Overview YRE by Benjamin Grant and Sandra Markle - ESSENTIAL

Overview: A New Way of seeing Earth: Young Reader’s Edition by Benjamin Grant and Sandra Markle, 148 pages. NON-FICTION. Crown (Random), 2019.  $25. 9781984832023

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Grant, with the help of Markle, has brought us a beautiful book of satellite images, showing the amazing world in which we live. If this is the young reader’s edition, I need to get my hands on the original version also! I will be showing this to our geography teachers.  I can imagine showing a picture each day and having the students speculate what they are looking at - simple, but powerful.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Animals Christopher Columbus Saw by Sandra Markle - ESSENTIAL

Markle, Sandra Animals Christopher Columbus Saw, illustrations by Jamel Akib. Chronicle, 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

With simple, concise language Ms. Markle lays out the course and circumstances of Columbus's first journey to find a sea route to China and Japan.

That part by itself would be enough to make this a valuable book to almost any class studying the World Explorers or American Explorers in particular. Instead, however, Ms. Markle has added information on each page about at least one animal that Columbus and crew encountered during that part of the voyage, ranging from the mundane (rats) to the fantastic (manatees thought to be ugly mermaids).

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species by Sandra Markle - OPTIONAL

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species by Sandra Markle. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook Press (Lerner), 2019. $24. 9781512458688.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Woolly monkeys are a keystone species of the South American rain forest that live most of their in the high canopy of the trees. Researchers are now making extraordinary efforts to learn about these monkeys in order to help them--and the rain forests--survive.

This was a fun science picture book about a monkey species I had never heard of. The pictures are wonderful and the writing covers the topic well. I did feel like it got a tad repetitive by the end of the book--the author seemed to conclude her book by simply restating everything we'd already read. Overall its a nice nonfiction pick and would be popular with middle readers who love nature and animals.

Review: TC

Secrets of the Lost City by Sandra Markle - ADVISABLE

Secrets of the Lost City: a scientific adventure in the Honduran rain forest by Sandra Markle, 49 pages. NON-FICTION. Millbrook (Lerner), 2023. $32 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Rumors of a Lost City, La Ciudad Blanco, have circulated for decades through Honduras. The land around it, however, is the wildest rain forest in all the world. It isn’t until 2010 that scientist Steve Elkins puts together the money for a lidar (light detection and ranging) search of a small area of the rain forest and finds conclusive proof of ancient human habitation. Even with that proof, physical expeditions are expensive and dangerous. 

I was fascinated by the use of lidar in aiding archeological exploration in remote territory. The information on the scientists’ investigations in to the flora and fauna were also detailed enough to be valuable as supplemental material in almost any science class. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Great Leopard Rescue by Sandra Markle - ESSENTIAL

Markle, Sandra The Great Leopard Rescue, 45 pages.  NON FICTION.  Millbrook (Lerner), 2016.  $23.

Following up on her Great Monkey Rescue, Markle turns her talent to the leopards and  a few other big cats around the world.  In simple terms she explains the threats against and possible actions to save the beautiful beasts.  Perfect for an upper elementary student for a report, or anyone who loves learning about the giant cats.

EL - ESSENTIAL.  MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Snowy Owl Invasion by Sandra Markle - ADVISABLE

Markle, Sandra Snowy Owl Invasion! Tracking an Unusual Migration, 46 pages. NON-FICTION. Millbrook (Lerner), 2018.  $24.

The winter of 2013-2014 brought an unprecedented number of snowy owls to the United States.  Normally these birds stay all year in the Arctic.  Scientists took advantage of the flocks by banding many and attaching transmitters to others in order to study the flight patterns – research that they have not been able to conducted previously.

Because the banding happened so recently, scientists are just beginning to use the data they have been collecting.  Because if this, there really isn’t a section about the uses for the research or things that the general populous should be aware of.  In that regard, this book is a little less useful than Markle’s other books.  Don’t get me wrong – the bandings and transmitter part is cool, just not what I normally expect.  And the photographs – top notch!

EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Great Penguin Rescue by Sandra Markle - ESSENTIAL

Markle, Sandra The Great Penguin Rescue, 44 pages.  Millbrook (Lerner), 2017.  $30. Content: G.

Markle has done it again.  Adding to her other books about saving endangered species, she hits another homerun with this book about penguins nesting on the coasts of South Africa.  Her writing is strong and clear, easy enough for a fourth grader, but detailed enough for a seventh grader.  The entire series is a great supplement to the Scientists in the Field series from Houghton Mifflin.

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Snow School by Sandra Markle - ADVISABLE

Markle, Sandra. Snow School. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Unpaged. 2013. Charlesbridge. $16.95. Nonfiction.

With beautiful life-like illustrations, this narrative nonfiction tells the story of two snow leopard cubs born high in Pakistan's Hindu Kush Mountains. The story follows the cubs from one week old, when one almost becomes a meal for an eagle, to five weeks, to two months, to five months, and then into their second year of life. At each stage, the cubs learn life-saving skills from their mom about how to feed themselves and stay safe in their harsh environment.

The new Common Core calls for the use of lots of quality nonfiction books, and this one definitely qualifies. Almost every page could be used for a lesson on summary, main idea, or inference by hiding the final sentence that states the learned lesson until after students have had time to draw their own conclusions. The last page contains more information about snow leopards, additional resources, and an author's note.

EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: PKFoster, K-5 teacher-librarian

Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle - ADVISABLE

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Markle, Sandra, Waiting for Ice, Charlesbridge, 2012. $15.95. Content: G. Picture book.   

An orphaned polar bear struggles to find food.  Without a mother to feed her, this young polar bear must fend for herself against other bears that are bigger and stronger.  And food is hard to find: due to rising global temperatures. This book is based on a true story of an orphaned polar bear.  

 It has a unique way of teaching about environmental changes through a touching story of an orphaned polar cub.  This book would be a great introduction in teaching a unit on global warming and the effects it has on the animals.   

EL (K-3), EL, MS – ADVISABLE; Reviewer: MJB

The Great Monkey Rescue by Sandra Markle-ADVISABLE

Markle, Sandra, The Great Monkey Rescue. Pgs. 40. Lerner Publishing Company, 2016. $30.65. INFORMATION 

 

Once common in Brazil, the Golden Tamarins’ numbers have shrunk quite a bit due to deforestation. Scientists began studying them in zoos, but the tamarins weren’t reproducing in captivity? Could zoo-raised tamarins be released into the wild? Will they be able to keep enough forest areas for them to thrive? This book explores these questions and more. 

 

The layout is well done. The information is presented in an engaging, easy to follow way. The easy to read text provides a way for readers to explore and ask their own questions. Included are a glossary, index, and souces for further information for help meeting common core standards. Readers who enjoy non-fiction about wild animals or who need to read a non-fiction book will like reading this book. EL, MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

The Search for Olinguito : Discovering a New Species by Sandra Markle - ADVISABLE

Markle, Sandra The Search for Olinguito : Discovering a New Species, Non-Fiction 40 pgs. Millbrook Press (Lerner Publishing Group), 2017. $30.65. Content: G. 

In 2002, scientist Kristofer Helgen noticed that a type of raccoon he was studying seemed to be different enough from the others that it might be a new species.  So, 3 years of studying samples in museums led to DNA testing which confirmed that this was different enough. Now, to find if there are any left in the wild! It took 6 more years in the field of watching, filming, testing samples and having peer review of their findings to prove that Olinguitos are indeed their own species. 11 years from initial idea to recognition, Helgen was finally able to present the new species in 2013.

This children’s book, describing the process of a scientist as he discovers a new animal is full of captioned photographs, source notes, a glossary and books and website sources to find out more.  Lerner Publishing has included a valuable website with free educational resources that can easily be used in the classroom.  An easy read for 3rd grade and above, but enough information and resources to be easily utilized by a middle school student as well.  

EL, MS - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian

Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants by Sandra Markle –OPTIONAL

Markle, Sandra Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants.  PICTURE BOOK. 25 pgs. Charlesbridge, 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.

Based on a true story, Big Mama is a grandmother elephant, leading a herd in Tanzania, including a baby elephant. When water sources start to become scarce, she leads the herd to all the places she can remember, but there is just not enough water. Finally she remembers a place she visited decades before, during a similar drought, and takes the herd there. The end notes feature lots of interesting facts, including about But Mama and her herd.

The illustrations are not my favorite, many are over laid with a dark patina and many more just feel drab and dreary. This could be purposeful as the elephants get more thirsty, but it just lacks vibrancy, and the art feels dated. The story itself, including the backstory, and facts in the end notes are top notch. The book could be used for a unit for younger readers on African habitats and waterholes, or elephants or even animal intelligence. I would rate this higher, but the art just isn’t up to par. Honestly, the Charlesbridge non-fiction is just not on the same playing field as Lerner, who seems to better understand how to grab and hold the interest of todays readers.

 EL(K-3) – OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Hip-Pocket Papa by Sandra Markle

Markle, Sandra.  Hip-Pocket Papa.  Illustrated by Alan Marks.  Charlesbridge, 2010.  PICTURE BOOK.  $15.95  Content, G.  A fascinating story about tiny hip-pocket frogs from Australia.  Hip-pocket frogs watch over the eggs on the forest floor together as mates, but once the eggs hatch the tiny tadpoles crawl into pockets located on the males’ thighs where they stay for thirty days.  In this fabulously illustrated book, the frog avoids predators as he searches for a water pond to take his tadpoles.  The predators are described and at the back of the book there is a glossary explaining the different animals the frog comes across, all Australian species.  Once the male frog finds a pond, the froglets crawl out of his pockets and go their different directions.  Interesting and informative, great for science class.  EL - ADVISABLE  Reviewer, C. Peterson, teacher.

The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees by Sandra Markle-ADVISABLE

Markle, Sandra, The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees. pgs. 48. Millbrook Press, 2014. $29.27 INFORMATION

Albert Einstein once said that if all the honeybees disappeared from the earth, the human race would die within a few years. Never has this been more of a possibility than today. All across the world, when beekeepers open up their hives, they discover an extremely sad disorder called “Colony Collapse Disorder” where an entire colony will have disappeared. This book looks into the cause and presents the different theories and the research behind easing the issue and solving it for the future. It also goes into detail about how a colony works and what are the different jobs. With detailed photos, comprehensive diagrams, and additional side notes of information, this book could be used for reaching common core goals. Included are sources for additional information, author’s note, and a glossary. EL. MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Toad Weather by Sandra Markle -- OPTIONAL

Markle, Sandra Toad Weather, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK. Peachtree Publishers, 2015. $16.95. Content: G.

Ally, her mother, and her grandmother trek through a rainy evening to perform a surprise task: helping toads cross the road to breed for the season. An afterword explains that this is a yearly event near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This story contains some great sensory imagery, and the enjoyment of a good rainstorm is appealing -- as is the fun fact about the toad migration. Still, I don't know that it would have a wide-enough appeal to bump it up from OPTIONAL to ADVISABLE.

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Wounded Brains by Sandra Markle

Markle, Sandra. Wounded Brains: True Survival Stories 48 pgs.  Lerner Publications Company $9.00. Content PG-graphic pictures of injuries. This non-fiction book about brain injuries explores traumatic brain injuries (TBI) both open and closed. It follows two individuals; one struck by a truck while biking and the other injured during a combat missing in Iraq from the time of their injury to their mostly full recovery. It is a quick very informational read and would be great to add to any non-fiction collection. ES, MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Shauna Reading teacher.