Library Roulette - Junior Edition

About a month ago, I completed my 35th goal, Library Roulette.  I enjoyed the project so much that I decided to declare Goal 35.5 to be Library Roulette - Junior Edition.  The plan was to pick a book from each of the 10 Dewey Decimals numbers of the original challenge, all from the Young Adult / Children's section.

        001: Knowledge

        003: Systems

        021: Library Relationships

        025: Library Operations

        225: New Testament

        327: International Relations

        365: Penal and Related Institutions

        500: Natural Sciences and Mathematics
        737: Numismatics and Sigillography

        750: Painting and Paintings

As it turns out, the children's non-fiction section is not as extensive as adult non-fiction, at least not in our county.  After visits to three different library branches, I've found children's books from 8 of the 10 Dewey numbers in my original challenge.  I was not able to find any children's non-fiction in 003 (Systems) or 021 (Library Relationships).

Here's the stack of 8 books that will make up my Library Roulette Jr. project.  It's about 1/5 the height of my original Library Roulette stack!

So, with no further ado, here is Part One of Library Roulette - Junior Edition.

001: Knowledge

The Unexplained: Area 51

by Ted Martin

I knew almost nothing about Area 51 before reading this book.  After reading this book (which has only 11 pages of text), I still don't know all that much about Area 51.  Obviously, I can't expect children's books to go in-depth on a subject, but I was hoping for a little more.  Of course, since the title starts with "The Unexplained," I suppose there is only so much a non-fiction book can cover!  I find it somewhat ironic that this is what is categorized in the "Knowledge" section.

The inside cover says this is geared toward 3rd - 7th grade students.  I agree that it would be suitable for 3rd or 4th grade, maybe 5th, but it seems far too simplistic for middle school.

Recommended: Yes, with reservations.

025: Library Operations

A Smart Girl's Guide to the Internet

by Sharon Cindrich

There were quite a few books to choose from in the Library Operations category.  Many were extremely introductory books about libraries ('Meet a Librarian' preschool type of books), so I checked the Young Adult books.  This one called out to me, being that I'm a smart girl and all.

I absolutely loved this book.  It was well-written, practical, and perfectly targeted toward preteen girls who may be interested in email, chat rooms, instant messaging, downloading music, and social networks.  Even though I read it about 30 years too late for me to benefit, it was still interesting and informative, and gave me a better idea of what children growing up in the Internet age face.

My ONLY complaint about this book is that it is so blatantly only for girls.  There is no reason it couldn't have been a smart KID'S guide instead of just a smart GIRL's guide.  But every page references girls and addresses the reader as a girl.  As the mother of a son who is just starting to use the Internet, I would love to have a corresponding book for him, but there isn't one.

Recommended: Yes, highly... for both preteen girls and their parents.

225: New Testament

Saint Paul

by David Self

You know what they say: Don't judge a book by its cover.  Based on this cover, I wasn't terribly interested in starting this book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.  The book starts with the Pharisee Saul (as Paul was known), witnessing the trial and execution of Stephen.  It describes his conversion (and name change), his travels, and his many adventures.  It has 37 pages of text and is best suited toward upper elementary age students.

An interesting tidbit: this book is dedicated to its own author.  David Self died after finishing the book, but before it was published.  I'm sure that must happen occasionally, but I've never seen it mentioned in the dedication.

Recommended: Yes, highly.  While technically a children's book, it's a well-written book that provides a good summary for adults who might have forgotten some of their Sunday School lessons over the past 30-some years.  :)

I'll share the next books in a future post.