Forensic Science

Forensic Science

by Peter Pentland and Pennie Stoyles

Chelsea House Publishers (2003)

Interest Level: grades 3-7

CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

TYPE: Informational Book

Summary:

This book provides an overview of all the aspects of Forensic Science and the tools used in investigations. Some of the topics discussed include fingerprinting, DNA profiling, and autopsies.

Online Connections:

1. Forensic Science Website: library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/index1.htm

2. Forensic Science Carreer website: www.criminology.fsu.edu/faculty/nute/FScareers.html

Book Connections:

1. Science Encounters: CRIME DETECTION by Chris Oxlade

2. The Bone Detectives by Donna M. Jackson, Photographs by Charlie Fellenbaum

Keywords: Crime, Crime Lab, Science, Blood, Evidence, Bones

RISKY BUSINESS: Storm Chaser

RISKY BUSINESS: Storm Chaser

by Keith Elliot Greenberg

Blackbirch Press Book (1998)

Interest Level: grades 3-6

CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

TYPE: Biography

Summary:

This book is a biography of Brian Taggart who is an airplane pilot and a Lieutenant Commander for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for deadly storms. He goes into dangerous storms to collect information that could help determine where and when a stom will hit.

Online Connections:

1. Author biography website: http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?tab=1&pid=365071&agid=13

2. Weather information websites: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/storm/, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/, and http://205.156.54.206/

Book Connections:

1. Community Helpers: Meteorologists by Sandra J. Christian, M.Ed.

2. HURRICANE HUNTERS! Riders on the Storm by Chris L. Demarest

Keyworks: air pilots, storms, hurricanes, weather

Getting Ready for A Career in Health Care

Getting Ready for A Career in Health Care

by Bill Lund

Illustrated with Photographs by Peter Ford

Capstone Press (1996)

Interest Level: grades 3-6

CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Type: Informational Book

Summary:

This book is an easy to read guide to the health care professions, including brief descriptions of various jobs in the health field.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.librarything.com/author/lundwilliam

2. Author profile: http://www.librarything.com/profile/billlund

Book Connectins:

1. Neighborhood Helpers: Nurses by Cecilia Minden and Linda M. Armantrout

2. EXPLORING CAREERS: Doctor by Peggy J. Parks

Keywords: doctor, nurse, dentist, home health care provider, emergency medical technician (EMT)

POLICE PATROL

POLICE PATROL

by Katherine K. Winkleman

Illustrations by John S. Winkleman

Walker Publishing Company (1996)

Interest Level: grades 4-5

CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

TYPE: Picture Book

Summary:

This book describes the activities that take place at a police station and the duties of different types of officers.

Online Connections:

1. Book Review Website: http://library.springville.org:8000/kcweb/kcContent?isbn=9780802784537&type=review&controlnumber=+++00017013&referedby=titlelist

2. How to become a Police Officer website: http://www.ehow.com/how_8106_become-police-officer.html

Book Connections:

1. I WANT TO BE A Police Officer by Dan Liebman

2. POLICE OFFICERS by Paulette Bourgeois and Kim LaFave

Keywords: police officer, detective, Miranda Warning, prison, crime lab

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
by David Lubar
Dutton Children's Books (2005)
Interest Level: ages 7 and up

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary:
Scott Hudson and his friends are just starting high school. Through his freshmen year Scott learns survival tips, gets involved with a few organizations, and deals with changes happening at home. He makes some new friends and loses some old ones and learns a little more about who he is and what is really important in the process. Read this book to find out how Scott Hudson survives his first year of high school.

Online Connections:
1. Author's website: www.davidlubar.com
2. Interview with the author: www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/authors/interviews/DavidLubar.html

Book Connections:
1. Rumor by Carol Deuker
2. Invisible by Pete Hautman

Keywords/Phrases: tom swifties, The Princess Bride, freshmen, high school, bullies, family

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
by Paul Goble
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (1978)
Interest Level: ages 4-8
Awards and Honors:
Caldecott Medal, 1978
ALA Notable Children's Book, 1978
A NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
One of the Children's Books of the Year, chosen by the Library of Congress

Category: Fiction (Folk Tale)
Type: Picture Storybook

Summary: A girl in the village of a Native American Indian tribe loved horses. She understood them, helped them find shelter from the storms and would take care of them when they were injured. One day when the girl was sleeping soundly by the horses, a storm came suddenly. She awoke at the crash of thunder and flash of lightning. She jumped onto a horse and the herd began galloping away and would not stop until they were far from their familiar grazing grounds. When the storm finally passed, the girl realized that they were lost. When she woke the next morning she was surprised by a beautiful spotted stallion, the leader of all the wild horses that roamed the hills. What happens next? Does the girl find her way home? Read this book to finish the story!

