Storm chasers can be amateurs or professionals, on the ground or in the air, have equipment to gather information or just observe wild weather.  All need to know how to be safe.  Vehicles, maps, and technology help storm chasers relate updates to each other and to report to radio and TV stations.  New equipment is continually developed to monitor and record storms.  Text on each page is brief but descriptive.  Photographs show equipment, tornados, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and the aftermath.  Captions accompany photos and “xtreme fact” boxes offer more details.  Daring would-be storm chasers see the variety of tasks and equipment involved in this dangerous and exciting venture.

Interesting, informative text show a fascinating side of these elusive mammals.  Spending most of their time underwater, they are only easily observed for about a month when they come to land to breed and molt.  Being the largest of the pinnipeds, they are named for their massive bodies and trunk-like nose.  The layout is pleasing and information is plentiful.  Large, colorful photographs are well-matched with text.  Terms to know are in bold, colored words and well defined in the glossary.  Additional facts are found in orange circular areas on many pages.  Other recommended books are written at a similar reading level and a factsurfer website offers extra specifics as well as a live-cam site.  This is a great resource for learning about this amazing, somewhat strange looking animal, or for reports.

Small, bordered boxes contain text about the myth of dragons.  Highlighted words are defined on the page.  The glossary also contains these words and adds pronunciation clues.  Myths are stories that have been around for so long many people like to believe they are true.  Dragon Fact boxes reinforce that belief with invented information that makes these imaginary creatures seem believable.  Large, colorful illustrations show various features of these majestic beasts.  This book will definitely appeal to dragon lovers of any age.

The 1863 Civil War Battle of Gettysburg is told from the viewpoints of both the Union and Confederacy.  Each skirmish, confrontation, or battle is accurately portrayed including names of leaders and their corps, division, brigade, etc.  The area around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is precisely described.  The Union section contains a small map but labels are too small to read.  A map in the Confederate segment indicate both North and South paths as different forces advance toward Gettysburg.  Following the descriptions of events would be much easier to understand if a basic map of the area with labeled landmarks had been included.  Both sections have photos and paintings to illustrate attacks.  Text is small.  Both partitions include a glossary, index, bibliography, resources and share a timeline.

The largemouth bass is a popular freshwater sport fish.  It is a fast swimmer, has good vision and can see colors, and will eat almost anything.  They will not eat dead food so lures must move or look alive.  Bass prefer the calm, fresh water of lakes, ponds, or streams that provide good hiding places.  When caught, they are active fighters.  Most largemouth bass anglers practice the “catch and release” method.  Suggestions of techniques, ways to record the catch, equipment, safety, and responsibility are offered.  Colorful photographs are captioned.  Many pages contain a “Wild Facts!” box.  Glossary, index and resources included.  After reading about the largemouth bass, it is hard to resist grabbing a rod and reel and rushing off to that fishing hole!

The topic of mermaids has been an enigma for thousands of years.  The premise of this book is to explain these sightings using the scientific method.  Multiple stories are reported including dates, places, and names of the observer.  Speculations include everything from alien or supernatural events to weather to intentional pranks.  The scientific method is explained but not efficiently used.  A final page, “Summing Up the Science” lists a few hypotheses however there is no test or scientific evidence (fossils, for example) that can substantiate the supposition.  Many illustrations, photographs, reproductions, and maps supplement the text.  A timeline of reported sightings or descriptions is included.  The reader is essentially left with interesting tales with which they can choose to believe or not.  Nothing is actually solved with science.

War dogs refer to one-time prime minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, known as “the British Bulldog”, and his pet Rufus, a brown miniature poodle.  Readers learn about Churchill’s role during WWII and get a glimpse of his personal life through a focus on Rufus.  Rufus was with Churchill in the underground bunker, addressing the House of Commons, and the bombing of London.  He guards the door while Churchill plans the invasion of Normandy with Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin.  Acrylic and collage paintings in neutral tones show Rufus keeping Churchill company during the stressful years of guiding a country through a world war and the aftermath of rebuilding.  Quotations from speeches are “tacked” onto several pages.  Details of this turbulent time are accurate but brief enough for young readers to get a general understanding of the great man and the difficult war years.  A timeline of highlights from September 1939 to September 1945 is at the end along with a page about Churchill and his poodles and a page of other personal information.  An extensive bibliography, other books about Churchill and WWII related websites accompany the sources for each quote.

Little Bear is worried his mom will not love him any more when he tears his jacket.  Mom reassures him she will always love him.  As she works on the repair, Little Bear presents her with other more and more outlandish scenarios: what if he was really bad, did poorly in school, or was ugly and green.  Mom says she may be disappointed or sad by his actions, but she will still love him.  As Little Bear put his jacket on to leave with a friend, he comes to realize that nothing will change that.  Young ones are often concerned about security in a family.  This book asks many of those same questions and the answers reinforce confidence.

