April 1, 2020
Gr 9 Up-This new Saddleback series explores captivating topics such as survival stories, sports comebacks, and wrongful criminal convictions. Each book depicts numerous accounts from the past and present. These true stories are engrossing and often inspirational; they effectively bring the subject matter to life. Due to the high volume of different stories in each book, the information can occasionally feel surface-level, though the unifying themes help to ground the narratives. Page layouts feature vivid photographs and illustrations, along with infographics and boxes with additional information to help break up the text. Each page has short paragraphs written with a controlled vocabulary. VERDICT Written between a second and third grade reading level, these slim titles pack a punch. A solid purchase for high school collections serving a hi-lo audience.
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