PA
Not-Ready-For-Newbery Recommended Reference Titles 2001
Axelrod, Alan and Charles L.Phillips. Encyclopedia of
Historical Treaties and Alliances : from
Ancient Times to World War I.
New York:Facts on File, 2001. 2 vols. 0-8160-3090-1.
2 vols. $165.00.
Gr. 9 to adult.
Information on treaties concluding wars, trade treaties,
treaties on the environment, armaments, human rights, scientific exploration and
other concerns. Each essay gives a short summary of the treaty, some include the
treaty, an historical background, terms and consequences.
Of permanent value to any high school collection.
Pat Bender & Joyce Valenza
Baker,
Rosalie F. and Charles F. Ancient
Egyptians: People of the Pyramids. (Oxford
Profiles series) Oxford, 2001. 0-19-512221-6.
192p. $40.00.
Grades 7+.
The Bakers chronologically bring back to life 28 prominent
Egyptian rulers, writers, architects, military officers, physicians, and
priests. Enhanced with black and white photographs of artifacts.
Profiles combine biographical material with what we know about Egyptian
life and culture. Joyce Valenza
BeachamÌs
Sourcebooks For Teaching Young Adult Literature.
Beetz,, Kirk. H. Exploring
C.S. Lewisí The Chronicles of Narnia. 0-933833-58-X
$16.95 625p
Schafer, Elizabeth D.
Exploring Harry Potter. 0-933833-57-1
$24.95 479 p.
(Covers Books I and II) The new series aimed at teachers, students, parents, and
librarians does not claim to offer traditional criticism.
Instead it offers ìbackground, ideas, questions, and bibliographies
that can be used in part or as a whole to encourage critical thinking and to
explore the layers of meaning in the novels.î
Middle school teachers and librarians will embrace these resources richly
stocked with ideas for enhancing students understanding of these popular
works. Professional Joyce Valenza
Bellalouna,
Elizabeth, Michael L. LaBlanc, & Ira Mark Milne, eds.
Literature of Developing Nations for Students.
Detroit:Gale Group, 2001.
0-7876-4930-9. 2v. $232.00. Gr 6-
adult.
Focusing on novels, these two volumes introduce students to
multicultural literary works and their authors. Each essay includes a plot summary, character descriptions,
themes, techniques, etc. Authors
whose works are described include: Laura Esquivel, Pablo Neruda, Jorge Luis
Borges, Carlos Fuentes, Athol Fugard, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jamaica Kincaid,
Cristina Garcia, & Bharati Mukherjee.
Pat Bender
Berry, Charles W. & William H. Hawn, Jr.
Computer & Internet Dictionary for ages 9 to 99. New
York:
Barronís, 2001. 0-7641-1520-0. $16.95. Gr 5+.
We sometimes forget that our family, friends, and
students of all ages, get lost when computers are discussed. This is a valuable
book to be kept alongside your regular dictionary in the library and it actually
wouldnít hurt to have one in every classroom.
Joan Schumer, Springfield Twp HS Library Aide
Bloor, Thomas. The
Memory Prisoner. New York:
Penguin Putnam, 2001. 0-8037-2687-2.
135p. $15.00.
Gr. 5-9.
This is an odd little story about fear, an exceedingly
dysfunctional family, a town mystery, and a sister and brother who support each
other. It succeeds on being
hopeful, while managing a dark and gloomy tone that will appeal to many readers,
and especially to mystery lovers, horror fans, and enjoyers of tales bizarre!
Mystery ñ Horror Pam
Kavanaugh
Boccaccio,
Giovanni. Famous
Women. Edited and translated by Virginia Brown. Cambridge, MA : Harvard
University Press, 2001. 0-674-00347-0.
530 p. $29.95
Gr. 10-adult.
A new translation of the first collection of biographies in
Western literature devoted exclusively to women. 106 biographies of women, form the common to royalty, famous
and infamous, from mythological dieties to Renaissance contemporaries.
Parallel text appears in Latin and English, on facing pages.
Part of I Tatti Renaissance Library produced by Harvard University Press.
A book for Latin scholars, while still being a fascinating collection of
biographies for the layperson. Pat Naismith
Bradley, Michael J.
Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving
Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind. Gig Harbor, WA: Harbor, 2001. 0-936197-43-9.
300p. $19.95. Gr. 10-adult.
A book designed for parents and all those who work with
teenagers. Dr. Bradley suggests
that current brain research suggests that the most advanced parts of the brain
are not completed until adolescence is almost over. Consequently, teens can appear unstable, dysfunctional and
unpredictable with temporarily impaired judgment and decision-making processes.
He also condemns contemporary culture for further challenges to teensí
thinking capabilities; the prevalence of sex, drugs and violence makes cognitive
balancing even more precarious. He uses real life stories to illustrate how best
to handle the teenage years. He
encourages parents to remain calm even when teens are outrageous.
Bradley suggests ways for parents to work with teens to deal with
problems. He also alerts parents to
times when they should seek professional help.
Teachers, parents and teens will find this book interesting and useful.
Psychology.
Peg Kleppinger
Brannen,
Daniel E. and Richard Clay Hanes.
Supreme Court Drama: Cases That Changed
America. Detroit: U.X.L.
0-7876-4879-5. 4 vols. Gr.
6-9.
Describes major Supreme Court cases in 150 essays and 4
volumes. Vol. 1: Individual Liberties; Vol. 2: Criminal Justice and Family Law:
Vol. 3: Equal Protection and Civil Rights; Vol. 4: Business and Government Law.
Cases about affirmative action, assisted suicide, gender discrimination,
reproductive rights, segregation, federal powers, capital punishment, search and
seizure, family law, and freedom of speech, the press, and religion are
represented. Pat Bender
Burt, Daniel S. The Biography Book: A Readerís
Guide to Nonfiction, Fictional, and Film
Biographies of More Than 500
of the Most Fascinating Individuals of All Time. Westport,
CT: Oryx (Greenwood), 2001.
1-57356-256-4. 629p.
$74.50 (Amazon.com). Gr 7+.
The author undertook this massive work because of the
popularity of biography and biographical novels and films. It includes
international, historical, and current deceased figures about whom many books
have already been written. The titles reviewed are those most easily accessible
and intended for reading rather than research. Each entry includes
ìAutobiographical Material,î ìRecommended Biographies,î ìOther
Biographical Studies,î ìBiographical Novels,î
ìFictional Portraits,î ìRecommended Juvenile Biographiesî that
are also good but brief introductions for adults, and ìBiographical Films and
Theatrical Adaptations.î Each review is concise and evaluative, and the volume
concludes with a variety of useful indexes (e.g., subject, author, title,
nationality, occupation). While written for the public, this is also an
excellent tool for assignments, collection development, and weeding. Biography
Eleanor Howe
Burt,
Daniel S. The Literary 100: A
Ranking of the Most Influential
Novelists, Playwrights, and
Poets of All Time. Facts On File, 2001. 0-8160-4383-3. $13.97.
Fun browsing for any book lover and handy for biographical
reference. In case youíre curious the top five: Shakespeare, Dante, Homer,
Tolstoy, and Chaucer.
Joyce Valenza
Cleopatra of Egypt: From
History to Myth. Eds. Susan
Walker and Peter Higgs. Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 2001. 0-691-08835-7.
384p. $60. Gr. 7-12.
The book is the complement to the traveling museum exhibit
that was put together by the British Museum.
It includes photographs of the paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry,
pottery and coins featured in the exhibition.
Essays accompany each section of the book; included topics are
Cleopatraís religious strategy, her relationship with the power of Rome, as
well as discussion of the Cleopatra legends.
There is a chronology of the time period that will help students to place
Cleopatra in history. There are 364
color and 261 black and white illustrations of pieces in the exhibit.
This exhibit has been in Chicago and Rome and after reviewing the book,
one could only wish that the exhibit would travel here.
History.
Peg Kleppinger
Cosgrave,
Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume & Fashion : from Ancient Egypt
to the Present Day. New York:Checkmark/Facts on File, 2001. 0-8160-4574-7.
255p. $37.95. Grades 9-adult.
A guide to the history of clothing and fashion. Includes
clothing, costume and fashion from Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece and Rome,
Medieval Europe and Byzantium, the Early Renaissance, 16th Century Baroque
period, 17th century, 18th century, Victorian 19th Century, and the 20th
century. Beautifully illustrated.
Pat
Bender
Crews, Kenneth D. Copyright
Essentials for Librarians and Educators. Chicago: American
Library Association.
2000. 1-800-545-2433.
Gr. 9-adult.
Crews, an attorney and librarian effectively reviews
definitions of copyright, how copyrights work, and how to interpret the many
implications of ìfair use.î
He explains many practical applications of the copyright laws that effect
libraries. He also includes
ìspecial exceptionsî that would only apply to libraries and also includes a
section on ìLooking Aheadî to the new technologies and how copyright may be
affected. The appendix lists the copyright laws, a checklist for fair use, a
reading list from 1998-2000, and a table of cases.
This book, along with Carol Simpsonís Copyright for Schools:
A Practical Guide should give librarians a clearer picture of the
complex laws of copyright. Professional Susan
Mowery
Delahunty, Andrew, Sheila Dignen, and Penny Stock.
Oxford Dictionary of Allusions.
Oxford U, 2001. 0-19-860031-3.
453p. $27.50. ìGettingî
the allusions increases a
studentís understanding of literature. This
one-volume reference offers a clue to the literary shorthand of allusions from
literature, mythology, the Bible, and history. Permanent value for the high
school collection. Thematic arrangement with a keyword index. Interesting
sidebars for browsing. Joyce Valenza
Depression
America. Grolier 2001.
0-7172-5502-6. 6 vol. $319.00.
Grades 7+.
This attractive six-volume set, illustrated with
photographs, political cartoons, ads and informative sidebars, is perfect for
the high school reference collection. Joyce Valenza
Derks, Scott. Working American 1880-1999, Vol III:
The Upper Class. Millerton,
N.Y.:
Grey House. 2001. 1-930956-38-X.
$135.00/ea. Gr. 9-12.
An interesting addition to the two earlier volumes in
this set:
Vol I: The
Working Class. 1-891482-81-5.
Vol II: The
Middle Class. 1-891482-72-6.
