Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. New York: Scholastic. Spiders provides a fascinating look at spiders and has remarkable photographs that Nic Bishop did himself. He explains his technique and traveling experiences at the end of the book. Spiders is a nonfiction and an award winning book. It is well written and beautiful photographed. Bishop gives an in depth understanding about all things spiders. Topics include their history and hunting patterns and methods, spiders have a variety of approaches in catching their prey. He also describes in detail about the various types of webs and how spiders create them. Bishop chronicles the sizes of spiders from the smallest that can be as small as a grain of sand to the biggest, the Goliath birdeater tarantula. He explains the differences between spiders and insects and their specific body parts. Spiders have pale blue blood. It reveals the way a spider eats and how silk is integrally designed along with how it helps the spider capture their prey. Bishop includes several pages of a three page fold out spreads, one showing a jumping spider. He tells the lifespan of a spider and when is the most dangerous time for a spider. Mating methods and caring for their young are included in the exceptional book. While the text is compelling and informative the photographs Bishop acquires are outstanding and amazing. Bishop also has books on other species including snakes, butterflies and frogs. He has collaborated for a series called Scientist in the Field that have several offerings on animals. Nic Bishop has been a world traveler since he was young with biologist parents and first started his career photographing adult nature books.

Bartoletti, S. (2005).  Hitler Youth. New York: Scholastic. In this nonfiction book author, Susan Bartoletti writes about the young people in the Hitler Youth Organization. She provides detailed personal accounts from those that were a part of this movement of indoctrination of the young in Germany. Bartoletti includes the pictures of 12 individuals who were Hitler Youth and gives a synopsis of where they lived and their roles. The unbelievable unimaginable movement had organization which focused on the young people of Germany. It gives those who examine history a warning of how easily the masses can be lead to something incomprehensible. One can argue without the strength of the Hitler youth that history might have played out differently. Some joined on their own with and without parents’ permission and some once they were in the organization rebelled against Hitler regime. Hitler Youth includes chapters on Hitler's rise to power, Organizing the Hitler Youth, A Nazi education, Nazi persecution of the Jews, Preparing for war, The German war machine, The Holocaust begins, Hitler Youth and resistance, Hitler's boy soldiers along with a conclusion chapter. Bartoletti has an Epilogue, Timeline of the Hitler Youth, Author's note, explanation of the photographs, quote sources and bibliography as well as acknowledgements and a detailed index. One cannot be a student of this era should Hitler Youth in their studies.  It is an excellent resource in understanding the climate of prewar times in Germany. The historical photographs and meticulous text tells the story of the Hitler youth with great attention to research. Scholastic has a link with how to connect with Bartoletti for an educational visit or virtual at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/visitkit/susan-campbell-bartoletti-author-visit-kit.

Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Josh Bell and his twin brother, JB are amazing basketball players, their Dad, Chuck was a professional basketball player when he was young. Their Mom is a non nonsense type of person and is the Assistant Principal at the school they attend. All Josh can think about is basketball, he works hard on his skilsl day in and day out. Josh is a little better at basketball than JB but they work well as a team. Josh's Dad has nicknamed Josh - Filthy McNasty because he is so talented, Josh can even dunk at 12 years old. JB starts to get distracted with basketball when a new girl comes to town. She is cute but Josh is a little jealous of how JB spends more and more time with her. Dad's health makes his Mom nervous, she wants him to go to the doctor due to his bad eating habits and that his Dad died at a young age. Dad refuses to go, he just doesn't like doctors. He continues to coach the boys even from this stands usually as his Mom has to make him sit down and not yell. Sometimes Dad even starts to sweat and has to take a break, this is happening more frequently. Josh continues to excel in basketball and his schoolwork but has to sit out games due to the pass he threw at his brother's face in anger. Josh, JB and their friend is in 3 on 3 tournament, Dad plays with Josh pre-game, suddenly Dad pass out, he is rushed to the hospital. The Crossover is written in verse rather than typic novel form. The format and text of the book is compelling and visually interesting to read as the typeface changes to caps and sometimes stagger across the page. It is written with the language of a cocky basketball loving kid, the reader is invested in the main character and worried a little about his Dad. It won the 2015 Newbery Award and is a 2015 Coretta Scott King honor winner. Kwane Alexander is an author, poet and educator, he has created a page-to-stage workshop that encourages young writers and shares how to self-publish. He has written other books, most recently Booked.

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