Reviews
SLJ Review of Eco Journeys
Each of the four books in this series follows an item (piece of paper, glass jar, plastic bottle, and soda can) through its creation, usage, disposal, recycling process, and… The descriptions and details are easy to understand and provide just the right amount of information View →
SLJ Review of First Experiences
This adorable series will help young children overcome their fear of new situations. Each book is narrated by a child facing an unfamiliar experience. They express their feelings to a parent and receive advice to help them cope. In the end they discover that there was nothing to be… View →
SLJ Review of How to Build Our World Set Two
An easy-to-understand breakdown of ecosystems from the bottom up that teaches about how each component is integral to their respective… The art mixes illustrations and real photographs to show the elements at each stage of the building process with a partnership betwee View →
SLJ Review of Math Adventures
Everyday family math situations fill this series. Children notice the various shapes among the kites at the park or check the clock while getting ready for a family… Characters have a range of skin tones, hair textures, and culturally diverse names; some also use medical devic View →
Booklist Review of Invasive Species - Asian Giant Hornets
With roughly 20 times the heft of the European honeybee, the Asian giant hornet makes a formidable foe for these little pollinators. This title, part of the Invasive Species series (8 titles), explains that this hornet has made its way to the west coast of North America with detrimental… View →
SLJ Review of My Emergency
What do you do when something scary happens? Aiming to prepare children for health crises and alarming situations where emotions run high, each situation presented is explained in easy-to- understand terms with photographs that are realistic without causing readers undue… T View →
SLJ Review of Country Explorers
These country profiles give a current look at what it is like to live in different places. The table of contents shows that each section is two pages long, with vocabulary in bold. View →
SLJ Review of Bearcub Bios Set Three
An eclectic mix of famous people are the subjects of these basic beginner biographies for the youngest… Facts presented to readers include Amanda Gorman, who was the first top youth poet in the United States; Eva Longoria, an actor who helps people with disabilities; and View →
SLJ Review Underground Animal Life
Solid introductions to six mammals that live in underground homes. Photos show the animals in or near their homes, followed by a description and a clear two-page diagram showing tunnels and various… Dimensions of the underground spaces are provided for some, but an inset scal View →
Booklist Review of Regions of the U.S. - Explore the West
The U.S. is vast and varied, and here readers are offered a succinct snapshot of the American West. The book opens with a rapid historical overview that touches on the West’s original Indigenous inhabitants, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and California Gold… View →
SLJ Review of Mission: Special Ops
This series features graphic fiction/nonfiction hybrids. Fictionalized dialogue bubbles mix with fact boxes to give an action-packed feel. Green Berets take on a rescue mission during the Iraq War, while pararescue jumpers work around the clock to save Hurricane Katrina victims. Army… View →
Booklist Review of Fighting Back in Flight
Riveting action relayed in a graphic-novel format joins traditional nonfiction text in this account of the valiant passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 as they fought with hijackers on 9/11. Without sensationalizing events, the graphic portion relays what happened aboard this View →
Arlington School District Review of Easy Grassland Origami
This easy to follow step by step instructional origami book. I was able to create the origami. I also appreciate the book has bolded vocabulary words to go along with the different themes of the… The book’s grassland theme is broken up into different sections. Each sect View →
Booklist Review of Science Behind the Colors
The eye-catching Science behind the Colors series uses pigment and patterns as an inroad into studying some of the animal king- dom’s most curiously colorful creatures. Each title is broken into short chapters, with only a few sentences per page, that explain how each… View →
SLJ Review of Earth Science–Geology: Need to Know
A graphic novel format brings dinosaur discovery to life in this series. Major finds like Sue Hendrickson’s T. Rex or Jack Horner’s maiasaura are dramatized for readers. Scenes show the process of the dig, as well as the research and other events after the fossils were dug up. Text… View →
Booklist Review of Whole Wide World
These new books in the Whole Wide World series present exciting destinations around the world to young readers. Each book focuses on one large, famous structure, describing its parts, its construction, and what visitors can see there today. View →
SLJ Review of The Art of Mindfulness
Moving beyond deep breaths and yoga mats, these titles incorporate mindfulness practices into common middle grade activities like dancing and crafting. It is a clever expansion that builds on a secular understanding of mindfulness and its uses in daily activities to boost mental… View →
SLJ Review of Science Behind the Colors
Photographs in this series showcase the colors of various animals in beautiful detail. Easily understood text explains the causes of and reasons for the colors, such as camouflage, mating display, or even as a warning to enemies. Nonfiction features include labels on the photos, “Did You View →
SLJ Review of Let's Look at Body Systems
Take a look under human skin and explore the fun world of anatomy and physiology with this early chapter series about how systems work in the body. The step-by-step processes take readers through each part of the body and talk about the interconnected aspect of how systems… Th View →
SLJ Review of Spot the Differences
Engaging animal comparisons are presented in a question-and-answer format. Text provides simple facts about the two… Readers examine the accompanying photograph, then try to identify it based on the words and image: “A frog has webbed feet. A toad does not. Which is this?” View →
SLJ Review of Meet the Community Helpers
Early readers will love to learn about how veterinarians, bus drivers, construction workers, and garbage collectors work hard to serve people and animals in their communities. Each book features common situations associated with each job: Dr. Jenny has a busy day treating animals at her… View →
SLJ Review of Intro to Physics: Need to Know
This series delivers straightforward financial information to readers. Topics covered include credit scores, interest rates, budgeting, and saving. The author relates each subject to a real-life money situation, such as saving for a computer or investing birthday… The books f View →
SLJ Review of That's Not a Dino!
This series guides readers through the distinction between dinosaurs and non-dinosaurs. The Pleistocene, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods are featured in various titles. Each book discusses the time of the dinosaurs and the specific time span of the title, then spotlights four… View →
Booklist Review of Six Days Alone!: Forest Survivor
A dramatization based on true events, this entry in the Limits of Survival series (6 titles) follows Yang Chen, a student from China studying in Australia, who goes hiking to see the country’s beautiful Gorge Falls. After a strenuous, muddy hike, Yang decides to rest while her… View →