Nightmare Plagues Series

Nightmare Plagues is a compelling series from Bearport Publishing. I was instantly intrigued with the titles—especially since these are not topics that I have come across much in children’s literature. There are six books in the series—Bubonic Plague: The Black Death!, The Flu of 1918: Millions Dead Worldwide!, Malaria: Super Killer!, Smallpox: Is it Over?, Tuberculosis: The White Plague!, and Typhoid Fever: Dirty Food, Dirty Water! Written on a fourth grade reading level, the series is geared for grades 4-9.
   
I found it a challenge to narrow it down to two titles to preview since they all are so fascinating! The two titles I reviewed, thanks to Bearport’s generosity, are Bubonic Plague: The Black Death! and The Flu of 1918: Millions Dead Worldwide!
 
Bubonic Plague: The Black Death! (by Stephen Person)

Beginning with a mundane act—removing a dead rat from a basement—an entire neighborhood ended up being quarantined due to a plague outbreak! This happened in 1924 in Los Angeles, California! People do not usually associate the Black Death with modern times, but as author Stephen Person reveals—it is still alive and deadly. This account is used to introduce the Plague pandemics of the past. Person explains how it developed, how it was transferred from person to person, what the living conditions were, how it was treated, and much more! The history of this deadly disease comes full circle with another incident—even more timely—that occurred in 2007. A park ranger caught the disease from a dead animal he had handled, and he died in mere days. Fortunately, there was no mass outbreak in this case. Bubonic Plague: The Black Death! explains the historic and scientific aspects of this bacterial infection in a straight-forward manner that children can understand. Building on the written anecdotes, the photographs, artwork, and other graphics help show the relevant and human aspects of this lethal disease. Overall, this book is an informative and engaging read.
   
The Flu of 1918: Millions Dead Worldwide! (by Jessica Rudolph)

In the fall of 1918, five year old Donald Jacobi arrived home from school feeling ill. His parents quickly suspected it was Influenza. As the virus ran its course, it seemed unlikely that the young boy was going to live through it. Amazingly, he did recover. Many others in 1918 were not so fortunate though. This strain of the virus likely began at an army camp in Kansas but quickly spread throughout the country and eventually the world as soldiers were sent to Europe to fight in World War I. Author Jessica Rudolph uses this background information to shed light on symptoms, conditions, prevention methods, and worldwide consequences of this critical outbreak. She also brings this disease into the modern world where vaccines and treatments help minimize and even prevent the flu pandemics experienced in the past—though we are not completely immune from them. Like the previous book, there are many photographs and visuals to help round out this topic. Rudolph does a great job making his historical event gripping and timely.
 
I highlight recommend both these titles for pleasure or to compliment a unit in science or history. To find out more about this series and many others for children of all ages, go to Bearport Publishing.
   
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday round up, hosted by 100 Scope Notes and Hip Homeschool Hop.

Middle Grade Fantasy: A Tale of Two Castles

Summary of A Tale of Two Castles: 

Elodie, a 12-year old farm girl, journeys alone to Two Castles the capital of the kingdom to secure an apprenticeship.   She longs to be a mansion (actor/storyteller), but her parents want her to be a basket weaver.  On her way to the capital, she finds out that free apprenticeships are no longer available.  Alone and penniless, Elodie attempts to win over the master mansioner.  Despite her talent, she is turned down for her lack of money to pay for it.  Fortunately, a lone dragon befriends her and offers her an apprenticeship where she learns how to induct and to deduct in order to find things, read people, and solve mysteries.  Elodie is quickly swept up in solving a mystery involving a mannerly ogre, a sweet princess, a selfish king, a dashing thief, a kindly couple, and many other remarkable characters.  Her mother warns her to watch for the sepulcher, or one who seems good but is evil.  Will she find out who it is in time?  Will she finally be able to follow her dream to be a mansion?

Evaluation:

I was drawn to A Tale of Two Castles because it is written by Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted.   Two Castles is an enchanting realm with ogres, dragons, and mystical cats, but much of the rest is reminiscent of the medieval times.  The protagonist Elodie defies traditional gender roles.  She is brave, hard-working, and determined as well as compassionate, intuitive, and generous.  While she is slightly concerned about fashion, she is far more interested in action and adventure.  Most importantly, she is on a quest to fulfill her destiny.  Elodie plays a pivot role in solving the mystery of the kingdom and in saving the lives of others.   Along the way, she learns how to use her natural gifts and her talents to do what is necessary, but she does not give up on her dreams.  Eventually, she redefines what her ambitions are as she grows as a person and in her relationships. The mythical creatures in A Tale of Two Castles are more human than beastly.  They are benign and reflective— challenging some of the common stereotypes about them.  They each help Elodie grow into maturity.  The plot is full of mystery and suspense—moving at a steady pace.  Like many middle readers, it is broken up into short chapters.  Each ends with a revelation or further layer to the mystery, prompting the reader to continue.  The novel is light and entertaining.   It does tackle the motif of prejudices and labels, but it never gets too serious or provocative. This novel is ideal for readers ages 8-12.  Parents and educators may use the novel to discuss friendship, family, trust, self-identity, dreams, stereotypes/prejuidices, fantasy, and perseverance.

Check out other middle grade books on Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

I Feel Better With a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures by Carlyn Beccia

Book Overview: 

What do earthworms, maggots, and spider webs have in common?  They were all used at one time to cure health ailments! 

The title page instructions of I Feel Better With a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures  lightheartedly warns:  “Some cures in this book are gross.  Please don’t eat lunch while reading.”  Common western remedies from the ancient world to the modern one are highlighted.  This book is not for the squeamish!  It is well-researched and fascinating though. 

The book is organized into eight sections—cough, cold, sore throat, wounds, stomachache, fever, headache, and every sickness.  As a new section begins, the same question is asked:  “Did any of these cures help?”  Then, there are usually three options offered and labeled with an A, B, and C. For each cure, a picture, the name, and the origin are provided.  Readers (or listeners) can guess which one or ones they think actually worked on patients.  Each of the next few pages is devoted to one of the cures with a vivid picture and a short fascinating paragraph explaining how it was administered, if it worked, and why it did or did not work.   

Evaluation:

I Feel Better With a Frog in My Throat:  History’s Strangest Cures (Carlyn Beccia) is a non-fiction title that is sure to give young and old the shivers and the heebee jeebees!   It is also highly engaging and fascinating.   My reluctant learner loved it!  If I tried to skip over anything to focus on the most important information, she requested I read it.  Both kids enjoyed predicting which cures actually worked and learning when they were correct.  Because the methods are often unpleasant and even a bit unsettling, I would recommend this selection for older children (ages 8 and up). 

Concept Books: General (Learning Numbers & Counting)

Even though counting books are geared for preschool aged children, older kids will often enjoy them too.  My nine year old looked at One Boy several times because it is so creative and entertaining.  He also enjoyed Over at the Castle and One Tractor.   Check out my favorite counting books (general). 

One Boy by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Using a peek-a-boo window, children can practice counting, identifying words with in words, and predicting.   This clever book begins with a simple phrase on the left side and a window looking on to the next page on the right side.  As you turn the page, the phrase creatively continues and uses parts of the previous one.  In addition, more of the original picture is revealed.  It is sure to bring children back over and over!  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numbers, Numeral Words, Prediction, Words with in Words  *My Top Pick 

Over at the Castle by Boni Ashburn

Using the familiar “Over the Meadow” folk song, a picture of castle life is illustrated.  A mother dragon and her child wait for the right moment to make their entrance.  Meanwhile, groups of lords, servants, chefs, weavers, knights, and others are seen doing their daily work.  Written in beautiful rhyming quatrains and coupled with vivid pictures, the dragons appearance makes a glorious glow in the sky.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numeral Words, Rhyming, Alliteration, Poetry, Castle Life, Middle Ages, Dragons

One Tractor by Alexandra Siy

Little boys will love this imaginative counting book!  A boy sees a toy tractor on this grass which he imagines is out of gas.  From there, he imagines his interaction with other forms of transportation like planes, boats, dump trucks, trains, and buses.  Each are in groups from two to ten with pirates (and a single mouse) driving, flying, running, swimming, hoisting, and more.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numbers, Numeral Words, Transportation, Pirates, Rhyme, Alliteration, Poetry, Imagination 

One Sister Smiling by Lucy Coats

From breakfast with one smiling sister to pick-up timeby ten happy parents, a joyful preschool day is described with lots of fun activities and happy faces in the illustrations.  The children are seen painting with five pots, eating six donuts, skipping in a group of seven, and much more.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numbers, Numerals Words, Rhyme, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia, Poetry, School, Daily Schedule  

The Baker’s Dozen: A Counting Book by Dan Andreasen

This delectable book counts to a baker’s dozen, thirteen.  A baker is illustrated with creating his delicious desserts, such as four sticky buns, five gingerbread cookies, six jelly rolls, seven heart-shaped tarts, and so forth.  Then, all the desserts are shown again for more counting practice.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numbers, Numeral Words, Rhyme, Baking, Shapes 

 

Construction Countdown by K.C. Olson

Various construction vehicles are shown in action, such as earthmovers scraping up a load, bulldozers reshaping the ground, and backhoes scooping up the gravel.  Little boys will love watching these amazing vehicles in action in this backwards counting story.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Construction Vehicles, Transportation 

Carlo Likes Counting by Jessica Spanyol

Carlo, a giraffe, loves counting.  He walks around to many different places like a farm, a toy store, a park, a diner, a garden, and a construction site.  In each scene there are several groups of items for one specific number.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Number Words, Animals, Vocabulary Building (each group of items is labeled) 

Ten Red Apples by Virginia Miller

Bartholomew Bear loves his apple tree.  He climbs it, hugs it, swings on it, and shakes it as he watches the apples ripen.  Watch as a new apple turns red on each page until there are ten in all (Children can also feel the smooth texture of the red ones!).  Then, Bartholomew and his mother make an apple pie with them and enjoy it together under the tree.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Number Words, Bears, Baking, Apple Picking

One Beautiful Baby by Martine Oborne  

A mother is seen waking her baby boy for the day's activities.  The first thought is his one sweet smile.  As she feeds him, she thinks of his two adorable eyes.  She counts things for him like three bananas at breakfast and four diaper during changing time.  The baby plays with his five soft toys before his mother buttons him up for a trip to the park to feed eight ducks and have a picnic.  When you put all of these parts of his body and day together, the end result is "one beautiful baby!"  Teaching Opportunties:  Counting, Number Words, Ducks, Park, Body Parts

City Lullaby by Marilyn Singer

In this backwards counting tale, a baby is sleeping while being strolled through a noisy city.  Horns beeping, cell phones ringing, dogs barking, and trash cans bashing are amoung the many loud sounds the baby sleeps soundly through.  Ironically, when a single bird twitters, he awakens with a smile.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numerals, Onomatopoeia, Rhyme


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Circus 1-2-3 by Megan Halsey  

Beginning with a dynamic ringmaster, members of circus acts are grouped from two to ten.  Two spunky mice lead the way through the acts as elephants do somersaults, bears dance, acrobats defy gravity, seals balance, clowns amuse, and much more.  Each page has a number and a single word describing the acts.  Teaching Opportunities:  Counting, Numerals, Circus Acts, Vocabulary Building