Sea Otters is one of many titles in this nonfiction series on animals.  Each spread contains two sentences describing different characteristics of the otter with an endearing photograph to illustrate that feature.  Simple text is in large print.  Words to know are in bold font and are defined in the glossary.  Recommended books for further reading are written at a similar level.  Index and website included.  There are 38 titles in this series, all written at a similar reading level.  A great resource for young readers.

The Bermuda triangle is an area in and over the Atlantic Ocean from Florida, east to Bermuda, south to Puerto Rico and back to Florida.  Mysterious disappearances without satisfactory explanations have occurred in this section for over a hundred years.  Some of the more memorable events are mentioned.  Possible explanations range from stormy weather to aliens.  McClellan does not emphasize any proposed answer.  Basic information presented in simple text with large font.  Many pages include short additional fact boxes.  Photographs are interesting and the layout is pleasing.  Six famous disappearances are listed in the back with the glossary, index, and website.  Recommended books are written at a higher reading level but may still offer appropriate additional information.  Although this book does not include a wealth of details, it does offer enough examples to pique curiosity and encourage further reading.

Facts about the Civil War are presented in a cartoon format.  The reader assumes the character of a Connecticut farmer who decides to enlist in the Union Army in 1861.  Chapters tell of daily life as a soldier and during battles, differences between Union and Confederate soldiers, weaponry, field hospitals, and battles.  Handy Hint boxes on each spread give suggestions on how to handle specific situations.  A timeline of the war and map of major battles begin on the inside front cover.  A glossary, index, and a list of 10 bloody battles end the book.  Just the thing for reluctant readers who are interested in the Civil War but don’t want to wade through a lot of text.

Twelve year old Abigail Stewart continues her tale where she left off in The Winter of the Red Snow.  Abby’s father had joined the Continental Army.  Left homeless in Valley Forge by a house fire, Abby, her mother, seven year old sister, and one year old brother decide to follow the army with other families of the soldiers.  Through her diary, she tells of the hardships endured by George Washington’s army for three years from 1779 to 1781.  The day-to-day aspects of surviving cruel winters, starvation, lack of suitable clothing, and the constant moving bring history to life.  The lives of people they meet and events witnessed are realistic and not idealized.  An epilogue brings Abby’s story to an end.  A historical note add details about life in America during the Revolutionary War.  It is followed with illustrations of people and places from the 1770s which are reproduced with permission.  Books in the Dear America series are a great way to experience life as it was in the early days of our country.

Fox is bored with his daily diet of big, fat toad.  Consulting recipe books, he discovers they all recommend fresh, young toads.  Returning after an exhausting night of capturing small toads, he is considering which recipe to use when Mamma toad hops in.  As Mamma tries to dissuade Fox from using her babies, little toadlets are everywhere getting into everything.  Mamma suggests the recipe Toad-in-the-Hole and tells Fox how to make it.  Suspicious because the ingredients do not include toads, he reluctantly takes a nibble.  Delicious!  And, it requires no late night trips to catch more toads!  Digital artwork is colorful and humorous.  Mamma Toad includes her secret Toad-in-the-Hole recipe for the rest of us.

Young Carter tells of the traditions his family follow during the Christmas holidays.  He works on making a gift for Grandma, they shop for others, buy and decorate a tree, bake cookies, go to church to hear the story of Jesus, decorate the house, and prepare for Santa.  On every spread is a nonfiction fact box that add details about each tradition.  Bright, colorful, cartoon-like illustrations are a combination of collage, paint, and ink and add to the festivity of the season.  Directions for making an ornament are included with the glossary, index, and other resources for the holiday.

Anastasia is a cockroach.  Fairy Brunhilda took pity on her when she overheard her complaining about looking for food in the garbage and turned her into a princess.  Life as a princess was not as pleasant, or as easy, as one would think.  Word got back to Brunhilda that Anastasia was not happy as a princess.  In a rage, Brunhilda cast another spell.  Happily back to being a carefree cockroach, Anastasia’s new home was in a humble house with delightful people.  When she watches confused Grandma Paula sprinkle ant poison instead of salt into the stew, she dove in head first.  The family was saved when Grandma saw the floating cockroach and threw the stew down the toilet.  Brunhilda appears again to give Anastasia a new life as a princess, which Anastasia emphatically declines.  Anastasia loves the untroubled life as a household cockroach, helping humans who need it.  After reading about Anastasia, one is certainly to see cockroaches in a different light!  The illustrations are whimsical, large, colorful, and fun.  The text includes many challenging, high-level words which may require having a dictionary close by (seneschals, doyenne, tristesse, octogenarian, repugnant, ingrate…) but the story is appealing none-the-less.

