Monday, June 2, 2014

Monday, May 5, 2014

Rock Climbing Book Trailer

Rock Climbing
by Tom Greve
Book Trailer by Cesar

The Properties of Solids Book Trailer

The Properties of Solids
by Marylou Morano Kjelle
Book Trailer by Mark

Countries in the News: Canada Book Trailer

Countries in the News:  Canada
by Kieran Walsh
Book Trailer by Kitana

Anmial Invaders Book Trailer

Animal Invaders
by Amanda Doering Tourville
Book Trailer by Jose

Solar Energy Book Trailer

 
Solar Energy
by Chris Oxlade
Book Trailer by Cesar

The Milky Way and Other Galaxies Book Trailer

The Milky Way and Other Galaxies
by Megan Kopp
Book Trailer by Ethan
 

Solids, Liquids, and Gases Book Trailer

Solids, Liquids, and Gases
by Carol Ballard
Book Trailer by Anjil

Afghanistan Book Trailer

Countries in Crisis: Afghanistan
by Michael Burgan
Book Trailer by Jose

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Branches of the U.S. Government Book Trailer

 
 
 
The Branches of the U.S. Government
by Michael Burgan
 
 Book Trailer by Mark

Monday, April 21, 2014

Jose reviews Reducing Air Pollution by Jen Green

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Reducing Air Pollution
by Jen Green
 
Review by Jose
 
The book "Reducing Air Pollution"  by Jen Green is about reducing air pollution and how earth's atmosphere is so vital to all living things.  The earth's atmosphere stayed the same for millions of years, nothing has ever changed, until now.  Did you know earth's atmosphere contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and the rest are trace gases?  That's amazing because if we didn't have this combination of gases the atmosphere we have today wouldn't be here.  I would recommend this book for children the age of 4 and up.

Cesar reviews Motion and Forces by Tamra Orr

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Motion and Forces
by Tamra Orr
 
Review by Cesar
 
 
"Motion and Forces" says in the text that there are many forces but the basic forces are Kinetic and Potential.  Kinetic means moving and potential means still because no force is being applied.  Forces were discovered by both Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton.  Gravity is a force discovered by Galileo; while he slept he was awoken up by an apple that fell onto this head and that's when he discovered gravity.  He said "If there wasn't gravity pulling you down you would've floated up instead of down".  Isaac Newton also discovered Prisms can bend light into colors.  I recommend this book to all ages because this can help everybody with both science and history.

Ethan reviews Looking at Atoms and Molecules by Susanne Slade

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Looking at Atoms and Molecules
by Susanne Slade
 
Review by Ethan
 
This book is about atoms and the tools used to examine them such as the STM, scanning and tunneling microscope.  It also tells of the contents of an atom like protons, electrons, and neutrons.  If you are in a pinch and need to find the meaning of a word you should look in the glossary.  I would recommend this book to students in 6th through 8th grade.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Shayna reviews Arlington National Cemetery by J.S. Burrows

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Arlington National Cemetery
by J.S. Burrows

Review by Shayna

Arlington National Cemetery is a place to honor deceased soldiers and veterans.  Over 300,000 American soldiers and heroes are buried under "white marble tombstones on gently rolling hills".  Did you know that John F. Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery?  Arlington National Cemetery is the 2nd largest National cemetery out of 125 across the country.  "In 1863, soon after the onset of the civil war, a village for freed slaves was established at Arlington called Freedman's Village."  I would recommend this book to 5th graders through 8th graders.

Jose reviews Afghanistan by Michael Burgan

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Afghanistan 
by Michael Burgan

Review by Jose

The book "Afghanistan" by Michael Burgan talks about events that happened in the United States and in Afghanistan.  On June 2007, the British government paid to make a new building in Gereshk, Afghanistan for children and adults to have fun.  Did you know that the United States secretly gave weapons to the Afghan rebels so they could fight the Soviets, we never knew that?  I recommend this book for the children the age ten and above.

