Multimedia Review

PreS-K—This bilingual program is intended to assist toddlers with Spanish language acquisition. Vocabulary basics about family, actions, parts of the body, food, transportation, everyday objects, nature/animals, and numbers/colors are taught both in English and in Spanish with corresponding visuals. While it does an acceptable job of demonstrating visually the meaning of the words printed on screen, sometimes there is a disjointed mix of what appears to be Photoshop visuals and home videos. Some significant problems could hinder children from accurately learning to speak Spanish. The pronunciation of Spanish words at times is poor. On occasion, words/phrases are displayed on screen and spoken in Spanish, but not translated. Some phrases that are spoken in Spanish are misrepresented, such as "Usamos las piernas para caminar/We use our legs to walk," but a child is shown hopping. Only for well-established collections.—Amy Olson, Village Branch, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 10 Up—Images of children at play open each film in this excellent series. Preschoolers at different stages of development go about their daily activities as a voice-over discusses their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Conventional development as well as variations that might occur are covered, and children of all ability levels are represented. Outlines of topics are given at the beginning of each section. Definitions of new terms, names of influential people in the field, examples, charts, and graphs are also provided. The engaging visuals offer a nearly constant stream of examples of children exhibiting the topical behavior. Interviews with teachers and caregivers are informative, and suggestions to foster development in these areas are provided. Moving blocks behind the occasional on-screen text portion can be distracting. This top-notch series offer an excellent introduction to child development for high school psychology, sociology, and human development courses.—Barbara Skaryd Fecteau, Beverly High School, MA

Gr 7 Up—The six basic principles of fashion design and tips and tricks for building a flattering wardrobe are covered. The principles of shape, line, color, balance, texture, and proportion are defined by the narrator and then modeled by diverse young adults and still fashion photos. Male and female fashions are represented, ranging from casual to dress wear. The production is divided into easy-to-navigate chapters. Unfortunately, the well-spoken narrator must battle the constant synthesizer music in the background. While design principles will remain the same, as popular fashions change, the styles featured will become dated. This DVD will be useful to complement a classroom unit on fashion or basic design.—Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

PreS-K—Little Fish swims in the sea and describes the other fish friends he meets, using either a concept or a rhyming adjective. Based on the book (Candlewick, 2005) written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, this animated version perfectly captures the book's bold, vibrant illustrations. Brilliant blue sea backgrounds offer sharp contrast to the bright colors of the swimming fish. Animation consists of eyes blinking, fins waving, eels wiggling, fish darting or circling around each other. British-accented narration by Emilia Fox is spot-on, offering a variety of tones and pitches for the creatures. Water-inspired music composed by Lester Barnes and the occasional sound of bubbles play in the background. The flip side of the DVD offers two audio tracks of the narration—the first with music and sound effects, and the second with page-turn signals. Simply smashing.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS—American symbols, history, and landmarks introduce the alphabet and facts about the United States. The program does a fair job of simplifying some challenging concepts, such as Uncle Sam, assuming that young children understand the abstract meaning of a symbol. Independence, for the letter "I," becomes "Happy Birthday, America." Jazz offers a sampling of some of the most frequently used instruments in this genre. Thomas Jefferson is named as the writer of the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln is identified imprecisely as "a civil war hero." After the letter "R," viewers are treated to a jaunty song, "Road Trip," which is accompanied by scenes of cities and landmarks throughout the U.S. Costumed preschoolers are included in many of the segments, dancing, cheering, playing. At one point, the alphabetical sequence is incorrect, featuring "J," "L," and "K." The amount of information presented might be overwhelming for preschoolers, especially since there is little or no context for some of the concepts. Whoopi Goldberg does an excellent job as narrator. This overly ambitious and uneven offering may be beyond the grasp of preschoolers.—Constance Dickerson, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Beachwood, OH

Gr 6 Up—A veteran food stylist is followed through a typical day on the job: planning and preparation, kitchen work, studio work, and clean-up. She buys the groceries, prepares the food, adds appeal by using colorful garnishes, angles and plates the food for the photographer, and uses syringes and other tools to make repairs and keep the food fresh. In an informal style, with low-key but playful background music, she talks about what she likes and dislikes about the job. Using time-lapse photography, sample dishes are shown from the preparation stages to their final appearance in a magazine advertisement or cookbook cover. The stylist explains the possible career paths to this job, from artist-designer to chef, food magazine editor, and business marketer, as well as the wide-ranging earning potential. Viewers will come away with an appreciation for the problem-solving aspects of the job of a food stylist and be intrigued with the nuts and bolts behind this novel career.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 7 Up—Teen-to-teen sharing of information is often an excellent teaching method. Through dramatizations, this film features teens challenged with sexually transmitted diseases getting treatment and learning about prevention and detection. Four scenarios show young adults who have herpes, HPV, and gonorrhea, as well as one teen who talks about HIV that his sister contracted. A peer health counselor speaks to a group of teen girls about prevention and treatment of STDs, and a health educator provides accurate information about the risks faced by sexually active teens. Both heterosexual and homosexual activity is addressed, and abstinence and the use of condoms are discussed as preventative measures for STDs. The acting is believable. The teacher's resource binder includes pre- and post-viewing tests, research projects, and suggested debate topics. A useful program for health classes.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Gr 7 Up—Based on the manga and animé series of the same name, Bleach the Movie is a stand-alone film that the fans of action animé and exquisitely illustrated sword fighting will love. While fans who know the series will get the most enjoyment from this episode, it neatly fills in the backstory for those who are unfamiliar with the plot or characters of the Bleach universe. When mysterious creatures called "Blanks"—wandering souls who have lost all of their memories—appear in Karakura Town, teen Ichigo Kurosaki, a Soul Reaper, and his companion Rukia must deal with them. They also meet a rather confused Soul Reaper named Senna, a character new to the series, who can make the Blanks disappear. However, The Dark Ones are trying to kidnap Senna, and Ichigo and The Soul Search Society set out to save Senna and the world. Bonus features include an interesting short subject which shows the behind-the-scenes making of the English language version. The Bleach franchise of animé and manga is popular, and this film would be a good way to discover if there are enough fans in your library before purchasing the animé or the manga series. A good addition to teen-centered video collections and a must-buy for libraries with animé collections.—Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2—Five well-known fairy tales are retold in this digital story book: "The Smart Pig," "The Pied Pier of Hamelin," "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Princess and the Frog," and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The producers state that "the stories have been adapted for modern times, and gross violence has been removed." For each tale, text and static artwork are featured, along with multiple-voice narration and sound effects. Unfortunately, the presentation is flat and uninspired, lacking the cadence and memorable lines of the original stories, and the artwork doesn't reflect any of the character and beauty of the tales' original illustrations. In presenting the stories in a modern conversational tone, much of the important tension and conflict is absent. British spelling, such as "coloured," is used throughout. While this is a commendable project, the original tales and some recently released picture book versions of these classics will better serve the needs of youngsters.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 4–7—Horror fans will be thrilled with this new live-action series based on R. L. Stine's popular books. Each DVD features two to four episodes on the same theme. For example, Monster Blood includes "Monster Blood," "More Monster Blood," "How to Kill a Monster," and "The Girl Who Cried Monster." There is enough variety in the plots to keep viewers interested. Some stories end with cliff hangers, such as "One Day at Horrorland," where viewers don't find out if the family trapped in a horror theme park will ever escape. Others have surprise endings, such as "Welcome to Camp Nightmare." In each story, the children act courageously to overcome obstacles. Sound and visual effects (floating heads, glowing eyes, and more), music, and detailed sets (a medieval village, for example) enhance the spine-tingling adventures. The acting is convincing, adding just the right touch of drama to the stories. Youngsters who crave scary stories and Stine fans will relish these tales.—Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA

PreS-Gr 3—A very pregnant mother cat finds an abandoned building in which she gives birth to her five kittens. She cares for them carefully, but must leave to eat. Returning, she discovers that the building is on fire. Heedless of her own safety, she returns to the burning building again and again until all of her kittens are rescued. A firefighter finds the cat, declares her a hero, and she and her kittens all find good homes. This simple story is based on a true incident and is sure to appeal to children. Eileen Spinelli reads her book (Marshall Cavendish, 2006) with good pacing and expression as Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen's beautiful, detailed, realistic illustrations are scanned iconographically. Evocative background music adds a nice touch to the production. Bonus features include brief conversations with both the author and the illustrator, accompanied by still photos, giving viewers a little background concerning their work with the book itself. This nice production that will appeal to cat lovers everywhere.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

PreS-K—This delightfully animated program from PBS Kids, intended for children ages three to six, highlights two fairy tales while emphasizing the alphabet, spelling, and reading. Super WHY is Whyatt, the leader of the Super Readers, a group comprised of Littlest Pig, Red Riding Hood, and Princess Pea who live in Storybook Village. Whenever there is a problem, they come together at the Book Club and try to solve it. For each problem, they identify a fairy tale that relates to it and enter the story to discover how the fairy tale character found a solution to a similar problem. In the first episode, Jill stomps all over the buildings that Littlest Pig constructed from blocks, and the Super Readers look for the solution in "The Three Little Pigs." When nothing will calm down Baby Joy's tantrum in the second episode, the group turns to "Jack and the Beanstalk." In each instance, the members of the group morph into their Super Reader alter egos, gaining reading, alphabet, word, and spelling powers that they use to review the alphabet, work on letter recognition, read highlighted words in the stories, spell words, and use phonemic awareness to create new words. Interactive elements invite viewer participation. Early literacy skills are emphasized, and the colorful animation, catchy songs, and participatory segments will engage youngsters throughout. A must-have for early learning collections.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 10 Up—This documentary follows the two-year journey of filmmakers who trekked across the globe to 12 countries on 5 continents following the trail of plastic. Plastic is the "most ubiquitous and versatile material ever invented." And it never goes away; plastic does not biodegrade. The statistics are profound—there are 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile of ocean—and the visuals are mind-boggling. Visiting one of the Earth's five oceanic gyres and seeing tons of plastic trash swirling around in the currents is unforgettable. Plastic is a vital component of our disposable lifestyle, but its detrimental impact on the environment must be reduced. Animation reviews the history of the manufacture of plastic, and then the filmmakers visit sites around the world to investigate recycling programs. For example, the Tie Tek Company in Houston, Texas, recycles plastic to make railroad ties and Patagonia recycles plastics into clothing. Scientists are also exploring ways to make biodegradable plastic. Featuring new technology and innovations in the field, scientists, business people, and entrepreneurs are interviewed and contrasting views are presented. Science, social science, and journalism classes can utilize this program for study and for debate. An essential addition for environmental collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

PreS-Gr 2—In this look at members of the insect world, viewers see common and unfamiliar bugs up-close and children interacting with them. The film is divided into short segments and the theme song, "I Like Bugs," is played and sung several times. The narrator introduces the creature while its name and an important fact or characteristic about it is featured on screen. Youngsters ask simple questions and the narrator responds accurately in kid-friendly terms. Superb videography captures details impossible for the naked eye to see, such as the segments of an ant's hairy body. There are about 20 bugs featured, including beetle, grasshopper, tarantula, caterpillar, butterfly, dragon fly, ant, and cricket. Each brief segment provides fun facts but doesn't offer enough information for curriculum use. Budding entomologists and those intrigued by bugs will enjoy this film.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 7 Up—These films explore meteorology from three interrelated aspects, providing a thorough understanding of what meteorology is, how it works, and its impact on our daily lives. Each DVD offers the testimony of chemists, physicists, and climatologists as well as archival footage and animated graphics that illustrate the basic principals of this evolving field. These pictorial representations allow the rather complex subject to be understood by a wide range of viewers. The formatting of the content for the entire series is well suited for classroom instruction, as each segment is divided into concise chapters. Clear connections are made between current meteorological phenomena and human influence. Through an exploration of the delicate and mutable balance of gases and sunlight that create Earth's conditions, a true sense of how humanity impacts this life-sustaining cycle is established and underscored. Quizzes are provided in PDF format at ambrosevideo.com. Middle and high school science and ecology classes will benefit from this series.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Ludcke Library, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 3–5—Minerals found throughout the world are introduced and their formation and properties are explained. Minerals are defined, their grouping is covered, and live-action footage explains how they are formed. The most interactive and detailed section is about identifying minerals according to their hardness, luster, structure, and color. The final sections summarize the main concepts, and there are a few fill-in-the-blank questions. The clear narration, close-up visuals, and occasional on-screen text help clarify concepts. A good choice as part of a general overview of or introduction to a unit on minerals.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

Gr 3–5—Vibrant live-action footage explores the world of invertebrates. The narrator discusses sponges and cnidarians, worms, mollusks, arthropods, and echinoderms, among others. Body structure and physical features are highlighted. Clear narration presents the facts so that viewers can readily understand the basic features of these animals. The production concludes with a summary and an assessment consisting of simple fill-in-the-blank questions. The teacher's guide includes an introduction to the program, a script of the video presentation, a pre- and post-test, and several activity sheets. This solid offering is a good introduction to the fascinating world of invertebrates.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Gr 7 Up—This program provides information about the reciprocal relationship between global climate change and the cryosphere, the occurrences of frozen water on Earth including permafrost, glaciers, sea ice, freshwater ice, and snow. The six chapters cover the Arctic and Antarctica, the warming of the Arctic, the shrinking of the ice caps that speed up global warming, the melting of the permafrost, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets that contribute to raised sea levels. Each example focuses on a positive feedback loop, which means that as factors contribute to damaging the cryosphere, the damaged cryosphere worsens the factors. Interviews with glacial experts, computer animation, and experiments support the concepts presented. The male narration is strong and clear, and production values are excellent. A useful addition to libraries seeking information about climate change.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 7 Up—Four and a half billion years of the Earth's development is summarized, with a focus on popular theories based on geology. During the course of the documentary, experts (all Caucasian males) discuss the history of geology, touching on subjects ranging from paleontology to plate tectonics to volcanology. This far-reaching presentation highlights field work on all continents except Antarctica. Stunning computer animation sequences demonstrate the creation of the Swiss Alps, the Great Lakes, and the Grand Canyon. The animations demonstrating the creation of volcanoes and mountains are especially helpful. The concepts presented in this fascinating introduction to the Earth's history will be useful in Earth science and geology classes.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 4–8—Students will be fascinated by the beautiful live-action photography and the odd and interesting creatures living in Indonesia's Lembeh Strait, an ecologically sensitive marine environment. The film focuses on these bizarre looking sealings, including the pygmy seahorse, the self-grooming hairy squat lobster, and the lacy scorpion fish, among others. However, teachers will probably be frustrated because there is no organizational example, scorpion fish are discussed several times, but not in consecutive segments, and there is no menu to the DVD strategy, making it difficult to navigate to specific segments. Also, scientific terms are not displayed on screen or defined with captions. Information goes by fast and furious with little chance for students to absorb what is being presented. Steve Clark's narration, while interesting, is delivered in a fairly monotone voice—Suzanne Libra, Silver Hills Middle School, Westminster, CO

Gr 7 Up—A red convertible races through a field of corn and a young man hops out and asks, "What do oxygen, potato chips, and the tires on my car have in common?" The answer is that they all come from plants. This zippy introduction sets the tone for the teen-friendly, amusing, and informative presentation. The production values are excellent. There are lots of quick cuts that illustrate the concepts. Real-world metaphors explain scientific concepts; parts of a book represent genomes, a hand of cards illustrates inherited traits, and young people dance in a cotton field to show the movement of fibers. After the initial introduction to plant genomes, the film is divided into three sections in which specific types of genetic plant research are presented. Scientists in the lab and in the field explain how genetic research has changed the plants' structure and usefulness. This excellent program presents information about how plant genome research is revolutionizing the field of biology in an entertaining format and will be widely used in middle and high school classes.—Barb Fecteau, Beverly High School, MA

Gr 9 Up—Insights into the political life of our 41st president are presented in this documentary. George H.W. Bush's family, friends, and advisors discuss his accomplishments before becoming president. Although he served as president for only one term, several crucial socio-political events occurred during his tenure. This chronicle covers the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the fall of the Soviet Union, the Los Angeles race riots, and the Clarence Thomas scandal. It offers a new perspective to the challenges of a presidency that inherited the failing goodwill of Reagan-era governance. Interviews with Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Mikhail Gorbachev, and others are featured. This film will well-serve history, American studies, and political science media collections in high schools and colleges.—Vincent M. Livoti Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Ludcke Library, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 6 Up—Our country's history and heritage are well-represented by the monuments and memorials in our nation's capital. This outstanding program describes ten of Washington, DC's most popular tributes to individuals and events instrumental in the chronicle which is America: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, World War II, the wars in Vietnam and Korea, the Marine Corps, as well as those buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Each entry includes a brief summary of the significance of the memorialized person and or event, and a historical account of the design and placement of the shrines. Particularly interesting is the introductory section's detailing of the history of the city of Washington and the development of the National Mall. A wide variety of graphics, current and archival footage, and still photographs accompany interviews with historians and contemporary political figures to instill the importance of those memorialized in the nation's capital. Subtitles and chapter selection options increase the potential value of this title.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—This episode of James Burke's popular TV series introduces the concept of feedback, which is defined as a system that uses a variety of indicators to maintain equilibrium or to predict and act upon future conditions. Burke opens with the availability of instant communications in India, and then describes how the British mastered mathematical feedback to direct anti-aircraft fire during WWII. He discusses how Claude Bernard's 19th-century animal experiments resulted in an understanding that animal bodies use feedback to regulate their chemical levels, and then takes viewers on a dizzying journey that traces the connections between the first humane societies, Matthew Maury's pioneering oceanography, Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar, James Watt's steam engine, Annie Besant's radicalism and the growth of the vegetarian movement in the late 1800s, culminating in Kellogg's invention of corn flakes, which changed the breakfast habits of the world. Although the quirky connections and droll observations are often entertaining, this film will have limited usefulness for students. It does not include enough background for those unfamiliar with the events to follow Burke's logic, and the connections between these events are tenuous at best. The original copyright date of 1997 is obvious in Burke's clothing style, the technology he uses, and the technical quality of the film. These factors make the film a poor choice for school library collections.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 9 Up—This entertaining, but at times disjointed, production attempts to show how a wide range of historic events are intricately linked. The narrator and creator of the series, James Burke, takes viewers on a dizzying journey that begins with explaining how World War II led to the popularity of instant coffee and ends with the famous 1860 debate over evolution between Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce. In between, links are made between King Gustavus of Sweden, Lord Byron, Francis Scott Key's writing of the Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812, the invention of paper money, the philosopher René Descartes, the origin of the "salon," an Estonian scientist who researched egg embryos, and John Law (founder of New Orleans). The video moves along at a fast clip, and the script is clever. Sometimes the attempts at connecting such disparate events make sense, and at times they don't. There is one brief scene where the camera lingers on a painting which features a bare-breasted woman. This program might work as a provocative discussion starter for a AP world history classes.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 6 Up—This two-part documentary about life in France today reveals the determination of the French people to maintain their way of life and liberty in the 21st century. The theme is "A country of revolution….even today." Taste, love, food, and drink are taken seriously. People from various walks of life are underscored—a climber who faces danger on sheer cliffs and on urban buildings, a chef who is researching food to make French cuisine healthier, a winemaker who is "turning back the clock" by growing grapes organically, an athlete who is an African immigrant, and a female bomb disposal expert. In part two, a man who was saved when he was 13 by Americans who stormed the beaches at Normandy tells of his experiences, the Tour de France is highlighted, a bullfighter shows his skill, and the Eiffel Tower is scaled by men who set it with fireworks. While French life and attitudes are brought into focus and some history and geography is presented, teachers will have to supplement this film with additional material to make it work within the curriculum.—Jeana Actkinson, Bridgeport High School, TX

