Opposing Viewpoints in Context (Database)

Opposing Viewpoints in Context (Database), Gale. Accessed through the San Diego Public Library.

Description:

Opposing Viewpoints in Context contains articles, court cases, biographies, pro/con essays, and primary source documents all designed to show the many opinions associated with current political and social issues. It also includes podcasts, images, charts, graphs, and tables.

The basic search options include a keyword search of viewpoints, images, reference, news, magazines, academic journals, primary sources, statistics, audio, video, websites, or all of these. The advance search allows the user to select one of the typical database fields such as keyword, title, subject, author, ISSN, or publisher, as well as several others. The search can then be limited to full text, peer reviewed, publication date, document type, content type, content level, and lexile range. In addition to using the search fields, the user can also view a list of topics, with each issue including links to all the resources available for the topic, as well as a list of expert picks, a statistical map, and a brief explanation of the issue. The statistical map is also available as a separate option, where a topic can be chosen and narrowed according to the statistic. Finally, the database includes a list of curriculum standards for the United States and seven other countries.

Critical Evaluation:

Opposing Viewpoints in Context is an excellent resource for students and teachers. It includes the most up-to-date information about an extensive list of social and political issues, as well as historical information on each of the issues. The inclusion of so many viewpoints on a particular topic all in one place makes this database the place for users to learn almost everything need to know about the topic. Rather than having to search numerous databases with several keywords, the user can simply select a topic to find hundreds or often thousands of resources that can then be narrowed to fit the user's specific needs. This ease of use makes it the perfect resource for high school students who are just beginning to learn how to conduct research.

Annotation:

This database provides articles with opposing viewpoints on a wide range of topics from politics to science to culture.

Company Information:

Gale was first established in 1954 Frederick Gale Ruffner. In 1985 it was aquired by the Thomson Corporation and became part of their Learning Division. When the Thomson Corporation decided to sell its Learning Division in 2007, a private consortium purchased it and the name was changed to Cengage Learning. Gale is the primary reference section of Cengage Learning

Gale has more than 600 databases that are available online, as eBooks, in print, and in microform. Gale’s imprints include Macmillan Reference USA, the TAFT group, Greenhaven Press, and Thorndike Press, among others. In addition to providing servies to libraries and schools, Gale allows its products to be licensed to other online information services such as Dow Jones, and Looksmart.

Genre:

N/A

Curriculum Ties:

Can be used to find sources for classes on:

History
Current Events
Debate
Science
Health
Psychology

Booktalking Ideas:

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age:

All ages

Challenge Issues:

None

Challenge Defense Ideas:

If there were challenges:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This is an great resource for projects that require the user to form an opinion on a topic or to present opposing opinions on the topic.

Pop Culture Universe (Database)

pop Culture Universe (Database), ABC-CLIO. Accessed through the San Diego Public Library.

Description:

Pop Culture Universe is a database for those interested in American pop culture from the 1900s through the present time. It includes news articles, primary sources, statistical tables, timelines, videos, images, and commentary. There are four options for searches. The decades option lists all the decades from 1900 through the present with an introduction and lists of suggestion topics under it. The analyze option lists four decades with topics that greatly impacted American culture, such as “1950s: Cold War and Conformity.” The advanced search option allows for a more typical search. The user can enter keywords and then limit the search by checking particular criteria. The search can be limited by category - which includes seven main categories and multiple subcategories - decades, and subjects. There is also the option for a basic keyword search without limitations.

One of the more unique features of the database is that of the analyze option. When the user selects the topic, rather than simply receiving a list of sources, an entire lesson is presented. It begins with a key question pertaining to the topic followed by a brief example. The user can then select the “Need to Know” option which lists sources specific to that question. After that, the user can explore the “Dilemma” option that presents several perspectives on the question. After reading the perspectives, a list of questions to investigate is offered. Finally, a bibliography of more resources is given.

Critical Evaluation:

Pop Culture Universe is a unique resource. Rather than just the typical search database, it’s a fully functional learning tool. The analyze option provides a lesson plan in itself, as well as a way to guide those users who aren’t very sophisticated in their research habits. By grouping the sources together according to specific topics, the user can learn to understand how to determine sources that are appropriate for topics. The addition of the research question gives the user a one stop learning area for the topics included. The decade option can also streamline searches according to a specific time period that is being studied. For users who are slightly more advanced with their searching or who would like to learn about a topic spanning multiple decades and source types, the keyword search option is a good choice that retrieves documents in the manner of a more traditional database. Pop Culture Universe might not be the best choice for the more serious of researchers, as it does seem to be geared towards a younger audience doing classroom research, but it would be an excellent resource for a high school classroom setting.

Annotation:

Pop Culture Universe is a database of articles and sources on pop culture from the 1900s through modern times.

