Solve True Crime with 'Zoom in on Crime Scenes'

Mentioned in Booklist series review (9/1/13), The Zoom in on series by Richard Spilsbury 'zooms' in on tiny things--such as hair, skin, and broken glass--which reveal the truth about crimes. Great for science and STEM reading. Published by Enslow Publishers.

Looking for Lexile levels for books correlated to the Common Core?

Enslow has had a majority of their new titles correlated not only to the Common Core, but also correlated to Lexile. These scores can be found on both www.enslow.com and www.bluewaveclassroom.com.

For Lexile levels, go to the book page, and the Lexile will be displayed. Common Core Correlations can also be found on the book page.

The Case of Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Recommended LMC review of Body System Disease Investigations starring super sleuth Annie Biotica. "With its colorful, concise fomrat, this series is as delightful as gross body books come." says Library Media Connection (Aut/Sept 2013) reviewer Jenny Gapp. In this series written by Michell Faulk, PhD, our hero has to solve five medical mystery cases. Readers will love the 'You solve the case' which will involve students in the medical science of each case.  Perfect for Science Friday and Common Core Nonfiction Reading.  Visit Enslow.com for more information.  #science #STEM #CommonCore

The Civil War Through Primary Sources review

Nice LMC review of new series: 'The Civil War through Primary Sources, by author Carin T. Ford.  "The books contain photographs, pictures, maps, and various documents, which help the reader become immersed in the time period."  Library Media Connections review Nov/Dec 2013.  Four books in the series. Visit our Web site Enslow.com for more information and Common Core Connections.

Pop-Tastic Popcorn Recipe!

Great Booklist review (11/1/13) of Professor Cook's... series:  "...kid-friendly recipes with scientific explanations and jazzy graphics..." Here is the recipe for:

'Pop-Tastic Popcorn':
(WITH AN ADULT HELPING!!!)
1. Place 2 tbsp corn oil in medium-sized saucepan until oil is hot, but not smoking.
2. Add 2-1/2 oz popcorn kernels and stir. Cover with lid, and place over high heat. Hold the top on!
3. In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp salted butter until foaming, then add 1 crushed clove garlic, 1 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp mild chili powder and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add the popped corn to the butter mixture and stir well.
Place in bowl, sprinkle with salt.
YUM! 
(The Science Bit (with each recipe!): When heated the trapped moisture in the corn kernel expands and turns to steam. The buildup of steam is so intense that it bursts through the hard outer shell and the starch inside the kernel explodes, literally turning it inside out.  Enslow Publishers, Inc. Visit this link for Common Core connections: http://tiny.cc/a6o98w

How Can You Sooth a Sore Throat?

How Can You Sooth a Sore Throat? It's that time of the year: sore throat season.  Authors Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn explain all you need to know in their new series Handy Health Guides. In Handy Health Guides to Sore Throats they explain how to avoid getting a sore throat and what you can do to feel better if you get one. They recommend that if you have a sore throat that you try to keep your throat moist by running a humidifier, sucking on hard candy or throat lozenges, and drinking plenty of fluids. Visit the series page to find Common Core connections. Enslow Publishers, Inc.

BookLinks Review of What Are Forces and Motion?

Nice review in BookLinks (November 2013) of Richard and Louise Spilsbury's book What Are Forces and Motions? "Diagrams and photos of children performing the experiments aid comprehension and the scientific process." View In Touch with Basic Science series page on our website for Common Core Connections. Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Happy Birthday Taylor Swift

978-0-7660-3870-7 Library
978-1-59845-286-0 Paperback

Enslow's biography, written for the middle school student, offers personal stories, quotes, as well as a timeline of Taylor Swift's life and success. Written by award-winning author Jeff Burlingame, this title gives insight into Taylor's life for her fans.

The Hot Celebrity Biographies series is also correlated to the Common Core. These titles are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, and is available from your preferred vendor, local independent bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Score with Sports Math

This six book series shows upper elementary readers how math is used in sports. General rules and facts about the sport opens each chapter and is followed by sample math problems showing how math is used in the sport.

