F ADD
Adderson, Caroline. Bruno for Real. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 64pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469 -023-7 $6.95
This sequel to I, Bruno contains six separate stories in which Bruno, now seven, makes connections between home and the outside world. Bruno’s perceptions and comments may just be cute and adult responses may just be indulgent but the tone of the book is wholesome and kind, and reminds the reader to relax and enjoy witnessing children’s learning. Bruno’s badness extended from printing his name backwards on school work, to eating his dessert first, to putting one foot in the principal’s office at recess.
Each story, besides the illustrated title, has three black and white Illustrations by Helen Flook that match the text with enough added detail to keep the reader’s interest. The stories deal with birthday parties, family camping, swimming lessons and swapping.
Recommended for older Primary / early Intermediate grades.
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
F BRO
Brouwer, Sigmund. Absolute Pressure. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 176pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-130-2 $9.95
Since he was ten Ian has spent summers in Key West, Florida working for his uncle at Gord’s Dive Shop. This year there seem to be some mysterious happenings concerning sunken treasure and three lawyers chartering Gord’s boat overnight every Friday and Saturday. When Gord’s office manager, Sherri, finds that one of the lawyers, and uncle Gord’s employee, Judd Warner, are not using their real names something seems wrong
Some sudden reversals of plot and character behavior keep interest high. Though it is an interesting aspect, not a lot is made of Ian’s neural condition, synesthesia, in which some touches generate colour. Ian tastes blackberries when Sherri comes near.
Three short author’s notes are given: one on synesthesia, two on sunken treasure.
Recommended for Upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
F CHO
Choyce, Lesley. Skate Freak. - Orca Book Publishers (Orca currents), 2008.-108 p. - ISBN 978-1-55469-042-8.- $9.95.
The main character, Quinn Dorfman, doesn’t have many things going for him, except his love for skateboarding. The fish plant where his father works has closed down and the family has had to move away from their beloved Willis Harbor by the sea and into the dreadful city. Quinn had been the only and best skateboarder in that town. He thought of himself as the boy with the wings. Now that he is in the city, he finds the skate park populated either by young kids or juveniles. Then there is Hodge, who repeatedly provokes and intimidates Quinn in the bowl and half-pipe as well as at his home. Luckily, at Jerome Randall High there is a girl who also skateboards, is smart and has some sense. Quinn is better able to get through his schooling because of his new-found love for Jasmine. Finally, Quinn realizes that just as he takes charge when he is skateboarding, he must take responsibility for his life if he wants to live it fully. Through skateboarding, he discovers himself.
If the reader is not a skateboarder, some research or assistance may be needed to understand better the many descriptions of the skateboarding scenes in the novel. However, this book would be ideal for the reader who skateboards and sees himself/herself as a bit of a loner or distinct from others. This Orca Currents novel is aimed for reluctant teen readers and recommended for intermediate grades. A free teacher’s guide is available online.
Reviewed by Alexandra Carrea, teacher-librarian, SD#39, Vancouver
F CIT
Citra, Becky. Whiteout. Orca Book publishers, 2009. 112pp. ISBN 9781 551469 083 1 $7.95
Robin’s family is getting together at their ranch for Christmas. Her Auntie Liz and cousin April are driving six hours to the Interior from the city. During their last phone call Robin had begged "You have to come, Aunt Liz, Please, please, please. I’ll never forgive you if you don’t" These words come back to haunt Robin after her Aunt is badly injured in a storm related car accident. While her Aunt recovers April comes to live at the ranch. On other visits April and Robin have been very close and very happy in each other’s company. Now with Aunt Liz so badly hurt their relationship is badly strained.
Molly, Robin’s six year old sister, does not want to be excluded from the older girls’ activities. She tries to prove she is not a little kid by setting off for a wilderness cabin in a bad snowstorm. With no adult at home can the two girls find Molly in time?
Whiteout is Becky Citra’s seventh novel in Orca’s Young Reader Series. In this novel Citra gives us a glimpse into ranch life in B.C.’s Interior. Snow at Christmas, cutting the tree on your own property, but also the dangers of extreme weather conditions. This is an easy to read novel with concise vocabulary, targeting girls 8-11
Recommended Grades 3-5
Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired TL
F DAH
Daher, Anita. On the Trail of the Bushman. Orca Book Publishers, 2008. – 128pp. – ISBN 978-1-55469-013-8 $7.95
On the Trail of the Bushman is another book in the Junior Canadian Ranger series. Tommy is the main protagonist, with Colly and Jazz also part of the storyline. The setting is the area around Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The Junior Rangers are having a summer camp but during the first night of the camp there is a serious fire where the cookhouse is demolished and other buildings are damaged. It is thought that perhaps the fire might have started from a discarded pop can magnifying the sun’s heat on the muskeg. Tommy is dismayed that he might have caused the devastating fire from something as simple as tossing a pop can toward a garbage bin and then forgetting to pick it up. Throughout the story Tommy is dealing with his dilemma, should he tell the captain or not?
But life continues as normal as can be at the camp; there are scary stories told around campfires, visits to museums, and horseback rides through mountain trails. The scary stories include the bushman, also known as a Sasquatch or Bigfoot, and another is based on a character that killed his wife’s best friend and took off into the bush, never to be seen again.
These stories and his guilty conscience have affected Tommy, so on a horseback ride he is nervous about sounds and smells. Then, a series of events including a rock slide, vanishing horses, injured leaders and a mystery man living in a cave all contribute to exciting adventures for the Rangers, leading to an exciting conclusion.
There are a series of coincidences that are sometimes too contrived, but young readers probably won’t mind. They will like the page after page of adventure involving the children and a mad man. Of course all ends safely, with a hint of mystery yet to come. And Tommy confesses to what he thinks is his part in the fire.
Recommended for grades 4-6
Reviewed by Pat Parker, Teacher-librarian, SD #73, Kamloops Thompson
F DEN
Denman, K.L. Perfect Revenge. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-102-9 $9.95
The dialogue of Denman’s characters establishes the shallowness and tenuousness of in-group membership.
When Elizabeth "Liz" Lane is caught in a science test with an answer key given to her by her current arch enemy, she feels as though her world has fallen apart. The freaky geeky new kid from next door, with everything that is not desirable by the in group introduces Lizzie to some "magick" she is learning from her baba. Liz begins to develop empathy... the hard way.
A simple incantation that causes a huge zit on Rachel’s forehead brings Liz a feeling of revenge, until she realizes that she has three, and that every revenge-charged spell will bring the same problem threefold to the spell-caster. Only by concentrating generously on the other person’s higher self, on peace and harmony for her, can changes in relationships be made.
The attractive cover, somewhat like Stella’s weird costuming, is the only illustration.
Recommended for upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades.
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
F GOE
Goerzen, Christy. Explore. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN
978-1-55469-112pp.- ISBN 978-1-55469-119-7 $9.95
Twelve chapters of fairly large print with an attractive cover and grade 4 Fry readability should appeal to upper intermediate readers, and the plot that has Mike choosing to attend an outdoors wilderness program rather than going into juvenile detention should appeal to those boys who feel rebellious themselves.
\Mike does not like his dad’s constant bill skipping relocation but was almost pulled back into a loser’s life by a bad friendship. Meeting Lisa and finding skills and inner strength gives Mike greater hopes for success in the future.
Even with no illustrations, this book would be a valuable purchase for libraries serving grades 6 to 10 boys.
Recommended for Upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades.
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
F GRA
Grant, Vicki, Nine Doors. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-073-2 $9.95
No one creates more likable, fully rounded characters than Vicki Grant’s protagonists and "good guys". Her central characters are memorable individuals whose comments clearly show their views of the world and the motivations and interconnections between them and their allies.
However, the resolutions of Grant’s plots tend to tax credibility with the ‘bad guys" being either too violent or not credibly able to do the physical feats attributed to them. In this book, three teenagers are captured one at a time and locked in a garage by one woman.
Emery’s friendship with Richard deals excellently with the problem of being manipulated into doing things we don’t want to do. The author meets the adolescent reader’s developing interest in boy-girl relationships with the involvement of Bebi.
Despite the weakness in plot resolution, this book, as any by Vicki Grant, is recommended for purchase by libraries serving intermediate, or junior high students, and especially boys.
Recommended for Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
F JAC
Jackson, Melanie. Queen of Disguises. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. – 164pp. – ISBN 978-1-55469-037-4 $9.95
Queen of Disguises is book six in the Dinah Galloway mystery series. In this instalment, Dinah, whose singing voice has been highlighted in the other books, has been selected as a finalist in the advertising campaign for the 2010 Olympics. Violet Bridey, a protagonist from The Man in the Moonstone, has escaped from prison and is seeking revenge on the person who put her there.
The advertiser had promised his nephew the job, so Dinah and the other finalists are sent to a fitness retreat. Dinah initially withdraws from the competition, as she is insulted that her pudginess is seen as problem. But as Violet Bridey has threatened her, she feels getting away to a retreat would be a safe option. Other children at the wellness retreat are the advertiser’s nephew, Cornwall, and Violet Bridey’s talented niece, Angela Bridey. Strangely, Dinah and Angela become friends, and Dinah tries to adopt Angela’s kind, pleasant demeanour.
A number of hilarious adventures on Salt Spring Island ensue, with a determined Dinah. Her sleuthing continues, as she is determined to prove Violet Bridey is on the island and attempting to harm her. Dinah’s friends, Pantelli, the tree-lover who has a crush on Angela, and Talbot are sent to a science camp nearby and also assist in pursuing Violet.
A plot twist at the end adds an unexpected surprise. At the end of the day, Dinah adopts a calmer personality, learns healthy eating habits, and grows two inches taller, so therefore meets the criteria for the singing gig.
Recommended for grades 5-7.
Reviewed by Pat Parker, Teacher-librarian, SD 73, Kamloops Thompson
F HAR
Harvey-Fitzhenry, Alyxandra. Broken. Tradewind Books, 2008. 176p. ISBN 978-1-896580-41-8. Pbk. $12.95
Ash Perrault’s home has been broken by her mother’s death. Though she and her father have since been trying to rebuild it, she believes it is about to suffer further damage from Ella (her father’s girlfriend) who is moving in with her two daughters, Katie and Julia. To Ash, it is beginning to appear as if all these strangers may also stress her union with her father to its breaking point.
The title is not only a reference to Ash’s home but also to the state of her relationships and the theme of glass breaking mysteriously in her presence. Since meeting Ella and her daughters, her bond with her father has felt ready to crack. Seth, the boy at school who has kissed her many times but refuses to call her his girlfriend, offers only half of himself. Even her strongest connection with her best friend, Mouse, who seems to care most competently for her, threatens to shatter when Ash’s very identity fractures in her endeavour to please others around her, others whose expectations of her often fall short of being realistic.
Ash must find a way to reconcile what looks to be her life falling to pieces. By coming to view the recent events in her life as random occurrences rather than as part of a single narrative that confirms her low self-opinion, Ash gains confidence and a sense of control. While expressing her talent for constructing mosaics, she finally finds herself able to arrange not only aspects of her own personality but also some of the characters in her life in ways that feel less oppressive. As a result, she comes to see herself like a mosaic, as a beautiful whole made up of small but essential pieces that she accepts and even likes.
There is much to appreciate in this very timely treatment of a modern situation characterized by the remarriage of a single parent and the effects on the children involved. As well as presenting language with which young people can readily identify, (i.e. texting, e-mailing, on-line chatting), the story offers very genuine and engaging insight into the psyche of a teenage girl and her interpersonal relationships.
Unfortunately, however, the recurrence of glass spontaneously breaking in Ash’s presence seems entirely at odds with this genre of fiction. Since Broken would not be classified as fantasy, this fantastical element draws unnecessary attention to itself. With the author having neglected to create what ought to have been a greater degree of ambiguity, this layer of the story comes across as a heavy-handed endorsement of an extremely specious, metaphysical concept. Moreover, the attempt to weave it into a plot that focuses on such recognizable issues such as family and relationships, appears to be unsuccessful.
Recommended for junior high school students. Reading level: Grades 8-10
Reviewed by: Stefan David Martin, ESL teacher, SD #39, Vancouver
F HEN
Heneghan, James and Norma Charles. Bank Job. Orca Book Publishers, 2009 176 pp. ISBN 1 55143 855 9 $9.95
Nell has lived in many foster homes, as her mentally challenged mother is unable to care for her. Nell ran away from many of them. Now she lives with the Hardy’s and two foster boys named Billy and Tom. Changes in foster care rules compel the Hardy’s to put in a second bathroom that will cost over $10,000. Nell, Tom and Billy do not want to leave. Nell visits her mother, taking a pearl necklace she thinks is valuable. When it is not, the three look for other ways to get the money. Billy convinces Nell and Tom they must get the money by stealing it, just enough to pay for the renovations.
Norma Charles and James Heneghan were inspired to write this story by accounts of three teens that robbed seven banks in the Vancouver area. Both authors have written numerous other books for young people. How three teenagers manage to rob so many banks before capture is an interesting story. The authors could have dealt with the consequences of these crimes in more depth, still a very readable story.
Recommended Grade 4- 7
Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian
F MCC
McClintock, Norah. Watch Me. - Orca Book Publishers (Orca currents), 2008. - 94p. - ISBN 978-1-55469-039-8. - $9.95.
This brief novel is extremely well suited to the pre-teen reader or reluctant teen reader. The writing is simple, concise, and clear. The action is fast-paced and will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. Katz, the main character, is an adolescent boy who is full of frustration. After his recovery from burns in the hospital, Katz finds it difficult to readjust to school and home. His mother and father soon divorce. His father had caused the house fire that nearly killed them both. But it is Katz who is left disfigured. When he is outside, he always pulls the hood of his sweatshirt up to hide the scars on the side of his face and neck. He had been the hero who went back into the house to save his father. However, in school, he does not feel like the hero. There, he is not permitted to cover up. He also has a slight case of dyslexia, and the school bullies are after him. At home, he can’t get along with his mother’s new boyfriend, Neil, and only his best friend Drew understands him. Everything is as bad as it can be, it can’t seem to get any worse; but it quickly does.
One day in the park, Drew and Katz are throwing a Frisbee around. Drew throws the Frisbee and it ends up hitting an old lady on the head, who then trips and falls to the ground. Instead of helping her up, Katz grabs her purse and runs away with it. Katz and Drew find only a five dollar bill and an old rusty watch in the purse. Later, in detention at school, Katz ends up meeting Jana, the most popular girl. She actually speaks to him, and offers to help him with his math problems. To his great surprise, they start becoming friends. This friendship is soon in jeopardy when Katz learns that Jana’s aunt is in hospital after falling to the ground, and that her purse containing a very special watch was snatched from her.
Highly recommended for the pre-teen or reluctant teen reader.
There is a 7 page Teachers Guide online at www.orcabook.com/client/PDFs/TeacherGuides/Currents/Watchme.pdf which should prove useful to teachers and teacher-librarians.
Reviewed by Alexandra Carrea, teacher-librarian, SD#39 (Vancouver)
F MUL
Muller, Rachel Dunstan The Solstice cup Orca Book Publishers 2009 176 pp. ISBN 9781554690176 $9.95
Breanne and Mackenzie are twins, almost 13 years old. They are staying with relatives in Northern Ireland while their Mother is in Belfast with her dying father. This is not their first visit to Ireland. They had been in the country five years before in June. Mackenzie believes they had an encounter with something evil. While trying to run away from this unknown force, Breanne badly injured her ankle. This injury has refused to heal, leaving her with a pronounced limp. She has always blamed her sister for the accident.
Uncle Eamon has many fireside tales about the wee fairy folk, especially now the Winter Solstice is approaching. Winter and Summer solstice are times, he says, when the fairy and real worlds collide. Mackenzie, the more cautious twin sees danger in the bogs. Breanne, however, is determined to search for a gold ring she held then lost five years ago. Is the ring an ancient treasure or a lure to trap humans? Is the underground world they enter all dancing, music and great food or an evil place for humans?
Rachel Dunsten Muller was inspired to write this fantasy novel after living in Northern Ireland in 2001. Breanne’s character is very angry. Mackenzie follows her sister to protect her from herself, but there seems to be little twin empathy or sisterly bonds. There is lots of Celtic mythology, with Pookas, evil fairies and parallel times. This fantasy novel is for the reader who can easily suspend disbelief.
Grade 4-7
Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian
F TAT
Tate, Nikki. Venom. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. 168p. ISBN 978-1-55469- 071-8 $9.95
One of the most important things in sixteen-year-old Spencer’s life right now is his job as exercise rider at the stables of Hilltop racetrack. In the early hours of the morning Spencer feels himself becoming in tune with the thoroughbreds as he puts them through their paces around the track, easily communicating human to horse. But Spencer is also concerned about one racehorse in particular, Lord of the Fires. Something seems wrong during their workouts, though Spencer must admit that the horse is still racing well. Nevertheless he is convinced that someone is drugging the horse; but even his friend Em, the stable owner’s niece, cannot be persuaded. What dangers could he face in the tough racetrack community if he speaks up? Dare he risk his job and perhaps his friendship with Em if he is caught searching for more evidence?
This suspense-filled novel gives an inside look at the hard work of racehorse training and the dedicated people behind the scenes. It also deals with Spencer’s family issues and school problems. Written for the ‘Orca Sports Series’, this high-interest mystery moves at a fast pace but the vocabulary is appropriate for the reluctant reader. The characters are well developed and appealing. Containing much food for discussion, this story could be a popular novel study.
This novel is highly recommended for grades 4-7.
Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39
F WAL
Walters, Eric. Special Edward. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. 108p. ISBN 978-1-55469-092-3. $9.95
Edward is smart and personable, with a great sense of humour. When it comes to making an effort with his school work, however, he is extremely lazy. He is happy with his 50% average, but when even that is in jeopardy he looks for another easy way out. Learning that special education students, designated exceptional, get more time to write tests and additional support, Edward is convinced he has discovered the perfect scam. All he needs is more time to write tests without studying and his 50% is guaranteed! However to become designated as exceptional proves to be more work than Edward ever expected. Does he really have learning disabilities? Edward learns more about himself as the screening continues.
This story challenges the reader to look at special education from a totally different perspective. Humourously written and fast-paced, it will capture the reader’s interest and imagination. It should also present some interesting topics for classroom discussion. Written as part of the ‘Orca Currents’ series, this novel is recommended for an elementary school library collection.
Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39
F WIS
Wishinsky, Frieda. All Aboard. Maple Tree Press, 2008. 84 pp. ISBN 9781 897349 39 7 $7.95
Frieda Wishinsky has written another Canadian Flyer Adventure. Matt and Emily use a wooden train whistle and their inherited sled to travel back to 1885. All they wanted was a ride on an old steam-train, instead they find themselves in the B.C. Rockies hours before the Last Spike Ceremony. They get a glimpse into what life was like for railway workers. Poor accommodation, cold and great danger were part of the job. Matt and Emily also meet some of the men responsible for building the railway that would connect all of Canada: Sanford Fleming, Donald Smith, Van Horne and rail worker, Edward Mallandine.
All Aboard is the ninth book in the Canadian Flyer time travel series. Each adventure tells of a different Canadian historical event at an easy to read level. Also included is a section ‘From the Author’ in which Wishinsky explains further facts. In this book, it is the role of Chinese workers. All Aboard is easy to read Canadian history, especially relevant with a trip to Craiglache on the B.C.-Alberta border
Recommended for grades 2-3.
