Guiness World Records 2011

Guiness World Records 2011

Citation: Guiness World Records 2011. Bantam, 2011.

About: The Guiness World Records book is just that: a book of world records. Inside the pages you'll find amazing, disgusting, interesting, mind-blowing bits of information. Flip through to find out who the most tattooed senior citizen in, who has the longest finger nails in the world, which country has the most land mines, what classical book is banned the most, who the hairiest teenage girl is, who the tallest person, and more! There is seemingly no end to the interesting facts within the pages.

Review: Kids really, really love this book. Especially boys, and especially grades 5-7. A lot of boys prefer non-fiction, and they also prefer being able to flip around and read short blurbs about things as opposed to a long prose piece. Reading is reading, and if having the record book or a Ripley's book around gets boys actually reading, then it is a good thing. I mean, sure they mostly flip through trying to find the most disgusting things possible, but they are reading. My six year old son came home begging me to actually buy this book, so the appeal is really for all ages. I think it is a great resource for reluctant readers, and really any reader.


Ages: 7 and up

Similar Titles:
Ripley's Believe it or Not
The Big book of Why
Weird but True

Abracadabra to Zombie

Abracadabra to Zombie: More than 300 Wacky Word Origins by Don & Pam Wulffson

Citation: Wulffson, Don and Wulffson, Pam. Abracadabra to Zombie More than 300 Wacky Word Origins. Dutton Children's Books, 2003.

About: This is a book of hilarious etymologies. Tweens will laugh out loud literally when they read the origins of such words as lollipops, diaper, abracadabra, blockbuster, zombie, breakfast cereal, heebie-jeebies, and more. Hodgepodge originated after hotchpotch, which was a type of stew. A Tootsie Roll is called such because it had to be rolled by hand and the first person to try it was named Tootsie.

Review: I LOVED this book. I want to buy it and keep it forever. I find it to be hilariously interesting, and I think tweens would love to flip through it and get a laugh. There is a huge possibility that I am a geek that really enjoys etymology and reads the OED for funsies. However, I am sure that in middle school there are etymology geeks in the making, and this book is a fun way to get started. The book includes many modern pop culture references, it is informative, and fun. I think it should be a staple in a classroom with non-fiction fans who claim they have nothing to read during silent reading.

Age: 9 and up

Similar Titles:

The Boy Who Loved Words
Donovan's Word Jar

Piratepedia

Piratepedia by Alisha Niehaus and Alan Hecker

Citation: Hecker, Alan and Alisha Niehaus. Piratepedia. DK Publishing, 2007.

About:
This is a detailed resource that includes all things pirate, which is a very popular subject right now among tweens and teens. The encyclopedia contains everything from ancient pirates (such as vikings), Asian pirates (those apparently exist-- who knew?), modern-day pirates, and even a section on classic pirate literature. The book gives disgusting details about what pirates ate (raw, rotten, bug-ridden food) which I am sure tweens will love. The resource gives details about popular ports of call, shows actual pirate wanted posters, and never spares on the gory details.

Review:
The food parts got me a little (there are pictures, okay?). But overall, I thought the Piratepedia is incredibly interesting, informative, and engaging. I have a lot of tween boys that really prefer non-fiction materials, but they also prefer non-fiction materials that aren't boring. This can sometimes be hard. However, Piratepedia would be the perfect thing to have on hand for these readers. I actually brought it to a sixth grade teaching job, and boys and girls alike ate it up. They loved the part about pirates being marooned as punishment, left with their weapon and one bullet (a la Captain Jack Sparrow).

Age: 10 and up

Similar Titles:
Pirateology
The Mammoth Book of Pirates

The Babysitter's Survival Guide

 The Babysitter's Survival Guide by Jill D. Chasse

Citation: Chasse, Jill D. The Babysitter's Survival Guide. Sterling, 2010.

Plot: 
This book is a great source for babysitters, which is a popular tween venture. The book describes creating a resume, marketing, behavior to expect from children of different ages, and more. The book even details great games and strategies for children, which can be very helpful on the job. The book, written by a PhD., even goes into detail on dealing with conflicts between siblings, tantrums, and other difficult situations that may arise. The final chapter of the book is even devoted to babysitting children that may have special needs. From disasters to diapers, this book is a valuable resource for babysitters or babysitter hopefuls.

Review:
I'm a mom, and I found the book interesting. I do however think that the book leaves a few choice things out, like what to do when the kid poops and draws on the wall with it, what works best for getting crayon off wall and upholstery, how to unplug a toilet, how to get things out of noses and ears (if possible), and reminding children to keep their junk in their pants. But, I guess some things are just on the job experiences. Also, there's probably a good reason only my family will watch my kids more than once. 

Age: 11 and up

Similar Titles:
Babysitter's Business Kit
What to Expect Babysitter's Handbook  

Ripley's Believe it or Not: Special Edition 2010

Ripley's Believe it or Not: Special Edition 2010

Citation: Ripley's Belive it or Not: Special Edition 2010. Scholastic, 2009.

Plot:

I see boys (and some girls) hauling the Ripley's books around campus all the time. During silent reading, I'm always having to shush boys that giggle or have to share an outrageous picture with a friend. Thus, it is only appropriate that I read one. I have to say, it is very intriguing. The text is almost like a world record book for fascinating, documenting tongue lengths, fascinating foods, toilet seats, tattoos, and everything else a tween boy would want to stare and giggle at. Some pictures are definitely gross, making this right up their alley. Some stories are a bit tamer, but all fascinating.

Review:

I definitely see the appeal of the book. Also, philosophically I am a proponent of children reading and appreciating the reading they do. While this is not exactly a traditional fiction book with a plot, it is in fact reading. So, with that in mind, I think it is a great book. Usually with boys that won't (or don't) read, I find that a Ripley's book or a Cirque du Freak can get me through the 40 minutes of SSR with them, and maybe even turn them into a reader. As long as the instructor can manage the ensuing noises that usually accompay the book such as, "EW!" or, "UGHHH!" or, "GROSS!" or my favorite, "Mrs. D, you HAVE to see this."

Ages: 9 and up


Similar Titles: