TOTO—THE DOG-GONE AMAZING STORY OF THE WIZARD OF OZ

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I still remember the first time I saw the movie huddled around the television with my sisters and Mom…a bowl of popcorn within reach. It was mesmerizing to watch the tale unfold.

L. Frank Baum wrote 14 books in the series. As years passed there came plays and countless discussions of the themes in Oz. One would think everything had been covered concerning the story. Well, bust my buttons, thanks to the creative mind of WAR HORSE author Michael Morpurgo, he has rewritten the story from Toto’s viewpoint. Why didn’t I think of that?

As the story opens a much older Toto sits back and tells his version of what happened to a litter of pups including one called Tiny Toto. Accompanying the story are colorful illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark. The book would be great for any Oz loving fan and as a read aloud. It for sure will find a special place on family bookshelves everywhere.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 284

FULL PLOT (From Harper Collins)

From master storyteller MICHAEL MORPURGO, and illustrated in stunning colour by the award-winning EMMA CHICHESTER CLARK, comes a surprising, charming and uplifting twist on The Wizard of Oz, told by a very special and unforgettable character: Dorothy’s pet dog, Toto. A perfect, collectible gift for all children (and children at heart).

“I was there,” Papa Toto said, and those magic words sent shivers down my spine. It was going to be the Wizard story. “Dorothy and me were both there.”
We were all silent, snuggled up together, waiting, waiting.
Then Papa Toto began…

When a twister descends on their Kansas farm, Toto and his owner Dorothy hide in the house – only to be plucked into the air and whisked away!

Coming down with a crash in the mysterious land of Oz, the pair meet a series of extraordinary characters: a scarecrow who believes he has no brains, a tin man without a heart, and a cowardly lion who may not be as cowardly as he thinks he is.

But Toto and Dorothy are desperate to return home – after all, home is home, and home is best! So they set off with their new friends on a journey down the yellow brick road to find the only person who might be able to help them: the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

But what they find might surprise them. And on the way, all of them will learn that what they think they are missing might have been there, all along…

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is an unforgettable telling of a classic story, and a must for every bookshelf.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:  TOTO—THE DOG-GONE AMAZING STORY OF THE WIZARD OF OZ by Michael Morpurgo

  1. There is a perfect balance of text and illustrations. Some are full page and others break up the text but they never overwhelm each other. The lines of text are easy on the eyes, spaced apart just enough.
  2. If you’ve seen the movie and haven’t read L. Frank Baum’s books, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the additional plot twists Toto adds in.
  3. Toto is a nice dog but isn’t afraid to throw out his opinion on things. Some are hilarious.
  4. The fifteen chapters fly by in a hurry and did I ever get the looks while reading this as I  waited for a haircut. I just smiled and turned the page.
  5. A nice ending epilogue lets Tiny Toto put it all into perspective.

FAVORITE LINES:

Lion and I padded along together ahead of the others, the best of friends, on the lookout for trouble, and behind us came the rest, arm in arm, sometimes singing as they went, Tin Woodman’s great feet clanking on the yellow brick road. There was never a happier band, except for two things—I was getting mighty fed up by this time with eating nothing but nuts, and Dorothy’s singing wasn’t getting any better either.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Writer Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is one of Great Britain’s best-loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award. His recent bestselling novels include Pinocchio, Listen to the Moon and An Eagle in the Snow. His novel War Horse has been successfully adapted as a West End and Broadway theater play and a major film by Steven Spielberg. A former Children’s Laureate, Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children. (For More visit Michael’s website)

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Make a comment below if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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MY CYBILS PICKS FOR MIDDLE GRADE FICTION

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

The nomination period for this year’s CYBILS Awards opens on October 1st and closes October 15th. Anyone can nominate their favorites in more than ten categories from picture books to Young Adult (one nomination per category).  After you nominate it’s time to sit back and let the judges dig into the list of books. Winners are announced February 14, 2018.

