Multimedia Review

Gr 1–6—Art teacher Donna Hugh helps children explore the many facets of collage art. Emphasizing individuality and personal choice, she walks viewers through a series of lessons with easy-to-follow instructions. While each lesson builds on the previous ones, most viewers will not have any trouble starting with one of the later lessons in the series. Hugh works in commentary on art principles and design techniques as she goes, explaining vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to younger students. She emphasizes the intuitive nature of art, giving viewers specific instructions while encouraging them to use their own artistic sense to make their creations unique. Her conversational style, though slightly rambling at times, will put less confident students at ease. Newspaper, colored paper, tissue paper, buttons, twigs, feathers, and cotton are some of the materials used to create these collages. While the artist mentions the necessary supplies as she goes along, the inclusion of a list of items before each lesson begins would have been helpful. These basic lessons will be enjoyed in the classroom or at home.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY

Gr 6 Up—Sharyn Pak offers an excellent introductory lesson in the craft of melt-and-pour soapmaking, a quick and safe method for creating a variety of soaps. The step-by-step instructions for each of the 13 projects are easy to understand, and the chapters are arranged from easiest to most difficult projects. Pak includes tips and suggestions to help make the crafting experience enjoyable, safe, and productive. Oatmeal, moisturizing, scented, and decorative are some of the types of soaps made. A list of materials and tools (microwave, measuring cup, knife, plastic molds, green tea, oatmeal, shea butter, lavender, etc.) and soap recipes are included in the "Special Features" segment. This excellent, creative demonstration of soapmaking techniques would be suitable for classes, crafting clubs, or at-home use.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Cartersville, GA

Gr 9 Up—Viewers learn how companies use the marketing mix (4 P's) to their advantage in this well-constructed program. A female narrator describes the 4 P's of marketing—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—and introduces the idea of a 5th P—People. Specific examples are cited throughout the film such as the 3M Company's Post-It Notes, the Apple iPhone, Dell Computers, and Charmin bath tissue. Additionally, marketing research, product positioning, branding, and new technology are all tied in to the success of the 4 P's. Throughout the program, there is live-action footage of actors participating in marketing research and shopping for/using products which are mentioned in the narration; definitions and key phrases also appear on the screen. The excellent online teacher's guide includes an overview of the entire program, highlighting key words, definitions, and quotes. It also includes questions for discussion, a suggested activity and research project, a fill-in-the-blank worksheet, a multiple choice worksheet, and a quiz. Business and economics classes can use this extremely well-produced production as a starting point for teaching how companies strategize to get their products in the hands of consumers.—Lindsay Mandell, Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Carlos and his buggy friends are back in these value driven short stories. The residents of Molgan are celebrating and Carlos's school has been asked to have the students work together to make a float for the upcoming parade. When Sluggy appeals to each bug's selfish and vain side, teamwork turns to competition and everything falls apart. Bright, colorful, 3D computer animation is accompanied by an easy-to-follow story line and likeable characters. Available with English and Spanish audio tracks and optional subtitles in both languages. Recommended to fans of Nickelodeon's Dora.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

Gr 7 Up—Focusing on conflict resolution and communication skills, a small group of teens discuss recent conflicts that they have faced with a trained conflict resolution workshop leader in a classroom setting. They explain how the controversy was handled and how the other person reacted to their actions and words. Typical ways of handling these problems included avoidance, confrontation, and communication attempts. Another way to handle conflict as presented by the facilitator is the use of "I" messages. The workshop participants were taught to use this sentence to open up discussion: "I feel (emotion) when (action or words said) because (unexpected result)." By applying this message to the conflict they previously discussed, the teens learn how the outcome could have been different. The conflicts that the teens discuss are fairly minor, such as being stood up by a friend and a friend backing out on a promise to drive a group of teens to the lake. However, the advice given here could also be applied to more serious situations. The production quality is good, although the quick camera movements from student to student are a bit jarring at times. A great program to open discussions about conflict resolution among students and a useful tool to help train teachers who are conducting similar workshops.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Gr 7 Up—A school building full of teens is a ready made venue for confrontations. This program suggests that these types of relationship problems may be solved effectively through peer mediation rather than by being disciplined by the school administration. Offering viewers a fly-on-the-wall view, two teen mediators (Sarah and Ben), preside over a session between two boys who have gotten into a fight in the cafeteria. The tension is palpable between the diverse pair who have exchanged words and turf issues in recent days. Sarah and Ben explain their role, the ground rules, and the goal to find a resolution to the problem. As the session proceeds, graphics appear at the bottom of the screen identifying the strategy of the mediators, such as, "clarify emotions," "ask about history," or "stop if it gets out of control." Careful to be nonjudgmental, the mediators try to identify the problem, in this case a feeling of lack of respect between the boys, and ask them for a possible solution. Identifying the obstacles is followed by a written agreement with solutions suggested by the two boys, such as "no staring in the hallway," and "no put downs." This convincing presentation is short enough to be effective in retaining the components of a mediation session, and will be invaluable for counselors as a training tool for implementing a peer mediation program for students.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up—This heartfelt, fast-moving, and fully multicultural documentary explores the many ways that societal expectations about gender affect teens' daily lives. In clips that are substantive but still short enough to keep the film moving, 52 teens of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, geographic locations within the U.S., sexual orientations, gender identities, and subcultures discuss dating, fashion, athletics, body image, stereotypes, interpersonal relations, and more. The young people are shown in various settings, including the classroom, an athletic clothing store, a memorial garden, a ballet studio, and a high school gym. When they speak directly to the camera, illustrative and often humorous visuals enliven the screen, guided by the teens' words. For example, when they discuss cultural messages about how men are supposed to look, a rapid succession of iconic men appear and disappear—army figurines, the hand-drawn outline of a bodybuilder, WWE wrestlers, a tattooed gangster, and a hulked-out Dragon Ball Z character. Refreshingly, the filmmakers never editorialize and never assign labels to their subjects, instead letting the ways that the subjects identify themselves—or don't—emerge naturally. The teens' words, which sometimes support each other and sometimes disagree wildly, offer a variety of starting points for debate. An honest, smart, respectful, and nearly comprehensive treatment of gender in teens' lives with the potential to inspire nuanced, spirited conversations—Megan Honig, New York Public Library, NY

Gr 4–8—For students who love animals and aspire to work with them in some capacity, this DVD offers information and advice from on-the-job veterinarians, zoo keepers, and wildlife experts. The first segment visits a vet who demonstrates how she examines animals, explains the procedure of spaying or neutering, and discusses the challenges of working with animals. Next viewers meet a veterinary school administrator and students who talk about the curriculum and the amount of work involved in obtaining the degree. The next stop is the Los Angeles zoo, where we meet keepers of hoofed animals, giraffes, great apes, and koalas. They discuss their work and offer advice to those who hope to work in a zoo. Finally, animal experts in the Upper Mountain Wildlife Refuge, home to endangered California condors, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography provide a wealth of fascinating information about their jobs and the animals they are helping. For example, a marine vet talks about plankton and shows viewers sharks, a crab who just shed his shell, and some strikingly beautiful starfish. He explains how starfish eat and digest their food. Some of the demonstrations, such as the operating room footage, may be too graphic for some viewers, but may intrigue those with a genuine interest in a career with animals. Bonus features are extended versions of the veterinarian and vet school segments. A fascinating firlm for students interested in a career working with animals.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 9 Up—Produced by young adults, this film covers HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission as well as safer sex practices. Testimony from youth who have contracted HIV or have been diagnosed with AIDS is interspersed with instruction from young health educators about risk reduction. Fitting both male and female condoms is demonstrated on plastic models. Small groups of teens are shown casually browsing and selecting condoms in a pharmacy. HIV testing is recommended. In a classroom setting, a teacher discusses HIV information and misinformation with a group of teens. No risk, low risk, and high risk activities are discussed candidly. Although the ethnic and socio-economic groups that contract HIV in disproportionate numbers are mentioned, the statement "It's not who you are, but what you do that puts you at risk" is emphasized. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth are featured prominently in the film and issues and risks specific to them are covered. Animation shows how the HIV virus harms the body by entering a human T-cell and duplicating itself. The absence of alternative HIV prevention techniques other than condom use may be explained by the fact that the film was produced through a partnership called Condom Sense: A Real Life Education. Bonus segments include the biology of HIV, how to use a condom, and how to get tested for HIV. For high school health classes and teen centers.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Gr 7 Up—Both devotees and those who are new to Emily Brontë's classic tale of gothic star-crossed love and obsession will be captivated by this lush and dark adaptation. Cathy and Heathcliff are tormented lovers torn apart by convention and deceit, leaving a tangled legacy of hatred and love. In her television debut performance, Charlotte Riley embodies Cathy with an uncommon beauty and fiery deposition. Tom Hardy is appropriately brooding, if a bit wooden, as Heathcliff, her adopted brother with whom she falls in love. An excellent supporting cast includes Burn Gorman as Hindley, Cathy's snobbish older brother who despises Heathcliff, and Sarah Lancashire as the servant Nelly, who sees the whole thing happening and is helpless to stop it. Three tastefully shot consummation scenes (no nudity) define relationships and keep the heat on high. Set and filmed in the lush moorlands of Yorkshire, the scenery is startling, desolate, and beautiful. There is a bonus "Behind the Scenes" featurette about the filming; two introductions provided by actress Laura Linney give brief biographical background on Brontë as well as reaction to the first publication of the "shocking" novel in 1847. A teacher's guide and further behind the scenes information is available online at pbs.org. A worthy purchase for both public and high school libraries.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 3–6—Cool characters help students understand the basic rules and the practical uses of division, all with great fun and a catchy beat. D.J. Doc Roc and a cast of animated animals first introduce the concepts of division, then use music to drill the math facts. The relationship between multiplication and division is reinforced, the parts of a division problem are identified, and remainders and long division are explained. It is interesting that long division is used in the section about remainders, then is "introduced" in the next section. Between each short lesson, practical word-story problems reinforce the concepts and help students relate what they have learned to real-life situations. "Division Drill" consists of nine raps with catchy titles such as "Eight the Whole Thing" and "Let's Split" in which students are challenged to solve problems before hearing the answer. The animations are fun, the characters and backgrounds are colorful, and the concepts are clearly explained. The DVD can be viewed in its entirety, or a specific concept or drill can be selected from the menu. Visual and auditory learners will appreciate the reinforcement and clear explanations. Accompanying worksheets are available at worksheets-for-math.com. While the cute animations may be considered childish by older users, the repetition and explanations are sure to help students master the concepts.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 7 Up—This film attempts to answer three main questions: What is religion? How does it reflect the cultures in which it exists? What functions does it serve? Most of the information is very general and a lot of time is spent defining key terms. Much of the live-action footage is stunning. Comments by Rev. Dirk Ficca, Executive Director of the Parliament of World's Religions, an organization founded in 1983 to promote harmony among religions, are interspersed between the definitions and portraits of religious artifacts, places, and activities. The DVD concludes with a review. While examples are given from each of the main world religions and the presentation is unbiased, there is a trace of underlying condescension in the tone of the narrative that hints at religion being a belief in the mythological or supernatural and a crutch for people which may offend some viewers. An adequate general introduction to the commonalities of world religions.—Janet Hilbun, College of Information, University of North Texas, Denton

K-Gr 3—The members of the great ape family are introduced in this book (Candlewick, 2007) by Martin Jenkins, a conservation biologist. Vicky White's naturalistic pencil-and-oil illustrations are scanned iconographically and complement Martin's spare yet always informative text which is read by Matthew Dyer. Original music with an African beat enhances the telling. The illustrations show the featured animal in color, while backgrounds and other details are done in black and white, making the focus of each picture pop. Basic facts about the daily life of the orangutan, chimpanzee, bonobo, and gorilla are given. The fifth member of the great ape family—humans—is also presented. Similarities and differences are examined. Habitat, range maps, populations, and interesting facts are given for each ape. This is a short, but fascinating introduction to the subject, with a clear environmental message.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 9 Up—Viewers journey into the subterranean passages beneath Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana where the focus is almost exclusively on the fauna that reside in the caves, from bats to bacteria to blind cave fish. Distinctions are drawn between animals that live in the caves for their entire lives and those that merely visit for a time. In interviews, cave biologists discuss the adaptations that allow animals to thrive in the cave environment, the mutualism that permits them to survive in an environment that has fewer apparent resources than a desert, and other key scientific concepts. The production values are topnotch, with evocative music and clear visuals. Some terms related to cave formation may have to be explained to students. This informative film presents the cave ecosystem as a microcosm of a larger ecosystem and will be of value for classes studying animal science and ecosystems.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 7–9—Video camcorders record the daily activities of three consumers—an 11th grader, a college freshman, and a new homeowner—while experts at an unnamed think tank analyze the effects of their choices on the environment. With generic music filling the background, many facts and figures are presented by a male narrator who points out both the negative and positive actions of these individuals. The production is divided into sections covering topics such as conserving energy, conserving water, reading green labels, toxic trash, and recycling. Visuals representing energy use are interesting but fleeting. Some contradictions arise such as the fact that most recycled plastic winds up in landfill rather than being re-used alongside the recommendation that all plastic be recycled. The usual suggestions for conserving resources abound, such as turning off faucets, fixing drips, using mass transit, and unplugging unused appliances and computers. A few more unusual suggestions like buying clothes secondhand, composting waste, and being frugal with pens are also mentioned. Although the subject is import, the lack of any humor and the droning voice of the narrator limits the use of this production.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity-Pawling School, NY

Gr 3–5—Students learn about various fossils, their formation, and different types of preservation including petrification, molds, casts, tar pit preservation, and amber fossilizations, among others. The ways in which we use fossils in our daily lives, such as in fossil fuels and the limestone in cement is discussed. The visual images are mostly still photos, with some panning to add interest. Simple animation shows how animals are buried by sediment, and how molds and casts are formed. The few action scenes merely show cars on the road, gas being pumped into a car, cement being poured, and a paleontologist splitting a sedimentary rock to look for fossils. This scientist is shown performing the same task six times without explanation. When discussing animal remains found in ice, a cartoon image is shown rather than an actual photo of a frozen mammoth. The program has four "You Compare/Decide/Predict" elements that allow students to answer questions. Also included are pre- and post-tests, worksheets, activities on fossil formation, and a page of information about Fossil Butte National Monument in Wyoming.—Melody Philbrick, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs, CO

