Professional Reading Reviews

Volume 29, No. 1, October 2001

With Ken Haycock

Between the lines: Understanding the media through a series of creative projects. Grades 8-12.

John Pungente and Neil Andersen.

Reviewed by Reesa Cohen
rcohen@cc.umanitoba.ca

This is an attractively packaged tool for learning and teaching Media Literacy and in fact, presents a full course in Media Studies. The premise behind the design is not just raising awareness, but truly understanding the different aspects of media, through what the introduction calls a "virtual production house", where students become creators.

The eight modules of the course present a close look at designing Public Service Announcements, using video and sound, planning the layout of newspaper stories, creating multi-media ad campaigns, including related ethical issues in media. The teachers' guide details objectives, unit activities, time allotments, discussion topics and contains evaluation rubrics and /or checklists. Optional activities are given and possible ideas for extension are explored. The activities range from 3-6 hours, are relevant, authentic and very suitable to the intended age group. For example, one module has students designing two PSAs with opposing views on locker searches. The projects include suggested media logs and journals for observations and student reactions to their experiences. Two very effective, easy to navigate CDs accompany the package, and can be used on their own. A very useful appendix contains a glossary entitled "Jargon Watch", information on media theorists, a webography of related sites, reproducible pages and story boards from the CDs.

This is an incredibly well-designed program. There is great flexibility in how this material can be used. The activities are thought provoking and meaningful. Between the lines goes way beyond identification. Students are involved in analyzing, designing, creating, applying and drawing conclusions in a real-life media context. (Tyndal Stone Media and the National Film Board of Canada. $139.95. Two CDs and Teachers' Guide.)

Bottom Line: An outstanding resource for Media Education

net.savvy: Building information literacy in the classroom, 2nd edition.

Ian Jukes, Anita Dosaj & Bruce Macdonald.

Reviewed by Peter Genco
dagmar87@surferie.net

As we all struggle to learn more about the Internet, certain approaches seem to be more logical than others. This work is highly structured to aid the reader through the process. It is divided into four parts: the world of information, tools for the process, a framework and obstacles and solutions.

The background of NetSavvy and InfoSavvy are well established. A major part of the work is the use of the 5As for Information Literacy: Asking, Accessing, Analyzing, Applying and Assessing. Each is considered a stage of the process and is explored with lesson planning, student tools, and discussion. The framework is well done and quite inclusive. The common educational obstacles are nicely developed, as are the suggested methods overcome them.

Layout is good, easy to understand, highly recommended. Also, publisher grants limited rights to schools to reproduce certain sections of the work. (Corwin, 2000. 160 pp. $29.95. 0-7619-7565).

Bottom Line: Highly recommended to move from NetSavvy and InfoSavvy.

Reading every reader: Promotional strategies for the elementary school library media specialist.

Pat Miller

Reviewed by Ron Jobe
ron.jobe@ubc.ca

A clever, fast-paced compendium of experience-based ideas for activities to encourage reading. Sections include: booktalking, puppetry, games, songs, dramatics and centers. Many nuggets of inspiration can be found within the array of activities for incorporating picture books into the curriculum. A clearly-outlined linear approach (supplies, evaluation, procedures) will be appreciated by many teachers. Impressive bibliographies of Internet sites, picture books and professional. A rather large reproducible section of worksheets does contain a few useful charts, however, most are dreadful drawings and forgettable sterile pages.

Bottom line: Exciting activities to use picture books but you have to sift through for the gems.

Using the Big6 to teach and learn with the Internet.

Abby Kasowitz

Reviewed by Peter Genco
dagmar87@surferie.net

The focus of this work is to provide a process oriented way of looking at information problem solving. The use of the Big6 model is one of the many ways to approach this process. Using the six steps - task definition, information seeking strategies, location and access, use of information, synthesis, and evaluation - the author develops four chapters designed to teach and learn about the Internet. The chapters focus on planning instruction, coaching students, communicating with students, and designing and providing content on the Internet.

Anyone familiar with the Big6 model will easily plug into this work. Each chapter has a profile which includes a goal, prerequisites, and objectives. The work is geared to a wide variety of educators. These individuals are referred to as "information mentors" throughout the work. (Linworth, 2000. 168 pp. $39.95. 1-58683-007-4.)

Bottom line: Well organized, easy to read, for Big6 aficionados.

  Buy online at Amazon.com

Web Feet Online

Reviewed by Michelle Mallette
michellemallette@home.com

RockHill Communications' Web Feet Internet subject guide for middle and high school students is now available online. The database contains more than 4,000 bibliographic records for age-appropriate web sites, featuring subject headings, annotations and notes on each URL. The database expands by 150 sites per month, and sites are chosen by librarians, teachers and subject specialists.

