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222 pp.
| Philomel
| March, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-23705-8$14.99
(3)
YA
In this epistolary collection, twenty-seven young adult authors respond to questions from teens and tweens. Most of the kids' letters focus on their experiences with heart-wrenching issues like suicide, eating disorders, and abuse. Some of their missives are better thought-out than the adults' responses, although each author conveys genuine warmth and compassion in his or her "letter of hope."
32 pp.
| Abrams
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8109-1204-5$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stacey Dressen-McQueen.
In this smart, lively collection of fourteen poems, readers will find intriguing descriptions of mummies and dinosaurs, fine art and textiles. Factual tidbits within the poems may provide just enough information to whet readers' appetites and inspire them to seek out more details on a subject. The poems are complemented by bold mixed-media double-page spreads of museum artifacts and awestruck children.
159 pp.
| Delacorte
| May, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-385-90470-4$11.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-385-73472-1$8.99
(3)
YA
In this collection of short stories, British and American YA authors, including Lois Lowry, Meg Cabot, Jacqueline Wilson, and Melvin Burgess, tackle both weighty and humorous topics, ranging from sexuality to family relationships to physical disabilities. A few stories are overshadowed by heavy-handed messages, but many will have readers seeking out longer works by these authors.
103 pp.
| Chelsea
| November, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9480-8$30.00
(4)
YA
Hip-Hop Stars series.
These biographies deliver comprehensive information about the lives and careers of their subjects--including achievements and struggles--as well as a history of hip-hop. The same introduction by Chuck D of rap group Public Enemy begins each. The stories are engaging, though the writing tends to ramble. Photos, sidebars, discographies, and some websites add to the teen-friendly appeal. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Hip-Hop Stars titles: Beastie Boys, Eminem, Missy Elliott, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC.
102 pp.
| Chelsea
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9479-2$30.00
(4)
YA
Hip-Hop Stars series.
These biographies deliver comprehensive information about the lives and careers of their subjects--including achievements and struggles--as well as a history of hip-hop. The same introduction by Chuck D of rap group Public Enemy begins each. The stories are engaging, though the writing tends to ramble. Photos, sidebars, discographies, and some websites add to the teen-friendly appeal. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Hip-Hop Stars titles: Beastie Boys, Eminem, Missy Elliott, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC.
(3)
YA
Ishmael Leseur plods his way through year nine, trying to avoid bully Barry Bagsley. When brainy new kid James Scobie single-handedly stands up to Barry, Ishmael sees what life can be like when it's lived without fear. Comical characters and a series of ridiculously embarrassing situations inspire Ishmael to look inside to find his own individuality.
230 pp.
| Candlewick
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-3464-3$15.99
(3)
YA
Bennett imagines the story of the young Jane Austen (called Jenny) penning novels, looking for love, and struggling for independence in a patriarchal British society. While this book is more simplistic than Austen's own novels, it picks up on similar themes (e.g., love, class system, family). Austen aficionados will be happy to find a well-drawn, strong-willed heroine.
245 pp.
| Hyperion
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-0642-5$15.99
(3)
YA
Seven homeless adolescents survive hand-to-mouth on the gritty streets of Los Angeles. Each chapter of the novel--narrated by a different character--reads like a heart-rending monologue of abuse, drugs, loneliness, and hunger. Both in pain and capable of inflicting it, the realistic characters offer a window into the world of streetwise yet vulnerable homeless teens.
99 pp.
| Chelsea
| September, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9569-0$30.00
(4)
YA
Hip-Hop Stars series.
These biographies deliver comprehensive information about the lives and careers of their subjects--including achievements and struggles--as well as a history of hip-hop. The same introduction by Chuck D of rap group Public Enemy begins each. The stories are engaging, though the writing tends to ramble. Photos, sidebars, discographies, and some websites add to the teen-friendly appeal. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Hip-Hop Stars titles: Beastie Boys, Eminem, Missy Elliott, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC.
40 pp.
| Harcourt
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-205843-2$16.00
(3)
PS
Playful pups woof and romp with their owners on their way to the farmers' market and the park. Ehlert puts the brief rhymed text in speech bubbles over the dogs' heads and uses whimsical collages made of fabric, paper, buttons, and thread to capture the dogs' lively natures. A final double-page spread features descriptions and portraits of each frisky pet.
183 pp.
| Holt
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-7236-5$16.95
(3)
4-6
Motivated by her late mother's diary, aspiring writer Erin spontaneously buys a bus ticket from Minnesota to Alabama, hoping to find her mom's literary inspiration, Harper Lee. The simple, well-told story focuses on the familiar themes of self-discovery and catharsis as Erin develops unlikely friendships during her two-day pilgrimage.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| January, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-3117-8$15.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Vanessa Cabban.
When Mole encounters snow for the first time, he mistakes an icicle for a "magic diamond." Mole is disappointed to learn why the diamond melts, but his disappointment soon turns to joy when he and his friends experience a dazzling wintry sunset. Benign animal characters and soft winter scenes accompany this gentle but wordy story.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9629-4$25.36 New ed. (2001)
(3)
K-3
How Artists Use series.
Each book in this revised and updated series clearly and simply explains the basic principles of art. Using kid-friendly language, the author describes the visual attributes of the famous paintings, sculptures, and other fine art pieces that appear throughout the pages. Simple activities at the end give readers a chance to practice artistic techniques on their own. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Artists Use titles: Color, Line and Tone, Pattern and Texture, Perspective, and Shape.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9633-1$25.36 New ed. (2001)
(3)
K-3
How Artists Use series.
Each book in this revised and updated series clearly and simply explains the basic principles of art. Using kid-friendly language, the author describes the visual attributes of the famous paintings, sculptures, and other fine art pieces that appear throughout the pages. Simple activities at the end give readers a chance to practice artistic techniques on their own. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Artists Use titles: Color, Line and Tone, Pattern and Texture, Perspective, and Shape.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9630-0$25.36 New ed. (2001)
(3)
K-3
How Artists Use series.
Each book in this revised and updated series clearly and simply explains the basic principles of art. Using kid-friendly language, the author describes the visual attributes of the famous paintings, sculptures, and other fine art pieces that appear throughout the pages. Simple activities at the end give readers a chance to practice artistic techniques on their own. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Artists Use titles: Color, Line and Tone, Pattern and Texture, Perspective, and Shape.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9631-7$25.36 New ed. (2001)
(3)
K-3
How Artists Use series.
Each book in this revised and updated series clearly and simply explains the basic principles of art. Using kid-friendly language, the author describes the visual attributes of the famous paintings, sculptures, and other fine art pieces that appear throughout the pages. Simple activities at the end give readers a chance to practice artistic techniques on their own. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Artists Use titles: Color, Line and Tone, Pattern and Texture, Perspective, and Shape.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9632-4$25.36 New ed. (2001)
(3)
K-3
How Artists Use series.
Each book in this revised and updated series clearly and simply explains the basic principles of art. Using kid-friendly language, the author describes the visual attributes of the famous paintings, sculptures, and other fine art pieces that appear throughout the pages. Simple activities at the end give readers a chance to practice artistic techniques on their own. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Artists Use titles: Color, Line and Tone, Pattern and Texture, Perspective, and Shape.
64 pp.
| Getty
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-89236-878-5$9.95
(4)
K-3
Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by a historic, artistic, or avant-garde black-and-white photograph. "A is for Abe," for example, is accompanied by a photo of Abraham Lincoln on the Civil War battlefield. The book is beautifully designed and the photos well chosen, but the words seem to be an afterthought. Each image is briefly described in the end matter.
(4)
K-3
Art across the Ages series.
Geared toward beginning readers, these brief books include photos and descriptions of artwork from ancient Egypt or Mexico. Often the text poses questions to the reader or points out easily-missed visual details. The content remains simple, with few historic facts or dates given. Sentences are short, though readers may find some vocabulary challenging due to the subject matter. Pronunciation of a few words is included within the texts. Review covers these Art across the Ages titles: Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mexico.
(4)
K-3
Art across the Ages series.
Geared toward beginning readers, these brief books include photos and descriptions of artwork from ancient Egypt or Mexico. Often the text poses questions to the reader or points out easily-missed visual details. The content remains simple, with few historic facts or dates given. Sentences are short, though readers may find some vocabulary challenging due to the subject matter. Pronunciation of a few words is included within the texts. Review covers these Art across the Ages titles: Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mexico.