Company Information:

ABC-CLIO publishes reference products for the Social Sciences and History. It was first founded in 1955 as the American Bibliographic Company. In 1961, CLIO press was created as a subsidiary. The two were incorporated into ABC-CLIO in 1969. In 1971, the company expanded to Europe.

ABC-CLIO has eight History databases which have received more than 50 awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award and the CODiE Award. Pop Culture Universe was distinguished by the ALA as the most outstanding and significant reference work of 2008 and given the Dartmouth Medal.

Genre:

N/A

Curriculum Ties:

Can be used to find sources for classes on:

History
Current Events
Film
Pop Culture
Advertising
Music

Booktalking Ideas:

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age:

All ages

Challenge Issues:

None

Challenge Defense Ideas:

If there were challenges:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This is a great premise for a database. It could be helpful for teachers looking for ways to make research more interesting to the students.

Take-off!: American All-girl Bands During WWII by Tonya Bolden

Bolden, Tonya. Take-off!: American All-girl Bands During WWII. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007. 80 pages. ISBN-10:0375827978. ISBN-13: 978-0375827976.

Plot:

Prior to WWII, it was considered inappropriate for women to play jazz music. When many male musicians joined or were drafted into the military, it left an opening that needed to be filled and female musicians were there to take over. Tonya Bolden highlights several of these musicians and the bands for which they played. She explains what jazz and swing music are and then the book is split into three sections, each highlighting a specific band. The first section focuses on Ada Leonard’s All-American Girl Orchestra, one of the first all-female jazz bands. It features interviews and quotes from some of the musicians, such as Janie Sager, Norma Carson, and Fagel Liebman. The women tell of their experiences traveling, playing, and breaking into what was previously strictly a man’s domain. They also talk about their experiences outside the band and how they got into playing music. Section two focuses on The Prairie View State College Co-Eds, a band made up of female students from the all black Prairie View State College. The women interviewed – Clora Bryant, Margaret Grisbey, Helen Cole, and others – talk about their love of music, the wonderful places they got to play, and their experiences with the band. The section also talks about the prejudices they had to face as an all black, all girl band trying to play in the South. The third section focuses on the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, a band that was started at the Piney Woods School. One of the unique features of this band was that it featured players from many cultural and racial backgrounds. Their story tells of how they started at their high school, but the school took advantage of them. The girls traveled and played, raising money for the school, while their educations suffered and they were given little pay. After breaking with the school, their manager also took advantage of them, but they eventually were able to break free and play the music they loved. When the war ended, the men returned and expected their jobs back, including that of playing in jazz and swing bands. Many women tried to continue playing, some did not. Of those who continued, not all were able to be successful. All the women have fond memories of their time, however.

Critical Evaluation:

Take-off!: American All-girl Bands During WWII is an easy to read look at a very interesting time in American history. The book doesn’t go into too much detail about the subject, but it does provide an overview and some fun facts, as well as an extensive bibliography should the reader choose to do more research. The inclusion of pictures, posters, and newspaper clippings really brings the subject to life. Direct quotes and stories from the musicians remind the readers that these are real women’s lives they’re reading about, including many women who are still alive today. Including a CD of music from many of the bands that are featured is a fun bonus that also serves to personalize the stories even more.

Bolden uses slang that was popular during that time period and writes in a choppy, quick style. This makes the book jump along quickly, like the jazz music that is its subject, and adds a little more historical depth. It does, however, make the book hard to follow at times. Other than that, it’s an easy read that should appeal to even the most reluctant readers of non-fiction.

Reader's Annotation:

When many male jazz musicians were called overseas for WWII, women were finally allowed a chance to show their talent.

Author Information:

Tonya Bolden was born on March 1, 1959 in New York City and grew up in Harlem. She graduated from the Chapin School in Manhattan and then went on to attend Princeton. At the same time, she joined the Westside Repertory Theatre Group, where she worked as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and set builder. After graduating from Princeton, she worked for a dress manufacturing company while working towards her masters at Columbia. She has worked as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc, an editorial assistant to William E. Rice and as a college English instructor.

She published her first book in 1990. She is the author or co-author of close to 30 books, most of which are non-fiction. Several of her non-fiction works focus on African-American women. She published works for both adults and young adults.

Genre:

Non-Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

History: WWII
Music: Swing and Jazz Female Bands

Booktalking Ideas:

• Explain some of the slang used in the book.
• Talk about women taking over many men's jobs during WWII and the challenges they faced.
• Read the "What is Swing" page.
• Give a brief bio for one of the musicians featured.
  

Reading Level/Interest Age:

12 and older

Challenge Issues:

None

Challenge Defense Ideas:

If there were challenges:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This was mentioned as a good non-fiction book in the class text. I really like music from that time period, so I decided to check it out.