Reviews

Air Devils: Sky Racers, Sky Divers, and Stunt Pilots

American Justice: Seven Famous Trials of the 20th Century

Ancient Egypt

Animal Geography: Africa

Avalanche! The Deadly Slide

Coming to America: The Story of Immigration

From Smoke Signals to Email: Moments in History

Hurricane! Nature's Most Destructive Force

Oil Spills! The Perils of Petroleum

Orcas: High Seas Supermen

The Red Tails: World War II's Tuskegee Airmen

Tarnished Legacy: The Story of the Comstock Lode

Tsunami! Death Wave

Women with Grit

 

Air Devils: Sky Racers, Sky Divers, and
Stunt Pilots

by Ellen Hopkins

Why do pilots race and risk their lives on crazy stunts? Hopkins does a great job answering these questions in this book and imparts her love of aviation without glossing over the dangers. She describes in detail the hazardous early flying machines, which were delicate and hard to control. One stunt pilot fell off his wing while performing his show and was killed when his head hit a tombstone. In her informal, chatty style, Hopkins writes about early flight, starting with the parachutes and balloons of the 18th and 19th century. The contests, races, dares, and stunts are recorded with densely packed historical details and interesting facts. The text is long but is helped by the many diagrams and photographs, often two or more per page. Hopkins documents the famous and not so famous names in aviation to give a full picture of how each new and exciting stunt or speed record fed on itself and pushed forward innovations in aviation. The book ends with a race re-enacted on the page with the reader as the pilot. It is a great way to end the book but any real-life pilot reading it would notice the error in the phrase, "your hands hold the wheel." Pilots use the term, "stick" or "yoke" or "controls" rather than "wheel." This is a minor quibble in an otherwise fast-paced and fun read.
—Children's Literature

Grades 6-12. Don't let the title fool you: this is about more than "extreme" flight-related sports. It's a history of flight, emphasizing the part played by the urge to compete. With a tip of the hat to Leonardo da Vinci's sketches, Hopkins discusses everything from balloons, early airplanes, and barnstormers to military planes and airplane racing. Famous fliers appear in a less-familiar competitive guise, and women pilots and daredevils receive ample attention. Opening and closing with an exciting description of modern-day pylon races, the book emphasizes the thrill of flight while never minimizing its dangers. The layout, with short paragraphs and plenty of white space, is uncluttered, even with the many attractive, informative photographs. Some pictures take background for granted: a picture of the Hindenburg, for instance, is not captioned. The language isn't elegant, but it's easy to read, contemporary, and not condescending, making the book a good choice for high-school "emergent readers." Neither a bibliography nor a list of Internet sites is included.
—Booklist, July 2000

Looking for a well-written book on an interesting subject for reluctant readers? This is a good possibility. A simple science experiment that explains the theory of hot air balloons creates a foundation for what is to come as the book takes the reader through the fascinating history of flight. The contents are up-to-date for the new century with the latest balloon flight around the world. The text is high interest/low vocabulary, illustrated with old b/w and newer color photos. The subject matter is well documented, with an excellent glossary and index.
The introduction leads the reader to expect that he/she will learn about the daredevils who tour the country in air shows. It is necessary to give background, but the title is misleading: the emphasis is not on the air shows but on the history of flight. This is a well-written, well-documented and informative book and should be added to the nonfiction collection. However, I feel that the publisher should have made the title clearer.
—KLIATT, May 2000

In 64 short pages, this book with cool photos not only covers the history of early flight but also delves into the world of today's air shows, skydivers, "surfers" who jump out of planes on snowboards, and airplane races. This title starts with the caveman's envy of birds and Leonardo de [sic] Vinci's seemingly viable plans for flying machines. It then traces flight from the first balloon ascents to the Wright brothers and the effect of the World Wars on airplane design and production. The big names in flight are all included: Charles Lindbergh, Linc Beachey, Doug Davis, Mabel Cody, Jimmy Doolittle, and Greg "Pappy" Boyington. For researchers, the book will be a good jumping off point. Although designed as a hi/lo publication, the title will enthrall any student interested in the subject. The personal anecdotes and action sequences keep readers from realizing how much they are learning. I started and finished it in under an hour without putting it down. I especially found the information on the early women pilots fascinating. A glossary and an index are included.
—The Book Report, November/December 2000

