Epic Adventure: Epic Climbs by John Cleare

Epic Adventure: Epic Climbs
by John Cleare
Kingfisher, 2010

GENRE: Non-Fiction, Sports

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: Great Climbs offers a look into climbing the world’s tallest mountains, including  Everest, K2 and the Matterhorn. It is rich with pictures and maps of the mountains so that readers can visualize the paths to the top and where they would stop along the way, as well as detailed descriptions and pictures of the gear required to reach the top.

OPINION: After reading about climbing Everest in Roland Smith’s novel Peak, I was excited to stumble upon this book while browsing the non-fiction section. I was excited to be able to see what “crampons” actually were, and see the route and placement of the camps that were actually described in the book.

IDEAS: This could be used as a companion for Peak, or in a display highlighting various sports or outdoor adventures.

Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen by American Medical Association

Boys Guide to Becoming a Teen
by American Medical Association
Wiley, 2006

GENRE: Non-Fiction

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: The pre-teen and early teen years are difficult ones for both sexes, for different and unique reasons. The Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen provide facts, information and insight into what to expect during this time and serves as a great resource for both kids and parents.

OPINION: This book is a great book about growing up for boys to learn about their own bodies, or for girls to learn about what boys are going through around this time of life. Becoming a teen can be complicated, and this book breaks things down and explains all the details of this time of life from your body, to feelings and relationships.

IDEAS: This book should also be included in a back to school display or on a book mark or pathfinder of resources for kids and parents of tweens and teens.

Middle School: How to Deal by Sara Borden, Sarah Miller, Alex Stikeleather, Maria Valladares, and Miriam Yelton, illustrated by Yuki Hatori

Middle School: How to Deal
by Sara Borden, Sarah Miller, Alex Stikeleather, Maria Valladares, and Miriam Yelton, illustrated by Yuki Hatori
Chronicle, 2005

GENRE: Non-Fiction

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: Five middle school schools collaborated to create this book to share with their peers. The book provides insight, facts, tips and tricks for coping with, surviving and conquering middle school.

OPINION: I like that this book is written by middle school girls FOR middle school girls. I feel like girls will be more likely to relate to a book written by their peers and will help them understand the trials and tribulations of middle school.

IDEAS: This would make a great “Back to School” display along with some other nonfiction and contemporary realistic fiction to qualm nerves before the first day of class.