Online Connections:
1. Information site about the author's art work: www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/globe_paul.html
2. Biography of author: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Goble

Book Connections:
1. The Gift of the Sacred Dog by Paul Goble
2. Buffalo Women by Paul Goble

Keywords: horses, native american fairy tales, indians of North America

The SOS File

The SOS File
by Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, and Laurie Myers
illustrated by Arthur Howard
Henry Holt and Company, LLC (2004)
Interest Level: 8-12 years

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Short Stories

Summary:
Mr. Margo's SOS class assignment some students diligently writing about their near mishaps while others struggle for ideas. One of the students tells about her accident on her go-cart when her partner was not able to jump in at take off. That meant there was no one to pull the brake. OOOooo, Lookout! In the next SOS Jerry ate all the candy bars he was supposed to sell for the baseball team. He had to borrow the money from his mom and then find a way to pay her back. What a bummer! The next SOS proved to be a "beary" scary adventure. Augustus and his family went on a camping trip to Little Bear Mountain. While Augustus and his friend, Dodger, were hiking on the mountain they walked around the corner and what did they see? A large black mother bear with two small cubs! What did they do? Did they make it safely back to camp? Read The SOS File to find out what happened to Augustus and about the other SOS stories from the other students. The one very special story, the last SOS, gives hope to all the students.

Online Connections:
1. Author website: www.betsybyars.com
2. Author's spotlight: www.classzone.com/novelguides/authors/byars.cfm

Book Connections:
1. Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
2. The Givig Tree by Shel Silverstein

Keywords: sos, 911, help, emergencies

Fever 1793

Fever 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2000)
Interest Level: Young Adult

Category: Historical Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary:
Fourteen year old Matilda's (Mattie) world turns upside down when Philadelphia experiences a yellow fever plague that kills thousands. Her mother and grandfater decide to stay while thousands of others are fleeing to safety. By the time they decide to leave, it is too late. Mattie falls to the ground with the fever after she and her grandfather try to leave town. Luckily she survives with the skilled help of the French doctors and Mrs. Flagg. When she is well enough, Mattie and her grandfather go back to town and find the coffeehouse had been burglarized and in shambles. Mattie's mother is gone as well and there is no note, they do not know if she is alive or has died from the plague.
Mattie finds a few vegetables in the overgrown garden for a modest dinner for her and her grandfather. They eat and then she takes a much needed bath and makes a pallet to sleep for the evening. That night, burglars come in the window close to where Mattie is sleeping. They are looking for anything they can sell in the city. Mattie tries to run out the back but they catch her. Her grandfather, hearing the commotion, wakes up and confronts them with his rifle. The intruders struggle for the gun and knock him to the ground, hitting his head. What happens to Mattie's grandfather? What happened to her mother? What will she do now? Read Fever 1793 for all these answers and more.

Online Connections:
1. Author website: www.writerlady.com
2. Author profile: www.teenreads.com/authors/au-anderson-laurie.asp

Book Connections:
1. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
2. Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geralding Brooks

Keywords: yellow fever, plague, 1793, epidemic

The Boy On Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss

The Boy On Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss
by Kathleen Krull
paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Random House Children's Books (2004)
Interest Level: ages 7-11

Category: Nonfiction Biography
Type: Picture Book

Summary:
Kathleen Krull does a wonderful job introducing the reader to the young Ted Geisel, who later becomes known as "Dr. Seuss." He was born in 1904 and grew up on 34th Street in springfield, Massachusetts. His father practically ran the zoo so Ted spent many days there and at night, he would dream of the animals. Ted's mother would read stories and nonsense verse to him every night. She gave him his first stuffed animal which Ted named Theophrastus. Ted stayed active with his wild imagination as a boy. In the summers, he would fish with his father, play in the sand, learn to swim, and enjoyed the parades. But most of all, Ted loved to draw. He drew all kinds of imaginary creatures; whatever popped into his head. Ted took his first Art class in high school. The teacher scolded him for breaking the rules and told him he would never be a successful artist so he quit the class. Kathleen Krull goes on to tell of Ted Geisel's other adventures and eventual success. Read this book to find out more about the real "Dr. Seuss."

