The Civil War Through Primary Sources

   

Book Information:

Ford, Carin T.. Women of the Civil War Through Primary Resources. 2013. 48pp. $17.95 hc. Enslow Publishers, Inc. . 9780766041288.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 3-6

The Civil War Through Primary Sources give several accounts that give the reader a new perspective on this event. Each book in the series contains a table of contents, several primary sources, a timeline of events, notes on each chapter, a glossary, books and Internet addresses for further readings, and an index. The books contain photographs, pictures, maps, and various documents, which help the reader become immersed in the time period. There are also several exert with in the text that give additional information. The Civil War Through Primary Sources gives information about Women, African-American Soldiers, The Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln, and Slavery, and An Overview of the American Civil War. The text within the series is easy to read and understand makes it a student friendly resource. 

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Science Fights Back

 

 

  

Book Information:

Hunter, Nick. Science Vs. The Energy Crisis. .2013. 48pp. $31.95 hc. Gareth Stevens Publishing. 9781433986956.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 4-7

Science Fights Back describes the ways in which science is facing different disasters that the world is currently facing. Each book in the series contains a table of contents, a description of the specific crisis, how science is attempting to fight the crisis, the debates and issues of the subject, the future, who is winning each crisis, a glossary, ways to find more information, and an index. The books contain a large amount of information on each page but is student friendly. The pages contain several pictures that help support the ideas that are expressed and have captions that give additional information. In the texts the author provides a descriptive timeline of the crisis, which is easy to follow and helps the reader gain a better understanding of the issue. The author also provides several resources for the reader to use to find more information about the topic that are also student friendly. Generally the books give students numerous facts about different issues that the world is facing today.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Super Simple Body

        

 

Book Information:

Halvorson, M.D., Karin. Inside the Ears. .2013. 32.pp. $22.95 hc. ABDO Publishing Company. 9781617836107.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 2-4

Super Simple Body shows different parts of the eyes and ears in a new and unique way. Each book in the series contains a table of contents, key features, a “what’s happening”, and glossary.  The “what’s happening” sections explain the reasons of why the body part reacts a certain way when something happens, for example the reason the inside of your ear is shaped like a funnel is because it helps bring sound into your ears. The books are easy on the eyes and student friendly. The pages are not overwhelmed with information, and the pictures are simple to understand. In the texts the author provides a description how the body part functions, the parts of it and why it is important. The author also provides the reader with interactive activities to help understand the specific body part better. Overall the books give students a new perceptive on a very complex topic, making it easy to read and understand.

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Foundations of Our Nation

Book Information:

Rissman, Rebecca. Declaration of Independence, The. .2013. 48pp. $22.95 hc. ABDO Publishing Company. 9781417837081.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 3-5

Foundations of Our Nation shows the development of the important events of the American Revolution, The Boston Tea Party and The Declaration of Independence. Each book in the series contains a table of contents, important dates, a stop and think section, glossary, index, learn more section and an about the author section. The books are also set up to be easy on the eyes and engaging for all types of readers with simple terminology and details. In every text Rissman provides a description of the start of the event, an important climax of events, and the turning point. The books have pictures that support the details throughout the text and give the readers a better insight on that time period. The author also provided sections of ‘further evidence’ to provide students with more information. Overall the books give students a new perceptive and are engaging for a extensive range of readers.

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

The Animals of Asia

Book Information:

Clark, Willow. Pandas. .2012. 24pp. $22.6 hc. Rosen Publishing. 9781448874149.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 1-5

The Animals of Asia shows various characteristics of animals that are endangered in Asia, such as yaks, pandas, camels, Burmese pythons, Bengal tigers, and Asian dolphins and other marine mammals. Each book in the series contains a table of contents, glossary, index, recommendations to get more information about the animals through books and websites, and the ability to assess the text as an “Interactive eBook” with digital content creation tools. The words that are shown in the glossary are bolded within the text to help students become aware of their importance, there are several high quality photographs of animals within the books that are also companied with descriptive captions. The books are also set up to be easy on the eyes and engaging for all types of readers with simple terminology and details. In every text Clark provides a description of the animal, their home, eating habits, their young and predators. Through each text the author also supplied statistics on the animal’s current population and how their numbers are dropping, in order to inform readers about the possibility of extinction.  Overall the books are insightful and engaging for a wide range of readers.

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Beating Bullying

Book Information:

Porterfield, Jason. How to Beat Social Alienation. .2013. 48pp. $21.95 hc. Rosen Publishing. 9781448868124.

Grade Level:

Recommended grades 6-9

Many people of all ages suffer from various types of bullying everyday. Bullying can come in many forms; often it is name-calling, gossiping, and physical. The Beating Bullying series is comprised of five books, How to Beat Cyberbullying, How to beat Physical Bullying, How to Beat Psychological Bullying, How to Beat Social Alienation, and How to Beat Verbal Bullying.  By segregating the different types of bullying into there own books it helps maintain focus on each topic and makes the considerable amount of information provided less overwhelming. Each title in the series is broken down into four chapters that focus on a description of that type of bullying, an explanation of who the bully is, strategies for victims and bystanders, and ways to stop bullying. Each title in the series also has a myth and fact section and questions to ask your guidance counselor. The books also contain a glossary, index, and additional information about each type of bullying including websites, books and hotlines.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

3.5 out of 5. 

Do You Wonder WHY?

Book Information:

Pouilloux, David. Do You Wonder Why?. Cointe, Francois.2012. 80pp. $12.95 pbk. Amulet Books. 9781419703898.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade 5-9

Being stuck between a kid and young adult is a tough place to be, there are a lot of questions that’s you tend to wonder about but don’t know who to ask. Well Pouilloux supplies some important advice for some of life’s toughest questions about yourself, parents, peers and love. This book addresses a wide varied of complex questions such as “Why am I afraid of not being like everyone else”, “Why won’t my parents let me do things other kids can do”, “Why do people make fun of others”, and “Why do I worry about getting dumped”.  To break up the seriousness behind these questions and helpful guidance are humorous illustrations and captions by Francois Cointe. Written in a clear and relaxed language its helps those who read it feel comfortable about life’s most confusing and tricky questions. This book is one of a series that is meant to help reassure kids, young adults and everyone in between that it is normal to wonder and aims to help make sense of what is going on in life.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Pine Plains Central School District, NY

Rating:

4 out of 5.