Gr 9 Up—Photojournalist James Balog and the Extreme Ice Survey team travel the globe to document melting glaciers and polar ice caps so that scientists can utilize the photographs to study this geological phenomenon that is changing the Earth. The three-year study utilizes 26 time-lapse cameras to provide frame-by-frame documentation of ice melt, calving, and other environmental occurrences. Scientists, both men and women, are shown working with the latest equipment and computer technology in labs and in the field to learn why glaciers are disappearing so quickly. It is predicted that sea levels will rise three feet by 2100. This will have tremendous global impact, obliterating some island nations and displacing millions of people in countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. Spectacular film footage and stunning still photographs highlight the narration. The film can easily be divided into four segments to allow for discussion or additional explanation by teachers. This classroom-friendly, notable addition to all environmental collections covers a topic which will be familiar to students, and especially to those who have viewed Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth (climatecrisis.net), and can be utilized in science, geography, social issues, and photography classes.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 9 Up—Hosted by David Suzuki, this program seeks to make viewers aware of the steps being taken to conserve wildlife in Kenya, a nation that is particularly rich in biodiversity. As Kenya's human population booms, there is a great demand for the resources that once belonged to wildlife. Poachers, seeking ivory or wild game meat, have thinned the population of wildlife, but this film shows that the rate of poaching is slowing down as a result of government legislation, using the economy to depress the prices of ivory and other products, setting aside land for national parks, and the growth of ecologically sound tourism. An indigenous pastoral group, the Maasai, demonstrate how their culture has adapted to meet the needs of the wildlife and how they are able to profit through conservation. The production values are very good. The director went to great lengths to interview people on both sides of the issues, including conservationists and Maasai herders. While images of wild animals being slaughtered by poachers may disturb some viewers, this program is a worthy addition to African studies and conservation collections.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 9 Up—This program examines a new hypothesis to explain why large mammals such as the wooly mammoth and saber-toothed tiger disappeared from the earth 13,000 years ago. Scientists from a variety of fields, including archeology and geology, explain their research, much of it gathered from painstaking study of specimens gathered in the field. The new theory suggests that the large mammals were destroyed by a massive cosmic impact that hit the Earth. Studying ancient dirt and glaciers that reveal nanodiamonds which are evidence of extraterrestrial impact, scientists believe that a comet broke apart before hitting Earth. Two other theories are described as well: these giant mammals were killed by humans, who were early hunters, or by climate change. Scientists explain all three theories. A highlight of the program is seeing the scientists make such an important discovery that confirms a lifetime of study. Science and anthropology classes can utilize this excellent film as a springboard to further research and lively debate.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 3–5—Beautiful video filmed at the Galapagos Islands, the Canadian Rockies, the Mojave Desert, and Florida's Everglades joins with clear explanations to introduce the characteristics common to living things. The program begins by explaining the attributes of living things—cells, movement, growth and development, and reproduction—and then covers basic needs such living space, food and water, air, and proper temperature. Terms such as metabolism, reproduction, homeostasis, and photosynthesis are explained. The teacher's guide provides solid resources that include National Standards correlations, objectives, pre- and post- assessments, vocabulary, and additional activities that cover animal and plant needs, human needs, and habitats. An excellent introduction to the topic.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Gr 9 Up—Concentrating on the waters of Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay as examples of worldwide environmental crises, this disturbing program, narrated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Frontline correspondent Hedrick Smith, investigates the ongoing poisoning of America's waters 30 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act. The threat of losing these and other vital wetland areas to pollution, environmental degradation, and large scale commercial development is significant. The question of whether man can co-exist with nature is at the base of the many studies cited. Examples of the numerous species of wildlife showing symptoms of profound distress also suggests that what is killing these animals in water will also kill people. The effects of factory farming, in particular chicken husbandry, and the government lobbies working to thwart restrictions on the environmental effects of the manufacture of such meat products is carefully analyzed and discussed. The research is rigorous and the presentation is straightforward and thought-provoking. The dire consequences of inaction are presented. Students studying environmental science and ecology would benefit from viewing this outstanding film.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity-Pawling School, NY

PreS-Gr 3—This live-action, musical approach to family-friendly programming introduces Professor Crunch, his assistant Chloe, and his friend Urchin. When Urchin plays around with the lab equipment, he inadvertently brings the Daffies across dimensions and into the lab. How are they going to get them home again? In the first segment, the characters are introduced and viewers learn about the four dimensions, scientific taxonomy, and how scientific words are formed. The importance of scientific organization and methodology is stressed. The second episode focuses on astronomy as the Daffies are introduced to the sun, the moon, and the solar system. The demotion of Pluto is briefly explained. Gravity, day and night, and the history of the telescope is explained. In both episodes there's plenty of repetition, lots of fun songs, and an emphasis on the value of exploration, questioning, and imagination. Urchin and the Daffies are brightly-colored puppets while the Professor and his assistant are humans. Bonus features include interviews with the puppeteers and main characters, a gravity experiment, and outtakes. This fun program is entertaining and includes some basic scientific information. While most appropriate for home use, it could also be used to introduce primary science units on the featured topics.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 1–4—Robert Burleigh's picture book (Holt, 2008) of Lincoln's trip home for burial becomes more than one boy's interpretation of this tragic event with the addition of well-placed primary materials. It chronicles the 13-day journey that took the deceased President from Washington, DC, to Springfield, Illinois, and the amazing reaction of the people along the route. The film uses some of Wendell Minor's touching gouache watercolor illustrations more than once as the text is read, and they are sometimes used out of sequence; sometimes a portion of an illustration is magnified to fill the screen as a separate image. This technique provides an even better impression of the dark prairie, dotted with bonfires and torches, and of the anticipation of the people as they gathered to wait at the tracks for one brief glimpse of the passing train. With the interjection of photographs of Lincoln, of the cities through which the train passed, and of the train itself, the production becomes more of an historical documentation of this tragic event and less of a personal view by one youngster. In an introduction, Burleigh gives historical background for the book, accompanied by photographs, and reveals his reasons for writing from the boy's perspective. Additional images of the assassination, maps of the train's route, and pictures of Lincoln and his family are shown as the afterword section is read. Although it is not read verbatim, the meaning is not at all compromised. The afterword is not included on the CD, and the "Interesting Facts" section from the back of the book is omitted from the film and audio versions. Kirby Ward's narration, and Bruce Zimmerman's soft and lilting music, adds to the text's warm, almost poetic quality. This lovely, touching picture book is even more wonderful on film.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 7 Up—October 1995 witnessed the landmark Million Man March in Washington, DC, which was intended to bring attention to the status of African-American men in our society. Organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the gathering continues to be a subject of debate because of his controversial political and societal messages. It was a significant day in our country's racial history. Glenn Towery and Linus Michael, two independent and obviously inexperienced filmmakers, loaded a hand-held camera with film and set out to share their singular experience at the March. The program begins as the pair prepares for their trip and then follows them through a variety of confusing interactions after reaching DC until the day of the March. There are rambling interviews with a number of apparently randomly selected attendees about their thoughts on the meaning of the rally. Unfortunately, they ran out of film as Farrakhan was speaking. The first-person narrative suffers from stilted, overly scripted, colloquialism-laden, and preachy narration and shaky video images. While the overall flavor of the Million Man March is captured to some extent, this is not a film for school audiences.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 10 Up—The ongoing search for the Northwest Passage through northern Canada was almost completed by the mid-19th century when veteran British explorer Sir John Franklin and his crew disappeared in the desolate area. A few years later, Dr. John Rae, an explorer, reported that the missing party had abandoned their ice-locked ships and eventually became the victims of madness and may have cannibalized one another in an effort to survive. This intriguing documentary details the events surrounding the Franklin expedition, Rae's search, and the fierce negative reaction to his report by Franklin's widow and others in England. Their attempt to sanitize the events provides an accurate but poignant example of how history can be distorted for political and personal reasons. Filmmaker John Walker creatively mixes the typical documentary technique with dramatic re-creations (both in rehearsals as well as actual screenplay footage) in order to reconstruct Franklin's gripping adventure tale and its aftermath. Particularly interesting are the contemporary interviews with the descendants of the native Inuit, who have incorporated Franklin's story into their cultural heritage. The DVD version offers a 25-chapter scene selection option for classroom use. A fascinating film for libraries with hefty budgets.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 7 Up—Consumer science teachers will welcome this biography of blue jeans. The history of this article of clothing begins with Levi Strauss who paid to patent Jacob Davis's pants design made with denim cloth. The film looks back at New England's textile industry and the invention of the zipper. Of special interest is the cultural phenomenon of jean wearers transitioning from working men in the California gold mine fields and cowboys of the Old West to World War II-era women like "Rosie the Riveter," and post-war teenagers. Various jean manufacturers and designers are also mentioned. The film is divided into chapters such as "Why Blue?" and "Belt Loops, Watch Pockets, and 501." The emphasis on the interaction between blue jeans and culture will spark discussions. The modern-day involvement of countries such as India and China in the manufacturing of jeans as well as the historical roots of denim in France highlight the international nature of this article of clothing. Clear and pleasant narration is accompanied by video clips and archival photos. Middle and high school consumer education and social studies classes will find this an interesting and useful film.—Sally Ray, Plano Senior High, TX

