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HABITATS

Name: HABITATS
Author: Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
ISBN: 0-89490-401-9

SAVING WILD PLACES

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1993

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A brief but effective introduction to the challenges of wildlife habitat preservation, with helpful suggestions for action by young readers. With a flowing, practiced style and remarkably economical language, Patent writes about important ecological concepts, particularly the idea that biological diversity stabilizes life; she also shows how enmeshed we are in the system that created the problems and gives examples of individual and group actions to ameliorate, reverse, or prevent their disastrous effects. Beginning with specific suggestions for turning backyards into mini-sanctuaries, she goes on to inspiring successes like that of the ``Dolphin Defenders,'' African- American children who have created four habitats on vacant lots in St. Louis; describes volunteer opportunities and fund-raising schemes; and lists contacts for more information and ideas. An excellent, well-organized guide, more action-oriented than most books on the topic. Muddy b&w photos; annotated bibliography; source notes (including interviews); index. (Nonfiction. 12-15)

Pub Date: March 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-89490-401-9

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Enslow

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1993

Categories:

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
AT HOME WITH THE PRAIRIE DOG
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent ; photographed by William Muñoz

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LIZARD SCIENTISTS
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent ; photographed by Nate Dappen & Neil Losin

- BOOK REVIEW
PIKA COUNTRY
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent & Marlo Garnsworthy ; photographed by Dan Hartman

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POETRY SPEAKS WHO I AM

edited by Elise Paschen by Jarvis Jay Masters ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2010

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From the creators of the popular anthologies Poetry Speaks and Poetry Speaks to Children (2001, 2005) comes another volume, this one aimed at the 12-14 set. Paschen casts a wide net for material, including pieces by William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, Billy Collins, Nikki Grimes and Ogden Nash, among many others. The poems selected deal with themes of particular interest to young teens, such as romance, growing up, loneliness, friendship and identity. An audio CD featuring many of the poets reading their work as well as some poets reading the works of others is included; these clear and powerful readings add a welcome dimension and will no doubt enhance readers’ enjoyment of the collection. The design of the volume, with its funky typefaces and brightly colored cover, will also appeal to young teens. The final pages provide space for readers to add their own poems—a good idea, because after paging through this eclectic and powerful anthology many will indeed be inspired to take up the pen. (About the Contributors) (Poetry with audio CD. 12-14)

Pub Date: April 1, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4022-1074-7

Page Count: 176

Publisher: The History Press/Trafalgar

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2010

Categories:

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

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GIRLS

A HISTORY OF GROWING UP FEMALE IN AMERICA

by Penny Colman ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2000

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A brief discussion of the development and persistence of gender roles acts as an introduction to this excellent overview of what it has meant to be a girl in this country, from pre-colonial times to the present. Colman (Rosie the Riveter, 1995, etc.) never resorts to a generic ideal or tells the story as if she is speaking of an “everygirl”; instead, she allows a narrative to emerge from the histories and words of real people, from every social, ethnic, and economic level in the US. Some of the subjects and speakers are well-known, others are not (although they probably ought to be), but all are interesting and inspiring. Alice Greenough, daughter of “Packsaddle Ben” Greenough, grew up in the turn-of-the- century Montana wilderness where she did all the things her brothers did; Mary Elizabeth Bowser, a young black woman, worked with Elizabeth Van Lew, a middle-aged white woman, as spies for the Union army; Lilac Chen, a former prostitute in 19th- century San Francisco, tells how her own father sold her into slavery in China when she was only 6; and Yvonne “Eve” Blue, an obviously anorexic 14-year-old, maintained her gaunt frame by limiting herself to 140 calories a day—in 1926. These and dozens of other fascinating people offer more insight into gender roles better than any history text or sociological treatise, in lively writing that is greatly enhanced by page after page of black-and-white photographs, an extensive list of further reading, and a good index. A must-have for most collections. (Nonfiction. 8-12)