April 1, 2015
Gr 3-6-These books are intended to help students gain basic academic skills that will aid them in a variety of endeavors, from analyzing advertisements to revising text. The information provided is sound, although the format is less than ideal. Large chunks of text without many headings, visuals, or bullet-point lists make tackling abstract concepts daunting. Long exposition that borders on the redundant results makes for tedious reading. Although these texts are meant to accompany a one-on-one, hands-on learning experience, they do not encourage children to actively explore, and their density will drag students down. VERDICT Skip them.
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July 1, 2015
In this useful series, the orderly stages in working through a middle-school research project are covered, with many examples to clarify the process for beginners. From narrowing a topic, forming a thesis, judging relevant and trustworthy sources, and understanding advertising bias to avoiding plagiarism in writing the final report, common student concerns are addressed. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)