3.5 This short, illustrated book is aimed mainly at older children/young teens and gives a good basis for understanding what fake news is, how to spot3.5 This short, illustrated book is aimed mainly at older children/young teens and gives a good basis for understanding what fake news is, how to spot it and how to guard against its spread. It's written in an easy-to-understand format that doesn't talk down to children. There are lots of graphics, quotes, illustrations, boxes, dot-points etc, that make it easy to keep reading.
The book was published in the UK in 2018, so some of the examples would have been recent back then (e.g., Brexit, the Trump election and presidency). However, it was pre-COVID, so there obviously won't be examples of the most current state of affairs, including more recent policy developments. The information in any non-fiction book may become out of date, of course, but books dealing with the digital age are especially vulnerable.
Still there is a lot of helpful information that a lot of adults would benefit from, as well as children. I learned some new things, including how to search for previous usage of pictures by using the camera icon in Google Images and then dragging in an image or uploading it. Just tried it and it works! I'll be using that in the future.
So if it had all of those good features, why did I only give it 3 stars? I found it ironic that in a book that advocates checking your sources, this book was surprisingly devoid of information that would allow you to look up their sources. I realise this is written for children and you don't want it annotated like an academic textbook, but I would have expected some information to allow you to check or look up their information for more detail.
For example, there is a story about a group of people in Macedonia who were paid to create fake news. They then have a quote from "an anonymous 19-year-old Macedonian fake news creator, 2016", but there is no indication where this quote came from. Was it on social media? A news report? A personal interview? I googled the quote and found that it did appear in a number of articles, including a BBC news report. So why not put the actual web link in the book, or at least say that it was reported in a BBC interview? There are many other quotes that do give the name of the person, but there are no links or citations for those quotes.
When research findings are given, it's hard to know how to go back to the original source. For example, here's one piece of information cited in the book: "A 2016 study found that receiving likes on social media activated the same part of teenagers' brains as winning money." Interesting information, but there is no reference given, we don't know who conducted the study or where we can find it.
There is a page for 'More Information' at the end, but it only includes three books and three websites. There is no list of sources actually used in the book.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh, as it's an important topic and it's presented in an informative and interesting way. I just think it's strange that a book that encourages us to check sources doesn't provide it's own sources. As this book is part of a series, it may have been a decision made by the publishers or editors of the series rather than the author.
Still, I did enjoy the content overall, and learned some things that are helpful....more
3.5 stars. This graphic novel, aimed at round about the 10-14 age group, contains seven stories from the Batman Adventures series. Catwoman has always3.5 stars. This graphic novel, aimed at round about the 10-14 age group, contains seven stories from the Batman Adventures series. Catwoman has always been a bit of a grey character, in that she's a thief but also does the 'right' thing on occasion. I liked the way that came out in some of the stories. In 'Claws', she battles the head of a make-up company that abuses animals. By her own admission, Catwoman knows she's crossed the line, and we see some remorse. I was reading it with a 14-year-old girl, and we were able to have a brief discussion about why the line had been crossed. There are also other stories where she commits crimes, but then helps people.
The art follows the animated series and is good on the whole. However, I wondered why Catwoman looks sexier in some illustrations than some of the comics aimed at older audiences. The pose on the back of the book, complete with whip, brings Madam Lash to mind. In 'The Truth About Cats and Gods', Wonder Woman looks perpetually angry. I know she's upset with Catwoman, but do we have to have her looking like such a sour puss in every frame?
That aside, it has some good stories that kids would enjoy. The 14-year-old I ready it with really liked it....more
This short graphic novel is the first of a new Marvel series aimed at older children or young teens. Sixteen-year-old Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, isThis short graphic novel is the first of a new Marvel series aimed at older children or young teens. Sixteen-year-old Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, is chosen for an internship at 'The Daily Bugle', with the best intern winning the chance to interview Iron Man. However, Peter has to work in a team with fellow teens Miles and Gwen. When mutated animals start menacing the city, Peter has to take on his Spider-Man personae to defeat them. Unable to succeed on his own, he finds Gwen and Miles jumping in to help. There's more to these kids than meets the eye. Could they have the same super powers as him?
