CIRCLE UNBROKEN

Author (last name first): Raven, Margot Theis

Publisher, Date of Publication: Farrar,Straus, & Giroux/ 2004

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 3-7

Classification: Fiction

A CIRCLE UNBROKEN reminds the reader of PATCHWORK QUILT. An older relative, a grandmother, tells a story of the survival, of history, and of perfection in little things that are part of domestic life. The little girl who appears to be about eight in the illustrations sits in her granny's lap and is learning how to sew a basket. Grannie goes back in family history to faraway Africa and describes the rites of passage for both boys and girls that resulted in perfectly crafted baskets. Interspersed with the past are Granny's words such as "Just as I am pleased with you" and " Just as I give praise for you" that connect back to the present relationship with Grannie and granddaughter. Wonderful oil paintings and quiet yet powerful mood of this book make it a keeper for generations today and yet to come.

Reviewer: Andrea Williams

CHESS

Author (last name first): Rau, Dana Meachen

Publisher, Date of Publication: Compas Point Books/ 2005

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 3-5

Classification: Non-Fiction

The book gives a detailed account about the history of chess, the game of chess and it includes a glossary, The glossary is especially helpful for beginners to allow them to review the basics of the game. This book is very informative and the author does a great job explaining the pieces of the game, the rules, and an overview of the game board used to play chess. Detailed game board maps with descriptions are included in the text and are essential in understanding the game.

Reviewer: Jeannie Dumas

SLEEPING CUTIE

Author (last name first): Pinkney, Andrea Davis

Publisher, Date of Publication: Harcourt/ 2004

Grade Level/ or Age Level: K-2

Classification: Fiction

Cutie LaRue is a parent's dream child, until bedtime. Cutie then turns into a parent's worst nightmare. Night after night, she fights during bedtime because she is never tired or sleepy. One night Cutie's parents read about the Night Owl in a toy catalog. This owl is guaranteed to put kids to sleep. Her parents order it and give it to Cutie at bedtime. Cutie is not very pleased at first, but the next morning her parents find her sound asleep. That's what partying all night with the Night Owl will do to you! This book will stimulate a child's imagination as well as an adults. The cover is attractive and the illustrations are great.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Briones

TEN RED NECK BABIES

Author (last name first): Davis, David

Publisher, Date of Publication: Pelican Publishing Company/ 2004

Grade Level/ or Age Level: Prek-1

Classification: Fiction

This counting book goes forward one to ten, and backwards ten to one. Some of the words, such as "redneck," "chiggers," and "kudzu" may take a little bit of explanation. Still, the pictures are great with boy and girl babies, all doing stereotypical Southern actions as the numbers progress.

Reviewer: Andrea Williams

COAL MINERS BRIDE. THE DIARY OF ANETKA KAMINSKA

Author (last name first): Bartoletti, Susan Campbell

Publisher, Date of Publication: Scholastic Inc./ 2000

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 8-12

Classification: Fiction

A COAL MINERS BRIDE is an excellent examination of the life of a Polish immigrant in the late 1800's. It is a frightening view of hardships and discrimination's of early immigrants. The book is written in diary form allowing insight into the main characters thoughts and is well- written and researched. The historical information and photographs at the end of the book are innovative. Bartoletti does an excellent job in helping readers understand the evolution of this country. This book would be an excellent resource for a U.S. history course.

Reviewer: Tammye Isbell

FIRST FRIENDS

Author (last name first): Blegvad, Lenore

Publisher, Date of Publication: Harper Festival/2000

Grade Level/ or Age Level: PreK- K

Classification: Fiction

FIRST FRIENDS is great for the emerging reader. Throughout the book, the author and illustrator use pictures to help the beginning reader learn new words. The author starts off with items we 'see'. Young readers can see other children playing with objects they may or may not have seen. The author then turns the young readers on to things we say as we play with the items. Each child is friendly and very eager to share what he has. The illustrator does a wonderful job showing the children interacting with each other. The objects are very clear and easy to identify. This book is an ideal selection for a PreK or Kindergarten library.

Reviewer: Michele Belcher

ENCYCLOPIDEA OF WOMEN'S HISTORY IN AMERICA,2ND EDITION

Author (last name first): Cullen-Dupont, Kathryn

Publisher, Date of Publication: Facts on File Inc./2000

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 10-12

Classification: Non-Fiction

In the four years since the first edition appeared, the author has made significant changes in this title that make it a useful purchase for libraries that either, or have a demand for young women's history materials. This edition includes black and white photographs, italicized captions for biographical profiles, and updated biographic citations on further reading notes. All encyclopedia entries have at least one citation for the reader who wants more information on a topic. Most organizations that are still in existence include the name of the organizational head along with the encyclopedia entry. Current figures such as Hillary Clinton have additional material up to the late 1990s-2000. Appendix documents, which essentially are compilation of statements that touch on women's history, liberation and changing social-economic status including the Beijing Declaration, a list of all women who have served in the United States Congress, and the U.S. Constitution with amendments. When compared the bibliography in the first and second editions, the latter edition had nearly doubled in size. Libraries that cannot easily afford a variety of historical dictionaries and encyclopedias might consider purchasing this title.

Reviewer: Andrea Williams