Video/DVD

Gr 6–8—This engaging live-action introduction to five modern-day African artists and artisans explicates the creative process and the legacy passed down through generations. Each of the five segments presents pre- and post-viewing questions to help acquaint students with the cultural aspect of the creative process. The beginning of the video features a brief segment with American high-school students answering the question, "What is art?" "The Bronze Sculptor" focuses on the difference between an artist and an artisan. "The Potter" explores the life of an artisan as he digs for clay, shapes it into pots, and fires it in a kiln. "The Blacksmith" is highly valued in the village because he creates and repairs the community's tools. "The Leathermaker" helps to teach the lucrative craft to the youth of his village and entices them to remain there instead of pursuing jobs along the Ivory Coast. "The Weaver" explains that she weaves exclusive orders for customers. An interpreter, who is sometimes difficult to understand, narrates each segment. This production would make an excellent introduction to cross-curricular units on modern Africa at the middle school level, particularly in a project-based curriculum.—Beverly S. Almond, Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School, Raleigh, NC

PreS—Aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, ages three months and above, this introduction to the French language was created by Dr. Spoon, aka Dr. Bryan C. Weatherspoon, a pediatrician. The production features diverse young children, animation, and songs that will appeal to the intended audience. The graphics are colorful and fun to watch, and the appealing songs in English and French teach the ABCs, animal names, body parts, food, colors, numbers, and greetings. As each word and visual appear on the screen, the English and French words are spoken by children. This educational and entertaining title will stimulate young children.—Denise A. Garofalo, Astor Learning Center, Rhinebeck, NY

Gr 9 Up—This step-by-step guide to building a computer is divided into 15 sections covering the tools and components required, and the installation of a motherboard, a CPU, RAM, a hard drive, and much more. In easy-to-understand language, the onscreen instructor/demonstrator explains each computer component, why it is needed, and its function. PowerPoint slides provide additional information, and there are helpful close-ups of the steps involved in building the computer. This DVD makes the process seem very manageable, and the results are fantastic. Excellent for middle and high schools as well as adventurous individuals.—Mary L. Trenerry, Millard South High School, Omaha, NE

