Series and Time

Next week, at the recommendation of a librarian friend of mine, the blog will review books that were very popular. We will see what titles pass the test of time.

Heeeellllpppp!!!

Emma Dilemma and the Camping Nanny

Hermes, Patricia. Emma Dilemma and Camping Nanny. Tarrytown, NY : Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009.

Plot: Emma is in a dilemma. She has the very best nanny in the world, but her nanny has started spending her free time with someone else. His name is Bo, and he and the nanny are dating seriously . At school, Luisa, Emma's best friend, spends more time with Katie than Emma. A weekend of camping may offer the solution to the nanny problem, especially since Bo is terrified of bears. However, a mix of talent show drama, missing ferrets, sisterly tantrums, dancing questions, journal readings, and close encounters of the skunk kind may keep Emma's dilemmas from ever being solved.

Genre: Growing Up, Everyday, Relationships

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Emma Dilemma and the New Nanny, Julia Gillian (and the Quest for Joy), Forever Amber Brown

Personal Thoughts: The book provides a pleasing blend of humor and seriousness. Emma manages to create some funny situations around her and her relationships. However, the book also addresses issues continuously facing people, particularly younger people. The primary problem blooms from the delicate balance of sharing friends. When the people in Emma's life start meeting others, she learns, through trial and error, that the people she cares about can love her while loving others, which everyone needs to learn. 

The Magic Tree House: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve

Osborne, Mary Pope. The Magic Tree House: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve. New York : Random House, 2003.

Plot: After receiving a summons on an oak leaf, Jack and Annie return to their magical tree house to answer Merlin's call. The two find themselves in Camelot with a quest to return a duke's castle "to order." They discover the castle is not messy, but haunted by invisible occupants due to the theft of the Diamond of Destiny. However, the act was not accomplished by mere mortals, but thieves consisting of an army of ravens lead by an evil sorcerer. The siblings, with their friend, Teddy, must use their wits and magic to stop the feathered fiends.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Eve of the Emperor Penguin, The 39 Clues

Personal Thoughts: The story promises high adventure and mythical links. Unfortunately, the characters and plot are poorly developed and the story quickly becomes predictable. The two protagonists become the super-smart non-magic users that understand magic better than the sorcerers, while the villain falls to an almost comically expected trick. Overall, the title seems to miss its full potential.

This is the third title in the Camelot story arc.  

Judy Moody

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody. Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2000.

Plot: Judy begins her first day of school in a bad mood. She did not get any interesting shirts from her summer vacation, unlike everyone else in her school. Determined to vent her rage, she attempts to taunt her new teacher, Mr. Todd, who catches her every attempt to disturb the class. He even manages to improve her mood. She, and every other student in the class, will make a "me" collage. The next few months follow Judy's collage creation. Her ups, such as her prank on Stink, creation of the T.P. club, and purchase of her new pet find there way on the project. Unfortunately, the collage also documents her worst moments and a very large juice stain, courtesy of Stink.

Genre: Everyday

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Clementine, Frindle, Stink

Personal Thoughts: A story of a quirky girl with a slightly unusual name and high expectations. The basic plot has been a staple of tween literature since Beaverly Clearly, but for a good reason. Readers can sympathize with the enthusiastic but trouble-prone Judy's daily victories and failures while appreciating the slightly over-the-top adventure of novels.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture

Lasky, Katherine. Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture. New York : Scholastic, 2003.

Plot: Soren's joy at his sister's hatching quickly fades when his older brother pushes him out of the nest. Alone and unable to fly, the little barn owl fears for his life. Death, he quickly finds, is not the worst fate. He finds himself in the claws of a larger owl determined to make him and other kidnapped "orphans" loyal minions of St. Aggie's, a bizarre institution with a dubious intentions. With the help of a eloquent elf owl, Soren manages to keep his name and his sanity despite multiple brainwashing attempts. The two escape and gain two new companions orphaned by the St. Aggie owls. Determined to stop the group for good, the team seeks the legendary Great Ga'Hoole Tree, home to heroes sworn to fight evil.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Swordbird, Silverwing

Personal Thoughts: A solid animal fantasy with varied characters and adventurous plots. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Perhaps the issue comes from the fact that the villains are fanatic-religious-extremists-communists-kidnappers-revolutionists-sexists-malcontents. The antagonist institution appears to encompass every single negative aspect present in modern politics and meadia. Another issue comes from the fact that, while the author could look up the scientific names for the owls, she failed to note other basic aspects of biology, such as natural diet, dimorphism, and breeding. Some of the fault can be ascribed to poetic license, but it remains irksome. However, the most frustrating aspect of the novel stems from the fact that it is the first in a series. A fifteen part series. Meaning finding out what happens to the heroes will require the reader to find and read fourteen more books.

Arrgg.

Search Saga: End

So ends the Search Saga. Next week, we will return to reviews, starting with popular series.

The search is over, but the saga continues

Search Saga: Stuck

Help

Sometimes, in spite of effective tools and limitless information, Internet users get stuck in their searches. Here is a list of common "stuck" causers, as well as how to avoid them.

1. Typing a question: Often, users will simply type in their question in a search engine, only to find a forum, answer site (i.e. WikiAnswer), or one-sentence pages. While this may help find a quick response, the information does not assist someone with a 4+ page report due next week. Instead of asking a question, type in the subject of the question. For example, rather than typing "What is malaria?" simply type "malaria."

2. Nothing found: Probably the most discouraging of all responses. Happily, it can be solved with a bit of creativity (and a thesaurus). Try different terms with the same meaning. Rearranging search terms can help. Eliminate quotation marks or conjunctions increases hits. Also, be sure the spelling is correct. Many of the more popular search engines will compensate for poor spelling, but some of the more specific databases do not.

3. Too much information: Sometimes, the response of a search can overwhelm a user. To counter information overload, narrow the search. Adding more specific terms or utilizing the AND or NOT options in an "Advanced Search" option can accomplish this.

4. Unreliable information: Difficult to identify when the searcher is unfamiliar with the subject. However, some information on the Internet cannot be trusted. When in doubt, look for another resource and compare information.

5. My teacher will not accept information from X: Teachers will often limit student searches. This may be to teach students different search techniques. Also, some resources are notoriously unreliable. Wikis are particularly notable offenders. While they offer quick information, anyone can edit them, often leading to misinformation (once, a wiki told me tsunamis are caused by "yo mama"). Trust the teacher and use other resources.

6. Able to describe it, not able to find it: When a searcher knows specific resource and is completely unable to locate it. Little can be done for this situation. Try to think of different descriptors or review where the item was first found. If the item was viewed before, try looking at the browser's History.

Occasionally, all searchers get stuck. With some caution and creativity, though, a frustrating search can still yield useful information.

Search Saga: Guides

This is my guide. He knows stuff.

  

Usually, to preform an online search, the user will type in a search term and move on. However, many databases include the opportunity to perform a Boolean Search. If you have never heard of a Boolean  Search, do not worry. I did not know of them until I started my Master's Degree. However, most users have experienced the tools for performing a Boolean Search, usually when selecting the "Advanced" option of a database or search engine. The selection will lead to a table offering a textbox, as well as three additional boxes labeled "AND", "OR", and "NOT". 

AND does not actually mean "and." "With" would be a better description. When a search uses "AND," it only finds items with both terms. For example, if a user typed "fox" AND "wolf", the search would not include items about foxes if they did not also mention wolves as well. AND is useful if a searcher needs to find something specific about a concept with multiple meanings (i.e. "cry" or "face") or needs to narrow the search.

OR: Actually means "and" (no, I do not think they could have made this more confusing if they tried). Following the previous example, typing in "fox" OR "wolf" will include items pertaining to foxes, wolves, and foxes and wolves. If the user needs to find lots of information, the OR option offers a means of doing so.

NOT: Probably the easiest to explain. NOT eliminates all items with a given term. It needs to be used with caution, since any reference to the term will be eliminated from the search. Still, NOT prevents users from drowning in over-information by cutting unnecessary items.

Sometimes, sites will use variations of the Boolean Search. An Advanced Search in Yahoo!, for example, offers "the exact phrase" (AND), "any of these words" (OR), and "none of these words" (NOT). Understanding the basics of a Boolean Search will allow users to find information with less frustration.

Search Saga: Where to Begin

Starting the journey...

Unsurprisingly, online searches need to start...online. That said, some online search engines, databases, and websites will serve better than others. A few notable examples include:

1. Google: Perhaps one on the best known search engines. The engine offers links to more information than any other. However, it does not offer limits to searches, and often brings up what librarians call "false hits." False hits are items that do not actually pertain to the intended search. For example, typing in "California" in a basic search will lead users to the state's site, but also the DMV site, Parks site, and Disneyland site.

2. Yahoo: The search engine manages to produce fewer false hits than Google, but is still far from ideal. While the site arranges items according to popularity, much like Google, it does nothing to identify the validity of the sites.

3. Twurdy: I recently discovered this site. While it is not as exhaustive as Google or Yahoo, it offers a useful feature. It offers a ranking system for the sites according to reading level, allowing users to judge the best sites according to the ease or difficulty of reading.

4. SweetSearch: A limited search engine, but one with extremely useful potential, particularly for students. All sites presented by the engine are reviewed by a team of research experts, librarians, and teachers. Using the site takes practice, but it offers legitimate information to users.

5. School and Library Databases: If a school or library is paying for the database, the institution must think it is worth the effort. Give the sites a shot.

Search Saga: The Intro

Search Saga: The Intro

This week will review no books, websites, or movies. Instead, a subject facing and perplexing tweens, teens, and adults will be addressed. Many assume the subject to be intuitive, and perform it with little regard to effectiveness. Others, embarrassed by their shortcomings, refuse to ask for help. A few less scrupulous individuals may even use the difficulties surrounding it as an excuse for poorly done or incomplete work. The subject in question? Online searching.

Computers and the Internet revolutionized communication and research, but many students, including tweens, express difficulty in utilizing the resources to their full potential. So, instead of offering reviews, I will present an appropriately modified version of some work I did in college.

We will learn to find things online without getting lost.

I'm lost!

The Sixty-Eight Rooms

Malone, Marianne. The Sixty-Eight Rooms. New York : Random House, 2010.

Plot: Ruthie thinks her life is stable, small, crowded, and boring. Jack, her best friend, seems to live in a completely opposite way. Both of them are unprepared for the mystery Jack unlocks with a brilliant key discovered behind the famous Thorne Rooms in the Art Instituted of Chicago. As soon as she touches the key, Ruthie shrinks to fit the well-crafted miniature rooms. With Jack's help, they eventually explore the world outside the rooms, leading them to pre-Revolutionary France, medieval Europe, and colonial America. As they explore they discover they are not the first to enter the miniature worlds with the strange key. Nor are they the only ones seeking answers to the mystery.

Genre: Fantasy, History

Reading Level: Grades 4 - 7

Similar Titles: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Arthur and the Minimoys, 39 Clues

Personal Thoughts: The book's plot is the opposite of Night at the Museum's. Instead of the museum coming to life, two visitors enter the historical world of the displays. The change offers a refreshing view of the "back to the past" plot while meshing better with the modern world. However, Ruthie does act atypically mature for a tween. Also, she and Jack manage to avoid punishment for some genuinely bad behavior. Still, the story takes full advantage of the adventure offered by Chicago's miniature display.

Apparently, Malcone produced a sequel, Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure, in 2012. 

How the Sphinx Got to the Museum

Hartland, Jessie. How the Sphinx Got to the Museum. Maplewood, NJ : Blue Apple Books, 2010.

Plot: The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases a remarkable sphinx, originally commissioned by Hatshepsut, a female Pharaoh. The sphinx, like many of the pharaoh's works, was destroyed through political change and time. A series of actions by experts around the world allows the shattered sphinx eventually reaches the American public.

Genre: History, Art

Reading Level: Grades 1 and up

Similar Titles: How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum; Dave Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave; What's Inside?

Personal Thoughts: While the title does not provide the most in-depth view of art, history, or museums, it answers a question not often addressed but frequently wondered. How do museums acquire their exhibits? The book answers the question in a simple format without diminishing the individuals involved with the display. 

Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.

Plot: Larry's attempts to patent dubious inventions fail to provide steady income. To keep his house and his son's visitation rights, he needs a stable job. The natural history museum's need for a night watchman seems ideal, since it requires no previous experience. His predecessors fail to mention a rather important fact during his training, though. After the museum closes, every exhibit, display, and model comes to life! Larry must adjust to a workplace inhabited by dinosaur skeletons, miniatures, and wax figures. Additionally, some of his allies may not be quite as benign (or hostile) as initially believed.

Genre: Fantasy, Movies, Humor

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: National Treasure, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Personal Thoughts: The movie did not receive very high reviews. That said, I enjoyed it. It relies on some overdone movie staples, such as father-son relationships, slapstick humor, and never giving up. However, it also focuses on a thought that enters any museum guest at some point: what would happen if these were real? 


A sequel, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, reached theaters in 2009.

Museums

I'm back. The vacation was fun, but it's time to go back to work. This week's items focus on museums.

Inquisitive Komodo Dragon is intrigued