Reviews
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks may not be as flashy as gemstones, but that doesn’t mean they’re not fascinating. After all, there would be no Grand Canyon and very few fossils without them! A quick explanation of what these rocks are—“bits of mud, sand, minerals, and sediments”—also encompasses how… View →
The Betty and Barney Hill Alien Abduction
The graphic-novel format of the Paranormal Mysteries series (6 titles) makes an already high-interest topic extremely accessible. This readable volume tracks the strange experience of Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed to have been abducted by aliens while driving near Lincoln, New… View →
The Circulatory System
With a tight focus on the heart, blood, and blood vessels, this level-3 reader helps “early fluent” readers understand these essential elements of the human body. Pettiford concisely identifies the circulatory system, explains how it works, and discusses why it is important. The book is… View →
The Camera
Cameras have come a long way from their bulky daguerreotype and cardboard Brownie days, and this entry in the Inventions That Changed the World series (6 titles) provides a snapshot of the cameras history, development, and function in society. The historical overview begins with early… View →
Zaha Hadid: Architect
Zaha Hadid’s beaded collar and feathery shawl stand in glorious contrast to traditional architect’s accessories (hard hat, blueprints) on the cover of this selection from the Women Leading the Way series (6 titles). Iranian-born Hadid became known as the “Queen of the Curve” for her… View →
Coding in Transportation
You may not realize how many things rely on code to run these days, and vehicles are no exception. Cars are the stars of this level-2 reader, part of the “Coding Is Everywhere” series (6 titles), which reveals that most modern cars contain more than 24 computers. These computers control… View →
Olympic Records
Noteworthy Olympic athletes from around the globe fill the pages of this Incredible Sports Records series (6 titles) entry. From most-decorated (Michael Phelps) to mind-numbingly fast (speed skater Lee Sang-hwa), these competitors have left their marks on the games. One- and two-page… View →
Smelling
Young readers know when things smell beautiful or gross, and in this entry in the Five Sense series (5 titles), they’ll get an approachable introduction to how people smell and why it’s important. Readers will follow scent molecules as they float through the air and come into contact… View →
Monorails
Train-crazy kids will appreciate this offering from the Blast Off! Readers: Amazing Trains series, which showcases the monorail. As a level 1 reader, this book uses only two sentences per double-page spread, excluding headings, and a large font size to support newly independent readers;… View →
Kwanzaa
Created in 1966 in the U.S., Kwanzaa celebrates African American heritage and culture and is now observed around the world. As part of the Series, this book shows young readers the traditions affiliated with Kwanzaa, such as lighting the Kinara and discussing the principles associated… View →
Life in a Coral Reef
Coral reefs are vibrant, dynamic biomes, and this entry in the Biomes Alive! series reflects their splendor. Brightly colored photos and backgrounds join a host of clearly explained facts, beginning with how reefs form—when tube-shaped coral polyps grow hard skeletons and attach to those View →
LEGO
This book explores the business of LEGO. The reader will learn about the creator of the LEGO brand, Ole Kirk Christiansen, and the history of the brand throughout the years. Chapters included are: What is the Lego Brand, Ole Kirk… View →