Team+1,+ref+log+4b


 * Team 1, Reference log 4b: Directories ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by //Ginny//

//Bookwire Online//. (2010). Retrieved March 17, 2010, from []

Granted, the BookWire website does specify it’s still in Beta version; however, this website was a far cry from what its motto, //“The Book Industry Resource”// would suggest it to be. Powered by Bowker’s //Books in Print™// database, BookWire claims it makes is easy for users to search and find over 20 million book titles including print, eBooks, audio books, and more.

Using the basic Search box function, this reviewer entered “Judy Blume” and yielded a list of ten books //about// Judy Blume but none (other than a non-specified boxed set) //written by// Judy Blume. Hmmm…how about Dr. Suess? This time, three titles, two about him (maybe, but it was a bit difficult to tell for sure) and one written by him. Strike Two. Surely Stephenie Meyer, in today’s vampire-crazed world of young adult literature, would yield a successful result—but nope!

Abandoning the Search box, this reviewer began browsing some of the ten subject headings at the top of the main page—Children’s, Mystery, Cooking, etc. Not worth the effort as only a few titles were revealed. Of the books listed, when selected, only the most basic information was provided, including a one-sentence synopsis. Suspecting this must be a case of free versus subscriber access, this reviewer spent some time looking for a “Log-In Here” or “Click Here to Subscribe” button but none were located. Truly, it appears as BookWire’s web site appears in its present state, someone took more time completing the “About this Site” link than the rest of the web site combined. Users are better off viewing retail bookstores’ web sites such as Amazon, Borders, or Barnes & Noble, than they are wasting any time on BookWire. The rating of “1” is generous.

Grades: //Any// Subject(s): Book Information Rating: //1// ||  ||< //Kesha's// comment :

//Claudia's// comment : || //Citation in APA format goes here.//
 * Reviewed by //Kesha//

//Text of review of reference source goes here.//

Grades: enter //your best judgment of age/grade appropriateness of the resource// Subject(s): enter //your best judgment of subject area(s) where resource would be most valuable// Rating: // provide your rating, using scale of 1-10 // ||  ||<  //Ginny's// comment :

//Claudia's// comment : || Sisung, K.S. //Special Interest Group Profiles for Students// (1999). Gale Group. REF 324 SPE Rising Starr Middle School Scope: This reference is the second volume in the U.S. Government for Student series. The purpose is to give the student an overall view of how the U.S. government is structured and how it works. It is geared towards the high school and college level, but I found it appropriate for the middle school reading levels. It profiles 150 special interest groups. The structure of each profile lends itself to great research outlining: Mission statement with contact information and website, organization’s structure, primary function, programs, budget, history, current political issues, future direction, group resources, group publications and a bibliography. Currency: The impact of 9-11 and the structuring of the Homeland Security office probably had an impact on the groups profiled here. As such this would not be a good stand-alone reference but a starting point for further research. Accuracy: A GALE reference, accuracy is implied, and being government subject matter, information is very factually stated without a hint of partiality or personal comments. Format is great. Starts off with a Table of Contents listing the groups included A-Z. Following is a Table of Contents by Type of group; Economic, Single-Issue and Social-Action. The Preface does an excellent job explaining the definition of a special interest group, the logic for placing groups in the three broad categories, and further definition of the sub-categories. It continues with the selection criteria for inclusion in this reference, and the structure of how each profile is organized. Additionally, each profile includes supporting side-comments such as fast facts or a biography. There are some additional features: illustrations, a 900 event chronology starting Columbus’ discovering America in 1492 up until March 1999 and NATOs attack on Yugoslavia. Age/Grade level: 8th to adult Subject Area: all Overall Rating: 10, great format, easy reading, very factual, makes you want to research further. ||  ||<  //Ginny's// comment : Your description is good. I was unable to locate a copy of it to look at myself. Has it been updated since 1999?
 * Reviewed by //Claudie//

//Kesha's// comment:. ||