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Are you good at solving mysteries or recalling various geography trivia of the United States? Remember the wooden shape puzzle pieces of all 48 states we would assemble way back then? Oh yes, and now we've added 2 more states! I remember that when I was in school. It seems like yesterday that I was driving my own three children to Grandma's house, playing road trip games. Well, today you can approach a fun way of discovering numerous facts of learning geography questions through a series of children's books, clue by clue!
I have the greatest pleasure of sharing my review of a delightful mystery trivia series, the Junior Geography Detective Squad with you. First, before I tell you about two books I just read, State of Wilderness and State of Quarries, let me introduce you to the author of JGDS, Elysabeth Eldering.
Elysabeth comes from a military family background, so she has had first-hand experience in traveling around throughout her childhood. These collective experiences developed in her a desire and passion for a broader perspective of this beautiful country of ours, the United States. Elysabeth Eldering has placed in numerous writing contests and the SCWW anthology, The Petigru Review. Her new series, The Junior Geography Detective Squad takes you on an unforgettable journey of learning about the individual states within the United States.
State of Wilderness is the first installment of the 50 States Mystery Trivia Series, Junior Geography Detective Squad. You will meet three very realistic characters, Matt, Mary Beth, who is Matt's younger sister and Guy who has been friends since they were in Kindergarten. Their relationship is woven with teasing, squabbling, and competition that goes with the territory of being almost thirteen!
Elysabeth brilliantly draws all ages into her books because Matt has a new electronic game! While showing it to Guy, a challenge is given. Who can figure out the mystery state from the given clues first? And so begins the fun adventure of working their way through the different fifty states of the series. Along the way, the children gather "bonus" clues that reveal territories. “Want to make a bet?” Matt looked over at his friend. “A bet? Sure, let’s write down our answers when we think we know the state, and the one who knows it sooner get to pick what the loser has to do.”
State of Wilderness
The added excitement of puzzles and activities comes with each book for the students to complete. Teachers, parents, and children will enjoy geography lessons with fun-filled game playing adventure.
State of Wilderness (Paperback) $12.50
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Paperback: 100 pages
# Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (June 27, 2008)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0979751357
# ISBN-13: 978-0979751356
In the second book of the series, State of Quarries, the clues become easier in the quest of identifying the state. Once the game is over and the state's identity has been revealed, there is a section that provides more facts about the state and a series of discussion questions.
State of Quarries
State of Quarries is beautifully illustrated, like the first book, by Aidana WillowRaven. I especially like Aidana's rustic drawings, cover art and computer clues.
Product Details
* Reading level: Ages 9-12
* Paperback: 100 pages $14.99
* Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (March 19, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 097975139X
* ISBN-13: 978-0979751394
To learn more about Elysabeth’s writing career visit her at:
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://junior-geography-detective-squad.weebly.com/index.html
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
http://elysabetheldering.weebly.com/index.html
http://bookmarket.ning/profile/ElysabethEldering
What I like the most:
Elysabeth is a very giving person. Her organizational skills shine brightly as she gathers facts and information on all our states for us. Her approach to learning U.S. geography with details of state flowers, famous residents, state word searches and coloring pages will culminate a spark to participate in this fun loving quest for answers to this amazing geography series. Your perspective of studying U.S. geography will be changed, for sure. I'm looking forward to Book #3...
My rating: 5+ stars!
Come aboard the Junior Geography Detective Squad 50 States Mystery Trivia Series and meet South Carolina's warm hospitality of author Elysabeth Eldering. Best wishes and much continued success to you Elysabeth, as you educate and enlighten our hearts and minds. I have enjoyed our trip together through this one beautiful state!
-- LadyD
Wahhh - my comment disappeared. I hope this one comes through. I thank you for the great review and the many kind words. I look forward to hearing more from you. I'm glad you enjoyed the gifts and that you feel this will be of benefit in the classrooms (which is my intended goal, if nothing else to supplement the social studies or something to do for fun). See you in the postings - E :)
ReplyDeleteElysabeth is doing a good job of putting her books together. She has a lifetime project facing her, but she'll manage very well.
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