Review: Bones of Birka

 I did take an archeology course in college in upstate New York. We had a site where we dug for Native American artifacts. I loved it. So, when the offer came in to review this book, I jumped at the chance. I don't know much about Vikings, except for the common knowledge, but now I'm eager to learn more. 

How many female Viking warriors does it take to make a fact?

When archaeologist Dr. Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson discovers that the bones contained in the most significant Viking warrior grave ever opened are in fact female, she and her team upend centuries of historically accepted conclusions and ignite a furious debate around the reality of female Viking warriors and the role of gender in both ancient and modern times.

In The Bones of Birka, author C. M. Surrisi introduces young readers to the events that led up to this discovery and the impact it has had on scientists’ and historians’ views of gender roles in ancient societies and today. This is the inside account of the Birka warrior grave Bj 581 archaeological endeavor, including all of the dreams, setbacks, frustrations, excitement, politics, and personalities that went into this history-changing discovery.

The finding has raised crucial questions about research bias, academic dialogue, and gender identity. - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I admit this isn't my usual read. I don't generally read a lot of nonfiction - unless it's a craft/cook book or pop culture book. I liked this one. It was more scientific rather than narrative nonfiction - but it was really interesting.

It followed a logical timeline. I liked the questions it raised due to the gender reveal of the Viking grave. I loved how they explored the reactions around the world upon learning the bones were female - and how that changed some people's opinion of the grave and the Viking Culture. It does make you think...

* Book sent for review

Mini Review: Industrial Revolution for Kids

Tagline from Publisher: This educational activity book introduces young readers to the Industrial Revolution through the people, places, and inventions of the time, from the incredibly wealthy Rockefellers and Carnegies and the dingy and dangerous factories of the day to the creation of new forms of transportation and communication.

Set-Up:
Includes: timeline, photographs, bibliography, recommendations (both books and places to visit), and 21 kid friendly activities.
The chapters break up discussing the changing of the times, factories and other new jobs, tenement housing and immigrants, jobs for kids, unions and strikes, hope for a better life, and cultural changes to the country.

The Good:
The photographs are amazing and they bring history to life.
The information ranges from very poor families to the very wealthy ones.
The revolution's broken up into two time periods and shown how society advances in each
It asks the question - was it good? Yes the technology improved some lives, but it also made things harder.

The Bad:
Nothing 

Overall Impressions: A great book for older kids/tween readers, which gives readers plenty to think about after learning about this historical time period. 

Mini Review: WWI for Kids

 This book comes out a month before the 100 years anniversary of the dominoes that led to the Great War that changed the world

The Good: I love the set up of the book - lots of photos, sidebars, activities, and maps that break up the text. I love how well rounded this book is - not just looking at one country's part in the war, but following everything has a whole. I liked reading about the secret treaties and how both sides didn't want to anger the Americans to bring them into the war. I liked reading about the tactics of war and the ideas of the leaders that failed. 

The Bad: I'm not crazy about Kids being in the title, because I think it's a book that would work well with teens and that might put them off from choosing this book (although it's kind of a nit picky thing)

Overall Thoughts: An excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about the war - and very timely. 

Review: Code Name Pauline

 When Pearl Witherington was 29, she parachuted into France, joining the Resistance. She surprised many operatives as being one of 40 females in the Resistance. In time, the men grew to respect her.

For the next year, Agent Pauline (her code name) helped organize the Resistance, worked as a courier, and worked to make sure the guerrilla warriors had what they needed to sabotage the Germans.

After two years and many close calls, Pearl left France and continued to work bringing the Resistance members and their actions into the public eye.

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into the book, but it's a very impressive account from a real spy. I'm a sucker for spy novels, so it's really neat to read from someone's perspective and I loved hearing the first hand account of the conditions, the danger, and the networks. I would have loved more details on the actual missions themselves and some more background information. I kept confusing people and while there is a section on key figures, it's in the back of the book and I didn't notice it until the end. I loved the aftermath of the war and how Pearl worked to have people recognized for the role. Pearl's a great role mode and a real hero.

Cover Thoughts: Good
Source: Sent for Review.

Review: Break These Rules

35 YA Authors each write a short essay on which rules to break: ones they broke themselves or ones they wish they had broken - anything to make them feel more comfortable in their own skin.

My Thoughts: This book makes me reflect on my teen years and the rules I broke and the rules I wish I had broken. Looking at the past is never easy.

These authors bared their soul - lots of heartbreak, emotion, and drama in their essays. Eating disorders, abuse, religious questions, - this book covers it all. I like the idea of breaking across cliques, not saying silent, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin. A great book for teens to take a look at their own lives.

I did wish that the author bios were not in the back of the book, but with the author's essays. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review