Online Connections:
1. Dr. Seuss's Seussville: http://www.seussville.com
2. Dr. Seuss's Biography: http://www.catinthehat.org

Book Connections:
1. Oh the Places He Went: A Story About Dr. Seuss by Maryann N. Weidt, illustrated by Kerry Maguire
2. Dr. Seuss (Rookie Biographies) by Dana Meachen Rau

Keywords: Dr. Seuss, American authors, illustrators, biographies, Ted Geisel

Sunken Treasure

Sunken Treasure
by Gail Gibbons
HarperCollins Publishers (1988)
Interest Level: ages 6-10

Category: Nonfiction
Type: Picture Book

Summary:
In 1622, the Atocha sank off the coast of Florida during a hurricane. The ship was carrying a load of Spanish treasure which was lost at sea. Hundreds of years later, Mel Fisher learned about the Atocha and began a search for the treasure with the help of investors, a crew, and special equipment. It was twenty years before they found the mother lode! An archaeologist, Duncan Mathewson, guided the retrieval efforts to preserve the historical find. To find out more about the search for the Atocha and the preservation efforts, read Sunken Treasure by Gail Gibbons.

Online Connections:
1. Interview with the aughor: www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/gibbons
2. Author website: www.gailgibbons.com

Book Connections:
1. Treasure Diving With Captain Dom by Yvonne Addario
2. Diving for Sunken Treasure Excerpts from The Jupiter Wreck Trilogy by Dominic Addario

Keywords: buried treasure, ship, divers, Atocha, Mel Fisher

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
A Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Fiction
Candlewick Press (2006)
Interest Level: grades 3-6

Category: Modern Fantasy
Type: Novel
Summary:
Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, was a gift to 10 year old Abilene Tulane from her grandmother. Abilene truly loves Edward but he is too vain and cold-hearted to return her love. The grandmother tells Edward she is very disappointed in him. A short time later, the family goes on an ocean journey and Edward falls overboard. This beging his journey of learning new emotions through the situations he is put in. First, he is caught in a fisherman's net and taken home. He later ends up in the dump and is rescued by a hobo and his dog. Next, he is a gift to a four year old girl. Miraculously, Edward learns to love. One of his last destinations is in a toy shop where he is restored. What happens next to Edward Tulane? After years of sitting on the shelf in the doll shop, somehting wonderful happens. Read this book and find out!

Online Connections:
1. Website about the character, Edward Tulane: http://www.edwardtulane.com/
2. Author's website: http://www.katedicamillo.com/

Book Connections:
1. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
2. The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney

Keywords: rabbits, love, listening, adventures

Henny Penny

Henny Penny
by Paul Galdone
Clarion Books ((1968)
Interest Level: ages 4-8
Category: Traditional Fantasy
Type: Picture Storybook
Summary:
An acorn falls on Henny Penny's head and she believes it is a piece of the sky. She runs off to tell the King and others join her along the way. What fate lies ahead for Henny Penny? Read all about it in this book.
Online connections:
1. Website about the author: http://www.librarything.xom/author/galdonepaul
2. Website that provides information about the author's collection: http://www.lib.uconn.edu/DoddCenter/ASC/findaids/Galdone/MSS1990041.html

Book Connections:
1. The Three Little Kittens by Paul Galdone
2. The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone

Key Words: hen, sky, fowl, wolf, tale

What A Day It Was At School

What A Day It Was At School

by Jack Prelutsky, pictures by Doug Cushman

Greenwillow Books (2006)

Interest Level: ages 4-8

Category: Contemporary Fiction

Type: Poetry

Summary:

Jack Prelutsky creates funny, silly, and extraordinary poems out of the many situations children face in a school day. Some topics included are about heavy backpacks, homework, field trips, the library, the cafeteria, the infirmary, and the teacher's pet.

Online Connections:

1. Author's website: http://www.jackprelutsky.com

2. Illustrator's website: http://www.doug-cushman.com

Book Connections:

1. Behold the Bold Unbrellaphant: And Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky

2. It's Raining Pigs & Noodles by Jack Prelutsky

Keywords: humor, juvenile poetry, children's poetry

Love That Dog

Love That Dog
by Sharon Creech
Joanna Cotler Books (2001)
Interest Level: ages 8-12

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Verse Novel

Summary:
Jack, a student in Miss Stretchberry's class, develops his understanding and ability to write and appreciate poetry. Through poetry readings by his teacher, practice writing, and exposure to well-known poets and their poems, Jack finds his voice. One of the highlights is when he writes a letter to one of his favorite poets, inviting him to come to his school. Jack is thrilled when Mr. Walter Dean Myers accepts!