Gr 7 Up—With music and colorful scenes of urban and rural African communities, an overview of the nations that make up the western region of the continent of Africa is presented. The film provides some information about West Africa's lifestyles, music, mosques, the Niger River, Mali's Dogon culture, cities such as Dakar and Senegal, and more. The video is narrated with additional commentary by educators and tourists. A few still photos are interspersed with live-action footage. Colorfully dressed Africans are shown on the move by foot, bus, boat, and automobile. Other scenes show people working, cleaning, and playing. Cheerful background music accompanies the commentary and musicians are prominently featured. The narrator describes West Africa as a modern-day no-man's-land, but does not explain why. Wars that have plagued the region are mentioned, but the causes and results are not explored. This program is more of a travelogue than a history or geography lesson.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

PreS-Gr 3—Children with autism spectrum disorders are the targeted audience for this program, commissioned by the United Kingdom's Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and developed in conjunction with the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. It features animated trains and other vehicles with human faces. Many autistic children avoid people's faces, but are attracted to mechanical objects that move in predictable ways. They also tend to dislike human interaction because they are confused by facial expressions and have difficulty understanding the cause behind emotions. This non-threatening production is designed to teach children how to recognize emotions. There are 15 five-minute episodes focusing on emotions such as happy, sad, angry, excited, and jealous. The straightforward story line of each segment involves the interaction of several vehicles. For example, in "Nigel's Slow Day," a motor coach gets angry when he can't speed along and is forced to move slowly behind Barney (a tractor). Once he realizes that going slowly has its own advantages, Nigel's mood changes from angry to happy. The second part of the DVD contains interactive quizzes for each episode. The narration is well-paced, and each vehicle has a distinct voice. There are abundant close-ups of the vehicles' human faces. The producer indicates that the DVD was tested with a group of autistic children and, after one month, they showed improvement in recognizing emotions. A quality purchase.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

PreS-Gr 1—By putting on a fairy costume and using her imagination, Alice achieves temporary fairy status in this humorous tale (Blue Sky Press, 2004) by David Shannon. She turns her dad into a horse to ride and changes his cookies into her own to eat, and she pours fairy dust (sugar) onto oatmeal to turn it into cake. There are also many fairy-like things that she can't do, such as turning her bathwater into strawberry Jell-O or magically putting away her clothes. Despite these setbacks, Alice seems perfectly content to stay a temporary fairy forever. Shannon's cartoon-style art humorously illustrates Alice's active imagination. Kate Simses convincingly portrays all of Alice's childish enthusiasm and charm. Background music and sound effects enhance the telling. Track one includes fairy wand-like chimes as page-turn signals. A fun listen.—April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Gr 7 Up—Set in the mystical land of Tortall, Tamora Pierce's sequel (2009) to Terrier (2006, both Random), the second book in a planned trilogy, is set in the mystical land of Tortall. Seventeen-year-old Beka Cooper, a Dog (police officer) in the Provost's Guard, has established herself as an uncompromising cop, above the bribery and corruption that permeates the Lower City of Corus. Through her journal entries, Beka reveals how she discovers counterfeit silver coins flooding the city. She joins forces with her mentor, and travels undercover to the city of Port Caynn to discover the source. Shy, serious Beka must play the flirt to gather information. Danger, romance, and intrigue evolve very slowly. While Susan Denaker does a fine job as narrator, listeners may wish that the voices of the dozens of characters were more distinct. The plot suffers from a lack of excitement, so those new to the series might not be drawn in, but hardcore Pierce fans will enjoy this offering. Libraries circulating the audio version of the first book will definitely want to add this episode to their collections.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 9 Up—Melissa De la Cruz combines vampires and the Manhattan elite in the debut novel (Hyperion, 2006) in her series that is sure to appeal to fans of series such as Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, Ellen Schreiber's Vampire Kisses, and P. C. Cast's House of Nigh. Schuyler Van Allen and other privileged students attending the elite Duchesne School are vampires who are unaware of their heritage and don't know that they have been reincarnated throughout the ages. As the teenagers approach the age of 16, they each begin to experience changes: living dreams, unusual blue lines that cross their skin, increased strength, and a hunger for raw meat. As they begin to accept their heritage, the teens realize that something is out there trying to kill them—something that even the Blue Blood elders are too afraid to talk about. Narrator Christina Moore does an exceptional job of bringing the characters to life and using various accents. A must-buy for all teen collections.—Amy Olson, formerly Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 5–8—The first book (Aladdin, 2009) in a new fantasy series by P.W. Catanese features a compelling cast of characters. The tale unfolds as Happenstance opens his eyes to darkness, both physical and within his mind. Unaware of who he is, where he is, or what he's doing there, the boy encounters three people who are exploring the surrounding caves. Their leader, Lord Umber, records the world's wonders in his books, and has taken his two companions on a dangerous mission to hunt for giant worms that are supposed to inhabit the caves. In addition to a worm, they find the boy. The group must evacuate the caves before the giant worm catches them. Their narrow escape is just the beginning of new friendships, adventures, and danger. During their travels, Hap learns about the world around him and discovers that he has unique abilities. Lord Umber is also keeping secrets from those around him, and when the two make and share discoveries about themselves and each other, Hap begins to learn about his past and discern his purpose in life. Narrator Richard Poe does an excellent job voicing all the nuances of a caring, bewildered boy. Each character's voice is easily distinguished by tone and cadence. An excellent first title in the projected series.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Gr 8 Up—Poe Holly, a 16-year-old punk band member, is shipped from L.A. to suburban California to live with her estranged father while her "super doctor" mother goes off to help the poor of South America in this novel (Knopf, 2009) by Michael Harmon. Poe has to navigate many family secrets with her father, and it doesn't help that he's a guidance counselor at her new high school. Poe fashions herself as a bit of a rebel, and almost immediately clashes with her gym teacher, the principal, and the popular school bully. As the story of her early childhood unravels, Poe learns to pick her battles and watch her language as she tries to save her eccentric neighbor and fellow student, Velveeta, from dangerous bullying. Life in suburbia is not all bad, as Poe befriends Theo, the quirky son of the town's mayor. All of the adults have their blemishes, but they also come through in the end. Kim Mai Guest's portrayal of a teenager who possesses know-it-all certainty along with stark vulnerability is spot-on. An excellent choice for fans of novels by Chris Crutcher, Terry Trueman, and David Klass.—Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

Gr 8–11—Will Carter, nicknamed Carter, is a bundle of confusion as he begins high school. He's pretty sure his stutter will keep girls away and his ADD will make it difficult to be successfulcess in the classroom or where it really matters—on the ball field. But when his older sister gives him advice on how to pick up girls—and not embarrass her—Carter lands a date with Abby. He sweetly stumbles into romance and, of course, quickly screws it up. What makes this story so fresh is that Carter begins as a popular guy—he has friends, girls like him, and he's good at sports—but deep down he is insecure. Carter bumbles his way through the school year and into and out of one funny situation after another. Narrator Nick Podehl turns in a brilliant performance. He takes the humorous dialogue of first-time YA author Brent Crawford's story (Hyperion, 2009) and raises the bar to hilarious, using exaggeration, pauses, and pitch to great effect. Constant mild profanity, lots of locker-room humor, and Carter's fixation on sex make this a choice for older teens. Crawford has gotten it just right. Let's hope there is a sequel.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5–8—In the final installment (Little, Brown, 2009) of Patrick Carman's series, Edgar discovers a way to leave Atherton and journey to the dangerous and inhospitable Dark Planet to complete a mission left for him by his creator, Dr. Harding. Once there, Edgar meets the children of the Silo who are tormented by their captors and are sustained by stories of the legendary Maximus Harding and the dream of Atherton. Meanwhile, Samuel and Isabel have once again ventured inside Atherton trying to decode a tablet left by Dr. Harding to complete the final transformation. Jonathan Davis's well-paced and skilled narration takes listeners through the simultaneous adventures of Edgar on the Dark Planet and Samuel and Isabel inside Atherton. While there is a summary of the major events and characters before the story begins, listeners will want to read/listen to the first two books in the series to fully enjoy this satisfying conclusion.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

Gr 5–9—Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams thrill listeners with this non-stop, action-packed sequel (2009) to Tunnels (2008, both Chicken House; Recorded Books). Will Burrows, his brother Cal, and his friend Chester are on a train to the Deeps, far under the Colony. Will is still searching for his father, and the vicious Styx and Sarah are hunting for Will. The boys are joined in their wanderings by a couple of renegades and learn that the Styx is planning to release a deadly plague on the Topsoilers. Will struggle to save himself and the lives of all Londoners. As in the previous episode, Steven Crossley gives an outstanding performance, immersing listeners in the action and transporting them from one breathtaking scene to the next. His British accent and his easy transitioning between characters' voices make this a special treat. Fans of the series will eagerly await the next installment.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High/High School, Baldwin City, KS

Gr 5–7—Ivy June lives in Thunder Creek, Kentucky, a small mountain town that is so remote that they have no phone and an indoor toilet is considered a luxury, with her Mammaw, Papaw, and 100-year-old Grandmommy. Catherine lives in a large home in the big city of Lexington, and she has all the material things that Ivy June lacks. A seventh-grade student exchange program pairs the girls, and Ivy June is off to spend two weeks with Catherine. Soon after Ivy June returns home, Catherine comes to Thunder Creek complete with preconceived notions of backward hillbillies. Through journal entries, we hear what each girl is thinking and learn how their eyes are opened by their experiences. Narrator Karen White nails the Kentucky dialect well, although it sometimes varies slightly from track to track. On occasion it is difficult to distinguish between the two girls, and they become identifiable only by their grammar and words that are peculiar to their hometown. One mispronunciation stands out as White uses a standard dialect when she refers to Ivy June's "hollow" rather than "hollar." Nevertheless, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's powerful story (Delacorte, 2009) of two girls looking for the commonalities in their lives rather than the differences is heartfelt and a wonderful testament to the varied cultures within our country. This accessible audiobook will be checked out again and again.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 9 Up—Missing children, neighborhood gossips, a buried past, and family secrets come together in Anne Cassidy's compelling mystery (Scholastic, 2008). A child goes missing in the middle of the night on Stella's street and suddenly the police are questioning her mother about another missing child who disappeared from her mother's care many years before. Throughout this story, Stella begins to unravel her mother's past. The novel alternates between the present and the past. Nicky Talacko's British accent captures the teen voices of both Stella and her mother and gives listeners a peek into the hearts of these two women. The story explores how easy it is for a small mistake to snowball into something that is irreversible and seemingly hopeless. There are no easy answers here and the conclusion is open to interpretation. Readers who were drawn into the narrative of Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why (Razorbill, 2007) or Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones (Little, Brown, 2002) will connect with these characters and find food for thought in this story.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

Gr 5–8—In the final book in Eoin McNamee's The Navigator Trilogy (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009), Owen and the Resisters once again face the Harsh in a battle for control of Time. Owen uses his grandfather's maps and clues to sail through time searching for a way to defeat the Harsh once and for all. Cati, Dr. Diamond, and many others from the previous books are back. The relationships between the characters continue to develop as does Owen's connection to his mother. Items in Owen's modern world are often jarring in light of the mood and tone of the story which is old-fashioned. Owen's mother listens to the radio to find out how the rest of the world is being affected by the cold brought on by the Harsh. Kirby Heyborne does a wonderful job of voicing all the characters and helping listeners keep track of the enormous cast. Time is a complicated concept and the explanations of the constructs may not stand up to close scrutiny, but action fans who enjoy the Artemis Fowl and the Percy Jackson series will be able to accept the story and enjoy this adventure.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

Gr 4–7—Life on the road is lonely, especially for the many homeless highway cats. Shredder and Khalia Koo have lived for a long time on their own. They know only the harshness of the road and the bitterness of being abandoned. The felines accept their fate, until the arrival of the miracle kittens. Dropped off by a pickup truck in the median of a busy interstate, the kittens survive the trek across the road and inspire the highway cats to fight for their little scrap of forest in a busy urban area. The mayor wants to turn their home into an access ramp to a shopping center and it will take the brains and cunning of the cats, along with a little faith, to protect their space. Janet Taylor Lisle's heartwarming story (Philomel, 2008) illustrates the importance of believing in oneself and shows that with a little faith and heart anything is possible. The scene changes—from the cats' points of view to newspaper articles to the interactions of the mayor and his public relations man-are well delineated. James Jenner's grandfatherly voice brings to life the rough highway cats with hearts of gold. He depicts perfectly the spirit of tough softie Shredder and disfigured but still beautiful Khalia Koo. A charming story with a satisfying ending.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg KY

Gr 5–7—Aubrey, 11, has been left alone in her house by her grieving mother and is running out of food in Suzanne LaFleur's debut novel (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009). Trying not to draw attention to herself, she walks to the grocery store and buys some staples. Aubrey's father and sister were killed in an accident, and her mom was so devastated and depressed that she left home to escape the memories. When the young girl's grandmother arrives and sees the situation, she takes Aubrey home with her to Vermont and tries to create a stable life for her granddaughter. Aubrey is dealing with two deaths and abandonment, and she slowly begins to deal with her memories and her grief with the help of her grandmother and a new best friend. When her mother is found, Aubrey must decide if she can forgive her. Becca Battoe beautifully narrates this sensitive story of love, loss, and forgiveness, allowing listeners to experience a depth beyond what the written word can provide. As Aubrey comes face to face with the tough changes in her life, Battoe's voicing sounds firmer and more decisive. A compelling listen.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

K-Gr 2—First grade is ending, and Gilbert and his animal friends experience mixed emotions as summer vacation approaches. Narrators Jason Harris and Peter Pamela Rose provide excellent performances in this volume (HarperCollins, 2006) of Diane deGroat's lively primary-school picture-book series. The actors deftly use vocal effects to give each character unique emotions and personality traits. For instance, Gilbert's sweet, lilting tones convey the smile that we see on his face. A slight waver enters his voice when he tells Mrs. Byrd goodbye for the summer, effectively conveying how Gilbert's moods change as the story progresses. Well-chosen sound effects enhance the production. The music also helps underscore the mood of the story. Cheerful tones chime in the background when Gilbert receives a Good Friend Award from Mrs. Byrd, but sad music accompanies his farewell to his teacher. Page-turn signals are optional. An excellent choice for libraries where audiobooks are used to supplement print collections and encourage emerging readers.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 3–6—In Ursula Vernon's animal fantasy (Harcourt, 2008), Nurk longs to be like his brave grandmother shrew, Surka, who had many adventures. However, he doesn't feel brave enough to leave his small island. His life is forever changed when he receives and opens a letter intended for his grandmother. Not knowing where his grandmother is, he sets out to return the letter to the sender. He makes a boat out of a snail shell and sets out on an adventure where he meets creatures like dragonflies, carp, and the scary Grizzlemole. Nurk decides to help the dragonfly who sent the letter and learns that maybe he is brave like his grandmother. Despite making new friends, he still believes the best place to be is safe at home. Nurk is a likable hero, and the tale is light-hearted and humorous. The full-cast narration gives each character a unique personality. The narrator, Bill Knowlton, does an excellent job of presenting the suspenseful moments. An excellent, entertaining listen for classroom use.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

