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Editor Phyllis Levy Mandell -- School Library Journal, 08/01/2006

Computer Skills

Gr 7 Up–Mr. Tech, Steve Doiron, presents an explanation of virtually everything one needs to know about e-mail. Eighteen brief chapters run the gamut from netiquette to subject lines to acronyms and spam. For the Internet savvy, this may be a bit old hat, but refreshers never hurt. For those who are novices (and many students, in spite of what they think, are still novices), this offers a level of comfort and familiarity. The DVD, a recorded version of one of Doiron’s presentations, shows him standing in front of a screen explaining slides. As an added feature, the slides are available individually on the DVD along with a list of Internet resources. Many students will tune out because this is not a glitzy presentation; a bit more polish in production values would have enhanced its appeal to students. However, the important information provided is accurate and easily understood.–Mike Brown, Bowie High School, MD

Gr 8 Up–This brief production offers young people a “preflight checklist” they can use to prepare for the time when they “launch” their lives on their own. The onscreen narrator, a young African-American woman, discusses the importance of developing a budget plan, explains how compound interest can create savings windfalls or increase debt, and offers recommendations on how to choose and use credit and debit cards and calculate automobile expenses. She repeatedly stresses that it is important to “spend less than you earn.” Those portions are mixed with “teen on the street” segments where a diverse group of college-age young people discuss their own budgets, credit cards and debt, and car expenses, and assess their own readiness to successfully live on their own. Visuals include shots of the narrator as she shops, pays bills in her apartment, and drives, mixed with the interviews and graphics of “checklist” information about financial matters. Although most of this film’s information and recommendations are standard financial wisdom, readily available in other sources, it does a very good job of equating financial knowledge and prudent spending with the perpetual teen goal of independent living. Its breezy presentation will keep viewers interested. A very good choice for secondary collections for classes in social studies, economics, and family and consumer sciences.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

PreS-Gr 3–The second installment in this series is every bit as wonderful as its award-winning predecessor (Aug. 2005, p. 56). Created and co-choreographed by Juleen Murray Shaw, this performing arts video introduces children to tap and ballet dance, while entertaining them with Mother Goose themed theatrical backdrops and classic nursery rhymes. An unusual video perspective is rendered as the adult dancers, dressed in bright, colorful costumes, are photographed from the waist down, allowing even the youngest viewers to focus on the dance movements. Full of energy and engaging, this title will be popular for either individual or group viewing. DVD extras include basic ballet positions and basic taps steps. Perfect for movement classes, expect this title to be requested quite often.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

PreS-K–This new addition to the series about Thomas the Tank Engine offers a nice mix of music between two stories that are just the right length for the intended audience. Colorful computer animated train engine character Thomas and his friends wind their way though the Island of Sodor, leaving behind gentle tales—”Bulldog” and “Peter, Sam and the Refreshment Lady”—with not-too-preachy morals. The songs include “Let’s Have a Race,” “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover,” “Really Useful Engine,” “Gone Fishing,” and other favorites. “Children will enjoy singing along to the bouncing steam train cloud. George Carlin narrates this title which will be embraced by young train lovers and their caregivers.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3–Youngsters are introduced to 20 different types of trucks via live-action footage of these vehicles performing their routine tasks. A male narrator speaks slowly and clearly, and children’s voices introduce the number of each truck. The name of the truck is also printed on-screen. The narrator poses questions to viewers such as “Is there a fire station close to where you live?” The trucks range from the commonplace (tow truck, garbage truck) to the unusual (vacuum truck, grapple truck). The profile for each truck also introduces new vocabulary. For example, the profile for the tractor trailer explains that it is also known as a “semi” or an “18-wheeler,” it carries “cargo” and drives to “farms,” “factories” and “warehouses.” Young truck fans will be thoroughly engaged by the live-action footage. A popular choice for public libraries.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 5-9–Young teens talk candidly about traumatic events that made them feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. Brianne’s family was evacuated from their home during Hurricane Katrina, Sedrick’s mother worked in the Twin Towers on 9/11, Alice’s parents divorced, Alex’s stepfather died, Sophie’s father disappeared, Arianna lost her grandmother, and another teen lost a young cousin. They take turns describing physical reactions to their situations, such as sleeplessness, crying, headaches as well as the emotional feelings of guilt, anger, and fear. Psychologist Robin Goodman acts as host, explaining how one-time events as well as chronic occurrences, like abuse, can elicit these types of responses. The teens also admit that they blamed themselves, asked “What if?,” stopped talking to others, and pretended that everything was okay. Dr. Goodman presents strategies that teens can use to help them cope and move beyond the crisis. The teens provide follow ups to their situation, speaking optimistically about what they have learned and how they reached out for help. A first-rate production for peer counseling, health classes, and individual viewing.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

K-Gr 2–The message of this character education program is that by acting responsibly, you will feel good about yourself. A series of live-action vignettes featuring children and adults present three main ideas: offer help when asked, follow the rules, and do the right thing without being told. Narrated by a woman, the engaging scenarios feature children and adults in situations at home and at school. Kids are shown performing tasks such as watering Grandma’s plants, confessing to Mom that her phone broke when dropped, and cleaning up toys before starting another activity. The adults praise the children for making good choices and show their disappointment when the youngsters make poor decisions, like running in the hall at school. The children speak distinctly and sing a rap song between segments, which allows the instructor to pause the video for discussion before moving on to the next vignette. Useful for entire classes and small groups.–Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 3-6–This live-action video provides youngsters with ways to boost their self-esteem and become more self-assured. Through a series of vignettes, starring a multiethnic cast, viewers learn to recognize their own talents and strengths and value them, rather than making comparisons with others. They learn the importance of doing their best and giving themselves credit for a job well-done. Youngsters are encouraged to appreciate what makes them unique. They’re also told to think positively and to be true to themselves. A female host provides the introduction, segues, and a final review. This is a lot of material to cover in a brief period of time, but it is a nice introduction that will lead to classroom discussions and extension activities.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 6 Up–Designed to help teens cope with being part of a blended family, this film uses the framework of a group of teens getting together in an ice cream shop to discuss their issues and concerns. It details the “SCOOP” method of getting along: Supportive respect, Communication, Optimism (a double scoop), Patience. Each topic is addressed with explanations and vignettes. The information provided is not groundbreaking, and the acting is labored. Most teens, especially those in stepfamilies, will probably find the production condescending.–Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA

Gr 3-6–Designed to help students manage their anger through self-control, this video provides four anger management strategies. A male narrator presents live-action vignettes involving diverse students experiencing anger-inducing situations, suggests a better way to handle the problem using a specific anger management strategy (stop and think, talk it out, don’t keep anger inside, use your anger energy), and shows the situation utilizing the technique. Techniques are well-explained verbally, modeled, and listed on-screen. The information is well organized, the situations are realistic, and segments are short and succinct. Sections could be paused to initiate student discussions before showing the proposed anger management strategy. A very useful tool to address a prevalent problem.–Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 9 Up–Classes or groups will find this powerful program useful as a model for initiating frank discussions about different manifestations of prejudice, including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Teachers or group leaders should allot several periods for viewing and discussing the topics that are sure to raise sensitive issues and emotional responses. Racism is the focus of Professor Jerome Rabow’s Sociology class at UCLA. He is white and co-teaches the class with an African-American colleague. The group of ethnically, racially, and culturally diverse students discuss, with brutal frankness and honesty, their experiences facing, and at times being the often-unwitting perpetrators of, racism. Sexism and homophobia are also part of the dialogue. During the term-long class, students gain insights into their behavior and its effect on others as they talk about the pain they feel when stereotyped and how their self-image is affected by the attitudes and behaviors of others. Prof. Rabow’s book, Voices of Pain & Voices of Hope: Students Speak About Racism (Kendall Hunt Pub., 2002) can be used with the film.–Anitra Gordon, formerly Lincoln High School, Ypsilanti, MI

PreS-Gr 3–Fitness instructor, Miss Anna, clearly explains basic stretches and exercises in 23 minutes of fitness instruction that is full of positive messages that emphasize the fun of exercise. The exercises include basics like the body stretch, windmills, jumping jacks, and push-ups. Miss Anna first demonstrates each exercise and then 14 youngsters, ranging in age from toddlers to preteens, perform them. The instructor is joined on stage by children’s performer Miss Lori, and the character Sqedunk, played by an adult in a pig costume. She encourages the children with phrases such as, “You can do it.” The DVD also contains the picture book story, Sqedunk Takes a Tub Tub, written and read by Lori Reeves, and the exercise segment from her show, Miss Lori Live. The instructions are easy to follow and the movements are simple, making this an encouraging choice for beginning workouts.–Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