The Jamestown Colony, founded in 1607, was the first British settlement in North America.  Author Peter Benoit incorporates primary and secondary sources to share the challenges (sickness, starvation, and relationships with native people, specifically the Powhatan) as the colony grew.  Three ships carried 144 men and boys on the original voyage.  Some were landowners, some religious leaders, and some were soldiers.  A few of the influential people were Bartholomew Gosnold, organizer of the expedition, Christopher Newport, privateer and seaman, John Rolfe, grower who introduced Orinoco tobacco to Jamestown and England, John Smith, soldier and explorer, Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan chief and married John Rolfe, and Wahunsenacawh, Powhatan chief.  Differences of opinions caused dissention which added to the challenges.  The struggle to survive and grow in chronicled from 1606 to 1699.  Illustrations are captioned.  Spotlight boxes provide additional information about people, places, or events.  Readers are encouraged to view primary and secondary sources provided on a scholastic website.  A timeline, glossary, and extensive index are included with a short paragraph about the author.

Living next to Niagara Falls, Homan Walsh loved flying kites more than anything.  Whenever the winds were strong, he rushed out to send his kite dancing into the sky.  In the 1840s, there was no bridge connecting the United States and Canada over the Falls.  Engineer Charles Ellet instigated a contest rewarding $10 to the first boy to fly a kite from one country to the other.  Homan designed and built a hexagonal kite he named Union.  Traveling to the Canadian side to take advantage of the southwest winds, Homan launched his kite.  It flew for hours and into the night.  Heartbreakingly, the cord broke and, because of weather, he could not retrieve his kite for eight long days.  Returning home, he found Union, repaired her, and returned to Canada’s high cliffs.  Sending Union soaring once again, this time he was successful.  Two countries were joined by the span of a kite string.  Beautiful paintings illustrate the poetic text, the vastness of the scenery, the almost insignificance of humans along the shore, and the turbulence of weather and severity of conditions.  The vivid language intensifies the sensory experience of this historical event.  There are multiple potential uses for this book: to be enjoyed “as is”, as a historical fiction, or as an example of STEM literature focusing on the technology of bridge building.  Information from historical documents included at the back of the book provide many detail in the story.  There is an author’s note, known facts, what is not known for sure, what happened next, and a timeline.  A bibliography of primary sources, websites, interviews, and videos are also included.  This book is a treasure.

Eight year old Ellray (Lancelot Raymond) Jakes is the smallest person in his class, but he is also big brother to his four year old sister, Alfie (Alfleta).  When Alfie is being bullied by mean and bossy, Suzette, Ellray encourages his sister to stand up for herself.  Alfie is completely intimidated by the dragon Suzette so Ellray decides to take action.  At the same time, he finds he may need to stand up for himself after an incident at recess.  Black and white illustrations show Ellray in a variety of circumstances with family and friends.  Occasional bold and assorted fonts add focus and humor to many of Ellray’s situations.  This fourth book in the Ellray Jakes series is fun to read and shows how it is possible to work through life’s imperfections.

Large font and simple text tell who firefighters are and what they do.  These men and women put out fires, help others, and visit schools and talk about fire safety.  Special clothing protects them from heat and smoke, tools help get water to the fire.  Different trucks also have specific uses: carry water, pump water, extend ladders.  When on duty, many firefighters live at the fire station so they will be ready to respond to emergencies.  Each spread has a large photograph to accompany the text.  Glossary, index, additional reading and an internet site included.

This is a well-written resource for those wanting to know about Iceland.  Iceland is a large, volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean that has a history dating back to the 800s when Irish monks first settled.  Norway followed and began one of the world’s oldest governments, the Althing, or Icelandic parliament.  Most of the island is glaciers, volcanic lava rock, and natural hot springs.  Because of earthquakes and eruptions, the island is constantly changing and different regions can be remarkably varied.  Weather conditions and life can be harsh, yet beautiful and breath-taking.  Wildlife and plants need to be able to adapt to bitter cold and short growing seasons.  History from the early Viking days to modern life in the 21st century is related in ample detail.  A pronunciation key is provided to help read the Icelandic language.  Fact boxes with illustrations complement many pages.  This book is filled with amazing little details in a variety of topics.  The many photographs are captioned and well paired with he text.  Information is comprehensive.  A timeline compares Icelandic history to world history from ca 2500 BCE to 2011.  Four pages of fast facts include the normal longest, highest, government information as well as economy, common phrases, and prominent people.  Recommendations for further reading, music, and an internet site are provided along with an extensive index.