Dead Run

Genre: Realistic Fiction (high interest/low vocab)

Format: ebook

Suggested age: 12+

Author: Sean Rodman

ISBN:  9781459802476

Series: Orca Soundings

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers 2012

Sam is a bicycle racer, who has passion, promise and potential.  Unfortunately he also has the ego to match.  After his teammates ditch him, tired of his excuses and lack of team spirit, Sam is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to train under Viktor Lubyenko, a past Olympic winning racer.  To do this, Sam must convince Viktor that he is worthy of working for Viktor as a bike courier and is willing to undergo Viktor’s seemingly stifling training regime.  Under the tutelage of Robin,  one of Viktor’s best couriers, Sam quickly is entrusted with more risky courier runs.  The catch?  The dead runs that Viktor has Sam running are the only way that Sam can earn Viktor’s trust to continue his training, but put Sam in danger of breaking the law, angering dangerous criminals, and wrecking his chances of a budding romance with Robin.

British Columbian author, Sean Rodman has joined the ranks of esteemed authors to be published in the high interest/low vocabulary series, Orca Soundings.  Dead Run explores the not-so-glamorous or highly publicized world of street bike racing and bike couriers.  The rich descriptions of squealing brakes, narrow-misses, mysterious runs to abandoned buildings and  adrenaline filled- action make this a fast-paced read.  Rodman’s use of realistic dialogue and his knowledge of bike couriers and bike racing creates a story that is engaging to read for the racing enthusiast or novice.

National Geographic Kids Magazine

National Geographic Kids Magazine

February 2012 Issue

Genre: Non Fiction Children’s Magazine

Suggested age: 6-16

Executive Editor:  Rachel Buchholz

Publisher:  National Geographic Society

It’s hard not to be drawn in by the bold and lively cover of the National Geographic Kids Magazine(NGKM) .  With teasers such as “weird but true”, “pig athlete” and, * GASP * “FREE PULL OUT POSTER”!!!!  I had never been a reader of NGKM as a child or tween so it was with great interest that I chose this particular periodical that is part of such a well known institution of nonfiction literature. 

National Geographic Kids Magazine is a children’s periodical that has been a classroom and library staple for years.  This publication has not been afraid to change with the times to stay current and interesting to this generation’s children.  The format is lively and interactive; the visual elements are vibrant and current and the content is a balanced mix of nature, sports, inventions, science, and pop culture.

In the past the magazine has been criticized for letting ad space overwhelm the content as well as the content being too driven by fads and pop culture.  I have to say that National Geographic must have taken these criticisms to heart as the magazine that I have spread out before me has only two advertisements and a wealth of interesting educational articles that far outnumber the pop culture bits.  There is a fine line between choosing content that this age range will be interested in and catering to the latest fad or superstar.  I believe that National Geographic Kids Magazine have found a balance that will interest their readers as well as peak their curiosity.  For my gadget-loving readers, there's an app for that!

Insurgent

Insurgent

Genre: Science Fiction

Format: eBook

Suggested age: 12 -18

Author: Veronica Roth

Page Numbers Source ISBN: B00851M734

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books 2012

Tris has survived initiation into the Dauntless faction, however, instead of celebrations, war and unspeakable horrors await her and her fellow initiates.  Unrest and dangerous propaganda boil over and place Tris’ family and friends in the direct path of violence and war.  Tris and Four’s relationship is tested against loyalty to faction, family, and each other further complicated by secrets they both hold.

Roth maintains the breakneck pace she began in Divergent and constantly tests Tris’ strength and loyalties to the ones she holds most dear.  Roth ruthlessly delivers Tris from a tough-as-nails 16 year old waif into a woman embittered by grief and up against the power-hungry, relentless leader of Erudite.  

Tris and Four’s relationship continues to develop (for better or for worse) and keeps readers interested and invested.  It is utterly refreshing to read a dystopian teen novel which does not rely on a love triangle to add depth and intrigue to the relationship. As fellow blogger, Tracey Neithercott  also points out.  The struggles that are threatening to pull these two apart are essentially what they love most about each other.

 Although other reviewers struggle with the faction system (could it really happen?), I find myself able to suspend my disbelief and enjoy mulling over the “what ifs” of Insurgent’s reality.  I guess to conclude, this title will take its proud place on my tween to teen shelf next to Uglies, Midnighters, The Hunger Games,  Maze Runner, and other favourites of this genre.

Penguins: Meet the heroes of a frozen world

Penguins:  Meet the heroes of a frozen world

Genre: Non Fiction/Trade Paperback

Suggested age: Gr. 2+

Authors:  Penelope Arlon and Tory Gordon-Harris

ISBN: 9780545330244

Publisher:  Scholastic.  2012

The first thing you notice when you pick up this non-fiction title is the incredibly detailed photograph of an infant Emperor penguin on the cover.  This book definitely has shelf appeal!  This book on penguins was obviously planned, illustrated, and written with classroom teachers and librarians in mind (well, and students too!!).  The first two-page spread that you open to describes and names all of the text features that the reader will find in the book while cleverly promoting its free digital companion book.  The table of contents is descriptive and clear and it offers a comprehensive glossary and index at the back.

One feature that I haven’t seen in other penguin books is the “march” of the penguins over four pages that gives each species specs measuring each from smallest to largest, and then finally comparing the Emperor penguin to a 7 year old child (as they are roughly the same height!).  I could see the potential for displaying this series of pages as one long pull out page or a removable poster, but the librarian in me cringes at the thought of perforated pages in a book in my collection, ha!  

Each penguin is then given the honour of its own page including its Latin name, features, behavioral patterns, and breeding area (map included).  A large “caution!” sign appears on the pages of penguins that are endangered.  Within these pages of penguins the authors also include articles and facts that highlight issues facing this animal, such as oil spills and explain what is being done to protect these species. 

As a lover of print and digital resources, I am really excited about this series.  Not only do I feel that this is a resource that I would purchase for my own library or classroom, I would feel comfortable teaching with it and would definitely take advantage of the digital companion book for my lessons as well.  To continue with the theme of this, I would most likely read, “And Tango Makes Three” to cap off the experience : )