Cesar reviews Solar Energy by Chris Oxlade

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Solar Energy
by Chris Oxlade

Review by Cesar

"Solar energy" says that no matter what form energy is in, it is, and will always be energy.  Energy has two forms; non-renewable and renewable energy.  Solar energy is renewable energy because it comes from the sun.  Also solar energy uses thermal energy, meaning heat energy.  The sun's rays travel more than 1,000 miles to get to us and in order for us to get it and convert it to energy.  In some places it's used to cook because there is not a way for electricity to reach them, that's called solar cooking.  Solar cooking is when you use a mirror to cook.  One mirror hangs over the pot, while the other one is on the bottom.  The one on top is focusing the suns heat and rays on the one on the bottom while the one on top holds the food and absorbs the heat of the sun.  I recommend this book to everyone in middle school

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Shayna reviews Frigates by Lynn M. Stone

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Frigates
by Lynn M. Stone
 
Review by Shayna
 
 
Frigates were designed during the cold war. Frigates are 453 feet in length which means that they are actually longer than an entire football field. Frigates are ships that fight alongside with other special forces. Frigates have a 50 caliber machine gun aboard the ship. Frigates also have a surface – to – air missile. Another thing is that they have their own helicopter landing pad. I would recommend this book to elementary school students.

 
 


Mark reviews The Properties of Solids by Marylou Morano Kjelle

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The Properties of Solids
by Marylou Morano Kjelle
 
Review by Mark
 
Everything you see is made of matter.  The three states of matter are liquid, solid, and gas.  Solid molecules are tightly locked to each other.  Solids do not flow like liquids.  All matter has physical properties.  Physical properties help scientists tell the difference between solids.  Solids have strong bonds.  Liquids and gases have weak bonds.  The volume of a substance of matter is the space it takes up.  If you like science you would like this book.
 
 


Kitana reviews "Light" by Ian Mahaney

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Light
by Ian Mahaney
 
Review by Kitana
 
 
This book will tell you almost everything you need to know about light.  First, it describes energy and talks about the different forms of energy; such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, and thermal.  Next, it says that light is a form of energy, radiant energy to be exact.  It explains what light is made up of and how we use it to make rainbows.  It even explains how we can see light and that the sun is our main source of light!  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in light, no matter how old they are.

Anjil reviews The Attractive Truth about Magnetism by Jennifer Swanson

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The Attractive Truth about Magnetism
by Jennifer Swanson
Review by Anjil

The book “The Attractive Truth about Magnetism” by Jennifer Swanson is about what magnets are made of. Some magnets are made of materials that are naturally magnetic. When a material is a natural magnet, it will magnetize metal that comes near it. There are illustrations that give examples of magnets, an experiment, and a diagram on how a magnet works. In the back of the book it gives you websites, to give you more information on magnets. I recommend this book to 6th graders though 8th graders that is interested in magnets or learning about magnets in science class.

Mark reviews The Branches of the U.S. Government by Michael Burgan

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The Branches of the U.S. Government
by Michael Burgan
 
Review by Mark
 
The 13 American colonies had become independent states.  The American states wanted their independence from Great Britain in 1783.  The three branches of government are legislative, judicial, and executive.  The legislative is made up of congress and the senate.  The executive branch is made of the president.  The judicial branch is made of the Supreme Court.  The vice president serves as president of the senate.  Party leaders decided which of their congressional members would sit on which committees.  If you like civics you would like this book.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Ethan reviews Elements in Living Organisms by Suzanne Slade


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Elements in Living Organisms
 
By: Suzanne Slade
Reviewed by: Ethan

‘’Element in living organisms’’ is a book that tells facts about how most living organisms have natural elements such as nitrogen and oxygen. It tells uses for nitrogen and oxygen such as how we use nitrogen to give us energy. And in case you need help defining a word you can check the glossary.  I would recommend this book to 8th and 7th graders.