 

American Justice: Seven Famous Trials of the 20th Century

by L.L. Owens

Grades 6-8. There's enough drama in the seven famous trials described in this entry in the Cover-to-Cover series to ensure that young readers won't want to put this book down. Without sensationalizing, Owens paints a vivid, sometimes horrific picture of the criminal mind at its worst. Beginning with Leopold and Loeb's kidnap and murder of Bobby Franks, the book shares stark details, with bulleted facts that make easy, yet gripping reading. Encapsulated case-file facts, excerpted courtroom testimonies, and plenty of photos and sketches add to the appeal of the book, which in both format and reading level (if, arguably, not content) will speak to middle-school readers as well as to older reluctant readers. Other trials include the Lindbergh baby's kidnapping, the gruesome Tate-LaBianca murders, and Brown v. Board of Education. Boldface vocabulary terms appear throughout the text and are cross-referenced in the glossary.
—Booklist, January 2001

Seven of the most-watched 20th century American trials are succinctly presented. The discussion does not shy away from serious and violent subject matter. Trials of kidnapping and murder are represented by 1) the Leopold and Loeb case in which two educated and wealthy young men treat killing as a game, and 2) the famous Lindbergh case. Other murder trials include those of the Manson Family and O. J. Simpson. The Rosenberg husband-and-wife spying trial, the school segregation trial of Brown versus the Board of Education, and the freedom of the press trial over the Pentagon Papers complete this volume. A brief outline, followed by a more detailed description of each crime, trial, and outcome, is the format for these presentations. Interesting artifacts are provided, such as the ransom note for Baby Lindbergh and O.J.'s "suicide" letter. Historical tidbits are inserted for background, such as a review of the U.S. Constitution or a brief precis of the Cold War. There are authentic photographs, a glossary, and an index. The concept is appropriate for mature teenagers though the book is simply written.
—Children's Literature

 

Ancient Egypt

by Shirley Jordan

Perfection Learning's Ancient Egypt helps readers in upper elementary/middle school learn about early civilization and culture. The author, Shirley Jordan, describes what it would be like to live along the Nile from the time of the first pharaoh in 3,100 B.C. through the demise of Cleopatra, 3,000 years later.

The two- to five-page chapters in the glossy volume are loaded with maps, timelines and colorful photos of artifacts. Drawings of everyday scenes help introduce young minds to the hierarchy, spirituality, customs and daily living of ancient Egyptians. Students will learn how Egyptians first developed astronomy, mathematics, medicine, ship-building, engineering, glass and even cosmetics.
—Curriculum Administrator, November 1999

Grades 5-8. This book presents factual material, then re-creates scenes in the lives of Egyptian people, explaining how they prepared their toiletries, what they ate, how they worshipped, and how their lives differed depending on their position in society. Most of the information is not new and other sources, such as George Hart's Ancient Egypt (Time-Life, 1995), are better illustrated. However, students may find this small volume helpful as it is filled with the kinds of facts needed for reports. Readers witness a sumptuous dinner-feast, they learn what it's like to sail on the Nile, and the steps necessary to mummify a cadaver. There is also information on the Rosetta Stone, the Sphinx, King Tut, and Cleopatra. Frequent black-and-white and color maps and reproductions illustrate the text. Best for libraries that need supplemental material to meet research demands.
—School Library Journal, January 2000

This slim volume offers a concise, easy-to-understand survey of the art and culture of ancient Egypt. The presentation is enlivened by maps, sidebars, numerous line drawings, and approximately 50 color and b/w photographs. Familiar topics such as the pyramids, the Sphinx, the Rosetta Stone, and the tomb of Tutankhamen are explained in a simple, lively narrative. Also featured are sections on daily life and occupations, mathematics, mummification, and the famous Egyptian queens Hatshepsut and Cleopatra. A glossary is included as well. This is a user-friendly introduction that will be most appealing to junior high students, although many high school students will also find it helpful and informative.
—KLIATT, March 2000

This book's author is a retired elementary teacher who obviously understands what children want and need to know about the Egyptians. The 13 short chapters in this volume cover everything from Egypt's beginnings to the pharaohs, home life, the Nile River, the Egyptians and mathematics, the Sphinx, Honoring the Dead, and even Osiris and Isis. The chapters have brief paragraphs and are illustrated with line drawings as well as color and b&w photographs. Although this book is intended for "below-grade-level readers in upper elementary/middle school," its layout, high-gloss paper, and font size make it seem like a book for mature students. Students who are interested in the ancient Egyptians will find it informative and helpful for reports or assignments. School districts where this topic is part of the social studies curriculum might consider adopting this volume as a supplement to their textbooks. The book's only flaw is that the paperback edition is so poorly bound that it fell apart before I could write my review. I recommend buying the hardcover edition.
—Book Report, January/February 2000

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians dyed their hair to cover up gray and their language had a word for "womanscribe?" Did you know that among rich Egyptians, a party guest was only being polite if he ate until he felt sick? The author of this book delights in uncovering little details that show us how amazingly different (and startlingly similar) life was in an ancient civilization. She makes history personal, by inviting readers to imagine what their lives would have been like at each level of Egyptian society, from royalty to slavery. Reproductions of ancient Egyptian artwork show scenes of everyday life through the eyes of the Egyptian artists themselves. Stories of fictional Egyptian children make readers feel like they are discovering the society firsthand. For example, we get to learn about embalming through the eyes of a young boy learning the trade from his father. Unfortunately, the transitions into some of these narratives are a bit jarring, as are the author's frequent use of sentence fragments. Still, with its wonderful details and personal tone, this book is a standout.
—Children's Literature, May 2000

 

Animal Geography: Africa

by Joanne Mattern

The author has created an informational format that is suitable for presentation to primary grade students. Divided into five regions, the book provides great details of the animal life that is active in each part of the continent. Beautiful color photographs accompany every description; there are several on every page. The text is simple enough for young children to understand, although it would be difficult for young readers to tackle independently. Boldface words in the text can also be found in a glossary. Interesting facts are added throughout the book to hold children's interest. Another title in the series features the animals of Asia. This book is one of a series introducing animal geography.
—Children's Literature

Animal Geography: Africa is one in a series of books providing descriptive information about animals in different regions of the world. The volume contains brief, interesting and accurate descriptions of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, spiders, crustaceans, and mollusks. The descriptions include brief commentaries about unique physical attributes of the animals and their behaviors, habitats, and feeding characteristics. Most of the descriptions are accompanied by a good, though small, color photograph, generally showing the animal in its habitat. The animals are grouped into five chapters by the principal region in which they live: deserts, savannas, rain forests and lakes, rivers, and the island of Madagascar. A two-page first chapter provides maps and a brief overview of the continent and its regions; each subsequent chapter offers further introductory commentary regarding the region covered. The book presents limited information on the interactions of the animals with each other and with their ecosystems. Occasional "Did you Know?" inserts placed throughout point out interesting information about animal characteristics and interactions. Well organized and well written, the volume can serve as one appropriate way to introduce unique African animals to young people.
—SB&F, May/June 2001

 

Avalanche! The Deadly Slide

by Jane Duden

Avalanche! is a vocabulary and reading ability enhancer for late grade school to middle school students. The book has attractive pictures and exciting stories and mangers to get a little science in on the side. The stories are told in short chapters, each with a point and a story of near death or death by avalanche. To be fair, there is one chapter on the good side of avalanches and how they provide clearings for wildlife to feed in. The definitions are clear and to the point. The reader who "doesn't get it" the first time can consult a glossary at the back to the book. A lot of data and graphs are presented on deaths, the time till death in an avalanche, and so forth—more than I would want for readers at the level at which the book is written. Still, if you want a complete listing of deaths attributed to avalanches from 1997 to 1999, it is here. The volume gives a clear classification of avalanches, a description of the causes of avalanches, and instructions on how to avoid them and what to do in case you are caught in one. This book is not full of science, but makes exciting reading and may well save some young snowboarder's life. Recommended.
—Science Books & Films, November/December 2001

