Firefighters to the Rescue

November 1, 2011

Gr 2-6-Each volume opens with an attention-grabbing scenario in which a first responder intervenes to save lives. The ensuing chapters about the responsibilities of the featured jobs are interspersed with examples of other dedicated first responders and recent current events. Most memorably, Police Officers contains a chapter entitled "She Gave Her Life," which relates the tragic loss of NYPD officer Moira Smith on September 11, 2001. Snapshot-style color photos with captions sustain the action (though some are not for the squeamish, such as an image in Doctors that shows an injured hockey player's blood spilling onto the rink). A diverse group of profiled professionals, informative fact boxes, and final chapters reflecting on the pros and cons of these dangerous jobs all contribute to a high-interest series. Back matter includes photo-illustrated gear pages.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2011
Grades 3-5 Since the attacks of 9/11, when 343 firefighters died, the emotional respect for firefighters is even more heightened. Montages of captioned, color photos portray the dangers and risks in different kinds of fire situations, while Goldish relays the different parts and focuses of a firefighter's job with a seriousness that never veers into alarmist territory. From forest fires to apartment fires, from oil-rig explosions at sea to radioactive spills, the information is straightforward with glossary words in boldface. Notable historic fires (including the World Trade Center disaster, with one photo of the smoking buildings) are incorporated into the text. Most helpful of all are the two pages that use arrows to point out the various parts of a firefighter's gear and outfit. Part of the Work of Heroes: First Responders in Action series, which could find a home in many libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)