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. 

Creatures of the Night Series

Book Information:

Maximus, Sophia. Badgers in the Dark. .2013. 24 pp. $22.6 hc. Gareth Stevens Publishing. 9781433964800.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level 1-3

Creatures of the Night shows characteristics specific animals that are most active at night; badgers, bobcats, foxes, hedgehogs, raccoons, and tarsiers. Each book in the series has a table of contents, glossary, index, and recommendations to get more information about the animals through books and websites. Each book in the series provides descriptions of the animal, its habitat, defense strategies, daily activities, family interactions and the origin of their name.  The words that are shown in the glossary are bolded within the text to help students become aware of their importance. The series also include great variety of high quality pictures that show the animal in their natural habitats and stages of life. The author choices straightforward terminology and simple sentences that makes it easier for students to interpret and understand facts without feeling overwhelmed. This series is engaging, and easy to read and understand, which makes its perfect to introduce students to new ideas of creatures that thrive in the night.

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

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

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14455911-hedgehogs-in-the-darkhttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14455897-bobcats-in-the-dark

This is Not Forgiveness

Book Information:

Rees, Celia. This is Not Forgiveness. .2012. 288pp. $17.99 hc. Bloomsbury Children’s Books. 9781599907756

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level 10 and up

Sometime you find someone who you know is no good for you, but you can’t help yourself. When Caro catches Jamie’s eye there is nothing anyone can say to stop him from thinking about her. Everyone says that Caro’s gorgeous exterior can barely hid her unconventional, impulsive and radically unstable personality. Even when Caro disappears for days at a time Jamie can’t get her off his mind, but what is also on his and Caro’s minds is the traumatized veteran, older brother Rob. As the story developed the self-proclaimed rebel, madly in love boy and troubled war veteran become more intertwined and tensions build. This Is Not Forgiveness concentrates around war, terrorism, radicalism, and love. This skillfully written story contents multiple narrators perspectives the story has more depth than imagined.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Beacon City School District, Beacon, NY

Rating:

3 out of 5. 

Flash Point

Book Information:

Kress, Nancy. Flash Point. .2012. 400pp. $17.99 hc. Viking Children’s Books (Penguin Putnam). 9780670012473.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level 8 and up.

During an economical downturn there is always a flash point, when things can either get better or become a complete disaster. Through the descriptive and enthralling language used the reader sees first hand the experiences of those affected by the flash point. Amy a teenager during this time had dreams of an academic future until the downturn hit home in the worst ways. Now at the age of sixteen she is desperate for any job that will help support her terminology ill grandmother and her defiant younger sister. When she is offered a steady salary, medical care for her entire family (including Gran), and the chance of a lifetime with on a new reality TV show, Who Knows People, Baby--You?, she couldn’t turn it down. Soon enough the risks for this show get more extreme and the rewards continue to grow. The line between reality and TV are starting to blur, and soon Amy is asking herself what is worth risking her life. Kress’ writing style captivates the reader’s attention from start to finish by creating a bond to the characters that makes them come to life within a gripping plot. This book is hard to put down!

Highly Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Home Instructor, Beacon City School District, Beacon, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please

Book/ Product Information:

Mihaley, James. You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please. .2012. 256pp. $16.99 hc. Feiwel and Friends (Holtzbrinck Publishers) . 9780312618919.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 5-8

Review:

You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please is full of twists and turns that keep you wondering where you will end up next. When twelve-year old Giles finds out the human race is being evicted from Earth, even though we voided the lease without knowing, it’s his responsibility to try to save our home planet. With the help of two other children and his alien attorney he has to figure out away to keep us here, with the threat of being forced to another planet that is not so welcoming. Since the point of view of the book is from Giles, it makes it easier for a younger crowd to get immersed into the story. This story is great way to get teenagers and preteens into the world of nonfiction literature.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

3.5 out of 5. 

Water Sings Blue

Book/ Product Information:

Coombs, Kate. Water Sings Blue, So, Meilo.2012. 36pp. $16.99 hc. Chronicle Books. 9780811872843.

Grade Level:

Recommended Grade level- 1-6

Review:

The stunning imagery in this poetry collection is a wonderful way to visit the shore with out wearing sunscreen. The playful and powerful language of each poem paints an expressive picture of all the aspects of the seashore and its native creatures. The vivid imagery is accompanied by vivid illustrations for each poem. Personifying the inhabitations of the shore in these poems opens a new window for those who have not experienced them. This collection of poetry is a way to share in the shore without bring home sand in your shoes.

Highly Recommended.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Better Than a Lemonade Stand!

Book/ Product Information:

Bernstein, Daryl. Better Than a Lemonade Stand!. .2012. 224pp. $16.99 hc. Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster. 9781582703602.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 5-9

Review:

Better Than a Lemonade Stand! is packed with simple business ideas, specially for kids. Not only does it give over fifty ideas for business, it also shows how to advertise, the supplies and time needed, what to charge, how to keep your customers and even more in clear cut steps. It also encourages kids to be creative with the ideas given or when thinking of their own ideas, it also teaches kids to not give up, and dream big. There are also numerous examples of other kids that started their own business and succeed. This is a great way for kids to learn the value of money and hard work, while having fun.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

4 out of 5. 

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Book/ Product Information:

Harstad, Johan. 172 hours on the Moon. .2012. 259pp. $17.99 hc. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 9780316182881.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 6-9

Review:

A fascinating, suspense filled novel that keeps you guessing till the end. All teenagers’ ages fourteen to eighteen are given the opportunity to enter a lottery for a once in a lifetime chance, a trip to the moon. The three lucky teenagers chosen get to be the first people to visit a secret station that was built on the moon over forty years ago. After over a year of preparation it seems like this team of teenagers and chaperones are ready for anything in the world, too bad that’s not where they are. Once they land on the moon things begin to happen that could make them all wish they weren’t so lucky. This book keeps your attention and is hard to put down. Switching between small stories to create the big picture keeps the reader interested and makes the bigger picture more detailed than ever before. This page-turner will keep you guessing till the very end. Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

3.5 out of 5. 

Book Blog Beginning

As a new teacher I wanted to find a way to expand my knowledge of books, so that I could have a better basis to recommend to my future students. One of my graduate professors recommended becoming a book reviewer for Library Media Connection, where I get free books in exchange for writing reviews. This seemed like a dream come true for me! Not only do I get free books, but I also get to share my thoughts about them. So this blog is a way for me to keep a record of my book reviews and share them with you! Hope you enjoy