Ethan reviews The Milky Way and Other Galaxies by Megan Kopp

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The Milky Way and Other Galaxies
by Megan Kopp
 
Review by Ethan
 
"The Milky Way and Other Galaxies" is a book which informs you on the facts on the Milky Way and other galaxies, such as irregular galaxies and spiral galaxies.  If you happen to come by a word you don't know, you can check out the glossary, it'll help you in any tight spot  I would suggest this book to students in 6th to 8th grade.

Cesar reviews Rock Climbing by Tom Greve

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Rock Climbing
by Tom Greve
 
Review by Cesar
 
"Rock Climbing" gives many details on rock climbing, for example, there are two types of rock climbing.  Boulder climbing is one of them, boulder climbing is when you don't use any gear to climb, just your bare hands and feet.  The second one is called rope climbing.   Rope climbing is when you do use gear, like ropes and harnesses to climb a mountain.  For those who want to start rock climbing, the book recommends to begin with indoor climbing to get used to the way you are going to climb.  It also states that to climb you will need strong fingers, feet, and muscles to be able to push, pull and maintain your weight when climbing mountains.  The first men to climb Mount Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing in May 1953.  I recommend this book to all ages and those thinking of doing an extreme sport.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Mark reviews Why Do Balls Bounce by Rob Moore

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Why Do Balls Bounce?
By Rob Moore
Review by Mark
 
This book is about gravity.  Gravity is an invisible force.  Gravity keeps us from floating away.  Skydivers don’t fly away because of air resistance.  Gravity holds the moon in its orbit.  When you hit a fly ball it is a parabola.  A ball bounces because it dents.  I recommend this book to people who like sports.                      

 
 


Kitana reviews Countries in the News: The United Kingdom By Kieran Walsh



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Countries in the News: The United Kingdom
By Kieran Walsh
 
Review By Kitana
 

This book first tells about the UK’s geographical history, followed by the explanation of everyday life in the UK. It then compares and contrasts life in the UK to life in the US, the same way it does with the two different types of government later on in the book. It also tells about the educational and sporting opportunities in the UK , following that with the different food and holidays. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the UK, no matter the grade level.

Anjil reviews Credit Cards and Checks by Margaret Hall

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Credit Cards and Checks
by Margaret Hall
 
Review by Anjil
 
“Credit Cards and Checks” by Margaret Hall is about spending without using cash. The book teaches you how debit and credit cards work. Debit cards are bank cards that let someone pay for something using money in his or her checking account. Credit cards are thin, plastic bank cards that let someone buy something and pay for it later. The book explains the order of what happens to a check. It also tells you how to pay with checks. I recommend this book to anyone that’s learning about credits cards and checks.


Friday, March 28, 2014

Shayna reviews: Countries in the News: Japan by Kieran Walsh

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Countries in the News: Japan
by Kieran Walsh
 
Review by Shayna
 
Did you know that Japan was made up of several thousand islands?  The four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. The highest peak is Mount Fuji which reaches up to 12, 388 feet. This book has a lot of facts for children and teenagers that are willing to open up and learn about a country that’s all the way around the world. I would recommend this book to 1st graders through 8th grade.


Jose reviews: Electricity: an Investigation by John Fardon

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Electricity: an Investigation
by John Fardon
Review by Jose
 
The book "Electricity: An Investigation" written by John Fardon, is very specific about how electricity can help, like using electricity to charge phones and also even cars.  Did you know you can make lightning sparks just by swirling drops which create a charge of positive and negative atoms?  And when they are fully charged then it releases all the charge and creates lightning, amazing right?  I recommend this book for the children over the age of five.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Kitana reviews: Magnetic Forces By Elizabeth Lachner


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Magnetic Forces
By Elizabeth Lachner
Review by Kitana

This book is about magnets and different magnetic forces. It explains how magnets work and how we use them in everyday life without even knowing it! It also speaks about magnetic poles and how the insides of a magnet make it work the way it does. This book will tell you both natural and manmade magnets, even how to make your own! If you’d like to learn more about magnets, and their history, I would recommend this book.

Anjil reviews: Solids, Liquids and Gases by Carol Ballard

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Solids, Liquids and Gases
by Carol Ballard
 
Review by Anjil

 
“Solids, Liquids and Gases” by Carol Ballard is about science. The book talks about states of matter, patterns of molecules, and water cycles. It tells you what solids, liquids and gases are made from. The book has facts about the states of matter and also has a glossary, so if you don’t know a science word you can look it up. I recommend this book to anyone that’s learning about solids, liquids, and gases.

Mark reviews: Mazda by Tracy Nelson Maurer


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Mazda
by Tracy Nelson Maurer
Review by Mark

The name Mazda comes from a Japanese man named Jugiro Matsuda. Mazda started in Japan in1920. Later, the U.S. dropped a bomb on Hiroshima. The Mazda plant was damaged and they had to rebuild. Toyo Kogyo introduced the Cosmo sport, and Mazda wanted to do something similar. Mazda has sold cars in the U.S. since 1970. In 2003, a panel of automobile journalists named Mazda Renesis the motor of the year. The door on the RX-8 opens to reveal the latch for a smaller rear door. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoy cars.    

Jose reviews: Animal Invaders by Amanda Doering Tourville

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Animal Invaders
by Amanda Doering Tourville
 
Review by Jose
 
The book "Animal Invaders", written by Amanda Doering Tourville, is about how animals can be in different habitats if the environment is similar.  Did you know the United States has many native animal species?  They include trout, northern pike and many types of snakes.  I recommend this book for children 7 years and older.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Shayna reviews: CIA & FBI: Fighting Terrorism by David Baker

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CIA & FBI: Fighting Terrorism
by David Baker

Review by Shayna


The FBI and the CIA were started to make our nation safe. 1908 was the start of the FBI. The FBI looks at crime in America and out of the U.S. The FBI uses several different methods to identify the people who are in groups and to watch them. People usually make bombs because they want to get revenge or to hurt people. I think this book is to advance for elementary students. My recommendation would be for 5th graders through high school.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Cesar reviews: Energy Resources by Laura McDonald

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Energy Resources
by Laura McDonald
 
Review by Cesar
 
"Energy Resources" includes facts about renewable and nonrenewable resources.  It also includes information on how China struggles to find cleaner and more efficient energy to provide its people with.  Also the book informs the reader how the U.S. produces its energy by explaining step by step how gasoline is pumped out of the earth and then purified so we can use it to warm our houses or run our cars.  I would recommend this to all students who want to learn where energy comes from and what energy is.  

Friday, February 28, 2014

Kitana reviews: Countries in the News: Canada by Kieran Walsh

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Countries in the News:  Canada
by Kieran Walsh
 
Review by Kitana
 
 
This book is about Canada. It includes information on Canadian wild life, culture, and people. Canada is famous for inventing Ice Hockey. The temperature and school system are two of the differences between America and Canada. I would recommend this book.
 



Ethan reviews: Light and Sound Technology by Karen A. Frenkel


Light and Sound Technology
by Karen A. Frankel

Review by Ethan


‘Light and Sound Technology’ is an informational book that explains how certain things, such as CDs, LEDs, and TVs, work and how they came to be.  I would suggest this book to students having trouble in science. This book is suited for teenagers from 6th to 8th grade.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Anjil reviews: Scuba Diving by Tom Greve

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Scuba Diving by Tom Greve
Review by Anjil
 
 
“Scuba Diving” by Tom Greve is about scuba diving. The book tells you what scuba equipment to have. The author tells you what scuba diving was like in the past. The book has discovery facts and it teaches you how to dive. There is a glossary if you don’t know what the words mean. I recommend this book to people that is interested in scuba diving.