Thursday, February 26, 2015

Review Round-Up


23517360

Avraham Perlmutter is just ten years old when his life changes forever.

In 1938, the Nazis arrive in Avraham’s hometown of Vienna, Austria. Desperate to help their son survive, his parents send him to the Netherlands. But the invading German army soon follows. During the ensuing war-torn years, young Avraham braves harrowing captures, daring escapes, torturous hiding, and heartbreaking losses. Yet he also experiences the goodness of humanity through the strangers who help him.

Surviving the Holocaust takes ingenuity, guts, and sheer determination—all of which he calls on again, when he fights to establish the State of Israel during its War of Independence.

And when mere existence isn’t enough, Avraham moves to the United States to continue his education and pursue his dreams.

Determined takes the reader on an unforgettable journey filled with suspense and danger. But it is more than just a remarkable story of survival—it is a testament to human kindness, even in the darkest of hours, and to the achievements made possible through relentless perseverance.

This unique autobiography will inspire readers of all ages—spanning fans of historical memoirs to readers seeking an uplifting perspective on a life fulfilled.


Review:
I am so honored to have received this story for review.  There is something about World War II and the Holocaust that is of interest to me.  There is so much sadness that follows that time and I am inspired by the story of survival and overcoming tragedy.   You get to see the Avraham in many roles and get a great overview of him as a whole person, not just parts of him.  He is amazing, heroic...successful in life and sharing his story.  This book has everything one needs to really understand what happened during that time, with pictures and documents (which add so much to this amazing story).   I am so grateful that he has has shared his story with all of us! Thank you Avraham, so very much.  5 stars





21853678

A novel about three generations of midwives (a woman, her mother, and her grandmother) and the secrets they keep that push them apart and ultimately bind them together

THE SECRETS OF MIDWIVES tells the story of three generations of women devoted to delivering new life into the world—and the secrets they keep that threaten to change their own lives forever. Neva Bradley, a third-generation midwife, is determined to keep the details surrounding her own pregnancy—including the identity of the baby’s father— hidden from her family and co-workers for as long as possible. Her mother, Grace, finds it impossible to let this secret rest. For Floss, Neva’s grandmother and a retired midwife, Neva’s situation thrusts her back 60 years in time to a secret that eerily mirrors her granddaughter’s—a secret which, if revealed, will have life-changing consequences for them all. Will these women reveal their secrets and deal with the inevitable consequences? Or are some secrets best kept hidden?


Review:
This book follows three generations of women: Floss, Grace and Neva.  With one pregnancy is revealed many secrets come to light.  There is more to family than just blood.  There is so much that is beautiful about this book and I think book club will really enjoy it.  3.5 stars




17399500

Now in a fully updated and expanded edition, Levy and Orlan's classic text on attachment provides a comprehensive overview of attachment theory, how attachment issues manifest, and how they can be treated. The book covers attachment-focused assessment and diagnosis, specialized training and education for caregivers, treatment for children and caregivers and early intervention and prevention programmes for high-risk families. 

Review:
Many of you may not know that I was once a social worker.  I still maintain my license and attend trainings.  There are times when I attend a training and it resonates with me.  My training on Trauma & Attachment Focused Therapy was one of the best I have ever attended and the book that was available at the training was one that I had to have,  This book is THE resource on attachment.  It focuses on so many aspects of the disorder and ways to treat, prevent and support those dealing with this disorder.  4.5 star resource.





20728903


Here she goes again! Gracie, a dwarf kangaroo from the thirty-sixth universe, is skipping across the cosmos to her dream destination: St. Petersburg, Russia. She's traveling with Gibson, a Maine coon cat whose life she saved when he was unceremoniously dumped in front of a Pennsylvania corn field. Expectations and reality quickly collide. What she expected to find was a city of wintery white nights, a city dotted with a hundred islands linked by dozens of imposing bridges, all book-ended by majestic sculptures cast in bronze. She expected to feast her eyes on historic buildings splashed with pink, yellow and blue pastels. Instead, she finds herself back in the 18th century, in Russia's Imperial Golden Age. This is not the city I expected, she laments as she stands bewildered near the entrance to the city's center of activity, the perpetually busy post office. Then, when Empress Catherine arrives in her royal carriage and points a bejeweled finger at the ever-so-handsome Gibson, and declares: I want that cat...the fun begins.




23657004

Monsters. Mad Scientists. Danger.