Gr 5–8—Set in Dover, England, in 1938, Victoria Laurie's fantasy/adventure (Delacorte, 2008), the first title in a new series, introduces 13-year-old orphan Ian and fellow foundling Theo, who he treats like a younger sister. While exploring limestone caves near their orphanage, the pair finds a treasure box, but are attacked by a fierce wolf-like animal. This encounter precipitates life-threatening incidents that begin when the same creature ravages their home at Delphi Keep. Ian and Theo, who can foretell the future, are joined by Ian's new friend Carl, two new schoolmasters, and a grouchy professor. The sextet unravels prophecies from an ancient oracle, fight fiery and frigid underworld figures, travel to Africa through a magic portal, escape from an angry Moroccan tribe, and find a powerful lost sapphire amid hidden gold. Frequently stalked by several hairy Hell Hounds, they battle their way back to the Keep, but are about to launch into a new oracle-inspired sojourn at the book's conclusion. Susan Duerden narrates adroitly utilizing emotional intensity to heighten dramatic moments and a range of vocal styles to portray the large cast of British and mythical characters. While some British expressions may need explanation, fans of exciting, yet detailed fantasy will enjoy this audiobook. A good choice for a book club comparison with the genre's reigning champ, the Harry Potter series.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Gr 8 Up—In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the publication of Paul Zindel's award-winning novel, The Pigman (HarperCollins, 1968), Zindel's son David has produced audiobook versions of The Pigman and The Pigman's Legacy (Harper, 1980). In the first title, as a result of a phone prank, high school sophomores John and Lorraine become friends with Mr. Pignati (the Pigman), an elderly widower. The conflicted teens feel alienated from everything, but the Pigman's enthusiasm for life soon spills over onto them. John and Lorraine go roller skating with their new friend, and he suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. The teens have a party at the Pigman's house, and his pig collection and some of his late wife's clothes are destroyed. When Mr. Pignati comes home unexpectedly, he's distraught and feels betrayed by the teens. They try to make it up to him by taking him to the zoo, where he learns that his beloved gorilla, Bobo, has died. This trauma causes the Pigman to have a fatal heart attack. In The Pigman's Legacy, John and Lorraine discover that a homeless man is living in Mr. Pignati's abandoned house. Thinking that this is a chance for them to make up for what happened to the Pigman, they try to befriend the surly old man. After to Atlantic City to cheer up the man, they discover that the true legacy of the Pigman is love. Both stories are told in chapters that alternate between John and Lorraine's point of view, narrated by Charlie McWade and Eden Riegel who do an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. An added bonus is a fascinating interview with Paul Zindel discussing his craft. These remarkable audiobooks, which still offer important messages to today's teens, are a must-have for high school and public libraries.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin High School Baldwin City, KS

Gr 8 Up—In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the publication of Paul Zindel's award-winning novel, The Pigman (HarperCollins, 1968), Zindel's son David has produced audiobook versions of The Pigman and The Pigman's Legacy (Harper, 1980). In the first title, as a result of a phone prank, high school sophomores John and Lorraine become friends with Mr. Pignati (the Pigman), an elderly widower. The conflicted teens feel alienated from everything, but the Pigman's enthusiasm for life soon spills over onto them. John and Lorraine go roller skating with their new friend, and he suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. The teens have a party at the Pigman's house, and his pig collection and some of his late wife's clothes are destroyed. When Mr. Pignati comes home unexpectedly, he's distraught and feels betrayed by the teens. They try to make it up to him by taking him to the zoo, where he learns that his beloved gorilla, Bobo, has died. This trauma causes the Pigman to have a fatal heart attack. In The Pigman's Legacy, John and Lorraine discover that a homeless man is living in Mr. Pignati's abandoned house. Thinking that this is a chance for them to make up for what happened to the Pigman, they try to befriend the surly old man. After to Atlantic City to cheer up the man, they discover that the true legacy of the Pigman is love. Both stories are told in chapters that alternate between John and Lorraine's point of view, narrated by Charlie McWade and Eden Riegel who do an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. An added bonus is a fascinating interview with Paul Zindel discussing his craft. These remarkable audiobooks, which still offer important messages to today's teens, are a must-have for high school and public libraries.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin High School Baldwin City, KS

Gr 5–8—Frustrated 14-year-old Jenna is struggling to complete a school assignment on genealogy because her family's history is something her mother refuses to discuss. Consequently, Jenna's family tree appears more like a seedling with only her mother and herself dangling from its branches. Meanwhile, on the tiny island of Scandia, political turmoil is reaching an all-time high, especially after the unexpected death of their robust king. Jenna auditions for a role in a movie and, despite not having any previous acting experience, snags the lead. She's whisked away to Scandia where she discovers that her uncanny resemblance to the real princess is the reason she was chosen for the part. She unwillingly becomes involved in a political plot to fool the Scandians until the runaway princess can be found and dragged back home. The wide assortment of characters in Kristen Boie's novel (Chicken House, 2009), translated from the German, is narrated by Polly Lee in a British accent. Lee begins with a rather dry narration, completely missing the mark on a voice "filled with scorn," hatred, or bewilderment. However, midway through, she finds her groove and gives the characters more life. This wonderful mix of mystery, intrigue, and suspense is full of twists and turns that are guaranteed to hold listeners' attention until the shocking conclusion in which Jenna discovers her own amazing, and regal, family tree. The sprinkling of PG-13 language used should not deter the purchase of this great listen.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

Gr 6–10—Revisiting the world introduced in Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl (Bloomsbury, 2003; Full Cast Audio, 2005) and continued in Enna Burning (Bloomsbury, 2004; Full Cast Audio, 2007), River Secrets (Bloomsbury, 2006) centers around Razo, the small and somewhat unlikely member of an elite band of Bayern warriors. Hostilities remain between Bayern and Tira after a devastating war and the leaders hope that an exchange of ambassadors will help reconcile the two countries. Razo is surprised to find himself part of the contingent that travels with the ambassador to Tira and is soon embroiled in a mystery to discover who is burning Tiran people in order to frame the Bayern. Familiar characters such as Enna and Finn figure prominently, and the introduction of Lady Dasha as a possible love interest for Razo is a welcome addition. This volume can stand alone because enough background information is provided for listeners to become immersed in Hale's fully-realized world. The solid and well-paced narration by Mark Allen Holt is augmented by distinct voice actors for all the characters. This talented cast, headed by Seth Jackson as Razo, brings out the emotion, adventure, humor, and romance of the story. Musical interludes help set and maintain the mood at the beginning and ending of each chapter. This full-cast performance brings this fantasy to life and makes for a very memorable listening experience.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2—Gilbert is writing Valentine's Day poems for each of his classmates when he remembers that Lewis once tweaked his nose and that Margaret made fun of his glasses. So he writes hurtful rhymes and signs their names to the cards. On Valentine's Day Gilbert gets very friendly cards from everyone, but Lewis and Margaret are angry and call each other names. When they discover Gilbert's prank, no one sits with Gilbert at lunch or plays with him at recess. His friend Patty gives him a chance to explain and apologize. Likewise, Lewis and Margaret apologize for hurting his feelings. In class, Gilbert makes two new cards and writes two new poems and gives them to Lewis and Margaret. Jason Harris narrates Diane de Groat's gentle story (HarperCollins, 1996) and voices the male characters, while Peter Pamela Rose reads both Patty's and Margaret's parts. Careful pacing allows listeners to follow the story in the book; page-turn signals are optional. Subtle sound effects and music complement the narration. This holiday story will ring true with young listeners who will want to make up rhymes of their own.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 5–8— Tara Sands skillfully portrays adolescent angst combined with tenacious determination to set the facts straight in Wendelin Van Draanen's 11th Sammy Keyes mystery (Knopf, 2007) in which the spunky middle school detective steps out of her urban comfort zone. It is summer and all of Sammy's friends have skipped town for vacation, leaving her bored and wandering the mall for entertainment. She bumps into Cricket, an eco-conscience Girl Scout who invites her to go camping with her troop to observe endangered condors in the wild. Sammy envisions shady trees and lush forests, but encounters hot and dusty hiking trails, scrubby pines, and poison oak. Of course, that's not all she finds. Their cabin has been broken into and the girls discover a baby condor that has been shot. Sammy and her new friends are hot on the case. It's a race against time to save the bird and find the bird's mother and the culprits. While Sands does not stretch her range to provide a distinctive voice for each character, listeners will easily be able to follow the story line. One production issue of note: tracks range from 10 to 15 minutes long which can make bookmarking cumbersome. Overall, though, this is sure to be a hit with those new to the series as well as with previous fans.—Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ

Gr 6–9—Henry Neff's sequel (2008) to Hound of Rowan (2007, both Random; Recorded Books, 2009) is just as action-packed as the first book and even more exciting. Max McDaniels and his roommate David Menlo, a sorcerer, set off from Rowan Academy to save the world from the demon Astaroth. Their mission, to stop him from acquiring the Book of Toth, also known as the Book of Origins, takes them through a war-torn world and even into a realm outside their own. Max must embrace his destiny as Hound of Rowan and fulfill his mission of protecting David at all costs. If he fails and the demon seizes the book, Astaroth could destroy the present age and everything the two boys hold dear. Jeff Woodman provides another stellar performance, bringing to life the human and nonhuman characters. He perfectly captures Max's coming-of-age through voice changes and the extreme emotional distress he faces in his travails, and brings all the other characters to life. Since there is little backstory presented, listeners must be familiar with the first book. This series will be hugely popular with fantasy buffs, and especially with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson fans.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

PreS-Gr 2—Alison McGhee's love letter (Atheneum, 2007) to mother-daughter relationships is given an appropriately sentimental treatment in this audio version. The milestones in a child's life from birth to adulthood and old age are featured. Peter Reynolds's pen-and-ink watercolor illustrations convey the mood of the text. Janine Turner narrates lovingly and with zest. Plenty of time is allowed for page turns and a full ten-second pause follows the reading of each page's text, allowing time to peruse the artwork. Page-turn signals are optional. This well-produced package will have more appeal for adults than for children.—Jennifer Verbrugge, Dakota County Galaxie Library, Apple Valley, MN

Gr 6–9—In this fast-paced, complex, character-heavy follow-up (2009) to Michael Scott's The Alchemyst (2007) and The Magician (2008, all Delacorte; Listening Library), teen twins of prophecy Sophie and Josh and the immortal Nicolas Flamel have fled the ruins of Paris for London with John Dee and the Dark Elders on their heels. Flamel's wife, the powerful sorceress Perenelle, is still trapped on Alcatraz and finds herself fighting for her life against a host of poisonous insects and terrifying monsters. Several well-known historical figures join both sides of the fight in this episode, including William Shakespeare and Billy the Kid. Paul Boehmer does a noteworthy job of providing a unique voice for each member of the large cast. His voices for the monsters, the centuries-old Flamels, and the contemporary twins are all convincing. The break-neck speed of the action and the constant jumping from one continent to another requires a really skilled narrator, and Boehmer manages the task with ease. A terrific listen, especially for fans of this continuing series.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Gr 11 Up—The summer after graduating from high school, Logan watches his ex-best friend die while surfing the PMW—Perfect Monster Wave. Indecisive about his future, and agonizing over family and finance problems, Logan allows his friend Z-boy to talk him into an illegal summer job as surf mules. They drive concealed bricks of pot from Los Angeles to Orlando. Their friendship begins to unravel as Z-boy's bonehead schemes continually put their mission at risk. Will they make it to Orlando? Will they get caught and go to prison or worse? G. Neri's tale (Putnam, 2009) is about growing up and making tough decisions. Radical waves and the surfer lifestyle will attract reluctant readers. However, drugs, sex, and strong language make this an inappropriate choice for younger teens. John Allen Nelson (TV's 24 and Vanished) captures the young surfers' voices. A bodacious ride for beach bums and wannabes.—Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Svetlana Grimm's transition from being homeschooled in Texas to entering middle school in California is only part of the changes taking place in her life. Suddenly she has a taste for red foods only, she prefers sleeping under her bed, and she can sometimes read people's thoughts. That makes her a vampire, right? Then she meets her beautiful sixth-grade science teacher, Ms. Larch, who can read Svetlana's mind and smells of rotten meat. Svetlana thinks this mysterious woman is a kindred spirit, but she can't shake the bad vibes coming from her. Svetlana's crazy, frail new neighbor, Ms. Bones, has come to protect the girl from evil. It is up to Svetlana to learn about her legacy and the dangers she must face. Listeners will find a snarky but likeable protagonist who occasionally pokes fun at public school and vampire culture. Jaclyn Gaines's variety of expressive voices and gentle storytelling style brings this light-hearted and humorous supernatural tale to life. An enjoyable listen.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL

Gr 9 Up—In the final installment (HarperTeen, 2009) in Virginia Euwer Wolff's trilogy, LaVaughn is a high school senior and is living in the projects with her loving mother, still babysitting for Jolly who is studying for her GED, and is working very hard in school and wants to become a nurse. When LaVaughn is accepted into the Women in Science after-school program at a local university, she hopes that this along with her good grades and volunteering at a local hospital will help her get into college. It all seems possible until a movement made by her professor plants an idea in LaVaughn's mind and sets her off in a dangerous direction. Should she risk everything for the truth? Heather Alicia Simms's narration of this novel in verse is age-appropriate and stays true to LaVaughn's earnestness, striving, and determination. Listeners can feel all of the teenager's pain as well as delight. Simms handles all of the characters superbly, while letting LaVaughn shine. The smattering of scientific terminology and the graphic childbirth scene make this audiobook most appropriate for older listeners. Fans of the other books in the series are sure to want the concluding volume.—Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

Gr 5–7—In the third volume (Little, Brown, 2009) of Elizabeth Kimmel's series, Jac agrees to visit a posh mountain resort only if her mother will let best friend Kat accompany her. Portends immediately set the stage for ghostly appearances. Kat, who has psychic powers, meets a strange spirit who thinks that "Simple Kat" is the spirit and that Madam Serena, a professed medium of the last century, has summoned her. Jac is quickly swept away by the attention of an appealing musician, and Kat's mother begins acting oddly after staying in the "haunted" hotel room. Kat attempts to research the spirits of the hotel while being repeatedly ditched by her best friend. She is also bothered by a dark entity that wants her harmed. There are some exciting developments, an enthralling labyrinth, intriguing characters, and a satisfactory resolution. Allyson Ryan does an excellent job of giving voices to all the characters, but her voice for Jac sounds too much like a boy. The cover illustration of a cartoon-like Kat appears too young to portray a 13-year-old. Blossom Culp fans (Richard Peck's Ghosts I Have Been and other titles) will enjoy this series.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, MI