Written by Stuart A.P. Murray, each 48-page book covers a different sport (baseball, basketball, football, race car, soccer, and track and field). Your readers will learn about some of the history behind these sports, as well as practice doing some math!

The Score with Sports Math series is available in library, paperback, and eBook options. This series is currently being matched up with the Common Core anchor standards, and this information will be added to our website when available.

Tomorrow's anniversary

On November 10, 1938, Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass," took place in parts of Germany and Austria. The name Kristallnacht originated from the fact that the streets were littered with broken glass from the windows and doors of Jewish homes and businesses that had been attacked and ransacked, by the Nazis, destroying thousands of them. Hundreds of synagogues were burned down, and many people were murdered. This event marked the beginning of something even worse: the Holocaust.

This title, and the other titles in the The Holocaust Through Primary Sources series, are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They are available from your local preferred vendor, local independent bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and enslow.com.

Looking for science books to pair together?

Great for a STEM Friday post!

Pairing up The Case of the Flesh-Eating Bacteria with Learning About the Musculoskeletal System and the Skin gives readers the opportunity to read about skin diseases while also learning about the skin as a body system.

Both titles are written for the middle school reader, and give detailed explanations of what skin is, as well as what types of illnesses and diseases can be found on skin.

Fun fact: did you know that a baby's skeleton has about 350 bones? By the time that baby is an adult, he or she will have 206 bones because many of the bones fuse together.

Available in library and paperback from your preferred vendor, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, enslow.com, and your independent bookstore, both of these titles are also available as multi-user eBooks.

Wondering how these titles fit into the Common Core? You can find that information on enslow.com.

Animal Bodies Up Close

Did you know that honeybees have more than two eyes? Or that squirrels use their tails for balance? Or that hippos have their ears on top of their heads? Or that polar bears have the best sense of smell of any animal on Earth? Or that a cow uses its tongue to clean its nose? Or that one sea star has hundreds of feet?

Discover the answers to these and other questions in the Animal Bodies Up Close series, written for the elementary reader. Each title in this series has a words to know section, a learn more section, and index, as well as a guessing game.

All six titles in this series fit Reading and Language Common Core standards, and are available in library, paperback, eBook, and book/eBook combos. They are available from your preferred vendor, enslow.com, your local independent bookstore, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Math Biographies for the Common Core

The Common Core embraces the notion that reading literacy is a goal in all subject areas. That direction includes mathematics. To address this idea, Enslow Publishers offers a number of age-appropriate biographies that incorporate information-rich texts on mathematicians and their contributions to the field.

For example, Enslow's "Great Minds of Ancient Science and Math" includes a biography of the Greek mathematician Euclid. Author Paul Hightower's well-written, 128-page work delivers a lively look at Euclid's life and profound contributions to understanding geometry and the reasoning underlying its axioms. The book provides an excellent text for math teachers to use for Common Core literacy development.

Hightower's The Father of Geometry: Euclid and His 3-D World is available in a library-bound format directly from Enslow Publishers for $23.95. That price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price for the title. The book is also available from your preferred vendor, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Animal Stories + Math = Enslow Common Core Success

Enslow's "Math Fun with Sebastian Pig and Friends" embraces fun reading with solid math skill development for young readers. Author Jill Anderson's and illustrator Amy Huntington's winsome six-book series features 32-page books that students can use in class, share in read-along sessions, or read at home. Each of these AR 1.8-2.0 illustrated books address a key mathematical operation, such as addition, subtraction, measurement, geometry, or counting. One title focuses on money math. The books make a strong contribution to a library, media center, or classroom's collection, and are appropriate for Common Core supplemental materials needs.

Titles in the "Math Fun with Sebastian Pig and Friends" series are available in library-bound, paperback, and e-book formats. The library-bound book may be purchased directly from Enslow Publishers for $16.95 per title; that price represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for each book. Paperbacks are available for $6.95. The multi-user e-book is available directly from Enslow for $21.95; that price represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for these items.

