Nonfiction: Learn to Speak Dance

Dancing queen Anne-Marie Williams has a wonderfully open, inclusive approach to dance. She starts with movement: Dance, as she puts it, is just a mashup of everyday movement and your imagination. Your instrument is the human body, and your job as a dancer is to find out what it can do!

Within the pages of this book, judgement, self-consciousness and embarassment are forbidden. Instead, use the prompts and and tips to learn how to move in a way that speaks to your unique rhythms and heart. If you weren't interested in dance before, you will be by the time you're done reading!

For extra inspiration, Williams has included video recommendations that span dance styles from ballet to b-boy (breakdancing, apparently, is so out!) For those with America's Best Dance Crew dreams, there are tips for assembling a your crew: business tips to help you go bigtime, and practical info on how to work with the behind the scenes folks who make performances go.

It helps that this excellent information is packaged up into a retro-styled, glossy tome weighing in at a respectable 96 pages. The sharp art-deco palette and squared-off art perfectly illustrate the balance of precision and creativity that's needed to carry off a dance. This is a wonderful example of art and text working together to make a finished product that pops.

For kids or teens who can't help wiggling and jiggling along to the music, this book might just be the catalyst that propels them into a full fledged dance career. It certainly made me want to kick up my heels!

Nonfiction
Grades 6-12
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Fiction: Floors

Groundbreaking author Patrick Carman takes a break from his mixed-media experiments with this entertaining romp through the secrets of the Whippet Hotel.

Ten year old Leo is the son of the Whippet's janitor, and he knows ever crack and cranny in the hotel: or so he thinks. As his father's right hand man, Leo loves being sent on urgent errands to keep the hotel running smoothly. There's just one problem: Merganzer Whippet, the eccentric creator of the hotel, has gone missing. In fact, he's been gone for exactly one hundred days when something amazing happens.

While returning from a high priority duck mission (don't ask!) Leo finds a small purple box tucked away where only he will find it. The box is from Mr. Whippet, and it contains cryptic instructions: apparently, there are four boxes for Leo to find, two days to do it in, and only one other person may be recruited as a helper. What could this possibly mean? What's in the boxes, where will the clues lead, and why, exactly, should Leo bring a duck!?!

Kids will enjoy the fast-paced ride as Leo and his friend unravel the mystery of the boxes, finding hidden floors, secret elevators and brain-boggling puzzles as they go. There's a good reason for the breakneck pace: the greatest mystery of all - Mr. Whippet's disappearance - is waiting for the boys at the end of the clues!

Boys in particular will identify with the goodnatured Leo. The slapstick humour and the hotel's amazing contraptions seal the deal: this is a fun, fast read for middle grade kids!

Fiction
Grades 5-7

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Nonfiction: Art Panels, Bam! Speech Bubbles, Pow!: writing your own graphic novel

This solid installment in the Writer's Toobox series covers the basics of how to craft your own graphic novel. Readers who are ready to make the jump to creation can use this title as a starting point, but may need to consult more detailed works as well.

The simple text is aimed at younger readers, who may be relatively inexperienced at reading graphic content. The clear, large-scale cartoons are designed to appeal to younger readers, and support rather than enhance the text information. Each full page spread includes a "tool", or tip, for writers: these tips are actually more like annotated steps that kids can follow during the creation process. The "getting started" exercises at the end of the book are particularly useful as prompts for those suffering from the dreaded writers' (or illustrators') block.

Again, this very simple title contains just the basics about creating a comic. Background info, such as "what is a graphic novel", is completely appropriate in this context: older readers with more graphic titles under their belts might find some introductory elements too obvious, and hunger for a meatier guide. Suggest this title for kids in grades 3-6 who are looking for a place to begin their graphic opus.

Nonfiction
Grades 3-6
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Nonfiction: The Batman Handbook

I love that the author felt it necessary to include a warning at the front of this book: Batman is fictional, vigilante justice is illegal, and Batman himself would be a wanted criminal if he did, in fact, exist.

With that disclaimer out of the way, author Scott Beatty goes on to explain the basics of how to look, act, and fight crime just like everyone's favourite nocturnal hero.

Each of the five chapters covers a skill area, complete with clear, stylized graphics that support the more technical points of the text. Although the illustrations are clearly more utilitarian than decorative, readers will appreciate the visual additions.

Tips on training a sidekick will be particularly useful for those with younger siblings, but parents might want to keep tabs on the reader when he or she reaches the section on rappeling down buildings, or swinging round flagpoles. The entire chapter covering fighting skills is carefully organized to focus on defensive tactics (e.g. breaking a chokehold, disarming a gunman).

Chapters four (Detective Skills) and five (Escape Skills) include tantalizing subsections on collecting blood samples, withstanding a poison kiss, and extinguishing an inferno. I mean, really, what kid doesn't need to know this sort of stuff?

With its high-profile hero and bite-sized chapters, this utility manual is perfect for nonfiction fans or graphic novel fans looking for a text-based experience. It's also an excellent format for group reading, with plenty of opportunites to test out the more practical instructions. Just don't blame the author if you run into trouble while taking out a roomful of goons. Remember, he warned you!

Nonfiction

Grades 5-8

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Nonfiction: Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

The story of Salem's witch hunts is mysterious, compelling, and horrifying. In the late seventeenth century, the Puritan inhabitants of Salem town were caught up in a whirlwind of fear and accusations of witchcraft. The resulting witch hunt took more than 20 lives, and ruined countless others.

Author Rosalyn Schanzer tells the true story of the accusations and trials in Salem and the surrounding towns. She uses many primary sources, and the story is always referenced back to documents and realia from the time period.

This would be a fantastic book for a class study (although the topic is definitely not on the Canadian curriculum). The transparent structure of the book gives kids a very clear idea of how narrative writing is related to research, and the length (144 pages, with woodcuts) is short enough to welcome kids who are new to the narrative nonfiction format. National Geographic is always a forward thinking publisher, and the QR code in the back of the book adds appeal for readers who come with their smartphone in hand.

With details that horrify and captivate at the same time, even reluctant readers would find this book accessible, interesting, and worthy of discussion.

Nonfiction (narrative)
Ages 9-14
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Nonfiction:The Monstrous Book of Monsters

Kids who love all things monstrous will be captivated by Candlewick's newest nonfiction title. The gruesome, intricately detailed pages are packed with information about monsters, including anatomy, monster spotting, and identifying a home infestation.

Part utility manual, the latter half of the book is a guide on how to avoid contact with the more dangerous varieties of monster. If all else fails, consult the book's section on defensive tactics (hint: under the bed is NOT a safe place) or resort to the ultimate solution of capture.

Kids will spend hours poring over the tiny flaps and sneaky jokes: grownups should get ready to be regaled with zillions of revolting monster facts and trivia tidbits. A great read for boys, and lovers of nonfiction.

Nonfiction
Ages 7-11
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Fiction: Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet

The muppets are big news right now, with the new movie coming out this winter. Kids publishing is keeping up, and this middle grade title (aimed at grades 5-8) is perfect for fans!

Like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, the doodle-style art is mixed in with a first person narrative. The story follows sixth-grader Danvers Blickensderfer as he is transformed from an ordinary, goofy kid into a fuzzy headed muppet! Of course, once he's a muppet, his world is slowly infiltrated by characters from the muppet show. This might sound like a good thing, but imagine being heckled by the critics everywhere you go, or being chased by the Swedish Chef with a knife!

Boys who love slapstick humour and the muppet show will enjoy this quick read for its heavy illustrative content and fast paced plot.

Wordless Picture Book: Hocus Pocus

Normally, I'd put a picturebook in the preschool books section. But this book? It's PERFECT for kids in grades 1-5, and so I've slipped it into our kids' book blog.

I'm partial to wordless picturebooks on principle. They require kids to "read" the images very carefully, and apply their knowledge and understanding to the art. They have to work extra hard to derive meaning from the text, because the author/illustrator isn't making anything explicit. They essentially become the co-authors of a wordless book, as the message that they get from reading it is so heavily influenced by the experiences and understanding that they bring to the table when they read.

Hocus Pocus is the tale of a magician for hire, his faithful dog, and the rabbit that lives in his magic hat. When Mister Magic and dog come home from work, both settle down for a nap. Rabbit pokes out his head, and decides it's time to play! A hilarious dog-and-rabbit battle ensues, with rabbit scheming to get the tasty carrots on the counter, and dog pulling out all the stops to stuff him back into the hat.

The art is framed in comic-strip style, with white space dividing the small frames (up to six per page). The cartoon drawings are digitally inked, with bold retro-sixties graphics and bright, attractive colours.

The standout aspect of the illustrations, though, is definitely the expressiveness of the characters. Although there are no words or speech bubbles, each character's emotions are screamingly apparent through subtle tricks of eyebrow tilts, mouth quirks, and body posture. Kids will love poring over the pictures as they read the emotions and follow the slapstick action. A fabulous book, and one that takes a surprising amount of book-comprehension (rather than word-literacy) to read successfully.

Wordless picture book

Grades 1-5

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Nonfiction: Trapped

In 2010, 33 miners were trapped 2000 feet below the Chilean desert when a cave in collapsed the shaft leading to the surface. This book tells the story of their rescue, as people from all over the world worked frantically to save them.

The text follows the timeline of events from the perspective of both the trapped miners, and the rescuers aboveground. Some kids will be interested in the technical information about mines and rescue operations, while others will be gripped by the suspense as various rescue attempts fail and are adjusted.

It's obvious that this title is aimed at older kids and younger teens. The prose is simple and straightforward, but the format looks like a chapter book. The pictures and diagrams are sparsely placed throught the text, and there is a glossary of mine terms and a brief biography of the miners at the end of the book.

This book has surprisingly wide appeal. Kids who are fascinated by rescue stories and high-stakes technical feats of engineering will enjoy it as much as kids who want to focus on the human-interest side of the story.

Nonfiction

Grade 6-10

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Nonfiction: You Are the First Kid on Mars

This chatty nonfiction title has standout illustrations, and scientifically current ideas about the future of space travel.

Facts about space travel to Mars are integrated seamlessly into the narrative story, which follows you (a school-aged boy) on your journey from Earth Base to the red planet. The simple prose describes each step of the journey, from the layout of the space station to the exploration of the Martian surface. The fantastically realistic illustrations supplement the simple text by providing accurate and appealing depictions of spacecraft, planetary surfaces, and people.

The author touches on some fascinating topics (such as the possibility of Martian life) while glossing over practical details, like the feasibility of actually establishing an extraterrestrial colony, and the development timeline for the technology needed to make this possible. It would have been nice to see these topics covered briefly in the short fact section at the end of the book, where readers can learn more about the planet's characteristics.

This is an appealing title with excellent illustrations, and a fresh approach to planetary exploration: it's a bit short on fact and detail, but most kids will happily read up on specifics in other titles while appreciating this book for its originality.

Nonfiction
Grades 3-6

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Biography: Jim Henson: the guy who played with puppets

OK. You know Jim Henson, right? The creator of the muppets, creative force behind Sesame Street, voice of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog?

Right. Of course you do. EVERYBODY knows who Jim Henson is, or at least knows his work on sight. Pretty much everyone around agrees that he was an amazing individual, which is why any biography about him had better involve a whole lot of awesome.

This biography? It's serviceable. It's very nice, in fact. It's written in picturebook format, with lovely soft-realism illustrations featuring Jim and his creations. The text is written at about a grade 4 level, and it summarizes Jim's life and work in earnest detail. The problem, really, is the distinct lack of awesomeness.

When you read a biography about a guy who created the muppets, you kind of expect a splash of whimsy. You want titillating details about how he came up with a puppet that lives in a garbage can. You're looking for hilarious interjections from Animal, some snarky comments from the Critics, and maybe some cookie crumbs scattered here and there in the gutters. Jim Henson was a guy brimming with originality and creativity: this biography is...not.

Technically, this biography is perfectly adequate. It takes a broad overview of Jim's personal life, provides general information about his work, and contains attractive illustrations that fit the text. But I can't help feeling let down, because I was desperately hoping for something amazing, brilliant, funny, and totally worthy of Jim Henson's lasting genius. Adults who are lifelong Muppet Show and Sesame Street devotees may pick up this book to learn more about Jim, but there's nothing here to wow a kid who isn't already a fan.

Biography

Grades 3-6

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Fantasy: The Grimm Legacy

When highschooler Elizabeth lands a job as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository, she's glad of a few hours' escape from her dreary life. The Repository is a fascinating and mysterious institution that lends out rare objects to its members - everything from fondue sets to Marie Antoinette's wig. Slowly, the lonely Elizabeth starts to make friends with her fellow pages at the Repository. Because of her hard work and positive attitude, Elizabeth's co-workers begin to trust her with the true secrets of the institution.

Elizabeth finds that the Repository has secret areas that hold the rarest and most valuable items. For a girl obsessed with fairy tales, it's a dream come true to find that the Grimm Collection, hidden in a secret room in the basement, is comprised of the actual magical objects from folk and fairytales. Seven league boots, cloaks of invisibility, and many other amazing items are catalogued and filed away in a heavily secured basement.

Of course, there are sinister figures just waiting for a chance to steal these most valuable artifacts. When some of the most valuable items are discovered as fakes, Elizabeth and her fellow pages are suspected as thieves. With no clear idea about who could be to blame, Elizabeth must use her bravery and wits to uncover the true culprits. Worst of all, she must face the fact that the thief could be any one of her newfound friends.

This original novel offers up an engaging premise, and will speak to teens with an interest in fairy tales and adventure. Though the characters are a bit flat, the depiction of Elizabeth in her first job will resonate with many highschool students.

Fantasy

Grades 7-10

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Science Fiction: Dark Life

It's hundreds of years in the future, and humanity has been forced to settle the earth's most inhospitable places, as earthquakes and volcanoes tear much of the surface apart. Ty's family are pioneers: they've fled the crowded stack cities for the deadly cold of the Ocean floor. There they farm sea life, and eke out a living as homesteaders kilometers down.

But just like the wild west, the undersea frontier is fraught with danger and threatened by outlaws who care nothing for the hardworking families of the deep. To make matters worse, the government is threatening to abandon the whole subsea frontier experiment, and cut the Dark Life (those who life undersea) off from Topside support!

When bandits threaten his own deepsea home, Ty must use his wits and courage to save his family. Aided by Topsider Gemma (who has an agenda of her own) Ty slowly discovers that the government may not be his strongest ally: that in fact, he may have a secret ability that is the key to undersea survival.

This excellent science fiction title builds to an exciting conclusion, full of danger, betrayal, and of course a healthy dose of undersea science and technology.

Grades 6-9
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Fiction/Graphic Novel: The Popularity Papers

Graduates of the "Amelia's Notebook" series will dive into Amy Ignatow's new novel about two intrepid fifth grade girls.

Like the blockbuster series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", The Popularity Papers is a colourful mix of art and text. The book is designed as a notebook that is passed back and forth between Lydia and Julie, two ordinary fifth grade girls who plan to become popular by observing, recording and eventually emulating the behavior of other popular girls. With such a foolproof plan, what could possibly go wrong?

Lots, obviously. In fact, it's rare to find something going right as Lydia and Julie stumble through the social minefield of fifth grade girlhood. From bad haircuts to bad crushes and everything in between, the girls record their experiences in drawings and clumsy cursive writing. The tone exactly captures the mix of eagerness and anxiety that characterizes this age, and the girls slowly find that the most important thing to them is each other's friendship.

A fun book to read, though the graphic/handwritten format of the title overshadows any plot or message that lurks underneath.

Fiction/Graphic Novel
Grades 4-6
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Adventure: Trackers

Patrick Carman's newest series starts with a police interview: the kind you never want to be in. Eighth grader Adam Henderson is a computer prodigy. He's been building and fixing computers at his dad's shop in Seattle since he was nine years old: he's so good that even Microsoft brings their machines to the Hendersons for repair.

But sometimes being smart can get you in trouble. Adam and his friends Finn, Emily and Lewis are developing surveillance technology that they hope to sell to the government for millions. Adam believes his tech is so advanced that he can find anyone, anywhere. When a training mission goes wrong and a secret puzzle is revealed to Adam alone, the four kids find themselves in way over their heads...with no way to back out. If they don't find the person they're seeking, the entire world's electronic systems could be compromised: and they'd be to blame.

Trackers is written in a short, interview format that includes interrogation questions and short video clips that can be accessed online using codes from the book. This unique multimedia format is fantastic for reluctant readers, and makes this title a hit with tween and teen reluctant reader book groups. The technological details and espionage themes are also hits with boys: I can't think of many other books that are as perfectly packaged for reading support, while still retaining the bones of a strong story.

The first in a planned series, Trackers will be followed by the sequel Shantorian in December 2010.

Adventure fiction
Grades 5-9
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Memoir: Fatty Legs

It's rare to find an account from a residential school survivor that could be characterized as upbeat, but this gem of a memoir shines with positive energy.

Eight year old Olemaun Pokiak is a Inuvialuit girl living in the remote Northwest Territories of the 1950's. Despite her older sister's cautions, Olemaun's greatest desire is to attend the Catholic school in Aklavik, and learn to read like her father. After years of pleading, her parents allow Olemaun to attend the boarding school: but of course, the goal of residential schools was not to educate, but to enculturate indigenous peoples and convince them that their true place was as second-class citizens fit only for menial labour.

Renamed Margaret by the nuns, Olemaun's time at the residential school is marred by racism, bullying, and a progressive loss of her cultural identity. Despite the terrible things that befall her at school, Margaret relates her story with a matter of fact voice that emphasizes her strength and determination to survive abuse, and accomplish her goal (to learn to read).

Adults who are familiar with residential school history will read between the lines as Margaret describes the school's unfamiliar rhythms and unwelcoming staff, and see the true tragedy of the situation: kids will likely need some supplementary history to grasp the full context of Margaret's experience.

This title would be a great read-aloud for a grade 4-6 classroom: Margaret is a plucky and engaging character, and kids will identify with her unconquerable spirit. As well, elementary aged kids will keenly feel Margaret's humiliation when she is forced to wear bright red stockings that highlight the stocky build she is ashamed of. Her embarassment and anger at being singled out physically is an issue many tweens struggle with in schools today.

Older grades would be able to delve more deeply into the social ramifications of the residential schools. For grades 6-10, this title would be an excellent supplement to units on first nations people or Canadian history.

At under 100 pages, this title is a fast, engaging read with a broad appeal for pleasure readers and curriculum connections alike.

Memoir
Grades 4-10
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Nonfiction: Saving the Baghdad Zoo

This book tells the heartwrenching and inspiring story of the Baghdad Zoo. Abandoned and looted during the US invasion of Iraq, the animals in the zoo are in dire straights when the US army secures the area. US Captain William Sumner took on the task of saving the animals. and this book chronicles the efforts of an international team of zoologists, vetrinarians, conservationists, and other animal lovers from around the world.

Each chapter covers a different species that was cared for in the zoo: details include the desperate conditions that they were found in, and the efforts that were made to improve their condition and surroundings. In many cases, the stories are desperately sad: lions were found wandering a ruined palace without food or drink. Camels had to be shaved to deal with systemic mite infestations. Many animals were left to die in their cages of neglect.

These stories are very difficult to read, despite their positive endings: many kids will be left wondering what will happen to these animals during another uprising or leadership change. The book does little to address the question of whether zoos are ethical in the first place, and completely avoids any position on the war in Iraq itself. Though animal lovers will be touched by the care shown to the zoo's inhabitants, they will likely be left with many questions concerning the war, and the fate of the animals in the future. Be prepared to field these questions: consider checking out some other resources on these associated topics as part of your reading.

Nonfiction
Grades 5-9
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Nonfiction: Steve Backshall's Deadly 60

This engaging animal book takes a look at the top 60 deadliest animals in the world. Each animal has a rating for size, speed, weapons, and general deadliness: the clear photographs are bright and interesting, while the two pages of text covers the animal's most dangerous features.

This book is perfect for boys who prefer to read in groups (there's great material here for oohing and aaahing over danger ratings), and its short chunks of text would be great for reluctant readers in grades 4-7. The combination of danger and a universally interesting subject matter make this title a surefire hit.



Nonfiction
Grades 4-8
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Nonfiction: Watch This Space

This book is all about the so-called "third space": public places that are neither your home, nor your work/school. Public spaces provide us with places to socialize, rest, recreate, and just hang out. They're open to all people, young or old, rich or poor.

This book helps kids discover what makes a great public space, and what kinds of things you can do there. It encourages kids to get involved with their city or town in designing effective and safe public spaces that encourage community living.

This would be a great title for socially minded kids, or teachers who are doing a unit on community life.



Nonfiction
Grades 4-7
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Fiction: The Schwa Was Here

Imagine if you could be invisible. What would it be like to move unseen amongst your teachers and classmates? Eighth-grader Calvin Schwa knows exactly what it feels like, because he has a nearly supernatural ability to fly beneath the social radar. People just don’t notice him, even when he's doing outrageous things underneath their very noses!

Anthony “Antsy” Bonano has the opposite gift: He’s a one-kid comedy show — and Calvin is perfect for his next prank. Antsy takes bets on what the Schwa can get away with and the boys try a series of increasingly daring stunts before getting nabbed by town grump (and millionaire) Mr. Crawley. Their punishment is... perfect.

Though they start out walking Mr. Crawley's 14 (yes, 14) Afghan Hounds, they end up being hired as companions to Mr. Crawley's disturbingly pretty and insightful granddaughter, Lexie. When the Schwa and Antsy both start to like Lexie as more than a friend, the Schwa's invisibility suddenly becomes too much for him to live with. So what happens when someone invisible decides to get noticed?

In The Schwa Was Here, author Neal Schusterman has written a hilarious, complicated and touching story about boys, friendship and the importance of being noticed and included.

Fiction
Grades 5-9
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