Book Review: Swashbuckling Scoundrels: Pirates in Fact and Fiction by Arie Kaplan

Swashbuckling Scoundrels: Pirates in Fact and Fiction by Arie Kaplan is a solid introduction to the history and mythology of pirates, including those of the modern day. The book explores the world of pirates, both as real-life figures and as fictional characters. It takes on the reality of piracy and debunks some romanticized pirate myths and legends.

Swashbuckling Scoundrels: Pirates in Fact and Fiction is a solid start to the fact and fiction surrounding the popular topic of pirates. The history and myths surrounding pirates throughout history and the present day are covered. I like that the popular stories of modern day surrounding pirates is included along with the reality of both modern and historic. I think readers that love pirate stories and are looking to start researching the reality and connection between the two with find a lot of value with this book. The book is well researched and written, both informative and interested for middle grade and older readers. Readers that simply love pirates will also enjoy it, however if they have already read more than a few books on the topic there is not much new information here. 

Swashbuckling Scoundrels: Pirates in Fact and Fiction is a great introductory book about fiction and non-fiction pirates. The information is well presented and offers an interesting read for those beginning their research on the topic, although the inclusion of movie and current pirates offer some less repeated information. 

Book Review: Forgotten Bones; Uncovering a Slave Cemetery by Lois Miner Huey

Forgotten Bones; Uncovering a Slave Cemetery by Lois Miner Huey is the nonfiction book that details the accidental discovery of a cemetery at a construction site, and the archaeological work that resulted.  

This particular story begins in Albany, New York, in 2005. Workers were putting in new sewer line when a backhoe driver dug up a skull. After police declared the skull wasn't connected to any recent crimes, a team of archaeologists took a closer look. They determined the skull was from an African American who had died more than one hundred years earlier. Suddenly the construction site turned into an archaeological dig. Scientists excavated more bones and realized that they had located a long-lost slave cemetery. Slavery had been legal in the northern United States, including in New York State, in colonial times, but the stories of these slaves are largely unknown. This site became just the third slave cemetery ever to be excavated in the North. The book explains how archaeologists pieced together the truth about these once forgotten bones, and what they learned.

I found Forgotten Bones; Uncovering a Slave Cemetery to be engaging and interesting. I found the details of the discovery, recovery, and museum work involved to be engrossing and important. I like that the author included the history of slavery and the details of the two previous excavations in the North. the timeline of the discovery and everything hat we have learned because of it was laid out in a way that was both understandable for middle grade readers and adults, while also being interesting and inspiring further research (at least on my part). I think the combination of scientific knowledge, respect for the remains worked with, and the history revealed are combined in this book in a impressive balance. 

I think Forgotten Bones; Uncovering a Slave Cemetery is a wonderful, informational text that middle grade and older readers will get a lot out of. The book is engaging and offers important insights. readers that are interested in history and/or archaeology will find the read particularly engrossing.

Early Book Review: Creatures of the Deep by Matthew Rake, Simon Mendez

Creatures of the Deep by Matthew Rake and Simon Mendez is a children’s non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on November 15 2015. The creatures that live in the deep ocean are strange and amazing. Those book takes readers into the watery depths to encounter ten of the strangest creatures living in the oceans. There is a jiggle blob fish, a fish with an angling light, a snail that harpoons its prey, and a squid with eyes bigger than a human head.

Creatures of the Deep is a well organized and researched book about ten of the creatures that live in the deep ocean. These creatures face unique challenges, between the intense pressure due to the depths of which they live and the things they need to survive such as food and reproduction. Interesting facts and details about each of the animals are included with vivid photographs and illustrations that further expand on the important information. 

Creatures of the Deep is an interesting and detailed non fiction read. I think any children with an interest in animals, the ocean, and real creatures that can be considered gross, monstrous, or just plain weird will enjoy and get a good deal from this read. 

Book Review: Bioluminescence: Nature and Science at Work by Marc Zimmer

Bioluminescence: Nature and Science at Work by Marc Zimmer is a children's non fiction book for confident readers about the science of bioluminescence. What do giant squids, mantis shrimp, and fireflies have in common? These animals, along with a wide range of creatures, are able to give off light; this is called bioluminescence. Different species use different chemistries to bioluminescence, and they produce their light for a variety of reasons, including communication, hunting, and self-defense. Bioluminescence is a unique and fascinating adaptation found in the animal kingdom. Surprisingly, about half of all known phyla (a classification for animals that share the same body type) contain some bioluminescent species. Scientists don't yet understand all facets of bioluminescence, but they have managed to harness the glow and use it in a myriad of ways.

Bioluminescence: Nature and Science at Work is a deeply researched and well explained book. The science of bioluminescence is something scientists are still studying and exploring, they do not fully understand the hows and whys of it. However, this book gives interested readers a comprehensive look at what we do know and understand, and how we came to know it. The exploration of using bioluminescence as a microscope, bioluminescent proteins, and the creatures that use bioluminescence is fascinating and explained well here. I found the book to be fairly dense and would recommend it for older readers and adults, since it is reasonably advanced. This is not for new or easily discouraged readers. I found the explanations and photographs to be interesting, understandable, and engaging.

Bioluminescence: Nature and Science at Work is a well organized and very informative read. I do not think it is for the casual reader, but more for older children and adults that already have some interest in the subject. It is still an engaging and interesting, but more involved and detailed that I was expecting, which is just what a dedicated researcher will be looking for.

Author Marc Zimmer, a world-renowned specialist in fluorescent proteins, takes readers on a glowing journey into the frontiers of bioluminescence. 

Early Book Review: Build!: A Knight’s Castle Paper Toy Archaeology by Annalie Seaman, , Charlie Simpson

Build!: A Knight’s Castle Paper Toy Archaeology by Annalie Seaman is an interactive children's book that is currently scheduled for release on October 20 2015.  This puzzle-in-a-book invites kids ages 7 and older to pop out and assemble a stand-up castle complete with knights and battle equipment. Like real archaeologists, kids will interpret clues from medieval documents, paintings, maps, and ground surveys, and then apply their knowledge to excavate the site of a besieged castle and reconstruct both the castle and the battle scene, figuring out how the pieces of wall fit together, what's located inside the courtyard, how a trebuchet works, and much more. With the final setup of warring knights on horseback, the battle comes to life! This book offers hours of imaginative play so fascinating that kids won't even notice how much they're learning along the way.  

Build!: A Knight’s Castle Paper Toy Archaeology is a great way to make history and archaeology come alive for interested students. The book allows children to act as detective, builder, and archaeologists to build their own castle. They can read about castle life and battles while learning about how archaeologists work. The hands on action of popping out the pieces and building with engage readers and make the information become even more real for them. The reader must use their new-found knowledge of how the castle was laid out, and what siege engines looked like to figure out how to piece the paper scene together. This is a great way to get mildly interested kids much more involved in reading and learning about medieval times and/or the science of archaeology. 

Build!: A Knight’s Castle Paper Toy Archaeology is fantastic. Readers are given information about how archaeologists uncover remains, and use secondary sources.

Annalie Seaman, author of Build! A Knight’s Castle, is an archaeologist and educator. Passionate about sharing the extraordinary history of humanity with the next generation, she provides educational and experimental courses for both children and adults at the Sussex School of Archaeology. Seaman lives in Sussex, England.

Early Book Review: Graffiti Murals Exploring the Impacts of Street Art by Patrick Verel

Graffiti Murals Exploring the Impacts of Street Art by Patrick Verel is a non fiction book that is to be released on August 28 2015. This visually appealing book includes six case studies conducted in New York City, Trenton, and Jersey City. It explores how graffiti murals are created and what role they play in a city where buffing illegal graffiti is a lucrative business. The author interviewed people affected on a daily basis by the murals at sites around the metropolitan area, as well as property owners who have allowed muralists to paint their property in hopes the graffiti murals would serve as a deterrent to vandalism, and provide a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to buffing. An analysis informed by cultural Marxism and supported by street photography suggests a radical departure from traditional New York City policy: instead of spending money exclusively on the elimination of illegal graffiti, resources should also be devoted to the creation of graffiti murals. In the end, graffiti removal teams and mural promoters are pursuing the same goal: making the city a more visually appealing place.

Graffiti Murals Exploring the Impacts of Street Art is a very interesting study of graffiti, both legal and illegal. The interviews and impressions from a variety of people gives readers a good understanding of the role all graffiti can play in cities, and for individuals. The balance between decoration and vandalism can be extremely fine, but the policies and public sentiment do not always agree. I will admit that while the text was informative and well written, it was the collection of photographs included that initially caught my eye, and had me eager to see what else the book held. The artistic talent that is evident in some of that artwork is simply astounding. Regardless of if you appreciate sanctioned, or unsanctioned, graffiti and murals you will be amazed at some of the color and craftsmanship of the works displayed by a variety of artists.

Graffiti Murals Exploring the Impacts of Street Art had me hook with the image on the cover and the research that went into crafting this book. honestly, while the information was intriguing and well organized, I think the book is worth the time and money to just look at the included photographs. 

Book Review: Modular Crochet: The Revolutionary Method for Creating Custom-Designed Pullovers by Judith Copeland

Modular Crochet: The Revolutionary Method for Creating Custom-Designed Pullovers by Judith Copeland is a reprint of a crochet book from 1978. This book shows basic crachet technigues with plenty of detailed photographs to demonstrate how to crochet clothing using modular crochet techniques. The garments are worked in the same basic shape, which consists of eight modules, or rectangles. Yarn, color, size, and stitches used can turn the basic format into a variety of finished projects.

Modular Crochet is a technique that I have never really used, having taught myself to crochet via internet instructions and a few fantastic books while I was pregnant with my oldest child (who is just shy of 9). The idea is sound, and has been around for awhile, since this is a republication. I have to admit that I am intrigued and might be testing out the method when I finish up my current project. The technique is described well, and the photographs used do a good job of illustrating the technique. However, I will admit that I found the book to be dated, which is not completely unexpected. I think anyone that has the basic crochet stitches mastered, but is still intimidated by patterns and clothing could use this book to help master freeform or improvisational crochet. Not a bad guide, but definitely dated, although I guess we could just call it retro?

Modular Crochet is a well done guide, and would be useful to those wanting to try making clothing without using a prewritten pattern. The diagrams, instructions, and photographs work together to explain everything very well. My only complaint is that the book does not seem to be updated from the 1978 version in this publication.

Books to Help Understand Social Media Safety

These days even the youngest kids have access to phones, computers, and tablets; and hence the internet. This means parents, teachers, caregivers, and children to to understand the dangers of being so connected with strangers, as well as the possibilities they offer for socialization, education, and entertainment. We do not want anyone to be afraid of the internet and its social opportunities, but we need to exercise caution and understand that not everyone and everything online is what it appears. Here are some books, a list of books to share with children and a list for parents and other caregivers, to master the tools they need to be safe and confident online.

For Kids:

Maintaining a Positive Digital Footprint by Jeff McHugh

Internet Safety (Rookie Read-About Safety) by Lisa M. Herrington

Internet Safety for Kids and Young Adults by Jeff Sechler

Smart Girl's Guide to the Internet (American Girl) by Sharon Cindrich and Ali Douglass

Children's Books: Gigabytes of Disaster by Jennifer Burrows and Joe Lorenzano

For Parents:

The Boogeyman Exists; And He's In Your Child's Back Pocket: Internet Safety Tips For Keeping Your Children Safe by Jesse Weinberger

CyberSafe: Protecting and Empowering Kids in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming, and Social Media by Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe

Screen-Smart Parenting: How to Find Balance and Benefit in your Child's Use of Social Media, Apps, and Digital Devices by Jodi Gold

Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn To Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly by Nancy E. Willard

The Parent's Guide to Texting, Facebook, and Social Media: Understanding the Benefits and Dangers of Parenting in a Digital World by Shawn Marie Edgington

The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed. D. ; with Teresa H. Barker

Talking Back to Facebook: the Common Sense Guide to Raising Kids in the Digital Age by James P. Steyer ; with a foreword by Chelsea Clinton 

June is National GLBT Book Month

In June 1969 demonstrations in response to a police raid in New York City, known as the Stonewall riots, marked the beginning of a cohesive gay rights movement in America and sparked a gay pride movement that has yet to slow down. In 2009 June was named LGBT Pride Month, and it has also become National GLBT (Gay,Lesbian,Bisexual & Transgender) Book Month. This means that it is a good time to bring attention to exceptional literature which deal with GLBT themes. My focus here is books with GLBT themes for young adults.

The preteen and teen years are tough on everyone. Young adults are trying to find their place in the world, as well as who they want to be. Social pressures often weigh heavily, as to family and school expectations and obligations. It is even harder for those that might be perceived as different, regardless of if it is their perception or that of others.

Finding someone you can identify with or relate to in the books you read can go a long way to help young adults questioning their identity or feelings feel more understood and less alone. Here are some novels and a short list of related nonfiction books that I would recommend.

Fiction

If You Could Be Mine and Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva

Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh

For Today I am a Boy by Kim Fu

When We Were Good by Suzanne Sutherland

Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World by Janet E. Cameron

Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour

Far from You by Tess Sharpe

Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Nonfiction

We Are the Youth: Sharing the Stories of LGBT Youth in the United States by Laurel Golio and Diana Scholl

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

The Full Spectrum: A New Generation of Writing about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Other Identities by David Levithan, Billy Merrell

It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living by Dan Savage, Terry Miller

The Journey Out: A Guide for and about Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens by Rachel Pollack, Cheryl Schwartz

Book Review: Zoo Orchestra by Manuel Díaz

Zoo Orchestra is a nonfiction book for children by Manuel Díaz. In this book each musical instrument is paired with an animal in a charming illustration. Then the reason behind the pairing is explained, followed by information about the instrument, including a piece of classical music to demonstrate the instruments sound and characteristics to young readers. 

Zoo Orchestra is an attempt to interest young readers with artwork and information about instruments that might appear in an orchestra. However, I rarely found any reason in the pairings, and I found it to be a little to text heavy and dense for the target audience. I did like the paintings of animals and instruments, I found myself bored with some of the explanations, and this is as an adult that is interested in the topic and loves music. I liked the concept, and think it was a great idea, but found the final execution lacking. I think I would have gone lighter with the text, or aimed for older readers.

Zoo Orchestra is a book that attempts to connect a love of animals with information about the orchestra and the instruments that can appear in one. I think the cover and description aim for a lower age group and reading level than the text would appeal to. However, I could think of some advanced readers and older readers that might enjoy the book.

Book Review: Ten Rivers that Shaped the World by Marilee Peters, Kim Rosen

Ten Rivers that Shaped the World is a children's nonfiction book written by Marilee Peters and illustrated by Kim Rosen. Rivers can be extraordinarily powerful, and not just because of their fast-flowing currents. They can make civilizations rise or crumble, divide cultures or link them together, and even provide crucial clues to where we came from. Dive into these ten surprising stories about the power of rivers through the ages, including: why you can trace just about every hit song back to the Mississippi River; why the Amazon helped scientists discover how species evolve; how the massive Three Gorges Dam displaced over one million Chinese; and why people in India have gathered to bathe in the Ganges for thousands of years. A combination of storytelling, original art, and colorful photos take readers on a unique journey across time and place.

Ten Rivers that Shaped the World combines historical fiction about the rivers with history, archeology, geology, and geography. The stories and facts are paired with colorful illustrations and photographs to keep readers interested. Each of the sections has a story based on the river's history, a map showing the river being discussed, some of the ancient history of the river as well as fossils that have been found there. There are also details about how the river has changed over the years,  the people who live along them, and the flora and fauna that depend on them. There have been civilizations that have both risen and fallen along these mighty rivers and conflicts surrounding them. The history and science surrounding each of these rivers is astounding and intriguing. It inspired me to do some further research, and just might do the same for other readers (children and adults alike).

Ten Rivers that Shaped the World is an intriguing read that taught me all sorts of interesting facts about famous rivers and landscapes that I thought I already understood. This book would be a great addition to school and classroom libraries to begin discussions about world history and a variety of sciences. 

