School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—If your collection of materials on study skills stops at books on using an index and taking notes, you'll want to consider these up-to-date volumes. The appealing layout includes manageable paragraphs, a variety of engaging illustrations, and examples that clearly guide readers through each topic. In Put It All Together, strategies include gathering resources, organizing information, and ways of presenting discoveries. Straight to the Source provides an excellent introduction to primary sources and will create enthusiasm in readers for examining old photographs and ads. Effective note taking and highlighting are the focus ofWrite It Down, but the book also suggests using sticky notes and creating diagrams and charts. Team Up Online introduces collaboration by using a garden analogy: plant, dig, garden, and ponder. It alsoinsists on adequate privacy safeguards and discusses online tools such as wikis that will help students to work together. Find Your Way Online begins with keywords, narrowing the search, and search engines. Then it shows students how to "drill down" using subject directories and databases. Find the Right Site is an excellent introduction to Web site evaluation and related pitfalls. The online resources suggested at the end of each book are particularly useful. These aren't the kinds of books that most students would choose by themselves, but they will make accessible research guides in the hands of a teacher or librarian.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI