Multimedia Review

MULTIMEDIA STARS—Beginning with this issue, exceptional titles reviewed in the Multimedia Review section will be eligible for stars. Reviewers' recommendations are a deciding factor in assigning stars, with the final decision to be made by the editors. DVD/video, audio, and CD-ROM titles that receive a star are considered to be outstanding in relation to others on the same subject or in the same genre.

Gr 5 Up—This documentary showcases the enthusiastic artists involved in a large scale public art project in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. They use bold colors to bring art to the people by painting on such diverse media as concrete walls, billboards, and palm trees. Street musicians perform alongside the visual artists, creating a lively atmosphere rich with many cultural heritages. In addition to the artists who share their views, the film introduces a priest who links artistic expression to spirituality and uses art to reach his congregation. In another segment, the street artists bring their project to a poor neighborhood and involve the children in beautifying their community. The documentary provides few facts about the project or the culture which spawned it; instead, it relies almost solely upon the musings of the artists, who tend to ramble about the value of art using vague metaphors. The artists' interviews are all subtitled, frequently diverting viewers' attention away from the art to read the commentary. Since the production showcases an exercise in creativity, the colors and details of the images and the clarity of the music should have been better. The film speaks to the importance of public art and bringing art to the people, but doesn't offer enough information to be used as an introduction to South American art and culture. Several images of nude artwork may make this title inappropriate for viewing in some classrooms. The teacher's guide can be accessed at projectfoundsound.com/teachers.php.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

PreS-K—The intent of this series is to expose children ages 6 months to 4 years to familiar classical literature set to music. Each episode is hosted by Monkey and features puppets and simple backdrops. For example, Ishmael is portrayed by a bunny puppet and Queequeg is played by a stuffed giraffe in Moby-Dick. Narration, which provides a very simplified description of the story, can be turned on or off. The guide includes a biography of each author, a brief synopsis of the story, and a "Dear Parents" section in which caregivers are encouraged to read the guide and view the DVD without narration so that they may engage young viewers in discussions. While the producers indicate that the depictions of these stories are accurate, that is not always the case. In the guide accompanying Moby-Dick, the authors note that Ishmael is the only survivor in the book, but "Monkey leaves his conclusion a little more open and feels that it does not lesson (sic) the impact of Moby-Dick's victory if we imagine that the entire crew had been eventually rescued. Even Captain Ahab." More developmentally appropriate films for very young children that would hold their attention include Baby Babble (Talking Child), titles in the Baby IQ series (Brainy Baby), and Peep and the Big Wide World series (WGBH Boston).—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 2—While Thomas and several other wide-gauge engines make appearances, these six episodes feature narrow-gauge engines Duncan, Freddy, Sir Handel, Rusty, Skarloey, Rheneas, Peter Sam, and Madge (the truck). In "Duncan Does It All," Duncan learns that his job of transporting straw is not so bad. "Sir Handel in Charge" features the oldest engine in the yard learning how to delegate. In "Cool Truckings," Madge transports Duncan to the transfer yard. "Ding-a-Ling" leads Freddy on a hunt for a bicycle bell for Sir Percival's new bike. Skarloey overcomes his fear of thunderstorms in "Skarloey Storms Through." In "Wash Behind Your Buffers," Madge is responsible for cleaning up two engines in the yard, with comedic results. Michael Brandon does a marvelous job of telling the stories, varying his pace and pitch for various characters. There's also a song about narrow-gauge engines and a bonus feature about Fireman Sam, "Fiery Finale." A fun choice for Thomas fans.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Gr 10 Up—By the time students are high school juniors, they have started planning for their options after high school. Most students and parents become stressed out navigating the road to college admissions and need more help than high school guidance counselors can offer. This DVD goes a long way in assisting students, parents, counselors, and teachers. Stephen Burleigh breaks the admission process into six fundamental steps and explains how to customize the process for individual applicants. Featuring animated characters demonstrating typical scenarios, college students describing their own successful college application process, and step-by-step guidance from Burleigh, this film covers all the important steps involved in applying to colleges—from evaluating curriculum choices to creating a college list to writing an effective essay and applying for financial aid. Burleigh's relaxed explanations model the stress free path promised in the title. He also offers many valuable suggestions to enhance a student's application, such as sending thank you notes to college admission interviewers and contacting faculty members in areas of interest. An excellent, information-packed film for high school and public libraries.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

K-Gr 6—Children ages 5 to 12 are offered pointers to help them prepare for the arrival of a new sibling. A shipwrecked pirate leads viewers from segment to segment and occasionally pops in with additional information. Three school-age siblings who provide much of the information are the real strength of the film. The youngsters introduce their parents and the new babies and explain what they have learned about being a sibling. In "We're Having a Baby," the fears and concerns of siblings are addressed, and suggestions such as sharing their old baby items are given. Viewers learn "How Babies Grow" through drawings, and proper terms such as fetus and umbilical cord are used. Activities that will occupy the mother's time, such as visiting the doctor, selecting baby names, and buying clothing, are discussed. In "The Big Day," the hospital, the room where the baby will be born, nurses, and doctors are introduced. Information about how a newborn looks and where the belly button comes from is provided. "Life with a Baby" covers things that will occur once everyone is home, such as mom being tired, feeding the baby, and how to hold a baby. Most of the information is accompanied by footage of real families experiencing the things that are discussed. This helpful program covers a wide range of valuable information.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 6 Up—The responsibilities and red flags associated with dating are carefully covered in this program that features realistic scenarios to provide information about unhealthy relationships, date rape, and abuse. Red flags are identified as jealousy, anger, abusive behavior, aggression, use of weapons, and manipulation. Acceptable and inappropriate dating behavior is explained. Narration, vignettes, and interviews with a former policewoman and a nurse help teens learn how to protect themselves from being vulnerable. Avoidance of alcohol and other date-rape drugs is stressed. Issues for both young women and young men are addressed, emphasizing that "no" means "no." A good choice for younger teens.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Gr 9 Up—This program, produced in Australia, explains the importance of a healthy diet and the role that food and nutrients play in enhancing physical performance, particularly for those who participate in sports activities. Five sections cover a healthy balanced diet, the nature of nutrients, nutrients for fuel, meeting energy requirements, and the consequences of nutritional imbalance. Short sequences feature teens performing sports activities. A narrator provides most of the information, with a nutritionist, a professor, and a sports nutritionist offering additional commentary. A summary at the conclusion of each segment provides a helpful review. Some Australian terms are used, such as biscuits for cookies, which may lead to interesting discussions about food in other cultures. Visuals include live-action footage, photos, and charts. Music is used sparingly and adds interest. A helpful tool to introduce sound nutrition practices to keep your body performing at its peak. For group of individual viewing.—Mary Grace Flaherty, Sidney Memorial Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—This interesting and well-paced program covers the most common food additives (salt and sugar), those used to improve health (such as iodine in salt, vitamin D in milk, folic acid in flour), and additives that make food look and taste better, retard spoilage, and perform differently (such as hydrogenated oil in peanut butter). The live-action footage and still images are sharp and clear, and the narration is easy to understand. Text is printed on screen to introduce vocabulary and show food labels. While the information is well organized and fairly balanced, there is a clear bias towards the safety of most food additives. The information about the historical context of food additives is fascinating. The error of indicating that "annatto is used to color margarine," when the ingredients listed are clearly for butter, will probably be caught by sharp-eyed students. Useful in chemistry, health, and home economics classes.—Melody Philbrick, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs, CO

PreS-Gr 3—A large family of bats enjoy a night at the beach in this whimsical rhyming romp based on the book (Houghton Mifflin, 2006) written, illustrated, and narrated by Brian Lies. Beach blankets, buckets, books, and moon-tan lotion accompany the brood on their fun-filled expedition. Little ones build sand castles and toast bug-mallows around the campfire while the overweight old bats don polka-dot swimsuits and lie on lounge chairs. At "munchtime," they enjoy beetles, ants, milkweed bugs, and the occasional strawberry with new friends. Paper cocktail umbrellas shade the moonbeams, a red-checked food container serves as a sailboat, and drinking straws make excellent play swords. Lively country banjo music performed by The Flanks and striking art with fanciful details enliven the iconographic production. The amiable brown bats come to life against the dark blue sky. An interview with the author begins with a cleverly "hung" upside-down photo of Lies; he explains how he got the idea for the book from his daughter and how he became an illustrator. He also encourages children with the insight that "hard work is more important than being born with a special talent." Show this offering at summertime story hours or to add a flight of fancy to bat units.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

K-Gr 3—Rufus's parents are worried that he will not be able to survive out in the world, so they send him to the Big Bad Wolf Academy in this iconographic rendering of Stephen Krensky's book (S & S, 2007). Rufus has a hard time fitting in at the boarding school. He can't huff and puff, wear disguises properly, or master sheep language like the other wolves. He prefers to investigate by sniffing, running around the school, and howling at the moon. When hunters invade the school, the other students try to defend themselves with the usual wolf techniques, but the hunters are not deterred. But when Rufus begins to howl and the other wolves follow suit, the hunters retreat. Brad Sneed's humorous watercolor illustrations are manipulated using various camera techniques to achieve movement, and Jim Brownold provides excellent narration. In this "Special Appearance Video," Krensky talks about his inspiration for the book. Youngsters will want to see this again and again.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 3—Mr. Rabbit is not sure that he knows how to act around his new neighbors, the otters, and he's afraid that they won't all get along in Laurie Keller's picture book (Holt, 2007). Wise Mr. Owl flies in to advise Rabbit and to teach him the Golden Rule: "Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you." Rabbit thinks of how he would like to be treated, and the otters illustrate each character trait. They demonstrate saying "please," "thank you," and "excuse me"; and they show that they can be honest, cooperative, and kind. Rabbit realizes that there will be no problem with the otters as long as they treat each other with respect and consideration. This manners lesson is a lively romp, from Rabbit's "Doo Dee Doo" song and a catchy banjo tune to the fun puns and wordplays. For example, Rabbit hopes that the otters will not tease him when he has a "bad hare day," and a bee passes out "bees-ness cards." Keller's colorful illustrations have been animated, bringing each animal to life. The author is interviewed at the end of the tale. The DVD can be viewed with or without read-along subtitles. A witty and wonderful book has been made into an even more engaging and entertaining film.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 2—The picture book by Miriam Cohen, originally published in 1980 and illustrated by the author and reissued (Star Bright, 2006) with illustrations by Ronald Himler, provides a reassuring look at the limitations of standardized tests. This iconographic version is introduced by the author. The first graders are all anxious when they are presented with the test—all except for Anna Maria, who sees it as an opportunity to find out how smart she is. Some of the children fail to finish in time, while others get questions wrong because their prior knowledge or curiosity complicates things. When Anna Maria is moved to the "special class because she did a good test," her classmates feel inferior and the refrain, "dummy" echoes across the room. Their usually mild-mannered teacher interjects, "Listen to me!...The test doesn't tell everything. It doesn't tell all the things you can do! You can build things! You can read books! You can make pictures! You have good ideas! And another thing. The test doesn't tell you if you are a kind person who helps your friend. Those are important things." In the end, Anna Maria misses her old classmates and chooses to rejoin them. "It's good to be together again…We don't need a test to tell us that!" While the message is timely and positive, it is somewhat didactic. Ronald Himler's pencil and watercolor illustrations for the reissued edition seem drab and washed-out compared to Cohen's original primary-colored artwork. The narration is adequate, and the gentle background music is soothing. Youngsters facing their first big test may be confused by the message presented here.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS-Gr 2—The enthusiastic backhoe from Kate and Jim McMullan's popular book (HarperCollins, 2006) fairly dances through a day of muddy, messy work in this entertaining animated film. He introduces himself and describes his working parts, then gleefully heads off to work, relishing the chance to get messy and describing his tough job as, "Easy as pie. Make that a MUD pie!" The chores are accompanied by music by David Mansfield that changes to suit the mood, a lively ragtime beat and staccato rhythm to mark the backhoe's countdown of items that are being cleaned up from an abandoned lot. With joyful alliteration, he tosses "10 torn-up truck tires, 9 fractured fans, 8 busted beach umbrellas..." until all are in the dumpster. The text that cascades over the pages of the book is enthusiastically and expressively read by Steve Buscemi, and it can be displayed as subtitles or hidden. The DVD concludes with an interview with the authors who discuss the book and explain how they research each machine. This energetic and irresistible book is even more fun through the magic of animation.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 3—One day while pecking in the yard, Little Rooster finds a diamond button. The King snatches it from him and returns to his castle. When Little Rooster visits the King to demand that he return the button, the King has the bird thrown into a well. The rooster's magic stomach swallows all of the water in the well. Returning again to the castle, Little Rooster is thrown into a fire. His uses the water in his stomach to douse the fire. On his third trip to the castle, the King commands bees to sting the bird. Little Rooster swallows the bees and releases them when the King tries to sit on him. Finally broken, the King orders Little Rooster to take his diamond button and leave. Little Rooster also takes all of the treasure the King has been stealing over the years and shares it with the villagers. Margaret Read MacDonald's adaptation (Albert Whitman, 2007) of this traditional Hungarian folktale features Will Terry's colorful, comic acrylic illustrations that are given the feel of animation by zooming and panning. MacDonald does a superb job as narrator. In a "Conversation with the Author," she provides the background of the tale. A charming package.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—Whenever new student Ruby copies her classmate Angela, she earns a smile and a compliment from the girl. So every day Ruby hops home at lunchtime to add a hair bow, make a similar sweater, even hand-paint her clothes and shoes. By the end of the week, however, this imitation begins to annoy Angela. When Ruby copies her original poem, Angela threatens to tell their teacher, Miss Hart. After school, the teacher tells Ruby that she can be anything she wants to be, "but be Ruby first!" Ruby then begins to copy Miss Hart. When her teacher kindly encourages Ruby to talk about her own special talents, Ruby has a surprise. The entire class is so impressed with her ability to hop, that they begin to copy Ruby, and she starts to make friends at last. Peggy Rathmann's text (Scholastic, 1991) and colorful pencil-and-ink drawings are enhanced by Sharyn Cassidy's enthusiastic narration, and the movement from one page to the next enlivens the tale. This lesson about self-confidence and friendship encourages youngsters to take pride in their own talents.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 1–5—The Figureheads (Greg, Jeremy, and Stephanie) is an award-winning, non-profit musical act whose vision is for community development through music and mentorship. The group, along with the Kiddo Crew, give good performances in a live concert featuring songs from their two albums: You Come Too and the award-winning The Movement (both, CDBaby.com, 2005, 2006). Between the concert tracks, Stephanie teaches dance steps to the Kiddo Crew, Greg and Jeremy talk about the songs with the youngsters in an outdoor setting, and Greg and Jeremy speak to students in a classroom. All of the tunes are performed in a hip hop/rap style. Among the songs are "Kiddo Anthem" (self-esteem), "Stretching Song," "Windows," "Hop to It" (doing chores), "Skywriter" (using one's imagination), and "Wallpusher" (acceptable ways to release stress and anger). The children in the audience respond enthusiastically to the concert. A treat for hip hop fans.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Taking a page from Sesame Street, these 26 episodes combine puppetry, computer animation, animated cut-outs against colorful backgrounds, and live-action video in short vignettes to present Christian values, with an emphasis on prayer. Each segment, hosted by an aardvark puppet, focuses on one letter of the alphabet and features the theme song; live interviews with children; a puppet cooking show starring Giuseppe Zucchini and Giovanni; animated vignettes with words starting with the featured letter; "People of the Bible"; a dance; and a bedtime lullaby. The production is very well done with cute songs in different musical styles, such as classical, calypso, rock and rap; professional musicianship; well-executed cartoon-style artwork; and beautifully crafted puppets. The series will be especially welcomed by Christian parents and private Christian schools. —Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 2–8— Backyard Habitat is a television series airing on Animal Planet and starring Molly Pesce and naturalist David Mizejewski as co-hosts. In this episode, the pair visit Florida to help a family transform their backyard into a garden that will attract local birds. Viewers learn that a good habitat must have four elements: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise the young. To accomplish this, changes to the family's backyard include a fountain that is installed to serve as a water supply, the addition of native plants and shrubs, and bird feeders. While the work is being completed, Molly and Dave visit a nursery that provides a habitat for the Florida Scrub Jay, a bird that is on the endangered species list. The hosts also demonstrate how to make a bagel bird feeder, a project that is fairly easy to replicate. Elementary and middle school classes can use the information provided here to create a backyard habitat of their own. As an added incentive, once the habitat is created it can be registered as a "Certified Wildlife Habitat" through the National Wildlife Federation Web site. A first purchase for teachers interested in creating a backyard habitat as a class project or just wanting to raise awareness of endangered species and environmental issues.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

PreS-Gr 3—Fly Girl keeps a diary documenting her exploits at Flight School, at home with her 327 siblings, and with friends Worm and Spider in this animated version of Doreen Cronin's popular book (Joanna Cotler Books, 2007). Though the treatment is whimsical, the narration reveals numerous fly facts, including the insect's life cycle from egg to maggot to fly. The ladybug babysitter is particularly amusing—after her first visit, 87 of her unruly charges are stuck on flypaper; the second time she brings a frog along and the entire crew remain cowering on top of an apple core just shy of harm's reach, while their clever sitter reads her book. Spider's Grandpa, with his spectacles and fedora, is quite amusing; after telling her that she is "a very important part of the food chain," the old arachnid comes at her with a knife and fork. Fly Girl is convinced that she can be a superhero, citing her superpowers as proof. She can walk on walls, change direction mid-flight, and see in all directions at once with the 4,000 lenses in each eye. Still, Spider points out that real superheroes bend steel and eradicate villains. In the end, Worm assures her that "The world needs all kinds of heroes." Lively narration by Abigail Breslin and doo-wop music add to the fun. Viewers can also read along with subtitles that turn from white to yellow and watch an interview with Harry Bliss in which he explains how he illustrated the story and anthropomorphized the characters in his amusing, colorful cartoons. This clever production is a perfect blend of fiction and nonfiction, with just enough information to be used in a science class or a writing lesson to encourage youngsters to keep their own diaries.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 1–6—The goal of this series is to make the problems of pollution, global warming, and the greenhouse effect relevant to youngsters and make them aware of their role in preserving the health of the planet. Two young hosts explain the series' vocabulary, and video examples clarify difficult concepts. Viewers are taken on a tour of the problems that are affecting our planet, from melting polar ice caps to the disappearing rainforest, and learn how pollution has affected our air, water, and ground. Greenhouse theories are explored in easy-to-understand terms. Students can explore these theories on their own with the help of a simple experiment that demonstrates the effect that acid rain has on plants. The second film challenges students to become eco-investigators and to explore how our daily routines waste resources or harm the environment. By exposing the ways in which we are squandering the Earth's resources, students can begin to seek out solutions. Viewers are asked to remember the three R's—refuse, reuse, and recycle—and to keep track of the amount of trash that they are creating every day. In the third episode, we are challenged to find ways to reverse the world's ecological problems, and to use the checklist from the second film to begin finding ways to be more eco-friendly. Simple suggestions and explanations are given in each section, which makes a critically important global problem more personal and manageable for elementary students. A terrific introduction to an important topic.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 9 Up—When the fossil remains of a pigeon-sized dinosaur, the Microraptor, were unearthed, it was discovered that a volcanic explosion in China 130 million years ago perfectly preserved impressions of feathers. What makes this a unique specimen is that the creature seemed to have had two rows of aerodynamic feathers on the arms and legs suitable for flying. This is the first animal ever discovered with four wings. Paleontologists from the American Museum of Natural History joined Chinese paleontologist Xu Xing, who first named the dinosaur, built models, and studied aerodynamics and biometrics in an attempt to discover if the Microraptor flew or glided and if it is an important link in the evolution of today's birds. Picture and sound quality are excellent. Some animals are digitally created to illustrate scientific concepts and show the reconstructed Microraptor in action. Students interested in paleontology and aerodynamics will find this program fascinating. With teacher guidance, it can also lead to interesting discussions about implied issues, such as the subjective interpretation of science. Overall, a worthwhile program.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 1–6—In this third title in the series, adapted from an award-winning weekly television show, we travel along with hosts Matt and Brittney on their visit to two fascinating museums. First stop is the predominantly hands-on Franklin Institute Museum in Philadelphia where they explore a human heart, discover what gives fireworks their colors by exploding balloons, launch a raw egg to learn about protective sports gear, ride a sky bike above the exhibits, and meet Ben Franklin for a fascinating lesson in the Hall of Electricity. Viewers not only learn about the museum, but also benefit from the lessons that Matt and Brittany learn as they interact with museum personnel. Watching the youngsters play in the Sports Challenge, ride a mechanical surfboard, and experiment with flight simulators is enough to make viewers want to visit the museum. Next, the children are off to Washington, DC, to infiltrate the International Spy Museum. During "Operation Secret Slumber," they go under cover with other students to learn how to write and decipher codes, plant information, and retrieve secrets in disguise. Between activities, the pair give us a tour of some of the most fascinating sections of the museum and visit with an ex-CIA operative. In the "Explorers Corner," viewers are shown how to make and decipher their own codes. A fun way to visit these museums and learn what they have to offer.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 9 Up—These two episodes are based on the research of historian David Keys who constructs a plausible case for an immense natural disaster with global consequences that occurred around 535 AD. The first segment explores the immediate effects of the cataclysmic event, drawing from an array of scientific analysis (ice core samples, carbon-dating volcanic ash, tree ring analysis) and archival materials which effectively demonstrates famine, drought, and extreme climatic shifts around the world. The second part explores the long-term political and cultural impact of the disaster and speculates about its impact on multiple ancient civilizations, including the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Islam. It blends qualitative and quantitative approaches to scholarly research and presents it in an entertaining and accessible way for high school audiences. At times, Keys's connections between the concrete evidence of the disaster and its influence on world civilizations are tenuous and subjective. Still, this is an excellent supplemental resource for science, history, and technology curriculums.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Based on a popular animated children's public television series, the Zula Patrol explores simples aspects of weather with wacky alien characters, music, and lots of fun. In the first segment, Professor Multo cooks up a "Galactic Goo" for lunch, but Captain Bula tries to help by putting the strange mixture in the freezer to cool. The resulting purple whirlwind of destruction encourages the crew to explore temperature and thermometers, and to heat the mixture back into submission. The second section covers clouds, as Wizzy and Wigg set out to locate a special golden cloud and encounter a villain, Dark Truder, along the way. Viewers learn about the types of clouds and how they are formed. As the aliens prepare for a vacation in the third episode, they try to decide which season would be the best time to go, providing information about why seasons change and what makes each season different. In the final segment, pilot Zeeter tries to take over as weather forecaster and spice up the mild weather by using a "Weather-Mastic" machine, with disastrous consequences. Professor Multo hosts a "Multo Moment" at the end of each episode in which he reviews key facts and asks questions for review. At the end of some episodes, live-action videos present quick facts about the topic under discussion. The zula.com Web site extends these topics with lots of activities, games, and videos. It is difficult to locate the beginning of each episode; they are presented as one feature, and the title menu doesn't index the beginning of each section. A traveling interactive exhibit featuring the Zula Academy is making the rounds of museums across the country, and a Zula Planetarium digital theater production is planned, ensuring that these little characters will gain loyal followers.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 11 Up—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Humanities and Chair of African and African-American Studies at Harvard, hosts this four-part program, picking up where the acclaimed African American Lives (PBS, 2006) left off. It offers a multidimensional perspective of the African-American experience throughout the history of the Unites States and back to Africa. The narrative is told through in-depth genealogical investigations that involve determining the racial makeup of 12 influential African Americans by mapping their DNA. Among those profiled are Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle, Chris Rock, Tina Turner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Reverend Peter Gomes, and others. What is particularly stunning about these touching portrayals is their ability to personalize a tumultuous cultural history. Seamlessly, viewers learn about the larger picture through these individual stories. Each episode is progressively staged: "The Road Home" focuses on the participant's stories of their heritage in the 20th century, "A Way Out of No Way" explores their lineage through the Civil War era, "We Come from People" explicates the colonial history of these families, and "The Past Is Another Country" demonstrates the advances DNA research has made in connecting African Americans to their cultures of origin. The series challenges our traditional understanding of race as both a cultural and biological construct by demonstrating, through modern technology, the interconnectedness of all humanity. These are not only the stories of African Americans, they are the stories of us all. An important acquisition for libraries serving advanced high school, college, and adult audiences.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 9 Up—A variety of unique foods from Muslim countries in Asia such as Iran, Indonesia, and India are presented. From the flat breads of Tehran to ketupat, the rice dumplings of Jakarta, to the samosas in Old Delhi, viewers learn how the food and the religion are intertwined. Muslims are presented as being united in their worship of Allah and also by their culinary customs. Tradition governs the types of food consumed, the food preparation, and the manner in which meals are eaten. Chefs are shown preparing the food, and students may blanch at one scene of a goat being slaughtered. Voice-over narration is well-paced, and interviews with both culinary experts and laypersons add spice and color to this attractive presentation. Spellings of unfamiliar names and pronunciation guides to various foods appear throughout the production. An informative title for classes studying world cultures as well as home economics.—Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA

Gr 9 Up—Based on the work of The Nation magazine's defense correspondent, Michael T. Klare, this film looks at how America's dependence on imported oil has shaped our foreign policy from Franklin Roosevelt's administration to the present. It focuses on the relationship of the United States with Saudi Arabia and our use of military force to protect Middle Eastern oil in Operation Desert Storm and the current Iraq War. The program makes clear Klare's bias that the predominant cause of the Iraq War is the protection of Saudi oil, and links the terrorist activities of Al-Qaeda to the oil industry as well. It relies on news footage and Klare's commentary to support these claims. For such a divisive current events topic, the presentation would have benefited from commentary from additional sources to add credibility. Still, this is an interesting program that can lead to classroom discussions, though educators or students will have to do additional research to understand both sides of the issue.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 9 Up—On March 2008, the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, PBS broadcast a two-night summary of what will undoubtedly be the unfortunate legacy of the Bush administration. This incredibly insightful documentary was painstakingly researched and includes hundreds of interviews with a wide array of individuals from both within and outside the government with a resultant summary that will chill, sadden, frustrate, and anger most viewers. While the perceptive interviews make up the core of the content, the producers also include a number of balanced interpretations of the ongoing events, supplemented with a powerful blend of video clips and stills. Organized into two parts and with 15 individual segment selections available, the film begins with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and details the development of behind-the-scene strategies throughout the ongoing entanglement. Those evaluating the process point to the hawkish influence of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfield as well as the vast quantity of flawed intelligence as prime sources of influence on the President's chosen course of action. The producers have stepped back from the emotions surrounding the war to craft a sobering and timely report. This program will be an exceptionally valuable resource now and in the future as historians try to analyze the why's and how's of this dark period in the annals of our country.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—The Islamic laws and traditions for women that are viewed as most egregious by the international community are examined in this film's four chapters. Honor killings, polygamy, and the enforced wearing of the Hijab and Chador are explored from the Islamic cultural point of view as well as from the Western perspective. The changing role of modern women in Islamic society concludes the presentation. These traditions and laws are examined via interviews with women in Jordan, Petra, and Iran. Teachers should be aware that the chapter on "Remnants of Distorted Arab Traditions" includes news clips that show two women who were physically disfigured after being punished for dishonoring the family. The film provides a balanced presentation of sensitive cultural and political issues that can be used in curriculum areas such as history, religion, and women's studies.—Linda Steele, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City

Gr 8 Up-Based on historian David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning book (S & S, 2001) and produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, who also brought Band of Brothers to television, this astonishing miniseries dramatizes the adult life of John Adams. The meticulously detailed epic follows the personal and the political life of the man who would help craft the Declaration of Independence, serve as a diplomat during and after the Revolutionary War, support George Washington as our first Vice President, and be narrowly elected as our second President. The seven-part series features a cast of thousands, with Academy Award-nominees Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney as John and Abigail Adams joining Emmy Award-winning director Tom Hooper in this nicely paced retrospective of an individual often overshadowed by other contemporary personalities. Filmed in Colonial Williamsburg with international scenes shot in Budapest, the attention to detail is astonishing. One of the program's prime attributes is the balance the producers are able to provide between Adams' efforts to craft our country and his incredible relationship with Abigail, the prime motivating and supportive force in his life. The outstanding principal actors bring an incredible degree of believability to their roles. In the end, however, the foremost credit for the quality of this work rests with McCullough's research for his book and his contribution to the making of the film. An additional segment includes an interview with McCullough along with a look at the filming of this production. A remarkable viewing experience.—Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—Based on information from original documents and primary sources dating from the French Revolution to the end of Napoleon's reign in 1815, this comprehensive program examines the lives of a variety of people at all strata of French society. Utilizing an excellent blend of quality re-creations, interviews with French historians, classic art pieces, and lucid and smooth narration, the film provides a balanced view of Napoleon's impact on his times as well as subsequent centuries. The producers emphasize the seemingly paradoxical manner in which the French leader was able to develop the Napoleonic Code on which much of Western law is based today while concurrently being a merciless and vindictive dictator. The first part of the program covers from the end of the French Revolution to 1806 when Napoleon was at his most powerful; the second segment presents his tumultuous downfall and ultimate death. A dynamic, insightful, and entertaining production.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 10 Up—While chronicling a history of oppression and discrimination against African Americans, this documentary makes the case that the American government should recognize the damage that slavery, Jim Crow laws, and institutional segregation has caused to the African-American psyche. It argues that the government should pay reparations to African Americans to compensate for these social discrepancies, which has historic precedent in the reparations made to Japanese Americans following their relocation to camps during World War II. To support this stance, numerous people of varying age, gender, socio-economic status, and race are interviewed, including de facto sharecroppers in South Carolina, a cultural artist, a lawyer, and a college professor. However, for all the diversity of the program's interviewees, no one disagrees with making reparations, and the inclusion of arguments from the other perspective would have strengthened the film. The picture and sound quality are excellent. This production offers an important—if biased—view of a controversial social issue, and could serve as a springboard for classroom discussions. Educators should be aware that there are images of lynching victims, clips of Civil Rights era violence, and anecdotes about rape, making it most appropriate for mature students.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 7 Up—This animated tale from Chile is based on the Mayan creation myth that explains how humankind came to exist in the world, why animals eat each other, how the sun and the moon were created, and how sports came about in the Mayan tradition. The illustrations are taken directly from Mayan paintings found on bowls and walls dating back to 300 to 900 AD. The music is performed on pre-Columbian instruments, lending authenticity to the entire production. Narration is in Spanish with English subtitles. There is some nudity and violence pictured, so the film will be most suitable for middle and high school social studies and Spanish language classes.—Mercedes Smith, Kernan Trail Elementary School, Jacksonville FL