PreS-Gr 1–Benny, a very talented dog, is a magician’s assistant who can dance, juggle, play the harmonica, and perform some pretty amazing tricks in this picture book by Bob Graham (Candlewick, 1999). When he becomes more popular than the magician he assists, he finds himself with no job and out on the street. Undaunted, he spends his last few cents on dog food and a can opener, and then hops a freight train in search of a new home. But Benny soon finds out that his talents are not exactly marketable in a world that is looking for guard dogs and herding dogs. He scours the country for a new home and, when he can’t go any farther, he comes to the realization that he must be true to himself. Graham’s charming watercolor illustrations come to life with sporadic flash animation. The movement of the camera and the combination of more than one illustration in a frame give the impression of animation in many instances. The music and narration are in perfect sync with the story, and Jim Brownold’s diverse voices for the characters are wonderful. Children will love this charming little pup, and will cheer as he finds happiness in his own special place in the world.–MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 2–Barbara Karlin’s simple retelling of this classic tale (Little Brown, 1989) features bright, cartoonish illustrations by James Marshall that have been simply animated for this production. Stephanie J. Block brings the story to life with clear and energetic narration. Music and sound effects enhance the production, Delightful illustrations and witty dialogue make this a treat for the eyes and ears.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

PreS-Gr 2–On Emily’s first day of school, her teacher announces that the class will make a new “number friend” each day and celebrate with a party on the 100th day. Though it seems like it will never come, seasons pass and Emily learns about all the ways numbers are important. The children count the nine planets, 26 letters, days in a month, 50 states, and minutes in an hour. They note the number of cookies by the dozen at Christmas, calories in Aunt Mim’s tomato soup, and keys on Mr. Horn’s piano. In between, they sing songs like “Tea for Two” and “76 Trombones.” When the big day finally arrives, they celebrate by sharing their projects. The numbers are presented in increments of 10 in the clever framework of a news show, “BNN, Bunny News Network.” Each segment displays the featured number in a large, colorful box with the numeral also represented in word and number form scrolling along the bottom of the screen as in a real news show. While this animated version of Rosemary Wells’s book (Hyperion, 2000) is faithful to the print edition and features the same adorable animal characters and primary-colored cartoons, it is tedious and too long for its intended audience. Readers can browse through the oversized tome at their leisure, but viewers will grow impatient with each passing day. The “Scene Selection” might be preferable to a single-sitting showing.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS-Gr 1–Hondo the dog and Fabian the cat are friends in this Caldecott Honor book by Peter McCarty (Holt, 2002). It is the story of the day Hondo went to the beach and Fabian stayed home. Instrumental music accompanies the spare words and soft, grayed out art in this iconographic offering. Minimal animation is added to the economical pencil on watercolor paper art. But few words and few details are needed to tell this warm, fuzzy story of a dog and a cat who share their home with each other and with their people. Young children, with or without family pets, will respond with a sigh of pleasure at this story about friendship and family.–Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

PreS-Gr 3–This iconographic version of the Caldecott-winning book (Philomel, 1989) translated and illustrated by Ed Young offers a Chinese retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood classic story. Three sisters are left alone overnight while their mother visits grandmother (aka Po Po) on her birthday. Despite her parting words, “Remember to close the door tight at sunset and latch it well,” the two younger girls let a wolf disguised as their Po Po into the house. Almost immediately, Shang—the eldest and most clever sister—becomes suspicious and wonders, “Po Po, why is your voice so low?...Why did you blow out the candle?” Yet, due to the innocent enthusiasm of the younger girls, they are soon in bed with the scheming beast. Shang orchestrates their escape, luring the wolf out of the house with the promise of the soft, tender ginkgo nut. The big bad wolf has met his match, confronted with this crafty child, who—with the help of a rope and a basket—finally finishes him off. Young’s dramatic, impressionistic pastel-and-watercolor panels seem darker and more menacing against the black background in the film. The bright blues, greens, and oranges provide a striking contrast to the wolf’s dark grayish browns. The shadows and cautious, frightened faces coupled with the narrator’s expressive storytelling will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The tale is narrated by B. D. Wong, and ominous strings and woodwinds help set the mood. Students will enjoy comparing this version to the classic fairy tale they know so well.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS-Gr 1–Emily Jenkins’s picture book (Farrar, 2005) comes to life in this iconographic presentation. Marshmallow and FudgeFudge, the family dogs, are unhappy when the new baby moves into their home. No one wants to play with them, FudgeFudge has lost her place on the couch, and they don’t like the new arrival’s smell. A visit from Grandpa changes their attitude, and they become protective of the baby because it is their new animal. The splendid reading by Jenkins is framed by background music. Jenkins paces her reading perfectly and uses vocal inflections to denote the various characters. Pierre Pratt’s vibrantly colored art work is scanned icongraphically with some movement. Varied camera angles add interest by panning across the art, zooming in for detail, and zooming out to capture the big picture. Carnegie Medal recipients Melissa Reilly and Paul R. Gagne have another winner!–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2 –The Toy Castle is a critically acclaimed live-action series broadcast on Canadian television, created for young children who have an interest in the performing arts and dance. The premise is that every night, after two children fall asleep, all the toys in the castle come to life and have fun and adventures. In most of the episodes, they also learn some kind of moral or social lesson. The castle set is large and beautiful, and the costumes and make-up are colorful and appealing. The toy characters are brought to life by members of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company. Twelve episodes are shown on this DVD, all of them featuring Ballerina in a prominent role. Among the episodes are “Cinderella,” in which the toys put on a play about Cinderella with Ballerina in the lead role. In “Bluebird,” Ballerina wants Strong Man, Clown, and Goblin to watch her dance “The Swan” (to the music of Saint-Saens’s “The Swan”), but they are more interested in Goblin’s new bird whistle. In “Home Sweet Castle,” Toy Soldier and Ballerina take a trip around the world, stopping to dance in Spain, Russia, Brazil, Italy, and Mexico. Toy Soldier is exhausted and decides that home is the best place to be. Other episodes teach gentle lessons about keeping promises, repairing friendships, and making compromises. Special features include “Time To Dance,” with Ballerina demonstrating some complex ballet movements, and games and activities. This excellent production will appeal to young girls.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 7 Up–This anime series presents the story of three male high school students and their relationships with the women in their lives during the four seasons of a year. This first volume opens in the Spring, and each of the three stories can almost stand on its own. Sensitive artist Kyoichi has feelings for his childhood friend, Chiharu, a track and field athlete. Ladies man Makoto falls for an older woman who is a nurse at the hospital where he is recuperating. Baseball star Makoto literally catches classmate Aya who falls from a ladder, but she’s soon off to Paris to be with her family. The stories have voice-over narration at the beginning and end that comments on the boys’ observations, worries, and desires. There are a few “fan service” (a fascination for underwear) shots as would be expected in this “shounen” anime (intended for young teenage boys) subgenre, so the 13+ suggested rating is accurate. However, the stories are sweet, touching, and genuine, and it would be a shame to miss this rather unique perspective into how males feel during their first romantic forays. Female anime fans as well as fans of His and Her Circumstances and other realistic romantic dramas should try this series.–Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library, IL