I always prepare a short list to be ready just in case my first choice is already nominated. The books must have been published from October 16, 2016- October 15, 2017. Here are just a few of my favorites in the Middle Grade Fiction category I hope get nominated (In Random Order):

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION

THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw

ONE GOOD THING ABOUT AMERICA by Ruth Freeman

THE ONLY ROAD by Alexandra Diaz

ARMSTRONG AND CHARLIE by Steven B. Frank

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL COLLINS by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

SUPERSTAR by Mandy Davis

LUCKY BROKEN GIRL by Ruth Behar

THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU by Jennifer Maschari

CALEB and KIT by Beth Vrabel

What an impressive body of work! Get your list together and nominate your favorite. You can even use one of mine!

I learned earlier this week I’ll be returning as one of the CYBILS round 2 judges in this category. Our work does not begin until late December after the Round 1 judges finish paring down the list of close to—in all likelihood—one hundred nominated titles to a more workable 5-7. I’m looking forward to finding out which MG novels make the cut.

Have a great weekend!

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SUPERSTAR for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Autism Spectrum Disorder is an often-misunderstood condition, especially if you’ve never known someone who lives under its umbrella. The problem lies in the middle word—Spectrum. Autism may include social, communication, and behavioral challenges, but they can range from mild to severe. No two disorders are exactly alike.

SUPERSTAR is a welcome story narrated by Lester, a boy on the spectrum. His honest and heartfelt narration will have you laughing at many points and angry or sad at others. The laughter comes from Lester’s literal view of the world. Tell Lester to march down to the principal’s office and that’s exactly what he’ll do—march.

With short chapters, you’ll see the world as Lester sees it. A world that is too loud, with a schedule that unfairly changes, and where people’s reactions are confusing. Lester will try and become the superstar and the answer he comes up with is both surprising and welcome. Gives this a read and I’m sure Lester will become a superstar in your eyes like he did for me. In this time of hatred in our world, we need more books like SUPERSTAR.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 336

FULL PLOT

Ten-year-old Lester Musselbaum loves science and space and Superman. He loves that his mom is his teacher, and he loves that they live together, just the two of them, in a little house out in the Indiana countryside. (It’s the perfect place for watching meteor showers!) But soon, everything starts changing. Lester’s mom gets a job and Lester has to go to school with other kids for the first time in his whole life. With the Superman action figure in his pocket as his only protection, he steps into the confusing world of fifth grade and begins a journey that will change his life forever.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: SUPERSTAR

  1. Lester’s narration. Your knowledge of autism spectrum disorder will grow immensely thanks to Lester.
  2. The addition of stars, space, and a special astronaut added to the uniqueness of the story line.
  3. Yes, there’s a bully. Seems to be a requirement in MG books.  At least with bully, Ricky, we see a character arc that flows to a satisfying conclusion.
  4. This is an underdog story where you will cheer for rather than feel sorry for the main character.
  5. The reactions of other kids and adults to Lester are realistic and true. For the teacher, Lester is another body in an already full classroom. Eventually the school rises up and discovers ways to meet his needs.

FAVORITE LINES: 

“Please, Lester? I really want to know.”

“Fine! It feels like a crazy mix of chemicals is bubbling up inside me and if I don’t do something to make the bubbles stop, they’re going to explode and blow me to bits.” I pull my knees up to my chest and bury my face in them. “Running away is the only way to make them stop.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Before being bitten by the writing bug, Mandy was an elementary school teacher, a record store clerk, and once she even sold hamburgers on the sidewalk. When she’s not writing, Mandy can usually be found taking pictures or playing games of some sort. She also sings at least twice a day. Mandy spent her childhood and early adult life in Indiana. She currently writes, games, sings (and lives) in Minnesota with her partner Tony and their two ridiculous cats. (For more about Mandy and SUPERSTAR visit her website.)

