Reviews and Blog Posts: nonfiction

The author recounts her middle and high school years in this graphic format memoir that revolves around friendship, self-discovery, and dental work. What made Raina's middle school years even more trying than usual was the fact that she fell and lost her 2 front teeth when she was in 6th...

Why do so many words in the English language have silent letters? What's the best way to create your own code? Do you like word games? This book answers all kinds of questions about our seemingly random language with jokes, stories, and engaging explanations that will help you understand spelling,...

Maggie Gee grew up watching the planes take off at Oakland airport, dreaming of taking to the air herself. In 1941, she got her chance to join the WASP, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, one of only 2 Chinese American women accepted into the rigorous program. Maggie's true story of...

What would it be like if you were the first kid to visit Mars? This book will show you what it might be like. First, read all about what it is like to travel in space. Then, see what the surface of Mars looks like and imagine how people might...

Have you ever wondered where oranges came from or how edible mushrooms are grown? This book tells the facts and the stories behind fruits and vegetables. In some countries, the name for potato means "ground apple." Have you heard the Greek myth about pomegranates? All of these tidbits and more...

This delightful picture book is an introduction to Gertrude Stein--her writing style (which the author imitates), her whirlwind life of parties with writers and artists in Paris, and her life at home with Alice B. Toklas. The bright pictures will draw in adults and children alike, and the text may...

Did you ever wish that you understood what people were talking about when they mentioned DNA, RNA, and genes? Do you hear things about gene therapy and cloning and wonder how they really work? Or maybe you've just gotten to a section on genetics in your science class in school...

Back during the Civil War, women could not join the military. But many women wanted to fight and joined the army disguised as men. This book talks about the reasons they joined up, the ways they had to disguise their identities, and how they got along once they were in...

Animals around the world and across many habitats use camouflage to hide themselves from predators. Giraffes in the savanna, candy crabs in the sea, grasshoppers in the desert, seal pups in the arctic, tigers in the forest, and jackrabbits in the mountains are just some examples of the varied animals...