Gr 9 Up—The recent horrific typhoon which struck Myanmar in Southeast Asia focused the world's attention on the incredibly callous military dictatorship currently in control of the country formerly known as Burma. The scenario of a cruel autocrat backed by a well-equipped modern army attempting to eradicate an ethnic group inside his country which opposed his rise to power is all too familiar both historically and today. The independent producer of this moving documentary portrays the plight of the native Karen people as they are pursued throughout the region's largest country in an effort to document the many charges against the ruling junta. Interviews with soft-spoken refugees about their endangerment include English subtitles along with a well-paced, smooth narration to pointedly illustrate their perilous predicament. The assistance provided the potential victims of genocide by outside agencies and their own Free Burma Rangers fighting force is emphasized. The film's six chapters are also available individually on the DVD. Bonus features include a short film, This Is My Home, by the same producer documenting the country's dilemma and the human rights violations leveled against the country's leaders; the complete program in the native language of the Karen, which will hopefully be a source of inspiration for them; and a lesson plan/guidebook which includes a list of Web sites offering current information about this heartrending holocaust in the making.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—During World War II, the Allies were aware of the existence of the Auschwitz camp outside Krakow in southern Poland. However, it was thought to be a resettlement center rather than an extermination facility. The Germans went to great lengths to conceal its true function in order to avoid mayhem at the rail centers where European Jews by the millions, while hesitant, went rather compliantly to what became the scenes of their deaths. Shot in black-and-white and featuring interviews with historians and former Auschwitz prisoners as well as archival footage and stills, this film re-creates the daring escape of two young Slovak Jews from Auschwitz, their perilous flight through the Polish backcountry, and their eventual opportunity to share their story of what was actually occurring with underground Jewish leaders. Unfortunately, few believed the men's report of 12,000 murders each day, and the toll continued to rise as more exiles arrived at Auschwitz's infamous entry gate. The realistic style in which both events at the camp and the young men's exploits are presented is gripping. A scene selection option expands the film's value as a classroom resource.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 7 Up—Emerson Watts (Em, please) has never quite fit in at her alternative high school in this first installment (Point, 2008) of a new series by Meg Cabot. The teen is critical of the popular consumer-driven crowd and always has a witty, sarcastic remark about the group and their actions. Em's one friend, Christopher, shares her passion for playing video games and diss-ing their fellow students. Much to her horror, Em is coerced into accompanying her younger sister to a grand opening event at a megastore. A freak accident at the store puts Em in the hospital for several weeks. When she awakens from a coma, Em discovers that her brain was surgically placed in the body of Nikki Howard, a , popular teen super model who collapsed at the same event. Em is forced to confront her feminist opinions and to accept Nikki for being more than just an airhead. Narrator Stina Nielsen deftly portrays Em's transition from a level-headed, opinionated tomboy to an overwhelmed, looks-obsessed celebrity. She portrays Em's reluctance to change and her stubborn refusal to mature with realism and pragmatism. The tale moves along quickly for listeners who can suspend their disbelief and get caught up in the snappy, realistic dialogue. Fans of Cabot's other books will be delighted and look forward to the next title in the series.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Gr 5–8—Ally,13, is bored when summer break arrives and decides to document the events of the previous Christmas in her journal. So begins this installment (Scholastic, 2002) in Karen McCombie's Ally's World series. Amidst the holiday hubbub, including a difference of opinion with her friend Chloe about who should get the credit for the theme chosen for the Christmas Pageant, Ally also has her first date with a boy who accidentally burps into her mouth when attempting a kiss. When Ally inadvertently loses the family dog, she desperately hopes for a Christmas miracle to come her way. Although the characters are amusing and lively, the story is sometimes a bit disjointed, with questions such as what happened to Ally's mom left unanswered. Daniela Denby-Ashe does a good job of narrating, although there are a few instances where a clear distinction between characters is muddled. Fans of the series will probably enjoy this audiobook.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 5–9—The fourth book (Hyperion, 2008) in the series by Rick Riordan starts with a bang and rarely lets up until the end. Percy, son of Poseidon, must help his friends Grover and Annabeth complete quests that may influence whether the forces of evil triumph and Olympus is brought down. When they meet at Camp Half-Blood, they learn that a former classmate has turned evil. The Labyrinth has suddenly revealed an entrance near Camp Half-Blood, indicating that the camp is vulnerable to an attack by the evil Lord Kronos. Percy and his cohorts must try to find support for their compatriots by taking a dangerous trip through the ever-changing Labyrinth, a sprawling underground world. Jesse Bernstein does a good job voicing Percy and his Cyclops half-brother and successfully conveys Annabeth's emotions. He attempts a number of different accents for the gods, demigods, and mortals in the story with varying levels of success. Bernstein sets a good pace that reflects the non-stop action and peril in the story. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment and eagerly await the next volume.—B. Allison Gray, Palmdale City Library, CA

Gr 5–8—Tracey Porter's well-researched historical tale (Joanna Cotler Books, 2007) provides insight into the exploitation of children in the workforce during the late 1800s. She deftly reveals the conflict within 10-year-old Billy through his matter-of-fact, adult voice that is still tinged with childish hopes for a brighter future. Billy was raised at the Guardian Angel Home for Boys, a working farm in the Appalachian countryside, where half-starved children worked long hours. He hoped that he would be selected to go to the Morganton glassworks factory to learn a trade that would set him free. When one of the boys runs away from the glassworks after being maimed for life by molten glass, Billy understands the reality of the job. He is rescued on the eve of his transition to the glassworks when a long-lost uncle arrives to take him to West Virginia. Billy learns the trade of a mule skinner and begins his apprenticeship in the coal mines. When his uncle is killed during an attempt to unionize the mine, Billy joins a traveling circus where he meets his long-lost father and tries unsuccessfully to believe in the goodness of the insipid man. Steven Boyer expertly captures the personalities of the wide range of characters, from the frailest boy to Penny, the housekeeper, cook, and substitute mother of the boys. Readers will be drawn into this tale reminiscent of Huck Finn, and empathize with the plight of the orphans who struggled to survive during this time in our history.—Beverly S. Almond, East Lee Middle School, Sanford, NC

Gr 4–7—Mitch, 12, and his mother move into his grandparents' house at Bird Lake after his father goes off with another woman in this novel by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2008). Struggling to determine his feelings towards his father, Mitch retreats to a secret haven under the porch of the unoccupied house next door. Wanting to live in this empty house, Mitch is sorely disappointed when a new family suddenly moves in. Upset with these "intruders," Mitch sets out to convince them that the house is haunted. What he doesn't know is that the family had not been to the house in almost 10 years due to the drowning death of their son, Matty, on their last visit to Bird Lake. Spencer, their 10-year-old son, starts to believe that Matty's spirit is haunting them, even as he befriends Mitch. Both boys struggle with their own emotional reactions to the summer and to each other. Written with definitive characters and open and insightful portrayals of adolescent boys, narrator Oliver Wyman gives each character a distinctive voice, and his telling enhances the poignancy of the story.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Gr 2–4—Clementine and Mr. D'Matz, her third grade teacher, are finally "in sync." But now he's a finalist in a contest and will be spending the entire week with the Adventures for Teachers Committee and, if he wins, he will go on a research trip to Egypt and miss the entire school year. Clementine comes up with a plan to make sure Mr. D'Matz doesn't win that prize when the principal asks the children to write nomination letters. Everything from Clementine's wacky vegetable nicknames for her brother to the dizzying array of colors at the art supply store makes Sara Pennypacker's book (Hyperion, 2008) a kid-friendly celebration of words. Jessica Almasy does a nice job of capturing Clementine's young, enthusiastic voice. A fun listen for Clementine fans.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Gr 8 Up—Following a nuclear holocaust, nine-year-old Eli and his family race into the underground compound his billionaire father created in this post-apocalyptic novel (Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends, 2008) by S.A. Bodeen. The hatch is slammed shut, but without Eli's twin and their grandmother. The family must stay underground for 15 years until the radiation levels are safe. Fast forward six years and Eli is beginning to have some doubts, as do his two sisters and mother. They have trusted their father, but now he is behaving strangely. Eli believes that his father created the entire scenario as some kind of sick hoax, right down to cloning and creating human babies, The Supplements, who might actually be needed someday as a food supply. Repulsed and frightened, Eli teams with his sisters, his mother, and The Supplements in a race to discover what is really going on, what happened that fateful night, and how to escape the powerful madman who has them trapped. Suspense galore is brought to life by Christopher Lane's masterful reading, fraught with tension, anger, and a gamut of powerful emotions. The taut, fast-moving plot will grip listeners.—Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY

Gr 1–3—Judy Blume masterfully incorporates realistic sibling interaction with subtle life lessons in the latest installment (Delacorte, 2008) in The Pain and the Great One series. When first grader Jake (the Pain) loses his first tooth on the way to school, he makes a deal with his third grade sister Abigail (the Great One)—he will give her half of the tooth fairy money if she'll keep the tooth safe all day. The next morning the Pain honors his part of the deal—he rips the dollar bill in half and hands it to his sister. When the Pain loses his magnifying glass to a fifth grade bully, the Great One comes to the rescue by jumping on the boy's back and demanding that he return it. When the youngsters talk about the event during dinner, Blume cleverly provides a subtle reminder by the parents that it is sometimes better to ask an adult for help than to fight a bully alone. Kate McInerney's reading brings the adventures to life, although as the chapters alternate between the thoughts of the two characters, it may take a few moments for listeners to determine which one is speaking. Having Blume narrate the last chapter as Fluzzy the cat is pretty cool. Teachers will want to use this story as a starting point for discussions about family values and bullying.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Gr 6–9—Lauren St. John's sequel (Dial, 2008) to The White Giraffe (Dial, 2007) continues the story of 11-year-old Martine who has found a home with her prickly grandmother on a game reserve in South Africa. She spends her days as an unpopular student with few friends and her evenings with her beloved white giraffe, Jemmy. Martine has "the gift" of communicating with animals. She is able to interpret their thoughts and wishes and they, in turn, protect her. When Martine takes a voyage with her class across the Indian Ocean to witness the amazing spectacle of a sardine run, the ship encounters rough seas and Martine and several classmates are thrown overboard. Dolphins miraculously save the children and they wind up on a mysterious deserted island where they must work together to save themselves and their dolphin friends. Adjoa Andoh does a fine job of interpreting the story, giving each character a unique voice. Although there are almost too many threads to the plot—adventure, survival, ecology, fantasy, coming-of-age—middle school students with an interest in any of the topics may enjoy it.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5–8—Laini Taylor's first title (Putnam, 2007) in this fantasy series brings to life a world of faeries and devils. Magpie Windwitch, a faerie dreamed to life by the Djinn Magruwen, was created to protect the faerie world from the greatest evil of all, the Blackbringer, whose sole purpose is to unmake the world. She previously recaptured many of the devils that the mannies had uncorked from their bottles found floating in the sea, but never before has she faced an enemy as evil and as formidable as the Blackbringer. With the help of her faithful flock of crow companions and a faerie prince, Pie sets off to trap this ancient evil and save the world. Davina Porter's outstanding narration transports listeners to a magical land where one small heroine can take on an immense darkness and triumph. Her high energy, perfect pitch performance makes this an especially enjoyable listening experience. Porter smoothly transitions between the various characters' voices, enhancing the uniqueness of each personality. A great addition to any middle/high school or public library with a large following of fantasy fans.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS

Gr 2–4—In Heather Dyer's light and humorous story (Chicken House, 2005), twins James and Amanda are awakened one night by the sound of a thunk on their roof that turns out to be a girl named Hillary clad only in a white dress and sporting huge wings. Entertaining adventures ensue as the twins strive to keep the curious angel out of trouble. Alison Reid's renderings of the clueless but caring adult characters are more successful than the voices of the twins and Hillary. An amusing high-interest chapter book for beginning readers.—Vicki Kwiatkowski, Makape Elementary School, Kaihua, HI

Gr 4–8—Couplets, blank verse, and prose bring children living in a medieval village in 1255 to life in this Newbery Medal-winning book (Candlewick, 2007) by Laura Amy Schlitz. Schlitz created these monologues for 23 characters, ranging in age between 10 and 15, to be performed by the students at the school where she is the librarian. A full cast of narrators do an exceptional job of distinguishing the different characters: the nephew of the Lord, a half-wit, a shepherdess, the blacksmith's daughter, a runaway villain, and others. Along the way, the host steps in and provides more in-depth explanations about topics such as pilgrimages, crusades, falconry, feudal land laws, and Jews in medieval society. The language is lyrical and the separate stories mesh to provide a rich picture of medieval life. Listeners will be drawn in and sympathize with the many different points of view that are offered. Robert Byrd's watercolor-tinted ink drawings add to the telling and will give teachers ideas for costumes. Youngsters who enjoy historical fiction will be enchanted. Drama, social studies, and English teachers will find multiple uses for this audio version. This performance breathes life into the print version and should be considered an essential purchase.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5–8—The third installment (Laura Geringer Books, 2008) in Peter Abraham's Echo Falls Mystery series is a bit slow to start, but soon develops into a riveting story that will have listeners guessing until the end. Ingrid, a 13-year-old amateur sleuth, discovers a body on her grandfather's farm while she is out snowshoeing with a friend. Her grandfather is arrested and charged with the murder, and Ingrid sets out to clear his name, even though the evidence is stacked against him. Julie Dretzin's clear and flowing narration remains calm even at the height of tension when Ingrid is locked in a closet, and her deep, smooth voice makes for easy listening. Those new to the series may be a bit confused about the grandfather's unusual relations with the community, but that should only entice them to the earlier, equally engrossing novels in which these problems are more fully explained.—Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ

Gr 4–7—Lyn Gardner's delightful fantasy adventure (David Fickling Books, 2007) combines many elements from classic fairy tales and heroic quest stories. Three sisters have been left on their own at their family's dilapidated estate after the death of their mother and the departure of their father. Aurora, the eldest, is steadfast and domestic; Storm, the middle child, is wild, wily, and headstrong; and Anything is sweet and talkative. The girls are forced to flee into the woods when evil Dr. DeWilde and his bloodthirsty pack of wolves arrive on their doorstep searching for a musical pipe with unknown magical powers that was left to Storm by her mother. In the woods, the sisters encounter a house made of sweets, a boy with two different colored eyes, and a diamond mine full of child slaves. Listeners will recognize elements from Sleeping Beauty, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Hansel and Gretel, and other stories in this thrilling tale full of courageous escapades. Phyllida Nash's lovely British accent is the perfect accompaniment to this entrancing, suspenseful story. Recommend it to fans of Shrek movies and retold fairy tale authors Donna Jo Napoli and Sarah Beth Durst.—Casey Rondini, East Windsor Middle School, CT

Gr 5–8—The fourth volume of the adventures of Tom Ward, 13-year-old apprentice to the Spook, takes them far from the comforts of home to the district of Pendle where three witch clans are threatening to join together to release the fiend, a force of unrelenting evil. Tom's family is held hostage by the dark forces, and he must make some serious choices in terms of whom to support in Joseph Delaney's novel (Greenwillow, 2008). Christopher Evan Welch keeps listeners on the edge of their seats as he creates the voices of Mistress Wurmalde and her accomplice, Tibb, two terrible forces of evil, and describes both their tortures and their promises of future despair for Tom and those he cares about. Welch's characterization of the secondary characters is masterful, and each is uniquely realized in terms of their quirks and strengths. An open-ended conclusion will leave listeners waiting for the next episode in this bone-chilling adventure.—Edie Ching, formerly St. Albans School, Washington, DC

PreS-Gr 2—In Michelle Knudsen's delightful picture book (Candlewick, 2006), Lion walks into the library one day and decides to stay for storytime. The librarian says that he may remain there and help maintain the library provided he obeys the rules and doesn't roar. When the librarian falls from a stool and is injured, the only way Lion can get help for her is to roar. Realizing that he has broken the rules, he leaves the library. Happily, he's fetched back and once again becomes a favored feature of the little library. Christine Marshall provides a beautifully modulated reading of this charming book, giving each character a distinct voice. Less successful are the sound effects that are very faint even when the volume is turned up high. Track one features page-turn signals. Be sure to have the book available so listeners can peruse Kevin Hawkes's wonderful acrylic-and-pencil illustrations that are integral to the telling. A fine choice for storytimes.—B. Allison Gray, Palmdale City Library, CA

Gr 3–5—Jack and Annie are back for two adventures in Mary Pope Osborne's popular "Magic Tree House" series. In Monday with a Mad Genius (Random, 2007), the youngsters travel to Renaissance Italy where meet artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci who shows them his notebooks filled with ideas for inventions. Jack and Annie learn about painting and using their imaginations, convince the artist not to give up on his inventions, and learn that curiosity is one of the secrets of happiness. In Dark Day in the Deep Sea (Random, 2008), Jack and Annie travel aboard a 19th-century British sailing ship with scientists who are collecting specimens of the world's plants and animals. When a violent storm sweeps the pair overboard, they are rescued by a giant octopus. The children must convince the scientists not to capture the creature for scientific research. These stories provide wonderful lessons in character building. In both stories, the children learn that happiness can be found by following your dreams and showing compassion towards all living creatures. There are numerous opportunities for cross-curricular studies. Team Monday with a unit on inventions, the Renaissance, or art history. Introduce units on oceans or world explorers with Dark Day. The omission of the books' prologue and author's notes on the audio is regrettable. Osborne is a capable narrator, capturing the innocence and wonder of Jack and Annie. An excellent purchase for elementary grade audio collections.—Connie M. Pierce, Falling Water Elementary School, Chattanooga, TN

K-Gr 5—In this delightful collection of poetry (Greenwillow, 2008) by the country's first-ever poet laureate for children, Jack Prelutsky, all the zany rhymes, alliteration, and exuberant silliness have been set to toe-tapping music played on a variety of instruments and performed by the author. With more than 100 poems sung by Prelutsky as well as original songs written and performed by the author, listeners will want to hear these silly selections again and again. Make sure to have the book available so listeners can enjoy James Stevenson's amusing illustrations.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 5–8—Krista Sutton's dramatic narrative style adds life to this slight mystery (Viking, 2008) by Susan Runholt. Fourteen-year-old friends Kari and Lucas are budding artists who like to travel. When they witness the same man copying two Rembrandts on different continents, they are convinced it is more than a coincidence. Using silly disguises and not-so-subtle investigations, they set out to learn what he is up to and soon find themselves in danger. Sutton's tone and inflections capture just the right teenage attitude, adding some believability to somewhat artificial dialogue. This easy-read mystery, devoid of violence, will be enjoyed by reluctant readers.—Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ

Gr 5–9—Dylan is proud to be the Boy Scout troop's Patrol Leader, and he is ready for their camping trip. Joining the troop for the first time is Louie, a troubled boy with a history, including a prior scuffle with Dylan, who is sure Louie's presence will "pollute the troop." The troop sets up camp in the shadow of the Oy'u Kapukapu volcano believed to be the home of the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele. She has been known to appear as a small white dog, and when Dylan sees her, it is the foreshadowing of trouble. Before daybreak, a strong earthquake strikes, followed by a tsunami that swallows their campsite. Dylan and Louie must lay aside their resentment and rivalry to help rescue others. Graham Salisbury's haunting tale (Wendy Lamb, 2007) is steeped in Hawaiian legend. Through his detailed writing, listeners experience the devastation that engulfed the troop, from bodies baking in the scorching sun to their fear as the tsunami revealed its power. Author notes at the end of the novel provide information about some of the story's details that are based on actual events, including a first-hand account from a survivor. Robert Ramirez superbly provides different voices for an entire male cast, and he is particularly successful with Dylan's American and Louie's Hawaiian dialect. A wonderful addition to historical fiction collections, especially those geared toward middle school boys.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

Gr 6–9—Ever since her father's death, Hildy Biddle has been trying to follow in his footsteps as a journalist for her high school newspaper, The Core. While trying to uncover what's really going on at the old Ludlow house, Hildy stumbles on a twisted plot with life-altering implications for her family and their apple-growing neighbors. The plot thickens when a dead body is discovered in the orchard of the supposedly haunted house. Mass hysteria is fed to the townspeople via Pen Piedmont and the local newspaper. Hildy and her co-reporters are guided to reveal the truth behind all of the strange occurrences by a washed-up New York journalist with a penchant for maintaining a high level of integrity and truth in reporting. The Core is shut down when Hildy and her friends ask too many pointed questions and are threatened with a lawsuit. Realizing the danger to her community of a corporate takeover, Hildy rallies her friends to fight for their small town and is encouraged by a Polish immigrant experienced with social uprisings and underground reporting to start an underground newspaper, The Peel. Joan Bauer's exciting novel (Putnam, 2008) features strong female characters, a haunted house, a fake psychic, and a crooked newspaper editor, all served up with a humorous dose of apple metaphors. Kathe Mazur's narration convincingly captures the wide range of characters, from the strong yet unsure Hildy to the gruff Polton.—Beverly S. Almond, East Lee Middle School, Sanford, NC

Gr 4–7—Jeanne Birdsall's second book (Knopf, 2008) about the Penderwick family is even better than her first, the National Book Award-winning The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (Knopf, 2005). The story begins as the four daughters return home to begin a normal school year. Much to their surprise, they find that their aunt has given their father a letter from their mother who died three years ago. In the letter, she begs him to continue on with his life, date, marry, and have a happy family life. The oldest daughter, Rosalind, hatches the "Save Daddy Plan" since she is determined never to have a replacement for her late mother. Of course, plans have a way of going awry and father has a few plans of his own. In the meantime, the sisters have their own problems. What will happen to Rosalind's relationship with her neighbor Tommy? Sisters Skye and Jane have homework and school disasters, and youngest sister Batty goes on a secret spy mission. Susan Denaker's narration creates a pace that's soothing but never boring. Listeners will relate to the well-drawn, charming characters. Birdsall plans at least three more installments to this series.—Linda Steele, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City

Gr 7–10—A vivid French Revolution setting is created by Sally Gardner in this novel (Dial, 2008) that combines history with a fantasy element involving the hero's extrasensory abilities to read minds and to move objects. Yann Margoza, a 14-year-old Gypsy boy, has been raised by a dwarf to work in magic shows. On a fateful night as the story opens, Yann and his mentor narrowly escape with their lives from the home of a French aristocrat who inexplicably hates and mistreats his only daughter, Sido. Their desperate meeting makes a lasting impression on both young people. A sinister count seems to preside threateningly over everything, yet Yann has no time to figure out what is going on. Clues surface throughout the story to tie Count Kalliovsky to Yann's own past, to Sido, and to a string of gruesome killings connected by the appearance of a red necklace at each death scene. Yann is sent to live in hiding in England, and eventually returns to France to rescue Sido. Carrington MacDuffie provides a stellar narration. Her French accent is convincing, from the voice of a dwarf to the speech of aristocrats, ruffians, and revolutionaries. She portrays the British speakers with equal skill. The combination of voice and action paints a convincing Revolutionary scene. Fans of historical fiction will be enthralled and, despite the novel's fantasy elements, it offers many parallels to Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities and could serve as a modern tie-in to the French Revolution in literature classes.—Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, Painted Post NY

Gr 7 Up—Kathleen Duey's first book (Atheneum, 2007) in a planned trilogy uses alternating chapters to tell two connected stories. Sadima's tale, told from a third person point of view, is about a young girl who understands the thoughts of animals and responds to them. She must keep this gift a secret because she lives in an age when magic is illegal. When she is grown, she leaves the farm where she was born and seeks out a young man named Franklin who is living with Somiss, a crazed nobleman who wants to restore magic to the world. Alternately, Hahp's story is told in the first person. He is the despised son of a rich man and has been exiled to an underground school for wizards where he and the other inmates are abused and starved until they learn to magically make their own food and memorize long passages of folk songs. Hahp's tale takes place later than Sadima's, but the two stories are connected. Somiss and Franklin are the leading wizards in this later episode. Listeners are left to wonder what has happened to Sadima in the interim between the two stories. Both narratives end with questions that will be resolved in subsequent volumes. Andy Paris's youthful voice brings these parallel tales to life in an outstanding performance, easily moving from one character to another. This novel is a good opener for discussions about the abuses of power and victim mentality and a fine choice for young adult fantasy fans.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS

Gr 7 Up—The Bond Team—Ben, Lori, Jake, Eddie, Cally, and Bex—return in this sixth installment (Atom Books, pap. 2003) of A.J. Butcher's futuristic series. A new twist is added as Ben and Lori's relationship dissolves and jealousy ensues with the budding romance between Lori and Jake. The action takes place at the Temple of Transformation where fresh "disciples" are offered hope and new life. But after the death of a friend, the Bond Team discovers that life is offered through a scientific breakthrough called Life Transference Technology, but only to the highest bidders. Each elderly winner is placed into a Life Force Transfer unit, with a young disciple in a connecting unit. With the press of a button, the Transfer—soul stealing—takes place and the youth and vitality of the young person is transferred to the withered, fragile body. The Bond Team thwarts the Temple's evil mission with the help of high-tech shock blasters, pulse rifles, sky bikes, and cool James Bond-like gadgets. While Sean Mangan offers little voice variation among characters, he successfully presents the thoughts and emotions of each personality, and his timing and vocal inflections during the humorous moments are perfect. This fast-paced, action-packed adventure is full of fun, cool gadgets, intrigue, and humor.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

Gr 8 Up—Walter Dean Myers tells a compelling story (Scholastic, 2008) about the Iraq War from the perspective of a young Civil Affairs soldier. Robin Perry, nephew of Richie (the main character from Myers's earlier book, Fallen Angels) heads to war full of vigor and hope to defend his country and prove to his parents that he is a man in his own right. The realities of war soon hit home, and Robin, known as "Birdy" to his unit, begins to wonder who his enemies really are in the war. He can't seem to see them in the faces of the women or children he meets along the way. He does, however, see their shadowy visages in the deaths and injuries his unit faces from roadside bombs and sniper attacks. Beautifully told to interest teens in the truths of war, without going into excessively violent or graphic detail, this wonderful book is enhanced by JD Jackson's superb reading. He conveys the emotional depth of the character with ease, drawing listeners into "Birdy's" doubts and fears and tugging them along into his heart palpitating near misses. The brilliance of the book is the balance of these moments with those that allow the young man and his team to relax, really connect with people, and grow into true heroes. An excellent book and an even better audiobook.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Gr 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Elisa is smart, motivated, and a loner. Her social life consists of ghostwriting love notes for guys at school, while her home life centers around missing her sympathetic father who is away on seemingly endless business trips and teaching herself to figure skate. Beth Kephart's novel (HarperTeen, 2007) offers a complete and satisfying portrait of a quiet girl learning to play to her own strengths while accepting feedback from significant others in her life, including each of her parents, her sister, her favorite teacher, and her peers. Jennifer Ikeda reads the novel without dramatization—except for a surprisingly beautiful snippet of song in the fourth hour of the recording—and sometimes without appropriate care, as when pronunciations make words indistinguishable and threaten to garble the text (such as "color" for "collar"). The production is also marred by disconcertingly long pauses between chapters and lots of breathing noises. This workman-like production won't win fans to the audiobook format, but Kephart's story and Ikeda's voice are strong enough to sustain listeners interested in stories about girls coping gracefully under pressure.—Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia, Canada

PreS-Gr 3—Early childhood musician Bobby Susser has packaged another themed collection of 12 original tunes. A brief ballad, "We're Never Far from Home," leads into the title cut, an up-tempo, pop tune with a positive message about home and family. Among the other songs are "My Room" (celebrating the comfort that can be found there), "We Are Like One" (an upbeat tribute to friends and the support they provide), "Grandma's Eyes" (a honky-tonk tune about seeing Grandma), and "Just Because We're Small" (an upbeat song of encouragement). While most of the songs focus on young children, "70 (Bringin' It Home to You)" will have a wider family appeal with its perspective of an old man remembering his youth. Although the lyrics are a bit idyllic, Susser believes that many kids need a respite from the realities of our world. Most of the songs feature synthesizers and a strong beat. Lyrics and song extension activities are included in the liner notes. These tunes have enough repetition and are easy to learn, making them a solid choice to use with preschoolers—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

K-Gr 3—The songs in this musical adventure were written by Aunty K (Ada Washington) and are performed by numerous singers; Aunty K sings two of them. Seventeen of the songs include vocals and 10 are instrumental versions of the previously performed pieces. They are performed in a variety of styles including rock n' roll, doo-wop, jazz, and calypso; a full cast performs many of them. The narrator tells the story of Aunty K who travels the world with a group of friends. In Pigsburgh, they meet Palmer, Polly, and Pigszy Pig and have a series of adventures loosely based on the classic tale, "The Three Little Pigs." Among the songs are "Do the Very Best That You Can Do," performed by Aunty K, and "Ain't Gonna Eat No Pigs No Mo," performed by the Woolly Wolf. The songs convey positive messages about facing your fears and always doing your best. An additional purchase for public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

K-Gr 4—Singer/songwriter Katie O'Sullivan and her partner, Steve Borne, once again don their alternate personalities—Princess Katie and Racer Steve—to entertain with ten original songs that cover topics from the holidays to hide and seek to sharing. Each fun, upbeat song features lyrics that are spot on and teaches an important lesson. For example, "Looking for Trouble" is about the importance of being kind to your siblings, and "We Dress Ourselves" celebrates the joy children experience when picking out their own clothing. This excellent album spotlights a wonderful variety of musical styles including reggae, big band, and rock n' roll. Katie's voice is rich and cabaret ready with comparisons to Natalie Merchant being inevitable. Four skits interspersed among the songs are cute and stand alone nicely, but they would have worked even better if they were used as segues into the songs. Princess Katie and Racer Steve are performers that every child and parent should get to know. This fantastic album is a must-have for every children's collection.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2—Hot Peas 'n Butter was founded by Danny Lapidus and Francisco Cotto on the premise that you can reach kids through music without lowering musical standards, and they prove it on their fourth album. The band has been featured on Sirius and XM Satellite Radio, Noggin, and Nickelodeon. This rousing, toe-tapping album features four traditional and nine original songs, several of which are bilingual (English/Spanish), in a variety of musical styles such as cha cha, blues, jazz, folk, and pop rock. Legendary cuatro player, Yomo Toro, contributes his musical talents along with Mike Stern on guitar, and others on bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, bongos, tenor sax, and piano. "Hey Mike! (Conversation with a Guitar)" is a unique call and response song with the children's chorus calling and the rock guitar wailing a response. Other songs include "Somos Familia," "Different Spokes for Different Folks," "Ocho Candelikas," "Jam House Blues," among others. A treat for the whole family.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS—Barbara K. Silberg (Mrs. Music) presents three traditional and nine original lullabies and "rock-a-byes in a number of musical styles, including folk, classical, jazz, blues, and Broadway. These beautiful melodies and harmonies are accompanied by excellent instrumentals, including piano, strings, xylophone, and banjo. The West LA Children's Choir, which is directed by Silberg, add their wonderful voices to those of the guest soloists—Helen Henderson and Rachel Forer. "All the Pretty Horses," "All Through the Night," "What'll I Do with the Baby-O," "Rocking the Night Away," "Somos Sus Hijos" (bilingual), and "Baby Sister Blues" are some of the album's offerings. A welcome addition to lullaby collections.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Recess Monkey, the Seattle-based group, pays homage to The Beatles in their latest release. While delivering their messages for kids, the group includes reminders of The Beatles in many of the 17 songs. "Birthday Bite" (about eating birthday cake) has a bridge solo that sounds like Paul McCartney. "Pedal Power" celebrates bicycle riding and includes a riff from the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)." "S-L-EE-P-over," a country-flavored tune, is reminiscent of many Ringo Starr songs, while "Kitty Sister," a middle-of-the-road rock song that complains about a cat, showcases John Lennon-like guitar licks. Other topics covered include monsters of all sorts ("Under My Bed," "My Yeti's So Cool," "Messy Nessie," and "Boogie Monster"), eating broccoli ("Green Monster), and justice for wrong-doings ("Robin"). On a serious note, the ballad "KC in the Clouds" deals with the death of a friend. This excellent family-friendly album is well arranged and nicely paced.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH