It Wasn’t Much: Ten True Tales of Oklahoma Heroes by Jana Hausburg

In her new book, Jana Hausburg relates the true stories of ten Oklahoma heroes. Readers will learn about Ruben Rivers, an African American soldier in World War II, who fought for equality on and off the battlefield. Readers will also find the story of a man who risked his life to save dozens from a coal mine fire, a woman who fought for human rights in Iraq and a man who nearly died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

Hausburg draws readers into each mini-biography with energetic prose and plenty of action. Punctuated by colorful side notes, maps, charcoal portraits and extensive bibliographic information, this is a great choice for teachers and students. The quick pace, short length and action will also draw in many reluctant readers.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Links

Forty-Sixth Star Press

 

 

Plush You! by Kristen Rask

I am far from being a girlie-girl. I have a natural aversion to romantic comedies, high heels and designer clothes. I don’t stay awake dreaming of getting mani-pedis and being swept off my feet by some oiled-up millionaire. So, I was surprised to learn that I have an almost orgasmic fascination with softies, i.e. plush toys. I especially like the quirky felt and crochet kind that sprang up in Japan and have sparked a series of popular books in the U.S.

Here are just a few of these mouth-watering books:

 

                    

                          

The one I read most recently, Plush You, is filled with maddeningly cute pictures of plush art from around the world. It’s a great book just for the pictures, but it would be even better if it included more instructions on how to make the plushes. The Cute Book is great for this (if you like little felt people), and I hear Softies has great instructions too! I’ll find out soon, I’m about to order it.

DweebMeter: 2/5

Plush You! Schmancy Exhibit Blog

 

Spook by Mary Roach

I’ve wanted to read Roach’s Stiff for a few years now, but, of course, I haven’t gotten around to it. But, the other day, on a whim, I picked up Roach’s Spook and…gasp…actually read it.

I think Mary and I must be kindred spirits or something. I mean, if I could choose to write two nonfiction books about anything, dead bodies and souls would definitely be on the top of my list. Does that make me morbid?

Anyways, Spook traces the history of science’s search for the soul. Roach details scientists’ attempts to weigh, trap or otherwise quantify the soul. She delves into the mysteries of ectoplasm (which mainly involve stuffing cheese cloth into various orifices). She also touches on such diverse subjects as ghosts, near death experiences, reincarnation and more.

Overall, a quirky, well-researched book. I would recommend it to morbid procrastinators everywhere.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Soul on Wikipedia

Ectoplasm on Wikipedia

Mary Roach’s Website

 

Drawing Shoujo Manga by Keith Sparrow

Cool design paired with hands-on activities makes this a great book for aspiring manga artists. Shoujo manga (as opposed to shounen) is most often created and read by females (of course this is just a stereotype). The introduction explains the development of shoujo manga and discusses its visual style and themes.

Section two outlines the materials and equipment needed to draw manga. Pictures of the recommended materials make this section easy to understand.

Section three shows the basic drawing techniques. The author takes readers through the process of drawing simple body parts and figures and progresses to examples of emotions and character types.

After viewing a brief gallery of completed manga art, readers can begin completing the first of the eight projects outlined in the book. Each project has enough detail for most amateur artists to achieve a good result.

The coolest part of the book is that you can stand it up like an easel. Also, the pages are d0uble sided. You read it one direction to begin with and then flip it over!

Overall, this book had clear instructions, adequate details and a cool design. I would recommend this book to any aspiring manga artist.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Manga University

Manga Revolution

Manga Tutorials

 

The Science of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials by Mary and John Gribbin

In the His Dark Materials trilogy, master storyteller Philip Pullman crafts an astonishing universe made up of armored bears, Gallivespian spies and a knife that can cut into other worlds, just to name a few of its magical aspects. But even though Pullman’s world might seem like pure fantasy, renowned British science writers John and Mary Gribbin prove that much of Pullman’s world is based on scientific fact.

The authors expose the true nature of Dust, explain the importance of Lord Asriel’s Northern Lights and reveal the scientific basis for the seemingly magical instruments used throughout the series, such as Lyra’s alethiometer, Will’s subtle knife and Mary’s amber spyglass. Readers may be astonished to learn that parallel universes are the stuff of hard science, not just science fiction. And even the mulefa, the deer-like creatures who travel on wheels in the books, have their basis in scientific theory.

The Gribbins make mind-boggling science concepts easy to swallow, and Pullman fans will find it hard to stop reading after the last page.

DweebMeter: 3.5/5

HisDarkMaterials.org

Powell’s Interview with Philip Pullman

 

Sigmund Freud by Kathleen Krull

The book is part of the five-volume Giants of Science series, all by the same author. Krull is intimately acquainted not only with Sigmund Freud, but also with the time period in which he lived and the influential people who shaped his thinking. Krull tells the story of how a young, egocentric man carved out a place for himself as a hero of science, even though many if not most of his ideas have been debunked today. She focused on Freud as the “Golden Sigi,” or golden boy, whose science often suffered due to his combativeness and unwillingness to question his own theories. Krull deftly paints the story not only of Freud’s growth into a legend, but also of the growth of scientific thought concerning the mind and mental illness. Krull delves into Freud’s family and professional relationships and shows how world events such as war and anti-Semitism changed Freud’s life.

Krull includes a short bibliography. In addition, there is also a website list, a list of Freud’s collected works and an index.

Overall, this book is focused, easy-to-read and, as far as I can tell, accurate. Young readers will enjoy not only learning about Freud, but also about the history of science, society and the mind.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Kathleen Krull’s Website

Sigmund Freud on Wikipedia

 

The Science of Harry Potter by Roger Highfield

Did you ever wonder how magic really works? This book discusses the real science behind the fantasy world of Harry Potter created by J.K. Rowling. Readers will be enlightened by chapters such as, “How to Play Quidditch Without Leaving the Ground,” “The Mathematics of Evil” and “The Sorting Hat, Invisibility Cloak and Other Spellbinding Apparel.”

In addition, those truly curious about magic will find the truth behind the Philosopher’s Stone, delve into the origins of witchcraft and find out the foul secret behind Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.

Readers who like this book, might also like these books by Highfield:
The Physics of Christmas: From the Aerodynamics of Reindeer to the Thermodynamics of Turkey 1999 and the updated version Can Reindeer Fly?: The Science of Christmas 2004.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Roger Highfield’s Website

USA Today Article about Science and Harry Potter

Forbes Article about Genetics and Harry Potter

 

The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert

Did you ever stop to wonder if any of the fantastic elements of Harry Potter’s world might be real? Author David Colbert separates fact from fiction in this information book geared to young adults (though adults love it, too). Colbert reveals the true story behind three-headed dogs, hinkypunks and unicorns. He recounts the real life of Nicholas Flamel and answers such questions as ‘Have witches always ridden brooms?’ and ‘Why give someone chocolate after a dementor attack?’

The book is organized like an encyclopedia, with helpful ’see also’ references below most items. It is great for Harry Potter fans, and teachers may enjoys sharing it in the classroom. The book was published in 2001, and thus covers material only through Goblet of Fire. The author wrote the Eyewitness history series and once served as an editorial director for HarperCollins.

DweebMeter: 3.5/5

Try also:
The Magical Worlds of Narnia

The Magical Worlds of Philip Pullman

The Magical Worlds of Lord of the Rings