Nonfiction Archives – Rebecca Reads

American Lion by Jon Meecham

November 9, 2016 by Rebecca Reid

If there is any president of the United States that I have both disgust and intrigue for, it is Andrew Jackson, the southern president who completely changed the face of the presidency from upper class elite to “man of the people.” A president who approved and carried out the first of many Native American relocation (an early government-approved genocide). What was his presidency actually like? Who was he, as a man? How did he rise to the presidency, and what are the modern-day implications of his policies?

In American Lion by Jon Meecham, Andrew Jackson’s presidency is described for the curious, and biography of the widower is shared for the modern understanding. Jackson was unique in his approach to the presidency, and his new approach did change politics in the USA for ever. Since I feel last night’s election is likewise ushering in a new type of president, it seems appropriate to finally write my thoughts about Meecham’s biography of Jackson, which I read half a year ago.

We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman

August 10, 2016 by Rebecca Reid

As in his other photographic history books (Abraham Lincoln being the most well known to me), in We Will Not Be Silent, Russell Freedman tells a true story with the added addition of photographs to give the characters life. In this case, he shares about the brave students in Germany who stood up to Hitler, Hans and Sophie Scholl. The Scholl children published anti-Nazi brochures and worked to spread the understanding of the danger of Hitler’s policies. Ultimately, they paid for their bravery with their lives.Continue Reading

Build, Beaver, Build by Sandra Markle

March 23, 2016 by Rebecca Reid

Build, Beaver, Build by Sandra Markle is a book about beavers at the largest beaver dam in the world. Sandra Markle is a name that I’ve come across many times in my years of reading children’s fiction. I have reviewed two of her scientific mystery books on this site: The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats and The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs.

Build, Beaver, Build caught my eye because I must admit that I do not know much about beavers. Markle’s newest book gives a simple story line about a growing beaver kit for the youngest readers, and it also contains an abundance of important facts for the older reader.Continue Reading

Power Up by Shaker Paleja and Glenda Tse

March 17, 2016 by Rebecca Reid

Power Up: A Visual Exploration of Energy by Shaker Paleja and Glenda Tse is a visually appealing and easily accessible book about energy for the upper elementary school and middle school student to enjoy perusing. Each page provides a huge amount of detail but the format of the pages gives the book a casual feel that gives the reader a reassurance that this is a fun book to read. Graphics, graphs, charts, diagrams, and illustrations make the abundance of information readily accessible.

Chapters include a general Introduction to Energy, Non-Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy, and the Future of Energy. Although I’m not an expert in science by any means, I had considered I understood a lot about energy and its sources and uses in the world. This book taught me a lot, and I was quite interested especially in the chapters on the future of energy.Continue Reading

Advertisement