An Inside Look at the U.S. Navy SEALs

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: An Inside Look at the U.S. Navy SEALs

Author: Joe Funk

Art Director: Daniel Tideman

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: September, 2011

Genre: Informational Nonfiction

Goodreads Summary: The United States Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land) teams have been called the very best of America's elite warriors. While their missions are often shrouded in secrecy, and their names and faces must remain unknown to the public, these premier special forces gained worldwide attention when a SEAL team carried out a mission to bring down Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011. Now kids can get a firsthand look at these brave heroes and their top-secret missions with this full-color book that's packed with photos.

What I Think: This year I have more students who want to join the military then every before. Because of this, I am trying to bulk up my nonfiction books that have to do with the military to A) Interest them & B) Teach them about what their dreams entail. This book will definitely fit both of my goals. 

     Being a U.S. SEAL is not something to just mention lightly. They are some of the most respected members of our military and I personally had no idea how much went into becoming one. This book definitely lays out all aspects of becoming, being, and living as a SEAL so students who are interested in doing so will know exactly what they need to do to reach their goal. It is also done in a very structured way with chapters dealing with each aspect and many photographs and facts to back up the chapters. It also has many other text features including maps and a glossary to assist the reader. This is definitely an inside look at being a SEAL and I can see why my students find this nonfiction book fascinating.

Read Together: Grades 4 to 8

Read Alone: Grades 6 and up 

Read With: Other non-fiction books about the Navy and U.S. SEALs, Non-fiction books about Osama Bin Laden

Snatch of Text: "What is a SEAL? The United States Navy SEALs are among the most elite fighting foreces in the world. Trained to operate in the SEa, Air, and Land (which creates the acronym for their name), their small teams are sent on some of the hardest missions the United States conducts, all in the interest of protecting our country. Often operating in the most dangerous hot spots around the globe, SEALs work silently and stealthily, and can carry out their missions any time of day and night." (p. 4) 

Mentor Text for: Nonfiction Text Features, Making Connections

Writing Prompts: A U.S. Navy SEAL is one of the most dangerous jobs that I've ever read about; based on what you read, why would one choose to be a SEAL? 

Topics Covered: Navy SEALs, Military, Vehicles, Weapons, Gadgets, Aircraft, Military Dogs, Bin Laden Operation

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