Tag Archives: non-fiction

Irena’s Children: A True Story of Courage

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“ Irena’s Children” Young Readers Edition is a true story of courage written by Tilar J. Mazzeo and adapted by Mary Cronk Farrell.

This book is about Polish woman Irena and her acquaintances ( her co-workers and her friends), who helped more than 2,000 Jewish children survive during one of the worst times of  World War 2.  This incredible story set in Warsaw, Poland, when Germans hunt and tried to wipe out the Jewish nation: they herded all Jewish people into separate territories, and then send them away to labor camps, or killed them.  This territory is called ghetto.  It was an extremely horrible place, where dogs were valued more, than people by the Nazis. Author describes in details, how it looked like: ”… children in the ghetto with no shoes, no coats, their clothes in rags. That first night some seventy froze to death. Each morning, the dead lined the streets, piled naked and covered with old newsprint and stones. The threads they had worn were taken by the living, who desperately needed warmth.Rats gnawed at the corps. Bodies also lined the streets like garbage each morning after SS men used pedestrians for target practice.”   Also this story shows us, how people could be brave, strong and fearless, even like the moment, when Irena and all her friends got the children out of the ghetto, and helped in keep them safe in Aryan sector of the city.  They did this, even though they were risking their, their kids’ and families.  Another detail, the author shows us the desperation of the Jewish people, as they try to save their own and their kids’ life.  They did unbelievable things, just to keep hope and survive, even with slim odds: “…mother threw their babies over  the wall, never knowing  if anyone caught them and took them to safety.”, people and children jumped between the rooftops, went through city’s sewers, hid children in the coffins, snuck them under overcoat.  This book teaches us, that even in the most hopeless situation, we should never give up.

In my opinion, the book has some gruesome details, that make it hard to read in one sitting.  But this is a good reminder of our history.  That’s why I would recommend this book for middle and high schoolers as well, as for adults, who enjoy history.

– Marianna

U.S. Independence: A Primary Source History

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A Primary Source History of U.S. Independence uses newspaper articles, photographs, painting, speeches, maps and other primary documents to tell the story of the fight for U.S. Independence through the eyes of those who lived it. Primary source quotations are cited in red italic font throughout the text. There is also a selected bibliography with a number of titles, several website referrals, a glossary, and an index.

 

Living on a Mountain

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Intended for primary students, this non-fiction text defines what mountains are, how they are formed, and discusses life on a mountain. Included are chapters on the people who live in mountainous regions, their clothing and shelter, farming and transportation in the mountains, what school and work is like, fun things to do in the mountains, as well as mountains of the past and the future. The book includes fun facts, a quiz, glossary, index, and references to additional sources.

With colorful photos on every page, this colorful book would be a good addition to the non-fiction section of an elementary school collection.

Other books in this series include Living Beside a River, Living Beside the Ocean, Living in a City, Living in a Desert, and Living in a valley.

 

Opposing Viewpoints: Civil Liberties

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In this volume of the series, free speech, religious freedom, due process and privacy rights are considered. Balanced views on each of these issues are presented, along with questions to promote critical analysis. The views include the prominent opinions on each side of the issue as well as some that are lesser known.  The articles are timely: hate speech, Citizens United, the treatment of terrorist suspects and privacy on the Internet. There is a particularly interesting article on why schools need to teach about religion. Each chapter has a preface and bibliography of Internet and print sources. The book ends with questions for further discussion, organizations to contact and a bibliography of books. With Common Core Standards necessitating the need for more nonfiction reading in the classroom, a book like this with timely, interesting articles is an excellent addition to a secondary school library.

Santino Marella

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A non-fiction, Hi/Lo book about World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) champion, Santino Marella.  This short biography of Marella features full color photographs, statistics, signature moves and career history.  A table of contents, index, glossary and “to learn more” page round out the book.
The publisher states that this book is intended for grades 3rd – 7th, but advanced 2nd grade readers interested in this subject would enjoy the book as well.

Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps

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     The “five simple steps” are broken down into five short but insightful chapters. Beginning with “Start With an Idea”
and wrapping up with “What to Do With Your Finished Story”, each step is one chapter unto itself. Each chapter’s
beginning page is a step to be taken when writing fantasy fiction. The step is isolated and the reader’s attention is
drawn to the page by the use of a deep pink, one inch, page border. This visual sign post commands the reader to
pay attention and take note. Within each chapter, assignments are suggested as a way to get the reader to practice
the craft of writing. Each chapter also includes resources to further help learn the craft, such as: a Famous
Fantasies book list, tips (start a daily journal, create maps and word lists for your story), ideas (have different
people critique your work, do your research) and web links (to authors’ and organizations’ websites).
McKay breaks down the writing process into bite sized chunks which allows the reader to work at a slow and methodical pace, or to read in small increments when help is needed. The text heavy book may not initially appeal to younger readers; however, those who do pick up this book may find exactly what they are looking for and find it easy to understand. Teachers and librarians may also find this book useful as a teaching tool because most subsections within the chapters are mini-lessons. These could easily be plugged into a lesson plan and the book as a whole could be used for a unit plan.
Table of Contents, Book Key (for icons that are interspersed throughout the text), Chapter Notes, Glossary, Further Reading suggestions, Internet Addresses and an Index are all included.