Rebecca Langston-George

The Booth Brothers: Drama, Fame, and the Death of President Lincoln by Rebecca Langston-George is a book I was lucky enough to be allowed to read from NetGalley and the book's publishers. It is an astounding read! It flows so well and gives the reader all the gossip of the time so we know all the scoop. All the players, who knows who, who was where and when, what was happening and when, little minor things that were little known, and so much more is explained in here. I was entranced! Of show more course I know the story but this added so much more and added things to it I didn't know and I have read about it a dozen or more times. This is not really solely on the death of Lincoln but more on the brothers Booth. Their differences, the way they grew up, what happened after the shooting, and all the way to death...that that was a shock with Edwin's death and what was happening at the same time, wow! I loved this book. Lots of great pictures and make sure you check out the pics at the end of the book of John's possessions. Wonderful book! show less

I keep looking at the 900s and then shying away. What do I get rid of? What do I add? Where do I get the money for new sets? Do I even need new sets? Does anybody even read the 900s? Well, yes. Mostly the kids want books about war and Who Was... biographies. I gratefully seized on some review copies sent me from Capstone to get me started in this section.

From the "Spies" series, which includes four titles covering World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and modern times, I previewed show more Deep-Cover Spies and Double-Crossers of the Cold War. The book opens with a brief explanation of the Cold War then looks at five spies who operated during the Cold War; Gary Powers, an American spy who was eventually exchanged for a Russian spy and returned to America and the complicated story of the Rosenbergs. George Blake, a hero of World War II who was imprisoned during the Korean War and voluntarily became a double agent, and Janet Chisholm, wife of a British diplomat and agent who became involved in spying while in Moscow. Finally, the only non-Western person featured, Pham Xuan An, who had a complex relationship with the Western world where he was educated and earned the respect of both sides for his journalistic integrity.

In addition to the main text covering the activities of the people featured, there are also photographs of primary documents and people, additional facts, while back matter includes a timeline, glossary, and a few titles for additional reading. There are also questions that tie into "critical thinking" for the common core, source notes, bibliography, and index.

Although I would have liked to see more perspectives from people who were not white males, this is a good coverage of a complicated topic. It includes exciting stories, descriptions of codes and spy equipment, breathtaking escapes, and all the thrilling adventures kids look for in war stories. It also includes thoughtful examinations of the motives of the various people involved and how events are viewed differently after the fact, like the case of the Rosenbergs.

Verdict: This is a good, basic series on a popular topic. It includes both familiar, mainstream stories and some lesser-known events and people. Librarians will be pleased to know that it's available in paperback as well as library bound editions. I've found Capstone's paperbacks to be very sturdy. A good choice for filling in your 900s.

ISBN: 9780756554972; Published 2017 by Capstone; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Orphan Trains : Taking the Rails to a New Life by Rebecca Langston-George is a middle grade non-fiction book that had me captivated from page one. This is a book that would be good for teen or adult also. The author takes specific people and tells their personal story in a way that touches the reader and makes us feel what the orphan felt. We follow that orphan on the trip from being orphaned to going on the train, new 'parents', and as they are grown. Each experience is unique and told in show more such a way that the reader cries, smiles, hungers, and is confused with the child. There is so many little things that are brought up in the book that touches a persons heart. This is an excellent book on history and empathy. The book is formatted in a wonderful fashion and easy to follow. The people are made real through the magic of the authors words. What a wonderful book to bring the life of these children close to children of today. I received this book from NetGalley and I am so glad I did. I am going to buy this for my grand children. show less

For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai's Story written by Rebecca Langston-George and illustrated by Janna Bock is a fantastic account of the heroic stance Malala Yousafzai made for her right to an education. I have read "I am Malala" and this version of her story for children hits the nail on the head. Malala was a girl who wanted to go to school and felt no one had the right to deny her an education. Throughout her school days she lived in fear right up until she was shot in the head, show more and still did not give up on her right to learn. She is a hero who will not back down. This story shares the facts without a lot of the political dealings which children would probably not understand and would probably cause them to lose interest in this story. An excellent way to introduce thought-provoking issues of education, women's rights, discrimination and the simple ability to learn.
Challenge your children/students: What would they do if they weren't allowed to go to school? Excellent illustrations go with the text to give you a better understanding of the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Capstone Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. show less