PreS-Gr 3—Grammy Award-winning veteran musicians Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer team up with Washington, DC's new hip-hop sensation, Christylez Bacon, to present eight folk banjo and hip-hop tunes. Fink, a master banjo player, performs on five-string banjo, six-string banjo, cello banjo, and ukulele banjo, while Marxer plays rhythms on the washboard. Bacon rhymes, raps, plays percussion and banjo ukulele, and uses his mouth and body as a beatbox. These lively, bouncy, toe-tapping songs include "Jubilation," "It's the Beatbox," "Syncopated Washboard Rhythm Song" (which includes Spike Jones-style sound effects), "Soup, Soup," a rousing rendition of "Froggy Went a Courtin'," "Hip-Hop Humpty Dumpt" (an adaptation of the nursery rhyme), "Barnyard Dance," and "New River Train" (with exceptional banjo picking). This recording's unique concept and excellent musicianship makes it a must purchase for every library's music collection.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Mister Billy presents 12 original Halloween songs in rock and jazz musical styles. He makes effective use of the minor key and sound effects in several tunes to increase the creepiness factor. The songs feature ghosts, haunted houses, jack-o'-lanterns, vampires, werewolves, witches, skeletons, monsters ,and other things that go bump in the night. All of the vocal and instrumental performances are top-notch. An excellent album to use for library or class Halloween programs.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 2—Singer/songwriter/children's performer Cheryl Melody returns with another positive message in her new album. The recording opens with "Friends Forever," a musical adventure about a young boy named Carlos who wants to build a magical city but all of his friends are to busy to help. When his friend Mimi suggests that he invite some new students to play with him, he doesn't want to because Roya and David don't speak English and Carlos is afraid to attempt to communicate with them. When Mimi suggests trying to talk to them with smiles and hand gestures instead of words, Carlos approaches the pair who eventually join him in building his magical city. When the other children see how much fun they are having, they all join in. The themes of friendship, acceptance, diversity, and kindness run throughout the story and are well-presented without being didactic. The CD also includes three of the songs from the story—"Give Friendship a Chance," "The Smile of Friendship," and "Friends Forever"—as well as four additional songs and stories that touch on the previous themes as well as bullying. Melody is a fine performer who weaves a kind, gentle tale that would work very well in a classroom setting. A solid purchase.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3—Marty Kelley, author of Fall Is Not Easy (Zino Press, 1998) and other picture books, joins with recording artist Steve Blunt to present 11 funny, catchy original tunes. Most of these songs are in various rock 'n' roll styles, along with sea shanty, bluegrass, and Hawaiian folk. Terrific performances on guitar, ukulele, baritorn horn, hkeyboards, harmonica, drums, and percussion jazz up the tunes. A children's chorus participates on several of the songs. Almost all of them promote reading or libraries, such as "Let's Have a Reading Party," "If You've Got Imagination, Get a Book" (to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" with a rock beat), "The Pirate's Reading Song," "Reading Rocks the Granite State," and others. Kelley also expressively reads five of his pictures books: Fall Is Not Easy, Winter Woes, Spring Goes Squish, The Rules, and Summer Stinks (all Zino Press). A good album for enhancing story times about libraries and reading.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

K-Gr 3—Thirteen pleasant folk songs written and sung by Hans Mayer in a mellow baritone feature such topics as farmers' markets, solar energy, water, littering, windmills, developmental sports camps, and more. An enthusiastic children's chorus joins in on several songs. There are excellent performances on guitar, mandolin, violin, bass, drums, percussion, and cowbell. A good album for enhancing classroom units or library programs on environment and ecology.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Pre-S-Gr 4—Clever lyrics and catchy melodies are the hallmark of these 12 new tunes on the fifth album by award-winning songwriter/singer Lanny Sherwin. His lovely, mellow baritone voice croons to rock, country, pop, Caribbean, and R&B musical styles. The background musicians perform beautifully on guitars, flute, saxophone, mandolin, keyboards, drums, and harmonica. In "This Is Not a Guitar," the instrument becomes a time machine, a magic wand, or a friend. "Meltdown" gives advice on calming down from anger. "Granny's Got a Guitar" and is learning to rock, but her family wants her to stop. "A Cappella (Part 3)" features beautiful barbershop harmonies, with the eight parts performed by Sherwin. None of the lines rhyme in "I Can't Rhyme." "Paddle to the Sea" is a tribute to Holling Clancy Holling's 1941 book. The other songs include "Let's Hear It for the Little Guy," "Your Mountain Is Waiting," "Airport Blues," "Harmonica Veronica" (with excellent harmonica solos), "You Can't Cross the Ocean," and "Up in My Tree." An excellent selection for all children's music collections.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 4—A cornucopia of excellent musicians from nine countries sing about food, cooking, and healthy eating in a variety of international folk musical styles from Latin to calypso. In addition, a few of the tunes are in languages other than English. The songs include "Eat Like a Rainbow" (Jay Mankita, USA), "Mes Parents Sont Bio" (Pascal Parisot, France), "Ice Cream" (Asheba, Trinidad), "Peberpelikan" (Safari, Denmark), "Beautiful Day" (Kheswa, South Africa), "Bowl of Cherries" (Rhythm Child, USA), "Pomodoro" (Bomba, Australia), "Let's Bake Cookies" (Maggie G., Canada), among others. Another wonderful introduction to international music for children from Putumayo.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Singer/songwriter Mark Beckwith and his band, The Earthworms, present 15 original songs about the environment in various musical styles—1950s rock 'n' roll, heavy metal, calypso, Latin pop, folk, hip hop, and country. "Good Planets Are Hard to Find" is a cute song about beings hunting for a place to live, and wanting to settle on Earth. "Bottle Plastic" uses the traditional tune "Polly Wolly Doodle," adding a rock beat and English accents. "Reduce Like a Moose" encourages listeners to use less and not to waste resources. "I Am a Worm" celebrates the importance of earthworms while "The Alaskan Shore" has an arctic tern flying around looking for a nesting site. There are several songs about water: "I Love Water," "Solid, Liquid or Gas," "I Need a Glass of Water," "The Water's Running," and "Water Cycle." A good addition for environmental collections.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Prolific children's songwriter and performer Dave Kinnoin partnered with several additional songwriters in creating 15 songs that highlight some of the highs, lows, and challenges of growing up. Featuring an up tempo rock 'n' roll beat on most of the pieces, children are encouraged to give assistance to others when they need help in "How Good It Feels," think about the right thing to do in "Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won't," and celebrate the freedoms that come with living in the United States in "In America." Other topics covered include finding adventure in a book, writing your own song, superstitions, counting money, and missing a friend who moved away. The concerns of young children are addressed in clear, easy-to-understand, empowering lyrics. Kinnoin's musical style will be enjoyed by children, while parents and educators will find the short discussion questions that follow each song's lyrics in the liner notes a great way to start conversations and enrich lessons. Also included is the guitar music for each song.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 7 Up—Young Apsley Cherry-Garrard dreamed of becoming an explorer, but he believed that he was born too late because every continent had already been explored by 1909. However, at the age of 23, his dreams were realized when he joined Richard Falcon Scott's expedition to Antarctica. In 1911, he volunteered for the "Winter Journey" to the South Pole and made a successful trip overland with two other men to the mating grounds of the Emperor penguin. They believed that the penguin eggs they gathered would further scientists' understanding of bird evolution. In this fictionalized account (Farrar, 2008), based on Cherry's memoirs, Richard Farr describes the grueling experience, adding re-created dialogue and interpreting emotion from Cherry-Garrard's own writings as well as journals and other primary source materials from other members of the party. Michael Page's narration, though dry at times, perfectly expresses the explorers' wry humor in the face of overwhelming adversity. The final disc includes the back matter from the book, including a recited chronology of the book's events and several notes on various facets of the expedition. This audiobook will appeal to history buffs and fans of true survival stories.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY

Gr 5–8—Tracing the path of British colonialism in the 13 colonies through the religious and economic turmoil of the late 1500s, Sandra Whiteknact's book (Rosen, 2006) provides a succinct summary of the founding and settlement of the colony of Virginia. Starting with the establishment of the colony, the work discusses the life of colonists in Virginia and concludes with the end of the Revolutionary War. The book goes into detail about why people came to all of the colonies, while at the same time showing the unique founding of Virginia and the distinctive characteristics of its people. The book's title is a bit misleading, as it is not a collection of primary sources, but rather a history of the colony with many quotes interwoven within the text. Eileen Stevens's narration is clear and pleasant. The use of chimes helps delineate between the text and the author's notes. The content and length of the work accurately reflects the middle school reading level.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY