Geo Librarian

AWESOME ACHIEVERS IN TECHNOLOGY Super and Strange Facts about 12 Almost Famous History Makers by Alan Katz, illustrated by Chris Judge Running Press Kids, 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7624-6336-7 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9-12 Middle grade nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Everyone has heard the name Steve Jobs, but what about Nolan Bushnell--Jobs's boss before the invention of Apple, and the founder of the first major video game, Pong ? Many of the most relevant figures in tech history have remained in the shadows, but not any longer! From Alan Katz's new Awesome Achievers series, Awesome Achievers in Technology gives kids a look behind the scenes at 12 lesser-known inventors whose contributions to tech are personally relevant to their lives today. Each figure is given a traditional biography but is also subject to Katz's unique brand of silliness, with humorous elements such as imagined poems, song lyrics, an...

THE BIG BOLD ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF LAVINIA WARREN by Elizabeth Raum Chicago Review Press, 2018 ISBN: 9780912777504 Source: eARC from publisher for Cybils Ages 10 and up Middle grade biography All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK   Lavinia Warren never let her height—or the lack of it—prevent her from leading a full and adventurous life. Although she never grew more than three feet tall, she became a beloved teacher, a world traveler, an entertainer and the friend of many powerful figures. Lavinia was teaching at a local school when she heard about an opportunity to travel doing shows as a “human curiosity” on a Mississippi River boat. Eventually she met P. T. Barnum and worked at his American Museum. It was there that she met Charles Stratton, a little person known to the world as “Tom Thumb.” Their wedding, which took place on February 10, 1863, brought joy to a nation at war. President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln held a reception fo...

THE FAITHFUL SPY A True Story! Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix Amulet Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-4197-2838-9 Source: purchased Ages 12 and up YA Graphic Nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK   Interweaving handwritten text and art, John Hendrix tells the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his fight against the oppression of the German people during World War II. Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who was shocked to watch the German church embrace Hitler's agenda of hatred. He spoke out against the Nazi party and led a breakaway church that rebelled against racist and nationalist beliefs of the Third Reich. Struggling with how his faith interacted with his ethics, Bonhoeffer eventually became convinced that Hitler and the Nazi Party needed to be stopped--and he was willing to sacrifice anything and everything to do so. REVIEW Wow! Hendrix has really out done himself with ...

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse by Catherine Reef Clarion Books, 2017 ISBN: 978-0-544-53580-0 Source: purchased Ages 12 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Most people know Florence Nightingale was a compassionate and legendary nurse, but they don’t know her full story. This riveting biography explores the exceptional life of a woman who defied the stifling conventions of Victorian society to pursue what was considered an undesirable vocation. She is best known for her work during the Crimean War, when she vastly improved gruesome and deadly conditions and made nightly rounds to visit patients, becoming known around the world as the Lady with the Lamp. Her tireless and inspiring work continued after the war, and her modern methods in nursing became the defining standards still used today. Includes notes, bibliography, and index . REVIEW  One of the things that I've always admired about biog...

THE BOOK OF HEROINES Tales of History's Gutsiest Gals by Stephanie Warren Drimmer National Geographic Kids, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2557-1 Middle grade nonfiction Ages 9-12 Source: Media Masters Publicity/publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Everybody needs a role model! Discover true stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, gusty gals, and everyday girls who changed the world. From Sacagawea to Mother Teresa, Annie Oakley to Malala Yousafzai, these famous females hiked up their pants and petticoats or charged full-speed ahead to prove that girls are just as tough as boys...maybe even tougher. Complete with amazing images and a fun design, this is the book that every kid with a goal, hope, or dream will want to own. REVIEW In this era of political discord and social upheaval, it's more important than ever to have mentors and heroes/heroines.  Of course, there isn't going to be agreement on whose a hero...

I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8037-4083-9 Picture Book Biography Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer. Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it, Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Abraham Lincoln always spoke up about fairness, and thus he led the country to abolish slavery. This book f...

A WORLD OF HER OWN 24 Amazing Women Explorers and Adventurers by Michael Elsohn Ross Chicago Review Press, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-61374-438-3 Source: Publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK An inspiration for any young person who loves the outdoors, wildlife, or science, A World of Her Own tells the stories of 24 brave women from different cultures, epochs, and economic backgrounds who have shared similar missions: to meet the physical and mental challenges of exploring the natural world, to protect the environment and native cultures, and to leave a mark in the name of discovery. Among the many bold women profiled are Rosaly Lopes, who worked for NASA and discovered 71 volcanoes on one of Jupiter’s moons; Helen Thayer, the first woman to walk and ski the Magnetic North Pole accompanied by only her dog; Kay Cottee, the first woman to successfully sail nonstop around the world completely unassisted; and Anna Smith Peck, who set the record...

