Kids Search by EBSCOhost

Kids Search by EBSCOhost  www.ebscohost.com 

The trusted family of EBSCOhost products offers a Kids Search version that is user friendly for those young students just developing their research skills.

Summary:  EBSCOhost Kids Search is a wonderful way to introduce a research database to school age children filled with credible journal articles.  The tool bar at the top of the home page allows students to search the dictionary, encyclopedia, and images.  They can search their topic by typing it in the search bar or they can do a detailed search using Boolean terms and other limiters.  They may search magazines, newspapers, books & encyclopedias, biographies, or primary source documents.  They can also limit their search by full text, publication date, peer reviewed, number of pages, cover story, publication type, Lexile reading level, PDF full text, and images and title within the Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia.  Once the results are tabulated, the student can then print out the article, e-mail it, save it, or add it to a folder.  The user also has the ability to search by topic if they click on the picture box that refers to the topic on the home page.  An area for users to search by top searches and a spotlight topic is also available on the home page.  This database is a great way to encourage higher levels of thinking when it comes to research and developing information literacy.

Qualitative Analysis:  EBSCOhost’s Kids Search is a database with several text tools that make it easy for the student just learning how to conduct credible research.  Because it is a subscription the institution must pay for, the patron must have a library membership that gives them access or a user name and password.  The home page has a bright green and orange color scheme which is well organized and not cluttered.  The headings leading the student to the different ways of searching are clearly defined with larger text within the text box for the type of search.  The graphics include realistic cartoon-type drawings that would appeal to even the older elementary student.  The articles include realistic photographs.  This writer found the “Search by Topic” frustrating to use, however.  Every time a query was conducted, it said “No results were found.”  The detailed search option is filled with different types of limiters mentioned in the above summary.  This format is something young researchers need to become familiar with as they develop their research skills.

Genre and/or Subject Area:  Paid Subscription Database

Age or Interest Level:  Grades K-8

Personal thoughts:   I am familiar with the EBSCOhost databases I have used for my own research needs over the years.  I think it is great that there is a research database specifically designed for elementary students that is colorful and easy to use.

11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill

Summary:  Have you ever wanted to know the answer to something you wondered about?  Could an experiment help answer that question?  What are the steps to conducting an experiment?  Follow along with this curious girl who dresses like a scientist and conducts eleven experiments on things she has wondered about.  Will a piece of bologna fly like a Frisbee?  Do dogs like to be covered in glitter?  She begins with the question and states her hypothesis.  From there she lists what is needed for each experiment and what to do.  Finally, she lists the results.  Not all experiments are serious scientific discoveries.  In fact, some of them can be quite humorous.

Qualitative Reading Analysis:  The complexity of this text is slight to moderate.  It is well organized in that each experiment takes three pages to complete.  The text features and graphics are very complex.  They include headings that are in a larger font and different font color.  The steps for the experiments are numbered and the supplies needed and results use bullet points.  The art work is quite complex as well.  Photos are used for certain items such as a lawn chair, pink tutu, and pink glitter in a tube, while other things are line drawings with watercolour such as the dog laying on the lawn chair and the girl who is standing on a photo of grass while wearing the pink tutu and holding the glitter.  The vocabulary knowledge will be common to most readers with the possible need to introduce words such as hypothesis and fungus.

Genre and/or Subject Area:  Humor/Science

Reading Level/Interest Level:  Follett RL: 2.9 / Grades K-3

CCSS Reading Standards for Literature K-5:

1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

10. Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

Recommendations/Curriculum Suggestions:  This would be a great book to read aloud to students when introducing scientific method in science.  It encourages the students to think of ideas for experiments for a possible upcoming science fair while introducing terms such as hypothesis.

Links Supporting Digital Content:  Scientific Method http://www.biology4kids.com , Scientific Methods http://studyjams.scholastic.com

Bibliographic Information:  Offill, J. (2011), 1 Experiments That Failed, New York: Schwartz & Wade Books

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Summary: Have you ever wondered how it was Cinderella ended up living with her step-mother and step-sisters?  This story tells the tale from the start.  Fifteen year old Ella was born with a curse, given by Lucinda.  The fairy had given the “gift” of obedience.  Ella learns at a very young age what the curse all entails.  After the death of her mother, Ella met Prince Charmont “Char” at the cemetery, and a friendship began to develop.  She also met Dame Olga and her two daughters, Hattie and Olive.  Because her father is rarely around, she depends on Mandy, the cook, who is also her fairy god-mother.  Ella’s father, Sir Peter, sends Ella to finishing school, where Dame Olga’s daughters are going.  Before leaving, Mandy gives Ella a magical book of fairy tales and a necklace that belonged to Ella’s mother.  She runs away from the school when she learns that she might find Lucinda and hopes to ask her to remove the “gift.”  Ella’s father marries Dame Olga and leaves Ella with her and the step-sisters, where they treat her like a slave.  About the time Ella and the Prince acknowledge their love for one another, Ella decides her curse would only bring harm to him.  Not until after three balls and pumpkins turning into carriages does Ella break the curse herself with her inner fight.  After explaining everything to the Prince, the two marry and live happily ever after.

Review: Everyone grew up knowing the fairy tale of Cinderella.  This story is a retelling of that story from the beginning with a lot of additions.   Ella is a strong character who is intelligent, witty and kind hearted.  The romance between her and the Prince is sweet and romantic.  They build their relationship based on the friendship they have with one another and through letter writing.  They kiss, but there is no sexual undertone.  There is no profanity.  It’s a classic love story within a fairy tale that includes ogres, elves, giants, a wicked step-mother, a fairy god-mother, a handsome prince, and magical pumpkins.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level: 4.2/Grades 3-6

Recommendations: The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop

Other Thoughts, Subjects/Themes, Awards, Series Information, Character Names, etc.: Newbery Honor

Levine, G. C. (1997), Ella Enchanted, New York: Scholastic

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Summary:  The first twelve years of Esperanza Ortega’s life has been one filled with privilege.  She is an only child growing up on a large vineyard in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  She has all the things a girl could dream of.  She enjoys household servants, beautiful dolls, fancy dresses, and a private education.  On her 13th birthday, in 1930, her life changes forever.  The father she adores is tragically killed.  Her powerful uncles scheme to take over the ranch by burning the house and vineyard.  Esperanza and her mother arrange to flee the life they were accustomed to, leaving behind Esperanza’s beloved abuelita (grandmother), who was injured during the house fire.  They arrive on a California agricultural work camp, living in a dwelling that is similar to what they used to house their ranch animals in.  Esperanza is now forced to do chores she once watched others do.  After her mother becomes ill, Esperanza begins working as one of the migrant workers to earn enough money to pay for her mother’s hospitalization and to pay for her abuelita’s trip to join them in California.  Through the hardships Esperanza experiences, she learns she has an inner strength and resilience that allows her to rise above her circumstances just like the phoenix, mythical bird that rises from the ashes.

Review:  Pam Munoz Ryan does a wonderful job telling a story that is similar to her abuelita, Esperanza Ortega, who immigrated to California from Mexico.  She does a beautiful job describing what life was like culturally and politically in Mexico and California during the 1930s, especially for Hispanic migrant workers and the struggles they faced.  The issues of descent housing and work conditions come to life through the characters described in the book and their struggle to provide for their families during the depression when their jobs were threatened by American citizens looking for work.  The themes of thankfulness, faith, and family are what help the main characters find their inner strength.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level: 6.2/Grades 5-8

Recommendations: Number the Stars and The Giver by Lois Lowry, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Other Thoughts, Subjects/Themes, Awards, Series Information, Character Names, etc.: Pura Belpre’ Award winner

Ryan, P. M. (2000).  Esperanza Rising.  New York: Scholastic