This volume focuses on the wealthy, their lifestyles and
economic life, by decade. There are
details on their home environment, such as income, expenses and use of free
time. Detailed descriptions on how
the wealthy lived and played during this time frame. Period photographs, newspaper advertisements, cartoons and
first person remembrances help to make this an excellent resource for study of
Americans during this time period. Joan Schumer, Springfield Twp HS Library Aide
Encyclopedia
of American Studies. Edited by George T. Kurian, et al.
New York: Grolier, 2001. 0-7172-9222-3. 4 vols.
$399. Grades 9-adult.
4 volumes of essays on three centuries of the American
experience: its history, culture, folklore, character, terms, phrases, people,
regionalism, etc. Topics were selected for their relevance in American Studies
courses. Pat Bender
Encyclopedia
of European Social History from 1350 to 2000. Edited by Peter N. Stearns.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001. 0-684-80582-0.
6 vols. $595. Gr.
9-adult.
209 signed articles in 6 volumes arranged into 23 broad
topics. Examples of topics are: population, cities, rural life, class structure,
periods of history, regions and people, everyday life, religion, recreation and
leisure. A very useful source for
literature and history classes.
Pat
Bender
Encyclopedia of Japanese American History.
Edited by Brian Niiya. 2nd ed. New York: Facts on File, 2001. 0-8160-4093-1.
446p. $65.00. Gr. 9-adult.
An updated encyclopedia written under the auspices of the
Japanese American National Museum chronicling the history of the Japanese in the
United States. Topics include information on people, places, events, terms,
groups, laws, etc.
Pat Bender
Encyclopedia of the United States in the Nineteeth Century.
New York : Scribners, 2001. 0-684-80500-6. 3 vol.
$390.00. Gr. 7-12.
Detailed and comprehensive guide to 19th century
history. Over 600 articles and 400
illustrations. Of special note: the
National Standards for United States
History, published by the National Center for History in the Schools, were
used as a benchmark in the creation of the set.
A useful addition to middle school and high school collections.
Pat Naismith
Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. Ed. by Jan Harold
Brunvand. ABC-CLIO, 2001. 1-57607-076-X.
525p. $75.00. Gr. 9+.
Those wild stories in the old oral tradition are
treated to serious study by the "the foremost authority on urban
legends."Joyce Valenza
Endangered
Wildlife and Plants of the World. New York : Marshall Cavendish, 2001.
0-76147-194-4. 12 vol. $459.95. Gr. 6-adult. Visually stunning 12 volume set. A revision of Endangered
Wildlife of the World,
last published in 1993, updated to include 150 articles on endangered plants,
plus 50 new articles on endangered animals.
Articles are clear and concise, while being accessible and user-friendly. A must-have for any middle or high school where the topic is
studied.
Pat Naismith
Facts on File Dictionary of Computer Science.
Edited by Valerie Illingworth and John Daintith. New York: Facts on File, 2001.
0-8160-4285-3. 249p. $44.00. Gr.
9-adult. 1600 entries that define the most frequently used terms in
computer science including acronyms like ISO and CD. Some line drawings
illustrating complex concepts are included.
Recommended for both the student and the computer professional.
Pat Bender
Ferguson
Publishing. The Top 100: The
Fastest Growing Careers for the 21st Century. 3rd edition. Chicago,
Illinois: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2001. 0-89434-343-2. $19.95. Gr. 9-adult.
An excellent reference source for job seekers or students
doing research on careers, this volume brings together much needed information
on the fastest growing careers for today. An introductory section discusses
trends, increasing needs for education, and the hottest growth fields. The
entries are arranged in alphabetical order by career. Each entry begins with an
overview, which includes duties and responsibilities that accompany this job.
There is a description of an average day in the life of a worker holding this
job, including work environment, as well as details about necessary education
and/or other requirements. Projected earnings, advancement opportunities, major
employers, and potential long-term outlook for the field are all included. This
volume is more than just a technical outlook-type of handbook, because it also
includes very valuable advice for each career on how to get started in this
field, ways to explore this field, and lists of resources to go to for more
information. A valuable addition to the career reference collection. Reference/Careers
Nancy
Chrismer
Gale Encyclopedia of
Genetic Disorders. Ed. Stacey L.
Blachford. Detroit: Gale, 2001.
(2 vols). 0-7876-5612-7. $285.00. 1345p. Gr.
9-adult.
This set provides information regarding diseases and
conditions of a genetic origin. There
are nearly 400 entries related to disorders that are very rare to those that are
well-known. They also provide an
excellent introduction to terms that are used often in discussions of genetic
diseases: chromosomes, genetic counseling and genetic testing.
Each disorder is divided into sections: definition, description, genetic
profile, demographics, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management,
prognosis, resources and key terms. It
is interesting that under the section entitled resources, one can find
periodical articles, organizations, and websites.
There are over 200 color illustrations and charts.
AP Psychology students and others who have advanced reading levels will
find this encyclopedia an excellent reference for many genetic health issues.
Health teachers will also use the set as a reference resource.
Medicine.
Peg Kleppinger
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Detroit: Gale, 2001. (5 vols).
0-7876-5489-2.
$525.00. Gr. 9-adult.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine is a well-written
comprehensive resource with many potential uses. It provides clear and concise, yet quite thorough,
descriptions of medical conditions and procedures.
The series is adequately illustrated and easy to navigate.
It is simple to use and includes not only definitions of medical
conditions, but also discusses possible treatments and outcomes.