Gr 2–7—Christine King Farris recalls her brother, Martin Luther King, Jr., in this evocative picture book (Scholastic, 2008) focusing on the 1963 March on Washington where he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Lynn Whitfield reads the story with great emotion and exuberance against the background of original music and occasional sound effects, bringing viewers to the National Mall to witness this historic event. London Ladd's realistic illustrations and historical photographs are scanned iconographically, bringing the march to life. While the focus is on Dr. King, the march and rally and their impact on the nation are also clearly celebrated. This inspiring production merits a place in all libraries and would be especially appreciated in January and February for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and for Black History month.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 10 Up—This poignant film focuses on six individuals, now living in Australia, who had to abandon their homeland and families to seek refuge. Among those interviewed are a teen from Afghanistan whose father paid bribes to help him escape the Taliban, a mother who opposed the ruling junta and had to leave her baby behind when she left Burma, a Christian who escaped embattled Sudan, an older man who was tortured under the Pinochet regime in Chile, a girl who had to escape the killing fields of Cambodia, and others. Each subject is introduced and photos from their countries of origin are shown. The narrator briefly outlines the political situation that forced each of them to leave their homeland. The refugees explain how they managed to find sanctuary in Australia, and glimpses of their life today are provided. These heartbreaking and inspiring stories are a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.—Barbara Skaryd Fecteau, Beverly High School, MA

Many of these titles are available for download and/or in Playaway format. Check distributors' Web sites, playaway.com, and audio download retailers for availability and price.

Gr 7 Up—Five short stories written by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) are matched with the seasons. Moving to Texas as a young man, the author gathered ideas and characters for his stories from his experiences during his sojourn. He married Athol Estes, who was his model for Della in "The Gift of the Magi." While working as a bank teller in Austin, he was charged with embezzlement and sentenced to five years in the Ohio State Penitentiary. The time in prison was a boon to his writing career. Included here are the well-loved yuletide story "The Gift of the Magi" and "Christmas by Injunction"; a springtime story, "The Princess and the Puma"; a summer tale, "The Handbook of Hymen"; and an autumn piece, "The Indian Summer of Dry Valley Johnson." Timothy Patrick Miller's resonant narration will introduce a new generation of listeners to some classics of American literature. An optional purchase.—Sally Ray, Plano Senior High School, TX

Gr 9 Up—Octavian Nothing's astonishing story, begun in M. T. Anderson's The Pox Party (2006), winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, continues in The Kingdom of the Waves (2008, both Candlewick). With references to the action in the first volume, the story flows smoothly into this new aspect of the American Revolution. Octavian escapes to Boston and joins the Royal Ethiopian Regiment with the promise of attaining his freedom. This first-person account is written from Octavian's perspective in 18th-century prose. The language and Octavian's philosophic meaderings may be challenging to some listeners. With themes of oppression, slavery, freedom, and identity, the experiences and horrors of war are realistically presented. Peter Francis James does an admirable job of bringing Octavian to life; the other characters are not uniquely voiced. In the author's note at the conclusion, Anderson restates his own views concerning liberty and provides significant historical background. A powerful story.—Anita Lawson, Otsego High School, MI

Gr 8 Up—One day 14-year-old Brent Runyon came home from school and set himself on fire, burning 85 percent of his body. Brent's riveting first-person account (Knopf, 2005) of teen angst and uncertainty culminating in an especially horrific suicide attempt, while sometimes hard to listen to, is moving and insightful. Christopher Evan Welch perfectly captures the naïve, self-absorbed, ignorant, and angry facets of the teenager's character extremely well. Listeners alternately cringe with impatience at Runyon's thoughtlessness, empathize with his desire to please his parents and carve out a place for himself among his peers, and think about the physical and emotional pain he suffers during his long recuperation. The boy relives his conversations with his parents, nurses, and therapists; provides details of his treatment; and voices his anguish and fears. Welch's narration moves seamlessly from humor to despair, and his ability to assume the persona of Brent adds to the power of this true story.—Cindy Lombardo, Cleveland Public Library, OH

Gr 5–8—Zac's grandfather, Pops, has always told him that he is descended from African royalty, and a treasure, stolen when his ancestors were sold into slavery, waits in Africa. Zac has had his doubts about the accuracy of the information. But when he and Pops are brutally attacked, and Pops dies on the way to the hospital, Zac begins to reconsider. Stunned by the loss of his grandfather, forced into a foster home, and unsure of whom he can trust, Zac becomes sullen and withdrawn. The story quickly gains momentum as Zac goes to Ghana and struggles to discover who is responsible for Pop's murder and what they were after. Narrator Dominic Hoffman breathes life into Sarah Mussi's 2007 International Children's Book of the Year Award winner (S & S/Margaret K. McElderry, 2008). American listeners may have trouble understanding some of the Briticisms, but Hoffman's intriguing accent and excellent characterizations help put it all in context. Fans of Alex Rider and other action/adventure thrillers will enjoy this engaging audiobook.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH

Gr 6–10—In the final installment (Bloomsbury, 2007) in the series by Herbie Brennan, Henry Atherton, one of the few humans to have ever entered the Faerie Realm, has been living in the Analogue World since he rejected a marriage proposal from the Realm's Queen. But Henry must return to the Realm when he learns that a mysterious Temporal Plague is causing the Faeries of the Light to age prematurely and the entire Realm is threatened. Henry is sent, unprepared, into the desolate desert of their neighboring country, Buthna. Through spying, counterspying, adventures in the desert, and life-threatening encounters with a giant sea serpent and other deadly creatures, Henry and his cohorts manage to save the Realm and defeat Hairstreak and his underlings—and there is a satisfying romantic conclusion. James Daniel Wilson brings all the characters to life in this action-filled fantasy.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Gr 4–8—A mysterious airplane appears out of nowhere. No pilots or attendants are on board, but every seat is occupied—by a baby. The babies are taken off the plane and then it vanishes. Thirteen years later in Ohio, Jonah and his friend Chip receive a threatening letter: "You are one of the missing." A second letter follows: "Beware! They're coming back to get you." Both boys know that they were adopted, and they resolve to find out who they really are, resulting in some shocking discoveries. Fans of the author's The Shadow Children series will be enthralled by this first title (S & S, 2008) in a new series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Chris Sorensen's outstanding narration captures the teens' urgency and confusion. This stellar title will leave students begging for the second installment.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH

Gr 1–3—Jake, a first grader, is the Pain, and his sister Abigail, a third grader, is the Great One in Judy Blume's seven slice-of-life stories (Delacorte, 2008) that involve the entire family. For example, at the beach, the Pain is afraid of the ocean. When the siblings go to the fair with Aunt Diana, Jake takes a ride on the Gravitron. At the mall, they must decide which movie they will see and which fast food restaurant they will visit. After the Pain sticks a pussy willow up his nose, there's a trip to the emergency room to remove his "furry booger." Kathleen McInerney reads in a measured, mostly child-like voice. Another humorous collection that will be enjoyed by Blume's fans and could be used effectively as a read-along by ESL students.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 4–7—Yumi Ruíz-Hirsch comes from a diverse cultural background—she has a Cuban mother, a Jewish father and grandfather, and a Japanese grandmother. Yumi's parents are divorced. Her father is a depressed, aspiring, but as yet unsuccessful punk-rock singer/songwriter, while her mother is a famous writer who is about to remarry. Yumi is starting eighth grade in Southern California with "squid-boy" and a girl who collects tinfoil, and she's trying to save the school orchestra from being cut due to budget issues. Her grandfather Saul has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and Yumi wants to learn everything about his life before he dies. Throughout the novel (S & S, 2008) by Cristina Garcia, stories about Saul's life are interspersed, teaching Yumi many important life lessons. While Zinnia Su is expertly cast as Yumi and the other youngsters in the story, sometimes her attempts to voice Yumi's grandfather are painful. Often the elderly man's monologues result in a disconnect that doesn't allow listeners to fully sense the emotional ties between Yumi and her ailing grandfather. Listeners may feel that too much is going on and never feel totally engaged by parts of the story.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 9 Up—In Melissa Marr's debut novel, Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007; Recorded Books, 2007), we met Aislinn, destined to become the queen of the summer court faeries. This companion volume (HarperTeen, 2008) picks up the story with Leslie, Aislinn's mortal friend, whose life has fallen to pieces. Leslie's mother is gone, her father is swirling in alcohol, and her brother bartered her for drugs. Leslie decides a tattoo will help reclaim her life and her body. What she doesn't know is that the ink she selected will bind her to the king of the Dark Court faeries who feed on the human passions of fear, despair, and hatred. Leslie, a survivor of rape, would make the perfect conduit for these dark emotions. Aislinn assigns Niall to protect Leslie with the directive that, as a fairy, he is not to romance a mortal, but his protection soon turns to obsession and eventually to love. Although Nick Landrum's delivery and pacing is fine, the voicing of Leslie's story by a male is jarring and distances listeners from her emotions. The sexual tension is subtle but makes the story most appropriate for high school students. Teens will appreciate this title more after listening to/reading the first volume. Twilight fans will enjoy this dark, brooding audiobook.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5–8—Thinking he is stealing from a wealthy old man, street urchin Conn steals Wizard Nevery's "locus magicalicus," a magic stone that, according to the rules of magic, should have killed the boy. When it doesn't, Nevery takes Conn with him and eventually agrees to make him his apprentice if he finds his own stone within 30 days. Conn studies magic and tries to find the stone, while Nevery searches for the cause of the ebbing of magic from the land of Wellmet that is weakening the city. The two quests converge when Conn must use and destroy his newly claimed locus stone to defeat the device the Underlord has created to imprison Wellmet's magic. Narrator Greg Steinbruner's British accent suits Sarah Prineas's fantasy (HarperCollins, 2008), and he gives consistent and appropriate voices to the various characters, though the voice of Conn seems strained and tight at first. While his pacing is somewhat halting at times, listeners will not notice it as they become involved in the story. This first title of a projected trilogy will be popular with fantasy fans.—Louise L. Sherman, formerly Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

Gr 8 Up—A lakeside town in Canada sets the scene for this emotional tale (Farrar, 2007) by Martha Brooks about three generations of women whose family secrets revolve around a car accident. Sally, Odella's mother, was the only survivor after a joyriding accident on Mistik Lake when she was a teenager. The woman's pain and sadness over the accident never abated, and she turned to alcohol and, eventually, left her husband and daughters for an Icelandic filmmaker. Great Aunt Gloria knows about the accident and has secrets of her own to share with her 17-year-old niece. Odella is trying to mature into a young woman while plagued by her mother's legacy and the incessant family responsibilities for her younger sisters and father. Odella meets Jimmy and, through his belief in her and their love, finds the strength to deal with her mother's sudden death and with the family secrets. Issues of lesbianism, adultery, and first love roil around this tale of tangled personalities. The narration by Katie MacNichol, from multiple points of view, might be confusing at first. Odella's character is well crafted as she revises her social concepts, loses her virginity, and learns shocking details about her past.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-old Jane Fielding lives an idyllic life on the Massachusetts shore in Polly Horvath's novel (Schwartz & Wade, 2008). Her mother, a sometimes poet who won a Pulitzer, lovingly creates simple meals from the shore's bounty. Jane longs for some excitement and prays for 100 adventures. Adventure comes in waves and brings all manner of problems. For example, Preacher Nellie launches Jane in a hijacked hot air balloon so the youngster can toss Bibles to those below. Jane fears repercussions when she hits a baby on the head, and the angry mother cons the girl into babysitting her trailer park brood for the summer. A succession of odd men show up at the family's door, some wishing to court Jane's mother, and any one of them could be the youngster's father. Jane is scammed by a fortune teller and her best friend runs away to New York City. The girl's character is gently honed by her adventures, and she comes away with a greater appreciation of home and the people in her life, especially her tender-hearted mother. Tai Alexandra Ricci strikes just the right chord in telling Jane's episodic story, delivering the lyrical language with ease. Listeners will relish this gentle, well-written tale.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 7 Up—In the wake of a biological terrorist attack, adults are killed but the children visiting the Isles of Wonder amusement park remain alive. Bonnie Dobkin's post-apocalyptic tale (Walker, 2008) is The Lord of the Flies gone wild in a theme park. Josh and his sister Maddie are among the survivors. The children, all under the age of 13, are organized into a workable society and a rudimentary government is established. There is an easy assumption of adult responsibilities by the youngsters who form family units. Some jarring notes include several of the kids pairing off and becoming soon-to-be-parents (weren't these all pre-pubescent kids?) as well as a group of survivors who are called "ghoulies." When some survivors want to leave and find out what's happening Outside, inevitable fractures in the veneer of their perfect world splinter into violence and power mongering. Narrator Carine Montbertrand tries a bit too hard to use different inflections for each character, resulting in a hoarse delivery for most of the boys and piping voices for many of the girls and younger children. Still, this is a captivating survival tale to add to collections.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 3–6—This charming, quirky story (Delacorte, 1986) by Betsy Byars begins with a normal day in the life of the Blossom family. Junior is about to fly off the barn roof while his brother, Vern, and sister, Maggie, stand witness. Their mother is away on the rodeo circuit. Pap is heading to town to cash in 2000 beer and soda cans and bottles. Suddenly, chaos breaks loose—Pap is sent to jail for causing a public disturbance when the cans and bottles fall out of his truck, Vern and Maggie abandon Junior as they run from the police, and Junior falls from the roof and breaks his legs. In the end, all of the Blossoms are back home for a joyful reunion. Although the conclusion is predictable and the events are far-fetched, comic antics keep listeners absorbed. Fairman Blain's voice changes for each character ring true except for the squeaky, feminine tones for a jail inmate and an auto mechanic. A fun listen.—Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA

PreS-Gr 3—Grandpa Spanielson's grandpup, Barney, has the chicken pox according to the stork doctor in this humorous tale by Denys Cazet (HarperCollins, 2005). Grandma has Barney soak in the bathtub to relieve the itch, but Grandpa tries to make him feel better with a scary story called "The Octopus." In the tale, a hurricane came up through the bathtub drain along with an octopus. Grandpa had to fight off the creature with a swordfish and a toilet plunger. When Grandpa finishes telling the story, he jumps fully clothed into the bathtub to save Barney from the sponge/octopus. The fun-filled text is read by John Beach with distinct and expressive voices for each character. Subtle background music and sound effects as well as Cazet's humorous cartoon illustrations add to the telling.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

Gr 2–4—Andy is a magnet for trouble in David A. Adler's third book (Harcourt, 1999) the series about Andy Russell. When the fourth grader is caught daydreaming in class, he is assigned a massive amount of math homework. When his teacher is out sick, the substitute blames Andy for the class pranks. Throughout this beginning chapter book, all of Andy's misadventures, challenges, and angst is perfectly captured. In the end, the boy realizes that teachers aren't always as bad as they seem. Oliver Wyman clearly voices each character, providing expressive and fluent narration. Useful as a read-aloud or in centers for individual or small group listening.—Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 6–9—Calvin Schwa has an almost magical ability to go unnoticed, and at first Antsy (Anthony) Bonano exploits this ability by making bets with other kids in their high school that "the Schwa" can perform various feats without getting caught. When the curmudgeonly old man Crawley, a mean millionaire, catches Calvin and his friends in his home trying to take a dog bowl, the boy and Antsy become involved in the old man's life and with his blind granddaughter. Calvin's life, which has been dominated by the fear that he will disappear entirely as it seems his mother did when he was five, changes when he learns the truth about his mother. Told in the first person though Antsy, Neal Shusterman reads his book (Dutton, 2004) well, but sometimes the distinction between characters is not clear enough and his voice is somewhat mature for an eighth grader. The story's humor and teenage concerns should appeal to middle school listeners, especially boys.—Louise L. Sherman, formerly Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

Gr 4–6—Ann Martin's series involves four friends in the small community of Camden Falls and exhibits her usual mix of impeccable prose and ease with today's slang. In this episode (Scholastic, pap. 2008), Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki find books that are mysteriously left at their door—Robert O'Brien's "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H," Dorothy Canfield Fisher's "Understood Betsy," "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry" by Mildred Taylor, and several others. Each book comes with a message telling them to read the book and do something new. Who could be sending these books? Before long, the four friends form a book club. Ariadne Meyers makes each girl's voice unique as well as those of the other characters. She perfectly slips in and out of dialogue and expository text. A must-have for fans of the series.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Branch Library, Santa Barbara, CA

Gr 5–7—Avi's gothic tale (HarperCollins, 2008) about a young man, raised by abolitionist parents in New York City in 1872, who becomes apprenticed to an unscrupulous and prejudiced photographer is ably realized by narrator Stephen Boyer who captures the initial innocence of Horace Carpetine and then his growing awareness and skepticism about his boss who is trying to convince a wealthy patron that he has captured the image of her deceased daughter, Eleanora, in a photograph. To Harrison's amazement, he learns through the wrongly treated servant, Pegg, that Eleanora was not the VonMacht's daughter and was never loved, except for her money. Boyer captures the moods of all the characters and the tension of the tale. Pegg and Horace's hushed conversations reflect the humanity of the story as they realize that the once sweet Eleanora is now a twisted spirit bent on revenge against those who wronged her. Their growing desperation to save the VonMacht's, who don't deserve their kindness, is also well captured. The afterward nicely pulls all of the loose ends together. This suspenseful, frightening tale will haunt listeners long after it is over.—Edith Ching, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC

PreS-Gr 2—Grandma tells Grandpa to wash windows but Grandpa would rather tell stories to Barney, who is in bed with the chicken pox in this read-along (HarperCollins, 2006) written and illustrated by Denys Cazet. Grandpa leans his ladder against the pup's second floor window and tells the story of a pig that gets her snout stuck in the freezer while trying to eat a box of chocolates. This sweet, simple story-in-a-story is read in a soothing voice by a male narrator. Some sound effects are added to the voice track, like the sound of a door closing, coffee pouring, and a siren wailing; one track has page-turn signals. Cazet's cartoon-like illustrations are hilarious. Beginning readers will be enjoy this title.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 4–7—Gordon Korman's novel (Scholastic, 2008) concerns a valuable baseball card that sixth-grader Griffin Bing finds in a house about to be demolished and the intricate plan to retake it from a crooked sports collector who paid them only $120 for the priceless Babe Ruth card. This is typical Korman—all plot, improbable actions, and stereotypical background characters. Narrator Jonathan Todd Ross does a good job of voicing Griffin, but his voice is much too raspy and harsh as the boy's friend, Ben. However, reluctant readers will relish the intricate plot and sports references.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Branch Library, Santa Barbara, CA

