Strike: The Farm Workers' Fight for Their Rights

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

This is a dynamic work of narrative non-fiction by Larry Dane Brimmer a passionate author, teacher and Civil Rights advocate. It tells the interconnected stories of the 1965 Delano Grape Strike, the work of activist Cesar Chavez and the formation of the United Farm Workers of America. Brimmer's successful page layouts complement the text. They include full-page black and white photographs and artwork alongside text both in Spanish and English. This well-researched work includes FBI files, personal diaries, letters and newspaper articles. It will incite lively discussions of present day workers' rights, unions, the federal minimum wage, civil rights and immigration reform for grades 6 and up. Timeline, further informational sources, source notes, index and picture credits appended.

This book is recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Brimmer, Larry Dane

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Calkins Creek/Highlights

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781590789971

Price: 16.95

Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Jarrow writes with an urgency about the early twentieth century Pellagra epidemic in the southern United States. The layout includes haunting black and white photographs of the victims as well as frightening newspaper headlines. This work will provoke discussions of heroic doctors and scientists and the parallels between Pellagra and the present day Ebola epidemic for grades 6 and up. Glossary, timeline, further informational sources, author's note, source notes, bibliography, index and picture credits appended.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Jarrow, Gail

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Calkins Creek/Highlights

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781590787328

Price: 16.95

Colonel Theodore Roosevelt

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Adler cleverly depicts history, politics and the life of Theodore Roosevelt as a story of privilege and adventure. Colonel was his favorite title of all the titles held in his lifetime. The United States, however, had a different plan for Roosevelt. He was the youngest president at the time in 1901 and would be a popularly sought after political figure running again for President up until his death in 1918. Adler includes photographs, sketches and letters. History comes alive in this biography for grades 6 and up.

This work is recommended for the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Adler, David

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Holiday House

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780823429509

Price: 18.95

Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business and Won!

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

This biography is the work of an award winning author, McCully, who shows a passion for her subject. Tarbell, born 1857, was an investigative journalist ahead of her time. It was Tarbell's greatest lifetime achievement to write articles challenging the corrupt business practices of her time. Her persuasive controversial topics would change public policies and decisions made at the highest levels of government by President Roosevelt. A terrific source for discussions on journalism, women's history and women's rights for grades 6 and up. Author's note, source notes, bibliography, photo credits and index appended.

This work is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

McCully, Emily Arnold

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Clarion Books

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780547290928

Price: 18.99

Freedom Summer: The 1964 Struggle for Civil Rights In Mississippi

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Goldman's narrative account of the shocking events that took place during the Freedom Summer of 1964 reads like a suspenseful thriller. The layout is accented by black and white maps and photographs. The chapter headings are the dates that count down to the deaths of the student volunteers and the aftermath. Grades 6 and up will enjoy discussions on civil rights and the fifty year anniversary of this historical event. Further reading, timeline, photos of primary documents, source notes, bibliography, picture credits, and index appended. This work is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Rubin, Susan Goldman

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Holiday House

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780823429202

Price: 18.95

The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

This work of narrative nonfiction by award winning author, Sheinkin, presents the moving story of a group of young black sailors who stood up to the U.S. Navy. There was racial prejudice and strict segregation in the U.S. Navy in 1944 until an explosion rocked military history and the lives of these 50 men. Sheinkin skillfully outlines the historical events that led up to the explosion using military documents, black and white photographs, court documents and the personal accounts of those sailors alive today. This work will generate discussions of early Civil Rights heroes for grades 6 and up. Source notes, works cited, picture credits and index appended. This book is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Sheinkin, Steve

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781596437968

Price: 19.99

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Kuklin's thought provoking work of narrative nonfiction reveals first-hand accounts of transgender teens. The author interviewed youth from wide-ranging ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups. The participants chose whether or not to include their names and photographs. Their stories will encourage discussions of sexuality, gender identity, alienation, difference and compassion for grades 6 and up. Author's note, questions and answers from the Director of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, an introduction to Proud Theater, an LGBT organization, glossary and extensive resources appended. This book is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Kuklin, Susan

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780763656119

Price: 22.99

A Volcano Beneath the Snow: John Brown's War Against Slavery

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Award winning author Marrin brings to life the slave rebellions of the nineteenth century and the events that inevitably brought about the start of the American Civil War. John Brown was a leader who would not apologize for his violent acts to stand up against slavery. The layout is complemented by black and white photographs, sketches and primary documents. The text reads like newspaper columns. Grades 6 and up will enjoy the challenge of debating John Brown's character: leader, hero, liar or terrorist. Notes, further reading, image credits and index appended. This book is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Marrin, Albert

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780307981523

Price: 19.99

The Other Way Around

Reviewed by: Lauren Isele - Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

This coming-of-age novel is a remarkable debut for Maine author Kaufman. Sixteen year-old Andrew is running away and finds himself embarking on a journey of self-discovery with a quirky cast of characters. The spot-on witty dialog and rich characters make this a thought-provoking read for a high school audience to enjoy.

This book is recommended to the Cream of the Crop.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Kaufman, Sashi

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Carolroda Lab

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781467702621

Price: 17.95

This Book's Maine Connection: Maine author