It breaks down very complex topics into core concepts and presents them
in a way that is easy to read and understand, even for those with no medical
background. The authors did an
excellent job in identifying key words and providing basic definitions, which
are necessary to fully comprehend the entry, in gray boxes within the text.
With the popularity of the Internet, many people have taken the
initiative to research their ailments and those of loved ones.
However, due to the lack of credibility of some Internet sources and the
struggle to search through the labyrinth of sites offering information, the
average individual may receive false information or simply become overwhelmed
with the volume of sources available. The
Gale series is a wonderful alternative for those people, or for anybody who is
interested in a medical topic. The
quality of data and the simplicity of presentation make this an excellent
resource for all. Ross Schumer, 2nd
year Medical Student,
Jefferson Medical College
Gordon, Rachel
Singer. Teaching the Internet in
Libraries. Chicago : American Library
Association, 2001. 0-8389-0799-7.
43p. $38.00.
Although it appears to be written as a guide to
establishing an Internet training course for public libraries, Gordonís clear
and concise guide is also useful for school libraries.
Information on trainer training, programs available, grant writing are
included as well as sample handouts and forms.
An excellent resource for all libraries. Professional
Pat Naismith
Gould,
Lewis L. American First Ladies:
Their Lives and Their Legacy. Routledge2nd
edition. 0-415-93021-9. 468
p. $125.00.
Gr. 7+.
From
Martha Washington through Laura Bush (pre-term), this work includes 39 extensive
biographical essays which interpret the changing role of the First Lady in
American history. Far greater depth
than most other works of this sort.
Joyce Valenza
Grolier
Pro-Con Series. Grolier, 2002.
Set 0-7172-5638-3. $?.
This first six-volume set includes: Individual and Society;
Government; Economics; Environment; Science; and Media and is an excellent
update for the many libraries who have grown to depend on the Taking Sides
series. Each book is divided
into sections which a series of debates around a focused issue by notable
experts on all sides. ìKey
mapsî graphically represent the central points of the debate and timelines and
informational sidebars serve to enhance context.
An excellent purchase for any high school! Joyce
Valenza
Gross, Ernie.
This Day in American History,
rev.ed. Jefferson, N. C.: McFarland & Co., Inc.,
2001. 0-7864-0854-5. 348p. $55.00. Gr. 6-12.
Gross organizes this chronology month-by-month and then
day-by-day from the earliest available date to 1999. This volume is an updated
version of an earlier work that was published in 1990. Although the entries are
not long, Gross has found numerous happenings for most days. The comprehensive
index lists dates instead of pages, making access to events quite easy. This
will be a handy quick reference.
Jeannie Bellavance
Gross, Ernie.
This Day in Sports.
Jefferson, N. C.: McFarland & Co., Inc., 2001. 0-7864-0803-0.
295p. $35.00. Gr. 6-12.
A ìfunî reference. This is a handy reference for the
trivia oriented sports fan. Ernie
Gross has researched events for every day in the year from 1611 to 1998.
For example on New Yearí Day in 1840 the first recorded bowling match
was held in New York City; on July 30, 1754 the first international world title
prize fight took place in England. The
index of athletes lists the dates of their achievements. Major sports as well as
golf, chess, bowling, horse racing and Olympics are covered.
This reference will be useful for calendars, birthday ideas, browsing.
The bibliography lists references for those who wish to delve more deeply in to
sports history.
Jeannie Bellavance
Hernon, Peter. U.S.
Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need, 2nd ed. Libraries Unlimited, Inc.,
2001. 1-56308-886-X. 405p. $45.00
pb.
The highly detailed Table of Contents and Government Body
Index provide an easily accessible format. Individual chapters address such
information as the structure and types of government publications, recommended
search engines and strategies for their use, and individual government branches
and subject categories pertinent to each. For libraries that service younger
patrons, the chapter entitled ìWeb Pages for the Nationís Youthî will be
invaluable. A URL guide appends each chapter, listing the websites referenced.
Within the text, each URL is highlighted in blue. This is one reference source
that is not to be missed.
Elizabeth McChesney
Hill,
Kathleen Thompson and Gerald N. Hill. Facts
on File Dictionary of American Politics. New York:Checkmark/Facts on File,
2001. 0-8160-4519-4. 436p. $45.00. Gr. 9-adult.
An updated dictionary of American politics which includes
entries on dimpled, hanging and pregnant chads, attack ads, bundling, and
defines more than 1600 other terms.
Pat Bender
Historic
U.S. Court Cases: An Encyclopedia. 2nd ed.
2 vol. Routledge. 0-415-93755-8. 1089p.
$195.00. Gr.
9+.
Within
its thematic chapters, this essential reference source covers major cases
chronologically. The clear
analytical essays make this one perfect for high school projects.
Joyce Valenza
History
Behind the Headlines: Origins of Conflicts Worldwide. Detroit: Gale. 2001. 3
vol.
0-7876-4951-1. $112.25. Gr. 9+.
This is one of the most useful sets Iíve seen in years!
The set covers ethnic, religious, economic, political, territorial, and
environmental conflicts. Each of the essays summarizes the conflict, offers historical
background, recent history and the future.
Conflicts include: civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina; the Afghan Taliban;
the Colombian drug wars; the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; the Kurds in Turkey;
and many more. Our social studies
teachers were impressed!
Joyce Valenza
The Holocaust and World War II Almanac. Detroit : Gale, 2001.
0-7876-5018-8. 3 vol. $245.00. Gr. 9-adult
An in-depth look at the Holocaust and World War II.
This 3-volume set covers all aspects of the war in a clearly written and
easy to understand format. In
volumes 1 and 2, chapters provide information on the various aspects of the
Holocaust and World War II, including the events leading up to the war as well
as recent developments regarding reparations to war and Holocaust victims.
Volume 3 presents over 100 biographical profiles, both of individuals and
groups. A welcome addition to
school and public library collections.
Pat Naismith
Howes, Kelly King. War
of 1812. New York: UXL, 2001. 0-7876-5574-0. 318p. $49.00 Gr. 7+
A lot can be learned from this single volume on ìThe
Forgotten War.î The organization of the book will help students understand the
war. By beginning with the
vocabulary and a timeline students will already be familiar with basic concepts
as they begin the text. The Almanac
section of the book is written in clear concise, yet interesting fashion. The
biographies of the major players are also easy to understand and appealing.
Placement of primary source documents such as diary entries and newspaper
articles brings life to the war. Useful
aids to the student are the suggested research and activity ideas that help to
focus reading. Included in each
section and at the end of the book are titles for further reading and web sites.
A similar successful format applies to the
two volume Korean War Reference Library( New
York: UXL, 2002. 0-7876-5573-2. 2v.
$90.00. Gr. 7+) edited by Sonia G. Benson.
Jeannie
Bellavance
The Information-Powered School.
Ed. Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Anne Wheelock. Chicago:
American Library Associatin,
2001. 0-8389-3514-1. 138p. $35.00. A guide for implementing the theories laid out in
Information Power, the editors have selected tools that were actually tested by
Library Power sites. This book
includes a specific plan for librarians and teachers to share the
responsibilities of planning, teaching, and assessing student learning and
offering a coherent curriculum. There
are tips included on hours to gather support of teachers and principals,
managing new roles and responsibilities, and how to integrate information
literacy and technology into curricula. This
is an excellent choice for librarians who are in the process of evaluating and
updating their programs. School
Libraries ñ Professional.
Peg Kleppinger
McBrien, Richard P.
Lives of the Saints : from
Mary and St. Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and
Mother Teresa.
New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001.
0-06-065340. 646p. $34. Gr. 7-12.
This is the first one-volume compilation of the saints
since the 17th century work by Alban Butler. There are profiles of over 600 saints and holy people.
He includes people who have not been declared saints but have been
recognized and celebrated. He
includes Martin Luther, John Donne, Dag Hammarskjold, Albert Schweitzer, Martin
Luther King, Jr., and even non-Christians including Mohandas Gandhi.
He also discusses the political nature of canonization and why the saints
should also include women, Asians, Africans, married people, and those who
identify with the poor and the oppressed. The
saints are arranged by the church calendar.
Tables catalog the feast days of saints, the patron saints, geographical
locations and their patron saints, groups, causes and their saints, saintly
emblems in art. There are timelines
of saints in history and a glossary of terms that are used throughout the work.
Students will find the short biographies well written and readable.
This is an excellent resource for libraries.
History.
Peg Kleppinger
MacDonald,
Randall M. and Susan Priest MacDonald. Successful
Keyword Searching: Initiating
Research on Popular Topics Using Electronic
Databases. Greenwood, 2001.
0-31Û30676-1.
$44.95.
The
authors offer a brief overview of search strategies and generate list of
keywords and related search terms-key people, organizations-and websites for 144
of the topics most researched by students. Helpful for narrowing topics and
discovering new language to search. Very handy for the high school librarianís
reference shelf!
Joyce Valenza
Matuz, Roger. Complete American Presidents
Sourcebook. 5v. UXL, 2001 0-7876-4837-X
$25.00. This five volume illustrated set is a perfect complement to
US history classes offering comprehensive profiles of the presidents and their
wives, factual sidebars, and selected primary source documents with introductory
context notes and interesting ìWhat happened nextî sections.
This is a worthy addition to any middle or high school reference
collection. It will be USED!
Joyce Valenza
The Middle Ages:
An Encyclopedia for Students. New
York: Charles Scribnerís Sons.
1996. 0-684-19773-1.
Gr. 7-12.
This four volume set, although designed for the middle
student, contains valuable information with many important entries.
Ancient religions are broken down into smaller sects, for example.
There is a two-column format with the main information to the right and a
smaller column on the left side that contains graphics and a running glossary. A
section of beautiful color plates and an extensive index are also included.
Topics cover many of the assignments found in middle and high school
class assignments and will be helpful to many students.
Although the set is dated 1996, many librarians will have much use for
this timeless reference.
Susan Mowery
Mieczkowski,
Yanek. Routledge Historical
Atlas of Presidential Elections. Michael
Carnes, Series ed. Routledge, 2001.
0-415-92139-2. 160p. $17.95.
This
slim reference sources offers comprehensive and appealing coverage of all the US
presidential elections accompanied by maps and statistics.
A valuable addition at a modest price.
Joyce Valenza
Miller, Elizabeth B. The Internet Resource Directory
for Teachers and Librarians. 8th
ed.
Englewood, CO: Libraries
Unlimited, 2001. 1-56308-913-0.
$30.00 (Amazon.com) .
442p. Gr. 9-adult.
The 1523 free and non-commercial sites in this annual
publication were evaluated and selected because they support all areas of the
K-12 curriculum, supplement core library collections, and are suitable for
educators, librarians, students, and parents.
Included are .org, .edu, .gov, .com, and some international sites. The
annotated reviews indicate the siteís usefulness for teachers and special
features as well as the webmasterís name and email address. Resources for
educators include national standards, professional associations, lesson plans,
and units. Site and subject indexes provide easy access. Consult the Directory
for specific assignments as well as general reference, and select sites for
bookmarks and/or catalog links. Professional Eleanor Howe
Nagel, Ron, ed. UXL Encyclopedia of Science, 2nd
ed. Detroit: UXL, 2002.
0-7876-5432-9 10 vols.
$350.00. Gr. 6-9. This reference set, first published in 1998, has an
appealing new look and updated entries. More
than one hundred entries have been updated, and another 50 have been added, thus
increasing this edition to 10 volumes, from the previous nine. The most
noticeable improvement is the photographs. The photos, many of which appeared in the first addition, are
now in color, adding visual interest to the page.
The table of contents and the index are cumulative, and the entries are
organized by scientific field. Also includes cross-references, sidebar glossary
and suggestions for further reading. A compre-hensive but easy to understand
introduction to science encyclopedias for middle school students.
Rosanne
Zajko
Page, Willie
F. Encyclopedia of African
History and Culture. New York:
Facts on File, 2001.
0-8160-4472-4.
3 vols. $250.00. Gr. 9-adult.
A chronological account of African history and culture in
three comprehensive volumes. Each
volume concentrates on a particular time period: Ancient Africa, African
Kingdoms (Medieval Africa), and From Conquest to Colonialization (from the 16th
to the 19th century). Topics
covered include: people, geography, events, places, tribes, languages, customs,
etc.
Pat Bender
Partnow,
Elaine T. The Quotable Woman:
The First 5000 Years. Facts On
File, 2001.
0-8160-4012-5. 974p.
$29.95. Arranged
by author, with a detailed subject index, this hefty updated volume will have
permanent value, for senior quotes, papers, and simple inspiration.
Joyce Valenza
Rainforests of the World.
New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002.
0-7614-7254-1. 11 vol. $329.95. Gr. 5ñ10. The alphabetic entries in this 10 volume series (vol. 11 is
an index) give a basic overview of the rainforest for middle school students and
are color coded by contents: rainforests types and characteristics, peoples of
the rainforests, animals, and plants. Almost
every page has color photos, maps or diagrams, and entries contain key facts
boxes and are cross-referenced. Current threats to the rainforest are noted, as well as
issues affecting the rainforest in the future. Each volume contains a glossary
and an index, with the index volume containing a complete glossary, various
indexes, websites and suggested further reading.
Connie Roupp & Rosanne Zajko
Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection: Issues and
Answers for Schools, 3rd ed. Chicago:American Library Association,
2001. 223p. 0-8389-0798-9. $35.00. Gr 11-12+. This
book should be in every library. Librarians, administrators, and classroom
teachers should be familiar with the issues covered in this book: materials
selection vs. censorship, censorship questions involving library materials,
classroom texts and movies, the internet, the student press, academic freedom,
legal precedents and case law, and much more. Students doing in-depth research
on the issue of censorship in schools will find much material here. Librarians
and administrators will find a workbook-type format to help them formulate
selection policies, guidelines for the student press, and policies for dealing
with challenged materials. The appendices are invaluable, and include ALA
statements of access to resources, summaries of selected legal cases, a list of
concerned national organizations, and a bibliography on the first amendment and
intellectual freedom. There is also a good index. This is an invaluable tool for
safeguarding intellectual freedom in school and libraries. Professional
Nancy Chrismer
Roesch,
Roberta. Encyclopedia of Depression. 2nd ed. New York: Facts on File,
2001.
0-8160-4047-8. 278p. $60.50.
Grades 9-adult.
More than 500 A-Z entries covering both the biological and
psychological elements of mental depression as well as the effects of alcohol,
incidence of suicide, social issues, key cases, research, treatment, causes,
symptoms, etc. Pat
Bender
Sachs, Jessica Snyder.
The Encyclopedia of Inventions.
Danbury: Grolier, 2001. 0-531-11711-1.
192p. $40. Gr. 6-12. An easy to use reference which covers over two hundred
important inventions. Entries range
from one paragraph to two pages in length, many include color pictures, and
diagrams. Brief profiles of six important inventors are interspersed throughout
the book. Includes overview
articles in 12 technological fields. Eleven "changing world sidebars"
cover time periods from 250,000 BC to 1995 and summarize the significant
inventions influencing the world. The
book also includes a chronology of Inventions and Index. Michelle Stone
Salisbury, Joyce E.
Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World. ABC-CLIO, 2001.1-57607-092-1.
370p. $75.00.
Gr. 9+. Biographies of notable women from ancient civilizations
combine with thematic entries--clothing, work, sexuality-providing much needed
context. Joyce Valenza
Schall, Lucy.