The default search screen is quick search, allowing students to search by keyword in the author/sponsor, title of web site, or subject fields. General search allows proximity searching, and expanded search provides for combining search terms and Boolean logic. Students can also browse by title, author/sponsor, authorized subject heading or by call number, either Library of Congress or Dewey.

Searchers can go to a suggested site immediately via a hyperlinked URL. Clicking on the title of any result in the list brings up the bibliographic record, which provides the title of the web site, the URL (hyperlinked), author and notes, such as date and type of content (e.g. text, graphics). The summary is a helpful annotation describing the site, thought my search under "football" turned up a URL for the Center for Disease Control, a puzzle until I saw the annotation said the site provides "authoritative information on subjects extending from airbags to football safety to yellow fever." The bibliographic record also suggests an audience level, and assigns both an LC and a Dewey call number, an ISBN, and both local and controlled subject headings. The controlled subject headings are hyperlinked to other records assigned the same subject.

Search results can be marked and e-mailed for future reference. A search history is maintained during the session, so students can return to an old search or combine searches to refine results.

Navigation within the search results was mildly frustrating, as there is no way to advance within a list of records; searchers are obliged to return to the results list using the browser's back button. Another minor annoyance was revealed when using the help screen. It opens a new window, and in order to return to the main menu, searchers must close the window, a move inexperienced searchers may find intimidating. (RockHill Communications, 2001. $495 for schools with enrolment under 1,000. http://www.webfeetguides.com)

Bottom Line: Authoritative source for quality information that has been reviewed and approved for student research.

Worth a Look

ABCs of an author/illustrator visit
2nd edition
Sharron McElmeel
This resource provides step-by-step advice for organizing an author/illustrator visit, including lively curricular activities. Events can be actual visit, "proxy" visits, "read-ins" or visits by e-mail. Gives tips on obtaining funding, co-sponsors and community support, what to do after the visit, and an up-to-date contact list. Includes bibliography and author/illustrator index. (Linworth, 2001. 122 pp. $36.95. 1-58683-034-1.)

African-American visual artists: An annotated bibliography of educational resource materials
Daniel Frye
This resource lists 639 substantial, easy-to-obtain resources on more than 1,000 African-American visual artists, from photographers and painters to quilters and architects. Resources are resource annotated, and include works about the artist as well the context in which the artist is situated. Reading levels range from K-12. Indexed by artist, artist group and movements. (Scarecrow, 2001. 379 pp. $45.00. 0-8108-3722-6.)

The agony and the eggplant: Daniel Pinkwater's heroic struggles in the name of YA literature
Walter Hogan
This first book-length study of Pinkwater, author of more than 70 books, looks at nearly all of Pinkwater's books, with an emphasis on his YA fiction. It begins with a chronology of his life and works and a biographical essay, then follows with essays on different titles and groups of titles, each fully referenced. Includes bibliography and index. Part of the Scarecrow studies in young adult literature series. (Scarecrow, 2001. 159 pp. $26.95. 0-8108-3994-6.)

Book repair, 2nd edition
Kenneth Lavender
This practical reference book expands and updates the information provided in the first edition. Chapters discuss the basics of tools and techniques needed, paper cleaning, treating water-damaged books and how to remove mold and mildew (new for this edition), paper mending, hinge and spine repair and protective enclosures for special books, videos, kits or objects on exhibit. Illustrations accompany the step-by-step instructions. (Neal-Schuman, 2001. 269 pp. $49.95. 1-55570-408-5.)

Building character through literature: A guide for middle school readers
Rosann Jweid and Margaret Rizzo
This is a literary guide for educators interested in using character education as a means of addressing school violence. The authors list awards given for each of the 50 novels, the main characters and a fairly detailed plot description to help determine appropriateness. Ten questions for discussion are presented for each novel, as well as suggestions for projects, notable vocabulary and author information. Indexed by genre/theme and character traits as well as regular index. (Scarecrow, 2001. 232 pp. $32.50. 0-8108-3951-2.)

Educational media and technology yearbook 2001
Edited by Robert Branch and Mary Ann Fitzgerald
This 26th volume celebrates past accomplishments and looks at the future of educational media in the form of in-depth essays organized in five parts: Trends and Issues, School Library Media Section, Organizations and Associations in North America, Graduate Programs and Mediagraphy. Includes index. (Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 349 pp. $75.00. 1-56308-876-2.)

Educational technology: The development of a concept
Alan Januszewski
The author takes an historical approach to the field of instructional technology, offering teacher-librarians and others a strong base in conceptual understanding. Intended as a textbook, this resource's final chapter addresses the problems of defining educational technology even after many years of development. Includes extensive bibliography and index. (Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 137 pp. $48.00. 1-56308-749-9.)

Exploding the myths: The truth about teenagers and reading
Marc Aronson
When it comes to literature for teens, questions abound: What is too old, what is too young? Should there even be YA literature? Do boys read? Where do books fit in this world of multimedia? Can books offer moral guidance on the road to adulthood? Award-winner Aronson argues the real problem lies in the myths and prejudices that surround teenagers and reading. (Scarecrow, 2001. 146 pp. $27.50. 0-8108-3904-0.)

Fantastic, fun reading programs
Kathryn Totten
Forty original reading programs for K-6 are featured here, with full descriptions, reproducibles, step-by-step preparation instructions and craft patterns. Includes annotated lists of recommended books and other resources. (Upstart Books, 2001. 94 pp. $16.95. 1-57950-060-9.)

Keep talking that book: Booktalks to promote reading, Grades 2-12
Vol. III
Carol Littlejohn with Cathlyn Thomas
Each of these "commercials" for some 225 fiction, non-fiction, poetry, classics, bestsellers and award-winners can be used for a booktalk, in a display or given as handouts. Each entry includes author, title, publication information, subject/gentre, related titles, a brief description and alerts to controversy and awards. Arranged by reading level and indexed by author, title, subject/interest and genre. (Linworth, 2001. 148 pp. $36.95. 1-58683-020-1.)

Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A guide to the medal and honor books
Association for Library Service for Children
This annual resource offers vivid annotations for all books named medal and honor books since the awards' inception (1922 for Newbery, Caldecott in 1938). Indexed by title and author/illustrator, this year's edition includes background on the awards, photos of new medallists and their books and an essay by Carolyn Brodie, "Reflections and thoughts of the 2000 Newbery Committee." (ALA Editions, 2001. 173 pp. $18.00 0-8389-3517-6.)

Opening doors to reading: Building school-to-work skills
Dee Fabry and Sally Seier
This resource is designed to engage sometimes-reluctant middle school students in research-based projects to strengthen reading and other communication skills needed in the workplace. Each chapter addresses a different component of the STARR curriculum (Speaking, Technology, Analysis and Reading through Research), and suggests assignments connecting the skill to on-the-job requirements. The research chapter includes 51 reproducible forms to help students in Grades 6-8 become familiar with print and electronic resources. (Teachers Ideas Press, 2001. 282 pp. $32.00. 1-56308-775-8.)

Quotation index to children's literature
Melanie Axel-Lute
Compiled alphabetically by author, this exhaustive index also offers keyword and title access to 1,800 quotes from nearly 500 titles, including classic, award-winning and popular children's books. Aimed at Grades K-6, this is an excellent reference for quotes for special occasions, book and other displays, or group discussion entry points, and fun to browse. (Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 317 pp. $40.00. 1-56308-809-6.)

Recommended reference books for small and medium-sized libraries and media centers 2001
Edited by Bohdan Wynar
This 21st edition features reviews of some 500 titles selected from American Reference Books Annual as appropriate for smaller collections. Detailed reviews describe each work, its purpose, depth and how it can be used. Entries are coded for college, public and school libraries. Arranged by discipline/subject. Includes author/title and subject index. (Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 281 pp. $65.00. 1-56308-889-4.)

Researching people
2nd edition
Maity Schrecengost
This guide to library resources for Grades 5-9 has been updated to include electronic references. Students are guided through each resource, including the best way to search for information, understanding cross-referencing and when to use a resource. Includes section on note-taking and referencing. (Alleyside, 2001. 38 pp. $8.95. 1-57950-063-3.)

Subject headings for school and public libraries: An LCSH/Sears companion
3rd edition
Joanna Fountain
This new edition adds several thousand new and revised entries to create a listing of approximately 30,000 headings subject access to children's material. Includes extensive cross-referencing and MARC codes for subdivisions and ambiguous headings. (Libraries Unlimited, 2001. 208 pp. $55.00. 1-56308-853-3.)

Teaching banned books: 12 guides for young readers
Pat Scales
Award-winning Scales shows how controversial books can be used in the classroom, while respecting all views. She presents 12 books, all challenged, as jumping-off points for discussion among students and their teachers, teacher-librarians and parents. Each includes plot summary, discussion questions, activities and an annotated bibliography of related fiction and non-fiction. (ALA Editions, 2001. 135 pp. $28.00. 0-8389-0807-1.)

Top dot tales
Valerie Marsh
This collection of 33 poems and tales, from favorite nursery rhymes to seasonal stories, are adapted for storytelling. Each gives children in preschool to Grade 3 an opportunity to learn using several skills (listening, creativity and critical thinking, pre-math and pre-reading) as they learn a story, then use dot-to-dot to create accompanying images. Other activities also suggested. All dot-to-dot images are on easy-to-copy full pages. (Alleyside, 2001. 96 pp. $15.95. 1-57950-004-8.)