Which famous musician would have celebrated a birthday yesterday?

Louis Armstrong! If he were alive today, he would have celebrated his 112th birthday. Not only was he

known for his musical talent on the trumpet, he was also a singer. He earned his nickname, "Satchmo," after his friends noticed how big his smile was. He was initially nicknamed Satchel Mouth, which, over the years, became "Satchmo."

Part of the Famous African Americans series, Louis Armstrong is written for the upper elementary reader, and is matched to the Common Core Standards. Available in both library and paperback versions, this title is available from enslow.com, your preferred vendor, your local independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

For the middle school reader, Louis Armstrong, part of the African-American Biography Library series, is also matched to the Common Core Standards. This 128-page book explains how Louis overcame poverty and adversity to become a well-respected musician and singer. This library-bound title is also available from enslow.com, your preferred vendor, your independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Award-Winning Books Featured on Updated Enslow Website

Enslow Publishers' updated website includes a number of useful features designed to help you get the information you want more efficiently and clearly. Our new look includes a portion of the Enslow homepage that's dedicated to our award-winning books. You'll see works by a number of well-known authors, such as Melissa Stewart, the late Elaine Landau, and Jeff Burlingame, among others.

You'll find these award-winning authors' books, and Enslow's Common Core-strong list of information-rich texts, at www.enslow.com! You can purchase these works in library-bound editions, paperback, and e-book, directly from Enslow, from your preferred vendor, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon!

Melissa Stewart Recaps 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference

Enslow author, Melissa Stewart recently attended the 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference on the campus of the State University of New York in New Paltz. Writers, illustrators, designers, educators, and editors held workshops for those interested in learning more about opportunities in publishing nonfiction for children. 

Melissa spoke as part of the faculty panel discussing "21st Century Publishing: A Time of Transition." We asked Melissa to recap her experience at the conference. Here is what she had to say:

Recently, I had the great privilege and pleasure of being a guest lecturer for an online course taught by renowned children’s book author and editor Marc Aronson for Rutgers University. The class, Nonfiction and Common Core, is intended for students working toward their master’s degree in library information science.

In preparation, I decided to review the rest of the curriculum and I ran across something that blew my mind—a lesson called “Nonfiction Taxonomy.”

What’s that, you ask?

It turns out that Marc and his Uncommon Corps colleagues have developed a brand new, totally amazing system for classifying children’s nonfiction. I was so excited by the system that I asked if I could discuss it at last weekend's conference, and Marc gave me permission.

The classification system consists of seven broad categories:

Data: In more friendly terms, you might call this category Fasts Facts. It includes Eyewitness Books, The Guinness Book of World Records, and my own book Animal Grossapedia. These are the concise, fact-filled books that groups of boys read together and discuss.

Expository: You might call this category Facts Plus. The facts are interwoven into a content-area explanation. This is could be considered “traditional” nonfiction, except that there’s nothing traditional about today’s expository titles. Their engaging text and rich, dynamic art and design are sure to delight as well as inform young readers.

Narrative: This is a category we’ve heard a lot (I mean A LOT) about in the last few years. It’s the current darling of awards committees. Narrative titles present facts in the form of a true story with a narrative arc.

But here’s the thing. As you learn about the next few categories, I think you’ll see that some books have been lumped into the narrative category when there are actually better ways to describe them.

Disciplinary Thinking: These books reveal how scientists and historians go about their work, how they evaluate evidence and form theories. This category might also be called something like Experts at Work. Scientists in the Field books are the perfect example, but if you think about it, it won’t take long to think of single titles that do the same thing.   

Inquiry: This category could also be called Ask & Answer. In these books, the author raises a question or a group of related questions and then seeks the answer. Sally Walker’s Written in Bone is a great example, but these are the kinds of books Peter Lourie has been writing for years. And one of my favorites is What Bluebirds Do by Pamela F. Kirby.

Interpretation: For these books, authors research a topic widely, find their own meaning in the information, and present the content from that point of view. Charles & Emma by Deborah Heiligman is the first title that leaps to mind, but I’d also put books like Those Rebels, Tom and John by Barbara Kerley and Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone in that category. I think we’ll see more of these books in the future because this type of presentation directly supports Common Core.

Action: This is the trickiest category. It offers a separate spot for titles that invite young readers to take action. The most obvious example is Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns, but I think it’s the kind of book we’ll see more of in the future.

My presentation was just one small bit of a fantastic 3-day conference that focused exclusively on nonfiction. Woo-hoo. Talented authors, editors, and other publishing industry gurus came together to discuss the future of nonfiction, from craft and Common Core to transmedia and book promotion. Anyone interested in nonfiction—authors, illustrators, editors, educators, designers, digital developers—should mark the next year’s conference dates on their calendars. It will be June 20-22, 2014 on the campus of SUNY New Paltz.

Author Note: Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 150 science books for children. She has always been fascinated by the natural world and is passionate about sharing its beauty and  wonder with readers of all ages. For information about Melissa and her books you can visit her web site.

Today is Flag Day

Here are two great books that introduce our American symbol to young readers:




PreK–Grade 1

Authors Alison and Steven Eldridge explore the symbolism of the American flag in the The American Flag: An American Symbol book. Early readers will discover the colors of the flag, the meaning of the stars, and where the flag is flown.

 

 



Grades K–3

Superheroes are always good citizens . . . or are they? When Molly dons her clever crown and Ben ties on his courageous cape, this duo can accomplish anything. However, even superheroes must sometimes be reminded to show good citizenship. Follow Molly through a daring adventure in becoming a better citizen in Molly the Great Respects the Flag. A Free Educator's Guide is available through our web site.

What if you were Paul Revere? What would you do?

General Thomas Gage was in charge of Massachusetts. On April 14, 1775, he received some special orders from Britain. He and his soldiers were to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. The pair was hiding out in Lexington.
     The British soldiers then were to go on to Concord.. The colonists had hidden weapons there. General Gage wanted those weapons destroyed.
     The raid would take place on April 18. The British hoped to surprise the colonists. If successful, they could hurt the rebel's cause.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Margaret Kemble Gage? She was General Gage's wife, who was born in the colonies. You overheard your husband discussing the attack. You do not want to betray him. Yet you do not want the king to crush the colonists. Would you alert the rebels? What do you think Margaret Kemble Gage did?

     On the evening of April 18, Warren asked Paul Revere to ride to Lexington. He was asked to warn Hancock and Adams that the British were coming. After that, he was to ride on to Concord to warn the colonists there.
     Colonists had formed their very own fighting groups called militias. In Massachusetts, these men were known as minutemen. They were proud that they could be ready to fight in a minute's notice. Now they would be put to the test.
     Revere had been a messenger for the patriots before. Tonight he would have to ride as fast as he could to get to Lexington and Concord before the British.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Paul Revere? Would you agree to do this? The British will be on the lookout for rebels tonight. If you are caught you could be arrested or even hanged! Would you be willing to take the risk?

The Revolutionary War Begins: Would You Join the Fight? is part our What Would You Do? series. It is available in library binding and in paperback from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and your favorite Indie store or preferred vendor. A free educator guide is also available.
  

"Stories in American History" In Booklist's Top 10 Series Nonfiction List

The Secret of the Manhattan Project,
which received a starred Booklist review,
is one of the six works
in the"Stories in American History" series.

Enslow's "Stories in American History" series has been included on Booklist's "Top 10 Series Nonfiction" list. The six titles in this Enslow series, suitable for middle school readers, highlight defining moments in our nation's experience. Each of the series' 128-page books provide the solid text, excellent maps and illustrations, and strong back matter characteristic librarians and teachers expect from Enslow. The books are also are correlated to national and state Common Core College and Career Ready Standards (CCSS).

Each title in "Stories in American History" is available in a library-bound edition directly from Enslow Publishers for $23.95; that price represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price. Paperback editions are also available for $9.95 from Enslow. You may also order the books from your preferred vendor, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.