Here there be Monsters

Here there be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the GIANT SQUID

Author:  HP Newquist

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin           

Year:  2010

ISBN:  978-0-547-07678-2

Genre: Non Fiction

This book is for Ages: 10 up

AR Points:  3.0

Subjects/Themes: Giant Squid

Gorgeous illustrations, images, and photographs support the connection between the myths of the kraken and modern day study of the giant squid.   A fantastic book for young naturalists.  The book recounts tales of  sea serpents described as “a fish with huge eyes surrounded by horns that looked like tree roots” (p.11). This book may inspire exploration of fictional works like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

What Made the Wild West Wild

What Made the Wild West Wild

Author:  Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin

Publisher:  My Report Links.com Books       

Year:  2006

ISBN:  159845-016-6

Genre: Non Fiction American History

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: U.S. History

“Wild Bill” Hickok, “Calamity” Jane, Davy Crockett, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody these heroes of the old west and the dime novels and stories that made them great are examined and compared with reality.  This book includes a helpful website with links to information to use for creating book reports and biographical reports.  Covering the 19^th century U.S. history of Indians, pioneers, gold rush, cowboys outlaws and lawmen, What made the Wild West Wild is an engaging overview with photos, maps and illustrations that bring the wild west to life.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Pony Express Riders of the Wild West by Jeff Savage.

American Presidents

American Presidents

Publisher:  Disney Educational Productions 2010

Genre: Non-Fiction American History

This DVD is for Ages: 8 - 14
ASIN: B0035CP4O2

Subjects/Themes:  American Presidents 1754-1861

Short Biographies of the first 11 American Presidents including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and James K Polk are offered in an appealing and hip way.  The DVD includes interactive content to test your knowledge of the first 11 presidents, and their political philosophies.  This is a great resource to share with teachers.  This is a entertaining and informative dvd.

What's Going on Down There? Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask by Karen Gravelle with Nick and Chava Castro.

What’s Going on Down There?  Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask

Author:  Karen Gravelle with Nick and Chava Castro.

Illustrations: by Robert Leighton

Publisher: Walker and Company  

Year:  1998

ISBN:  0-80278671-5

Genre: Non-Fiction

This book is for Ages: 10 and up

Subjects/Themes: Physiology, Puberty, Human Reproduction

As boys grow into young men many changes take place in their bodies.  This book provides answers to questions that many boys may be concerned with during puberty.  The questions were written by two brothers Nick and Chava, 11 and 13.  Since puberty can take place at different ages for each boy, you will know when and if you want to read this book.  The book talks about boys bodies and how they change during puberty.  It talks about the changes girls experience in puberty.  It answers questions about sex, birth control, staying healthy and what is normal.  This is a comprehensive book.  The illustrations by Robert Leighton are funny but they provide good information.   They may make you laugh and help you understand the changes, embarrassment and curiosity that go along with maturing bodies.  This is a really good book for parents to read and share with their sons.  It may foster candid conversations about difficult and sometimes embarrassing topics.

If you like this book you may also like:  The American Medical Association Boys guide to Becoming a Teen or The Boy’s Body Book by Kelli Dunham.

Alter This by Alena Hennessy

Title:   Alter This       

Author:  Alena Hennessy

Publisher:  Lark Books          

Year:  2007

ISBN:  978-1-5790-948-2

Genre: Non Fiction/Crafting

This book is for Ages: 8 and up

Subjects/Themes: Paper Crafts

Alter This is has great ideas for up-cycling books into cool art and other projects.  It has a materials section and a design section to help you decide on how you want to create your projects and teach you how to talk like a real artist.  Projects include, top secret shadow boxes, picture frames, and accordion books.  Alter This shows you lots of fun and creative ways to use old books as canvases for your own art.

If you like this book you may also like:  Playing with Books, by Jason Thompson.