Gr 9 Up—Mal Peet's Carnegie Medal-winning novel (Candlewick, 2007) deftly weaves suspense and painful emotion with story strands set in World War II Holland and late 20th century England. When her grandfather commits suicide, 15-year-old Tamar is left an odd collection of objects that lead her to Devon, site of her namesake river. Accompanied by a her cousin, and the two young people uncover the dark family secret that began in the Dutch countryside during the waning days of the Nazi occupation. That thread of the story involves two Dutch Resistance fighters in love with the same woman. Brutal reprisals by German troops increase the friction among Resistance factions and add to conflicts between the two espionage agents, once best friends. The story not only follows a determined teen through her anger, loss, and betrayal, but it also echoes those themes in the ravaged landscape of wartime Holland. Narrators Anton Lesser and Anna Maxwell Martin keep the tension palpable and convey the tale's complex human dilemmas. Peet describes the intensity of love and the struggle to survive physical and mental hardships with compelling imagery. Students can easily draw parallels between this conflict and contemporary issues and identify with the title character's search for self. A gripping, well-crafted audiobook for high school and public library collections.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Gr 5–8—"Normal" is the dream for 12-year-old Addie in this poignant novel (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books, 2008) by Leslie Connor. Her erratic mother and her adored step-father Dwight have divorced. Her stepsisters are living with Dwight, while Addie must move into a tiny trailer with her mother. Addie, the optimist, makes a cozy nest in the trailer, starts a new school, joins the orchestra, and begins to make new friends. Her mother complains about her circumstances and soon takes up with Pete and leaves Addie alone for days on end. It is not until a near tragedy occurs that she is rescued from her neglectful mother. Narrator Angela Rogers skillfully delivers the first-person narration and nicely captures Addie's confident voice. Listeners will root for Addie as she comes to accept her mother's shortcomings and finds the home she longs for with Dwight and her sisters. For a more heart-wrenching story about neglect, point students to The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson (Delacorte, 1997) by Carol Lynch Williams.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

K-Gr 3—On his third album, Kentucky children's librarian Joel Caithamer sings 12 rock and country songs, some of which fuse the two styles. Several of them tell short stories, accompanied by guitars, keyboard, drums, harmonica, and percussion. In "Chicken Sandwich," a hungry child heads for the henhouse for some chicken. The "Mekong Catfish" is the largest, oldest fish in the river. A young man of eight eschews bathing in "Old Hygiene." Caithamer also performs a wonderful cover of Johnny Cash's hit, "I've Been Everywhere." Among the other songs are "Feeling Science Fiction," "Guitar Car," "Strange Foodstuff," and "Under the Bed." A fun album by a talented performer—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 1–5—With a sweet, folksy voice, Lisa Loeb croons 13 original and traditional songs highlighting the summer camp experience in her second album for children. The other six tracks feature traditional chants (some with hand claps), such as "How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck." Several of the songs are in pop rock style, some are bluegrass, and others are traditional folk songs. Beautiful, close harmonies and outstanding children's vocals make these songs exceptional. The album opens with the theme from the movie Meatballs—"Are You Ready for the Summer?" "Best Friend" and the Eagles-inspired "When It Rains" are as good as any popular top 10 hit. "Other songs include Neil Young's "Love Is a Rose," "Home on the Range," "Father Abraham," "The Cookie Jar Song," and "It's Not Goodbye," which segues into a round of "Make New Friends." A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album goes to support the Camp Lisa Foundation, which sends underprivileged children to summer camp. The album's unique concept as well as exceptional vocals and musicianship make this a must-have for libraries.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

K-Gr 4—Glo Dio Dati, an elementary school physical education teacher in New York, wrote and performs these 13 original songs intended to empower listeners to be kind, caring, and feel good about themselves and their world. Marketed as "Feel Good Songs for Kids," the lyrics and easy melodies lend themselves to singing and moving along with the music. The apparent lack of professional audio recording, manifested through muffled output, is distracting. Among the songs are "Believe," "Think with Your Heart," and "You Got the Power." A supplemental purchase for collections in need of self-esteem titles.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly, Menomonie Public Library, WI

PreS-K—Written and performed by Penny L. Cohen, these 12 songs will have children moving around in no time. Songs such as "What Can You Do" and "Point with Me" teach the parts of the body and get the entire body moving. "I Am a Train" and "Transportation" have youngsters imitating a train, a car, and a plane. Among the other songs are "Dancing Feet" and "Marching Band." Cohen's voice is lively and clear. This collection will be well used in preschools and story times. A must-have for every collection for very young children.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3—Laura and Tim, the award-winning Battersby Duo, wrote the 15 silly songs for this fun album. Inspired by the artistic creativity of youngsters in a kindergarten class, each tune has color related to it in some way. Most of them are performed in a 60s folk/rock style, with some blues and jazz included. Tim enhances the album with his entertaining British, Cockney, Scottish, and other accents. Bagpipes, harmonica, kazoo, and xylophone join with guitars, piano, and drums to give the songs extra pizzazz. In "Buttercup the Bovine," a person thinks that his cow is a cat. Other songs include "Bumble Bee Blues," "Color Me Eric," "The Citrus Song," "Elephant's Toenails," and others. and cover topics such as painting, reading, the alphabet, and riding bikes. Fans of the duo will welcome this album.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 2—Singer/songwriter Chris Bihuniak's first solo effort as Rock Daddy Rock is a collection of songs with boys in mind. From rap to rock, these 18 short songs feature such popular topics as boogers, gas, and burps. Inspired by poems written by Bihuniak, they encourage eating a green diet, cleaning up your room, and a nightmare free bedtime. "Where Is the Bathroom?" teaches how to ask the question in French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish. A few songs have very blunt lyrics that may be startling to younger children. In "Because I Care," Dad is scared because he cares and wants you to be safe, but the message is conveyed in phrases such as look both ways when crossing the street because "a truck could run you down and stop your playing days." In "Gun (Peace Sign)," the message is that rather than turning everything into a gun when playing, use your hand to make the peace sign. Before that suggestion is given though, a list of things that a child uses as a gun is given from a stick to the cross at church. Bihuniak's sons as backup singers adds to the boy appeal. An additional purchase for larger collections.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 1—Poet/songwriter David Gershator has penned music (and often the lyrics) to 18 songs, 11 of them based on picture books written by or co-written with his wife Phillis. These songs either complement the sentiment of the book (Greetings, Sun, DK, 1998), provide the text of the book (This Is the Day, Houghton Mifflin, 2007), or are found in the book (Bread Is for Eating, Holt, 1995). The remaining songs are original material. Gershator uses a variety of musical styles, relying largely on a Caribbean beat ("Tukama's Song," "Kallaloo Calypso") for upbeat tunes and lullabies ("Hush Little Bird," "Sleep Song") for ballads. Spanish lyrics for several songs are found along with English. Daughter Yonah, whose trained contralto voice is strong and pitch-perfect, provides lead vocals on most songs. Baritone Dave Hall and Gershator also take their turns on lead vocals on several tunes and harmonize on others. Musical accompaniment is spare. Pair the song with the book to add depth to a story time.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—These 12 songs, originally written in French by Quebecois singer and poet Gilles Vigneault, are beautifully performed by Canadian folk music group Hart-Rouge. Clear, pure voices bring life to the English lyrics, making it easy for listeners to sing along with songs such as "The Man from Leeds" and "Apple Song." "Sleepy Sheep Hoedown for the Kid Who Won't Lie Down" and "Teddy" will have youngsters tapping their toes. Slower songs such as "For You, I've a Lake" and "My Treasure" seem to have more adult appeal but would work well as lullabies. "Boxes" features lyrics which are not especially child friendly. The song lists a variety of boxes that are used to hide things: "a box of coal to hide your soul," "a box of flame to hide your name," "a box of toys to hide your eyes" up until the final box which is "a box of breath to hide death." The CD includes printable files with lyrics and illustrations. A sold addition to larger public library collections.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 4–6—Children learn how to reduce global warming and are empowered to live responsibly in this book (Orchard, pap. 2007) by Laurie David, the producer of Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and Cambria Gordon. Much of the book describes the effects of global warming by explaining how our behavior affects the world's animals and habitats, including examples such as the melting ice caps, weather changes, and the need for some animals to flee their habits. Scientific explanations for these phenomena are provided. The authors also offer suggestions on what can be done to conserve energy and manage resources as well as how individuals can fight back against this global crisis. Make sure that the book is available so that listeners can peruse the photos, illustrations, and charts. The narration is clear and easy to follow. The disks have track numbers for the beginning of each chapter, so teachers can select specific topics for classroom use.—Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 5–9—Ann Bausum's powerful book (National Geographic, 2005) about the experiences of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg during the Freedom Rides of the early 1960s is narrated by Cecelia Riddett whose impassioned reading emphasizes the brutal facts. Lewis, an African-American from the South, knew about prejudice and degradation from an early age and intended to become a preacher to help resolve the conflicts all around him. Zwerg, living the more privileged life of a Northern white student, came to understand the civil rights cause while he was in college. Both men risked their lives to take on the racist practices of interstate bus travel and highlight white Southerners' deep-seated hatred for blacks. The book, told from their perspectives, provides information about their lives, participation in the rides, and beating by an angry white mob. Both Zwerg and Lewis contributed stirring forewords, which would have had even more impact if they were read by the two men. Make sure to have the book available so listeners can see the archival photos.—Edie Ching, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC

K-Gr 3—This picture-book biography (Holiday House, 1990) by David Adler presents information about Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments as a printer, an inventor, and a statesman as well as his contributions to American history. John Wallner's full-color illustrations and some background sound effects complement Patrick Collins's well-done narration. The book is read with and without page-turn signals. A wonderful resource for primary graders.—Jill Q. Altman, Saluda Primary School, SC

Gr 3–6—Rod Espinosa's creative graphic depiction (Magic Wagon, 2007) of Herman Melville's Moby Dick is a great way to introduce elementary age children to the classic as well as a terrific learning tool for middle school ESL students and exceptional children who struggle with reading. This interactive program allows students to read and listen to the book at their own pace. Narration can be turned on or off. When the text is read, dialogue panels are highlighted and enlarged. Sound effects and music enhance the text, and the graphics are excellent. Well organized with a table of contents, glossary, and brief multiple-choice quiz, this graphic novel ibook can be navigated easily by the youngest students.—Beverly S. Almond, Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School, Raleigh, NC

K-Gr 4—In attempting to provide review for math, spelling, reading, and geography for five grade levels, this program only partially succeeds. The "review" is actually a series of quizzes, and the target audience varies from subject to subject. For example, in the alphabet section, students supply the missing letter of the alphabet, and in the spelling portion, users must fill in missing letters of difficult words such as "supervise" and "important." There are a wide variety of math levels, from a basic fill-in-the-blank counting activity to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. Each problem has a help button, but it only offers an explanation of the function. In another activity, students are asked to identify states in the United States, choosing from three possible answers. Some of the simpler activities require that users click in the answer box, supply an answer, click "Submit," and click "Next." Each correct response is rewarded with a "Yippee yee ha ha," which becomes annoying; incorrect answers receive a "Sorry" or a discordant note. Each activity is scored, but the score isn't saved or recorded for future sessions, and the problems don't change. This program will not maintain students' attention.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 4 Up— Crazy Machines had gone global—users can travel the world building wacky contraptions, solving puzzles, and sharing ideas with an online community. As in the previous releases, Crazy Machines: The Wacky Contraption Game (Feb. 2006, p. 78) and Crazy Machines 1.5: More Gizmos, Gadgets and Whatchemacallits (Sept. 2007. p. 78), there are many options for hours of creative play, and users are challenged to use physics, logic, and imagination to build Rube Goldberg-style contraptions. Expanding to the Internet adds additional player options and the opportunity to collaborate with users around the world. There are hundreds of new levels to complete, and you can go online to download add-ons, see new labs, see other players' labs, and more. "The World Tour," which is the major portion of the program, takes players through 15 chapters, 11 world locations, and offers 150 experiments. The graphics are fun, the sound effects are very cool, and players can zoom, pan, and rotate the display. As users attempt to solve problems by building gadgets with everything from basketballs to lasers, there are numerous ways to get help, to see possible solutions, and to learn about pulleys, levers, steam and electrical power, and a myriad of other mechanical and physics lessons. Help is available in a quick-start pamphlet, online (a game manual and technical support), and through a toll-free phone number. This program is addictive, and physics was never this much fun before.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Get ready for Black History Month in February with two stellar DVDs for young children. March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Weston Woods), an iconographic rendering of the picture book (Scholastic, 2008) by Christine King Farris, focuses on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington. Nutmeg Media's The Story of Ruby Bridges, based on the book (Scholastic, 1995) by Robert Coles, is the true story about a six-year-old in New Orleans who helped desegregate her elementary school.

A free one-year subscription to PaperToolsPro Online (papertoolspro.net), an educational tool to help students learn good research skills and ethics, is being offered to all public and private schools nationwide by ePen&Inc. This online software facilitates the writing process while helping students avoid plagiarism in their writing. It helps users gather information, create organized notes, record sources, create bibliography and citation entries, and more.

Have you thought about introducing live radio theater in your schools and libraries? Galaxy Press is offering a free copy of a reading performance guide to L. Ron Hubbard's The Last Drop, a collection of three pulp sci-fi stories for students in grade 7 and above. The three CDs include a script, instructions, sound effects, music, and a sampler of the story performed by actors. Contact jgoodwin@galaxypress.com to request your free copy.

Disney Educational Productions (disneyeducation.com) is releasing a new DVD science series, The Science of Disney Imagineering. Disney imagineers are research and development folks who combine imagination with engineering to create some extraordinary things in the theme park and beyond. The three films in the series teach students in grades 5 to 8 about trajectory, levers and pulleys, and gravity, including how monster waves are created at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and how the forces of gravity work on a rollercoaster.