The Nantucket Sea Monster A Fake News Story

Pattison, D.,& Willis,P. (2017). The Nantucket sea monster: a fake news story. Little Rock, AR: Mims House. 
16 pages, 3-6, nonfiction, ISBN 978-1629440828

It was a real news in Nantucket. The story was started in August 1937 that the headline of the newspaper was about "A SEA MONSTER was in Nantucket". The news came out, which became a famous news that people were talking about it. scientists in Boston and New York wanted to help in identifying the monster that asked the newspaper editor to send them pictures for inspection. Also, some scientist at the Harvard Museum of Zoology and the Boston Aquarium studied the footprint. They made it looked like a serious thing. However, when Tony Sarg said that he found the sea monster, people went to check it and knew that it was a huge rubber balloon. 

I really like this book because the storyline is very interesting. It is a very useful material for teachers to teach about that the report from the newspaper is not 100% right. they need to do research to find the truth. On the other hand, there are a timeline of the events, vocabulary. and sources in the back. If students have questions about vocabulary, they can check the vocabulary on that page. It also provided extra information for students. it is very useful. The other things that I like are the illustrations in the book, which are very pretty and vivid. 


Review by: Karman A

I am Sacagawea

Brad, Meltzer. (2017).I am Sacagawea (Ordinary People Change the World). New York: Dial Books.
40 pages, K-3, picture/Non-Fiction Archaeologist, ISBN:978-0525428534

This book talks about a native American girl whose name is Sacagawea. She was the only girl with a baby and native American to join Lewis and Clark's corps of discovery. in the trip, it talks about how she helps the group to translate and communicate with different tribes. And also, it records about how she helped the group survive in the wildness and saved supplies.
It is an interesting and educated book for kindergarten kids to read. It included many cute and active pictures for the kids to read. And it is a great book for social study. It mentioned about the status of girl, young people and Native American. and also, in this book, there are some primary sources.It lists some original works of tribe language and original quote from tribe chief. it helps kids to know the history and the relationship between the people. at the end of this book, it even gives the encouragement and suggestion for kids to go forward and make your own path.



Reviewed by: Rosina. Z

Robinson

Sis, P. (2017). Robinson. Broadway, New York: Scholastic Press.
48 pages, Grades Preschool-3, Fiction/Picture Book, ISBN-13: 978-0545731669.

Robinson is written as a fictional adventure mixed with a personal life's story of the author's name. The story is about love, friendship, overcoming fears and being who you are. It shows the story of a boy who loves adventure, a mysterious ocean journey through the boy's dream and being alone in a remote island wilderness. Peter, who is the main character in the story is rounded by friends who have shared a common passion. They all love pirates! Yes, Pirates. So, whenever there is a school activity, especially a costume party, they know what to wear. A pirate costumes! Boys have been wanted to be pirates, but Peter's mother suggested him to be Robinson Crusoe, who is the main character in his favorite story. He was excitedly said yes, his mother made it personally for him and went to the party. But after his friends saw him, they laughed at him and he just decided to go home and sleep. While sleeping he dreamed of being on an Island and learn to be brave, and not be affected by peer pressure. 

This book will teach kids to be who they really want to become and not only go with the flow. Most of the times, kids nowadays act base on what they friends want them to be and not what they want and what they know is right. It will also teach kids to respect others' opinion and decision, give importance to the friendship they made no matter what the differences they have and learn how to bravely express their feelings. This is a good picture book as well, pictures are very attractive and magical that readers will stare at the pictures on each page of the book. The author did a great job in making the reality to a fantasy and then fantasy to reality again.

Reviewed by: Jonna L.

Long May She Wave

Fulton, K. (2017). Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation. New York, New York: Simon&Schuester Co.
30 Pages, K-3, Non-Fiction Archaeologist, ISBN 978-1481460965

Fulton Kristen is the author of this book “Long May She Wave”. She loves to travel and explore things happening around the world. Kristen considered herself with real things happening, or known as nonfiction archaeologist, always finding evidence and lost history happening time through time. While exploring the National Museum of American History, she came across with piece of fabric so simple with stars and stripes. Just by looking at that has brought her heart with tears and pride knowing this would be her next story to write. It was such an inspiration for her to write about real events.

This story was written base on the true story of Caroline Pickersgill a young girl who lost her father in her very young age. Leaving her and her mother Mary. Caroline Pickersgill and her mother came up with an idea of how to make income and what to do for their living. Her mother Mary make and sell flags out of rent in Baltimore. Of all the flags, they worked on it and sell. It was during the war between the British and America Caroline Pickersgill was asked to make a huge flag for Fort McHenry so that the British could see it from miles away. Caroline just a young girl spends many days along with the help of her grandmother, mother and other ladies making this huge flag. Something very unique and touching was that through the end of this war this flag that Caroline made was still waving there and it has become the most historical flag in U.S. History. I am not an American citizen, I am from Samoa but the moment I read this book, honestly, I was in tears. I felt it from each word of the story. My heart was crashed down where it made me appreciate and cherish what this girl has made for America. Not only this but I now get to feel love, kindness, humility reading each word of the America anthem. I see the purpose and the importance of the anthem, my heart is filled with gratitude and love for the nation of America. Very touching and very inspired.

Reviewed by Penina T.

Danza!

Tonatiuh, D. (2017) Danza! Amalia Hérnandes and El Ballet Folklórico de México. China: Abrams Books for Young Reader.
32 pages, Grade 1-5, Picture Book, ISBN-13: 978-1419725326

Danza won the Pura  Belpré Medal and the  Robert  F.  Sibert  Medal.  Duncan has written and illustrated various award-winning books for young children.  This book tells the story of Amalia Hernandez, a dancer, and founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. Amalia is from Mexico and has great passion in dancing. Her mom is against her dream of becoming a dancer and instead wanted her to be a teacher. Her dad who is in the military was also opposed to it, but later on, supported her and even hired a personal dancing instructor to help Amalia.

This book is very suitable for elementary students. It is very inspiring especially for kids nowadays who are unarguably skilled and more  talented  than any other generation.  This book will encourage them to pursue their  dreams,  ambitions,  passions and deep longing.  I like how persistent Amalia is, how she did  not  stop  pursuing her dreams just because her parents are against it. I like how she showed effort in every little chance she had by finding ways to be able practice what she wants.

It is also funny that although she did not want to be a teacher she became one by teaching people how to dance. Because of this she became famous and was even called a legendary dancer.

Reviewed by Jonna L.

A Different Pond

Phi, B. (2017). A different pond. North Mankato, Minnesota: Picture Window Books.
26 pages, K-4, Picture/Nonfiction/Autobiography, ISBN 978-1479597468

As a young boy, Bao Phi and his family is a refugee from Vietnam who came to Minnesota during the year 1970’s because of the war in Vietnam. Bao Phi is the youngest of six siblings; He wrote this book “A different pond “in an experience he had with his dad fishing in a small lake in Minnesota where they would catch fish for their meals each day. The book illustrates a father and son relationship. The sacrifices made by the father and the willingness of a young son in waking up early morning to help catch a meal for the family; taking care of his siblings when his parents would go to work. Fishing is something that they have to do so they can have food on their table because they don’t have enough to buy everything they needed to survive.

This book is filled with passion and emotion. There is just something different about the book that makes me almost emotional thinking that Bao Phi’s childhood experience was not very favorable on his part. However, because of the things that he learned from fishing with his dad he understood where his family is coming from and he developed a sense of responsibility at an early age. This book is great for kids to help them gain an understanding of the importance of family, hard work, and also sacrifices. It will also help students in K-4 grade level to understand how it feels to be a refugee and to be aware of what is going on in their surroundings when it comes to less fortunate people. 

Reviewed by Farah Empalmado

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire

Mary, Blair. (2017). Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire. New York: Athenaeum Books for Young Readers.
48 pages, preschool-3, picture/biography, ISBN 978-1481461313

This is biography book about Mary Blair. It reveals a woman who thought outside the box and beyond the rules of art. How she observe the world by painting out with color. And how she discovers the color through community, environment and geography. And also, it records the process how she become successful.

I love this book cause it involve the Disney and many colorful pictures inside, it helps kids interested to read it. And also, this book is good for the social study. It mentioned in the early American how is status of man and woman, and how the author observes the community and geography by painting it out. And it reflects different culture and human relationship through colorful paintings. This is a pretty interesting and active biography picture book.

Reviewed by Rosina Z.