There are plenty of accurate facts, lots of color photographs, clear charts, sidebars and diagrams in this book. Vocabulary in bold-face throughout the text is listed and defined in the glossary. A good index finishes the volume. Tips for judging the possibility of avalanches—how to cut your risks—and the science of avalanche study provide useful information. And the stories of humans surviving avalanches (or not surviving) focus attention. While good readers may find the sentence fragments distracting, struggling readers could well be engaged by the "sound bite" writing in this volume.
—Appraisal, 2001

Illustrated with many color photos and full of exciting stories of "white death" and miraculous escapes, this is a good choice for below-grade-level readers in middle school, as well as for reluctant readers. Duden, a former teacher and freelance writer, begins with a thrilling tale of survival in an avalanche in Colorado, then describes how and why avalanches occur, with explanatory diagrams and graphs and charts of fatalities. She goes on to offer tips for cutting your risk and tells about studying avalanches, search and rescue missions, and how avalanche paths can create new animal habitats. A glossary defines terms used. Frequent subheadings, sidebars, and illustrations break up the text, making it attractive and appealing for younger YAs.
—KLIATT, January 2000

Easily readable and very informative, this nonfiction book describes actual avalanches and their victims with chilling detail. Definitions, tables, and bolded terms that are defined in the glossary, graphs, and statistics make the book a good source of information. Students can find out which states have the highest probability for avalanches or study tables matching avalanche victims with the way in which the falling snow struck them. Illustrations and color photographs enhance the explanations and descriptions. The book contains suggestions for safety equipment, tells about Search and Rescue teams, and covers current research on predicting and surviving avalanches. With every book from this series, Perfection Learning provides 15 cross-curricular, reproducible activities covering math, language arts, social studies, science, study skills, critical thinking skills, and the arts.
—Book Report, March/April 2000

 

Coming to America: The Story of Immigration

by Joanne Mattern

Lena Martini and her family were struggling farmers in Sicily. As it grew harder and harder to make enough money to support his family, Lena's father knew what he must do. Papa and Uncle Mario set sail for America. After two years of hard work, they saved enough money to send for Lena; her little sister, Mary; her big brother, Nick, and her mother. The trip was filled with hardships—rough seas, cramped quarters and the risk of disease. Luckily, Lena's family arrived healthy and was allowed to meet her father at Ellis Island and continue on to their new home—a cold-water flat in Little Italy. Lena was excited to go to the free school and learn to read and write in English so that she could teach Mama and Papa. The Martini family raised enough money to buy a small farm about 30 miles outside of New York City. They left with mixed emotions, but they knew that America was a land of golden opportunity and that, with hard work and family teamwork, they'd be successful anywhere in this great land. This moving story weaves together factual chapters and authentic photos. Readers are left with a lasting impression of the hardship and glory of becoming an American. This is one in a "hi/lo" series and complete with a detailed glossary of historical terms.
—Children's Literature

 

From Smoke Signals to Email: Moments in History

by Shirley Jordan

Observe Little Deer as he learns from his father, Running Stag, how to send smoke signals to communicate with other Indians across distant lands that white men are coming in wagons. Gallop on your steadfast horse along with Buffalo Bill Cody, 384 nonstop miles, to deliver the mail for the Pony Express. Marvel at Thomas Edison's prediction about Sholes, Soule' and Glidden's typewriter. "Someday, the new machine will run on electricity." Did he know that he was talking about the computers of the new millennium? The need for faster communication and better postal services spurred people to discover new and efficient ways to transport mail, people and ideas. The most innovative idea of 23-year-old Guglielmo Marconi was "to send messages without wires." And from there began the evolution to home radiotelephone, television, computers and now the Internet. Jordan traces the beginnings of communication in the United States with historic accuracy. The added anecdotes help make the inventors of this new technology all too human. Educators will find these high quality, high interest, easy-to-read books a bonus to entice reluctant readers to learn history. The black-and-white photographs and sketches enhance the historic timeline.
—Children's Literature