Booktalks Plus : Motivating
Teens to Read. Englewood:
Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
1-56308-817-7. 268p. $35.00.
There are 100-plus books in this
reference for librarians. The
author selected young adult books that were published between 1996 and 1999.
The topics of the books include first impressions, family decisions,
nature, supernatural forces, how we act socially, spiritually, physically and
mentally. In addition there are titles that showcase good versus evil,
disease, hate and prejudice, family conflicts, trust, entertainment, and leaders
of the world. The author also
provides helpful hints for doing booktalks and ways to get students involved in
reading. Librarians will find this
book very useful. Teenagers
and Reading.
Peg Kleppinger
Shakespeare's World and Work: an Encyclopedia
for Students. Edited by John F.
Andrews. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001.
0-684-80629-0. 3 vols.
$389.75. Gr. 9-12. 3 volumes of helpful articles about daily life during
Shakespeare's time. Some topics
covered include dance, theater, biographies of contemporaries, weapons,
summaries of each play, directors, actors, adaptations, games, pastimes, sports,
and many, many others.
Pat Bender
Sifakis, Carl.
Encyclopedia of Assassinations.
Revised Ed. Facts on File
Library of World History. New York:
Facts on File, 2001. 0-8160-4332-9. 258p.
$55.00. Gr. 9-12. This one-volume reference source serves as a starting point
for students researching assassinations in general or victims of assassination
in particular. Essays are arranged
alphabetically by name, with cross-references, photographs and illustrations, of
the more noteworthy assassinations in history.
Pat Bender
Simpson, Carol. Copyright
for Schools : A Practical Guide. 3rd ed. Worthington, Ohio :
Linworth
Publishing, 2001. 1-5863-018-X.
166p. $44.95.
The copyright issue seems to get increasingly muddy ñ
especially with the advent of the web and electronic resources.
This book provides the most up-to-date information for teachers,
administrators and librarians to assist them in dealing ethically with copyright
issues. Concrete examples of
acceptable and unacceptable practices are also included.
A good guide for an increasingly complex issue.
Professional
Pat Naismith
Smith, Susan Sharpless.
Web-based Instruction: a Guide for Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001.
0-8389-0805-5. 194p. $50.00.
This book was a very informative guide about
web-based instruction. In this age
of technology, online instruction has rapidly become the delivery mode for
bibliographic instruction. This
book is an excellent resource for the instructional design of online sources.
It is probably more appropriate for the college environment. Librarians
with a technology based background could use this reference to become better
acquainted with todayís web-based curriculum. Professional Book.
Kathy Ciccotti-Computer Science Scranton Prep
Steinberg,
Mark L. The Facts on File Dictionary of Biotechnology and Genetic
Engineering. New York: Facts on File, 2001. 0-8160-4274-8. 228 p. $44.00.
Grades 9-adult.
A good reference tool for defining words and terms related
to modern biotechnology and genetic engineering. It includes new advances and discoveries in these fields,
black and white and line drawings, and 4 appendices.
Pat Bender
Steiner, Stanley F.
Promoting a Global Community
through Multicultural Childrenís Literature.
Englewood: Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
1-6308-705-7. 179p. $35.00.
This is a useful annotated bibliography of multicultural
books. Librarians seeking titles
from preschool to middle school will find this book useful.
There are books about ethnic foods, games, celebrations, poetry, story
collections, travel and much more. There
are over 800 annotated titles to aid librarians in book selection.
Each of the five chapters has a section entitled ìbook extensionsî
that give ideas for classroom teachers to use.
Because this book is a reference tool for librarians, it includes picture
books, novels, poetry, and nonfiction. The
author gives suggestions why we need multicultural literature, how to build a
collection that reflects diversity, some interesting facts about diversity in
the United States, publishers that are currently involved in promoting
multicultural literature, a bibliography of resources for infusing literature
into the curriculum as well as author and title indexes.
Multicultural Education
/ Professional
Peg
Kleppinger
Story of Music. Grolier,
2001. 10 volume set.
0-7172-9559-1. Gr. 6+. For
both middle and high schools this attractive set covers music across the ages
and across genre and on and off stage. Beautifully illustrated and fun for both
browsers and researchers. Joyce Valenza
Supreme Court Drama. Detroit : U*X*L, 2001.
0-7876-4877-9. 4 vol. $169.00.
Gr. 6-9.
Excellent basic information about Supreme Court cases.
Each case is listed not only by litigantsí names, but also organized by
major legal topics such as ìFederal Powers and Separation of Powersî and
ìAffirmative Action.î Immediately
following the table of contents are both alphabetical and chronological indexes.
Although this set is aimed at younger audiences, it is equally useful for
high school students. Pat Naismith
Tesar, Jenny and
Bryan Bunch. The Blackbirch Encyclopedia
of Science and Invention.
Woodbridge , CT: Blackbirch Press, Inc. , 2001.
0-56711-575-6. 4 v. $159.80
Gr. 5-8
This set discusses various science ideas, concepts and
personalities. A key at the beginning of each volume explains how to use the
books. Readers are made aware by boldfaced type to concepts that separate
entries in the set. Additionally icons that precede the entry identify the area
of science to which it belongs. Each entry is followed by a list of print and
online resources. Photographs, both
black and white and color, a well as colorful diagrams and interesting sidebars
further enhance the articles. This set will be useful for a brief explanation of
a concept or as a starting off point for further inquiry.
It is also good for just plain browsing.
Jeannie Bellavance
The
Top 100: The Fastest Growing Careers for the 21st Century. 3rd edition.
Chicago, Illinois:
Ferguson Publishing Company, 2001. 0-89434-343-2. 428p.
$19.95. Gr. 9-adult. An excellent reference source for job seekers or students
doing research on careers, this volume brings together much needed information
on the fastest growing careers for today. An introductory section discusses
trends, increasing needs for education, and the hottest growth fields. The
entries are arranged in alphabetical order by career. Each entry begins with an
overview, which includes duties and responsibilities that accompany this job.
There is a description of an average day in the life of a worker holding this
job, including work environment, as well as details about necessary education
and/or other requirements. Projected earnings, advancement opportunities, major
employers, and potential long-term outlook for the field are all included. This
volume is more than just a technical outlook-type of handbook, because it also
includes very valuable advice for each career on how to get started in this
field, ways to explore this field, and lists of resources to go to for more
information. A valuable addition to the career reference collection. Careers
Nancy Chrismer
Visual Science Encyclopedia. Danbury,
CT: Grolier Educational, 2002. 0-7172-5595-6. $279.00.
12 v. Gr. 5-7.
This set of 12 volumes lives up to its name as a visual
encyclopedia. Clear illustrations,
diagrams and photographs enhance the clearly written, easy to read entries.
The titles in this set are Weather;
Elements; Rocks, Minerals and Soil: Forces; Light and Sound; Water; Plants;
Electricity and Magnetism; Earth and Space; Computers and the Internet;
Earthquakes and Volcanos; and Heat and
Energy. This comprehensive set provides a useful set of definitions and
explanations for the upper elementary-middle school student. Jeannie
Bellavance
Where Do I Start?: A School Library Handbook.
Ed. Santa Clara County Office of Education
Library Services. Worthington:
Linworth, 2001. 1-58683-043-0. 153
p. $39.95. New staff members in libraries will find this a useful
resource as they begin working in a library.
It provides a quick overview and reference about libraries.
There is information about the organization of libraries, how to create
displays, and bulletin boards, how to communicate with others and even
statistics and research findings that you might use as you communicate about the
library. There are some helpful
hints about weeding and selection of materials.
There is a brief overview of the Information Literacy Standards and
information on Big6 and FLIPit programs. Several
suggestions for handouts are included that librarians can revise to fit their
own libraries. Nearly every chapter
includes a bibliography of additional materials that many will find very useful.
Internet resources are included for reference also.
This is a very helpful reference for new librarians. Professional Peg Kleppinger
Winebrenner,
Susan. Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom. Free
Spirit Publishing,
2001. 1-57542-089-9. $34.95. 243p. Gr. 2-8.
This amazing book
is a must for educators who want to inspire gifted students in the regular
education classroom. There are 57 quality reproducible pages that encourage the
teacher to compact curriculum and help the student delve deeper into curricular
areas. Several activities are provided to assist the teacher with curricular
compacting. A comprehensive list of "References and Resources"
supplies the reader with further choices to pursue information about topics.
Students and teachers will benefit from this extraordinary source of
information.
Jackie Michelson, teacher of the gifted, Springfield Middle School, Mont.
Co.
Wyman, Bruce.
The Facts on File Dictionary of Environmental Science. New ed. New York :
Facts on File, 2001. 0-8160-4233-0. 458p. $44.00.
Grades 9 to adult.
A dictionary that includes more than 4000 entries on topics
such as acid rain, global warming, land and marine erosion, solid waste
management, volcanoes, zero population growth, and other topics relevant to the
environment. Pat Bender
Wynar,
Bohdan S., Ed. Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium Libraries and
Media Centers. Englewood,
Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 1-56308-889-4.
281p. $65. A worthwhile guide for any small library.
Each chapter covers a different general subject.
All books presented include a recommendation by library type (public,
college and school media centers) and a summary of the important features of the
book and recommended age level. Also
includes an Author/Title index and Subject index.
The books have been selected from the current Education of American
Reference Books Annual. Professional.
Michelle
Stone
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Members:
Jeannie
Bellavance, Gwynedd-Mercy Academy, Elementary Div.
Susan Krenicky, Phoenixville Area Middle School
Pat
Bender, Upper School Librarian, The Shipley School
Sandra Krieg, The Haverford School
Candace
Blessing, Ephrata High School Media Center
Joan Marstiller, Pittsburgh, PA
Nancy
Chrismer, Juniata High School Library
Leslie Mastronardo, Penn Manor High School
Donna
Darmofal, Scranton Preparatory School
Elizabeth McChesney, Greenville High School
Margaret
Goodlin, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
Susan Mowery, Upper Dublin High School
Karen
Hornberger, Palisades High School
Pat Naismith, Springfield High School (Del Co)
Eleanor
Howe, Pine-Richland High School Library
Constance Roupp, Harlan Rowe Middle School
Pamela
Kavanaugh, Grier School
Michelle Stone, Sandy Run Middle School
Margaret
Kleppinger, Hatboro-Horsham High School
Joyce Valenza, School District of Springfield Township
Rosanne Zajko, Ancillae-Assumpta Academy
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