Nonfiction

Swish! The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Don Tate

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Swish! by Suzanne Slade | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Book Trailer Reveal: SWISH! THE SLAM-DUNKING, ALLEY-OOPING, HIGH-FLYING HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS by Don Tate (illustrator) and Suzanne Slade (author) | Nerdy Book Club

Summary:  In 1922,when Chicago’s Wendell Phillips High School basketball team won the division championship, they knew they were some of the best players in the country.  Because they were black, though, they were shut out from the top professional teams.  A group of them was recruited by Abe Saperstein for his new New York Harlem Globetrotters team.  They travelled around the country, playing whatever teams towns could put together, and usually beating them.  To take away the sting of being so dominant on the court, the group started adding tricks and jokes to the games.  Crowds loved them, but they often couldn’t stay in the local hotels or eat in the restaurants.  To prove their equality with white players, the Globetrotters challenged the 1948 Minnesota Lakers team to a game, and beat them, 61-59, repeating the feat a year later to show it wasn’t a fluke.  With NBA ticket sales down and the Globetrotters playing to sold-out crowds, owners had little choice but to start integrating their teams.  The Globetrotters, who have been named America’s Ambassadors of Goodwill, continue traveling around the world, delighting fans with their own special brand of basketball.  Includes additional information, an artist’s note, a list of sources, a timeline, and photos.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  Sports fans will love this story of the Globetrotters.  The text is accessible for primary grades, and the illustrations provide plenty of action and laughs.  The backmatter adds to the value for research.

Cons:  Although the timeline is great, it would have been nice to have some dates in the story itself to place it in historical context.  I remember the Globetrotters from my childhood, but didn’t know they had been around for almost 100 years.

On the Horizon by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Kenard Pak

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

On the Horizon: Lowry, Lois, Pak, Kenard: 9780358129400: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Lois Lowry lived in both Hawaii and Japan as a child, and her poems here reflect some of her experiences in those two countries during World War II.  The bulk of the poetry, though, relates personal stories, both of people aboard the Arizona and those living in Hiroshima.  The poems are written in a variety of styles, and most are accompanied by an illustration.  Includes an author’s note telling of her experiences that influenced this book.  Most remarkable is her interaction with a Japanese boy named Koichi Seii, who moved to the U.S. as an adult and changed his name to Allen Say, becoming an award-winning illustrator and Lowry’s friend.  Aso includes a bibliography.  80 pages; grades 5-8.

Pros:  By focusing on individuals (many of them children or young adults), Lowry really personalizes the tragedy of war.  The details may be too sad or disturbing for younger kids, but middle school students will find a lot to discuss in these poems.

Cons:  I wish there had been some information about the different forms of poetry used.

The Challenger Disaster: Tragedy in the Skies by Pranas T. Naujokaitis

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Published by First Second

Amazon.com: History Comics: The Challenger Disaster: Tragedy in the Skies (9781250174307): Naujokaitis, Pranas T.: Books
History Comics: The Challenger Disaster | Pranas T. Naujokaitis | Macmillan

Summary:  A group of kids going to school on board a 24th century spacecraft has an assignment to research the Challenger disaster.  Each presents one aspect of the event, including the history of the space shuttle, the crew, the launch, and the investigation of what went wrong.  The kids are all certain that Carmen, the slacker among them, hasn’t done her research, and when it comes time for her to present, it turns out they’re right.  But she’s been so moved by what she’s learned that she makes an emotional case for continuing to explore the universe, even though tragedies sometimes happen as part of those explorations.  The day ends with A plus grades for everyone, and the teacher musing to herself that she believes the future is in good hands.  Includes an author’s afterword and a list of additional Challenger facts.  128 pages; grades 4-6.

Pros:  A moving look at many different aspects of the Challenger explosion that includes holographic images of each crew member giving an introduction to his or her life and career.  This is part of a new series called History Comics that will undoubtedly have wide appeal, particularly for fans of books like Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales.

Cons:  The detailed descriptions of the space shuttle in the first third of the book may lose a few readers.

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I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

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Published by Rise x Penguin Workshop

I Am the Storm: Yolen, Jane, Stemple, Heidi E. Y., Howdeshell, Kristen, Howdeshell, Kevin: 9780593222751: Amazon.com: Books
I Am the Storm: Yolen, Jane, Stemple, Heidi E. Y., Howdeshell, Kristen, Howdeshell, Kevin: 9780593222751: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Four children tell of their experiences surviving a tornado, blizzard, wildfire, and hurricane.  While the danger is present, they either hunker down at home or are evacuated to a safe place where they enjoy time with their families: playing cards in the basement until the tornado passes, cooking over the fireplace through the blizzard, camping while the wildfire burns, and staying with cousins during a hurricane.  Afterward, they help clean up and get back to their lives.  “Nature is strong and powerful. But, I am strong and powerful, too…And when the storm passes, as it always does, I am the calm, too.”  Includes additional information about the four types of events. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A reassuring book for kids who have faced or are about to face a natural disaster, focusing on resilience and offering child-friendly information about each event.

Cons:  Makes surviving a catastrophic event look fun and cozy, and only portrays families with nice houses and cars who have the financial means to be this resilient.

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Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks

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Published by First Second

Interior Image

Summary:  Real-life astronaut Mary Cleave narrates the story of how women clawed their way into the space program, beginning with a group of women called the Mercury 13 who tried to be part of the first group of astronauts.  Although they were qualified, and their smaller size would have been a plus on early space missions, they were eventually passed over for the all-male Mercury 7.  Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space.  It wasn’t until 1983 that Sally Ride broke the barriers at NASA, and many other women have succeeded there in the decades since.  The final section of the book is a detailed narrative of Cleave’s own journey aboard the space shuttle in 1985.  Includes photos of a diverse group of astronauts, an author’s note, and a lengthy bibliography.  176 pages; grades 5-8.

Pros:  As I’m writing this review, my daughter is sitting at the dining room table taking an orbital mechanics final for her graduate program in astronautics at Stanford, so I can’t help but be grateful for how far women have come since Sally Ride burst on the scene during my own college days.  This book gives a humorous but honest account of the hard work those early women had to do, and the ridiculous sexism that made it so difficult for them to become part of the space program.  The artwork is appealing, and the detailed illustrations of life aboard the space shuttle are truly remarkable. 

Cons:  The beginning, with its whirlwind history of the early days of the space program in both the U.S. and USSR, is a bit confusing, with a big cast of characters, and a lot of switching back and forth between the two countries (the Russian scenes are cleverly shown with a font resembling Cyrillic script).

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Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League by Angie Bullaro, illustrated by C. F. Payne

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Published by Simon and Schuster

Breaking the Ice | Book by Angie Bullaro, C. F. Payne, Manon Rhéaume | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Summary:  Manon Rhéaume grew up playing backyard hockey with her brothers in Quebec.  When she was five, her dad recruited her to be goalie on the team he coached.  She did well and continued to push herself to succeed, becoming the first girl to play in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament at age 11.  At the age of 20, she was invited to participate in a training camp for the new Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.  She worked hard enough and played well enough to get to play in a couple of preseason games in 1992 and 1993, and remains the only woman to have played in a game in any of the four major North American sports leagues. Includes an afterword by Manon Rhéaume, a timeline, and fun facts about Manon.  40 pages; grades K-5.

Pros:  Here in New England, one can never have enough hockey books in the library, and hockey books about women are rare indeed.  This one has a very complete story and large colorful illustrations that will appeal to kids in all elementary grades.

Cons:  It wasn’t clear from the story or the afterword how much Manon had played in the NHL.  I had to go to the timeline for my answer (two preseason games).  

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On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Chronicle Books

On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson (Emily Dickinson for Kids, Biography of Female Poet for Kids): Berne, Jennifer, Stadtlander, Becca: 9781452142975: Amazon.com: Books
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson (Emily Dickinson for Kids, Biography of Female Poet for Kids): Berne, Jennifer, Stadtlander, Becca: 9781452142975: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Emily Dickinson’s life story is told from beginning to end, with her poetry woven into almost every page.  Her internal life is explored, how she loved books and sought answers when confronted with deaths of people near her.  As she grew older, she withdrew more, focusing on her writing and only interacting with a few people who were close to her.  Following her death in 1886, her sister Vinnie found hundreds of poems tucked away around her house, and the world began to discover the poet Emily Dickinson.  Includes additional information about Emily’s poetry; how to discover the world of poetry; a few books by and about Emily; and notes from the author and illustrator. 52 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  This gorgeously illustrated biography is an excellent introduction to the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and gives readers some glimpses into Dickinson’s life and why she chose to live the way she did.  The back matter provides additional inspiration for aspiring poets.

Cons:  As someone who has wished for a good elementary biography of Emily Dickinson (she’s a hot topic for third graders when they get to their unit on famous Massachusetts people), I was disappointed that this book didn’t include much of the factual biographical information (when she was born, where she lived, etc.) that kids are seeking for reports. A timeline would have been helpful and not taken away from the lyrical nature of the writing.

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Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball: Bryant, Jen, Morrison, Frank: 9781419741081: Amazon.com: Books
Sixty years on, an NBA story teaches about racial injustice | MPR News

Summary:  Growing up in a segregated neighborhood in Washington, D.C., Elgin Baylor didn’t have much opportunity to learn how to play basketball.  So he taught himself.  When he got to high school and college, coaches were amazed at his style of play, so different from what they were accustomed to.  In 1958, Elgin was drafted by the Minnesota Lakers.  His pro ball career coincided with events in the civil rights movement.  Elgin himself took a stand after experiencing discrimination at hotels and restaurants when his team played in West Virginia.  He refused to suit up with the team, disappointing fans who had come to see him play, but using his status to make a statement.  A few weeks later, the NBA commissioner ruled that teams would no longer stay in hotels or eat in restaurants that practiced discrimination.  The following year, in 1959, Elgin was chosen as NBA Rookie of the Year.  Includes an author’s note describing how Elgin Baylor changed basketball and influenced players like Julius Irving, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James, as well as a list of additional resources, and a timeline of both Baylor’s life and events in the civil rights movement.  40 pages; grades 2-6.

Pros:  Basketball fans will enjoy this look at a lesser-known player who changed the game and influenced some other players they may have heard of.  Frank Morrison’s action-shot illustrations are amazing and should be looked at by the Coretta Scott King and/or Caldecott committees.

Cons:  Some sources recommend this book for preschoolers or kindergarteners, but with the civil rights events woven in and extensive back matter, it’s a better book for older elementary kids.

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Letters from Space by Clayton Anderson, illustrated by Susan Batori

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

Letters from Space: Anderson, Clayton, Batori, Susan: 9781534110748: Amazon.com: Books

Summary: Former astronaut Clayton Anderson drew on his experience living aboard the International Space Station to create these fictional letters about life in space.  From Day 1 (“Dear Mom, I did it I made it into outer space! LAUNCH WAS SO COOL!”) to Day 152 (“Dear Mission Control: I’m home–safely back on Earth. And boy, am I glad about that!”), his letters brim with enthusiasm for sharing his experiences and scientific information about space.  The science is very kid-friendly, describing why the crews’ heads look bigger when the first few days of a mission, animals who have traveled into space, and how astronauts take pictures. Living in a weightless environment, conducting experiments, and going for a space walk are all explained with an air of excitement, and a P.S. from the astronaut at the end gives a bit more information about each topic.  32 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  Anderson’s enthusiasm is infectious, and is sure to lead some readers to consider a career in space.  The letters format is engaging, and could serve as a writing prompt.  Batori’s humorous cartoon-inspired illustrations add to the fun.

Cons:  I wished the letters had clarified who each recipient was.  Some (Mom, Brother, Mission Control) are obvious, while others (Cole, Sofia, Ana) are more ambiguous.

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Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Mike Orodán

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Published by Beach Lane Books

Crossings | Book by Katy S. Duffield, Mike Orodán | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals: Duffield, Katy S., Orodán, Mike: 9781534465794: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Animals struggle to survive in a world overrun by humans, but there are people who build structures to make life a little easier for them.  They’ve created overpasses, underpasses, bridges, and tunnels to help different creatures move from one place to another safely.  From overpasses across the Trans-Canada Highway to rope bridges over Australia’s Hume Highway to tiny passageways built for spotted salamanders in Massachusetts, engineers have come up with some creative solutions to help animals threatened by traffic and other human activities.  Includes two pages with additional information about each structure and a bibliography.  48 pages; ages 4-9.

Pros:  Kids will enjoy learning about both the animals and the structures, but the real appeal of this book is the large, colorful illustrations of all the critters.  I hope we’ll be seeing more from illustrator Mike Orodán.

Cons:  I hope I never stumble upon those millions of crabs crossing their special crab bridge on Christmas Island.

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