Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky - 128 pages

It’s a scientific fact: Women rock!

A charmingly illustrated and educational book, Women in Science highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the ancient to the modern world. Full of striking, singular art, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary. The trailblazing women profiled include well-known figures like primatologist Jane Goodall, as well as lesser-known pioneers such as Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists, and more!

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Libraries! by Fiona Macdonald, Illustrated by Mark Bergie

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Libraries! by Fiona Macdonald

This is a great book for children and adults.  The book covers over 5000 years of the history of the library and what libraries offer their patrons!  A great book with beautiful illustrations!

Books, Books, Books by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom

Books, Books, Books by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom, 42 pages

How could I resist reading a book called Books?  This particular book is about the wide variety of  books in the British Library.  Come explore the amazing collection of the British Library.  This book is also beautifully illustrated.

Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold, and Brillant by Mayim Bialik, PhD

Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold, and Brillant by Mayim Bialik, PhD,
200 pages

Most people know Mayim Bialik from the Big Bang Theory for playing Amy Farrah Fowler.  She is also a New York Times Bestselling Author.  She also wrote the book Girling Up for young girls.  Boying Up is much like her book Girling Up except it is written for boys.  This book contains so much information for young boys and she also includes some informative illustraions.  I highly recommend this book if you are raising young boys, and they should read it too.

Where is Walt Disney World? by Joan Holub

Where is Walt Disney World?  by Joan Holub, 108 pages

This is a juvenile nonfiction book, but it is really for readers of all ages.  The book contains the entire history of Walt Disney World and covers the history of each of the parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.  The book also covers new attractions and hidden mickeys.  It is also includes how the different parks were built and behind the scenes of the daily operation of Disney World.

Library on Wheels by Sharlee Glenn

Library on Wheels by Sharlee Glenn, 51 pages

This was such an inspiring story about Mary Lemist Titcomb who started the first bookmobile, even before there were motorized cars.  Mary was sent to school at the time when most women studied to become nurses or teachers.  After she finished her higher education she went on to try and become a librarian after starting out as an apprentice.  She worked her way up to head of a library.  She began to wonder how she could get more books out in the hands of farmers who lived quite a distance from the library.  Therefore, she came up with the idea of the first book mobile.  I was surprised to learn how many miles the bookmobile covered and that each family was allowed to check out thirty books.  This was a very fascinating read for all ages.

Shark Lady: true adventures of Eugenie Clark by Ann McGovern

Shark Lady: true adventures of Eugenie Clark
by Ann McGovern
96 pages

Told in an easy-to-read format, this is a fascinating story of a woman who was determined to fulfill her dream of becoming an ichthyologist.  Eugenia Clark was born in 1922 when few women set their sights on a career.  She achieved a PhD from New York University, built her own marine lab, and traveled around the world studying sea life.

This photo was taken in 1981 by National Geographic.  She lived to age 92, passing away in 2015.

What was the San Francisco Earthquake? By Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

What was the San Francisco Earthquake?  By Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, 108 pages

Most grown ups know about the big San Francisco Earthquake but children may not.  This was a very interesting history of the 1906 earthquake and the aftershocks.  It was amazing to learn how many fires broke out and how many people were displaced.  There are quite a few pages of pictures taken at that time in San Francisco.

Where is Stonehenge? By True Kelley

Where is Stonehenge? By True Kelley, 108 pages

I did not know much about Stonehenge.  I knew where it was but I did not know why it existed and how it existed through the years.  This was a fascinating book that gives the complete history of Stonehenge.

Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce-115 pages

This is the companion nonfiction book to Leprechaun in Late Winter. As I stated in my post on reading Leprechaun in Late Winter, I have long had an affinity for most things Irish. It was interesting to read about fairies and leprechauns and what the Celts believed and practiced in regards to them. In some instances, the Irish still build houses and building in a certain manner if a fairy path is believed to be on the property. Some Irish still believe in fairies and leprechauns, apparently. Fairies generally fit into two categories: solitary and trooping. Leprechauns are solitary fairies as they usually live alone. Overall, it was fun to read a bit more about Irish folklore and I really want to visit Ireland someday.

Pilgrims by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Pilgrims by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce-120 pages

This is the companion nonfiction book to Thanksgiving on Thursday. I enjoy reading both nonfiction and historical fiction and it's cool that Osborne has written both in association with her Magic Tree House series. An interesting tidbit from the book is that Plymouth Rock is now (at the time of the book) 1/3 its original size and 800,000 people visit each year. The pilgrims may not have stepped foot on the rock, however. It is a fun legend, though. It is cool learning about what the original pilgrims endured, especially the first winter, and how they lived. It is also cool to read about some of the more famous pilgrims, such as William Bradford, Miles Standish (which is a pretty cool name), and Priscilla. I have distant ancestors who came over on the Mayflower, which is pretty cool.

American Revolution (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #11) by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

American Revolution (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #11) by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce-128 pages (Kindle Edition)

I enjoyed reading this, although I didn't learn much new. I really like that Osborne makes history interesting for kids and gives them advice and tips (including visiting the library) on further research. One of my interests is American history and this did not disappoint me (for the most part). Osborne starts with the Intolerable Acts and everything that led to the Revolutionary War, including the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill (which she correctly states was actually fought on Breed's Hill). This is a fairly detailed history for a children's book. 

Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne and Titanic ( Magic Tree House Research Guide #7) by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne

Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne-71 pages

I am very much enjoying rereading (I am not sure how many of these I read as a kid, but I read many) the Magic Tree House series. It would be fascinating (and scary at times) to go back to different historic times and events. I have always been fascinated with history and these books take one back in history in an interactive, fun way. The Titanic sinking was a huge disaster and it taught us many lessons. I wonder, sometimes, what it would have been like to be on the titanic. Jack and Annie are tasked by Morgan Le Fay with receiving a gift on a ship lost at sea, so they are taken back to the sinking of the Titanic.

Titanic ( Magic Tree House Research Guide #7) by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne-135 pages

I wanted to read these two books specifically because I am drawn to the tragedy of the Titanic. I have been to the Titanic museum in Branson, MO and I have seen the fictional film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet many times. Any time I think about this tragedy I wonder what the passengers were thinking when they knew the ship was sinking and many of them would not survive. Most of the passengers were immigrants seeking a new, better life in America and, instead, many of them perished. A couple things I learned (or was reminded of) from reading this book are that the passengers were from 33 different countries and the Titanic made two quick stops in Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland before heading out to open waters. A few passengers got on and off at each of these two stops. Also, a swimming pool was located on the ship for use by first class passengers. The Titanic disaster did provide valuable lessons for future ocean travelers. One of these lessons being that no ship is indestructible/unsinkable and preparations need to be made in case of accident and/or disaster.

Pirates (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #4) by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne

Pirates (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #4) by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne-128 pages (Kindle Edition)

I read Pirates Past Noon, so I wanted to read the companion nonfiction book (I enjoy both fiction and nonfiction). I did learn a couple of things I didn't already know (i.e. Jolly Roger came from a French word for the color red which was the color of early pirate flags), but most of it I already knew. I enjoyed reading this as I do any Magic Tree House book.

Mummies and Pyramids by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne

Mummies and Pyramids by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne-119 pages

This is the companion nonfiction to Mummies in the Morning by Osborne. I enjoyed reading this and Mummies in the Morning. I did learn/re-learn a few things about Ancient Egypt and mummies (i.e. Tutankhamun (King Tut) was 8 when he became ruler and died at age 18, so he was called the "boy king"). I enjoy historical fiction and nonfiction and I like that a guide to further research (which includes going to the library!) is in the back of this book. Kids learning how to properly research history and other subjects is important. As I said in my review of Mummies in the Morning, I really liked reading these books as a kid and I still enjoy them to a somewhat lesser extent. 

Caves by Anna Claybourne

Caves by Anna Claybourne - 45 pages

I re-learned some cave facts such as where the largest and most dangerous caves are...as well as how to survive in a "lost" situation.  Lots of cool facts.

What If? Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian by Eric Marcus

What If? Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian by Eric Marcus, 185 pages

Written for the juvenile reader and previously published as What If Someone I Know Is Gay?  is a very informative book written for juveniles.  It contains questions and answers by real teens about subjects such as bullying and suicide.  It contains lists of National Organizations for young people, resource books and videos.  This would be a great book for juveniles with questions on this subject matter.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin, 182 pages

In Beyond Magenta, real people tell their stories about their journey through transitioning.  I thought it was fascinating that they used real people to tell their stories. The book contains many photographs.  Some people's stories contain photographs, some do not.  The stories in this book were really heartfelt.  It is interesting that the title of the book came from something one person wrote "What are you?  (someone) said. You gotta choose. (someone) said, Pink or Blue?"  Luke said "I'm a real nice color of magenta."  In the back of the book there is a glossary and a list of advocacy groups.

Book by Karen Brookfield

Book by Karen Brookfield, 64 pages

How fascinating and fun it was to read a book called Book about books!!  Although this was a juvenile book, it was quite interesting. Beginning with the history of the written language, Book takes us through the history of how civilzations kept records of history through writings in different forms on different media. It is interesting to think that before there were printers, books were hand copied.  Book also gives a brief history off when and how children's book were created about 250 years ago.  And, what Book about books would be complete without a brief history of the library.  And, how interesting before public libraries, there were only private libraries.  Imagine that!!  Book also contains some fantastic photographs.

125 Wacky Roadside Attractions by National Geographic

125 Wacky Roadside Attractions by National Geographic, 112 pages

I found this book in the juvenile nonfiction section.  125 Wacky Roadside Attractions is an interesting and curious book.   Unfortunately, many of the attractions are found in Europe, including the one on the front cover.  But, I may have to visit the salt and pepper museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee or the Pez Museum in California.  This book is a great read for children and adults with very colorful pictures.