Gr 7 Up—The film offers teens advice on how to to manage their finances. A young male host, who is on-screen for much of the film, relates the basics of budgeting, saving, managing and using bank accounts and credit cards, and investing. There are also "teen on the street" segments in which diverse teens talk about their financial habits and practices, and the host comments on the wisdom of their behavior. This footage is supplemented by comments from adults who work in banking and the financial services industry. Graphics accentuate important points. All of the financial information and advice is pretty much standard fare, and it will help teens understand that their financial behavior will affect their ability to become independent and maintain a good standard of living. However, this film is not as effective and will not hold student interest as well as Learning ZoneXpress's It's Your Money: Financial Flight School (Aug. 2006, p. 47), which features a host who does less lecturing, more entertaining and realistic "teen on the street" interviews, and more upbeat production values, making it a better choice for educational audiences.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 7 Up—Testimonies of several young people recovering from their addiction to methamphetamine, and in one case the surviving family of a young woman who died as a result of the drug, demonstrate the emotional impact of meth use. A neurosurgeon explains the chemical's effects on the body, particularly on the brain. Two Salt Lake City police officers discuss criminal consequences and the impact the drug has had in their community. Both men and women are equally represented, but most of the participants are Caucasian. The production values are not top-notch, evident by some picture distortion, generic background music, and amateurish captioning. The computer-animated rendering of the brain is not state of the art, but does sufficiently illustrate the neurosurgeon's explanations. The teacher's resource book includes student activities, tests, and fact sheets. A valuable addition to drug education classes.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 9 Up—Gimmicky but clever, this program mimics a 1950s black-and-white Leave It to Beaver-type scenario about the dangers of alcohol. Referring to alcohol as "hooch" and "firewater," a stern looking narrator describes the temptations awaiting Bobby, a nerdy looking teen who is being enticed to drink by others. The program switches to present day where diverse teens are drinking at parties and on the beach during spring break. Sophisticated graphic animation explains binging and offers information about the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream and its effect on the brain. During a dramatization showing an incident in which a teen died after drinking 17 shots in 30 minutes, his mother and sister recount the tragedy. Experts provide additional information as a teen tells about nearly being raped after drinking with some boys. A final segment presents an upbeat story about ways teens can have fun without drinking during their spring break. The positive ending makes this a top choice for health classes.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up—While an actual audiotape of a 911 call plays in the background, viewers see photographs of an accident scene in which a 17-year-old drunk driver killed a man. Now in prison, the teen reflects on her life-changing choices. The program alternates between dramatizations and interviews with teens, addiction specialists, psychiatrists, and social workers who weigh-in on the dangers of alcohol and provide strategies for dealing with peer pressure. The second half of the program focuses on teens who have used drugs, including pot, cocaine, skittles (pills), inhalants, and more. One young man was arrested for selling pills and now must be drug tested on a regular basis; two teenage girls kicked the habit. A solid program for health and alcohol counseling classes.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Narrated by Michael Brandon, the bulk of the DVD is comprised of six animated stories about Thomas and his friends on the Island of Sodor. Each tale is centered around a value or lesson, such as accepting responsibility for causing damage ("Jack Owns Up"), learning about teamwork ("On Site with Thomas"), or helping friends ("Kelly's Windy Day"). The other stories include "A Visit from Thomas," "Percy's Scary Tale," and "A Happy Day for Percy." There are about 90 minutes of bonus features. "Fun & Games" has a trivia challenge game based on stories from the video and a matching game which must be loaded onto a computer to play. There's a read-along story, "Down at the Dock," that can be viewed with or without narration, and two "Sing Along Songs." Conspicuously missing is the human element found in the television shows which ties each episode into a themed adventure. Video resolution is clearer on a TV than on a computer monitor. Thomas fans will be satisfied with this new addition to the series.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Gr 7 Up— In this program, made "for teens, by teens," the teens describe an abusive relationship of their own or someone close to them. There is no adult narration. Their stories dispel the myth that girls are always the victims and that the abuse is usually physical. Matt's girlfriend was manipulative, trying to turn him against his parents and friends. Jamie describes her brother's girlfriend, who was very jealous and began stalking him. Three girls describe boyfriends who were verbally abusive. A simple graphic visual posing a question suffices as the transition between sections. In the segment, "What happens next?," things escalate in the relationships and some of the teens are physically abused. Some of the language is coarse, as the teens replay incidents that made them realize that they wanted out of the relationship. In the later sections, the teens answer the question, "How did you get out?" and "Who can help?" A winner for health classes and counseling sessions.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 4–7—A diverse group of children, ages 9 to 12, do virtually all of the talking as they answer questions about how they see and interpret death. In between their responses, the youngsters are shown in an aray of activities, ranging from dancing to swimming to playing a violin. Only one of the children has lost a parent, but several have lost grandparents. Their answers are perceptive, amusing, and sometimes heartbreaking. "It will suck when I die," says a boy whose father died of cancer. "Death is disgusting," says a 9-year-old girl. "You get buried in the ground and your body decomposes. That would be enough to make my best friend faint, and he's a boy, so he likes gross stuff." Another girl notes that it's good that death does exist, because otherwise dinosaurs would still roam the earth and life would be like Jurassic Park, with humans having to flee dinosaurs. When asked why death exists, one girl puts the blame on the Old Testament story of Adam and Eve and the eating of the forbidden fruit. Viewers will appreciate the humor, too, when the children are asked if they've ever seen anything that was dead. One girl notes that her dad frequently hits deer with his truck while driving out to a lake, and recalls one incident in particular: "The funny thing is it (the deer) 'pooed' when he hit him and it splashed onto the car. It was really sick. He probably scared the poo out of him." This film is a good way to encourage children to talk about a difficult topic which is too often considered taboo.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

K-Gr 2—Wise Owl, an animated character, hosts and narrates this live-action series about bullying. I See a Bully teaches viewers how to recognize a bully. In You Can Stop a Bully, children learn three coping techniques. Don't Be a Bully Bystander encourages youngsters to avoid becoming the audience for a bully and to take positive action by helping others employ the coping techniques presented in the previous title. In a series of vignettes, children are shown bullying and being bullied. The series includes an extensive teacher's guide and blackline masters. This straightforward approach to the topic provides important information without overwhelming young children and would be an asset to schools where bully prevention is part of the curriculum.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 7 Up—Four ethnically diverse individuals engaged in interesting careers—a female doctor, a male elementary school teacher, a female photographer, and a male pilot—describe their careers and the training needed. A six-step procedure is presented to help students decide on their career path by pinpointing their talents, ambitions, and those characteristics they think constitute a "dream" job. Narration, graphics, and descriptions of each job environment offer important information to viewers about the connection between career choice and individual skills, personality, and talents. Pacing is succinct, highlighted by captions and interesting on-the-job footage. The teacher's resource book provides well-organized activity sheets to work through the six-step procedure. A recurring theme is that jobs should be enjoyable as well as fulfilling. An interesting introduction to careers for the vocational curriculum.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, Fort Washakie, WY

Gr 5–9—An alarming real-life 911 call sets the tone for this timely program. Thirteen-year-old Gabriel is found dead by his twin brother. First-hand accounts from Gabriel's mother and brother as well as interviews with teens and physicians help educate young adults about the risks involved with this increasingly popular activity that involves self asphyxiation. The program outlines the dangers of this "game," medical consequences, and physical symptoms to watch for in young people (e.g., marks on the neck). Peers offer advice to viewers to help them avoid being pressured into taking part in this dangerous activity. Suggestions are offered for alternative, positive risk-taking activities that teens can engage in, but viewers will find these ideas somewhat lame. The documentary-style peer interviews and dramatizations will make teens think twice before participating in this dangerous activity.—Lisa Hubler, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

Gr 7 Up—Each film in this series focuses on a concept related to obesity such as the perfect body image, healthy eating and proper nutrition, the impact of physical activity, and the importance of lobbying for healthier products in schools and communities. In each video, members of various organized youth activist groups explain what they are doing to address the problem of obesity. In Skin Deep, young adults from Destiny Art Center and Body Positive talk about how advertisers play on the emotions of teens and influence them to buy a product because it will help them achieve the perfect body image. Energy for Action focuses on the importance of healthy eating and nutrition. Teens from a group called Fast and Faster explain how to make wise food choices by visiting various fast food restaurants such as Subway and McDonalds and asking for a nutritional guide. In The Perfect Machine, teens from Walk to School stress that walking not only provides exercise but also helps them clear their minds. In Taking on the World, a group of students from an area high school are given an assignment to get a bill sponsored in the state legislature to replace coke machines with water or fruit juice machines. The teacher's guides include lessons, handouts, and suggestions for small group projects. With childhood obesity a prevalent problem, this series would be useful in the health curriculum.—Danna Kubacak, Clear Creek High School, League City, TX

Gr 9 Up— Cromartie High opens with a voice-over announcement: "The guys in this animé are delinquents. Please do not under any circumstances imitate anything that they do." Although the DVD pictures a menacing robot and three tough looking male juvenile delinquent types with challenging stares, the film is actually a wry and hilarious satire on school, Japanese culture, education, and the everyday life of students. Cromartie High is the toughest high school in Tokyo. When regular guy Kamiyama Takashi is sent there, he doesn't know what to do in a school that seems to be inhabited by thugs. Each episode presents a brief vignette of high school life, and it is one absurd situation after another. A field trip goes awry when it takes forever to figure out who gets to use the bathroom first. "Bring Your Pet to School" day is hilarious. Gags, puns, and deadpan humor abound, and seasoned animé fans as well as those well versed in Japanese popular culture will enjoy the satire even more. A treat for teen viewers.—Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library, IL

K-Gr 3—Based on the book (Candlewick, 2006) by Henry Selick, this award-winning animated treasure is sure to beguile youngsters. Leon is night fishing on the bayou with his faithful flying squirrel, Earl, and a jar full of lightning bugs, when the moon suddenly goes dark. His hook snags a catfish in the sky made entirely of stars and, boat and all, he is yanked from the earth to eventually shoot through the thin crust of the moon to an amazing world within. He encounters a strange carousel, an oversized cat, and Moongirl. When the stolen jar of lightning bugs are recovered, the insects power the carousel, the moon glows again, and Leon takes his place as the next keeper of the moon's light. The computer-generated animation glows, its colors much more vivid than the book's beautiful illustrations. Viewers will recognize echoes of Selick's artwork in The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach in the animator's style. This is a gentler tale, however, where art and entertainment have been lovingly combined with elegant transitions, beautiful perspectives, and an ending that leaves viewers caught in a magical moment of wonder. An enchanting production.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 4–7—Each title in the series looks at a specific math concept, breaking it down into its smaller parts and providing real-life applications. A male and a female narrator guide the discussion, and a multicultural cast of kids act out the application elements of the program. In some cases, the children spend the entire show on one large problem. For example, in Multiplication, the youngsters are planning a carnival and all of the math problems relate to making that event a success. In other titles, several unrelated stories are used to demonstrate the application of each math element covered. "This Really Works" sections highlight effective math hints and tricks. The narration is clear and informative, emphasizing the idea that there is often more than one way to get the right answer. The children are enthusiastic and the math applications they employ are realistic. Educators and parents looking for a way to reinforce these specific concepts will be well served by these titles.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

PreS-K—Children will enjoy singing along with the DVD and CD. The story songs on the DVD are accompanied by Saturday morning style cartoon animation. Among the songs are "Rise and Shine," "Days of Creation," "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho," "Only a Boy Named David," "Who Did Swallow Jonah," and more. In addition, a Bible verse (Isaiah 52:9) and two poems are presented in animated segments, and there are two karaoke sections. A Spanish language option is available. Most of the 15 songs on the CD (10 of which are on the DVD) are old standards that have been sung in Sunday schools for several decades. They have been spruced up musically in styles ranging from rock to ragtime, jazz, Dixieland jazz, folk, and polka. The background instrumentals are excellent, as is the Kid Singers Chorus. Among the songs on the CD are "This Is My Commandment," "Jacob's Ladder," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and "Jesus Loves Me." All the tunes on the CD are repeated in split-track versions. This package will be welcomed by Christian educators and parents.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 7 Up—Emily, an older teen, struggles between her parents' messy divorce, the rejection of her remarried father, and her mother's lack of religious faith which leads to emotional distance from Emily. Her best friend from childhood has "found God" and new friends, leaving Emily further isolated. Enter Amber, a devilish new companion, who repeatedly urges Emily toward self-destruction by slashing her own wrists and overdosing on pills. The characters in the story are thinly masked vehicles for biblical teachings, inferring that a belief in God leads to a healthy personal life. While well acted and filmed in a professional manner, there's a lack of diversity in gender and ethnicity. In addition, the story ends abruptly and there is no clear resolution in helping troubled youth build self-esteem. The DVD includes Spanish and English subtitles, Dove audio (removing offensive language from the soundtrack), and a downloadable discussion guide which emphasizes the religious doctrine of the program.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Gr 9 Up—This production is divided into four fast-paced segments: "Work of Energy," "Energy Around Us," "Behavior and Laws of Energy," and "Cars: Energy in Motion." Among the topics covered are different forms of kinetic energy; NASA's use of solar energy; magnetic, hydro, and electric energy; and the energy used to power cars. Live-action footage and animated graphics demonstrate these forms of energy. While there are some women represented in this traditionally male-dominated field, minorities are grossly underrepresented. The use of roller-coaster footage as a kinetic versus potential energy model, while not new, is always fun to see. The menu, which is easy to maneuver, offers a summary and running time of each segment and questions for discussion prior to viewing. Since the information is delivered so quickly, the best audience would be classes with some prior knowledge about the concepts presented.—Janet Musil, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, IL

Gr 7 Up—The series covers a wide array of geological topics. Much of the narration is done by a revolving cast of earth scientists. Video segments, animated sequences, and labeled diagrams convey fundamental geologic principles. Basic terms and definitions are highlighted. The series suffers from two major weaknesses. The continual switch in narration between the narrator and various scientists is distracting and causes the flow of the program to be awkward and jumpy. There has been a general trend in educational productions in recent years to have short interviews or vignettes featuring experts in the particular field of interest. In this series, the technique is so overused that it becomes ineffective. The series is heavy on facts and definitions, short on concepts and ideas, and doesn't put a new twist on anything that might excite viewers.—Tim Maret, Shippensburg University, PA

K-Gr 3—With helium-inhaled voices and simplistic dialogue, this feature-length film tries so hard to be a "kids' movie" that it misses its mark. A blithely ignorant and xenophobic bug society is invaded by a greedy, slave-owning lizard despot who despises music and nature. The lizard king soon convinces himself that he needs the night star, which he mistakes for a diamond. With the wealth he would glean from the "diamond," he plans to erect a giant gold statue of himself, and therefore deems it necessary to cut down all the trees that would potentially block his view of the giant golden atrocity. Although they really pose no threat to his plan, the lizard begins to hate the native insect community, and harasses them via his evil henchmen. When the night star inexplicably falls from the sky, the bugs take it upon themselves to rescue it from some imagined danger. A race to find the star ensues. It's difficult to cheer against the lizard because the bugs are half-witted and disagreeably dull characters. This movie culls the worst elements of old animated films and combines them into one poorly written, although smoothly animated, movie full of heavy-handed messages about pollution, conservation, friendship, and the power of music. This film will not nurture environmental consciousness in its intended audience.—Jennifer Verbrugge, Dakota County Library, Burnhaven Branch, Burnsville, MN

G 3-6—Featuring colorful still photographs and live footage primarily of North American birds, the film explains how different birds adapt to their environment in order to forage for their food. The narration is clear and simple, so young students will understand how the different features of each bird help them find, capture, and eat their food. From birds hovering over the water and diving for prey to herding fish into a circle before scooping them up, the short segments will keep youngsters focused. Viewers learn interesting facts such as how birds use their talons and bills to grasp and spear food, sip up food with their straw-like tongues, and have water repellent feathers that keep them afloat. Students will be intrigued with the live footage of birds catching insects in midair, drilling with their beaks, and using their tail feathers for balance.—Gay Ann Loesch, Sun Valley Middle School, Indian Trail, NC

Gr 7 Up—Narrated by radio and TV journalist Robert Krulwich and a team of correspondents, each of these three episodes contains four or five brief segments covering a variety of topics related to cutting edge science and technology including hydrogen fuel cell cars, hurricane prediction, and stem-cell research. Among the topics covered are genetics, robotics, archeology, and meteorology. The scientist profiled in each episode serves as examples of the diversity of the field: a young African American male engineer, who felt out of place in his field because of his race, now teaches inner-city students; a female physicist who describes the challenges facing women in the sciences; and a pair of Ukrainian immigrant brothers with a lifelong love of mathematics. The program also demonstrates how technology and science are used to restore paintings and tapestries and to construct moveable sculptures. However, cutting edge technology can become dated quickly. For example, the segment on hurricane prediction focuses on 2004's Hurricane Ivan and how it almost hit New Orleans; the program hypothesizes what would have happened had a major hurricane hit the city (failing levees, inadequate pumps, etc.). Of course, this is moot in the wake of the recent devastating Hurricane Katrina. Animation is sometimes helpful to illustrate difficult concepts, but at other times becomes distracting and childish. The inclusion of a few controversial topics could make this program questionable for some classroom settings. Individual segments could be used to introduce specific scientific concepts.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

PreS-Gr 2—Using a combination of live-action footage and computer animation and featuring a multiethnic cast of characters, this program introduces young viewers to the moon. The main characters, Ryan and Emily, are playing outdoors when they wonder aloud if something is wrong with the moon because it can be seen in the sky during the day. Archimedes, a magical dragonfly, shrinks them down to insect size and flies them away to have their questions answered. They visit Dr. Morrow, a female researcher with the Space Science Institute. She gives Ryan a moon shirt and Emily an earth shirt and has them act out the orbits of the earth and the moon around the sun. Next, they get information from Dr. Steve Lee at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Archimedes whisks them back to the playground just as recess is ending. The experts' explanations are clear and concise. Bonus features on the DVD include sections on "More About the Sun, the Moon and the Earth" and "More About the Earth's Orbit." This engaging and educational production would be a useful addition for school and public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 2—Debbie Clement, the creator of this production, stands in front of colorful backgrounds singing and demonstrating American Sign Language for 12 original songs. With most of the songs, she first teaches several signs, and then uses the signs in the song. With a few of the pieces, she also uses puppets. Some simple animation is also employed. All of the songs are in simple folk musical styles, with lots of repetition to facilitate learning. Among the songs are "Let's Work Together," "Dig, Dig, Dig," "Polywog," "Goldie Goldfish," "Calamity Sam," "Jambo" (greetings in several languages), and "Zoo Babies." The DVD extras include "Rhyme Time" (repeating the rhyming words in the various songs); "ABC Challenge" (a demonstration of the ASL alphabet), "ABC Sing & Sign" (the alphabet song is sung slowly with accompanying sign language letters); and "Show and Tell" (Clement shows her book based on her song "You're Wonderful"). Clement's vocals are adequate, although somewhat thin when she sings higher notes. Although simple in execution and production values, this DVD will teach young children many signs in a fun way and may inspire them to learn more.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 9 Up—In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, American forces brought the war on terrorism to the front door of Osama bin Laden's headquarters in Afghanistan; however, a number of leaders escaped and have since established a wide-ranging network of cells around the world. This chilling presentation outlines this diffusion and its significance for empowering further attacks against opponents of this fundamentalist, radical, and minority branch of Islam. An effective balance of interviews with a range of current and former government officials and experts in all areas of terrorism as well as spectacular news video footage (clips taken by terrorists themselves as they planned attacks are particularly unsettling) combine to take viewers inside the efforts to avoid further disasters. Al Qaeda's strategy is likened to the aftereffects of an attack on a beehive—some bees are killed, but others establish nests in other locations that are often larger than the original. The DVD version includes some typical extras such as the division of the film into independently accessible segments and links to sources of further information. This unbiased, nonpolitical, timely, and somberly moving presentation deserves serious consideration for all media centers.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 6–8—Following a general introduction that locates the Mayan and Aztec civilizations in Mesoamerica, the production is divided into three segments. The first traces the roots of Mayan civilization, and then discusses its many scientific and cultural achievements, religious beliefs and practices, and the reasons for its eventual decline. The second part explains how the Aztec civilization overwhelmed the existing Toltec Empire to grow into the most powerful empire in the region, and then examines its often violent culture, especially its widespread use of human sacrifice, and the reasons for its rapid decline. The final segment describes how the region fared under Spanish colonial rule, when up to 90 percent of the indigenous population died and the Spanish tried to obliterate all traces of the previous civilizations, leaving only the ruins of their cities, some artifacts, and a few cultural traditions that still survive in native populations to provide clues for modern study of the cultures. Technical quality is very good. Visuals include maps, footage of Mayan and Aztec ruins, and contemporary video of reconstructed structures and reenactments. This film could be used to introduce or review a unit, and is a good choice for middle and secondary level collections.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 10 Up—This production paints a flattering view of liberal democracy while acknowledging the challenges it faces. Like other titles in this series, it opens with an overwhelming barrage of phrases printed on the screen in the opening minutes. However, it hits its stride once it settles in to address the three main challenges to liberal democratic society: the radical fringe of Islam, widespread third-world poverty, and radical movements from the far right and the far left within the modern industrial democratic world. The discussion of the challenges from radical Islamic terrorists is especially timely and includes footage of 9/11. It also looks at the root of the conflict, dating back to the Crusades, and points to two developments in the middle of the 20th century—the founding of the state of Israel and the discovery of large quantities of oil in the Middle East—as events that brought radical change to that region. The final portions of the program offer an optimistic view of the long-term outlook for eradicating third-world poverty, as well as many of the planet's environmental problems. However, it does acknowledge that there is no easy solution to the problem of global warming, but assures viewers that "if worse comes to worse, and there is significant global warming, it is the free-market wealthy democracies that will be most able to cope with the changed environments the warming will bring." The production is enhanced by a constantly changing variety of photographic images, and offers a number of provocative ideas that may be over the heads of viewers unfamiliar with terms such as "zero-sum economic system" and "quasi-fascist government." It will be most useful with AP comparative government or economics classes.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 9 Up—This series uses dramatizations, computer simulated 3-D models of ancient temples and other edifices, forensic science, and comments from scholars to ask the essential question: "Why do all great empires eventually fall?" Compelling theories are presented for the decline of each of these great civilizations. The Romans, for example, slowly faded away, overtaken by Germanic tribes. Cleopatra's bid to save Egypt was ultimately foiled by the assassination of Julius Caesar. The Persian ruler Darius was no match on the battlefield for Alexander the Great. Hannibal was a brilliant general, but failed to win over the tribesmen of northern Italy. The story of Hannibal is the most compelling of the DVDs. Viewers will be captivated trying to figure out how his elephants crossed the Alps, and will be fascinated by the description of child sacrifice among the Carthaginians. The Fall of Rome offers a myriad of reasons for its decline, ranging from malaria to the presence of lead in the drinking water to the rise of Christianity. Cleopatra is the focal point of Egypt, but the program is sometimes disjointed as it jumps back and forth between Cleopatra and Akhenanton and Thutmose IV. Alexander the Great is more the focal point than Darius in the production about the fall of Persia, but it ends abruptly with Darius's death and explains what ultimately happened to his Macedonian conqueror. Since the series was originally made in Germany, most of the experts interviewed are German, and their comments appear in subtitles. That also explains why we are told that Persia was ten times the size of modern-day Germany, but no comparison is made to the U.S. The narrator and most of the academics who appear on screen are male. A useful supplement for advanced classes studying the ancient world.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 7 Up—This outstanding film focuses on Franklin Roosevelt's deft and courageous leadership during the period between the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 and Pearl Harbor. It explains how FDR recognized the dangers that Nazi Germany posed to Western Europe and, ultimately, the world, and how he educated the American people about those dangers and swayed public opinion from determined isolationism to loyalty to our allies. It also explains how he used his authority as commander in chief to send aid to the allies and build up America's defense and industrial capacities for the coming conflict. The film is admiring of Roosevelt, but covers the views of his critics and the political opposition as well. Technical quality is very good. Actor Morgan Freeman's narration is supplemented by comments from historians, journalists, and FDR advisors. Visuals include period moving footage, with sound, of Roosevelt, military and political leaders, and the war in Europe. Although there are numerous educational films about the Second World War, not many of them cover this very important time period. This film fills that gap very well, and it will give students a better understanding of the prewar period and the brilliance that Roosevelt displayed when he used all of his leadership abilities and executive powers to aid the allies and prepare our nation for a war which he had promised to avoid, yet knew was inevitable. It deserves a place in all collections for middle and high school students.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 7 Up—This is one of those rare films that reassures viewers that Americans are still as goofy and loyal and human as they ever were, and that there are some events going on in this country that are just plain fun, even though they might seem eccentric. Producer/director Justin Bookey's charming film tracks the Frog Jumping Contest in Calaveras County, California from its beginnings in 1928 until now. Inspired by Mark Twain's short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," the contest has been lovingly archived through the years and Jump features a thorough history. The heart of this documentary are the interviews and photos of the people who have committed time and energy in an attempt to win the contest. The local team strives to break a 50-year losing streak, and a lone frog jockey tries to convince himself that he has as much chance of winning as the larger teams. The frog jockeys build all manner of contraptions for catching and corralling the critters and have amassed a plethora of jumping wisdom. This enchanting, award-winning film lovingly shows a small slice of Americana and is highly recommended for all public and school libraries.—Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library, IL

Gr 2–4—Esther Morris was born in 1814 and was a girl ahead of her time. Linda Arms White nicely captures this strong woman in her well-written text (Farrar, 2005). You can feel the author's warm smile in her writing as she introduces a woman who grew up knowing her own mind and making independent choices. Morris was instrumental in gaining women the right to vote in local elections in Wyoming Territory, and became the first female judge and the first woman to hold a political office in the United States. She did all this while raising a family and helping to settle a territory. One can almost picture this 6-foot tall woman quietly, but steadily, doing what she felt was right, regardless of the opposition. Joan Allen narrates with lovely expression. The original background music creates mood without being overwhelming. Nancy Carpenter's bright oil illustrations are scanned iconographically and simply animated. This is biography writing at its best, bringing Morris to life and making her life accessible to a new generation.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 9 Up—Not all the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide were slaughtered. Despite almost a million deaths, the remaining victims must relive those horrific months every day of their lives. Countless women who were victims of rape and beatings and succeeding generations have devoted themselves to the restoration of themselves, their families, their culture, and even their country. Featuring personal interviews, this delicate yet powerful film reviews the appalling events of the massacres—without resorting to graphic visuals—and the astonishing manner in which the survivors have moved ahead. A subtle background of native African music frames the story of a movement of women individually and collectively growing stronger through a magnificent support network. Beautifully photographed with a velvety translation (the program is also available in its native French on this DVD), viewers follow events during and after the nightmare of one victim, which personalizes the human disaster. Through it all, however, the women have overcome what many would think to be hopelessness; innumerable orphans have been brought into families as women have undertaken roles previously reserved for men—including filling 48 percent of the seats in the national Parliament, more than anywhere else in the world. This powerful program serves as a memorial to those who died as well as a testimonial to those who endure.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 7 Up—The tough, crime-ridden streets of Newark, New Jersey aren't the typical places where doctors are made. Yet, this powerful, upbeat documentary chronicles just such an instance. Three African-American students made a pact in high school to go on to college and medical school. They overcame what normally would be crippling circumstances to become doctors serving that same community. Interviews with Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, and George Jenkins (an emergency room physician, a public health practitioner/college instructor, and a dentist) as well as with family members and others who came to their assistance meld into a fascinating and realistic picture of their struggles. Cameras follow them into their professional lives and also films the work of the foundation that they established to bring hope to others growing up in a similar environment. The attention given to the personal challenges faced by the three men as well as their bleak surroundings—drug-addicted parents, poverty and, for one of them, a jail term—is particularly effective. The producers have masterfully portrayed this inspiring journey, which is based on the doctors' best-selling book, The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream (Turtleback Books, 2003). This video deserves a place in every school and public library, especially those serving inner-city neighborhoods.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—This documentary, a fascinating true-life legal drama, takes a somewhat slanted look at a 1995 murder case involving a group of suburban teens in southern California. Two of the boys, a reputed drug dealer and his so-called bodyguard, were hanging out at a backyard "fort." Other boys showed up, and a fight ensued. The two at the "fort" were stabbed, and one died from his wounds. According to California's felony murder rule, any death that occurs during the commission of certain felonies is murder in the first degree, and all participants in the felony can be charged with the crime. Although only one of them had wielded the knife, four boys were tried for first degree murder, and the prosecution successfully argued that the boys were a "gang," that they were there to commit robbery, and thus the felony murder rule applied. They were all convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The film features interviews with one of the defendants, the prosecutors, the defense attorneys, parents and friends of the victims and defendants, reporters who followed the case, and celebrity attorney Alan Dershowitz. The filmmaker clearly believes that the defendants were railroaded. He presents a sad but compelling tale of unsupervised kids, clueless parents, and a legal system that doesn't always have the best interests of the community at heart. Educator resources available at choicesvideo.net include a guidebook that explains the felony murder rule in more detail, links to other Web sites with articles on the case, and a link to a videotaped interview with one of the defendants. For social studies and law classes in high school and above.—Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA

Gr 4–8—This breezy production is a student-centered "newscast" of the "important and not-so-important" news of 1941. The program is anchored by two older teens who introduce reporters, the younger teens who narrate the "stories." Most of the news items focus on America's growing awareness of the war in Europe and the effects of the rapid increase in industrial production for war on the lingering unemployment from the Great Depression. However, there are also stories about many other aspects of life in 1941, including the recognition of George Washington Carver for his many scientific achievements, as well as features about baseball heroes Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb playing golf to raise money for the USO, fashion, dance competitions, and even a diaper derby race. Some of the more serious items are supplemented with analysis from "Professor Whatsit," who puts events into a larger historical context. Technical quality is good. Visuals include period newsreel footage, with voiceovers by the teen anchors and reporters. This film offers an enjoyable and often entertaining look at American life in 1941, but the teen news show concept comes across as somewhat contrived. It doesn't give students the depth of coverage or the analysis about the coming war that is found in Discovery School's Franklin Roosevelt and World War II (SLJ, Jan. 2007), which discusses Roosevelt's role in America's preparation for and entry into the Second World War, making it the better choice for educational audiences in grades seven and above.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 9 Up—Inuksuit are to the Inuit native inhabitants of the Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska what Stonehenge is to the indigenous Celts of England—stone slabs whose initial purposes are unclear, but which serve as a reminder of ancestral origins. These rock formations serve as markers for important sites along the barren tundra and as trail signposts. Additionally, they have become spiritual representations for the Native Inuits of those who have come before them. This crisply photographed documentary purports to explain the Inuksuit, but wavers somewhat in that focus. Instead, the two narrators/central characters seem to have become the heart of the presentation. This concentration dilutes what might have been a fascinating look at a culture unfamiliar to most audiences. While the photography is often stunning and the interaction with the Inuit is enlightening to a degree, the program leaves viewers wanting more of what was promised in the title. The graphic footage of the shooting and subsequent slaughter of a walrus might be unsettling for many viewers. This is one of the rare misses from the National Film Board of Canada.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 11 Up—In an age where McDonald's and The Gap are invading the proverbial four corners of the planet, globalization is impacting the integrity of most countries' cultures. The jury is still out on the question of whether that is a threatening or enriching movement. The producers of this documentary examine this general impact on two separate and distant cultures—the Gourmantche of Burkina Faso in western Africa, and the people of the Canadian taiga biome located close to the polar region. The link between the two is a Gourmantche who studies the Arctic dwellers to determine the degree of similarity between the struggle of the two widespread societies to maintain their core values, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Composed almost entirely of interviews in French with English subtitles, anthropologists as well as natives examine the degree of change which is occurring. Interestingly, a common thread between the two is the shamantic traditions which seem to be a strong factor in maintaining the culture's identity, even among those who have moved away from their historic lands. The use of subtitles can be annoying, but this title should be considered by those seeking contemporary examples of our worldwide cultural dynamism.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—In a testimonial to the strength and resiliency of the human spirit, the producers of this moving, powerful, and dramatic documentary explore the aftermath of the 1994 genocide which took place in Rwanda and how the youthful survivors are dealing with their personal and national grief. They employ various art forms, such as music, dance, poetry, and painting, to express their feelings and their seemingly unbridled positive enthusiasm for the future. This optimism, even in the face of dire conditions, is the principal theme throughout the production. Their resolve is supported by their religious beliefs as well as the assistance of international agencies; a supplemental section of the program includes an interview with a UNICEF official who details their efforts to help. The presentation is heavily infused with interviews with these children and young adults whose stories are related utilizing English subtitles, but the crisp narration is in English. The program is divided into six sections—introduction, cultural festival, focus on one of the victims, the estate where many orphans live, education, and lessons learned from the country's ordeal. The main portion is supplemented with links to an online lesson plan as well as a photo gallery of stills from the program. School media specialists will find this a wonderfully effective and useful acquisition for classroom and individual use.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 3 Up—Approximately 600 million people play chess, according to the World Chess Federation. Susan Polgar, a four-time world champion, is doing her best to increase that number with a series of instructional DVDs. The first section, "Let's Learn Chess," teaches the basics of the game. Young viewers may need some time to get used to Polgar's Hungarian accent. To make it easier, a pair of animated chess-piece characters, King Harold and Champion (a knight), share the narration in this section. The program quickly introduces the point value of chess pieces and mentions complicated moves early on. Each chapter ends with an easy quiz, where the wrong answers are extremely obvious. In the second section, "Let's Play Chess," Polgar provides basic explanations on strategy. Throughout this section, viewers are asked which move is the best. The DVD will need to be paused in each of these instances in order to give viewers enough time to examine the board. Among the additional features are a chapter about the history of chess, a brief biography of Polgar, and "Fun Facts" about the game. Polgar's enthusiasm and love of the game is apparent. Useful for after-school chess clubs and for parents who want to teach chess to their children.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT