"I Survived" series by Lauren Tarshis

I cannot gush about this series enough. I love when a book gets a kid excited about reading, and when that love grows when I can inform the kid "but wait, there's more!" On top of that, I love when a series has appeal for both boys and girls. And I really love when a book can inspire kids to want to learn more outside of the book they have just read. And the I Survived series does this! All of it!

Throughout her series, Lauren Tarshis has captured snapshots of various times in history and recounted them from the perspective a kid living through that event. Every kid ends up right in the middle of the action. Even though it's often terrifying, you know that character is going to be okay, otherwise they wouldn't be the star of a book titled I Survived. I appreciate that Tarshis is able to put a fair amount of information into her stories, without it being overloading or boring. In addition, each book has informational text at the end to give the reader a bit more knowledge of the event itself. As an adult I have learned quite a bit.  Prior to reading this series I knew nothing of the shark attacks in New Jersey or the Children's Blizzard in the Dakotas. In each book, I learn something new and almost always do a little bit more research on my own after finishing the book.

I have read most of the books and have also listened to some of the audio versions. I think my favorite part of the audio versions is the interviews with Lauren Tarshis. It's very interesting to hear in her own voice how she does her research and how she goes about writing her books. I'm not sure if this is something that will be of interest to young readers, but I find it fascinating.

This series is great for reader's that aren't super confident in their reading skills, but are still ready for chapter books. The writing is simple enough that even beginning readers will be able to read the material, but interesting enough that more mature readers won't be bored. I highly recommend this books for teachers, librarians, and parents. They also make a great gift for that young reader in your life!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"The Titanic Lost...and Found" by Judy Donnelly

The Titanic Lost...and Found is a great introduction to this piece of history. The book has the facts but doesn't go into long explanations that could bore beginning researchers. Though depicting a tragedy, the illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and I liked that one showed what the inside of the ship looked like and another showed the size of a ship in relationship to the number of blocks long (abstract measurements like this never quite made sense when I was a kid so this would have cleared some things up for me at the time). My only complaint with this book was that it was a little outdated (published in 1987). Since I was reading an e-copy, I was a little surprised that some more recent information hadn't been added to this copy. But the basic facts of the Titanic were there so I guess that is enough.

Even as an adult, I love these basic accounts of history. When I need to do research, I still start in with books aimed at youth because I know I can get most of the basic information I need to start and then go about tracking down the more obscure information. Besides, books with pictures make researching so much more fun and interesting. Kids wanting to learn about the Titanic will get a lot out of this book and are in luck if they want to learn more since so much has been written about this majestic ship.


Happy Reading!
-Melly

"I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916" by Lauren Tarshis

I've mentioned before that I am a fan of books that bring history to kids.  Well, Lauren Tarshis' I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 brought history to me!  I had not heard of this event in history and after reading this book I did some research on my own.  It was very interesting to learn about a piece of history that I had not been aware of.

Chet lives with his uncle in New Jersey.  His parents have traveled looking for work and plan to send for him once they have settled somewhere   Until then, Chet fills his time working for his uncle.  But this summer is very hot and he and the other local boys spend a fair amount of time in the nearby creek.  At first no one believes the stories of shark attacks- there's no way that a shark has come this far away from the ocean.  But it soon becomes clear that no one is making up these stories and the water is no longer safe.

This is exactly what I want from this sort of book.  I want to be inspired to find out more.  I can see this book having a lot of appeal to young readers and highly recommend it.  Along with this book, I recommend access to research.  I really wish this series had been around when I was younger, I would have read them all!  Actually, even now I want to read them all...



Happy Reading!
-Melly

"The Century Kids" by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler

 

"The Century Kids" series by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler is based on a pretty interesting concept: each book is set in a different decade and follows members of the same family from one decade to the next.  The children are the main characters so each book features familiar faces from the previous title, though the focus changes from book to book.  These books are fiction but contain many historical elements of the last century that will interest and engage young readers.

I stumbled across this series at the library.  I have been a fan of the American Girls books and others titles that introduce history in a kid friendly fashion since I was young.  This series instantly appealed to me for that reason.  I liked that the book keeps up with the same family and keeps the same characters relevant to the story instead of introducing a new set of characters for each bit of history.  I also enjoyed the photos included in each of the books that help to bring the history alive.  Though I found some of the scenarios to be a bit of a stretch (for instance, some of the young boys manage to pick up a radio signal from the Titanic.  It was a little unbelievable to me) that was okay.  It did make for a more interesting read.  As I was reading, I could see this being a series that would appeal to both boys and girls which I really liked as many series seem to be aimed more at one or the other.  I could see this being a series good to have in a classroom or for siblings- any environment where readers could read and discuss the books.  I definitely recommend this series!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

 

"How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous" by Georgia Bragg

I am a biography fan.  When I was in the sixth grade, I spent a good chunk of my free time in the school library going through the collection of biographies.  So, despite the gruesomeness, I was highly intrigued by How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg.  Instead of focusing on the lives of those that filled our history books, it tells the tale of their demise.  That sounds kind of horrible, but this book was pretty fascinating (though at times a tad disgusting).  Sure I knew the history of Mario Antoinette, but didn't know about her life as a prisoner and the last words she spoke as she approached the guillotine.  I also didn't know about Mozart, Einstein or the plethora of other famous people included in this book.

I enjoyed that this book also included random facts that were quite interesting but might not fit into other books.  Each chapter ends with some sort of tidbit- whether is be various words that could be used in a crossword puzzle to mean "dead" or interesting tidbits about the historical figure.  This was a quick read, I polished it off in an evening.  I could definitely see tween boys enjoying this book, there is just enough gross tied in to keep the pages turning.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914" by Carolyn Meyer

First off, readers should know that this book is historical fiction.  I have read a number of reviews complaining that this book doesn't include enough factual information.  That's because it doesn't have too.  If you want just facts, please proceed to the nonfiction section.  Or the internet (just be sure to check your sources).  Anyways...

I believe I was in second grade when the animated Anastasia  film was released.  I remember being slightly obsessed over the movie, going around singing Once Upon a December and coloring in my Anastasia coloring book.  To this day, the movie is pretty high on my list favorite animated films.  So it makes sense that I immediately picked up this book years and years ago at the local library.

Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914 by Carolyn Meyer is the (fictional) diary of Anastasia Romanov.  It follows her story from a young teenager until shortly before her execution in 1918.  Anastasia doesn't lead always live and grand and glamorous life.  She shares a bedroom with her sister (obviously their palace had enough space to give each of the Grand Duchesses their own room) and  rises early to a day filled with studies.  Of course she also attends lavish parties and never has to worry about where her next meal is coming from, but she doesn't come across as a spoiled rich girl either.  She is quite mischivious and a bit sneaky, seeking out her sisters diaries but making a point to keep hers hidden.  The journal includes real people from Anastasia's life (there is an appendix in the back of the book that lists the fictional characters, but most of them are very minor characters) as well as real events.

This book presents a piece of history in a child friendly fashion.  Anastasia is clearly confused about the events going on around her and that makes sense.  It is believable that her father wouldn't sit down and speak with his youngest daughter about the political struggles going on in Russia.  It also makes sense that a young reader wouldn't be interested in that yet so it isn't a huge focus in the book.  Again, this is a piece of fiction so it's alright that the book is not filled with every detail and date that led to the fall of the Tsar's rule.

This a great book for younger girls interested in the life of Anastasia (or for other princess, check out the rest of the The Royal Diaries series).  One thing to keep in mind: the book was published prior to the 2007 discovery of the final missing Romanov bodies, so some of the information is a bit outdated.  I would partner this book with a biography of the Romanov family or a book that revolves around Russia during this time period.  It would be an interesting way to enhance a young reader's knowledge as well as to help develop a love of history.

Happy Reading!
-Melly