the four guys and their personal dealing with the death of the mom is intricate, deep, and beautifully drawn. I found myself as interested in their dealings with one another as I was in the adventure of sailing around the Bahamas. I was interested enough to check out the internet and study the islands to chart their course; it would have been nice if a map had been included in the book.

Programming/Curriculum: The possibilities are nearly endless here! Create a timeline and chart of the boat's journey on a map as the book is read. Watch sailing videos or invite a sailing expert to give a talk. Learn to tie knots, study storm development, and have a discussion on the many facets of the grieving process.

10. Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow, Narrated by Roger Mueller (Oasis Audio, 2010)

AUDIO BOOK: HISTORICAL FICTION (ages 9-13)

Brief Description: Mikhail encounters a wounded man and his dog Zasha in the woods on his property. WWII is over, but much hatred of Germany and all things German exists in Russia. Dogs are no exception. He knows immediately that he must keep this secret; he brings them home where his kind mother, sister and brother care for the man and the dog. When the man dies overnight, they must bring him to the police. Through a series of encounters with dog thieves and Russian soldiers returning home from war, Zasha's life is threatened. Ultimately, however, the family prevails, and Mikhail's soldier father finally returns home after four years at war. Everyone wins in this heart-warming story of a boy and the dog he comes to love.

Awards: Nominated for the New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award; Parent's Choice Award Winner, Spring, 2011.

Personal Opinion: I absolutely loved this exciting story about Zasha! The author clearly understands dog behavior and carefully crafts Zasha's personality; dog lovers will be enchanted by her tenderness, intelligence, and beauty...and her singing! I hadn't realized that dogs were nearly exterminated in Russia following WWII, particularly German dogs. While the story is fictional, the end note indicates that the Russian Government did, in fact, strive to create a "super" Russian dog, and the Black Russian Terrier was bred and was finally recognized by the AKC in 2004 in the working group class. I admit that the story was fairly predictable, but in this case, it is comforting. Great pacing, narrator does a nice job with Russian accents, and fair character development earn this audio book 5 out of 5 stars.

Programming/Curriculum Ideas: This book is perfect to accompany a unit on WWII, or a study of the Black Russian Terrier.