The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 1999. THE TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395942187

PLOT SUMMARY
This book takes readers through the experience of climbing Mount Everest. It begins with basic facts about the mountain; how it was formed, its measurement, the location, and how to get there. Stories of different climbers are included, as well as the many obstacles they face. The equipment used is explained in detail, followed by different things people may find on the mountain at various elevations. The book concludes with a look at what a trip up to the summit of Mount Everest would be like.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jenkins gives a fantastic overview of Mount Everest and what it takes to climb it. The text is basic enough for younger readers to understand and be riveted by each part. The book is divided into sections, each giving a glimpse of the mountain climbing experience. Readers, young and old, will be intrigued by the interesting facts about Mount Everest and mountain climbing, a climbing experience that many will never have. However, after reading this book, people will feel as if they were a part of the great expedition up to the summit of the highest mountain in the world.

What really makes this book fantastic, however, are the beautiful illustrations, made from paper-cut collages. Jenkins’ very detailed artwork has a three-dimensional look, creating the feathery look of snow blowing in the wind, the image of rocky terrain, and a frosty feel. Some pictures provide even more information with clear labels, describing various aspects of their content. The combination of the incredible illustrations and the fascinating facts and stories will keep readers entertained and provide them with a fun learning experience.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Texas Bluebonnet Honor Book, 2001
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “a compendium of historical info and practical tips, illustrated with stunning cut-paper collage”
BOOKLIST: “a very attractive book, with plenty of substance for curious children”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “The striking collages extend the information of the text and capture the majesty of the mountain.”

CONNECTIONS
*Read this book during a unit on landforms/mountains.
*Use this book and the great illustrations as an example of collage-art, and have students create their own scenes from nature with collage.
*Read this book along with others about climbers of Mount Everest when teaching about people who have made great achievements.

*Other books about Mount Everest and mountain climbers:

De Capua, Sarah. 2002. MOUNT EVEREST. New York: Children’s Press. ISBN 0516220152
*Rookie Read Aloud Geography series

Skreslet, Laurie. 2001. TO THE TOP OF EVEREST. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press. ISBN 1550747215

Stevens, Rebecca. 2001. EVEREST. New York : Dorling Kindersley Publishing. ISBN 078947395X

Werther, Scott P. 2002. JON KRAKAUER'S ADVENTURE ON MT. EVEREST. New York: Children’s Press. ISBN 0516239023

Wild Babies

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1997. WILD BABIES. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060230339

PLOT SUMMARY
This book describes the characteristics of animal babies from various animal groups. In words and text, Simon gives a page of information about lesser known animals: the koala, kangaroo, opossum, raccoon, polar bear, emperor penguin, giraffe, elephant, baboon, dolphin, frog, alligator, and the lynx. It provides readers with basic facts about their birth, growth, their relationship with their mothers (and sometimes fathers), and any unique traits they may have. Among many things, they will learn that frogs never see their babies, the father emperor penguin plays a very important role, and some animals living in herds even have “babysitters.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Readers, especially younger ones, will be excited to learn all the interesting information in this book. The text is simple enough to understand for early readers and an easy, but still fascinating read for the older ones. The information given about each animal is basic and doesn’t go as deep as in other animal books, however the brevity just might keep readers from getting bored or spark an interest to find out more.

What will captivate readers the most are the beautiful pictures used to support Simon’s text. Each picture is in full color and takes up an entire page. The animal families are each represented in an adorable fashion, even the opossum and baboon look endearing. Emerging readers who are not ready to read the words will still enjoy this book, admiring the pictures of baby animals and those that take care of them. WILD BABIES is definitely representative of the high quality of Simon’s collection of work.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST: “combines appealing photos with intriguing details of animal life”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “a beautiful browsing book”
CONNECTIONS
*Read aloud during a lesson/unit on animal mothers and babies or growing up.
*Use this book to highlight various animal habitats and the exotic animals that live there.
*Read aloud to spark an interest in nonfiction among students.

