The Last Best Days of Summer

The Last Best Days of Summer
By Valerie Hobbs
J HOB

Lucy Crandall has spent the summer working as a helper for Eddie Munch, a thirteen year old with Down Syndrome. But with summer almost over and her annual visit to her grandmother's lakeside cabin approaching, Lucy decides she would rather go to the pool with her friend Megan instead of working with Eddie.

Megan and Lucy have fun at the pool and afterwards go to the Recreation Center. A cute boy from school, Justin, offers to get Lucy a soft drink. As he is walking back to the table, the cup in his hand, Eddie bursts into the room yelling,"Lucy, Lucy." He knocks into Justin, spilling the drink all over him. Justin walks off disgusted.

Lucy goes by the Munch's the next day to tell them she is going to visit Grams. Lucy leaves with her parents for the trip to Crescent Lake California where her grandmother lives. Meanwhile, Eddie is at home upset that he can't see Lucy. He decides he will go too and sneaks out of the house. He walks all the way to downtown. He sees the bus station and goes in, buys a ticket, and boards a bus headed for Northern California.

To discover what happens to Eddie on his journey to find Lucy, read this book, you'll be glad you did!

Reviewed by Carolyn Falk

The Number Devil

The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure
By Hanz Magnus Enzensberger
J ENZ

The Number Devil is a thought-provoking book. Robert, a twelve-year-old student hates his math teacher, Mr. Bockel, and the word problems his teacher assigns. One night the number devil interrupts Robert’s dream. After hearing Robert complain about word problems, he says, “There’s nothing wrong with a little addition and subtraction… But mathematics, my boy, that’s something else again!”

Over the course of twelve nights, the number devil introduces Robert to prime numbers, infinity, sequences and series, famous mathematicians, axioms, and even topology. The tone is playful rather than didactic and quite a lot of complex concepts are covered in interesting and readable fashion allowing the reader to think and learn along with Robert.

The number devil has his own terms for mathematical concepts. For instance, prime numbers are called prima donna numbers, irrational numbers are called unreasonable numbers,and square roots are called rutabagas. A “Seek-and-Ye-Shall-Find List” in the back translates the number devil’s terms to the mathematical term and provides a helpful topical index.

Mathematics is revealed to be much, much more than arithmetic. Those who already enjoy math class will love The Number Devil. Those who hate math, but read the book anyway, may change their minds about the subject. Recommended for grades 4 and up.

Reviewed by Margaret Ballard

Hungry for Some Tasty Reads?

Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum
Written and Illustrated by Meghan McCarthy
J 664.6 MCC

During the 1920s, Walter Diemer worked as an accountant for the Fleer Corporation, a gum and candy factory. During that time, the Fleer Corporation was trying to create a new kid of gum. When the company needed more laboratory space, the experimental lab was moved next door to Walter’s office. Walter started observing the process and eventually got involved with the experiments. He created bubble gum after months of trial and error. A brief history of gum is seamlessly woven into the interesting story, which reads like a picture book. Cute colorful illustrations bring the story to life. The last two pages contain supplemental facts and source notes. This book is a treat to read.



Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog
By Adreinne Sylver
Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith
J 641.36 SYL

When Emperor Nero’s chef Gaius decided to stuff pig’s intestines with ground meat and spices, sausage became a popular snack and spread throughout the Roman Empire. Hot Diggity Dog traces the history of the hot dog from the Roman Empire to nineteenth century America to the present day. Interesting factoids are on the sides of the page. Each topic is discussed briefly in 1-2 easily digestible paragraphs. Wacky illustrations add humor and personality to the text.

Reviewed by Margaret Ballard