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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MY CYBILS PICKS FOR MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE FICTION

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

The nomination period for this year’s CYBILS Awards opens on October 1st and closes October 15th. Anyone can nominate their favorites in more than ten categories from picture books to Young Adult (One nomination per category).  After you nominate its time to sit back and let the judges dig into the list of books. Winners are announced February 14, 2018.

I always prepare a short list to be ready just in case my first choice is already nominated. The books must have been published from October 16, 2016- October 15, 2017. Here are my favorites in the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category I hope get nominated (In Random Order):

MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE FICTION

THE WIZARD’S DOG by Eric Kahn Gale

JED AND THE JUNKYARD WAR by Steven Bohls

THE BLAZING BRIDGE by Carter Roy

STORY THIEVES—SECRET ORIGINS by James Riley

FELIX Yz by Lisa Bunker

A BABYSITTER”S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING by Joe Ballarini

BEYOND THE DOORS by David Nielsen

What an impressive body of work! Get your list together and nominate your favorite. You can even use one of mine! Have a great weekend.

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CALEB and KIT For Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Cystic Fibrosis.

The name even sounds scary. I knew the disease was progressive and causes difficulty in breathing and in other organs. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, in the United States:

  • More than 30,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis (more than 70,000 worldwide).
  • Approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.
  • More than 75 percent of people with CF are diagnosed by age 2.
  • More than half of the CF population is age 18 or older.

What I didn’t know was the challenges it brings to both the person with CF and their family and friends… until after reading CALEB and KIT.

Twelve-year-old Caleb narrates the story and his daily routine living with the disease. It’s honest, gut wrenching at times, but oh so necessary.

His parents are divorced and he lives with Mom and a perfect older  brother he despises for always being the star in the family. His Dad spends most of the story saying the wrong things. Caleb meets Kit and he enters an exciting time in his life, one filled with adventure and new fairy tale type ways of looking at the future. His new motto is do what he wants  and his behavior around others suffers. He speaks his mind when he shouldn’t, sneaks out to see Kit, and his obnoxious persona is affecting the entire family.

It all comes crashing down in a satisfying conclusion. Thank goodness for Beth Vrabel who shines a light on a child and his family’s experiences of living with cystic fibrosis.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 256

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)  Twelve-year-old Caleb is shorter, frailer, and more protected than most kids his age. That’s because he has cystic fibrosis, a diagnosis meaning lungs that fill with mucus and a shortened lifespan. Caleb tries not to let his disorder define him, but it can be hard with an overprotective mom and a perfect big brother.

Then Caleb meets Kit–a vibrant, independent, and free girl–and his world changes instantly. Kit reads Caleb’s palm and tells him they are destined to become friends. She calls birds down from the sky and turns every day into an adventure. Her magic is contagious, making Caleb question the rules and order in his life. But being Kit’s friend means embracing deception and danger, and soon Caleb will have to decide if his friendship with Kit is really what’s best for him–or her.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: CALEB and KIT

  1. You not only get a better understanding of Caleb’s behavior, but also his dad and brother by the time the last page arrives.
  2. Cystic fibrosis serves only as a backdrop to a story of friendship, a divided family, and feeling connected.
  3. Shelly is a secondary character who is Caleb’s nemesis, but also comes out with her own way of seeing things. She comes full circle as a character with growth and understanding.
  4. Kit could easily have an entire book devoted to her. Her unusual way of approaching life and the secrets she keeps from others had me anxious to see how her character changed by the end.
  5. I know I’ve read a good story when I’m still thinking about it a week after finishing.

FAVORITE LINES:
Each step I took made my shoes suck deeper into mud with a squelching sound, and each time it made my chest hurt. A few more yards in and I realized I was in trouble. My chest burned. I tried to ignore it. The pain twisted and coiled around my ribs—not like I couldn’t breathe but like my body didn’t want to. Like I was drowning from the inside out. I tried not to think about how fast my heart was beating and only that totally freaking out was useless. I tried not to croak out a cry or anything babyish like that. This wasn’t my first panic attack; I knew I wasn’t really dying. But every time it happened, I had to convince myself all over again. And the attacks had been happening more and more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (From Goodreads)

Beth Vrabel is an award-winning author of books for middle grade readers.
But she can’t clap to the beat nor be trusted near Nutella. Beth lives in Texas with her family and spoiled-rotten puppy, Jasper the Dog. She’s author of the PACK OF DORKS series, A BLIND GUIDE TO STINKVILLE and A BLIND GUIDE TO NORMAL. Her next release, CALEB AND KIT, hits bookshelves in September 2017.

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Oh…one more thing… The winner of THINGS THAT SURPRISE ME is Danielle Hammelef. CONGRATULATIONS!!

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

 

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CYBILS Time is Almost Here!

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

The nomination period for this year’s CYBILS Awards opens on October 1st and closes October 15th. Anyone can nominate their favorites in more than ten categories from picture books to Young Adult (One nomination per category).  After you nominate, sit back and let the judges dig into the list of books. Winners are announced February 14, 2018.

I always prepare a short list to be ready just in case my first choice is already nominated (Which is usually the case). The books must have been published from October 16, 2016- October 15, 2017. Here are my favorites in the Middle Grade Non-Fiction category I hope get nominated (In Random Order):

MIDDLE GRADE NON-FICTION

REBELS AND REVOLUTIONS by Judy Dodge Cummings

MOTOR GIRLS by Sue Macy

SHACKLES FROM THE DEEP by Michael H. Cottman

 

THIS BOOK STINKS! by Sarah Wassner Flynn

WEIRD BUT TRUE! KNOW IT ALL U.S. PRESIDENTS by Brianna Dumont

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What an impressive body of work! Get your list together and nominate your favorite. You can even use one of mine! Have a great weekend.

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THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Welcome to MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY. I’m reviewing this smart new title sure to please readers. But first there are two giveaway opportunities:

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Giveaway at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE: One lucky winner will receive a copy of THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU (U.S. addresses). Just leave a comment below and I’ll draw the winner this Friday 9/15 at 12 noon EDT. Good luck!

PLUS! Enter here by September 14th where one grand prize winner will receive a Crafty Unicorn Kit!

The prize includes a fun craft kit, a copy of THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU, unicorn stickers, and puzzle cards!

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How exciting! Now onto my review…

Transitions. A part of life. They can be happy, sad, confusing, or down right impossible to comprehend. The one transition that has always struck me as the most difficult is when  you leave the comfortable confines of elementary school and enter the scary world of middle school.

Twelve-year-old Emily has an even tougher transition with lost friendships and problems at home. The friend drama comes from her best friend Hazel who seems intent on forging ahead too fast into this more grown up world, leaving Emily  behind. The family piece of course comes from the common MG theme of divorce but also a less common one: Emily’s older sister is set to return home after her treatment for anorexia.

Told in first person through Emily’s spot on tween voice, this would make a great beginning of sixth grade read, alerting young minds about how actions can hurt others. A welcome addition to any library. I also adored Jennifer’s previous MG title— THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 288

FULL PLOT (From HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS)

Emily Murphy is about to enter middle school. She’s sort of excited…though not nearly as much as her best friend Hazel, who is ready for everything to be new. Emily wishes she and Hazel could just continue on as they always have, being the biggest fans ever of the Unicorn Chronicles, making up dance moves, and getting their regular order at The Slice.

But things are changing. At home, Emily and her mom are learning to move on after her parents’ divorce. Hardest of all, her beloved sister Mina has been in a treatment facility to deal with her anorexia. Emily is eager to have her back, but anxious about her sister getting sick again.

Hazel is changing too. She has new friends from the field hockey team, is starting to wear makeup, and have crushes on boys. Emily is trying to keep up, but she keeps doing and saying the wrong thing. She wants to be the perfect new Emily. But who is that really?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU by Jennifer Maschari

  1. Hector. He’s a classmate of Emily’s who rises above the taunts of others and forges ahead to become the person he wants to be.
  2. Emily orders a self help CD series to help her figure out who she is and who she wants to become. What she learns is actually quite helpful.
  3. Girls are going crazy for boys and Emily can’t make herself get on that ride. It’s an honest look at many girls in sixth grade middle school.
  4. Eating disorders are a problem that won’t be going away soon and impacts many families. I’m glad the topic is getting some exposure in a middle grade book.
  5. A pet dog becomes an outlet for comfort. He’s there like most dogs, but having him look at you in a non-judgmental way is often the therapy Emily needs.

FAVORITE LINES: I close my eyes. My mind goes to the pool that summer and every summer before. Me and Hazel, each sitting in our inner tubes, holding on to each other as long as possible until we finally drift apart. I watch as she floats farther and farther away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Maschari is a classroom teacher and the author of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE and THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU. She is hard at work on her next middle grade novel with Balzer+Bray/ HarperCollins. Jennifer lives in Ohio with her husband and stinky (yet noble) English bulldogs, Oliver and Hank. To learn more, and to download a free curriculum guide, visit http://jenmaschari.com/.

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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GIRLS IN SCIENCE: ARCHAELOGY

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Young people need role models. Someone to look up to when confused about what they want to do in the future. Girls, especially at middle grade age, begin to get mixed messages about what is possible. That’s why the GIRLS IN SCIENCE SERIES is a perfect remedy.

ARCHAEOLOGY—COOL WOMAN WHO DIG join nine other previously released titles: ASTRONOMY, TECHNOLOGY, FORENSICS, ENGINEERING, AVIATION, MARINE BIOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, and METEOROLOGY. See more about these titles here.

ARCHAEOLOGY begins with a background on just what is archaeology and a look at the history of women in the field. From there you jump right in and meet three impressive women archeologists:

  • Chelsea Rose is a historical archaeologist and researcher at the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA), where she studies towns and mining camps of the Gold Rush era.
  • Alexandra Jones is the founder of a nonprofit organization in Washington DC, called Archaeology in the Community (AITC). She develops exciting programs that encourages everyone to experience archaeology.
  • Justine Benanty is a maritime archaeologist and a mentor of Youth Diving with a Purpose. She has investigated slave ships off the coast of South America and participated in digs from North America to the Middle East.

I enjoyed reading the stories about their work and how they got into the field of archaeology. A super addition were QR codes scattered throughout that lead you to primary online sources. I used the QR app on my phone, but it works the same on a tablet.  Focus on the strange looking square and up pops the page. Great stuff!

Perfect for the classroom or for a budding scientist at home, the book wraps things up with essential questions, a timeline, and a glossary.

We need more women in science fields and this title and series is a superb springboard to make sure that happens.

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Have a great weekend. I’ll be doing some of my own digging and who knows what I’ll find in the garden!

 

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THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I’m off and running into my sixth year at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE. The winners of my Anniversary Giveaway of a book and gift card are:

KATHLEEN BURKINSHAW (I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS)

ROSI HOLLINBECK (MOON SHADOW)

MICHAEL GETTEL-GILMARTIN (POSTED)

DONNA FRANCZEK (WELCOME TO WONDERLAND #2)

Congratulations to all. And now onto this weeks review…

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I’ve never come across an editor requesting more prison dramas for middle grade. But here we have the second one in two years with THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER. Last year I featured ALL RISE FOR THE HONORABLE PERRY T. COOK, the story of a boy born and raised for his first eleven years in a prison where his mother is incarcerated for a crime Perry doesn’t understand.

All Rise For The Honorable Perry T. Cook is a book I’d share with middle grade readers of all ages. It has a heartwarming beat in the face of desperation. I also liked THE WARDEN”S DAUGHTER but not as a middle grade reader. I felt the adult side of me clinging to the pages and would be hesitant to recommend it to children under 13.

The narration is through the eyes of Cammie as an adult looking back on the summer when she was about to celebrate her 13th birthday. Yes, back then she lived with her dad in an upstairs apartment in Pennsylvania’s Hancock County Prison. It’s 1959 and she mingles with the female prisoners in the exercise yard and longs to have a mother. Her own mom was killed, run over by a car while walking Cammie’s baby carriage across the street. Cammie survived but is in a downward spiral of depression.

There’s a murder, a suicide, and underage cigarette smoking that teachers and parents should be aware of before having the younger ones dive in to the pages. The writing is stellar and I’d take this on a long trip to enjoy before handing it off to another adult reader. It’s the best middle grade book for older readers I’ve read this year. Not so much for the 10-year-olds.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 352

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON) Cammie O’Reilly lives at the Hancock County Prison–not as a prisoner, she’s the warden’s daughter. She spends the mornings hanging out with shoplifters and reformed arsonists in the women’s exercise yard, which gives Cammie a certain cache with her school friends.

But even though Cammie’s free to leave the prison, she’s still stuck. And sad, and really mad. Her mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. You wouldn’t think you could miss something you never had, but on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mom. A prison might not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined and she’s willing to work with what she’s got.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER by Jerry Spinelli

  1. You get a smidgen of how life was like in 1959 and a sidelight with American Bandstand and its popularity with kids.
  2. I often wonder how young characters in books would emerge in adult life. My question about Cammie is answered in the final chapter written by adult Cammie in 2017.
  3. It’s estimated that an average of one child in every classroom has an incarcerated parent so books like this one could connect in a positive way.
  4. The secondary characters like Eloda, young Andrew, Reggie and Danny were characters I wanted to get to know better. They were bright spots to cover the unlikable qualities of Cammie.
  5. A positive ending brought a smile back to my face.

FAVORITE LINES:  Now, in the weeks after Mother’s Day, something was changing. Enough was no longer enough. Dormant feelings stirred by a smile at a ballpark moved and shifted until they shaped a thought: I was sick and tired of being motherless.

I wanted one. And a second thought: If I couldn’t have my first-string mother, I’d bring one in off the bench.

But who?

A teacher?

The next lady who smiled at me?

The flash point came in five words.

A FEW RECENT WORDS from  Jerry Spinelli: 

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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UNITED STATES ATLAS

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

The fifth edition from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS is a treasure for any boy or girl studying our great country.

It’s divided into five geographical areas along with a special section for the territories. Each state gets its own colorful two-page spread.

This includes a Fact Box with all the key information, pictures, and of course a detailed map. There is also a short essay filling readers in on the history of the state. Everything is arranged on the two pages in an eye appealing way. I of course went right to my home state (Colorado) but soon found myself flipping the pages to learn about the other 49.

A front of the book section gives an overall impression the United States. There are two page spreads on the physical, environmental, population, political, energy, and our nation’s capital, Washington D.C.

The back of the book has U.S. facts and figures, a glossary, and a super detailed index.

Here’s the official blurb:

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National Geographic Kids United States Atlas, 5th Edition (ages 8-12, $12.99) – This is THE gold standard of atlases and a must-have reference for home or school.  Featuring more than 75 maps, over 350 color images, lively photo essays, and an easy-to-use place-name index, National Geographic ’s world-renowned cartographers have paired up with education experts to create an unparalleled resource of information about the United States.  Kids will discover the latest data and trends regarding land and water, people and places and eight socially themed maps on nature, population, energy and fire delve deeper into key issues.

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I thought the price was a misprint, but sure enough $12.99 gets you more information about the United States than any source I’ve ever come across. It will be a mainstay on any student’s shelf for years to come.

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