Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) Sue Macy

This is a very interesting book because it’s not just a look at bicycle history and how bicycle-mad America was in the late 19th century, but an in-depth look at how the bicycle helped the cause of women’s rights.

The bicycle allowed women greater freedom of movement and an acceptable way to exercise. In order to take part in its popularity, dress had to change and become less restrictive-- good by corsets, hello bloomers! (Did you know that the reason girl bikes don’t have that top bar is to make room for the heavy skirts worn at the time?) I also loved how women’s groups and farmers worked together to call for greater paving of roads-- and how the bicycle helped phase out horses in the years leading up to the automobile.

The design is wonderful-- frequent pull out boxes/side bars show different ways bikes were seen in pop culture-- one’s on racing, one on songs about biking (including, of course “Daisy Bell” aka “Bicycle Built for Two”) , one on bicycles used in advertising, etc, etc.

Lots of primary sources including frequent newspaper articles from around the country and big photographs. I especially loved that not all the photographs were of white riders-- there are a few of African-American women riding their bikes, too.

A refreshing quirky history that was very enjoyable to read.

OH! And a personal surprise-- the forward was written by Leah Missbach Day, the founder of World Bicycle Relief and MY OLD CAMP COUNSELOR. What?!

Today's Nonfiction Monday roundup is over at Playing By the Book.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Silk and Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider Katheryn Lasky, photographs by Christopher G. Knight

In this Scientists in the Field-esque book, we meet Greta Binford, an arachnologist who studies the brown recluse spider. We get an overview of spiders in general, Binford’s biography, and then follow her and her students on a trip to the Dominican Republic to look for brown recluse spiders. (Binford specifically studies how the brown recluse ended up in North America and how it’s related to the South American species.)

The book does a good job of balancing science with the process of doing science, which is something I always appreciate. I also like that we discover several different types of spiders, not just the brown recluse. Close up photography shows how different they are visually, but we also get a good information on how they act differently. Superhelpful and cool is the “glossary of spiders” at the back, which is basically a photochart of all the spiders we’ve met with the scientific and common names and on which pages they appear.

But... while it's Scientist in the Field-esque, it's not a Scientist in the Field book and lacks that certain something that make that series so awesome.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book Tom Angleberger

Dwight’s been suspended because Origami Yoda is too much of a distraction. It gets worse-- the Principal's recommended that Dwight be sent to CREF-- the Correctional and Remedial Education Facility-- where the really, really bad kids go. Before being hauled off, Origami Yoda tells Tommy to do one more thing-- assemble a case file. So Tommy’s back on the case, this time letting everyone detail the good Origami Yoda’s done and all the bad things that have happened since he left. Once again, Kellan illustrates and Harvey makes comments-- even though Harvey and his origami Darth Vader are responsible for this mess in the first place.

Just as awesome as the first PLUS! A new Star Wars pencil game (very cool) and some serious love for Robot Dreams
.

Here’s a tip girls-- if you have to decide between 2 guys, and one gives you Robot Dreams because “It’s so great. It’s this really beautiful story...” and one guy gives you an Elvis-playing Teddy Bear. GO FOR THE ROBOT DREAMS GUY. Trust me on this one. Go for Robot Dreams.

Lots of excellent Star Wars nerdery, lots of hilarity, and well, if you liked the first, you’ll like this. If you haven’t read the first, what are you waiting for?!

Book Provided by... my local library

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End of the Line: A Parker Noble Mystery

Manno, Mike (2010) End of the Line: A Parker Noble Mystery. Five Star Publishing of Gale, Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1594148637. Litland recommends of interest to adults, acceptable for older teens.

 Publisher description:  When former banker R. J. Butler is found murdered on a city transit bus, police take little time making a connection with the embezzlement at his former bank. But is that the motive for his murder? State police detective Sergeant Jerome Stankowski and his persnickety “partner,” Parker Noble, are called to investigate and run into a host of possibilities including a trophy wife on drugs and an ex-wife desperately needing a church annulment R. J. was blocking..

 Our thoughts:

 The second installment of the Parker Noble series, End of the Line, is a fun yet engaging, quick-paced detective mystery. Parker Noble may be the genius who solves the crimes, but it is Detective “Stan” Stankowski’s antics both on and off the job that lighten the story. Truly a man’s man, Stankowski enjoys girl watching while being easily manipulated by his somewhat-girlfriend Buffy the reporter.  He  tries to juggle dating 3 girls at the same time, each end up having a role in solving the mystery. Meanwhile, the contrast of Parker’s rigidly-ordered life to Stan’s adds color, and both humor and clues surface throughout the story just often enough to keep the reader alert. My favorite dialogue pertains to Parker’s dog, Buckwheat Bob the basset hound, who listens to talk radio while Parker is at work:

(Stan) “I take it that the human voice is soothing for him?”…(Parker) ”Not really, he likes to listen to the political talk”…”You don’t think he understands all of that, do you?”…”Don’t know, Stanley. All I can tell you is that he’s turned into quite a Republican.” LOL!

 A cozy mystery written for adults, it would probably have a PG rating if a movie: use of the bird finger; one suspect referred to as tramp, hussy, nude model; Buffy pressuring Stan into taking a vacation together. However, Stan remains chaste in his girl-chasing and the story is focused on the relationships between all the characters, which adds depth, interest and a few chuckles along the way. A fun story available in the Litland.com Bookstore.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag

 Bradley, Alan. (2010) The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag. (The Flavia de Luce Series) Bantam, division of Random House. ISBN 978-0385343459. Litland recommends ages 14-100!

 Publisher’s description:  Flavia de Luce, a dangerously smart eleven-year-old with a passion for chemistry and a genius for solving murders, thinks that her days of crime-solving in the bucolic English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey are over—until beloved puppeteer Rupert Porson has his own strings sizzled in an unfortunate rendezvous with electricity. But who’d do such a thing, and why? Does the madwoman who lives in Gibbet Wood know more than she’s letting on? What about Porson’s charming but erratic assistant? All clues point toward a suspicious death years earlier and a case the local constables can’t solve—without Flavia’s help. But in getting so close to who’s secretly pulling the strings of this dance of death, has our precocious heroine finally gotten in way over her head? (Bantam Books)

 Our thoughts:

 Flavia De Luce is back and in full force! Still precocious. Still brilliant. Still holding an unfortunate fascination with poisons…

 As with the first book of the series, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, we begin with a seemingly urgent, if not sheer emergency, situation that once again turns out to be Flavia’s form of play.  We also see the depth of her sister’s cruelty as they emotionally badger their little sister, and Flavia’s immediate plan for the most cruel of poisoned deaths as revenge. Readers will find themselves chuckling throughout the book!

 And while the family does not present the best of role models (smile), our little heroine does demonstrate good character here and there as she progresses through this adventure. As explained in my first review on this series, the protagonist may be 11 but that doesn’t mean the book was written for 11-year olds :>) For readers who are parents, however (myself included), we shudder to wonder what might have happened if we had bought that chemistry kit for our own kids!

 Alas, the story has much more to it than mere chemistry. The author’s writing style is incredibly rich and entertaining, with too many amusing moments to even give example of here. From page 1 the reader is engaged and intrigued, and our imagination is easily transported into  the 1950’s Post WWII England village. In this edition of the series, we have more perspective of Flavia as filled in by what the neighbors know and think of her. Quite the manipulative character as she flits  around Bishop’s Lacy on her mother’s old bike, Flavia may think she goes unnoticed but begins to learn not all are fooled…

 The interesting treatment of perceptions around German prisoners of war from WWII add historical perspective, and Flavia’s critical view of villagers, such as the Vicar’s mean wife and their sad relationship, fill in character profiles with deep colors. Coupled with her attention to detail that helps her unveil the little white lies told by antagonists, not a word is wasted in this story.

 I admit to being enviou

 The Wild West: 365 days

 Wallis, Michael. (2011) The Wild West: 365 days. New York, NY: Abrams Press. ISBN 978-0810996892 All ages.

 Publisher’s description: The Wild West: 365 Days is a day-by-day adventure that tells the stories of pioneers and cowboys, gold rushes and saloon shoot-outs in America’s frontier. The lure of land rich in minerals, fertile for farming, and plentiful with buffalo bred an all-out obsession with heading westward. The Wild West: 365 Days takes the reader back to these booming frontier towns that became the stuff of American legend, breeding characters such as Butch Cassidy and Jesse James. Author Michael Wallis spins a colorful narrative, separating myth from fact, in 365 vignettes. The reader will learn the stories of Davy Crockett, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley; travel to the O.K. Corral and Dodge City; ride with the Pony Express; and witness the invention of the Colt revolver. The images are drawn from Robert G. McCubbin’s extensive collection of Western memorabilia, encompassing rare books, photographs, ephemera, and artifacts, including Billy the Kid’s knife.

 Our thoughts:

 This is one of the neatest books I’ve seen in a long time. The entire family will love it. Keep it on the coffee table but don’t let it gather dust!

 Every page is a look back into history with a well-known cowboy, pioneer, outlaw, native American or other adventurer tale complete with numerous authentic art and photo reproductions. The book is worth owning just for the original pictures.  But there is more…an index of its contents for easy reference too! Not only is this fun for the family, it is excellent for the school or home classroom use too. A really fun way to study the 19^th century too and also well received as a gift.  I highly recommend this captivating collection! See for yourself at the Litland.com Bookstore.

Wally the Cockeyed Cricket

 Brown, Bea (2011) Wally the Cockeyed Cricket. Mustang, OK: Tate Publishing. ISBN 978-1-61777-106-4.  Recommended age 8 and under.

 Publisher’s description:  When Wally the Cockeyed Cricket finds himself trapped in Mrs. Grumpydee’s kitchen, he sings a sad song and Mrs. Grumpydee’s locks Wally in a jar. When the jar is knocked over and shatters, Wally the Cockeyed Cricket sings a different tune.

 Our thoughts:

 Read it—see it—listen to it! The great thing about books from Tate Publishing is that you do not need to choose between print and audio formats because books have a code that permits you to download the audio version on MP3 too! The print version has beautifully captivating illustrations. Yet the young man (ok, he sounds young to this old reviewer!) reading the audio does an excellent job at it. A great enhancement to teach reading to little ones :>)

 Of course, the most important reason to consider adding this book to your child’s bookshelf is because they will enjoy the story! As evidenced by its title, Wally looks a little different than most crickets. He doesn’t think anything of this difference and is happy as can be. Until, that is, he unfortunately wanders into Mrs. Grumpydee’s kitchen! Captured, bullied and made a public spectacle, Wally never loses courage or confidence. Helped with the aid of a complete stranger, he is rescued and makes a new friend. Virtues exhibited are courage, justice and friendship.  A feel-good story where the good guys win! Great parent-child sharing, Pre-3^rd grade class or homeschool, bedtime reading, gift giving, therapy use, and family book club! Grab your copy at the Litland.com Bookstore.

Abe’s Lucky Day

 Warren, Jill. (2011) Abe’s Lucky Day. Outskirts Press Inc. ISBN 978-1-4327-7305-2. Age 8 and under.

 Publisher’s description:  Any day can be a lucky day.  Abe is a homeless man who lives in the alley behind a bakery and winter is coming. What will happen on his lucky day that will change his life? 

Our thoughts:

 Introducing us to the varied faces of distress and homelessness, Abe’s Lucky Day reminds us that , while food, warm clothes and dry beds feel great, helping others feels even better. Illustrations permit the child to imagine themselves in the story, and so can feel the heartwarming rewards of selflessness…definitely good for your Litland.com family book club or a preschool classroom. Part luck and lots of kindness, Abe’s Lucky Day infuses a desire for kindness and generosity into its reader’s mind and heart, and is sure to strengthen bonds within the family reading it as well :>) Great for gift-giving, pick up your copy in our Litland.com Bookstore!

Elizabeth I, the People's Queen: Her Life and Times, 21 Activities Kerrie Logan Hollihan

This is in the same series as Thomas Jefferson for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities, and was also nominated for a Cybil.

The biography portion is overall well done. It does a great job of explaining the domestic and international politics and events that really shaped Elizabeth’s life. It also covers many of the cultural aspects, mainly Shakespeare.

My only complaint is that Hollihan sometimes quotes primary sources, complete with Elizabethan spelling and doesn’t offer any translation, gloss, or explanation. I mean passages like this: ...paraventure your Lordeship and the rest of the Counsel wil thinke that I favor her ivel doinge for whome I shal speake for, whiche is for Kateryn Aschiley, that it wolde please your grace and the rest of the Counsel to be good unto her... First, bicause that she hathe bene with me a longe time, and manye years, and hathe taken great labor, and paine in brinkinge of me up in lerninge and honestie, and therfore I ougth of very dewtye speke for her, for Sait Gregorie sayeth that we ar more bounde to them that bringeth us up wel than to our parents, for our parents do that wiche is natural for them, that is bringeth us into this Worlde; but our brinkers up ar a cause to make us live wel in it. were hard enough for me to understand. And I’ve dabbled in Anglo-Saxon! The ONLY help was that she points out that “Kateryn Aschiley” was Kat Ashley.

The activities though, are all over the place, which is a complaint I often have about this series. Some are really basic, such as the “Elizabethan Cloak” which involves cutting a cloak out of felt and pinning it together. Some are much more difficult, like singing a madrigal, which assumes you and your friends can all read music, or have ready accompaniment. These are complaints I’ve had about other titles in this series. It must be really hard to come up with 21 activities for some of these historical figures and time periods-- it’s not a job I envy. But... I often wish they had come up with 21 different activities.

Book Provided by... my local libary

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Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein Susan Goldman Rubin

This book doesn't really discuss why Bernstein was such a musical genius. It doesn't mention the fact that his melodies are modern and well, weird, and you'd think they should stay on the shelf for serious connesseurs of modern music, they instead have become standards of American cannon. (Don't believe me? Think about th opening in "Maria." It's a tritone. Traditional music doesn't use it because it's so hard to do correctly and sounds weird, and Bernstein goes and creates one of the greatest musical of all times just chock full of them.) It does, however, talk about his exhuberance and energy and how very rare it was to have a symphonic conductor who was American born and trained. Starting when Bernstein was a toddler and ending with his New York Phil conducting debut at the very very very young age of 25, Rubin tells the story of a boy for whom music was everything. His father didn't support his musical ideas (like most practical-minded parents, he worried there was no money in it and Lenny wouldn't be able to support himself of a family.)

The genius of the book is that Rubin makes Bernstein come alive in a way I've never seen before. She has a number of interviews and sources from the people Bernstein was closest to (including his little brother) that really gives us a glimpse of his life growing up that we tend not to see. Her writing style is engaging and accessible.

I like the fact that it also focuses heavily on his conducting-- not just his composing. I never really think of Bernstein as a conductor (although after reading this, I'm currently listening to his recording of Beethoven's 9th with the Bavarian Radio Symphony) but he was amazing at that, too.

I'm not sure this is the kind of book that kids will pick up on their own, but if they do, they'll be more than pleasantly surprised.


Book Provided by... my local library

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How to Die of Embarrassment Every Day Ann Hodgman

This memoir is basically made up of short, funny essays about all the embarrassing things Hodgman did as a young girl in the 60s. Nothing crazy or over-the-top, just the basic every day embarrassing things that kids are still doing today and getting embarrassed about.

It took me a while to get into it, even though I loved Hodgman's voice throughout. It grew on me. It's not over the top ROFL funny, but I did chuckle out loud on several occasions. I also share her righteous indignation over the ropes unit in gym class-- she's right! How the #$%#$^ do they expect you to climb a rope by "trying really hard." They should totally work on conditioning and training for it! Yeesh. Also, I'm with her-- I hope they don't do this anymore. Not just because it sucks, but climbing a rope to the top of a gym with only a mat underneath you sounds like a major safety hazard. (In general, I find society way too overprotective about stuff like this, but if it ends the rope unit in gym, I'm all over it. I own my hypocrisy.)

A lot of it reads like "let me tell you about all the stupid stuff I did when I grew up in the stone age." It's straightforward, blunt, sarcastic, and very enjoyable. My main question though is will it be as enjoyable to kids? Or just to adults? While Hodgman clearly remembers her thoughts and feelings as a kid, I'm not sure she's telling them anything they don't already know-- superballs are awesome, the rope unit isn't, teachers can be wrong, a kid who corrects other people's grammar is annoying.

I liked the design-- lots of pictures scattered throughout of her growing up and of her family members and friends, as well as other things mentioned in the text. The short-essay style also makes it easy to read and as Hodgman says in her introduction, you don't have to read the chapters in order.

Some of my friends actually enjoyed flipping themselves around, though. My two-houses-down-the-street friends, Robin, loved it. She also loved doing cartwheels, which I've never been able to learn and never will. (Okay, maybe if I practiced for ten years, but I won't do that.) We'd be sitting on the lawn talking, and suddenly Robin would jump up and do a bunch of backflips. I've never been happier than the time she started to cartwheel, threw her landing hand to the ground, yelped, and collapsed. "I put my hand into dog doo!" she shrieked.

That's what should happen to everyone who suddenly does a cartwheel.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition Karen Blumenthal

I'm knee deep in Cybils reading (although I shouldn't complain-- those fiction people have much longer lists!) but here's a good book for a Friday afternoon!

When I first saw this, I thought "what a weird subject for a children's book" but, it really works.

Blumenthal does an excellent job of explaining why prohibition passed in the US. I think when you learn about it in school, you look at the way America drinks today but that's not how we drank back then. Today, you don't give kids whiskey with breakfast, well, I mean, I hope you don't.

The book also deals with how Prohibition made things more dangerous-- mostly through gang activity getting liquor to people who wanted it. One of my favorite bits was a map of Washington that show everywhere booze had been bought. Also, the quotation from one reporter that "Capitol Hill was one of the wettest spots in Washington."

Also, the fact that beauty salons saw an uptick in business-- "When men drank, they were not so critical," Mrs. Harry Newton Price told the New York Times..

The conclusion is a bit weird, as it tries to incorporate an anti-drinking message (because it's for kids, and kids shouldn't drink, and alcoholism is an issue) and it's a bit rushed. BUT! A great book.

I think kids will really enjoy it while learning a lot about American history and the American relationship with alcohol. There's also a great lesson about political compromise and what could have been if both sides yielded a bit.

My real complaint is nitpicky-- Applejack. At one point she describes it as hard cider. In the glossary, it's listed as slang for booze.

Applejack is basically apple brandy mixed with grain alcohol. It's one of my favorites, so here's a prohibition-era cocktail that's great for fall, for those of you over 21.

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By: Jennie, on 10/14/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Fiction, historical fiction, Juvenile, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Add a tag

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By: Jennie, on 9/30/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  British, Fiction, mystery, series, Juvenile, Lady Grace Cavendish, Add a tag

Jinx Grave Cavendish

Huzzah for Lady Grace.

In this most excellent historical mystery, Grace and the other ladies are off to St. Bartholomew’s fair. While there, a tent burns down, killing a gypsy woman and severely burning Lady Sarah. Unfortunately, the apothecary that the Queen has brought in to treat Lady Sarah is a fraud. Grace knows this, but has to prove it.

An excellent look at health care, race relations, superstitions and omens at Court. Plus, a wonderful mystery story. I especially loved the humor of the Spanish delegation visiting court-- Grace’s complaints about the women and the Queen’s reactions to the men were great.

Love this series so much. I’m sad that the last few were never published in the States and even in England, it looks like publication stopped with Loot. :(

Book Provided by... my wallet

Technically, I'm a Book Depository affiliate, but I never took the time to figure out how to turn it on. Read my full disclosure statement.

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By: Jennie, on 9/27/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Fiction, Juvenile, joseph delaney, Last Apprentice, Add a tag

The Last Apprentice: The Spook's Bestiary: The Guide to Creatures of the Dark Joseph Delaney

When the library at Chippenden burned, this was the only book left. A companion book to the Last Apprentice series, it explains all the creatures of the dark that the Spook and Tom have encountered, complete with annotations of further information learned by the Spook, Tom, and other apprentices. We also get some new background stories, such as what happened the first time Morgan tried to raise Golgoth.

What’s most interesting is there is a lot of information on Romanian old gods, witches, demons and elementals. We haven’t seen Delaney’s Romania yet, but my curiously is definitely piqued and I’m guessing (hoping) that this means the next book will take place in Romania. I wonder why and how??

I really like Delaney's in-between books in this series and how they really flesh out other characters and give background information--some of which is vital and some of which is just rather interesting.

ROMANIA!

Book Provided by... my local library

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By: Jennie, on 9/22/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Sisters Grimm, Michael Buckley, series, Juvenile, Fiction, Add a tag

The Sisters Grimm: Book Eight: The Inside Story (Sisters Grimm, The) Michael Buckley

The Grimm sisters are inside the Book of Everafter, running through various storylines as they try to track down the Master and save their baby brother. They have to rely on all their fairy tale knowledge, because the Editor is after them to make sure the stories stay as written.

I like how in this one, Daphne and Sabrina are inside the fairy tales, instead of the fairy tale characters being inside the real world. It gives us a different perspective. Lots of adventure as always and FINALLY Sabrina seems to be growing a bit as a person.

My only complaint is that this book has been out for over a year and we have to wait until Spring 2012 for the final installment.

Also, am I the only one who thinks that the new TV show, Once Upon a Time, looks like Sisters Grimm, but for grownups? I'm very excited for it. Too bad ABC's the only station our antennae won't properly tune. I'll be watching it online the next day, I guess.

Book Provided by... my wallet

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1 Comments on Sisters Grimm: The Inside Story, last added: 9/22/2011

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Tammy Flanders said, on 9/22/2011 8:07:00 AM

Congratulations, Jennie! I think you’re a Versatile Blogger.
I know not everyone likes getting blog awards so do as you will, just know that your writing is appreciated. If you’ve been previously nominated -- Congratulations, again! This has been an opportunity for me to send out a note of appreciation for the writing you do and let you know that I’ve learn a lot from you.
Thank you.
Tammy
Apples with Many Seeds
http://applewithmanyseedsdoucette.blogspot.com

PS. Thanks for this recommendation. I read the 1st one sometime ago. I'll revisit.

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By: Jennie, on 9/21/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Fiction, Fairy Tales, Juvenile, Barbara Ensor, Add a tag

Cinderella (As If You Didn't Already Know the Story) Barbara Ensor

The cover also claims that this is "a quick read for smart girls." And it is. It's a pretty straight-forward telling of Cinderella, stretched into 112 pages and heavily illustrated with paper cut-outs.

I really liked Ensor's Thumbelina: Tiny Runaway Bride. But this one didn't resonate with me the same way. I wanted a little more from it. The voice and the use of paper cut-out illustrations reminds one of a less-whimsical Lauren Child. There's a slight snark there that I think, if it had been brought out more, could have made this book really hilarious and something very awesome.

Not that there's anything wrong with it as it is. It's perfectly lovely. I especially liked that there was a chapter AFTER the Prince finds her and a little bit about variations on the story from around the world. But, in the end, it's a very basic Cinderella without much added to it.

I do like the cut-outs though.


Book Provided by... my local library

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By: Jennie, on 9/19/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Juvenile, nonfiction monday, Habitat for Humanity, David Rubel, Add a tag

If I Had a Hammer: Building Homes and Hope with Habitat for Humanity David Rubel

Short version of this book:

1. Habitat for Humanity is the most awesome organization in the world.
2. Building houses for poor people is super-duper rewarding.
3. Building houses for poor people has lots of steps that change depending on location and size of the Habitat affiliate.
4. Habitat seriously rocks.
5. Religion drives you to do good stuff.
6. Habitat for Humanity is the most awesome organization in the world.
7. Building houses for poor people is super-duper rewarding.
8. Habitat for Humanity is the most awesome organization in the world.
9. Building houses for poor people is super-duper rewarding.
10. Habitat for Humanity is the most awesome organization in the world.

Ok, that was more snark than this book deserves, but...

The book really rubbed me the wrong way. It reads like a book-length promotional brochure for the organization (and I really like Habitat-- I've built houses for them!) and talks about how nice and rewarding it is to build houses for all those poor poor people who need someone to help lift them out of poverty. Occasionally, it felt a bit exploitative. Also, in focusing on Habitat's Christian roots, it really focused on how people's faith makes them volunteer. It was careful to point out that it's not just Christians feel this, but it did make it sound like you had to have religion in order to want to do good and help other people. Because atheists are just sacks of selfish pigs? I don't know.

I also feel that for a book focused on young readers, it doesn't offer any way for them to get involved to help Habitat, as the target audience for this book is too young to volunteer to build. There are ways for kids to get involved-- I know when I was a kid, my church was doing a Habitat build and the kids all made sandwiches and coffee and cookies and stuff to take over to the site to feed the volunteers. I'm sure there are other things that younger readers can do as well.

BUT! I did really like the look at the international, large scale projects. My experience with Habitat has been building a house in an existing neighborhood. A lot of the international projects involve building an entire village. I liked the discussion about how houses are designed and how local culture and customs are taken into account during the design process.

The book design was also clean and I liked the little side pictures of construction implements and what they're used for.

Today's Nonfiction Monday roundup is over at Tales from the Rushmore Kid.


Book Provided by... the publisher for 2009 Cybils consideration

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2 Comments on Nonfiction Monday: If I Had a Hammer, last added: 9/19/2011

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Roberta said, on 9/19/2011 8:43:00 AM

Great review, it was a lot of fun to read. :-)

Myra Garces-Bacsal from GatheringBooks said, on 9/19/2011 6:18:00 PM

Love snarky commentaries! Hahaha. I enjoyed reading through your review and how refreshingly candid it was. I'm actually surprised you even reviewed the book at all, haha. It must have a few redeeming qualities then. :) Usually if I find the book a bit tiring, I hardly ever (if at all) review it, although on occasion I do write a few snippets here and there. I'm glad though that you shared with us your reservations about the book. :)

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69. Bake Sale

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By: Jennie, on 9/13/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Graphic Novel, Juvenile, sara varon, Add a tag

Bake Sale Sara Varon

Cupcake owns the Sweet Tooth bakery and is in a bit of a baking rut. He needs to try something new and shake it up a bit. Then he discovers that his best friend Eggplant knows Turkish Delight, who is only the GREATEST pastry chef in the world. Eggplant invites Cupcake to Istanbul with him, but Cupcake can't afford it. In order to earn extra money, Cupcake starts selling baked goods at several different events around town and working extra hours.

I love Sara Varon's work. Robot Dreams blew me away. It's even on our summer reading list for rising 5th graders, which is pretty impressive when you consider that Robot Dreams is wordless.

Bake Sale has words (and recipes!). I loved watching Cupcake go through the morning routine of baking and making coffee before opening. I liked how Cupcake and Eggplant hung out at the diner and I loved Cupcake's band. I really enjoyed the whole subplot with the band. (Cupcake has to quit the band in order to sell more backed goods.) And, in typical Varon style, instead of having a Brooklyn inhabited by Chickens or Dogs, this time Brookyn was filled with anthropomorphic food.

I also love how Varon's illustration style-- walking and talking animals and food, in a washed out pastel palate could easily be too twee and cutesy, but doesn't go there.

Another book to just cement my Varon love.


Book Provided by... my local library

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70. Nonfiction Monday: On the Texas Trail of Cabeza de Vaca

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By: Jennie, on 9/5/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Nonfiction, Mexico, Juvenile, Texas, nonfiction monday, exploration, Cybils, history, Add a tag

On the Texas Trail of Cabeza De Vaca Peter Lourie

There's a subset of children's nonfiction where a large part of the book is less about the result of research and more about the process of the research. Scientists in the Field does this and it's part of what made Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry so awesome.

On the Texas Trail is about Lourie's attempts to retrace the journey of Cabeza de Vaca, a conquistador who was shipwrecked near Galveston, walked across Mexico to the Pacific and then back inland before hitting Mexico City, where he was able to get a ride back home to Spain. Throughout his travels, de Vaca was dependent on the Native Americans he met along the way. He learned many of their langauges and grew to respect them as people equal to Europeans.

There are competing theories on the route de Vaca took. Lourie very briefly discusses this, and very briefly discusses which path he thinks is the right one, and why. And then he very briefly discusses how he visits some points on that path to try to match them up with de Vaca's writings of his journies.

Overall, it was just too short to adequetely cover de Vaca, the scholarly controversy of the path of his journey, and Lourie's travels. I wanted and neede dmore. However, I really appreciate Lourie's honesty in his failures. He spends a large amount of time searching for a canyon of pine trees-- this canyon being on the key pieces of evidence. And he comes and sees and leaves. Only he didn't actually see what he thought he saw:

I was like the conquistadors blinded by their desire to find gold. I had seen what I wanted to see. In my desire for historical discovery, I had made pine trees out of cedars.

Roundup is over at Playing by the Book.


Book Provided by... the publisher for 2009 Cybils consideration

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1 Comments on Nonfiction Monday: On the Texas Trail of Cabeza de Vaca, last added: 9/5/2011

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Playing by the book said, on 9/5/2011 11:50:00 AM

A bit of history completely new to me - thanks for the introduction!

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71. Poetry Friday: Denied, Deported, Detained

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By: Jennie, on 9/2/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  history, poetry friday, Nonfiction, immigration, Juvenile, Ann Bausum, Add a tag

Statue of Liberty Dreams of Emma Lazarus, Awakens with Tears on her Cheeks

Naomi Shihab Nye

Give me your tired, your poor...
But not too tired, not too poor.
And we will give you the red tape,
the long line, white bread in its wrapper,
forms to fill out, and the looks, the stares
that say you are not where or what you should be,
not quirw, not yet, you will never live up to
us.

Your huddled masses yearning to be free...
Can keep huddling. Even here. Sorry to say this.
Neighborhoods with poor drainage
Potholes, stunning gunshots...
You'll teem here too.

You dreamed a kinder place, a tree
no one would cut, a cabinet to store your clothes.
Simple jobs brining payment on time.
Someone to stand up for you.
The way I used to do, for everyone. Holding my torch
to get you to your new home in this country stitched
of immigrants from the get-go...
But you would always be homesick. No one said that.

I was the doorkeeper, concierge, welcome chief,
But rules have changed and I'm bouncer at the big club.
Had no say in it, hear me? Any chnace I could be, again,
the one I used to be?

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
It's still up high. At night I tuck it into my robe.
And worry. What will happen to you?
Every taunt, every turn-around,
hand it over. That's not what you came here for.
I'll fold it into my rubbing rad,
Bring back a shine.

Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration Ann Bauseum

Well, the call has gone out for 2011 CYBILS judges (you should totally sign up!) So I decided it was about time I FINALLY finished going through my notes and writing up the last lingering books that were nominated in 2009. (I read them all in 2009, I just didn't get around to reviewing all of them.)

This book opens with the poem I posted above. There are 5 chapters-- Exlcuded tells to the story of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and anti-Chinese sentitment during the late 19th century. Deported looks at the case of Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman, Russian immigrants who became involved in the labor and anarchy movements at the beginning of the twentieth century and were deported for it after living in the US for decades. Goldman was already a citizen. Denied tells the of the ill-fated voyage of the St. Louis-- a ship of Jewish refugees who were denied port in Cuba and the US before returning to Hitler's Europe. Detained tells of Japanese internment during WWII. Exploited looks at the long history of Mexican immigration and the role of migrant workers in the US economy.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. It's beautifully done visually. The history is well explained and Bausum ties it in well with broader trends at the time as well as current events (and other events that happened between then and now.) The title chapters focus on just one family or person to give faces and names to some of the effected people. But... there is something about this book

4 Comments on Poetry Friday: Denied, Deported, Detained, last added: 9/3/2011

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Tara said, on 9/2/2011 9:49:00 AM

Wry and witty...she makes a great point, especially these days.

Charlotte said, on 9/2/2011 4:23:00 PM

oh goodness, I have a few 2009 titles still around, looking at me with puppy dog eyes...but at this point, I have to re-read them, and I just haven't found the time!

and that's a great poem, btw

Jennie said, on 9/2/2011 8:34:00 PM

Charlotte-- the thing is that this blog is supposed to be *everything* I read, so I have to get those old ones reviewed. Luckily, I took really good notes when I read them originally.

Mary Lee said, on 9/3/2011 6:33:00 AM

Powerful stuff. Sad and true.