Book Review: School Days around the World by Margriet Ruurs, Alice Feagan

School Days around the World written by Margriet Ruurs and illustrated by Alice Feagan is a children's non fiction book that details how children from different parts of the world might go to school. From Marta in Azezo, Ethiopia, and Luciano in Merida, Venezuela, to Alina in Taraz, Kazakhstan, and Lu in Shanghai, China, the children who are profiled live in places that truly span the globe. While there are major differences, all the children share similar desires to learn, read, and play with others.

School Days around the World is a wonderful way to show how important education is, how much some children go through to receive an education, and how similar all people are regardless of their location. I enjoyed the feel created by Alice Feagan's charming cut-paper collage artwork. It  truly enhances the concept of a global community. The smiling and enthusiastic children's faces drives home how important education is no matter where you live, and what form that education takes. A concept like going to school works perfectly to introduce children to other cultures and places in social studies classes, or to start discussions at home. at the end of the book there are further resources such as discussion topics and organizations that help children access education as well as a glossary with definitions of the foreign words.

I recommend School Days around the World for classroom and library collections. The book does a great job of introducing a variety of cultures while showing how we are all similar in needs and desires no matter where we live. it makes a great discussion starter about the importance of education, world cultures, and geography. 

Book Review: Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic by Iain Reading

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is the fourth book in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series by Iain Reading. This is a series that you do need to read in order, and one that I highly recommend for mature middle grade readers, young adults, and adults.

The Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series follows intrepid teenage seaplane pilot Kitty Hawk and her various adventures of mystery and intrigue as she follows in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart on an epic flight around the world. This fourth book in the series brings Kitty to the emerald hills of Ireland where she meets a handsome stranger and is quickly caught up in a hundred-year-old family treasure hunt involving secret codes and puzzling clues that lead her on a fast-paced adventure that carries her from Dublin to London until she finally unlocks the mystery and discovers the long-hidden treasure. Much like the earlier books in this series, has some high action and plenty of mystery and history.

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic opens with a few good laughs and quickly mores into the mystery. Here Kitty is introduced to the mysteries and questions surrounding (as you might have guessed from the title) the Titanic. There are some great tidbits of history that really came to life for me as I read, and I enjoyed the decoding of messages and clue following. I did not feel as connected to the secondary characters as I have in previous books, almost like a couple of them came in too fast to really get the normal fleshing out and personalization that I expected. The historical information and locations were very well integrated in the story and set me with the wanderlust and desire to do more research just as the previous books did. I would love the chance to travel the world as freely as Kitty, although I do not need to get myself into dangerous situations, although solving a few mysteries along the way would be fine with me.

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic did not grip me as much as the previous three books, but I will admit to having extremely high expectations because of how great the other books were, and I was coming of a serious reading slump. With that in mind, I still think it was an excellent book with Google-able locations and documents that made the read very interactive. The combination of danger, high action, and several layers of mystery and puzzles to solve was perfectly balanced and left me looking forward to seeing more about Miss Kitty Hawk.

Book Review: Abandoned NYC by Will Ellis

Abandoned NYC by Will Ellis is a collection of photographs which capture the lost and lonely corners of New York City. There are 200 images of urban decay; uncovering the forgotten history behind New York s most incredible abandoned spaces. Readers have the chance to explore the ruins of the Harlem Renaissance, sift through the artifacts of massive squatter colonies, and find out how the past is literally washing up on the shores of a Brooklyn beach called Dead Horse Bay, and walk through the halls of abandoned institutions without having to ignore any "No Trespassing” signs.

Abandoned NYC offers readers a chance to explore places they might never haver known existed, and places that will no longer be standing as time and progress marches on. Some of the photographs are hauntingly beautiful, while others might fill you with trepidation about what the individuals in some of those locations went through while they were still occupied and maintained. I found the information on the history of the locations and details about each image to be fascinating. The research that went into this collection, combined with the photography, had me staring at the book for hours longer than I should. I was particularly enthralled in how nature is reclaiming some of these locations, and how time has changed them all.

Abandoned NYC is a wonderful book for those that are curious about the hidden and forgotten places, and for those that can appreciate beauty in unexpected places. There is a certain eerie beauty to the crumbling and abandoned places, and important reminders about humanity and our history. 

Early Book Review: The Herbal Goddess Guide: Create Radiant Well-Being Every Day with Herb-Inspired Teas, Potions, Salves, Food, Yoga, and More by Amy Jirsa

The Herbal Goddess Guide: Create Radiant Well-Being Every Day with Herb-Inspired Teas, Potions, Salves, Food, Yoga, and More by Amy Jirsa is a non fiction resource that is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2015. Amy Jirsa offers recipes and ideas for exploring and embracing the distinctive qualities of twelve herbs; chamomile, rose, dandelion, holy basil, nettle, calendula, lavender, turmeric, echinacea, elder, cinnamon, and ginger. Recipes for teas and foods, skin and hair care treatments, complementary yoga poses, meditations, and more are well explained.  

The Herbal Goddess Guide is a great resource for those that are interested in more knowledge about herbs and how to live an all natural and healthier life. The information on each of the herbs, along with the recipes and yoga poses that follow, are well organized and very detailed. these are wonderful photographs that accompany each page. This book really is about bringing the mind, body, and spirit together via herbs and lifestyle. So, if you do not care for that style of help, then this book is definitely not for you. I am not rigorous about this lifestyle, but still found much of the herbal information and recipes for tea, food, and body care to be valuable. i know i will be blending some of these teas, salves, and creams but am not likely to start the meditation and yoga any time soon. I did not find the advice and information preachy, it was very well stated and straight forward, it is just not my cup of tea.

The Herbal Goddess Guide is a wonderful starter book for those looking to use herbs and lead a holistic life. If you are looking for detailed herb information and some fantastic recipes, then this book is still a great resource and it is easy to skim or skip the information that is not as interesting to you.

What Should You Read Next? Great Resources to Help Decide

I am often looking to read book by new authors or on new topics. Reviews and suggestions help, as does stopping in a library or local bookstore and browsing the shelves or asking the staff for suggestions, but sometimes I still feel at a loss. Here are some resources to help you decide what to read next.

NoveList is a resource available through public libraries to help readers find authors, titles, award winners, and author biographies. There is an author read alike search feature that allows you to search their database for authors that have similar writing styles to authors you already know and enjoy. Other services offered include book discussion guides, genre outlines to help you read more great books in your favorite genre and a popular fiction list, which gives suggested titles for just about ever genre.

BookBrowse is another reader's advisory website available for use by patrons of subscribing libraries free. Readers can search for new reads by genre, age group, geographical setting, theme and time period. Like NoveList, there is a way to search for authors that you might like based on your previous reads. 
No matter what you are looking for, be it something very specific or a vague desire for anything good, you will find suggests that meet your needs.

Overbooked is a website for readers. It specializes in literary, genre fiction information, and readable non-fiction. The site offers booklists by genre, starred review lists, author connections, and a social space for readers that often have overflowing piles of books to read but still can not stop looking for more, myself included. What I love about this website is that it is run completely by volunteers, so all reviews and suggestions come from people that truly love books and reading.

If none of these sites have helped, you find another book to read then there are still several options. Websites like Good Reads, Library Thing and Visual Bookshelf on Facebook can also help you decide what to read next based on you reading habits. Book clubs, librarians and random browsing in a library or bookstore can also yield good results. In the end, only you can decide what you like, but here are some tools to help you choose your next book, or bookshelf in my case.

Book Review: Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch is a children's non fiction book. It details what makes a platypus so special, and the commonalities and differences it has with several other mammals such as the beaver, dolphin, giraffe, or wild dog. Key traits of platypuses; their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle-; are covered and compared with those of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a well organized non fiction offering for children. the information is set up in an interesting manner with images and photographs that catch the eye and keep the interest of younger readers. I liked the graphs and comparisons with other mammals, some of which will be familiar to all readers and others which are much less familiar. the combination makes even information readers might have already known more interesting because of that dichotomy.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a good book to offer readers interested in nature, animals, and science in general. the organization is solid and the text and image combinations capture and keep the interest of readers easily. 

The Zombie Renaissance

Zombies have long been part of folklore and horror stories. There are a number of reasons that zombie lore can be found in every culture, but these days zombies have escaped the confines of the horror genre and B-Movies and can be found in just about every type of book, so regardless of your favorite genre, there is likely a zombie book out there for you. If you want to explore beyond Walking Dead and Warm Bodies and the cross media success they have had, here are some suggestions. 

Breathers: A Zombies Lament by S.G. Browne is not your typical zombie novel. This is a romantic comedy tale told from the zombie’s point of view. it shades light on the troubles faced by two zombies in love.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan is a young adult novel with romance, action, and a very quick pace. Mary's isolated village is governed by the Sisterhood. After they set a monster, one of the Unconsecrated, loose within the village, Mary and the few other survivors set off in the unknown.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith is one of the monster mash ups that flooded the market a few years ago. Combine Austin;'s idyllic English countryside with a zombie plague. Elizabeth Bennett must save herself and the alluring though infuriating Mr. Darcy.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr will appeal to those that love gothic fiction. Drawn back to the home of her youth, Rebekkah Barrow learns the secret of keeping the dead in their graves and the role she has inherited.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell was an 2011 Alex Award Winner and a Nutmeg Award Nominee. It follows the journey of a young woman who wanders a vast wasteland never knowing what life before the zombies was like. Savoring glimpses of beauty and kindness, Temple is torn between hope and despair and must face forces beyond her darkest nightmares.

Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
The Duke of Werewolves and the Earl of Vampires stave off hordes of the undead at a roadside diner in this uproarious debut novel.

Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
Fashionista zombie Amanda Feral investigates the disappearance of an undead friend in Seattle. Full of visceral action, this urban fantasy series has plenty to sink your teeth into.

Craving even more zombie goodness?

• Cell by Stephen King
  Filled with the gory details that made Stephen King’s name synonymous with horror, this faced-paced novel evokes a world where zombies are made not with a bite, but with a phone call.
• Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide by Glenn Kay
  Summarizing more than 250 films made between 1932 and 2008, this resource chronologically lists the outbreak of zombie films and their unyielding rise to popularity.
• Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel by Jonathan Maberry
  Baltimore detective and Army veteran Joe Ledger puts all of his considerable talents to the test when he is recruited into a shadowy government agency responsible for keeping the zombie menace at bay.
• World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
  Set 10 years after a zombie war, the story is a collection of first-person accounts from survivors and covers all angles of the earth-shattering event.
• The Zen of Zombie: Better Living Through the Undead by Scott Kenemore
  Learn the secrets to true and sustained happiness by exploring the uncomplicated yet philosophical and insightful world of the zombie.
• Pay Me in Flesh by K. Bennett
  Lawyer Mallory Caine is a far cry from your stereotypical zombie, though she does eat brains. Sexy, smart and put together, this savvy lady fights for justice for all.
• Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum
  Chronicling one zombies slow but inevitable decomposition in the form of haiku, this ancient art form is elevated to hilarious new heights.
• Nekropolis: A Matt Richter Novel by Tim Waggoner
  Zombie private investigator Matt Richter walks the mean streets of Nekropolis trying to keep the peace, and himself from falling apart.
• Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead by David Murphy
  Becoming a zombie can be really demotivating. Full of tips and tricks on important topics like fashion, hygiene and nutrition, this guide is meant to usher you into your new “life” with ease.

Book Review: Poison Dart Frogs Up Close by Carmen Bredeson

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close by Carmen Bredeson is an easy non fiction book for children. This book explains why are the little frogs are called poison dart frogs, why they are so colorful and much more. There are colorful, up-close photos of these beautiful, tiny frogs in their native habitats give readers a stunning view of these fascinating creatures.

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close is formatted with bright colorful photographs that are paired with easy sentences in a nice large font. The youngest independent readers will enjoy learning about the poison dart frog and love the big, bight photos. There is a good amount of information in the book, with a fact or two that I did not know before reading this book. I would not recommend for more advanced readers, only because the phrasing is very simplistic and they might become bored.

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close is the perfect book chose for young readers that are obsessed with animals. The information and photographs are perfectly pair to keep the attention. Adults and older children might still learn something (I know I did) but will not really enjoy the read as much because of the reading level the book is written for.