Online Connections:
1. Author's website: http://sharoncreech.com
2. Poetry connection/lesson website: http://www.bgcs.k12.oh.us/kramp/poetry.htm

Book Connections:
1. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
2. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Keywords: animals, dogs, poems, students

Brendan and Belinda and the Slam Dunk

Brendan and Belinda and the Slam Dunk!
written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Paul Meisel
Harper Collins Publishers (2007)
Interest Level: ages 4 - 8

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Picture Storybook

Summary:
Brother and sister, Brendan and Belinda, are very talented basketball players. When their father realizes their potential he signs them up for Jump Shot Juniors, the best team in town. They are OK with the extra activities at first, but when they realize that they do not have time to play in the snow with their friends, they breakdown. Read this story to see how Brendan and Belinda's father responds to their request to play in the snow instead of going to basketball practice.

Online Connections:
1. Children's author/illustrator information site http://www.answers.com/topic/anne-f-oote-rockwell
2. Children's author/illustrator website
http://paulmeisel.com

Book Connections:
1. Gus and Grandpa at Basketball written by Claudia Mills and illustrated by Catherine Stock
2. Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen by Marissa Moss

Keywords: basketball, brothers and sisters, sportsmanship

Kittens First Full Moon

Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books (2004)
Interest Level: ages 3 - 6

Category: Picture Storybook
Type: Fiction

Summary:
The first time Kitten sees the full moon she thinks it is a bowl of milk and she wants it. She tries everything she can think of to reach the bowl of milk to no avail. Tired, sad, wet, and hungry, Kitten goes back home and what do you think she finds waiting for her? Read Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes to find out.
Online Connections:
1. Author's website: http://kevinhenkes.com
2. Website depicting Kevin Henkes awards and distinctions: http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/henkes/awards.htm

Keywords: cats, kittens, animals in infancy, moon

Flora's Blanket

Flora's Blanket
by Debi Gliori
Orchard Books (2001)
Interest Level: ages 3 - 6

Category: Fiction
Type: Picture Storybook
Summary: Little bunny Flora has lost her blanket and cannot go to sleep. Her family works together to help her find it.

Online Connections:
1. Fascinating video interview of author, Debi Gliori: http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/Debi-Gliori
2. Bibliography of Debi Gliori's books: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/debi-gliori

Book Connections:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Larua Joffe Numeroff

Keywords: blankets, bedtime, rabbits, lost and found posessions, family

How to Steal a Dog

How to Steal a Dog

by Barbara O'Connor

Frances Foster Books (2007)

Interest Level: ages 9 and up

Category: Fiction

Type: Novel

Summary:

Georgina Hayes desperatly wants to live in a regular house just like she and her brother and mother did before her father walked out on them. After she sees a flyer for a $500.oo reward for a lost dog, Georgina comes up with a plan. She is going to steal a dog. What happens next? You'll have to read this book to see if everything works out as she plans.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.barboconnor.com/

2. Author Barbara O'Connor discusses this book: www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/aifolder/aipages/ai_o/oconnor.html

Book Connection:

1. Taking Care of Moses by Barbara O'Connor

2. Moonpie and Ivy by Barbara O'Connor

Keywords: dogs, family problems, homeless persons, brothers and sisters, North Carolina

The Higher Power of Lucky
The 2007 Newbery Medal winner
by Susan Patron
illustrated by Matt Phelan
Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson (2006)

Category: Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary:
Lucky is a 10 year old girl who fears she will be abandoned. Since her mother died, Brigitte has been her guardian. But now, Lucky fears that Brigitte wants to return to France and leave her in an orphanage where she will not be able to keep her dog, HMS Beagle. What can she do but run away. Read this book to find out if running away was the answer to Lucky's problems.

Online Connections:

1. Author Susan Patron discusses this book in a videoed interview
http://alfocus.ala.org/videos/susan-patron-interview
2. Author website:
http://www.enotes.com/higher-power-lucky/about-author


Book Connections:

1. Mama's Window by Lynn Rubright

2. Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys fo sundan (Coretta Scott King illustrator Honor Books) by Mary Williams with R Gregory Christie illustrator

Keywords: abandoned children, interpersonal relations, runnaways