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72. Haunted

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By: Jennie, on 9/1/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  England, Fiction, historical fiction, mystery, Juvenile, Lady Grace Cavendish, Add a tag

Haunted Grace Cavendish

Long time readers may remember how much I adore the Lady Grace Mysteries. They are historical fiction done right-- lots of excellent detail that never gets in the way of a wicked good plot.

In this one, Elizabeth’s court is on progress for the summer. At one estate, the owner is building a new manor house, but a spooky figure keeps appearing, stopping work. Is it a murdered earl? Or is it another noble trying to shame a rival in front of the Queen?

I especially liked how this one takes place outside of London. We still don’t see the Elizabethan England that most of it’s citizens saw, but it’s nice to occasionally leave the walls of Whitehall and see the countryside, and not just because it’s summer, so London is full of plague.

Book Provided by... my wallet. It's not available in the US, but you can order from the link above for a good price with free international shipping.

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73. Reality Leak

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By: Jennie, on 8/31/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Edge of the Forest, Fiction, Juvenile, Joni Sensel, Add a tag

A review that originally ran in the Edge of the Forest:

Reality Leak Jodi Sensel with illustrations by Christian Slade (Henry Holt, April 2007)

When Acme, Inc. rolls into South Wiggot, Bryan’s not entirely sure what to think. Something about the company head, Mr. Keen doesn’t seem quite right. Before long, Bryan and his best friend Spot (a girl who thinks she’s a dog) are finding messages popping up in the toaster instead of toast, tea bags that turn into mice, and a message in a bottle… in the toilet.

When Bryan gets a job at Acme planting popped popcorn that grows into glowering dandelions, they know something very, very strange is going on. Of course, none of the adults in town believe them. Can Bryan and Spot figure out what Mr. Keen’s up to and can they stop it before it turns ugly?

Mr. Keen comes off as a slightly sinister Willy Wonka in this wonderfully bizarre tale about the unexpected, the importance of dental hygiene, and the power of Imagination. Sensel’s imagination keeps the story moving in completely different directions with every page turn, making the book hard to put down as the reader wonders what will happen next.

Slade’s drawings well-capture some of the books odder oddities and add to Mr. Keen’s creepiness.

The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel. While this book is a tough act to follow, we hope there is another in the works.

Modern update: No sequel. :(

Book Provided by... The Edge of the Forest, for review in their publication (sadly, now defunt. sniff sniff sniff.)

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74. Legend of Captain Crow's Teeth

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By: Jennie, on 8/29/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Fiction, Juvenile, Eoin Colfer, summer reading, Add a tag

Legend of Captain Crow's Teeth Eoin Colfer

The Woodman brothers (whom we first met in the Legend of Spud Murphy) are back and on holiday on the Irish Coast. Oldest brother Marty likes terrifying his younger brothers with the tale of Captain Crow, whose ghost searches the shores for the cabin boy that got the better of him in life. Will's pretty sure that Captain Crow's coming for him this summer, and the town's obsession with the tale, which comes to head at the junior-junior disco for 9-12s isn't helping!

Definitely a hilarious tale, made funnier by illustrations by Glenn McCoy, what I loved most was the interaction between the brothers, especially HP. HP's very bright, but only talks in baby-talk when his parents can hear him, because he realized that babies get away with everything. The concept of the junior-junior disco made me laugh, as did Will's nervous excitement looking up to it and complete disappointment that it ends up being. A fun and funny story for younger middle grade kids. It's also fun to compare Colfer's work here with his stuff for teens, such as The Supernaturalist.

Book Provided by... my local library

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75. Smart Dog

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By: Jennie, on 8/26/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Vivian Vande Velde, Edge of the Forest, Fiction, Juvenile, Add a tag

A review that originally ran in The Edge of the Forest:

Smart Dog by Vivian Vande Velde (Magic Carpet Books: October 2007, reissue)

Amy doesn’t have many friends, and is the easy target of the mean girl Kaitlyn. One day, walking to school, trying to time it so she arrives late enough to not make herself stand out and early enough so she’s not late, she meets a dog. This dog doesn’t do the normal doggy things, but instead asks very politely for help. A talking dog? It turns out that Sherlock is a science experiment from the local university and he escaped the lab to avoid having his brain dissected.

All Amy has to do is convince her parents to let her keep Sherlock and to keep him away from the graduate students who are trying to bring him back to the lab. However, with Sherlock’s helpful advice (plus the advantages of having an adorable dog) Amy is able to find the inner strength to make some friends and stand up to Kaitlyn once and for all.

Kaitlyn is the perfect mean girl, and their teacher, Sister Mary Grace is not the stereotypical nun, but rather the perfect balance of discipline and fun.

Smart Dog is honest and funny, veering into slapstick in areas. Middle grade girls will respond to the mean-girl drama and animal lovers are sure to fall for the lovable Sherlock.

Book Provided by... The Edge of the Forest, for review

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