Other animal books by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. 1991. BIG CATS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060216468
*Texas Bluebonnet Reading List, 1992-1993

Simon, Seymour. 2000. GORILLAS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060230363

Simon, Seymour. 1995. SHARKS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060230290
*Texas Bluebonnet Honor Book, 1997

Simon, Seymour. 1992. SNAKES. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060225300
*Texas Bluebonnet Reading List, 1994 -1995

Simon, Seymour. 1993. WOLVES. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060225343

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Thimmesh, Catherine. 2006. TEAM MOON: HOW 400,000 PEOPLE LANDED APOLLO 11 ON THE MOON. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618174974

PLOT SUMMARY
This book takes the reader through the series of preparations, actions, struggles, and triumphs that were all a part of the Apollo 11 mission that first put a man on the moon. Supported by several quotes from those involved, this historic account begins with the world watching the mission on television, then it takes readers back through the process of getting there, highlighting the years of work and accomplishments of all the behind-the-scenes workers.

These are the people who built the spacecraft and its many parts, designed the suits that protected the astronauts, ensured superb photography on the moon, tested each aspect of the flight, and developed protocol for any triggered alarm. The book also covers the work of the people who conducted research about the moon, those who anticipated equipment failure and found solutions, even the people in Australia who worked on the satellite in dangerous conditions in order for the world to see this spectacular moment in history. Readers also learn about the people who worked to keep “moon germs” contained, and those who kept in constant communication with Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins throughout the entire journey. It truly took 400,000 people to make sure Apollo 11 made it to the moon and back to Earth safely.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Thimmesh offers readers a complete look at what went on behind-the-scenes with the Apollo 11 mission. In the many sections of this book, readers can feel as if they were a part of this amazing accomplishment, reading about the processes taken by everyone involved and experiencing the raw emotions of the workers through direct quotes placed intermittently throughout the pages. The author uses, and briefly explains, a lot of NASA jargon that may leave some readers confused at times, however the stories told will hold their interest as they continue reading.

The fantastic photographs on every page are one of the strongest aspects of this book, providing visual support to the words and amazing readers with their clear detail and beauty in combination with their awesome content. Most of the pictures are accompanied by a very detailed caption that describes the picture, discusses the context of the moment it was taken, and even includes the equipment used to take the photograph. The pictures really enrich the experience of the reader, allowing them to feel as if they were part of the crowd watching the moon landing along with the rest of the world back in 1969. NASA provided the majority of these photographs, with a few exceptions provided by individuals.

A comprehensive bibliography is found at the end, as well as a helpful index and glossary. The author has also provided readers interested in learning more with great resources, including websites, DVD titles, and basic information about other Apollo missions. This well-designed and highly interesting book would be a great addition to any collection, offering older readers the chance to relive their own experience watching the Apollo 11 mission and younger readers the opportunity to learn about this “giant leap for mankind.”

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA Notable Book for Children, 2007
ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2007
Texas Bluebonnet Honor Book, 2008
Starred Review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This behind-the-scenes look at the first Apollo moon landing has the feel of a public television documentary in its breadth and detail.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “authoritative tribute to the collective effort that left ...footprints, crisp and clear, pressed purposefully and magnificently into the lunar dust belongs in every collection”
HORN BOOK: “a spectacular and highly original addition to the literature of space exploration”
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This beautiful and well-documented tribute will introduce a new generation to that triumphant time."

CONNECTIONS
*Read aloud the accounts in this book throughout a unit on astronomy or the solar system. This book can be broken up into sections, each one about a different aspect of Apollo 11’s journey.
*If short on time, teachers can use smaller pieces of this book that pertain directly to their learning objectives.
*Use this book in a study about several missions to the moon or in space.
*Use the fantastic pictures to supplement a lesson about the moon.


Other books about the moon and space travel:

Hehner, Barbara. 1999. FIRST ON THE MOON : WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN MAN LANDED ON THE MOON. Ill. By Greg Ruhl. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786804890

McNulty, Faith. 2005. IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THE MOON. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590483595

Orme, Helen. 2007. LET’S EXPLORE THE MOON. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens. ISBN 0836879430

Other subjects in the “Let’s Explore” series include:
The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Beyond