Assigned to write a report on Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin, fifth-grader Jason despairs of finding enough to fill three pages until he finds an interesting anecdote on the Internet—but is it true? Did Fleming, or his father, really save Winston Churchill, or his father, from drowning? This genuine question lures middle-grade readers into a painless introduction to the research process. The first-person narrative follows Jason’s exploration of library books (too long), encyclopedia entries (too short) and the Internet (where stories conflict). Suddenly excited by the process, Jason even gives up a weekend barbecue to finish his writing. Giblin includes much of the final report and appends a section of research tips and his own sources. Distinctive typefaces set off Internet quotations and Jason’s writing; Brooks’s line drawings illustrate both stories. Some adults may be taken aback by Jason’s use of Fleming’s first name, but all who deal with young researchers will welcome this realistic account, which contains unobtrusive yet valuable instruction from a Sibert Award–winning author. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: April 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8183-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Miranda’s book counts the monsters gathering at a birthday party, while a simple rhyming text keeps the tally and surveys the action: “Seven starved monsters are licking the dishes./Eight blow out candles and make birthday wishes.” The counting proceeds to ten, then by tens to fifty, then gradually returns to one, which makes the monster’s mother, a purple pin-headed octopus, very happy. The book is surprisingly effective due to Powell’s artwork; the color has texture and density, as if it were poured onto the page, but the real attention-getter is the singularity of every monster attendee. They are highly individual and, therefore, eminently countable. As the numbers start crawling upward, it is both fun and a challenge to try to recognize monsters who have appeared in previous pages, or to attempt to stay focused when counting the swirling or bunched creatures. The story has glints of humor, and in combination with the illustrations is a grand addition to the counting shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201835-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-292858-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
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