WOMEN EXPLORERS by Julie Cummins, illustrated by Cheryl Harness Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8037-3713-6 Collective biography Grades 2-5 Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK Meet ten inspiring women whose passions for exploration made them push the boundaries Though most people have heard of explorers like Henry Hudson and Christopher Columbus, few have heard names like Nellie Cashman and Annie Smith Peck. Unfortunately, most of the brave women explorers have never made it into history books because they lived in times when it was taboo for women to go off on their own. Luckily, the daring women in this book didn't let those taboos slow them down as they climbed treacherous mountains, studied Aboriginal cultures, and lived with Pygmy tribes! With engaging text and bold illustrations, Women Explorers will finally properly introduce these adventurous women to the world. REVIEW I found it rather telling that I had never heard of any ...

BRAIN ON FIRE: MY MONTH OF MADNESS by Susannah Cahalan Free Press, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4516-2137-2 Adult Autobiography/Memoir ABOUT THE BOOK A gripping memoir and medical suspense story about a young New York Post reporter’s struggle with a rare and terrifying disease, opening a new window into the fascinating world of brain science. One day, Susannah Cahalan woke up in a strange hospital room, strapped to her bed, under guard, and unable to move or speak. Her medical records—from a month-long hospital stay of which she had no memory—showed psychosis, violence, and dangerous instability. Yet, only weeks earlier she had been a healthy, ambitious twenty-four year old, six months into her first serious relationship and a sparkling career as a cub reporter. Susannah’s astonishing memoir chronicles the swift path of her illness and the lucky, last-minute intervention led by one of the few doctors capable of saving her life. As weeks ticked by and Susannah moved inexplicably...

For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart written by Elizabeth Rusch paintings by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher Tricycle Press, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-58246-326-1 Grades 1 and up Reviewed from book borrowed from public library. Reviewed for Beehive Book Awards BLURB : By the time she was 12, she was considered one of the finest pianists in Europe, but today few people know her name. Maria Mozart, like her famous brother Wolfgang, was a musical prodigy. The talented siblings toured Europe, playing before kings and empresses, were showered with gifts and favors, and lived in a whirlwind life of music and travel. They were best friends, collaborators, and confidantes. As they grew older, Wolfgang was encouraged to pursue his musical ambitions, while Maria was told she must stop performing and, ultimately, marry. But she was determined to continue playing the piano every day, for the love of music . . . . I'll say up front that I loved this book, s...

Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything written by Kathleen Kroll, illustrated by Robert Byrd Viking, 2010 ISBN: 978-0-670-01114-8 Grades 3-6 Reviewed from purchased copy. Loading... Loading... Always cast in a supporting role in the many books about Marco Polo, the great Kubla Khan now takes center stage in a splendid picture-book biography. He is a wonderful subject-a man who liked to live large, building the imperial city of Beijing from scratch, siring a hundred children, throwing birthday bashes for 40,000 guests. He ruled over the greatest empire of the tim ...more BLURB : Always cast in a supporting role in the many books about Marco Polo, the great Kubla Khan now takes center stage in a splendid picture-book biography. He is a wonderful subjec...

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Peter Malone Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011 ISBN:  978-0-439-67640-3 Grades 1-5 Reviewed from copy borrowed from library. BLURB :  History has never been hairier. Did you know that kings AND queens wore fake beards in Ancient Egypt? Or that hair was used in medicine at the height of the Incan Empire? Or that Queen Elizabeth I had more than 80 wigs in various shades of red? Kathleen Krull and Peter Malone start at the dawn of history and bring us up to contemporary times, using incredible bits and bobs of hair fact and lore to show us just how much things have changed (and how they haven't!). This is a perfect way to introduce young readers to the idea of a longitudinal study. And it's also an irreverant and playful look at what funny fashion victims we humans have always been! As I read this book, I confess, there were parts where I wrinkled my nose and went, ewwwh.  I found it kin...

The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont written by Victoria Griffith, illustrations by Eva Montanari Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4197-0011-8 Interest Level: 1st Grade and up Reviewed from copy received from author for review. Opinions are solely my own, no compensation rec'd. BLURB : While the Wright Brothers were gliding over Kitty Hawk, the charming Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont was making his own mark on the history of flight.  Alberto loved floating over Paris in his personal flying machine called a dirigible. He would tie it to a post, climb down, and spend the day shopping or meeting friends for coffee. But he wanted to make his invention even better. By 1906, Alberto had transformed his balloon into a box with wings! But now there was competition. Another inventor challenged Alberto to see who would be the first in flight. Alberto’s hard work paid off, and his airplane successfully soared into the air, making him the fir...