Bushnell's Submarine: The Best Kept Secret of the American Revolution

What a great way to link 5th grade history to today! The American Revolution is very much a part of the 5th Grade Social Studies curriculum. What a wonderful way to open that subject using this as a class read aloud. The book itself is made to look antique and worn and stained and with the subtitle "the best-kept secret of the American Revolution" it will attract an audience. Famous names of the times are found throughout the book along with drawings, diagrams, maps, documents and portraits. Unfortunately there are no source notes or a bibliography included--but I think it is interesting and brings to life the study of history. While I would have liked to see those notes--I am willing to overlook it if this book will make history come alive for our students.
In addition, there is enough intrigue and suspense to get mystery lovers and boys reading!
Inventors and inventions also tie in to reading centers for the 5th grade.

SLJ gives it a grades 5-9 reading level which is where I feel it belongs. Other reviews put it in the Grades 7-10 range.

M. Bonomo

The Homework Machine, by Dan Gutman

The book jacket shows a police file with photos of the four protagonists, a group of students who never would have chosen to be friends but who find themselves seated at the same table in Miss Rasmussen's fifth grade class. Readers are hooked from the beginning by the involvement of the police as the story unravels from interviews with the students, their parents, and teacher. One student, Brenton has found a way to harness the Internet to do his homework and soon all four gather daily at his house to use the homework machine despite their individual differences and the tensions among the four. Fun and fast to read, this one should hold lots of kid appeal.

Grades 4-6

Aliens are Coming: the True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast, by Meghan McCarthy

The true story of the broadcast that frightened a nation is introduced with a reminder that radio reigned before television. The illustrations alternate black and white to show people in the 1930s and their reactions while imaginative visions of aliens and their spaceships are full color and bound to attract youngsters to this book. An author's note gives more in depth history including other similar radio hoaxes and could extend the interest and usefulness of this book to middle schoolers. This would be a fun addition to technology history and to discussions of modern Internet hoaxes and the need to verify sources.

Grades 2 - up

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh

Who knew that the space suits worn by Apollo 11 astronauts included 22 layers of fabric? Probably the 500 designers and seamstresses who constructed them! They are just part of the group of behind-the-scenes workers who helped make this historic space mission possible. Thimmesh takes a new approach to a story that is familiar to many by including information from personal interviews and oral histories as well as other authoritative sources. Text and vivid photos invite the reader to study the book (not necessarily in order) from cover to cover. White text on some photos might be a bit hard to read, but the student who is fascinated by space will be motivated to continue. Also included is an extensive source list, chapter notes, additional suggested sources to consult, a descriptive list of the other Apollo missions, an index and a glossary.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil by Wiley Miller

Miller's first book for children holds their attention with classic archetypes. There's the naif-becoming-hero, Ordinary Basil, bored with his snowy Maine existence. It's 1899 and Basil lives in a lighthouse. He knows some kids would find that alone exciting, but he feels there's something missing in his life. Enter his new guide and mentor, Professor Angus McGookin. McGookin introduces Basil to Helios, a city in the clouds that represents the best of human acheivement. Formerly known by names like Eden and Atlantis, Helios must be protected from earth-dwellers who would exploit the technology for evil ends. Basil meets Louise, a strong, intelligent girl who nonetheless becomes a damsel-in-distress. And eager readers are thrilled when the vanquished villain, Professor Von Rottweil declares "I vil haf my revenge!" (My son cheered and said, "That means there'll be another one!")

Miller's illustrations have been compared to Edward Gorey, but his characters lack that certain "creepiness" found in Gorey. (My 4-year-old did find the faces to be a little disturbing--I don't think it would be a problem for Elementary-aged children.) The pen and ink drawings are very evocative of the late nineteenth century.

NCSOS tie-ins are in Elementary English Language Arts and the Technology strand of the Elementary Social Studies curriculum. It makes a great read-aloud. You can also give it to those upper elementary readers who are having trouble sustaining interest in longer fiction. Reading Level: 5.6 (Follett) 128 p. Color Illustrations.