American communication from smoke signals to sign language to telegraph to telephone to email---and everything in between.
—ForeWord, November 1999

This history of communication should catch the attention of middle school readers. It's especially appropriate for reluctant readers. It traces communication from the smoke signals of the Native Americans to the present computerized generation. The author has presented a succinct compilation of numerous inventors and their inventions that leads to the present day. She concentrates mostly on the early trial-and-error experiments of the pioneers of communication; some we are familiar with and some are not as well known. The book has a complete glossary, index and timeline, which lends credibility to the reading. These also make it a valuable tool for research for readers who dislike (or can't yet cope with) the lengthy articles in many publications. There is one limitation, however. The book does not give enough detail on the invention of radio, television, and computers. We are in the age of computers and this background is important for a more complete picture.
This would be a welcome addition to the nonfiction collection. It is well written, with illustrations that make the text more meaningful.
—KLIATT, May 2000

By the author of The American Revolution (Perfection Learning, 1998), this title is another addition to the Moments in History series for reluctant or high/low readers. Exploring the development of communication in the United States from colonial times to the present day, as the title indicates, it moves from smoke signals to electronic mail. The author effectively weaves together factual information with storytelling to present inventions such as the typewriter, the telegraph, and computers; innovations such as the Pony Express, radio stations, and carrier pigeons; and inventors such as Samuel Morris, Christopher Sholes, and Alexander Graham Bell. The true gems of this fast-paced and interesting title are the little-known bits of trivia that the author shares with the reader. For example, Mark Twain was the first author to submit a typewritten manuscript to a publisher, "Buffalo Bill" Cody was the youngest Pony Express rider, and the first e-mail was sent in 1972. The title's only flaw is occasional lapses into weak writing.
Young adult readers will find this visually well-organized title, which is packed with illustrations and photographs, an entertaining read. This book also includes a time line of important events and a glossary of key terms, making it an excellent resource and a sound addition to any collection.
—VOYA, August 2000

 

Hurricane! Nature's Most Destructive Force

by Margo Sorenson

This paperback book is a part of a series written for reluctant readers in grades 4-8. It uses the excitement and appeal of hurricanes to draw readers into descriptions of the processes of nature and weather, and includes personal accounts, illustrations, photographs, and satellite images. Interdisciplinary classroom support materials are also available to teachers.
—Weatherwise

Chapter 1 of this fascinating book draws readers in by describing the terrible predicament two boys find themselves in when they disregarded the repeated hurricane evacuation warnings. Her descriptions of the effects of the terrible wind force are graphic and gripping. Chapters 2 and 3 define hurricanes (a.k.a. cyclones and typhoons), how they are different from other kinds of storms, how they form, how their force is measured, how they are monitored and what people can do to protect themselves. Diagrams, photos, satellite images, tables, and maps clarify the concepts and technical material. Chapter 4 is a collection of true stories about hurricane consequences, starting with the defeat of the famous pirate, Jean Lafitte, in 1818—not by soldiers, but by a hurricane that wiped out most of his supplies. Chapter 5 addresses the future: the potential effect of global warming to cause an increase in hurricane activity, and the possibility of controlling the impact of hurricanes. For science studies or for students interested in dramatic natural events, this book is a welcome addition to any library.
—New Books for Young Readers, May 1998

 

Oil Spills! The Perils of Petroleum

by Jane Duden & Susan Walker

Oil Spills is clear, informative and shocking. It discusses everything from the world's largest oil spills and their causes to cleanup techniques and prevention—it makes for a gripping read. The Exxon Valdez oil spill ranked only 36th on the list for total gallons spilled. It's hard to imagine how horrific the Castillo de Bellver spill, No. 1 at a whopping 79 million gallons, must have been. Oil spills get more publicity and therefore notoriety when they impact coastlines, people, wildlife and jobs. These coastal spills create more headlines as they cost more money to clean up and affect more people.

This book presents information in a fresh, interesting way. It is filled with maps, photographs and off-the-wall facts. I especially liked its section on how we can reduce our dependence on oil. I was surprised to learn that ballpoint pens, guitar strings and even transparent tape are manufactured with oil.

Despite the subjects tragic nature, the book is optimistic, entertaining and motivational. High recommendations!
—Skipping Stones

 

Orcas: High Seas Supermen

by Ellen Hopkins

Orca whales, named for an underworld ogre and whose name in Spanish means assassin, are in fact gentle giants of the ocean. In a breezy, conversational style, the author sets out to dispel the myths and create an appreciation for these mammals through solid, fascinating facts. She explains the difference between resident and transient orcas, defines their societal makeup, looks at their physical characteristics, and their contributions to science (in the area of sonar research) and entertainment. Whether captured orcas can be returned to their pod is carefully examined in the ongoing project to return Keiko (of Free Willy fame) to his natural habitat. Readers are encouraged to follow Keiko's progress on line—home page address in included. This little book packs a real punch with lots of facts, folklore, line drawings and black-and-white and color photos.
—Children's Literature

In High Seas Supermen, author Ellen Hopkins visits the theme "Should captive orcas that are held in marine parks and in outdoor aquaria be released?" This enjoyable general-audience book on orcas furnishes a wealth of information on their ancestry, behavior, reproduction, and intelligence, together with data on the distribution of orca populations, both near shore and offshore. Also explored are the sizes of transient offshore and more localized near shore wild orca populations, their differing diets, the various fishing methods used to catch orcas, and the different dialects of the same communication signals. The final chapter includes brief folktales of Ainu in Japan and of North American tribes in British Columbia and on the west coast of the United States.online. Attractive illustrations abound throughout this delightful book, in the form of line drawings and effective color photos of trained orcas in marine parks. One amusing account relates how these intelligent captive animals also "train their trainers" to reward them and so emphasizes the remarkable reasoning and learning ability of these fascinating killer whales. My only quibble is that sources of this fine information are buried in the text or the index, although persistent digging will reveal some researchers and their organizations. The book's format is probably the choice of the publisher, but it does mask the sources of information used capably by the author.
—Science Books & Films

Written for reluctant readers but holding appeal for all students, Orcas: High Seas Supermen provides interesting information on killer whales. In a breezy and informal style (lots of questions and answers embedded in text), Ellen Hopkins delivers facts on the behavior, characteristics, evolution and clinical studies relating to these large sea mammals. Information about actual whales (Keiko, the whale in Free Willy as well as other whales in captivity) draws the reader in and retains attention throughout. Much discussion revolves around captivity issues and the author, attempting to be as objective as possible, encourages readers to come up with their own conclusion to the question "should whales in captivity be released to their natural habitat?" She provides pros and cons contributed by different organizations. Information from scientists working with orcas is quoted and discussed (Randy Eaton, et al) thus lending credibility to some of the information. Much information, however, is brief and spread out, and some information seems to be based on interpretative reasoning ("rather that hurt someone, they [orcas] resort to suicide"). The overall tone of the writing suggests that orcas are gentle creatures and not the killer whales of their name. The book is visually appealing with color and black and white photographs in addition to sketches and sidebar boxes. Three interesting myths follow the text. The index is quite detailed for such a slim book (64 pages) and could help students locate particular facts. A table of contents and glossary are also included.
—Appraisal, Vol. 34 No. 1, 2001

Orcas is an interesting book with a lot of good information contained with in it. The pictures are attractive and add to the clarity of the text. It contains a table of contents, glossary of bold-face words, and an index. The author attempts to capture the reader's attention by relating the topic to the movie Free Willy. This probably helps, but it relates the factual book, to a fictional movie. She asks retorical questions throughout the book, thus allowing the reader to use the information to question and think about this information within the context of answering the question. I liked this format. Her description of orcas and their biology is accurate and interesting. Types of whales are discussed, as well as food chains and potential or probable human impacts. The treatment and training of killer whales in captivity is discussed at length. Also the pros and cons of releasing them back into the wild after years of captivity. Additionally the work of the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation to rehabilitate a killer whale was described. These descriptions are concurrant with my own knowledge and experiences. The book ends with several tales of Orcas. I woldlike to have seen these tales and legends attributed to some culture.
—Appraisal, Vol. 34 No. 1, 2001

Grades 3-7. Intended for reluctant readers, this interesting, nicely designed book shares much information about whales. Beginning with references to Keiko, the killer whale who starred in the Free Willy movies and is now in the process of being returned to its natural habitat, the text covers much ground in relatively few pages. Expected facts concerning habitat and survival are expertly explained. Most fascinating, however, is the information about communication among whale pods, and between whales and humans. Vivid color and dramatic black-and-white photographs, easy-to-grasp diagrams, and useful sidebars enliven the text. Sometimes humorous (whale communication), occasionally infuriating (mistreatment by humans), but always captivating, this book is sure to please fans of the gentle giants which, as Hopkins explains, really are "supermen," with a sense of justice and even x-ray vision. Includes a glossary and some Native American legends.
—Booklist, November 1, 2000

 

The Red Tails: World War II's Tuskegee Airmen

by Steven L. Jones

The Red Tails is the story of the all-black airborne squadron that served during World War II. The text is engaging and easy to understand without coming across as condescending. Black-and-white photographs and sidebars with additional facts and anecdotes add interest.
—MultiCultural Review September 2002

Jones' book in the Cover-to-Cover Informational series introduces the Tuskegee Airmen, the African American squadron of World War II fighter pilots. Jones discusses their flight training at the Tuskegee Institute, their many successful missions during the war, their struggles with segregation and prejudice within the army, and their exemplary military record. Aimed at reluctant readers, the writing features short sentences, which sometimes sound choppy. On the other hand, the book offers an involving account of soldiers who faced challenges with courage and dignity, whether escorting bombers over enemy territory or participating in a nonviolent protest of an all-white officers' club. Black-and-white photos appear throughout the book. A glossary is appended.
—Booklist

The first black military pilots began training to fly in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. The military policy discriminating against African Americans had reflected the prejudice of the day and only after pressure was it changed. Nonetheless, the military at that time remained segregated and the men trained at Tuskegee, Alabama, home of the Tuskegee Institute, one of the first southern colleges to educate blacks. After completing training, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was given command of the 99th Fighter Squadron and later took command of the 332nd Fighter Group, made up of three all-black squadrons. While serving in wartime Italy, the men had the ground crew paint the tails of their aircraft bright red and thereafter the pilots were called Red Tails. The men proved their detractors wrong as they compiled an excellent record in combat. Finally, in 1948, President Truman signed an executive order integrating the United States military. The story of these heroic men is written in a straightforward manner that doesn't quite capture the excitement and tension of the moment, but does a good job of providing the facts for young students of history.
—Children's Literature

 

Tarnished Legacy: The Story of the Comstock Lode

by Ellen Hopkins

This fast-paced, nine chapter, fifty-nine page story is a Hi-Lo treasure. It has colorful characters, bizarre tricks, hit or miss luck or lack of it, hunches that pay off and those that don't, intrigue, boom and bust times, and sobering consequences. It tells of millions of dollars that have funded enterprises all over America, like banks and railroads, newspapers, new cities, and even one that provided a vote to end slavery. All of this entices the reader to keep reading to find out what happens next. Without pause, the story rushes on, finally coming to the tarnished lining within the cloud that continues to hover over the planet. Mercury and other toxins poison the land, water and air, leaving the reader to ponder what can be done to reduce the impact of the uncontrolled greed in the last half of the nineteenth century. Fortunately, the reader is helped through the special terminology by bold type which is satisfied by a glossary. The maze of lives and times can be sorted out through an index.
—Children's Literature

 

Tsunami! Death Wave

by Margo Sorenson

Students fascinated with high-impact natural events will dig into this fact-filled book on tsunamis, the devastating "harbor waves" caused by earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides. Sorenson draws her readers into the book with a first chapter that graphically and dramatically describes what a town goes through during those short, intense hours when the series of powerful waves (up to 80 feet in height) hits the shoreline. "If you can see it, you can't outrun it." is the devastating truth of this terrible natural phenomenon. Sprinkled with photos, diagrams, drawings, and maps, the second and third chapters explain what, where, and why of tsunamis. Sorenson helps readers understand the concepts by frequently using analogies common to the experiences of young people—squeezing a balloon, Jello between two dinner plates, the layers in a M & M peanut candy. Chapter 4 talks about what scientists in different fields are doing to warn people around the world when they detect signs of an oncoming tsunami. A final chapter is a collection of legends and more current descriptions of specific tsunami that have happened around the world. The book contains a table of contents, glossary, and index. Short sentences may be intended to make the book more readable for less experienced readers.
—New Books for Young Readers, May 1998

 

Women with Grit

by Bonnie Highsmith Taylor

Aided by a glossary, Taylor gives enough details for young readers to grasp the fundamentals of what it took to become a pioneer American professional woman. Her black-and-white vignettes describe the paths of Maria Mitchell, astronomer, (1818–1889), Susan B. Anthony, activist for the rights of women (1820–1906), Harriet Tubman, conductor on the underground railroad, (1820–1913), Bethenia Owens-Adair, pioneer doctor, (1840–1926), Linda Richards, America's first trained nurse, (1847–1930), Marian Anderson, famous black singer, (1902–1993), Margaret Bourke-White, photographer, (1905–1991), and Jackie Cochrane, "first lady of aviation" (1912–1980). A high interest low vocabulary book that will also appeal to adults learning English.
—Children's Literature

Grades 4-8. Taylor profiles eight American women who overcame a variety of obstacles to succeed in non-traditional roles. Some, such as Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman, will be familiar to most young readers. Others, such as aviator Jackie Cochran and frontier physician Bethenia Owens-Adair, are more obscure. For each, the author describes a life-defining event, followed by a chronological recounting of the subject's years. Sketches are short (6 to 8 pages), subdivided into sections and illustrated with a combination of period photos and drawings. Taylor uses some invented dialogue, but her language doesn't significantly detract from the factual tone. The writing is concise and direct and should appeal to reluctant readers. A good choice for report writers or classes studying notable American women.
—Booklist, March 2000

This compact easy-to-read collection about eight dauntless women is sure to aid the middle-school student with biographical reports. The first American woman astronomer, Maria Mitchell, had an intrinsic curiosity about space and read every book about astronomy that she could get her hands on as a child. Harriet Tubman was a slave who led many other slaves to freedom in the North. Marian Anderson was once described by Arturo Toscannini as having a voice that comes "once in a hundred years." Other women include Susan B. Anthony, Bethenia Owens-Adair, Linda Richards, Margaret Bourke-White, and Jackie Cochran. Perfection Learning specializes in books that are high interest for less-able students.
—KLIATT, May 2000

Grades 5-7. This slim collective biography concentrates on eight women who showed great determination in their chosen fields of endeavor: Harriet Tubman, Marian Anderson, Margaret Bourke-White, Jackie Cochran, Linda Richards, Susan B. Anthony, Bethenia Owens-Adair, and Maria Mitchell. Each clearly written profile is seven-to-eight pages in length and generally provides more information than an average encyclopedia entry. The entries cover the subjects' early lives and their accomplishments, and offer glimpses into their struggles. Many black-and-white photographs and reproductions of period drawings and engravings, often several to a page, illustrate the book. While there are a number of quotes incorporated into the text, no source documentation is included. An additional purchase where there is a demand for material for reluctant readers.
—School Library Journal, May 2000