Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

Scientists are brilliant. They are geniuses. The scientists who mess around with atoms and radioactive material are also risk takers. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin is a thriller and based entirely on fact. It is the story of the atomic bomb.

Considering that the world still lives under the threat of an atomic bomb in the hands of terrorist nations, you'll find it amazing that it was in 1938 Germany, that scientists happened upon the discovery that a Uranium atom would split in two when placed near radioactive material. That brilliant German scientist knew his discovery had international implications - for good or evil.

The events unfold with all the intrigue of a James Bond, Agent 007, spy thriller as World War II was beginning. In the United States, a team of the best minds across multiple disciplines of science were assembled to secretly develop an atomic bomb. They gathered in a quickly assembled laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. They were acutely aware that the bomb they created could be used against our enemies. There were also keenly concerned that those same enemies could be developing a similar bomb.

The author, Sheinkin, does a masterful job writing this book so it is easily understood yet full of intrigue. It's worth noting that Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon has won him several awards including the coveted 2013 YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction for Young Adults. Kudos to Steve Sheinkin!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Food Cures: Fight Disease with Your Fork! edited by Readers Digest

The Reader's Digest book Food Cures: Fight Disease with Your Fork! is not a cookbook. It has only a few recipes. It enlightens the reader with information about the best foods for certain illnesses, foods that provide needed vitamins and natural remedies for health. Published by Reader's Digest, you can trust the information to be well researched and indexed.

Looking for a natural remedy for acne? Pages 86-87 suggest carrots, almonds, and oranges offer nutrition that will help. Suffer from asthma? Eating onions may reduce the number of asthma attacks. (p. 102) Sufferers of ADHD will benefit from foods high in protein and complex carbs. (p. 107) Rather than a chapter full of recipes, that chapter is titled Healing Recipes which indeed they are.

If you're longing to improve your health in a natural way, borrow this book from your school library media center or public library and start reading.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips by Barbara & Kevin Kunz

Reflexology is a type of massage that puts pressure on specific points of the body - feet, hands, and head. Each pressure point is understood to connect to every part of your body. By stimulating these points, it is thought to relieve stress and provide healing. Hence, the title Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips by Barbara and Kevin Kunz is so precise.

The authors are internationally known for their expertise on reflexology. They have practiced it for over 25 years and continue to research its benefits. Now they offer readers an opportunity to understand and try reflexology through this book - a very visual guide to the practice. Using photography and labeled diagrams, you'll be able to guide yourself and learn. There are steps for massaging various parts of the hands, feet, and head. There are suggestions for working with specific health concerns. Having a tired day? Pick up this book and share with a friend. You may both appreciate the benefits of reflexology.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Googled: The End of the World as We Know It by Ken Auletta

Ken Auletta has written an engaging work about all that is Google with his book, Googled: The End of the World as We Know It. He spent several years learning the ins and outs of Google over the past decade and, like me, is intrigued by Google and most thankful to be able to "google" whatever it is I need to know. Yes, Google is a company and to google has now become a verb. There is no other search engine that can return results in lightning fast speed and with the accuracy that we want.

I must admit that it warms my heart that Larry Page, one of Google's founders, grew up in Michigan. His father was a professor at Michigan State University and Larry attended the University of Michigan. I also take pride in knowing the premise that he and his co-founder, Sergey Brin, based their web-searching 'page rank' on was based on the same principle researchers use when working with a Works Cited list or bibliography in a scholarly research piece - how often a work is cited in print must directly relate to the accuracy and authority of the work. Apply that principle to web searching and you've developed Google.

This book will intrigue anyone who finds the concept of all resources being available digitally online as groundbreaking technology. Dig right in. Google the history of Google. Pick up Mr. Auletta's book and be amazed!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky

History buff or not, cook or chef, when you read Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky, you will learn so much world history and pick up a few recipes as well.

It's an interesting means to follow world history through the simple cod fish. Yet, it has played an important role across many centuries - from medieval times, the exploration of North America, to the New England fishing industry. Eventually Mr. Kurlansky brings us to the sad truth - the cod fishery is almost extinct! When the last one has been caught, there will be no more.

Included are a few recipes to spark the taste buds of those of us who enjoy eating fish. At times the historical facts labor along. This is no fish story yet it is a fish story. Fishermen out there, please give this one a chance.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

New York Times Summer Reading Contest

Do you have an opinion about things read in the news? Would you like to have your opinion known? How would you like to have it published in the New York Times? Here's your opportunity.

The New York Times sponsors a summer reading contest for students ages 13-25. After reading any article in the NYT, you simply write and submit a short response. It can be any article of interest to you and any point of view you wish to present - 350 words or less. Concerned about privacy? No worries. They will not publish any comments that include a last name. All comments will be moderated for quality, appropriateness, respectfulness, and on-topic. However, they will not be edited.

Each week the Student Opinion question will be the same: "What interested you most in The Times this week?" Each week begins on Friday and winners are posted Monday. The first week's winners will be published July 2nd.

Digital access to the NYT is free for 10 articles each month. However, if you follow a link to a NYT article from Facebook or Twitter, they will not count toward that limit of 10. Also, any article that is linked from a NYT blog will also not count toward the 10.

NYT blogs to follow include these:
The Learning Network - the sponsor of this contest
NYT Blog Directory - all blogs sorted by topic categories such as news, politics, tech, culture, sports, style, science, health and more.

NYT Online - Caution! Do not pay for a digital subscription. You can read up to 10 articles for free each month. Keep a count.

Post your opinion here.

Full details and rules are found here.
Full details and rules in a printable PDF are found here.

Ready, Set, Read, Write!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Survival Guide for Teenagers with LD by Rhoda Cummings, Ed.D and Gary Fisher, Ph.D.

She walks through our high school media center most days. She has a quiet smile hidden by her downcast eyes. I greet her, offer her a funny comment, her smile grows. It seems her friends are few and far between but she is a very likable girl. I knew her as a youngster full of energy and joy. She's still that girl, I sense it. 

I didn't see her the day she checked out this book, The Survival Guide for Teenagers with LD by Rhoda Cummings, Ed.D and Gary Fisher, Ph.D., but I did see her the day she returned it. Her words: "You should read this. It's good. It tells about kids with LD. You need to know that." She was right; I needed to know that. 

I don't know if she is a "learning differences" student but this book surely connected with her. Perhaps she is identified as an LD learner, perhaps a sibling or friend is, or perhaps she liked the format of the book - it's readability. As the authors note, look through the table of contents and read just the sections that you are drawn to. They include: your rights, the law, advocating for yourself, finding and keeping a job, living on your own, friendships and dating, healthy living, education beyond high school, and simply being the best you can be.  I'm sure that my friend is in good hands knowing all that she learned about LD from Drs. Cummings and Fisher. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm 

Take Control of OCD : the Ultimate Guide For Kids With OCD by Bonnie Zucker

If you suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), this book might just offer you the help you seek. Take Control of OCD : the Ultimate Guide For Kids With OCD by Bonnie Zucker steps you through her proven method. Dr. Zucker is a licensed psychologist and has developed a specific cognitive-behavioral approach to help people with OCD and other anxiety disorders. This book will slowly, carefully take you through her steps that she has identified as developing your ladder. Just like climbing a ladder, you start out on the safest step, face your fears, then climb another step and face another fear. The best part is that YOU identify your own fears, obsessions, and compulsions - not your parents, teachers, or a doctor. YOU rank them in order by easiest to hardest to overcome.

Dr. Zucker's book also includes relaxation techniques and helps you to practice them. Again, YOU practice each one and find what works best. My favorites included calm, one-nostril breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). With PMR you tighten then relax each muscle area of your body one-by-one beginning with your hands and working to the whole body. The face was most interesting because tensing my facial muscles meant making a very contorted look for sure.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Dewey: The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicky Myron with Bret Witter

Look at this face! Isn't this a most precious kitty face? Who wouldn't fall in love with this cutie? Dewey Readmore Books was found in the library's book return drop box one very cold January morning in Spencer, Iowa. The library staff is used to finding all sorts of things in that drop box but this frigid morning they heard a noise - a meow! From that moment on, Dewey became a permanent resident of the library.

When you pick up Dewey: The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicky Myron, you'll read about all of his antics, his comfort spots, his temperament, and how Dewey connected with the library patrons. He was a source of comfort for many. Before long, Dewey's story was shared - he was famous! He was on the cover of Iowa library newsletters, the local Spencer newspaper, in Cat Fancy magazine, and more.

To this day, the Spencer Public Library still dedicates a web page to the story of Dewey. If you're a cat lover, a fan of libraries, or just want a comfort book to curl up with, definitely check Dewey: The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicky Myron out from your library.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Holiday: Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies Cookbook by Publications International

Let's talk food! It's the holidays and that usually means sharing meals, desserts, and beverages with our family and friends. We take time to enjoy catching up with them as we celebrate the holidays. This cookbook, Holiday Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies, will give you great suggestions to bring a new dish to the party.

For me, the mark of a good cookbook is the photography. When there are photos of the dishes created, it's highly likely I will be turning the pages. The photos make me realize that I could do that, I could bake or cook that dish and have my family enjoy it. The appetizers include dips and finger foods. Are you familiar with cheese balls? In Holiday Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies you'll see a Christmas cheese tree that looks very easy to create - how festive! Prime rib always seems like a daunting task to prepare but the steps are actually quite simple. When you see the photo of the beef rib roast in this cookbook with its mushroom-bacon sauce drizzled over the top, you'll long to serve prime rib at your dining table. Nothing means winter-time vacation more than a steaming cup of hot chocolate after time outdoors sledding or skating in the cold. But have you ever seen hot chocolate cookies? Yes, the tops of these cookies look exactly like a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on the top. Yum!

We have several new cookbooks in the BHS Media Center. Stop by and check them out, but not before lunch. When hungry, these books may be too tempting.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Elements by Theodore Gray

Hey, science lovers! You might like to check out a new book in the media center - The Elements by Theodore Gray. If you're already familiar with him, you'll know about this book and his work creating visual representations of the periodic table. The book has a two page spread for each element that includes a description as well as stunning photos of the element in various forms.

BUT WAIT! There's more. Now he has written an app for the new iPad that's taken from this book and even more incredible. I read about it here: The Periodic Table Goes Touchscreen.

Be sure to watch the video. Mr. Gray's 'elements desk' is sweet but what he's done for the iPad - priceless!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Kids Are Americans Too by Bill O'Reilly

I know. You either love him or you hate him. His points of view can be contentious but in Kids Are Americans Too by Bill O'Reilly, you will find great advice about your rights. Mr. O'Reilly is quite fair and balanced in this book.

As a high school librarian I've had students ask for help locating books and online resources that explain the law as it pertains to many teen issues - using cell phones at school, curfew, driving privileges, home life, and more. Bill O'Reilly breaks it all down for you here. Beginning with an overview of the works of our Founding Fathers as they wrote the U.S. Constitution, in a humorous, light-hearted way the author points out what governing bodies influence the laws that affect you, how laws are fluid and changing, and differ from state-to-state. The book is organized with break-out sections that include news flashes, multiple-choice quizzes, and true story examples. It's a quick read but a great resource if you're ever wondering, "What are my rights?".

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

This image is a visual representation or Wordle "word cloud" of President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address. You can see that the predominant theme of his historic address is America: New Nation.



Image created with Wordle.

Guys Write For Guys Read and Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Jon Scieszka is a very funny, irreverent writer. His well-loved books have made children laugh for several years. You may remember the Time Warp Trio series, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs from your younger days. He is such a prolific author and is always thinking about you and hoping you'll fall in love with reading just as he did.

To write Guys Write For Guys Read, Jon asked over 80 authors and illustrators to tell him about their life and reading. Included are Brian Jacques author of the Redwall series, Anthony Horowitz author of the Alex Rider adventures, Eoin Colfer author of the Artemis Fowl books and many more. The proceeds from the sale of this book support Jon Scieszka's website he created just for boys - Guys Read. The website is also funny like Jon and let's guys find books that guys like to read, no matter your age. Check it out!

Recently, Jon published Knucklehead : Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka. You guessed it, this is another very funny, irreverent book. He has five brothers, Jon is the second oldest and they grew up in Flint, Michigan. I recently saw Jon at the 2008 National Book Festival in Washington, D. C. where he read from this book. He had the audience in stitches! Imagine growing up with all those brothers, no sisters, and the fun or trouble you could have. That was his life.


In this photo that I took of Jon at the 2008 National Book Festival, you can see that he is wearing a red, white, and blue ribbon with a medal around his neck. That weekend he had been presented with the very first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress! Congratulations Jon! Keep writing those wonderfully funny books we love to read.
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Final Salute : A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler

Ask yourself - When would a final salute be given? Think a bit if you're not sure - a final salute. Here's a hint - The subtitle of this book tells us it is about unfinished lives. Do you think you know? This book is a tribute to the U.S. Marines who have the duty to notify families when a loved one has died in the line of duty. Can you imagine what that responsibility must be like? Can you imagine walking up to the front door of a home ready to deliver that kind of devastating news? You're dressed in your formal military uniform and as soon as a family member sees you approach the home, they know exactly why you are there. Final Salute : A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler is a very moving book. It follows Marine Major Steve Beck as he tells families the news of their loved ones death but also as he befriends each family and carries out his duty to assist them through a most difficult time in a most respectful way. These are all true stories about real families. You'll be proud to be an American after reading this book.
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm