Geo Librarian

WAYLON!  One Awesome Thing by Sara Pennypacker, pictures by Marla Frazee Disney Hyperion, 2016 ISBN: 978-148470152-2 Middle Grade Contemporary (Realistic) Ages 7-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through science, like teleportation, human gills, and attracting cupcakes by controlling gravity. But it's impossible for him to concentrate on his inventions when he's experiencing his own personal Big Bang. Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen. Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time. Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something hap...

LARRY LOVES BOSTON! by John Skewes little bigfoot, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-63217-047-7 Board book Ages 0-3 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Just like the locals, Larry the pup loves the Freedom Trail, Public Garden, Fenway Park, Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall, and many of the other sites and sounds of Boston. This board book based on the popular Larry Gets Lost in Boston features vibrant retro illustrations of this great American city and the perpetually lost pup, Larry. REVIEW Larry is an adorable red-nosed dog that likes to run away from his pal, Pete and explore the world around him.  In this cute board book, Larry is exploring some of the historical sites in Boston, Massachusetts.  He passes along the Freedom Trail, Feneuil Hall along with the Samuel Adams statue, The Old State House, Old North Church, and other significant places in the city.  My favorite was his stop at the Public Garden whe...

ULTIMATE EXPLORER FIELD GUIDE: BIRDS by Julie Beer National Geographic Kids, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2299-0 Ages 9-12 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK This fun, photo-filled, and fact-packed bird guide will make kids Stop! Look! and Listen! to find the feathered friends right in their own backyards. From ducks to hawks, sparrows to sandpipers, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot birds all over the United States. With tons of info and interactivity prompts, it's the perfect companion for backyard or field trip, camping or vacation. Durable and portable, it's just right for pocket or backpack. REVIEW Fields guides are intended to help observers identify specific objects.  This particular field guide is intended to help children identify birds from North America.  Each entry gives brief information about the common and scientific names of the bird, it's range, feeding habits, and specific a...

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS NATIONAL PARKS GUIDE U.S.A. CENTENNIAL EDITION: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, & Cool Activities from Coast to Coast National Geographic Kids, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2314-0 Ages 9-12 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Happy 100th Birthday, National Parks! Join the centennial celebration by reading all about these greatest of American treasures -- from Acadia to Zion -- in preparation for a parks visit sometime soon. Filled with color photos, information on animals, fascinating lists, fun facts, maps, cool things to do, conservation tips, and much more -- think of this book as your trusted guide to these most majestic of places. REVIEW 2016 celebrates 100 years of National Parks and to celebrate, National Geographic has released an updated version of this kid's guide to the national parks.  The book is organized by region with several parks highlighted in each section and others...

THE NAMELESS CITY by Faith Erin Hicks First Second, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-62672-157-9 Graphic Novel Ages 9 and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders. Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred--a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands. REVIEW I absolutely adored this book, not only for it's diverse content, but for the great characters, plot,...

THE FOUNDRY'S EDGE The First Book of Ore by Cam Baity & Benny Zelkowicz Disney Hyperion, 2014 ISBN: 978-142316227-8 Middle Grade Speculative (Science Fiction) Ages 9-14 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Two kids on a rescue mission. A mysterious realm of living metal. One secret that will change the world. For Phoebe Plumm, life in affluent Meridian revolves around trading pranks with irksome servant Micah Tanner and waiting for her world-renowned father, Dr. Jules Plumm, to return home. Chief Surveyor for The Foundry, a global corporation with an absolute monopoly on technology, Phoebe's father is often absent for months at a time. But when a sudden and unexpected reunion leads to father and daughter being abducted, Phoebe and would-be rescuer Micah find themselves stranded in a stunning yet volatile world of living metal, one that has been ruthlessly plundered by The Foundry for centuries an...