Dark forces are converging on the sleepy town of Autumn’s Hallow. Monsters in the woods, mad scientists on the loose and sinister minions lurk. Four young friends must band together to uncover a secret plot that threatens them, the town they live in and the people they love. It’s up to Blaine Davis, Daschle Gaunt, Shelley Merry and Drake Harker, heirs to fantastic powers to stop an evil that threatens to consume the world. Can the Monster Squad thwart the evil Victor von Frankenstein in time? Find out in Book 1 of an exciting new series!

New Generation Publishing’s 2014 Children’s Book of the Year Award Winner



Review:
I love when books can capture the attention of both the child and adult alike.  This is a great book for a read aloud with your kids...with humor, adventure and story that is 
engaging and interesting.  I can see why this is an award winning book.  It really has so much to offer and I can see that it would be one a kids would want to read throughout their life...to come back to...to reread.  I think depending on where you are in life certain aspects will connect with you.  I cannot wait to see where this series will take us!  4.5 stars






Defeat Bullying with Love, Laughter and Acceptance! In this imaginative sequel to "T-Bone the Flying Horse," meet Rita Bonita the young horse who is constantly the target of teasing and bullying. Her life is transformed in a wonderful way when she meets a girl and her colorful cast of misfit friends. The girl, inspired by her great friend T-Bone, has formed a circus to help the teased love themselves and stand up to bullying! Join Rita Bonita and her new circus friends as they share laughter and spark the imagination in this fantastical rhyming tale about love and acceptance.

Review:
A story about friendship, acceptance (both of others and ourselves) and love.  Children will all find something to relate to.  A book with colorful and captivating photos will hold the interest of the reader and the story about the affects of bullying will encourage communication on the topic.





24496299

Ms. Roman has a wonderful way of introducing younger children and there parents to different countries and this book about Scotland is excellent.

We learn that Scotland occupies about a third of the island of Great Britain and is made up of more the 790 islands.

Since Edinburgh is the capital, many people live, work and go to the university there where they can learn about medicine, law, engineering and science.

Children call their mothers, Mathair and there fathers, Daddah. Some of the more common boy’s names are Ian, Connor or Malcom. Girl’s common names are Kelsey, Margaret and Aillen.

Many people who visit take a trip to Loch Ness, a large freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. Some people claim to have seen Nessee a large dinosaur but nobody has even seen a picture of her so they are not sure if she is even there.

Like here golf is a favorite sport and played on a large open field. Of course the idea of the game is the same, to get a small hard ball into a tiny hole with as few strokes as possible.

After learning some of these interesting facts my family definitely would like to visit Scotland, wouldn’t you?.
 



23587934

Welcome to Hungary! Join Carole P. Roman and learn about this beautiful country in Central Europe. Packed with colorful illustrations, children will learn about the sights, currency, food, and even a few Hungarian words. This critically acclaimed series has been embraced by children, parents, and educators. Deceptively simple, it is jam packed with a vast array of information to ignite any child's interest in the world around them. If You Were Me and Lived in...India- Five Stars ForeWord Review "Roman's If You Were Me books have a simple, winning formula: portray children from other countries and explain how familiar items and customs are the same, and how they differ, in the country being discussed... The appeal of Roman's If You Were Me series is that this information is not offered in the bland style of an encyclopedia entry, but rather as part of a tour of real life in India...It's this organic conversational tone that keeps the book interesting and inspires kids' own curiosity for other cultures." Peter Dabbene The Foreword Review "In Roman's latest installment of her cultural series, she transports readers to India, where she takes them on a whirlwind, detailed tour. Geared towards young readers, the story also works as a primer for readers of all ages...A colorful, engaging holidays and Roman's stories help them realize how much we have in common." Kirkus Reviews 

Series Review:
SERIES REVIEW: What great all encompassing books for kids on countries all over the world. My son is constantly asking me about places all over the world, so these books are right up his alley. It presents great information in a way that is easy for kids to understand. It is like taking a tour of each of the counties within the pages of a book! 4 stars





24968870

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination.

Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.


Series Review:
4.5 stars SERIES REVIEW: An awesome adventure books that my kids and I have read over and over again! Great stories, amazing pictures and a great cast of characters! The books are more than just books...they are hours of fun. After we read one of the books I created a treasure hunt for the kids, with a map and real treasure! Such fun when books becomes more than just books and become bonding moments and amazing memories! 4.5 stars



E-Books:
24805252

This illustrated books tells a poetic story from a six year old's viewpoint. His mother worries too much in his opinion, until they go on a shopping trip and he gets a real appreciation for just how right his mom is. 


Excerpt: 
She watches me with eagle eyes 
Like I’m a treasured jewel 
She cramps my style, oh man alive 
“MOM, THIS JUST AIN’T COOL” 


Review:
A cute story about growing up and feeling like you are too big to need your Mama until something goes wrong and then she is the only one you want! 3.5 stars




BUY THE BOOKS!!!


Cover Reveal: MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid!


Cover Reveal: MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid!

We’re dreaming of summer—feet in the sand, soaking up the sun, taking a dip in the pool—but what we’re most excited about this summer is the release of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s third novel, MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE (on sale July 7, 2015). While we (impatiently!) wait for the book, today we’re giving you a first look at the gorgeous cover! Plenty more information below…

ABOUT MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE:
At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college, but on the heels of a disastrous breakup, she has finally returned to her hometown of Los Angeles. To celebrate her first night back, her best friend, Gabby, takes Hannah out to a bar—where she meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

It’s just past midnight when Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. Ethan quickly offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay.
Hannah hesitates.
What happens if she leaves with Gabby?
What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into surprisingly different stories with far-reaching consequences for Hannah and the people around her, raising questions like: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author and essayist from Acton, Massachusetts. She is the author of Forever, Interruptedand After I Do. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex, and her dog, Rabbit. You can follow her on Twitter @TJenkinsReid.

MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atria Books/Washington Square Press Paperback | 352 pages | ISBN:  9781476776880 | July 7, 2015 | $16.00

eBook: Atria Books/Washington Square Press | 352 pages | ISBN: 9781476776897 | July 7, 2015 | $11.99




FIND TAYLOR ONLINE:

PRE ORDER:

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

So excited for #ZodiacLegacy

REVIEW COMING SOON!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Twelve magical superpowers, One sinister conspiracy, One unlikely hero.

Stan Lee presents a brand new, magical, super-powered adventure!

When twelve magical superpowers are unleashed on the world, a Chinese-America teenager named Steven will be thrown into the middle of an epic global chase. He'll have to master strange powers, outrun super-powered mercenaries, and unlock the mysterious powers of the Zodiac.

22215757ABOUT THE CREATORS
Stan Lee is known to millions as the man whose Super Heroes propelled Marvel to its preeminent position in the comic book industry. His co-creations include Spider-Man, The Avengers, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four, as well as hundreds of others. He introduced Spider-Man as a syndicated newspaper strip that became the most successful of all syndicated adventure strips and has appeared in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Stan currently remains Chairman Emeritus of Marvel, as well as a member of the Editorial Board of Marvel Comics. He is also the Chairman & Chief Creative officer of POW! Entertainment, a multimedia entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA.

Stuart Moore has been a writer, a book editor, and an award-winning comics editor. His recent writing includes Civil War, the first in a new line of prose novels from Marvel Comics, The Art of Iron Man 3 (Marvel, with Marie Javins); and THE 99, a multicultural super hero comic from Teshkeel.

Andie Tong has worked on titles for various franchises, including Tron: Betrayal, Spectacular Spider-Man UK, The Batman Strikes, Smallville, Wheel of Time, TMNT, Masters of the Universe, and Starship Troopers, working for companies such as Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Panini, Dark Horse, and Dynamite Entertainment, as well as commercial illustrations for numerous advertising agencies including Nike, Universal, CBS, Mattel, and Habsro. When he gets the chance, Andie concept designs for various companies, and also juggles illustration duties on a range of children's picture storybooks for Harper Collins. Malaysian born, Andie migrated to Australia at a young age, and then moved to London in 2005. In 2012, he journeyed back to Asia and currently resides in Singapore with this wife and daughter.

LEARN MORE
Learn More at DisneyZodiac.com
Follow DisneyHyperion on Twitter
#ZodiacLegacy


BUY THE BOOK:

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

#Giveaway and Review: The Marrying Type by Laura Chapman

24766966

Always the wedding planner, never a bride, Elliot Lynch is famous for orchestrating the splashiest weddings in Charleston, South Carolina. When her father’s sloppy management practices leave them on the brink of bankruptcy, Elliot will do whatever it takes to save the family business. When asked to appear on “The Marrying Type,” a reality TV show about the people behind the scenes as couples exchange I dos, she says yes to the invasion of privacy (and the hefty paycheck that comes with it).