This is an origin story of how the new Spidey team comes together. The script and art are really good, and there are some bumps in the road regarding teamwork. As this book is Part 1, not everything is tied up at the end. However, it does come to a reasonably satisfying ending so you don't feel cheated without having the next part. The 14-year-old girl I read it with really enjoyed it. It's good to have a story aimed at that young teen age group, as some of the YA graphic novels in the superhero genre can be a lot darker and are often meant for older teens. Now to find Part 2....more
This Spider-Man graphic novel is Book 3 in a new series aimed at Middle Grade children (roughly 10-14 years), that features Peter Parker as Spider-ManThis Spider-Man graphic novel is Book 3 in a new series aimed at Middle Grade children (roughly 10-14 years), that features Peter Parker as Spider-Man and two younger new recruits he is training up: Miles Morales (a new Spider-Man) and Gwen (Ghost Spider). There are a few team issues at the beginning, with the new recruits not keen on Peter's leadership style. However, they try to pull together to defeat the Black Cat--the daughter of a convicted cat burglar. The only problem is that she has super powers of her own and can cause 'bad luck' which makes Spidey and his team look stupid. Can Peter be the kind of leader his team needs, and can they work together to defeat the Black Cat?
Although this is Book 3, it contains a complete story arc in three parts, so can stand alone. The writing and art are really good, and I liked the values. It addresses teamwork in a non-preachy way. The 14-year-old girl I read it with really loved it. I find it hard to source good comics/graphic novels for the young teen age group, as children's comics are a bit too young for them, but some of the YA stuff is a bit too adult, with some being M or MA. This one was just right, so I'll be looking for more of these....more
In this installment of the popular Super Hero Girls graphic novels, midterm exams are approaching and Lois Lane and Karen Beecher (aka Bumblebee) are In this installment of the popular Super Hero Girls graphic novels, midterm exams are approaching and Lois Lane and Karen Beecher (aka Bumblebee) are both striving to be the No. 1 student. Karen has to study hard if she's going to beat Lois, but that's hard to do when Wonder Woman decides that all the Super Hero Girls need extra training and pop-up quizzes so they can save the day without creating so much damage in their wake (like last time, when Lois wrote about the havoc for the school paper). Although Lois and Bumblesbee are the main focus, apart from a cranky Wonder Woman, we also see what Supergirl, Batgirl, Zatanna and Green Lantern are up to. Harley Quinn also turns up to create some havoc of her own.
The story is probably aimed at about the 10-14 year-old market, and has some good themes (e.g., the importance of getting some balance in your life). The humour and dialogue were good, and the art was engaging.
It probably wasn't the most riveting scenario for a story, though young teens would be able to relate to the pressures of study and peer rivalry. I also would have liked it if Wonder Woman was a bit less peeved. However, I liked it overall. More importantly, the 14-year-old girl I read it with really enjoyed it....more
This chapter book is another installment in the popular adventures at Kangaroo Valley Public School, but you don't have to have read any of the othersThis chapter book is another installment in the popular adventures at Kangaroo Valley Public School, but you don't have to have read any of the others to appreciate it. It's a stand-alone story.
Maddie wants to be one of the cool kids and hang out with the K-girls. The Grade 6 camp provides the perfect opportunity, but friendship comes at a cost. The K-girls want her to do something that could upset one of the 'not so popular girls' Tahlia. Maddie makes a choice that has consequences and she has to choose which path she will take next.
I really enjoyed this story. It deals with issues like peer pressure and bullying, but in a very real, non-preachy way. Things aren't always easy for Maddie, and we see her grapple with her choices. Although there are some deep topics in this book, it's still a lot of fun. Maddie is an engaging character and we want to cheer for her. I also felt for Tahlia, and found myself thinking about her. There would be a lot of kids like her who are misunderstood because they're a bit 'different'. It's so easy to judge someone without knowing their back stories, and adults could also learn a few lessons from this book. The writing is also really good and the story moves along at a good clip.
This is a fun book, but also one that would be a great discussion starter. Highly recommended for readers round the 10-12 age....more
This Manga adaptation of Anne of Green Gables was a treat. The script was excellent, with many passages coming directly from the book or adapted from This Manga adaptation of Anne of Green Gables was a treat. The script was excellent, with many passages coming directly from the book or adapted from the book. All of the main scenes were there, though of course some scenes were omitted as a graphic novel is necessarily an abridged version. Although a number of Anne's schoolfriends were mentioned, the focus was more on her relationship with her best friend Diana and her rivalry with Gilbert. Her growing and changing relationship with Marilla and Matthew is also well done.
The art was really good. The only thing I found a bit disconcerting was that every now and then, the eyes of the characters would be drawn as either hollow circles or completely black circles, and occasionally the mouth would be drawn almost like a ventriloquist's dummy's mouth. These were usually at times of high emotion, so that might be a Manga thing, but I found that a little creepy. The images were usually beautiful. As it's Manga, the pages are also read right to left. This usually wasn't a problem, but once in a while I forgot to do that.
There were a few pages at the end where the scriptwriter gave some insights into how this book came about and how she worked together with the artist. I always like a 'behind the scenes' look, so that was interesting.
If you like Anne of Green Gables, you should enjoy this adaptation. It's a good heart-warming story suitable for all ages. I'll have to check out other books in the Manga Classics series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital edition in exchange for an honest review....more
When Scooby and his pals from Mystery Inc are called to solve the mystery of a haunted farm, they accidentally summon Batman. The Caped Crusader decidWhen Scooby and his pals from Mystery Inc are called to solve the mystery of a haunted farm, they accidentally summon Batman. The Caped Crusader decides to stay and help the others unravel the mystery behind the strange fog and bizarre creatures that keep appearing.
This is a chapter book, probably aimed at about the 10-12 age group. If you're familiar with Scooby's adventures, this story follows some familiar ground. There are some scary scenes and humour before the more human ex-planation is found. Still, it's well-told. Every few pages, there is a full-page colour illustration. All of the illustrations are excellent. There are also some educational features at the end, including a glossary of difficult words, some discussion questions, and some writing prompts.
Overall, a good reader for children who like Scooby Doo or Batman.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free advance pdf in exchange for an honest review....more
This is a fun twisted fairytale for young children. It follows the Cinderella story reasonably closely until the fairy godmother turns up. She has earThis is a fun twisted fairytale for young children. It follows the Cinderella story reasonably closely until the fairy godmother turns up. She has ears full of fairy dust and keeps mishearing what Cinderella is asking for. Instead of being elegant with glass slippers, she's turned into an elephant with glass flippers. Luckily the prince has a good sense of humour and is enchanted by the clumsy dancing elephant who makes him laugh.
The illustrations are beautiful and funny. A heartwarming twist on the familiar tale.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eBook in exchange for an honest review....more
3.5 stars. This picture book has a good message in that God created us and everything around us. It encourages children to see God all around them, ev3.5 stars. This picture book has a good message in that God created us and everything around us. It encourages children to see God all around them, even in the everyday things like brushing your teeth. The illustrations are really good and show diversity. It's a positive message and reminds us that we could all be more grateful for the things around us.
There were a couple of bits of the text that didn't quite work for me. It starts out systematically looking at the seasons, but some of the other bits seemed a little random. The explanation for Fall was a little vague. Some of the pages had rhyming lines and others didn't. That's not necessarily a problem, but it did create an expectation that I wondered if it was meant to be a rhyming book. Still I did appreciate the positive message.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a pre-release digital copy in exchange for an honest review....more
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Erin Song isn't exactly unpopular, but she'd not in the popular group at school either. She has the ch4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Erin Song isn't exactly unpopular, but she'd not in the popular group at school either. She has the chance to level up when popular girl Wendy asks her to help her cheat on an exam. However, they get caught and Erin's parents ban her from all electronic devices for a month - no smart phone, no lap top, no internet. This is Erin's worst nightmare until she makes a startling discovery. In her now 'unplugged' world she can see that aliens are abducting humans in a plan to take over the world. They're controlling everyone through their devices. No one believes her except for some similarly 'unplugged' seniors. Can Erin and the oldies save the human race?
This was a great story. Most teenagers would share Erin's angst at being separated from social media and the internet, but the sci-fi element gives it an interesting twist. The writing and illustrations are engaging and there's a lot of humour in addition to deeper themes (e.g. the advantage of turning off the devices every now and then and actually talking to people and noticing what's around you; and also the fact that seniors still have a lot to offer and shouldn't be written off because of their age). The message isn't heavy-handed, but comes across in an interesting way.
I got a little confused at one point as to why Erin and her parents had different views about what had happened to Grandma even before Erin was 'unplugged'. That didn't make sense to me, though I may have missed something. However, apart from a couple of slightly confusing bits, the overall story was good.
It would probably best suit age groups of around 10-14, though there's also a lot for older teens and adults to enjoy. If you're looking for something fun, but with some depth, this graphic novel fits the bill.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Probably 3.5 but I've rounded it up. This is the second in the Cash and Carrie Summer Sleuths series, but it's the first one I've read. Dallas Cash anProbably 3.5 but I've rounded it up. This is the second in the Cash and Carrie Summer Sleuths series, but it's the first one I've read. Dallas Cash and Inez Carrie are middle school students who go to summer camp with their friends. The students are divided into four teams to compete for a prize at the end of camp. However, someone seems to be sabotaging the competition. There are also a couple of creepy things happening. Is Bigfoot still alive, can Cash and Carrie find the culprit and will the most deserving team win?
This is a really sweet story with good values. The students work together to try to find out what's happening and there's a message about the importance of trying and having fun regardless of whether you win. There are a few times when one of the characters has to forgo their own chances of winning so they can help another. The illustrations are also really good. I also liked the fact that children of different ethnic groups are portrayed (e.g. African American, Asian, Hispanic and European). A student in a wheelchair also appears in one frame, so I liked the inclusivity.
I didn't think the 'scary' bit about a possible Bigfoot really worked. It wasn't that scary and I almost missed the explanation of what was really happening. The camp counsellor was a bit wishy-washy and seemed to be more concerned that she got a good report rather than really looking after the kids. Although I liked the good values, it was perhaps a little too sweet at times and the flow between some sections could have been better, but it was generally good.
The main story goes for several chapters. Then there's an additional shorter story with different artwork. That story was okay, but a bit basic. There was also another section which took me a while to get the hang of. I initially thought it was another short story, but it was more like a school newspaper with snippets of information. I didn't find that one all that engaging.
This graphic novel is aimed at children around 8-12 years. If you're looking for a graphic novel with a nice, wholesome story and good art, it's worth a look. It also raises a number of issues that parents or teachers could discuss with children.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free pre-release e-copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Hot dog and his friends Kev the cat and Lizzie the chameleon love playing make-believe. When they see posters around town advertising tryouts for the Hot dog and his friends Kev the cat and Lizzie the chameleon love playing make-believe. When they see posters around town advertising tryouts for the new 'Volcano Monster' movie, they go into strict training so they'll get the parts. Hotdog practises his best Ninja moves, Kev learns to spin and leap like a ballerina, and Lizzie tries to overcome her fear of heights. They land minor roles in the movie, but when the volcano blows for real, they may be the only ones who can save the day.
This is a really fun book with a good plot and illustrations. It also has a good lesson about working together and helping others, but it's done in an engaging way. I help an 11-year-old girl with her reading and she loved it. She jumped straight into Chapter 1 and started reading out loud without me asking her. I'll definitely look for more of these books....more
When Harrison Craig auditioned for The Voice Australia in 2013, he received a four-chair turn from the celebrity coaches. What the coaches didn't knowWhen Harrison Craig auditioned for The Voice Australia in 2013, he received a four-chair turn from the celebrity coaches. What the coaches didn't know then, however, was that Harrison had battled with stuttering for most of his young life. He went on to win that season of The Voice and won the hearts of many in the process.
In this picture book, Harrison tells the story of how he was teased and bullied at school for his stuttering, but found his voice through singing.
This is a lovely positive story that shows how you can still follow your dreams even though there may be challenges. It's beautifully told and illustrated. Truly inspirational. Highly recommended....more
A comic book with two separate stories about Krypto the Superdog.
In the first story, three naughty dogs from Krypton try to take over the earth. WillA comic book with two separate stories about Krypto the Superdog.
In the first story, three naughty dogs from Krypton try to take over the earth. Will Krypto and Supercat save the day?
In the second story, Krypto works with Batman's dog Ace to foil a bat-crazy plan.
A good superhero comic suitable for younger children. Not as dark as some comics can be. There are also educational features in the back, including Superdog jokes, a glossary, and comprehension questions....more
This was a comic-style book that contained two stories featuring Krypto the Superdog.
In the first story, a puppy from Krypton is trapped in space forThis was a comic-style book that contained two stories featuring Krypto the Superdog.
In the first story, a puppy from Krypton is trapped in space for several years. When he comes out of hibernation and lands on earth, he's fully grown. He befriends an earth boy, but misses the little boy he knew on Krypton. He discovers he has superpowers and uses them to rescue some animals. But will he ever see his original owner again?
In the second story, strange earthquakes are happening every 15 minutes. Krypto, Supercat and Ace (Batman's dog) join forces to solve the case.
The eight-year-old girl I read this book to loved it. It was good to see a comic book about superheroes that wasn't dark. There were also some extra educational features in the back (i.e. jokes, glossary, info about the creators and some comprehension questions). I'll definitely be looking for the others in this series....more
Snake and her friend Lizard play hide-and-seek. However, Snake soon forgets her mother's advice about not going past the prickly plant or the big treeSnake and her friend Lizard play hide-and-seek. However, Snake soon forgets her mother's advice about not going past the prickly plant or the big tree and not going too far into the desert. Before long she's lost and Lizard has to go back to Mother Snake for help. Will they find her before it's too late?
This is a simple story designed for children who are learning to read. The Grade 2 child I work with was able to read most of it herself and seemed to like it. It also had a good lesson. Not the most riveting children's book I've read, but good for its purpose in helping children to read....more
Friends Rachel and Kirsty are thrilled when they get to be extras in a movie, but it's not long before things start to go wrong on the set. Jack FrostFriends Rachel and Kirsty are thrilled when they get to be extras in a movie, but it's not long before things start to go wrong on the set. Jack Frost has ordered his goblins to wreak havoc by stealing the Silver Script, the Magical Megaphone and the Enchanted Clapperboard. Keira the film star fairy enlists Rachel and Kirsty's help to retrieve the stolen objects and get the film back on track.
This easy-reader version has some great colour illustrations and the story is okay, though a little repetitive. The eight-year-old I read it with didn't know what a megaphone or clapperboard was, so it took her a little while to engage in the story. All of these books are variations on a theme, but that's not necessarily a bad thing for early readers....more
No. 12 in the Disney Fairies graphic novels series. It's a stand-alone title though and you don't need to have read the others in the series for it toNo. 12 in the Disney Fairies graphic novels series. It's a stand-alone title though and you don't need to have read the others in the series for it to make sense.
Tinker Bell is thrilled when the Queen asks her to make the annual royal sceptre that is used at the Autumn revelry. The unique moonstone atop the sceptre will restore the pixie dust tree that provides the pixie dust needed by fairies to fly from Never Land. However, due to a mishap involving her friend Terence, the moonstone smashes into pieces. All seems lost until she hears about a magic mirror in a faraway place that can grant her a wish. Will she find the mirror and have her wish for a new moonstone granted in time for her to make a new sceptre?
This is an interesting graphic novel for children told in four chapters. I liked the way each chapter started with a bit of a recap of the story so far, so that you didn't have to read it in one sitting. The usual high standard of Disney illustrations was present and I liked the way that the text was easy to read and the pictures easy to follow. Tinker Bell learns a couple of good lessons about friendship along the way, without it being preachy. I also liked the way she didn't give up when the odds were against her, but had to find creative solutions to her problems.
The eight-year-old I read this to really enjoyed it. I'd definitely look for other books in this series....more
While searching for his badge in a snowy field late one night, Jack witnesses a strange van approaching an old house whose only occupant is a deaf andWhile searching for his badge in a snowy field late one night, Jack witnesses a strange van approaching an old house whose only occupant is a deaf and cranky caretaker. Why are two men going to the old house and what is that strange noise coming from inside the van? Is a prisoner being kept in the house against his will? This calls for The Secret Seven to spring into action and solve the case.
This is the first of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven books. Originally published in 1949, it seems quite dated now. There are lots of 'Oh bothers' and head hopping, and it probably won't win too many fans among feminists (though at least the girls get to help solve the mystery, unlike some earlier books such as Emil and the Detectives). In hindsight, it seems strange that British children are keen to wear S.S. badges so soon after World War II, and where on earth are the parents when these pre-teens are traipsing round the countryside at night? In fact, why am I even reading it?
Well one reason is that I'm doing the Pop Sugar reading challenge and I thought one of the categories was 'a book you haven't read since school'. As it turns out, it was supposed to be a book I hadn't read since high school. Whoops. But I'm still glad I re-read it because it actually did have a big impact on my life. I first came across the Seven when I was in Grade 6 or 7 and it started my love of mysteries. I so wanted to be a member of the Secret Seven and solve mysteries in my own back yard. I even remember looking through my front window one day, pen and notebook in hand, so that I could jot down suspicious happenings in my neighbourhood. I gave up after half an hour because the only thing that had happened was that someone went into the corner store across the road holding a shopping bag. Mmm ... big mystery there!
It may be old-fashioned, a bit daggy, and a bit 'jolly hockey sticks', but it's also a product of its times and good fun. It shows that children can do valuable things on their own initiative. Thank you for inspiring my imagination, Enid Blyton. As the last line in the book says, 'Hurrah for the Secret Seven'....more
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