K-Gr 6–Step into a hive and learn about the daily life of bees in this fascinating live-action film. Narrated by an adult male beekeeper, with occasional remarks by children, this is an up-close and personal look at bees. Viewers learn about the life cycle of the bee, the various jobs they do in the hive, and the differences between regular bees, drones, and queen bees. A year in the life of a hive is studied. The program presents information from a beekeeper’s point of view rather than a child’s, with occasional child-like aspects included, and this works out just fine. Vocabulary is often quite advanced. Intriguing facts about bees are coupled with amazing photography. The narrator has a slight accent but is easily understood. The DVD has a photo gallery of stills from the production, allows instructors to display subtitles, and offers lesson plans correlated to National Standards. A great way to supplement the science curriculum.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 8 Up–This lightweight introductory overview of Earth’s history offers a few interesting comparisons to explain complex topics. To understand geologic time, the program opens with an exercise where viewers are asked to place in order WWI, WWII, the Wright brothers flight, the moon landing, the first widespread use of TV, and the U.S. bicentennial. The idea is that clues such as the fact that Armstrong’s first steps were seen on TV help date an event and, similarly, clues from fossil discovery and rock strata information do the same for geologists. In an animated segment, geologic time is compared to a calendar and to a book where some pages are not numbered and others are missing. The chapter on sedimentary rocks includes good animations and explanations. This section introduces William Smith, an early pioneer in the field of fossils and geology; the Law of Fossil Succession; and the numeric time scale. Many other topics are included such as the causes of extinction and how radioactive elements help calculate the age of Earth. Geologists shown at work are almost all male and some visuals of scenery and scientists are repeated. There are several odd jump cuts and some misplaced captions. The male narrator’s slow, dry delivery may zone out viewers. Some sections appear to be from an earlier program judging by some dated cars, clothing, and a quick shot of a 2002 calendar. This ambitious program offers too little information about too many topics.–Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 9 Up–Significant recent advancements in technology have enabled disabled people to participate more fully in society. This film explores the functionality of these assistive technologies while examining other sociological factors affecting quality of life. Susanna, an outgoing quadriplegic starting her first year in college, reflects on conditions people like herself faced in the past. A voice-input computer program transcribes (with some difficulty) her thoughts for an essay. Although time consuming and occasionally exasperating, she counts this tool as a major benefit to her life—second only to her motorized wheelchair. This is one of many examples which showcases the life-changing strides made in the development of assistive technologies and the fact that improvements are still sorely needed. Despite the promise legislated by the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, millions of disabled people have been left behind. Determined individuals, ranging in age from 8 to 93, who are directly affected by these laws talk about their dreams and goals as they fight for a more dignified life. The film does justice to the complex situations facing its subjects and yet retains its value as a resource for those who know little about the topics at hand. Extra segments discuss design and legal issues, while downloadable references and a thorough Web site provide additional information. Captions, talking menus, and video descriptions make the DVD an excellent example of universal design and accessibility. This eye-opening program will serve as a definitive, multipurpose tool for both students and those who work or teach in educational settings.–Meghann R. Matwichuk, University of Delaware, Newark

Gr 7 Up–Exquisite visuals and soft music complement the audio track narrated by Dr. Roger Payne who tells the story of his life and his efforts to save whales. His studies included a two year stint with his family living in Patagonia studying Southern Right Whales. In the early 1970s, he discovered that whales “sing.” Payne studied these vocal patterns and has used this to create worldwide interest in saving whales. Divided into segments, which makes this production very classroom friendly, Payne’s passionate narration is balanced by that of children who describe their knowledge of and enthusiasm for whales. Viewers should be aware that there is vivid film footage, both historic and contemporary, that shows in gory detail how whales are harpooned and electrocuted. Payne pleads for a continuation of the whaling moratorium and for a stronger International Whaling Commission that will stop the slaughter of these magnificent animals. This is a meaningful addition for all environmental collections and can be utilized by classes across the curriculum to study environmental issues and stewardship and to confront a global query, “Can a single individual change the world?” Dr. Payne says yes.–Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 7 Up–In January 2002, Mount Nyiragongo erupted outside the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 100 people and leaving over 100,000 homeless. A team of researchers was sent to the area to search for signs of new activity in an effort to predict future eruptions. The film chronicles the endeavors of the team as they explore the seismology of the area, examine satellite images of land deformation, and collect and analyze samples of volcanic gases and lava. They conclude that a devastating volcano could occur at any time. The fact that as of spring 2006 the volcano has not had another major eruption demonstrates the difficulty in forecasting future eruptions. The videography is spectacular, but the production falls short in terms of educational content. It is a bit of a hybrid—it provides information about volcanoes, predicting eruptions, the specifics of Mount Nyiragongo, and the trials and tribulations of trying to study volcanoes. Although it does an adequate job of covering these topics, there are better programs available both on volcanoes in general and on the specific topic of predicting future eruptions (including several produced by Nova). However, it will fit the bill for those looking for specific details about the Mount Nyiragongo volcano.–Tim Maret, Shippensburg University, PA

Gr 6 Up–Typically, explorations of famous battles focus on their military and human components. This remarkable presentation concentrates instead on the role of approximately 72,000 horses and mules in the outcome of one of the most pivotal confrontations of the Civil War. After a brief review of the horse’s importance in all areas of life throughout recorded history, the special relationship between a soldier and his mount leads into a thoroughly fascinating picture of equine significance in this bloody clash in Pennsylvania farm fields. Recreations and vintage photographs help tell the story of the three-day battle from a wonderfully varied perspective. Ronald Maxwell, who directed two previous films about the Battle of Gettysburg, provides a mesmerizing narration in this program, filmed in high definition. But that’s just the beginning in this bonus-loaded DVD set. There are over three hours of additional material such as extended commentaries by writers and producers, interviews with those involved in the making of the program, as well as a short documentary on the role of horses in the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The documentary itself, presented in 12 chapters, will serve as a wonderful research source as well as a popular general interest addition to most collections.–Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 10 Up–Blogging is all the rage. This film, the March 8, 2005 edition of Nightline, raises questions about the responsibilities of bloggers—those who post a Weblog or personal journal on a Web page that can be accessed by the public. The program reviews numerous major stories that were broken by bloggers and explains the difference between news reporting and blogging. It also raises many questions. Are bloggers purely private citizens? Should they be treated like journalists? Are bloggers experts, spin doctors, electronic lynch mobs, or journalists? Are standards needed and, if so, how will compliance be achieved? The film includes an interview with a teacher from Virginia whose blog caused a great deal of political action. The topic is current and will provoke lively discussions. Suitable for high school and public libraries.–Mike Brown, Bowie High School, MD

Gr 9 Up–The discovery of a desert oasis called Dakhla in the farthest reaches of the Egyptian Western Desert provides an international team of archaeologists a unique opportunity to study an isolated region much further removed from the modern world than the urban centers of Cairo and Giza. The occupation of this oasis 400,000 years ago by Roman forces produced a number of strange anomalies that have perplexed Egyptologists, including evidence of Roman architecture and sarcophagi decorated by classical-style paintings. The most significant discovery is of a temple to the Egyptian god Amun Ra, which is decorated by hieroglyphs depicting a non-Egyptian pharaoh. The program examines the Romans’ attraction to the Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife and the process researchers utilize to explore various theories regarding each country’s influence upon the other. What does the presence of Roman architectural design and artwork in such a remote area mean? Several possibilities are explored. The program utilizes interview footage with scientists, brief reenactments depicting the research process and historical scenarios, and computerized diagrams illustrating key architectural and geographic concepts. Although this title might be too specialized for collections supporting a broad-based curriculum, it would be a serviceable supplemental tool for instructors looking to showcase the process and methods of historical and archaeological research.–Meghann R. Matwichuk, University of Delaware, Newark

Gr 7 Up–This documentary chronicles a journey from Missouri to Arizona in a restored 1800’s stagecoach. Modern day cowboy, Rick Hamby, put together a crew and four mules to pull the coach along the historic Butterfield Overland Stage Company route. Bearing a sign, “Tombstone or Bust,” the team allowed two months to travel 1400 miles. Ranchers and local villagers helped with livestock feed and bean dinners for the crew. On visits to schools and nursing homes, the group offered mini history lessons about the first transcontinental mail drop and stagecoach passenger service. A narrator provides background information. The all male crew dressed in period costume and had some modern conveniences, such as walkie-talkies. A portion of the trail was highway, but much of the travel was across dirt roads and open range, making for a bumpy and dusty ride. During the most desolate stretch of trail along the Mexican border, they were cognizant of the dangers they might face in the 21st century and were armed with pistols and vigilant about warnings of Mexican desperados and drug smugglers. Happily uneventful, the sluggish trip may not be packed with excitement, but viewers will get a sense of what early travelers experienced and feel the crew’s uncertainty of what lay ahead.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up–Video footage in the opening montage presents idyllic Dakotan landscapes that are later contrasted with dilapidated homes and moldy, infested interiors now belonging to these lands’ native inhabitants. Interviews with activists, politicians, and Native American citizens explain how inadequate government assistance and support continues to have a devastating effect on the quality of life for the majority of those living on reservations. They passionately argue for the drastic changes needed to afford residents a more dignified existence. Activist Russel Means’s defiance is particularly pointed although sometimes unsupported; though many of his complaints are undoubtedly justified, he occasionally makes broad statements (i.e., “Hollywood is evil”) with little or no follow-up. The most effective segments center on Jay Red Hawk, a thoughtful, impressive man who offers living proof that the culture and values of the Sioux can survive the narrow confines imposed on Native Americans in today’s society. Ultimately, however, the video is organized as a catalog of institutionalized injustices, ranging from grossly insufficient funding for medical care to the emotional abuse suffered by school children prohibited from speaking their native languages. As such, it provides a barrage of evidence, including many eye-opening facts and vignettes likely to engender a healthy sense of outrage among students. Unfortunately, it lacks the synthesis that could foster a broader vision of how the many issues concerning Native American rights affect us all.–Meghann R. Matwichuk, University of Delaware, Newark