With a camera crew capturing every detail of her life, Elliot faces her most challenging contract yet: planning a wedding where her ex is involved in every part of the process. Add in a lazy assistant, liquor-loving bridesmaid, and rival planner encroaching on her turf, and Elliot’s wedding season goes from high-end to high-stress.

Forced to confront her past, Elliot must live out her troubled present on national TV if she has any hope of saving her future.


Displaying TMT save the date instagram-2.jpg

Order your copy today by visiting:

You can add The Marrying Type to your to-read list on Goodreads and enter to win one of three prize packages by participating in this Rafflecopter:


Displaying laura-chapman.jpgAbout the Author
Laura Chapman is the author of The Marrying Type, Hard Hats and Doormats and the Autumn and Tuck series, which appear in Merry & Bright and A Kind of Mad Courage. A native Nebraskan, she loves football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Until she fulfills her dream of landing a British husband or becoming a Disney princess, you can find her in a bar penning her next novel.









Stay Connected
Instagram






There are books that really capture the trials and tribulations of life and THE MARRYING TYPE is one of those great reads that captures of the ups and downs we can all relate to.  There is an interesting and fun cast of characters that accompany Elliot on her journey.   Having her whole experience captured, on a reality show that she has decided to be featured on because the money was to great to turn down, she experiences some crazy situations.  The whole time I was reading I was thinking "what if this was me?".  I found myself considering what I would do in Elliot's place...such fun it is to put yourself in the shoes of the main character.  This novel is entertaining, fun and a great read for the girls in your book club!   
4.0 stars

Books in the Classroom with Yvonne

 







21488358


The Olive Tree
By:  Elsa Marston

An amazing culturally responsive interactive read aloud. From the moment you open the cover you will be drawn in by the stunning illustrations. The Olive Tree is a story about two Lebanese children and how they find friendship through the destruction of an olive tree. This book is perfect for the classroom:
·         Problem/solution and how they are connected. Both the problem and solution are easy for young readers to understand.
·         Lesson/moral – friendship
·         Symbolism – olive tree, brick wall, transferring of wood to neighbor’s yard, olives in the basket, headscarves, etc.
·         Predicting with evidence to support thinking
·         Using context clues for new vocabulary
·         Retelling – this book is written with distinct events that makes teaching retelling easy for emergent readers
·         Types of print (bold/italics) Why does the author do that?
Elsa Marston eloquently captures the understanding of friendship but she also sparks my interest to learn and understand more. The Olive Tree is a beautiful multi-cultural book that should be shared with all school age children. 5 beautiful stars.



23217709

The Fruits We Eat
By: Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons never disappoints!  The Fruits We Eat begins with a topic so important to young children…healthy eating and fruits are part of that. The book walks readers through the life cycle of fruit from pollination to harvesting and shipping.
This book has endless ways to be used the classroom:
·         Introducing students to fruits, trying them and then writing a persuasive review on which fruit is best and why.
·         Classify – how fruits are classified based on how they are grown (plants, bushes, vines or trees)
·         Comparing and contrasting
o   cultivated vs. wild
o   annual vs. perennial
o   sweet vs. tart
o   fresh vs. canned/frozen
·         Using a flow chart or timeline from pollination to harvest
·         Understanding circle graphs and measurement
·         Using diagrams and labels to teach
·         Adding a facts page at the end of All About Books
I love how Gail Gibbons can write an informational text and use illustrations verses photographs to teach the reader.  Young writers mostly draw their illustrations before they learn to use photographs. This helps students truly understand text features when they can use them correctly in their own writing and Gail Gibbons models this so effortlessly. This book teaches the reader about fruits/plants/growing cycle but can be used also as a mentor text to teach reading and writing skills. 5 stars



18226525
It’s Raining!
By: Gail Gibbons

If you teach weather or have a budding meteorologist in your home this book is a must have! It is appropriate for elementary and middle school students. The text is easy to read and the captions are busting with facts and additional information. This book is my mentor text for our weather unit. It’s Raining!
·         covers the water cycle, cloud types, rainfall amounts, types of rain, weather tools, types of power from nature, acid rain and weather safety.
·         is packed with weather vocabulary that is explained in easy to understand terminology.
·         uses multiple text features…headings, diagrams, captions, and a map.
·         understanding how to read a map/chart and a cycle diagram.
Although this is easily a content based mentor text, it can also be a reading and writing mentor text.
·         Reading pages of informational text in any order.
·         Using a “teacher” voice when reading informational text.
·         How to use text features when writing an All About Book.
·         Using illustrations to teach the reader and writer.
I am so excited to have a content based book that can be a true mentor text…being used over and over.  5 stars!!





