More on wolves

Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. 2008. When the Wolves Returned: Restoring nature's balance in Yellowstone. New York: Walker.

I just recently reviewed Jean Craighead George's book, The Wolves are Back, and now along comes another great wolf book, When the Wolves Returned. This book tells the same story as George's, the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. This book succeeds on three levels. The Wolves are Back had beautiful and lifelike illustrations. This book has stunning photography by the father-daughter team of Dan and Cassie Hartman, with additional black and white photos from the National Park service of early days at the park. When the Wolves Returned is also a multi-use book. Text boxes with large font text are superimposed over the photographs, and offer a story in short sentences suitable for storytime, "Because wolves fed on the elk and deer that people liked, hunters were paid to kill the wolves. By 1926 the wolves were gone." Smaller text at the bottom of the pages gives a more detailed account of the program to reintroduce wolves to Yellowstone.

A beautiful book for a range of ages - great for school reports, science class - even storytime.

The London Eye Mystery

Dowd, Siobhan. 2008. The London Eye Mystery. New York: David Fickling.

Just a quick review - a modern mystery with a twist. Salim, Ted and Kat's teen-aged cousin disappears from a sealed pod on London's famous tourist attraction, The London Eye. Ted, who has a spectrum disorder and a sometimes rocky relationship with his sister, Kat, works with her to solve the mystery that baffles both parents and police. The characters are engaging and believable, particularly Ted, who struggles with his brain's "unique operating system." There is some sibling humor, as when Kat heartily approves of the usually very honest and literal Ted's new found ability to lie, "Go, Ted, Kat whispered. She punched me in the arm so hard I nearly fell down the stairs. "Never thought I'd see the day. You lied.'"

The London Eye Mystery should be popular with 5th - 8th graders.

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Stone, Tanya Lee. 2008. Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote. New York: Holt.

There are many books about Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This one is a good choice for the youngest J readers. It has minimal text that is easy to understand but captures the essence of Cady Stanton's role in the Women's Suffrage movement, along with the more mundane details of her daily life. Tales of childhood inequities should be of particular interest to young readers. The illustrations are in folk art style to suggest the era. Short enough for a single-sitting read-aloud, best for 3rd-6th grade.

Because of her role as a wife and mother of seven children, I find Elizabeth Cady Stanton's life to be even more inspiring than that of her dear and more famous friend, Susan B. Anthony. I am pleased to see a new book about her life.

Erie Canal

Kendall, Martha E. 2008. The Erie Canal. Washington, DC: National Geographic.

This brief, 128-page look at the Erie Canal chronicles the history as well as the impact of the Erie Canal on the United States and the world. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was known as the 8th wonder of the world. The 363 mile long canal was the largest in the world, contained 83 locks, and climbed 675 feet! Before the canal opened, a trip from Albany to Buffalo might take as long as six weeks. After the canal opened, the trip was pared down to one week.

The Erie Canal does more than present the facts, however. It places the Canal in the context of its time, explaining the difficulties and technology required to cut a 400 mile, 60 foot wide swath through virgin forests, swamps, and cliffs; the ingenuity needed to design a system of locks to carry the man-made river up a 66 foot escarpment before the era of concrete or dynamite; the reality of raising children on board a canal “line boat,” (mothers often tethered their toddlers to chains in case they fell in!) Kendall also includes broader topics in history and science by incorporating the canal’s impact on immigration, industrialism, westward expansion, invention, and slavery (the canal was used as part of the Underground Railroad system, bringing slaves closer to freedom in Canada).

The black and white illustrations are a mix of period photos, maps, line drawings, paintings, etchings and postcards, with a few modern photos in the “Wheels of Progress” chapter. This well-researched book is completed with Chronology, Glossary, and Resources pages, in addition to an extensive index.

The Erie Canal is a fascinating glimpse into one of the nations, and particularly New York’s, proudest achievements. Teachers should embrace this book for its cross-disciplinary possibilities. Best for 5th grade and up, teachers or history-loving librarians!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Kinney, Jeff. 2007. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York: Amulet.

I read these books in the wrong order (see earlier post on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules), but it didn't matter. It's easy to see how this became #1 on the New York Times bestseller list! This book focuses on Greg's friendship with Rowley, while book two focuses on his relationship with his brother, Rodrick. Both books are laugh-out-loud funny! I can't wait to read the next installments, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw! Gregg Heffley is irresistable!

More info is available @ http://www.wimpykid.com/