A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Books for Middle School

The Electric War

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Electric War is a read that just draws you into the race of what gaining electricity was for the world.  The dirty tricks played, the fierce competition, the money and maneuvering.  WOW!  Very eye-opening for this reviewer.  Come on in, learn about Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and the race to light the world. 

Electric War

From the Cover

The spellbinding true account of the scientific competition to light the world with electricity.

In the mid-to-late-nineteenth century, a burgeoning science called electricity promised to shine new light on a rousing nation. Inventive and ambitious minds were hard at work. Soon that spark was fanned, and a fiery war was under way to be the first to light – and run – the world with electricity.

Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of direct current (DC), engaged in a brutal battle with Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, the inventors of alternating current (AC). There would be no ties in this race – only a winner and a loser. The prize: a nationwide monopoly in electric current. Brimming with action, suspense, and rich historical and biographical information about these brilliant inventors, here is the rousing account of one of the world’s defining scientific competitions.

Electric War

What You Get:

Electric War

Over 18 chapters and 272 pages the reader is led on a wild race from Europe to the USA, a raucous wide that leads to double dealing, lying, and delving into the character qualities of the men involved in the race. 

Learn their idiosyncrasies (like Tesla’s visions and OCD tendencies), see their competitive drive (Edison’s determination to quash alternating current) and the horrors of the electric chair. 

Electric War

Oodles of pictures dot the pages, showing us clearly the advances made.  I found it fascinating to watch how one step led to another and how quickly improvements were made.  Patents seemed to be flying left, right and centre as the race to do the next bright thing continued. 

Rivalries were very evident throughout the pages, and it didn’t always turn out very pretty.  I certainly learned aspects of these mens lives that I never even thought of before.  Fascinating reading. 

My Thoughts

Due to the nature of the “electric chair incident” I wouldn’t recommend this book for the faint of heart.   Other than that chapter, this book should be enjoyed by youth that were interested in scientific advances in electricity.   It was so fascinating watching the development of electricity and the men involved.  The stories intertwined with each other showing both the strengths and weaknesses of character.

Electric War

The Electric War: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Light the World
Mike Winchell
Henry Holt & Company
272 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Electricity, Edison, Tesla, History, Science
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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Medal of Honor: Jack Montgomery

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Studying the lives of real-life heroes is important for children.  It gives them someone real to look up to.  Role models show character qualities in real situations to help children learn how to emulate those qualities in their own lives.  Michael P. Spradlin introduces us to real-life hero Meal of Honor: Jack Montgomery who fought in World War II at Anzio. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

From the cover:

Jack C. Montgomery was a Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery’s rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, neutralizing the German machine-gunners and taking numerous prisoners in the process. Montgomery’s actions demoralized the enemy and saved the lives of many American soldiers.

The Medal of Honor series profiles the courage and accomplishments of recipients of the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration, awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary acts of valor.

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

What You Get:

A well-written story, that speaks not only to the actual action taken, but also to the life of the man leading up to that moment.   So it’s not just a story of Mr. Montgomery being a hero, but how his life made him a hero. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Interspersed between the story is material about the US Army, or it’s ordinances, or people involved during the battle.  For instance, readers learn about Mussolini, why the Cherokee symbol changes from a swastika to a thunderbird, the use of deception in battle and more. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Numerous black and white images dot the pages, showing us scenes from history that the hero might have seen, or relevant to the historical period.  Some of the images: Hitler reviewing his troops, soldiers manning a machine gun, Montgomery receiving his medal and many more. 

My Thoughts

I’ve struggled reading this book.  Part of it stemmed from I think a missing page.  I reading and then the story just stopped mid-sentence and then picked up later.    The other part was, the story itself kept being interrupted, so I couldn’t just read it from start to finish. 

Was the story itself good?  Yes!  Resoundingly so.  I would happily read more real-life stories like this.  It was good to read.  Good to know how men in the army have to take risks, and simply just do their job to the best of their abilities. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Jack Montgomery: World War II – Gallantry at Anzio
Michael P. Spradlin
Series: Medal of Honor
Farrar Straus Giroux
112 pages, paperback, 8-12 years
Military, Hero, World War 2, United States Army
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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Marshfield Memories

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Marshfield Memories are stories of a man telling telling a bunch of kids what it was like for him as a kid.   There he was living in a great neighbourhood, with lots of friends, and a good school.  Family was a pivotal part of his childhood years and it shines through every story he tells. 

Marshfield Memories

From the publisher:

As the oldest of nine kids, Ralph was often cast as another parent to his siblings rather than as an older brother; teetering between these two conflicting roles, Ralph longed to be home alone on a sick day, but hated the emptiness of feeling left behind. He loved to play sports with his neighborhood friends but resented the skillful victories of his younger brother. Thrust into the expectations of impending adolescence, Ralph was curious about girls, but embarrassed to take part in the school square dance. This satisfying memoir offers a snapshot of those pivotal moments between grade school and high school, all while tracing the roots of Ralph Fletcher’s acclaimed storytelling.

Marshfield Memories

What you Get

An easy read book filled with folky wisdom and stories of a boy becoming a man.  The path wasn’t always easy, but it was always a path.   

All the stories are separate, and yet connected.  They follow in order, which means you aren’t jumping around from little kid, to older and back again.  NO confusion, just an easy read of a man telling stories of his youth.    

Marshfield Memories

In fact, the stories are SO like a grampa sitting down and telling his grandkids about his exploits as a youngster that I was in no way surprised when he showed off a poem he wrote as a kid.  It just fit!

Marshfield Memories

My Thoughts

As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed this book infused with folky wisdom.  I suspect my son would enjoy it as well, I’m not entirely sure.  He tends to like books with a story line that runs from one point to the next.  This book is a series of short stories around the same theme, Fletcher’s growing up years.  BUT they do involve all the same characters and continually moves forward which he would consider a win. 🙂

Marshfield Memories

Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.
Ralph Fletcher
Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt & Co.
208 pages, softcover, 8 – 12 years
Childhood, Memories, Growing Up, Family Values
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers

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OH!  What a fun book to review.  Seriously, just a hoot.  Learning about Beavers and seeing all the remarkable things about them.  Just a delightful read.  The book: The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers.

From the Cover

The first book in a new series, Beavers is a humorous, informative, and highly illustrated field guide written for middle-schoolers.  Take a look at an unsuspecting animal hero The Beaver.

What you Get

Humour written around highly informative text.  Elmer the beaver has 10 superpowers which we are given in lots of detail.   Some of his powers are his unstoppable fur, his ever-toiling tail, and his winter survival skills.

Each page shows colour in the illustrations.  I was delighted to see the colours suit a book about beavers.   We don’t find pinks and yellows, but rather the blues, greens and browns that would naturally pervade a beavers habitat. 

Every so often you’ll come across a quiz, making sure the reader is paying attention for after all, the goal is to learn about an amazing animal.  So pay attention and rock those quizzes!  🙂   They aren’t hard, but they do cover the super power at hand.

My Thoughts

When I first clapped my eyes on Beavers I thought WOOHOO!   A book about a quintessential Canadian animal!   It’s even on our nickel!  You know what I discovered?  Beavers aren’t just an animal for Canada!  (yeah, I kinda knew that but now I know the nitty-gritty details).  🙂 

If you have a love of Canada, an interest in beavers, or perhaps you are studying mammals… check out Beavers. Learn their superpowers and be amazed, because beavers are really interesting critters!

Beavers
Rachel Poliquin
Nicolas John Frith (illustrator)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: The Superpower Field Guide
96 Pages, hardcover, 9 years +
Biology, Science, Canada, Beavers, North America
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
Click image for Amazon Link
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Sharks Never Sleep

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HEY!   Did you know that sharks never sleep?   I know… weird eh?  But seriously, sharks need to keep moving in order to breathe. This is one of many fascinating facts about sharks that you will learn in Sharks Never Sleep.  You will also learn about real life shark attacks, how people are trying to protect both sharks and people and the varied opinions about sharks that abound.  

From the Cover

A Gripping Investigation into our complex relationship of fear and fascination with sharks.  In an attempt combat fear with facts, author Brendon McAloon, takes us on a journey around the world in search of true stories of extraordinary first-hand encounters with these oceanic predators.  Travel from Australia to the United States, South Africa and beyond.  Meet with scientists, conservationists, shark-attack survivors, shark lovers and shark haters.  Meet fear with fascination. 

What You Get:

Four parts make up the contents of this tome.  

Part one focuses on shark attacks.  Fear rides these pages. 

Part two presents us with not only the shark haters, but those who love sharks as well.  I was delighted to see the Shark Lady profiled. 

Part three profiles encounters that people had with shark.  This section also contains photos pertaining to details given in this book.   

Part four helps us to further understand there are no easy answers.  How does one protect a fierce predator, and yet defend those who use the waters those predators live in?   No easy answers.  Culling, Shark Nets, Hunting bans, Beach closures, and Monitoring sharks.  More research is needed to determine what will work best.

My Thoughts

Mr. McAloon presents us with many cases of shark attacks, show-casing well the need to more study into the whys of increased shark attacks.   He helps us to understand why there is such a divide between protecting these apex predators and simply culling them. 

He shows well why the divide exists… if only because there is no simple answer to “the shark problem” at waterfronts throughout the world.  Human activity doesn’t help either. 

Do I recommend it?   

This book would be a great addition to a study on sharks.  Helping the student see in stark detail why this is such a divisive topic.   It’s not what I call an easy read.  It’s not fun to read about men who hunt sharks with delight, nor to read about sharks that kill. Is it necessary?   Yes, because that is how we broaden our understanding of the issues surrounding sharks and shark attacks. 

Sharks Never Sleep: first-hand encounters with killers of the sea
Brendan McAloon
Hardie Grant Books
240 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Sharks, Ecology, Marine Life, Animals, biology
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Click on image for amazon link.
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101 Small Ways to Change the World

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Kids today want to be involved in the world around them, they want to know that they can make a difference. Often times though, they don’t know just what they can do.   It’s hard to come up with ideas when you don’t know where to start.  Enter in 101 Small Ways to Change the World.    Just the help a child, teenager or adult needs, to stoke the fires of imagination to change the world. 

From the Cover:

It’s hard to believe that you could change the world, but it’s true! We’ll show you loads of awesome ways to help out family, friends, yourself and the planet – and show how you’re never too young to make a big difference. Includes random acts of kindness, craft projects, energy-saving ideas, and much more.

101 Small Ways to Change the World is a practical, fun and creative book to inspire you at home, school and in your local community and beyond! Remember, all big ideas start with just one person who decides to do things differently. You could be that person.

What You Get

The hardcover tome starts with the encouragement to think big, but to do the small.   For if you want to plant a forest, you need to start with one tree.  One small act combined with another small act changes the world.

This is followed by three sections:

  • 1. Caring for Others
  • 2. Caring for the Planet
  • 3. Caring for Yourself

Section one on Caring for others covers topics such as spreading kindness at school, cheering up a friend, doing your chores, helping wildlife thrive, donating things to charity, being a volunteer and starting a neighbourhood library.

The next section is Caring for the Planet which included ideas such as turning off the lights, walk instead of drive, picking up litter, recreating out of old, make a game, using less plastic, buying local, planting a tree, taking a short shower, and planting a garden. 

Caring for yourself encourages the reader to stand up for yourself, be positive, eat healthy, find a hobby, be involved with your family, challenge yourself, and to share your abilities.

My Thoughts

There is so much in this book that I like.  Practical ideas for kids, teens and adults to engage with, to make small changes in the world and their communities.  A great book for that, and the learning how to care for yourself too!  Excellent stuff.

I did struggle with the “don’t eat meat” mantra.  It wasn’t balanced with the good that animals do, only the negatives were addressed.  This section could easily have addressed “try alternative proteins like crickets etc”. 

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Science Comics Rockets Defying Gravity

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Do you have a love of rockets?   Do you have any idea of the history behind rocketry?  Science Comics Rockets Defying Gravity uses a graphic novel format along with humour and a well-told story to bring the reader the history of rocketry. 

From the Cover:

In Rockets we explore the 2,000 years that rockets have been in existence. We dive into Newton’s Laws of Motion – learning all about gravity, force, acceleration, and the history of rockets made in the past and rockets to be made in the future!

What You Get:

Rockets – Defying Gravity uses excellent graphics to walk you through the history of rocketry.   You will meet visionary physicist, chemists, engineers and entertainers.  Animals played their roles as well from sheep, to monkeys, to spiders and to mice.   Many more animals than I would have thought.  Honestly I thought they really only used dogs and chimpanzees. 

The author used an excellent sense of humour to portray the facts of history.   The end result is a forward-moving book that imparts more information than you expect.  It’s an easy going read that keeps you interested the whole while.

My Thoughts

I have to admit, at first I wasn’t sure what I thought of this graphic novel.   A bunch of critters yapping about rockets.  As I read the book though, I realized that through humour and animal characters, they were giving the history of rocketry and showing how animals were part of the process.  By the time I was 1/3 of the way through I was hooked. I eagerly read the rest of the book, being surprised frequently.. I never knew that sheep were a part of rocketry history! Did you? 

The graphics were well done, the font easy to read.   Over all I found it to be a well done introduction to rocketry for middle school students.

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