Louis Riel. (Activist Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2006. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN1-894593-45-6. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Riel, Louis, 1844-1885. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	David Suzuki. (Activist Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2006. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN1-894593-50-2. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Suzuki, David, 1936-. Geneticists-Canada-Biography. Environmentalists-Canada-Biography. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	The Famous Five. (Activist Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2006. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN1-894593-52-9. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Famous Five. (Canadian women's rights activists). Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	First Women in Space. (Famous Firsts Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2007. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN 978-1-894593-67-0. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Women astronauts-Biography. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	Tom Longboat. (Sports Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2007. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN 978-1-894593-61-8. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Longboat, Tom, 1887-1949. Runners (Sports)-Canada-Biography. Onondaga Indians-biography. Indian athletes-Canada-Biography. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	Nancy Greene. (Sports Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2007. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN 978-1-894593-60-1. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Greene, Nancy, 1943-. Skiers-Canada-Biography. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	Wayne Gretzky. (Sports Series). Terry Barber. Edmonton, AB: Grass Roots Press, 2007. 48 pp., pbk., $12.95. ISBN 978-1-894593-62-5. Subject Headings: Readers for new literates. Gretzky, Wayne, 1961-. Hockey players-Canada-Biography. Grades 3 and up / Ages 8 and up. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4

excerpt:

The 1968 Olympics do not look good for Nancy. She has hurt her ankle. Her training suffers. Her belief in herself suffers. Nancy knows she must be positive. Nancy must believe she can win. (From Nancy Greene.)

The titles listed above form part of a 30-title series of biographies written at a low reading level (Grade 2) for the benefit of adult readers who are new to the English language, reluctant readers or those children who have difficulty reading. The biographies are of people from many areas of life, offering these readers the opportunity to learn about important people in Canada's history, something they might not be able to do through conventionally-written books. The range of titles also reflects the variety of interests of the targeted readers. Grass Roots Press's website (http://www.literacyservices.com/index.html) states that it has produced these books with a deliberate structure to :

• provide an historical context, which enhances the student's knowledge of the past.
• use familiar language, which enables students to use context cues to predict words.
• use photographs to illustrate the text, making the words easier to decode.
• repeat sentence patterns, making the text easier to read.
• provide discussion questions that encourage critical thinking.

     Containing succinct information, the sentences are written in the first person and are short. The 48 pages are divided into chapters according to the periods of the individual's career or life. With the book's pages containing only three or four sentences on a large white background, students will be able to complete the reading of the page without stress. They can then become engaged in the accompanying pictures which are plentiful but which do not divert the student from the text. A few significant words are bolded and explained in the glossary found at the end of the book.

     These books are a valuable resource for teachers who need materials for new readers of English, and within the school system for older students who can't read well. While simple in structure, they do not patronize the reader. Rather, they are rich with information. Students who use these books will be able to feel they have read interesting content and will be able to glean useful and complete information for a project or essay. Most importantly, readers will achieve a sense of success that will hopefully inspire them to tackle more advanced reading.

Highly Recommended.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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