Non-fiction Books - Reviews

For all ages of children. I have suggested an age range in each review.

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Demarest, Chris L. (2005) Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The Military Alphabet. Margaret K. McElderry Books

ISBN-10: 0689869282
ISBN-13: 978-0689869280

Each letter of the alphabet is given at the top of the page along with its phoenetic alphabet eqivalent and semaphor flag. Underneath the full or double page spreads a military-related equipment or event is given a short description. For example, S Sierra "Sailors Salute" and F Foxtrot "Foot soldiers wear bulletproof flak jackets". A great read-aloud for children around 4-7 years, which could be tackled solo by strong readers.

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Demarest, Chris L. (2004) Mayday! Mayday! A Coast Guard Rescue. Margaret K. McElderry Books

ISBN-10: 06898518
ISBN-13: 978-06898518

The Coast Guard is sometimes the forgotten military branch, but as Mayday! Mayday! A Coast Guard Rescue shows, members of the coast guard have their share of drama and danger. With one or two lines of text per page the book starts when a thirty foot yacht is sinking out to sea. Large, active, colorful double-spread pages show the power and the fury of the storm at sea. The book includes illustrations of all the gear needed by a rescue swimmer and the flight crew, as well as a diagram of a H-60 Jayhawk helicopter. An Author's Note gives the background of the history of the Coast Guard and how the rescues are done.
For children around 4-7 years.

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Dennis, Brian. (2009) With Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery.%nbsp;Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN-10: 031605318X
ISBN-13: 978-0316053181

Nubs is a small, dock-eared dog in the western Iraqi desert who befriends Major Brian Dennis. To save Nubs the marines raise money to send him back to San Diego, via Jordan. This heartwarming true story is illustrated with photographs of Nubs as he goes from a desperate stray to a loved and loving family member.
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle introduces younger children to the War in Iraq in a digestible and non-threatening way. For children whose parents have been to war, they can see what the terrain and surroundings look like. The book talks about MREs (prepackaged Meals Ready to Eat) and gives examples of emails the he sent home, which is how real military people communicate with their families at home.
This nonfiction book can be shared by children aged around four and up.

For my full review, see Pied Piper Pics, the picture book review blog from the Williamsburg Regional Library. (Link broken 2022-11-11)

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Falvey, David. (2009) With Mrs. Julie Hutt's Fourth-Grade-Class Letters to a Soldier Marshall Cavendish Children

ISBN-10: 0761456376
ISBN-13: 978-0761456377

 

 

 

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Goldish, Meish. (2011) Baghdad Pups New York. Bearport Publishing.

ISBN-13: 978-1617721502

Now history, this book starting in 2007 tells the true story of U.S. Army Sgt. Edward Watson and the black and white dog, Charlie, that he rescued from the streets of Baghdad. He got help from the organisation the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI) and the book outlines how they helped rescue hundreds more in a rescue effort that became became known as Operation Baghdad Pups. This book doesn't give much background about the war in Iraq and sometimes evens casts the military as the bad guys who wouldn't let the dogs leave the country, but as it also points out removing anything from a war zone can be seen as looting. It includes lots of photos of the rescued dogs and is great book for dog lovers - as one soldier said about his rescued dog, "We didn't save Moody. Moody saved us."
It also has a Table of Contents, Index, Glossary and Further Reading.

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Pallotta, Jerry. (1999) The Jet Alphabet Book Charlesbridge

ISBN: 978 0881069167

Not every jet in this book is military, but enough are to make it worthwhile for military children looking for a book about something real, rather than a story. Each letter has its own jet with its description: "H is for Harrier jet. This British-made fighter can hover". Many include extra information such as, "It take nine months to assemble a passenger jet, which is made from about one million different parts". Humor is incorporated in lines such as "We interupt this aplphabet to show you how a jet engine works." This book can be read by non-fiction fans from around 8 or 9. It can be enjoyed aloud (perhaps shortened) by any small enthusiast of large machines.

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Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. (2012) Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond / Walker & Company

ISBN-13: 978-0802728456

Aimed at an older audience than Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle, this book goes into detail about Military Working Dogs past and present. An attractive book with deep red or blue pages, each page includes large and bright photographs of dogs at work, play or training. It includes a depth of well-reseached information about dogs' uses in past wars, how they are used now and details about what happens when they are unsuitable for work or when their trainer dies. Includes a glossary, index and suggestions of further resources. This book will appeal to adult and child dog lovers, especially those connected to the military.

Grades 3-6

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Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429617322
ISBN-13: 978-1429617321

This non fiction series by Capstone Press has a few short sentences and a large color photograph per page. Theses books will be valuable for children from around ages 4 to 7 see what their military parent might do at work. Each book has a Table of Contents, a Glossary, a list for further reading and websites and an Index to introduce children to these important non fiction tools.

The series will also have strong appeal for children who don't particularly like fiction picture books, especially boys.

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Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Army Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429617322
ISBN-13: 978-1429617321

Another book in Capstone series.

See the information above about: Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

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Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Coast Guard Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429617322
ISBN-13: 978-1429617321

Another book in Capstone series.

See the information above about: Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

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Hart, Joyce. (2010) Frequently Asked Questions about Being Part of a Military Family New York. Rosen Publishing.

ISBN-13: 978-1435853287

It also has a Table of Contents, Index, Glossary and Further Reading.

 

 

 

 

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Reed, Jennifer. (2009) The U.S Marine Corps Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429617357
ISBN-13: 978-1429617357

Another book in Capstone series.

See the information above about: Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

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Reed, Jennifer. (2009) The U.S Navy Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429617357
ISBN-13: 978-1429617357

Another book in Capstone series.

See the information above about: Doedon, Matt. (2009) The U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

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Simons, Lisa M. Bolt. (2009) Airmen of the U.S. Air Force Capstone Press

ISBN-10: 1429622490
ISBN-13: 978-1429622490

Similar to the Capstone Press series that focuses on the branches of the military, this series focuses on the individuals who serve in the military. Along with large, bright photographs, each book talks very briefly about recruiting, training, the different jobs, living on a base or a ship and life after serving. They also have a Table of Contents, a glossary, an index and further reading.

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