Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

A remarkable woman: Classified

The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

by Traci Sorell, illus. by Natasha Donovan

#Classified #NetGalley

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021  

One thing that I love about kids’ non-fiction titles is that I often learn about something or someone previously unknown to me. That was certainly true with this book. I had not heard of Mary Golda Rose who was a twentieth century aerospace engineer. This Native American’s story is told here and it is intriguing.

Young reader’s learn that Mary’s Cherokee values shaped the person that she was. Her love of Math and Science led her to a successful career. From teacher to becoming an engineer at Lockheed, Mary worked hard and accomplished much.

This title includes helpful sections including a time line, a list of Cherokee values, source notes and a bibliography. Interested readers can thus look deeper into the life and times of this remarkable woman.

STEM education is a focus now. This book will encourage students, especially girls, to reach for the careers that they want. They will be impressed by what Mary achieved and, hopefully, will learn that they, too, can be successful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Care about the world: The Story of Climate Change

A first book about how we can help save our planet

by Catherine Barr, Steve Williams

#TheStoryofClimateChange #NetGalley

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021  

This book begins billions of years ago when the earth was very hot. Children then learn how over time temperatures cooled and oceans were formed. From there, readers see the many changes that have taken place on the planet in a process that occurred over many, many years. They learn that some of these changes have had consequences that can hurt the climate, as for example with methane build up. The ways in which people, plants, animals and more have been impacted are matter of factly laid out. That could feel scary. However, the author ends the book with a reminder of the things that we can all do to improve the quality of our environment and world thus empowering kids.

The illustrations in this title are involving and colorful. There are some amusing captions embedded in them. They will keep the interest of the kids to whom this book is directed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I think that this book does a very good job in discussing a topic that kids should know about.

Well worth your time: The RHS Book of Flower Poetry and Prose

by Charles Elliott

#TheRHSBookofFlowerPoetryandProse #NetGalley

Pub Date 09 Mar 2021

This is a lovely book to give to one’s self or as a gift to a garden lover. Collected in here are poems or prose about more than fifty flowers, everything from the humble daisy to the violet to the marigold, the harebell poppy and many more. The illustrations are superb-colorful, detailed and engaging. The verse and prose is from everyone from William Carlos Williams to Wordsworth to Longfellow and many writers both very well known and new to me.

I highly recommend this one. Read it to enjoy some nature while you are spending more time at home.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.