15000142

Plants Feed Me
By: Lizzy Rockwell

Plants Feed Me is a quality informational text about plants. The book teaches readers how plants grow, parts of a plant and the different part of a plant we eat. In the classroom:
  • ·         A read aloud to introduce a plant unit in early elementary classrooms.
  • ·         Colorful pictures and simple text for emergent readers.
  • ·         Diagrams with labels, cut-a-ways (inside and underground), captions and detailed illustrations guide readers to read the illustration and introduce text features.
  • ·        Use the information in the book to create categories for the plants we eat.
Adding appropriate reading level informational text to a primary classroom can be difficult. This book is perfect. I can’t wait to share it with our kindergarten and first grade teachers. 5 stars



23217734

Simple Machines: Wheels, Levers, and Pulleys
By: David A. Adler

If you teach physical science and the concepts of work/motion, this book will compliment your teaching. Simple Machines: Wheels, Levers, and Pulleys would make for an informative read aloud for grades K-2 but is best used in an upper elementary classroom or middle school science class. The illustrations tell their own story of two boys, a parent and cat that go about their daily life and the encounters they have with wheels, levers and pulleys. The text however is a sound teaching tool.
  • ·         The vocabulary: wedge, incline plane/ramp, lever, friction, wheel and axle, gears and pulleys are explained in practical ways.
  • ·         Examples that are used come from encounters most students would have in their everyday lives. Leading these examples to ones students could try in the classroom.
  • ·         The labels added to the illustrations explain how force can change directions. Giving students a concrete visual to understand each concept.
I can’t wait to share this book with the third and eighth grade teams of teachers and in our district that teach these concepts. Using this book is another way to combine literacy and the content areas.  5 stars!



17351018

Triangles
By: David A. Adler

David Adler has a talent for writing content based picture books. Triangles is packed with math vocabulary that relates to triangles and angles. The use of a robot figure to teach geometry appeals to students. This book teaches:
  • ·         how angles are named.
  • ·         telling time using angles.
  • ·         measuring angles.
  • ·         naming triangles (based on angles and length of sides).
  • ·         similar and congruent shapes.
Students would benefit from hearing this book multiple times. The first reading would be to familiarize them with the vocabulary; and then multiple readings to answer the many questions and trying the mini experiments. I can’t wait to read this to my second graders to introduce triangles and angles and to share it with our Talented and Gifted teacher for her to expand on. 5 stars!!


  
17351020

Jack and the Hungry Giant: Eat Right with My Plate
By: Loreen Leedy

A twist on a familiar tale. The tale starts out like the traditional fairy tale but soon we are surprised to learn that the giant doesn’t want to eat Jack but instead together create a healthy meal. This book is perfect for K-2 classrooms when teaching healthy eating, but don’t stop there. It can also be used:
  • ·         at a health fair.
  • ·         by a gym teacher when teaching anytime vs. some time foods.
  • ·         to compare/contract two texts (multiple versions of the fairy tale).
  • ·         to expand students’ fluency through ellipses and word size.
  • ·         in writing to model how authors play with word size and location on the page.
  • ·         to set up a class debate on it corn is a vegetable (as stated in the book) or a grain.
Loreen Leedy also includes additional activity pages on her website as well as a view of sample pages. There is also supplementary information on the USDA MyPlate program that compliments this book. 5 stars!



23217704

Mr. Happy & Miss Grimm
By: Antonie Schneider

Mr. Happy is always happy and his neighbor Miss Grimm never is. Mr. Happy greets everything with a smile while Miss Grimm simply avoids everything. As time goes by Mr. Happy’s joy begins to spread into Miss Grimm’s yard and eventually her life causing her to change her name. This book works well with:
  • ·         comparing/contracting two characters
  • ·         charting character changes
  • ·         partner reading
I think the overall message is wonderful…greet each day with smile. I love how happiness prevails in the end. 3.5 stars!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...