A handsomely produced and properly tantalizing overview of rare treasures from both the series and the cultural context that...
An album of highlights from the British Library’s 2017 exhibit commemorating the 20th anniversary of Harry’s first publication.
The exhibit, scheduled to cross the pond in 2018, will eventually get a full catalog, but in the meantime, this makes a handsome place holder. Arranged to reflect the Hogwarts curriculum (“Potions and Alchemy,” “Defense Against the Dark Arts,” etc.), the sections each offer a mix of drawings and work-in-progress pages from J.K. Rowling’s archives, images from old manuscripts or printed books, pictures of artifacts (notably a 3,000-year-old cauldron and a real bezoar), and splendid Renaissance-style portraits of select characters by Jim Kay. Along with such fan-wowers as Rowling’s original typed synopsis of the first episode and a deleted chapter from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, glimpses of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, ancient Chinese oracle bones, an Ethiopian book of charms, and a Thai divination manual testify to the exhibition’s historical and geographical reach. The accompanying notes include introductions to both Leonardo and the real Nicholas Flamel along with quick comments on witchcraft, alchemy, herbology, and diverse occult practices—plus pull quotes from the novels and a few perfunctory recipes for “potions” or other hands-on activities. Nods to spinoffs, from one of the author’s handwritten copies of The Tales of Beadle the Bard to the screenplay and set for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, bring Harry’s epic tale up to the present.
A handsomely produced and properly tantalizing overview of rare treasures from both the series and the cultural context that inspired its magical setting and world. (Nonfiction. 9-14)Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-338-26710-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
A hardworking addition to U.S. history shelves.
In 1776, some of the most respected men in Great Britain’s American Colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, a revolutionary—but not necessarily transparent—document.
Although the declaration is one of the key documents of American history, its sometimes-archaic language may mystify young citizens of the 21st century. After a few pages of introductory information that describes the conflicts faced by colonists before the Revolutionary War, this effort presents the declaration line by line, explaining the concepts, defining confusing words and ideas, and illuminating the intent of the signers in the context of the time. Occasionally, in sections headed “Think Deeper,” the author asks pointed, thoughtful questions on a variety of issues that have never been fully resolved in the past 245 years, without devolving into revisionist history. The format places original text on verso with the translation on recto, but clever design keeps readers engaged. The double-page spreads are neatly laid out, many including portraits of Founding Fathers presented against appealing, brightly colored backgrounds that vary from spread to spread. A variety of maps, cartoon characters, and period illustrations extend the text. With a reading level appropriate to the upper grade schoolers who are often introduced to this tumultuous period of history, this engaging and surprisingly entertaining effort seems like the perfect choice to accompany and expand lesson plans. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A hardworking addition to U.S. history shelves. (bibliography) (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-638190-48-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Bushel & Peck Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Essential reading about Anne and her times.
With Holocaust denial spreading via the internet, it remains important for young people to learn about this period in a very concrete way.
This fact-filled biography, created by the Anne Frank House, tells the story of the girl who filled her diary with stories of the day-to-day lives of the eight Jews hiding for over two years within the “Secret Annex” and her own aspirations as a writer and as a person. The book alternates information about the Secret Annex inhabitants and Otto Frank’s loyal Dutch colleagues and employees with double-page spreads that highlight questions that young visitors ask at the Anne Frank House, from big topics like “Why did Hitler hate the Jews?” to practical concerns: “Did the people in hiding get bored?” and “How did the people in hiding get new clothes and other things?” There is contextual information about the Holocaust as well as quotes from some of Anne’s friends who survived the war. Due to the busy scrapbook layout of the book, Scarry’s color illustrations and diagrams do not always show to advantage. Moreover, perhaps because the book was produced in several languages, there are occasional awkward sentences. Despite these flaws, this book will reward its readers with an in-depth picture of the girl who became known the world over for her optimism despite her dire circumstances.
Essential reading about Anne and her times. (maps, sources) (Biography. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 10, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-77260-060-5
Page Count: 72
Publisher: Second Story Press
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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