Reviewed byGloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian
370.92 MEH
Mehlmann, Gloria. Gifted to Learn. The University of Alberta Press, 2008. 325p. ISBN 978-0-88864-498-5. $24.95
This captivating memoir, written by a First Nations woman, tells of her twenty- year career teaching in urban Saskatchewan during the 1960s and ‘70s. Her life and the lives of her students were greatly influenced and affected by the discrimination and abuse that was prevalent during this time. The author’s personal story and that of her students is interwoven to reflect an educational system badly in need of reform. Her many challenges and accomplishments plus the invaluable lessons that she learned from her students, combine to make an informative statement for teachers today.
Beginning with her early teaching experiences, the author tells her story through a selected group of her students over the years of her career. As Mehlmann recalls: "children whose stories taught me about a side of teaching…that says more than university courses are required to elucidate." The text is well written, poignant, reflective and sensitive. Throughout, the author maintains how much she has learned from her students. This is reiterated in her closing comment: "…to become a good teacher, one has to remain a good student. It is a fine way to stay in the company of all who are gifted to learn."
This text should prove interesting and informative for both the experienced teacher and the beginning student.
Highly recommended for adult readers dedicated to education and specialists of Native Studies and Women’s Studies.
Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39
372.47 GEA (Professional Collections)
Gear, Adrienne. Nonfiction Reading Power: teaching students how to think while they read all kinds of information. Pembroke Publishers Limited, 2008. - 160pp. - ISBN 978-1-55138-229-6 $24.95
The author, a teacher for nearly 20 years including the last four years as a Literacy Mentor, was amazed to find that 80% of the time spent reading in the real world is reading non-fiction, yet little time had been spent on developing skills in nonfiction reading. This book sets out to counter that imbalance.
Over eight chapters Gear explains how Nonfiction Reading Power pertains to a surprising number of nonfiction forms (recipes, bills, manuals); providing lists of good Nonfiction Read-Alouds and Nonfiction Authors worthy of study. She then goes on to introduce the components of Nonfiction Reading Power:
Zoom-in,
Question/Infer
Determine Importance
Connect
Transform
and provides booklists for 18 Science and Social Studies topics.
Each Chapter from Three to Seven introduces one component i.e. Zooming-In and provides a list of books suitable for the study of Zooming-In as well as masters of student worksheets.
Chapter Eight gives advice on scheduling in two month blocks and includes some sheets to guide the teacher’s year end assessment and evaluation.
This book, rich in resources and clearly organized, is highly recommended for the professional collection of elementary schools, or to classroom resources.
Recommended for Elementary Professional Collections.
Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith
398.2 PAU
Paulson, Kristoffer F. Scandinavian – American Folk Tales and Fish Stories. Illustrated by Kai Paulson. Mophouse Publishing, 2008. 52p. Illus. ISBN 978-0-9810287-0-5.
Pbk. $16.95
Every country and culture has its’ folk tales, past down through the generations from parents to children. Mainly handed down in the oral tradition, these tales are often embellished, exaggerated and changed throughout the ages. Similar stories are found in many cultures, especially fishing tales. Does a fisherman ever want to give away his fishing spot? ‘Little people’ also abound in folktales, as well as fierce, frightening characters and invisible nuisances.
The text is a collection of Scandinavian folk tales once told orally by the author to his children. Beginning with a fish story, the reader is then introduced to Oskar
(Stonebottom), a troll who dared to pick cloudberries while the sun was out. In the story "Old Hickory Chomper", the reader discovers how this fearful troll gets his ‘granite jaw’. The legend of the ‘Dragedukke’, "the doll who drags things away", is another intriguing story.
This collection is illustrated and published by the author’s son, Kai Paulson, a graphic artist. Each full-page illustration is vibrant, colourful and intriguing, adding fun and imagination to each tale. The reading level is sophisticated, suitable for intermediate readers and up. Written as simple family stories, the style is stilted in sections, but overall these tales should interest young readers. This text would prove useful for a theme of storytelling in the classroom, encouraging students to write stories from their own background and culture. It would also be an interesting addition to an elementary school library’s collection of folktales.
Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, Teacher-librarian (retired), SD #39 Vancouver
578.769 SEP
Sept, J. Duane. The Beachcomber’s Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest, Revised Edition. Harbour Publishing, 2009. 224p. ISBN 978-1-55017-453-3 $26.95
The intertidal marine life along the Pacific Northwest Coast is one of the richest in the world. Along these shores it is possible to identify and observe numerous animal and plant species. Whether on a class fieldtrip or a specific biological study, the observer will find this guide an essential resource tool. The introduction begins with a discussion on understanding tides and intertidal habitats, for example, sand beaches, mud flats and rocky shores. Micro habitats are also included, such as; under rocks, tidepools, floating docks and pilings. A magnifying glass is recommended for observation and a camera for records, rather than disturbing the fragile ecosystem or handling the sea creatures.
Appealing, coloured photographs enhance each entry. Full-page photos also introduce each animal or plant species. Notes are included with the entry for further information, as well as description, habitat and range. The final chapter lists "best beachcombing sites in the Pacific Northwest", including photographs, description, location and notes. Scientifically accurate, this guide is easily accessible for the young researcher or casual observer. This text is recommended as a useful reference for both an elementary and secondary school resource centre.
Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39
741.5 ODO
O’Donnell, Liam. Soccer Sabotage. Orca Book publishers, 2009 64 pp. ISBN 9781 55143 8849 $9.95
Graphic novel
Nadia’s soccer team has reached the National finals. Instead of playing as a team, the girls have become divas, each trying for individual glory. Helping with the team and narrating the story is Nadia’s younger brother, Devlin, and coach Nate’s son, Stewart. Rising soccer star, Aidan, is coaching an opposing team. He seems to be everywhere, sometimes in places he is not supposed to be. Is he also interested in dating Nadia?
Coach Nate is suddenly injured falling down a flight of stairs just before a playoff game. His duties are taken over by Stewart and Devlin. Stewart is determined to find out what really happened to his Dad. Was he pushed? Who is Mr. Singh and how does he know his father? What is Aidan doing in their dressing room just before player Lisa is injured by a falling object?
Liam O’Donnell and illustrator Mike Deas have created this graphic novel to appeal to both very good and reluctant readers. This easy to read, fast paced novel contains action, mystery, adventure and lots of soccer facts.
Recommended for grades 2-5.
Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian
971.009 ARA
Arato, Rona. Courage and Compassion : ten Canadians who made a difference. Maple Tree Press, 2008 96 pp. ISBN 978 1 897349 35 9 $19.95
Courage and Compassion by Rona Arato covers 400 years of Canadian history and profiles 10 Canadians from different eras in our history. Some names are very familiar and others are not. Jeanne Mance moved to the new colony of Montreal and put her nursing skills to work helping both colonists and Aboriginal people. She is credited with starting our first hospital. Josiah Henderson, born a slave in the US, made his way to freedom in Canada. He then became a conductor on the Underground railway helping others escape. He established Dawn community, an area where former slaves could work and own land. Nellie McClung was a famous author and suffragette. Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Prize for his peace -keeping efforts. He also gave Canada its own flag. Roger Obata felt the Canadian government had done its citizens of Japanese descent a grievous wrong during World war II. Although not evacuated himself, he fought for 41 years for a government apology and compensation. Other notables include June Caldwell, Judy Field Carr, Elijah Harper, Craig Keilburger, and Hannah Taylor.
Rona Arato celebrates ten Canadians by providing in depth coverage of their lives and accomplishments. This book is part of Maple Tree Press’ Wow Canada Series. Historical photos help the reader see into the worlds of these outstanding Canadians. She has covered many years of our history from earliest to modern times and from our older to youngest Canadians who have made a difference. Paperback format makes this a great book to add to a library.
Highly recommended for grades 4-7.
Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian
