Gloria SkurzynskiRessenyes

READING LEVEL: 5.1 AR POINTS: 5.0
(Ages 8-12, grades 3-7)

This story is just so-so! I thought the story would focus more on whales, but it seemed to focus more on Bindy, the foster girl who everyone thought was literally a big fat liar. Her parents had died and she was adopted by an aunt who had a son. This son was golden-boy. He was a high school football star and very well liked. Bindy, on the other hand, was chunky, heavyset, over ate, all this the author made very clear. Golden-boy had a hidden mean streak and would beat up on Bindy.

Bindy finally got brave enough to tell her Aunt and Uncle but they didn’t believe her. It caused so much trouble in the family that they decided to throw her into the foster system where she would end up with the Landon family, who had two kids Jack and Ashley. Their mother was a scientist who studied the mysterious deaths of sea mammals. She was called to travel to Maine when suddenly there were 12 different varieties of sea mammals washed up onto the shore at Bar Harbor. Most were dead, but few were in the process of being stranded.

Where the story goes a little awry is when the kids find themselves in a dangerous adult crime situation by trying to solve the mystery themselves. There wasn’t too much written about whales, themselves, but the author does add an Afterward on true facts about whales and how sonar causes them to beach. The little bits and pieces of this story regarding whales are based on true facts.

The story just wasn’t what I thought it “could” be. Younger kids might find it interesting or boring. I’m just not even sure.

Fun story about a clever old woman who outwits a tiger and a wolf who want to eat her. The some of the language used to describe the woman and her home are subtly disrespectful--she lives in a "hut", not a "home", for example--and there's not much sign of awareness about Indian culture. The story is supposedly from Indian folklore; it could be a fun one to see retold and illustrated by people who know what they're talking about.

Recommended reading from AFSME Council 2 conference.

kind of boring

This is a cute, fun read about two cousins who don't quite get along due to their different upbringings finding themselves in an unexpected adventure where they must rely on each other to survive.

Each chapter is told from the perspective of one cousin, switching between the narrative of Gina and Justin as the story progresses.

Jack (Age 14) and his younger sister Ashley (almost 12) are enjoying the sights of Gatlinburg, TN while their mother, a wildlife veterinarian, studies elk at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Soon however, Dr. Olivia Landon's expertise is needed on a more urgent situation: several recent black bear attacks that occurred in and near GSMNP is cause for dire concern. Jack takes it upon himself to investigate: Are two new friends, Yonah Firekiller (Age 16) who still holds a childhood grudge against aspiring country singer Merle Chapman (age 15) somehow to blame? A quick and easy read for younger teens and tweens. Having been to the Smokies several times, I was able to picture all the sights and sounds. This is 13th in a series of mysteries taking place in America's national parks.

I read this as a kid and it is one of my absolute favourites. I need to track down a copy for the kids in my life.

I found this by accident while I was looking for books for my son. Unfortunately it didn't hold his interest but I loved it! Even though it looks like a series that didn't last too long, I think it would have been excellent for kids. I didn't see much of a mystery in this one but it didn't come across as being too preachy or educational either. I love the adventure and family relationships and the covers with their wide-eyed stares!!

2.5 Stars is closer to what I would give this book. It wasn't great but it was engaging and did incorporate interesting animal and nature preserve facts.

Jack, the preteen protagonist is interested in photography while his sister Ashley is kind of vague. We don't really know what she likes or doesn't like, except she doesn't like killing or hurting animals. Bridger, the new foster child from Texas (?) refuses to wear anything other than jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat even if he is in the Florida Everglades. Bridger also has a misogynistic view of the role of men and women in society. When he learns that one of his foster parents is a Veterinarian and the other is a photographer, he assumes the husband as the vet and is very perplexed when this is not the case.

Olivia (mom) is called down to the Everglades to help figure out why there are manatees mysteriously dying. Of course the children come along and get mixed up with the manatees and a mysterious man who may endanger not only the lives of the manatees, but the lives of the children as well.

Like I said, overall it was entertaining, but it probably isn't something that I would read again.

2.5 Stars is closer to what I would give this book. It wasn't great but it was engaging and did incorporate interesting animal and nature preserve facts.

Jack, the preteen protagonist is interested in photography while his sister Ashley is kind of vague. We don't really know what she likes or doesn't like, except she doesn't like killing or hurting animals. Bridger, the new foster child from Texas (?) refuses to wear anything other than jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat even if he is in the Florida Everglades. Bridger also has a misogynistic view of the role of men and women in society. When he learns that one of his foster parents is a Veterinarian and the other is a photographer, he assumes the husband as the vet and is very perplexed when this is not the case.

Olivia (mom) is called down to the Everglades to help figure out why there are manatees mysteriously dying. Of course the children come along and get mixed up with the manatees and a mysterious man who may endanger not only the lives of the manatees, but the lives of the children as well.

Like I said, overall it was entertaining, but it probably isn't something that I would read again.

This is another one I read to my students. This is a GREAT read aloud - filled with action and adventure.

Justin and Gina are first cousin who despise one another. There is so much cousin rivalary that they can hardly stand to be in the same place.

Justin grew up on a farm in Arizona working hard to earn everything he has. Gina grew up in Denver daughter of an orthepedic surgeon and a mom who decided to leave home to throw pots in San Franciso.

This story takes place in the canyon land of Arizona. Justin and Gina's Dads have gone rock climbing. When Gina's dad almomst falls everyone decided it's too hard for Gina to watch, so Justin unhappily leads her on a hike to see a rock petroglyph. As they near the rock carving they hear a buzz saw and discover two men stealing the carving. When Gina lets out a huge scream, the men discover them and the chase is on... Add to this quick sand, gun shots, a cloud burst and a flash flood and you have just the kind of book 4th graders love to hear.

This was a Iowa Children's Choice Book one of the first years I taught.... that was a long time ago!! But, my students have enjoyed it every time I've read it since.

This is an Indian folktale about a woman named Mother Parvati and her magic pumpkin. She uses her magic wand and her magic pumpkin to go on a trip. She runs into a Tiger and a gray wolf and has to trick them into not eating her.

Twelve-year-old Jack Landon and his eleven-year-old sister Ashley live with their mom, Olivia, who is a wildlife veterinarian at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, WY, and their father Steven, who is a photographer. The family also takes in Troy Haverson, a somewhat rebellious thirteen-year-old boy whose mother has just disappeared. Then Olivia gets a call from Mike, head of Yellowstone National Park’s Wolf Restoration Program, about a nearby rancher’s dog which was supposedly killed by park wolves, and he wants her to come and investigate. When the Landons arrive at Yellowstone, there are all kinds of people picketing and protesting the wolves, and this slows down the rangers. After Mike comes, he, Olivia, and Steven need to go off to investigate the scene, leaving the children for another ranger to pick up. While waiting, the children see a pair of wolves, and as Jack is taking pictures, one of the wolves is shot.
Troy runs after the wolf hoping to save it and perhaps catch the sniper, so Jack and Ashley run after him, and the three of them spend a cold night in the wilderness with the injured wolf. How will they survive? What really happened to the dog and the wolf? Is there more to the rancher’s story than he’s been telling? And will Troy’s mother ever be found? Wolf Stalker is #1 in the National Parks Mystery series. I first saw a display of these books in the gift shop at Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania and recognized the name of one of the authors, Gloria Skurzynski, from another wonderful book of hers, The Minstrel in the Tower, that we had read. Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson are a mother and daughter writing team. It was my hope that there would be one on Valley Forge, but there isn’t, so I bought the one about Yellowstone. Originally, these books were called the “Mysteries in Our National Parks” and published in hardback but most were republished in “digest edition paperback.” This one certainly has a lot of tension and excitement.
However, there are some language and attitude issues. Besides a few childish slang terms (crud, crap, screwed), which I assume are used to make the characters seem “relevant” to modern readers, references to “cussing,” though no actual cuss words are found, and to a “nasty hand gesture,” though it is not described in detail, appear. Jack calls Ashley “tick brain,” and other examples of seeming disrespect occur. The truth is really stretched during the interrogation of the rancher, and on one occasion Jack is actually said to have “lied.” These things may not be issues for many parents, but others may find them somewhat objectionable. For these reasons, I would say ages 12 and up rather than 8 and up. At the same time, despite their spats, it is clear that Jack and Ashley really do love one another, and Olivia said that she “prayed and prayed” while the kids were missing. It’s an interesting story with a good premise and a lot of factual information, but some parents may prefer better role models. Other books in the series take place in Mesa Verde, Everglades, Glacier, Zion, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Virgin Islands, Acadia, Carlsbad Caverns, Denali (Mt. McKinley), and Smoky Mountains National Parks. Another one in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Rage of Fire) is listed but apparently not available in a paperback edition.

I heard about this mystery series, sponsored by National Geographic, on the Books on the Nightstand podcast. Written by a mother (who is a mystery author) and a daughter (who is a science writer), each book takes place in a different national park. According to podcast, the brother and sister who are featured in each book are often joined by foster children who have come to live with the family, which helps keep the series fresh.

The first book takes place in Yellowstone National Park, where people are protesting the wolf reintroduction project. When a dog is allegedly attacked by a wolf, Olivia Landon, a wildlife expert, is called in to investigate. She takes her husband Steven (who is a wildlife photographer), their two kids, and a foster son named Troy, who has just come to live with the family. As the family is trying to figure out the mystery, we learn a lot about Yellowstone National Park along the way. The book was fast-paced and interesting. I'm hoping my 10-year-old son will give this series a try.

The Revolt by Gloria Skurzynski was a great book. It is the third book in the series of four which follows Corgan, the genetically inhanced sup who is the champion of the Virtual War. The book is placed in the year 2082 after the world was destroyed by war and plagues and the survivors live in domed city’s all over the world. When Corgan won the virtual war he won the Islands of Hiva which are the only uncontaminated place in the world and is offered the chance to live there forever. Corgans enemy Brigand who is a clone and has a clone brother named Cyborg is the leader of a revolt against the Western Federation and the only person that stands in his way is Corgan. I would highly recommend reading the first two books then this book. This book has two messages which are that wars will only destroy the world and you should always trust your friends. This book is perfect for a middle school aged boy who is into sci-fi fantasy and video games. There is a girl in this book : Sharla which could appeal to girls but this book seems mainly centered towards boys. This book is a must read for anybody that loves action and adventure.

This book, ninth in the "Mysteries in Our National Parks" series, is set in the Virgin Islands National Park. The authors deftly weave information about endangered coral reefs and hawksbill turtles into the story, as well as Caribbean culture and history: Jumbies (evil spirits), basket-making, sugar plantations, the 1733 slave revolt, Haitian Macoutes, and the smuggling of illegal aliens from Haiti to the Virgin Islands. A map of the park and an afterword by a marine ecologist are included. The story's politically-correct ending is somewhat unbelievable, but the story will appeal to middle grade students reading at approximately fifth-grade level.

Skurzynski, Gloria. (2008). The Virtual War: The Virtual War Chronologs - Book 1. New York: Simon Pulse.

Virtual War is a science fiction novel that takes place in 2080 on Earth, which has been contaminated. Corgan has been raised in a virtual reality and has been trained to be an expert fighter. He is very important in the upcoming virtual war. But as he begins to fight, he starts to question his purpose and the Federation and whether or not he is doing the right thing by following their orders. All in all, an okay science fiction read for upper elementary students - possibly 4th-6th grade. It seems like it would appeal more to boys who are interested in gaming and programming, although there is a female character, Sharla, that may appeal to girls.

Talks about the evolution of robots. Have the kids build their own robots.

Well-written historical fiction for the World War I era. Characters are well-developed and have realistic voices.

This book had three tales whos intent were to teach morals. Two of the three tales had donkeys, and one had sheep. Two of the tales were of people getting in their own way by making silly mistakes or being fooled by someone and the last was a man impersonating a teacher until he got caught because he could not read. These tales seem to emphasis the point of the importance of wisdom.

This book FREAKED me out as a young girl in the late 70's--it is still a good read, but it didn't scare me as much!

This is the second of a series in the Virtual War Chronologs. There are some interesting facts about cloning and arificial insemination, which could be useful in a science class. The treatment of the girl is somewhat streotypical, and the plot line is over simplified, but this might have appeal to boys.

My son says: This book has excitement, love, and hidden secrets. If you like books about people who were once your friend and turned into enemies, crazy myths, and drama, brothers who turn against each other, future, and crazy cities, then this would be a great book for you to read. Boys and girls between the ages of 9 to 14 would enjoy this book.

The setting of my book is at “The Domed City” on top of Wyoming, and at Nuku Hiva Island. All the action takes place at Nuku Hiva Island and at “The Domed City”. The time of the year in this book is in the future about 2080.
The main characters of my book are: Corgan, Sharla, Brig, Seabrig, Brigand, Grimber, Delphine and Mendor. The characters are believable in my opinion, maybe if we could live in the future I would believe in them more. The character I liked the most was Corgan, because he is a very responsible teenager, intelligent, and thinks like me. I can relate to Corgan a little by the way he thinks about all the problems that happen in the story, who I would also solved them. I haven’t done none of the things they did at the story, but I have felt the same way as the characters.
The conflict or problem in the story was that Brig died soon after the War and yet is not truly gone. Sharla had saved some or Brig’s DNA and has created clone-twins with it. Without the Supreme Council knowing about the clone-twins, because if they did know the Supreme Council would kill one of the clone-twins, and they (Corgan, and Sharla) didn’t want that to happen, but one of the Laboratory member discovers about the clone-twin secret and tries to tell upon them. The resolution of the story is when, Corgan flies to Florida, so Brigand wouldn’t kill him. The problem is solved when Grimber (Laboratory member) dies of a heart attack, and doesn’t tell the Supreme Council. Sharla created clone-twins with Brig’s DNA which was Sharla’s and Corgan’s friend. Corgan’s world was disrupted when Sharla brings one of the clone-twins, Seabrig, to him to raise on the island, while she keeps the other, Brigand, with her in the Domed City. The conditions force Sharla to bring Brigand to the island, Corgan and Sharla find out that even though the boys may look identical their personalities are different. As a result of the cloning process, both boys are growing at an unbelievable rate. Seabrig is badly injured and must be airlifted from the island to have medical treatment in the Domed City. Leaving Corgan alone with an dangerous and unstable Brigand, who is now his size, wanting to get rid of Corgan for all. I didn’t like the ending, because I thought it was going to end differently.

PERSONAL OPINION

Everything it is very interesting and has a lot of suspense.What I would change about this book would be the ending. What I learned from this book was that not everybody is a good person.I think my sister should read it, because she likes this kinds of books like me with a lot of suspense.

RATING: It was pretty good, and I wish the book hadn’t ended so soon.

While visiting the Everglades National Park with their parents, the Landon children uncover the mystery of dying manatees and learn important lessons about the natural environment.