Get Real: Nonfiction to Get Kids (and Us!) Excited about Reading!

Transcription

1 Get Real: Nonfiction to Get Kids (and Us!) Excited about Reading! Kathleen Baxter Rochester, NY July18, 2013 Use this handout to correlate with the PowerPoint presentation. It is in the same order, and the slide showing the cover of each book has the corresponding number. Reading Levels: Many reviews you read indicate different reading levels. These are my best stabs at itbut I believe a creative, good teacher can use extremely simple books successfully even with high school students! Don t be afraid to try it! 1. Albee, Sarah. Poop Happened! A History of the World from the Bottom Up. Illustrated by Robert Leighton. Walker, p. Grades 4-8 $ The subtitle says it all! Boys adore this. For many, this would be as about as exciting as reading gets. And girls like it too 2. King, Bart. The Big Book of Gross Stuff. Illus. by Russell Miller. Gibbs Smith, p. Grades 4-9 $ Quizzes, facts, trivia, words, phrases, and other things related to gross things. Boys love it! 3. Boyer, Crispin. That s Gross! Icky Facts That Will Test Your Gross-Out Factor. National Geographic, p. Grades 3-8 $ Contains descriptions of a wealth of disgusting, gross, and repulsive things, grouped in the categories of the human body, nature, animals, and food. 4. Micro Monsters: Extreme Encounters with Invisible Armies (Kingdom Series). Kingfisher, p. Grades 4-9 $ Photographs, illustrations, and text introduce twenty unusual microscopic organisms, including the red blood cell, influenza virus, head louse, and red spider mite. They are pretty disgusting! 5. Marrin, Albert. Little Monsters: The Creatures That Live on Us and in Us. Dutton, p. Grades 5-8 $ Describes the various parasites, including fleas, ticks, lice, bedbugs, leeches, and maggots, that live in and on the human body and explains how they can harm and help people. Marrin is a wonderful writer. 6. Johnson, Rebecca L. Zombie Makers : True Stories of Nature's Undead. Millbank, p. Grades 4-8 $ Examines real-life accounts of zombies in nature, including a fly-enslaving fungus, a suicide worm, and a cockroach-taming wasp, and related topics. This actually made me jump when I turned one of the pages. Yuck! 2013 ALA Notable Children s Book 7. Gould, Frances. Why You Shouldn t Eat Your Boogers: Gross But True Things You Don t Want to Know about Your Body. Illustrated by JP Coovert. Putnam, p. Grades 3-8 $8.99 pap. You won't be able to resist picking this one! 8. Davies, Nicola. Deadly! The Truth about the Most Dangerous Creatures on Earth. Illustrated by Neal Layton. Candlewick, p. Grades 3-6 $ Lions and scorpions and lethal little jellyfish, oh my! As fascinating look at nature's fiercest creatures who deserve their place on earth as much as humans do. 9. Kyi, Tanya Lloyd. 50 Burning Questions: a Sizzling History of Fire. Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. Annick, p. Grades 4-8 $ Chronicles the history of fire through fifty silly questions with factual answers about how early humans learned to use fire, the link between fire and religion, jobs that involve fire, the use of fire to show emotions, firefighting strategies, and volcanoes and other fiery forces. One in an intriguing series of 50 books by the same publisher. 10. Murphy, Glenn. Stuff That Scares Your Pants Off! Illustrated by Mike Phillips. Roaring Brook, p. Grades 3-8 $ A thought-provoking scientific information about thirty-six of the most common fears, covering spiders, sharks, aliens, volcanoes, public speaking, lightning, flesh- 1

2 eating bacteria, and other scary topics. Try also his Why is Snot Green? And Other Extremely Important Questions (and Answers), and How Loud Can You Burp? (both 2009). 11. Murphy, Jim, and Alison Blank. Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure. Clarion, p. Grades 5-up $ Tuberculosis a horrible disease, but many of the treatments were even worse. Loaded with photos, this is a fascinating account of the efforts to find a cure. Many of the discussion points mentioned in the presentation may be found at ALA Notable Children s Book 12. Platt, Richard. Plagues, Pox and Pestilence. Illustrated by John Kelly. Kingfisher, p. Grades 3-8 $ Traces the history of disease and pestilence from the perspective of the bugs and pests that cause them, featuring case studies, illustrations, diagrams, and more. This and the book above can be used in a cluster add books such as Jim Murphy s An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, and Suzanne Jurmain s The Secrets of the Yellow Death, and James Cross Giblin s When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS. 13. Kyi, Tanya Lloyd. 50 Underwear Questions: a Bare-All History. Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. Annick, p. Grades 4-8 $ A heavily illustrated, very funny history of underwear. This and the Krull and Weaver books below form a fine cluster. What do we need to wear and what do we want to wear and look like. Why? Why do many fashion fads from the past seem so ridiculous now? 14. Krull, Kathleen. Big Wig: a Little History of Hair. Illustrated by Peter Malone. Scholastic, Unpaged Grades 2-4 $ This "little history of hair" entertains largely with hair-brained ideas about how humans tame their tresses. 15. Weaver, Janice. From Head to Toe: Bound Feet, Bathing Suits, and Other Bizarre and Beautiful Things. Illustrations by Francis Blake. Tundra Books, p. Grades 4-8 $ A fascinating look at the history of clothing and body ornamentation which provides some excellent discussion topics. 16. National Geographic Kids. Xtreme Illusions. National Geographic, p. Grades 2-5 $ A collection of visual puzzles, encouraging the reader to decipher optical illusions with images that appear to be moving and pictures that depict more than they seem, along with perplexing patterns, and more.. 16a. Vry, Silke. 13 Art Illusions Children Should Know. Prestel, p. Grades 4-up $ Introduces illusions used in art, covering techniques, styles, use of perspective, and composition. 17. Berger, Lee R. The Skull in the Rock: How a Scientist, a Boy, and Google Earth Opened a New Window on Human Origins. National Geographic, p. Grades $ Tells the story of how Professor Lee Berger and his nine-year-old son used Google Earth to find a new way to study the history of human evolution. This and the next two books form a fine cluster. 18. Walker, Sally M., and Douglas W. Owsley. Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World. Carolrhoda, p. Grades 5-up $ Explores the discovery and identification of the Kennewick Man, a nine thousand year old skeleton whose remains were found in a river bed in Washington State in Deem, James M. Faces from the Past: Forgotten People of North America. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-up $ Describes the discovery of bodies in North America from fifteen to twenty thousand years ago, and discusses the evidence their remains reveal about themselves and the civilizations in which they lived. 20. MacLeod, Elizabeth. Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History s Mysteries. Annick, p. Grades 4-8 $ A guide to understanding the forensic sciences. I adore historical mysteries-and so do kids when they learn of them. 2

3 21. Rumford, James. From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades 3-up $ Spectacularly beautiful look at how Johann Gutenberg's printing press changed the world and how early books were printed. What would we do without printing and books? 22. Weaver, Janice. Hudson. Illustrated by David Craig. Tundra Books, p. Grades 3-6 $ Picture Book for Older Readers Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Henry Hudson, describing his efforts to find a northern route to China, the mutiny that claimed his life, and the legacy for which he is remembered. This works great with Margaret Peterson Haddix s Torn. 23. Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Pirates: Swashbucklers, Scoundrels (Neighbors Beware!). Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. Harcourt, p. Grades 3-8 $ A lot of people think pirates are really interesting and cool. Interesting, for sure. But cool? Read this book to learn about a bunch of real pirates and decide how cool you think they were. 24. Rubin, Susan Goldman. Jean Laffite: the Pirate who Saved America. Illustrated by Jeff Himmelman. Abrams, p. Grades 3-5 $ A biography of Jean Laffite, a real Pirate of the Caribbean, who settled in New Orleans, where he became a respected businessman while still pirating and played a role in helping the USA win the War of Schanzer, Rosalyn. Witches! the Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem. National Geographic, p. Grades 5-up $ An illustrated history of the witch hunts that took place in colonial-era Salem, Massachusetts, featuring primary source accounts, and describing the victims, accused witches, corrupt officials, and impact of the events on society. You can often find more children s books about most topics by googling or searching in Amazon. Be sure to check the reviews to make sure the books are well written and accurate. 26. Byrd, Robert. Electric Ben: the Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. Dial, Unpaged Grades 3-7 and up $ An delightful and though provoking illustrated biography of Founding Father and inventor Benjamin Franklin. 27. Freedman, Russell. Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty. Holiday House, p. Grades 4-8 $ A biography of Benjamin Franklin that follows him from his childhood in Boston to his success and subsequent fame. 28. Freedman, Russell. The Boston Tea Party. Illustrated by Peter Malone. Holiday House, p. Grades 3-5 $ Introduces young readers to the Boston Tea Party and its impact on American history. 29. Brown, Don. Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ Before Washington crossed the Delaware, Henry Knox crossed Massachusetts in winter with 59 cannons in tow. 30. Hale, Nathan. One Dead Spy: the Life, Times, and Last Words of Nathan Hale, America s Most Famous Spy (Nathan Hale s Hazardous Tales). Amulet, p. Grades 4-8 $ Retells, in graphic novel format, the history of the author's namesake, an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War, revealing facts about Nathan Hale's earlier days at Yale and his unlucky experiences as an military officer. 31. Figley, Marty Rhodes. Revolutionary War Captive: the Prison-ship Adventure of James Forten (History s Kid Heroes). Adapted by Amanda Doering Tourville. Illustrated by Ted Hammond and Richard Pimentel Carbajal. Graphic Universe, p. Grades 3-6 $8.95. In 1781, fifteen-year-old James Forten, a free African American from Philadelphia, is proud to be fighting for the American colonies, but when the British capture the ship on which he serves he fears for both his life and his freedom. 32. Sheinkin, Steve. The Notorious Benedict Arnold: a True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery. Roaring Brook, Grades 5-up $ If Benedict Arnold had died in 3

4 battle, he would be one of the greatest American heroes. Instead, he is despised in history. How did this happen? This won the Sibert Award and the Horn Book/Boston Globe award as the best nonfiction book of the year. I will be the first in line to read any book by Steve Sheinkin. 33. Castrovilla, Selene. Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Illustrated by Drazen Kozjan. Calkins Creek, Unpaged Grades 3-6 $ Looks at the friendship of Marquis de Lafayette who traveled from France to Philadelphia to sign on for the patriot cause with George Washington. 34. Kernan, Denise, and Joseph D Agnese. Signing Their Rights Away : the Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the United States Constitution. Quirk Books, p. Grades 7-up $ Profiles the thirty-nine men who signed the United States Constitution, revealing their personal quirks, public personas, and the events that led to the crafting of the Constitution. This is a thought-provokingly good read, in spite of its lousy cover-which is actually very cool at close look! 35. Gherman, Beverly. First Mothers. Illustrated by Julie Downing. Clarion, p. Grades 3-6 $ A delightful look at the mothers of our presidents. 36. Kerley, Barbara. Those Rebels, John & Tom. Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic, Unpaged. Grades 2-4 $ A lively, fun account of the friendship between two of the most famous founders of the USA. This and the book below indicate that mud-slinging is not something new in political campaigns. 37. Jurmain, Suzanne Tripp. Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud. Illustrations by Larry Day. Dutton, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ Describes how their different political views caused friends Thomas Jefferson and John Adams to become rivals, until they learned to set aside their differences for the sake of their friendship. Compare and contrast this with the book listed above it. 38. Ferris, Jeri Chase. Noah Webster & His Words. Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch. Houghton Mifflin, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ An illustrated account of the life of Noah Webster, a Connecticut farm boy who spent twenty years writing what became the first American dictionary ever to be published-and established American English. 39. Codell, Esme Raji. Seed by Seed: the Legend and Legacy of John Appleseed Chapman. Illustrations by Lynne Rae Perkins. Greenwillow, Unpaged All ages. $ Chronicles the life of the man who came to be known as Johnny Appleseed and reveals the five principles he followed that led to his legendary status in American history. The five principles provide excellent discussion points. 40. Murphy, Jim. The Giant and How He Humbugged America. Scholastic, p. Grades 4-up $ A description of the Cardiff Giant mystery in which a man in upstate New York buried a ten-foot-tall, petrified model of a man, which was discovered by well diggers a year later, and set into motion a money-making spectacle. Excellent read. 41. Pringle, Laurence. Ice! The Amazing Story of the Ice Business. Calkins Creek, p. Grades 5-7 $ Traces the history of the ice industry from its origins in the early 1800s, describing the ideas and inventions that enabled individuals to store ice in their homes and businesses, and sharing photographs, postcards, and other primary source materials. 42. Stone, Tanya Lee. Who Says Women Can t Be Doctors? Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Henry Holt, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ Elizabeth Blackwell wanted to be something women weren t allowed to be: a doctor. 43. Freedman, Russell. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: the Story Behind an American Friendship. Clarion, p. Grades 5-up $ Looks at the lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, including their friendship and their effect on Emancipation and the Civil War ALA Notable Children s Book 44. Cole, Henry. Unspoken: a Story from the Underground Railroad. Scholastic, Unpaged All ages $ A stunning, 4

5 wordless, riveting look at a girl in the middle of the Civil War who helps an escaping slave. Stunning ALA Notable Children s Book 45. Smith, Charles R., Jr. Brick by Brick. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Amistad, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ Looks at the people who built the White House, including several slaves, some of whom were able to buy their freedom after learning a trade through this work. 46. Cheng, Andrea. Etched in Clay: the Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet. Woodcuts by the Author. Lee & Low, p. Grades 5-up $ Explores the life of a South Carolina slave named Dave, who became skilled at turning pots and jars on a pottery wheel, reading, and writing, and went on to use these skills to speak out against slavery. Written in verse. 47. Delano, Marfe Ferguson, with Mount Vernon. Master George s People: George Washington, His Slaves, and his Revolutionary Transformation. Photography by Lori Epstein. National Geographic, p. Grades 4-7 $ Discusses George Washington's beliefs about slavery, the lives of George Washington's slaves, his relations with them, and how his beliefs about slavery changed over his lifetime. 48. Fradin, Judith Bloom and Dennis Brindell Fradin. The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery. Illustrated by Eric Velasquex. Walker, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ Documents the efforts of an Ohio community to secure the freedom of escaped slave John Price, examining various aspects of Price's escape from Kentucky, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and the heroic showdown. 49. Fradin, Judith, and Dennis Fradin. Stolen into Slavery: the True Story of Solomon Northrup, Free Black Man. National Geographic, p. Grades 5-up $ Recounts the experiences of Solomon Northup, an African American man who was kidnapped into slavery and suffered through twelve years of bondage before being rescued from the Louisiana cotton plantation by friends from New York. 50. Adler, David A. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Holiday House, p. Grades 5-up $ A biography of Harriet Tubman, describing her life born a slave, how she escaped slavery, how she became the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad-giving a great deal of information about other slave escapes as well. 51. Asim, Jabari. Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Little Brown, Unpaged Grades 2-4 $ An illustrated introduction to the life of Booker T. Washington that focuses on his hard work and determination to earn a college degree. With intelligence and hard work, you can accomplish amazing things. 52. Bolden, Tonya. Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty. Abrams, p. Grades 5-up $ Examines the Emancipation Proclamation, discussing the steps that led President Lincoln to create the document, how his views changed and how he was to address a divided country. 53. Krull, Kathleen. Louisa May s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women. Illustrated by Carlyn Beccia. Walker, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ Louisa May Alcott's experiences as a nurse for wounded Union soldiers during the Civil War influence her outlook and inspire her to write her successful novel "Little Women." 54. Moss, Marissa. Nurse, Soldier, Spy: the Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero. Illustrated by John Hendrix. Abrams, p. Grades 2-5 $ Describes the life of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who disguised herself as a man, took the name Frank Thompson, joined a Michigan army regiment to fight in the Civil War, served as a nurse on the battlefield, and became a spy. 55. Anderson, Tanya. Tillie Pierce: Teen Eyewitness to the Battle of Gettysburg. Twenty-First Century Books, p. Grades 4-8 $ Describes the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War through the eyes of Tillie Pierce, a teenager who lived through the fighting. 56. Daugherty, James Henry. Lincoln s Gettysburg Address: a Pictorial 5

6 Interpretation. Albert Whitman, 1947, Unpaged All ages. $ Collects a series of paintings that illustrate Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. 57. Sheinkin, Steve. Lincoln s Grave Robbers. Scholastic, p. Grades 5-up $ An account of how counterfeiter Benjamin Boyd's gang stole the body of Abraham Lincoln and demanded Boyd's release from jail and two hundred thousand dollars as ransom and the efforts of the Secret Service to recover the remains. 58. Smith, Lane. Abe Lincoln s Dream. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades 1-up $ When a schoolgirl gets separated from her tour of the White House and finds herself in the Lincoln bedroom, she also discovers the ghost of the great man himself. 59. Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought). Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. Harcourt, 1998, updated p. Grades 4-8 $ This is educational, entertaining, and great fun to use with kids (and grown-ups!). many of the questions I ask here make you think analytically which is what Common Core wants us to do! Would a recent president have the most descendants? Why would a president be the first one born in the U.S.A. hasn t that always been the law? Etc. 60. Green, Dan. U.S. Presidents: the Oval Office All Stars! Illustrations copyright Simon Basher Kingfisher, p. Grades 4-7 $ Profiles the presidents of the United States, from George Washington to Barack Obama, and includes facts and trivia about each president, including major achievements and personality quirks. 61. Rhatigan, Joe. White House Kids: the Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the President s Children. With Illustrations by Jay Shin. Imagine Publishing, p. Grades 4-8 $ It s not all fun to be the child of a president there are benefits and drawbacks. This tells the story of some of those interesting kids. 62. Allegra, Mike. Sarah Gives Thanks. Illustrated by David Gardner. Albert Whitman, Unpaged Grades K-4 $16.99 Tells the story of how Sarah Josepha Hale, writer and magazine editor, worked to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. 63. Wallner, Alexandra. Susan B. Anthony. Holiday House, Unpaged Grades 2-4 $ Examines the life of Susan B. Anthony, discussing what life was like for women of the nineteenth century, and describing how Anthony's vision for equality between men and women led to the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United State 64. Sheinkin, Steve. Which Way To The Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About America's Westward Expansion. Illustrated by Tim Robinson. Roaring Brook, p. Grades 5-up $ I love this story of the growth of the American west, starting with the Louisiana Purchase and ending with the government declaration that the west was officially settled. Funny, heartbreaking, and a great read. Use with the four books below. 65. Nelson, S.D. Black Elk s Vision: a Lakota Story. Abrams, p. Grades 3-8 $ When Black Elk was a small child, he had a vision which shaped his life which included being present at the Battle of Little Big Horn, watching Crazy Horse die and the Battle of Wounded Knee. A beautiful book. 66. Ray, Deborah Kogan. Paiute Princess: the Story of Sarah Winnemucca. FSG, Unpaged. Grades 4-7 $ A biography of Sarah Winnemucca, Paiute Indian and Native American civil rights activists, discussing her childhood, her work as an advocate for all Native Americans, and the appeals to white America to treat her people with dignity. 67. Olson, Tod. How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush: an Adventurer s Guide to the Fabulous Riches Discovered in Illustrated by Scott Allred. National Geographic, p. Grades 3-7 $ When gold is found in California, young Thomas Hartley can t wait to get there and make his fortune. Interesting stuff! 6

7 68. Schwartz, Heather E. The Foul, Filthy American Frontier: the Disgusting Details about the Journey out West (Fact Finders: Disgusting History). Capstone Press, p. Grades 3-5 Describes disgusting details about daily life in the American frontier, including housing, food, and sanitation. 69. Burgan, Michael. Breaker Boys: How a Photograph Helped End Child Labor. (Captured History). Compass Point, p. Grades 4-8 Paperback $6.89, hardbound available. Recounts photographer Lewis Hines' fight against child labor in the early 1900s and discusses how his work and the work of others revealed truths about the issue to the public. 70. Markel, Michelle. Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers Strike of Pictures by Melissa Sweet. Balzer & Bray, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ Describes how immigrant Clara Lemlich fought back against the poor treatment of her fellow factory workers and led the largest walkout of women workers in the country. 71. Marrin, Albert. Flesh & Blood So Cheap: the Triangle Fire and Its Legacy. Knopf, p. Grades 5-up $ A fantastic read about immigration in the early 1900s, its effect on society and on workers conditions, and of the horrendous fire that killed 146 workers. I cried more than once. The last chapter comparing conditions in the Triangle Factory with conditions in the factories in Third World countries today is perfect for the Common Core. 72. Blumenthal, Karen. Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition. Roaring Brook, p. Grades 6-up $ A thought-provoking history of Prohibition in the United States, a period from 1920 to 1933 during which it was illegal to sell or drink alcohol, discussing how what began as a movement to heal social ills, became a burden to ordinary citizens and a boon to criminals. 73. Aronson, Marc. Master of Deceit: J. Edgar Hoover and America in the Age of Lies. Candlewick, Grades 7-up 230 p. $ Examines the legacy and the power held by J. Edgar Hoover during his years as the first director of the FBI and describes how his decisions affected the lives of Americans in the twentieth century. This is a perfect example of a Common Core book. Excellent guide is at Osborne, Linda Barrett. Miles to Go for Freedom: Segregation and Civil Rights in the Jim Crow Years. Abrams, p. Grades 5-up $ Describes the lives of African Americans during the Jim Crow years, a period of legal segregation and discrimination from the 1890s through the 1950s, including photographs and interviews with African Americans who were young during this time and other primary resources. 75. Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. Paintings by Brian Pinkney. Disney/ Jump at the Sun Books, p. Grades 5-8 $ Offers insight into the lives of ten influential African American men from different times in the history of the United States Coretta Scott King Author Award 76. Stone, Tanya Lee. Courage Has No Color: the True Story of the Triple Nickles: America s First Black Paratroopers. Candlewick, p. Grades 5-up $ Tells the story of America's first black paratroopers during World War II. This is an unbelievably powerful book. 77. Hoose, Philip. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. Melanie Kroupa Books, Farrar Straus Giroux, p. Grades 5-up $19.95 Presents an account of fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin, an African-American girl who refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks, and covers her role in a crucial civil rights case. 78. Tougas, Shelley. Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration. Compass Point, p. Grades 5-9 $ Recounts the events surrounding the 1957 photograph taken by Will Counts that captured one of nine African-American students 7

8 trying to enter an Arkansas high school while being taunted by an angry white mob and discusses how the photo brought the civil rights movement to the forefront of the nation's attention. 79. Levinson, Cynthia. We ve Got a Job: the 1963 Birmingham Children s March. Peachtree, p. Grades 5-9 $ When Martin Luther King called for the prisons in Birmingham to be filled, African-American kids volunteered to do it. An astounding story. Would you be willing to do what those kids volunteered to do? 2013 ALA Notable Children s Book 80. Brimner, Larry Dane. Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene Bull O Connor. Calkins Creek, p. Grades 5-up $ Provides an account of the confrontation between civil rights activist Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth, and Birmingham, Alabama, police chief Eugene "Bull" Connor, who was determined to keep the city's schools, parks, workplaces, and public facilities segregated. 81. Bausum, Ann. Marching to the Mountaintop : How Poverty, Labor Fights, and Civil Rights set the Stage for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Hours. National Geographic, Grades 5-up $ Examines the link between the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., discussing how the strike, the media, politics, the civil rights movement, and the labor protests all laid the foundations for what many consider to be King's greatest speech. 82. Winter, Jonah. Sonia Sotomayor: a Judge Grows up in the Bronx / LAJuez Que Crecio en el Bronx. Illustrated by Eric Rodgriguez. Atheneum, Unpaged. Grades 1-3 $ The story of the first Latina Supreme Court justice, who grew up in a poor single-parent household in the Bronx. 83. Sheinkin, Steve. Bomb: the Race to Build-and Steal-the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. Flash Point, $ Examines the history of the atomic bomb, discussing the discovery of the behavior of Uranium when placed next to radioactive material, the race to build a bomb, and the impact of the weapon on societies around the world. A wonderful read! Newbery Honor 2013 Sibert Award 2013 A great fiction book to pair this with is The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages. 84. Borden, Louise. His Name was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-9 $ A biography of the incredibly heroic Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish lives in Hungary. 85. Rubin, Susan Goldman. Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto. Illus. by Bill Farnsworth. Holiday House, p. Grades 2-5 $ A young Catholic social worker rescued nearly 400 children from the Warsaw Ghetto and kept track of who they were. 86. Thomson, Ruth. Terezin: Voices from the Holocaust. Candlewick, p. Grades 5-up $ Provides firsthand accounts and artwork from the Jewish people who were forced to live in Terezin, the Czechoslovakian town that was turned into a ghetto and later a transit camp by the Nazis during World War II. 87. Rappaport, Doreen. Beyond Courage: the Untold story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. Candlewick, p. Grades 5-up $ A fascinating account of the many ways courageous Jewish people resisted the Nazis ALA Notable Children s Book 88. Hodge, Deborah. Rescuing the Children : the Story of the Kindertransport. Tundra Books, p. Grades 5-8 $ Discusses the efforts of the Kindertransport, which rescued ten thousand Jewish children from Nazi occupied countries before the start of World War II. Nearly 10,000 children were saved. 89. Arato, Rona. The Last Train: a Holocaust Story. Owlkids, p. Grades 4-8 $15.95.Tells the true story of five-yearold Paul Auslander and his family who endured the atrocities of the Holocaust when in 1944 their hometown of Karcag, Hungary became occupied by the Nazis. 90. Tunnell, Michael O. Candy Bomber: the Story of the Berlin Aircraft s Chocolate Pilot. Charlesbridge, p. Grades 4-8 $ Pilot Gail Halvorsen, one of the 8

9 pilots assigned to the Berlin Airlift in 1948, realized that the kids in Berlin had not had candy for years and decided to do something about it. A great true story! The same story is told for younger kids in Margo Theis Raven s Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot: a True Story of the Berlin Aircraft and the Candy That Dropped from the Sky. 91. McPherson, Stephanie Sammartino. Iceberg Right Ahead! The Tragedy of the Titanic. Twenty-First Century Books, p. Grades 4-8 $ A riveting account of the ship sinking and its consequences. This and the two books below have different points of view and tell the well-known story in different ways. All are excellent ALA Notable Children s Book 92. Denenberg, Barry. Titanic Sinks! Viking, p. Grades 4-8 $ Retells the events surrounding the sinking of the RMS "Titanic," describing the ship's construction and launch, and featuring authentic photographs and illustrations from the period. 93. Hopkinson, Deborah. Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. Scholastic, p. Grades 5-up $ Draws on stories from survivors and archival photographs to describe the history of the "Titanic" from its launch to its sinking ALA Notable Children s Book 94. Nelson, Kadir. Nelson Mandela. Katherine Tegen Books, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ A beautifully illustrated biography of the former South African president best known for his political activism and fight to end apartheid. 95. Blumenthal, Karen. Steve Jobs: the Man Who Thought Different. Feiwel & Friends, P. Grades 5-up $8.99 pb $16.99 hb. Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Apple mogul Steve Jobs, discussing his ideas, and describing how he has influenced life in the twenty-first century ALA Notable Children s Book 96. Brown, Don. America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: the Day the Towers Fell. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ A chronological account of September 11, 2001, and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the hijacking of a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. 97. Hale, Christy. Dreaming Up: a Celebration of Building. Lee & Low, Unpaged. Grades K-2 $ A collection of concrete poetry, illustrations, and photographs that shows how young children's constructions, created as they play, are reflected in notable works of architecture from around the world. Includes biographies of the architects, quotations, and sources. 98. Weitzman, David. Skywalkers: Mohawk Ironworkers Build the City. Roaring Brook, p. Grades 5-up $ The Mohawks proved to be astoundingly good at working on tall structures, and this examines how those structures came to be necessary as well as the history of the people. An excellent addition to a unit on Native Americans. 99. Harris, Robie H. Who Has What? : All about Girls' Bodies and Boys Bodies. Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Candlewick, Unpaged. Grades K-3 $ Provides colorful illustrations and easy-tounderstand facts for young children about the physical differences between boys and girls and follows siblings Nellie and Gus on a family outing to the beach where they ask lots of questions Arnold, Caroline. Too Hot? Too Cold? Keeping Body Temperature Just Right. Illustrated by Annie Patterson. Charlesbridge, p. Grades 1-4 $ Explains what body temperature is, how people and animals regulate it, and why it's important Murphy, Jim. Baffling & Bizarre Inventions. Sky Pony, p. Grades 4-8 $ An old book, reissued with newly colored illustrations, is great fun to use with kids. Guess what these actual patented inventions are! 102. DeCristofano, Carolyn Cinami. A Black Hole is Not a Hole. Illustrated by Michael Carroll. Charlesbridge, p. Grades 5-8 $ A blow-your-head examination of black holes that discusses what they are, what causes them, how they are discovered, and more Aguilar, David A. 13 Planets: the Latest View of the Solar System. National Geographic, p. Grades 4-8 $ Profiles each of the planets in Earth's solar system, 9

10 including Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, MakeMake, the sun, the Oort cloud, comets, and more. It made me realize how little I know and understand! 104. Weitekamp, Margaret A., with David DeVorkin. Pluto s Secret: an Icy World s Tale of Discovery. Illustrated by Diane Kidd. Abrams, published in association with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ Provides the history of the small, icy world of Pluto from its discovery and naming to its recent reclassification, and explains how scientists organize and class our solar system as they gain new insights into how it works and what types of things exist within it Rusch, Elizabth. The Mighty Mars Rovers: the Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (Scientists in the Field). Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-up $ The story of the two robot vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, that were sent to explore Mars, lasting far past their projected lives of three months and sending back invaluable images of the environmentally hostile planet. A incredibly good read with lots of photos. ALA Notable Children s Book Kirk, Ellen. Human Footprint : Everything You Will Eat, Use, Wear, Buy, and Throw Out in Your Lifetime. National Geographic, p. Grades 2-6 $6.95. Helps readers understand the environmental impact of their actions by providing statistics on the amount of food, clothes, gas, milk, water, and other things they will consume in their lifetime D Alusio, Faith. What the World Eats. Photographed by Peter Menzel. Tricycle, Grades 5-8 $ A startling look at what and how much people eat around the world. Thoughtprovoking, to say the least Butterworth, Chris. How Did That Get in my Lunchbox? : the Story of Food. Illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti. Candlewick, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ Explains where different foods come from and how they get to the store, describing farms, dairies, and factories Eamer, Claire. The World in Your Lunch Box. Artwork by Sa Boothroyd. Annick Press, p. Grades 3-8 $ Contains historical and scientific facts about everyday foods. Interesting Aronson, Marc, and Marina Budhos. Sugar Changed the World: a Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science. Clarion Books, p. Grades 6-up $ You probably never realized what a profound influence sugar has had on history and human beings all because we crave sweetness. A powerful, unforgettable look at a continuing horror story. Excellent for the Common Core Smith, David J. This Child, Every Child: a Book about the World s Children. Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong. (CitizenKid). Kids Can, p. Grades 4-up $ Interesting, and often sad, facts about the children in the world today. This can be used with the author s If the World Were a Village Hughes, Susan. Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools around the World. Owlkids, p. Grades 4-6 $ Introduces readers to children from around the world who attend unique schools in strange locations, such as caves, boats, or train platforms, and describes what it is like to attend those schools Curtis, Andrea. What s for Lunch? How Schoolchildren Eat Around the World. Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden. Red Deer, p. Grades 4-7 $ Describes what children around the world eat for lunch, including children in Japan, Kenya, Afghanistan, the United States, Peru, Canada, and more Chin, Jason. Island: a Story of the Galapagos. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ A history of the Galapagos Island, describing how the island formed and animals came to inhabit it. ALA Notable Children s Book Aston, Diana Hutts, and Sylvia Long. A Rock is Lively. Chronicle, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ A spectacularly illustrated introduction to rocks and minerals. 10

11 116. Bonner, Hannah. When Dinos Dawned, Mammals got Munched, and Pterosaurs Took Flight: a Cartoon Prehistory of Life in the Triassic. National Geographic, p. Grades 3-6 $ Examines the developments of the Triassic Age, which saw the beginning of the dinosaurs, several dramatic extinction events, and the start of life for mammals on Earth Lawlor, Laurie. Rachel Carson and her Book that Changed the World. Illustrated by Laura Beingessner. Holiday House, p. Grades 2-5 $ Tells the life story of Rachel Carson, a biologist and environmentalist, covering her childhood, her years in college where she changed her career focus, and her most well-known works up until her death Nivola, Claire A. Life in the Ocean: the Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle. FSG, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ A picture book biography of oceanographer Sylvia Earle, discussing her childhood along the Gulf of Mexico, her passion for the environment, and her experiences in ocean exploration Bang, Molly, & Penny Chisholm. Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas. Illustrated by Molly Bang. Blue Sky/Scholastic, Unpaged. Grades K-4 $ A beautifully illustrated look at how tiny plants feed the seas- and at the food chain Coombs, Kate. Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems. Illustrated by Meilo So. Chronicle, Unpaged Grades K-5, also older $ A collection of poems about the sea, accompanied by watercolors by artist Meilo So. Great for teaching voice and point of view. ALA Notable Children s Book Bayrock, Fiona. Bubble Homes and Fish Farts. Illus. by Carolyn Conahan. Charlesbridge, p. Grades 2-4 $ A fascinating look at how water creatures use bubbles Johnson, Rebecca L. Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures. Millbrook, p. Grades 5-8 $ Famous oceanographer Sylvia Earle has said that we know more about some planets in outer space than we do about our own oceans! And Wow! When you read and stare at the incredible photographs in this exciting book, you will be stunned at what you and scientists did not know Sherry, Kevin. I m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean. Dial, $ A giant squid brags that it is the biggest thing in the ocean until it has to change its tune. This would make a fun readaloud for older kids to read to younger ones Newquist, HP. Here There be Monsters: the Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-up $ Examines the connections between old myths about the kraken--a Scandinavian sea monster--and modern scientific study of the giant squid, and explores representations of the creature in film and literature Hillman, Ben. How Big Is It? Scholastic Reference, p. Grades 3-6 $ A surprising look at big things Arnosky, Jim. Monster Hunt: Exploring Mysterious Creatures. Disney /Hyperion, p. Grades 2-5 $ An entertaining look at some of the possibly mythical creatures that many people believe really exist Hearst, Michael. Unusual Creatures: a Mostly Accurate Account of Some of the Earth s Strangest Animals. Artwork, Diagrams, and Other Visuals by Arjen Noordeman, Christie Wright, and Jelmer Noordeman. Chronicle, p. Grades 4-up $ Text and illustrations introduce children to extraordinary life forms Hillman, Ben. How Weird is It? A Freaky Book all about Strangeness. Scholastic, p. Grades 3-7 $ An illustrated discussion of various strange scientific occurrences, ideas, creatures, and elements of the universe, such as dark energy, anglerfish, neutron stars, liquid nitrogen, and cosmic static Fern, Tracey. Barnum s Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World. Pictures by Boris Kulikov. FSG, Unpaged. Grades 1-4$ A wonderfully illustrated biography of the paleontologist who first found a Tyrannosaurus Rex. 11

12 130. Ganeri, Anita, and David West. Dinosaurs (Monster Fight Club). PowerKids Press, p. Grades 3-5 Contains profiles of various dinosaurs, and imagines what the outcomes would be if they were paired off in fights. Lots of analytical thinking here, which could easily be applied to other animals O Connell, Caitlin, and Donna M. Jackson. The Elephant Scientist. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-8 $ Photographs and text recount Caitlin O'Connell's experiences observing African elephants in their natural habitat, describing the discoveries she made about elephant communication. Sibert Award Honor Book Bishop, Nic. Nic Bishop Snakes. Scholastic Nonfiction, p. Grades 1-5 $ Wonderful photographs and illustrations describe the physical characteristics, behaviors, habits, and life cycle of various snakes Bishop, Nic. Nic Bishop Butterflies and Moths. Scholastic Nonfiction, p. Grades 1-5 $ Full-color photographs and illustrations describe the physical characteristics, behaviors, habits, and life cycle of butterflies and moths Jenkins, Steve. The Beetle Book. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 3-5 $ An illustrated introduction to a variety of beetle species with information on unique characteristics and how these insects have adapted to survive ALA Notable Childrens Book 135. Judge, Lita. Bird Talk: What Birds are Saying and Why. Roaring Brook, Unpaged Grades 1-5 $ Illustrations and text examine how birds communicate, showing the different ways birds sing, talk, dance, drum, cuddle, and fight Cate, Annette LeBlanc. Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard. Candlewick, p. Grades 2-5 $ A spectacular book loaded with great ideas and information, presented in a humorous and delightful way Spinner, Stephanie. Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird. Illustrated by Meilo So. Knopf, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ Presents the true story of an African grey parrot named Alex, and explains how its intelligence changed the way scientists view the brain Lewin, Ted and Betsy. Puffling Patrol. Lee & Low, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ Describes the rescue of baby puffins in Heimaey, Iceland, and provides information about the animals. A good companion to this one is Bruce McMillan s Night of the Pufflings Burns, Loree Griffin. Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard. Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. Henry Holt, p. Grades 4-8 $ Text, tips, and photographs explain how to observe and gather data about backyard insects and animals. Also use Carol Pasternak s How to Raise Monarch Butterflies, a Step-by-Step Guide for Kids Hoose, Phillip. Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95. FSG, p. Grades 5-up $ Chronicles a year in the life of rufa red knot B95, also called Moonbird, following him through his migration pattern and discussing the environmental problems that caused the rufa population to collapsed by nearly eighty percent. Don t miss Hoose s book The Race to Save the Lord God Bird Davies, Nicola. Just Ducks! Illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino. Candlewick, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ A young girl shares her observations about the mallard ducks that live down on the river Jenkins, Martin. Can We Save the Tiger? Illustrated by Vicky White. Candlewick, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ A simple look at several endangered animals which describes some that are already extinct and encourages us to preserve species Potter, Alicia. Mrs. Harkness and the Panda. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Knopf, Unpaged Grades K-4 and up $ A spectacularly illustrated account of Ruth Harkness' journey to China and up the Yangtze River, where she discovered a baby panda she named Su Lin. There are many Common Core connections here. 12

13 144. Kvatum, Lia. Saving Yasha: the Incredible True Story of an Adopted Moon Bear. Photographs by National Geographic Young Explorer Liza Pokrovskaya. National Geographic, Unpaged Grades K-4 $ Looks at the rescue of Yasha, a moon bear found orphaned in the Russian wilderness Esterhaz, Suzi. Brown Bear. Frances Lincoln Children s Books, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ Chronicles the life of two baby brown bears from their birth in the mountains of Alaska to adulthood Esterhaz, Suzi. Orangutan (Eye on the Wild). Frances Lincoln, Unpaged Grades K-5 $ Chronicles the life of a baby orangutan from her birth to adulthood Frydenborg, Kay. Wild Horse Scientists (Scientists in the Field). Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-up $ Scientists are working hard to keep the ponies on Assateague Island, endangered due to their effect on the environment and their overpopulation, wild Jenkins, Steve, & Robin Page. My First Day: What Animals Do on Day One. Houghton Mifflin, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ Newborn animals describe things they did on the day they were born. Includes facts about each species featured Frost, Helen, and Rick Lieder. Step Gently Out. Photographs by Rick Lieder. Candlewick, Unpaged. Grades K-2 $ Examines nature through lyrical text and close-up photography Heos, Bridget. Stronger than Steel: Spider Silk, DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope. Photographs by Andy Comins. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-8 $ Discusses the work scientists are doing with the golden orb weaver spider, whose web silk is nearly indestructible, and genetically engineered goats, whose milk contains the proteins needed to artificially spin the spider silk and produce it in a quantity that will make it realistic to use in health care, in body armor, in parachutes, and much more Lewis, J. Patrick. World Rat Day: Poems about Real Holidays You ve Never Heard Of. Illustrated by Anna Raff. Candlewick, p. Grades K-4 $ From the Children's Poet Laureate comes a year-round ode to wacky holidays just begging to be celebrated Muntean, Michaela F. Stay: the True Story of Ten Dogs. Photographs by K.C. Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski. Scholastic, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ Luciano Anastasini, a man who calls the circus home, and ten homeless dogs are brought together by fate. Have you ever thought about how some people are able to see opportunities in areas where other people see only the negative side? 153. Carnesi, Monica. Little Dog Lost: the True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic. Penguin, $ A ship on the Baltic Sea manages to rescue a little dog that was carried seventy-five miles on a sheet of ice Bial, Raymond. Rescuing Rover : Saving America's Dogs. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades $ Argues that the United States faces a dog overpopulation problem, offers information on puppy mills, pet stores, breeders, and animal shelters, and explains how to adopt a pet from a shelter Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. Dogs on Duty: Soldiers Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond. Walker, p. Grades 3-8 $ Explains the many ways that dogs are used in the military and how they are trained and cared for MacLachlan, Patricia, and Emily MacLachlan Charest. Cat Talk. Illustrated by Barry Moser. Katherine Tegen Books, Unpaged Grades 1-3 $ In this collection of children's poems, a variety of cats describe themselves and their relationships to other animals and to their humans Farrar, Sid. The Year Comes Round: Haiku through the Seasons. Illustrated by Ilse Plume. Albert Whitman, Unpaged Grades 1-up $ An illustrated Haiku poem about nature and the seasons. 13

14 158. Adler, David A. Millions, Billions, & Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers. Illustrated by Edward Miller. Holiday House, Unpaged. Grades K-3 $ Simple text and illustrations explain the mind-boggling concepts of very large numbers Goldstone, Bruce. That s a Possibility! A Book about What Might Happen. Henry Holt, p. Grades 1-3 $ Easy-to-understand scenarios help kids understand the prospect of things being probable, possible or impossible. Attractive and interesting! 160. LaRochelle, David. 1 +1=5. Illustrated by Brenda Sexton. Sterling, p. Grades K-3 $ Colorful illustrations and unusual calculations encourage children to think about numbers in a creative way Jenkins, Emily, and G. Brian Karas. Lemonade in Winter: a Book about Two Kids Counting Money. Schwartz and Wade, unpaged Grades 1-3 $ Pauline and her brother John-John set up a stand to sell lemonade, limeade, and lemonlimeade one cold, wintry day, then try to attract customers as Pauline adds up their earnings Leedy, Loreen. Seeing Symmetry. Holiday House, p. Grades 1-4 $ Introduces the concept of symmetry, discussing how it appears in the world. Includes activities. Download an excellent free activity pack at Rappaport, Doreen. Helen s Big World. Illustrated by Matt Tavares. Disney Hyperion, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ An illustrated biography of Helen Keller, introducing young readers to her life and legacy, and including quotations by Keller. ALA Notable Children s Book Lambert, Joseph. Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller. Disney/Hyperion, p. Grades 5-up $ A graphic novel that explores the role of Annie Sullivan as teacher and companion to Helen Keller and discusses the bond that formed between the two women as Helen went on to accomplish many feats Montgomery, Sy. Temple Grandin: How the Girl who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World. Houghton Mifflin, p. Grades 5-up $ Examines the life and accomplishments of Temple Grandin, whose childhood diagnosis of autism and love of cows led her to revolutionize the livestock industry Stone, Tanya Lee. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Candlewick Press, Grades p. $ Profiles thirteen women who challenged social norms and government policies to prove they could be exceptional astronauts Sweet, Melissa. Balloons over Broadway: the True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy s Parade. Houghton Mifflin, Unpaged Grades 1-5 $ Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sibert Award Winner Bean, Jonathan. Building Our House. FSG, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ young girl narrates her family's move from the city to the country, where they have bought a piece of land and live in a trailer while they build a house from the ground up, with help from relatives and friends Stone, Tanya Lee. The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: a Doll s History and Her Impact on Us. Viking, p. Grades 6-up $ Explores how Barbie has influenced generations of girls, discussing criticisms of the doll, her role in fashion, and her surprising popularity during her first fifty years Vernick, Audrey. Brothers at Bat: the True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team. Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Clarion, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ hares the story of the Acerras and their sixteen children, who had enough members to fill every position on a baseball team. 14

15 171. Tavares, Matt. Becoming Babe Ruth. Candlewick, Unpaged Grades K-3 $ Before he is known as the Babe, George Herman Ruth was just a boy who lived in Baltimore and gets into a lot of trouble Moss, Marissa. Barbed Wire Baseball. Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. Abrams, p. Grades 2-6 $ Looks at Japanese American baseball player Kenichi Zenimura's time spent in the internment camps during World War II and his creation of a baseball field there Skead, Robert. Something to Prove: the Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio. Illustrations by Floyd Cooper. Carolrhoda, Unpaged Grades 1-3 $ Each of these two legendary baseball players had something to prove when they faced each other for the first time Winter, Jonah. You Never Heard of Willie Mays?! Illustrated by Terry Widener. Schwartz & Wade, Unpaged Grades 1-4 $ A visual profile of baseball star Willie Mays, tracing his Birmingham childhood, achievements in the Negro Leagues, and fame as a center fielder for the Giants Full Count : Top 10 Lists of Everything in Baseball (Sports Illustrated Kids). Time Home Entertainment, p. Grades 3-up $ Contains top ten lists about baseball, including oddest deliveries, rivalries, mascots, ugly uniforms, and more Coy, John. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball. Illustrations by Joe Morse. Carolrhoda, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ Tells the story of why and how James Naismith invented the game of basketball in Berne, Emma Carlson. Today s Marines (The U.S. Armed Forces). Compass Point, p. Grades 3-9 $ An outstanding look at the U.S. Marine Corps today and in the past. Well written and exciting! 178. Close, Chuck. Face Book. Abrams, p. Grades 4-up $ This fascinating, interactive autobiography presents Chuck Close s story, his art, and a discussion of the many processes he uses in the studio. Horn Book/ Boston Globe Nonfiction winner Bryant, Jen. A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Alfred A. Knopf, Unpaged Grades 2-5 $ An illustrated biography of African American painter, Horace Pippin Jocelyn, Marthe. Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight. Candlewick, p. Grades 3-6 $ Made you look! Kids will uncover their inner guerrilla artist as they sneak funny art projects into surprising places to make people smile! 181. Rubin, Susan Goldman. Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People. Abrams, p. Grades $ A brief biography of Mexican artist Diego Rivera, who was best known for his public mural paintings depicting the culture and struggles of the Mexican working class Stringer, Lauren. When Stravinsky met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot. Harcourt, Unpaged Grades K-2 $ The Russian artists Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky were popular in their time: Stravinsky for music, Nijinsky for dance. When their radically new ballet, The Rite of Spring, was first performed in Paris on May 29, 1913, the reaction was so polarized, there were fistfights and riots! 183. Turner, Tracey. Dreadful Fates: What a Shocking Way to Go! Illustrated by Sally Kindberg. Kids Can, p. Grades 4-up $ A fun, illustrated look at the many unusual ways in which people, famous and unknown, died Bragg, Georgia. How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous. Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. Walker, p. Grades 5-up $ A lot of really famous people did not die peacefully in their beds. Many of them suffered horribly during their lives and at the end. 15

16 185. Prelutsky, Jack. Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems. Illustrated by Carin Berger. Greenwillow, P $ A collection of poems describing imaginary creatures such as Bluffaloes, Swapitis, and Stardines. Many Common Core exemplar books, the more or less official examples, are on this website: or just google Common Core Exemplar. When I first looked at it, many of the books were out of print, but they certainly seem to be coming back into print quickly. Never fear: we get to choose our own books, there are no official ones. And just because a book is older does not mean it is no longer excellent. There are many excellent internet sites a few I was impressed by are these: I just love this site. Also excellent ideas and recommendations from two Michigan Librarians These are so user friendly. an excellent subscription site Book jobbers such as often include Common Core information and especially ideas for clusters. Amazon includes information on other books on the same topic, also useful for clusters. And look at the publisher s website: they often have Common Core ideas for their titles. A Few Thoughts from the Experts which is often us. Children need to see that reading is an important part of life. If an adult is seen reading regularly, then it is! If not, it must not be. Read. Talk about what you read. Kids need to know that we consider reading fun. A lot of them today consider reading only for work. With boys in the tween years, the best book is not the issue. What is an issue is what books they will actually read. Also, boys are less likely to talk about or overtly respond to their reading than girls are. But they LOVE information that exports readily to conversation that they can repeat to other people. This is one reason why nonfiction works well. Do NOT tell a child in any way, verbally or in body language, that the books he or she likes are bad. I bet you (like me) read a lot of trash, especially in the beauty shop. Kids need our assurance and our permission to read easy books. Include plenty of easier books in your booktalks. In a recent study, reluctant readers indicated that they only liked to read when they got to pick whatever they want to read. Let them choose!!! Studies show that reading comprehension is related to reader s interest in the topic. Interested readers can comprehend materials normally considered to be beyond their reading level. Leonard Saxe recommends that you recommend books to a boy conversationally, side by side, standing next to each other, rather than confrontationally, face to face. And look at THIS picture! 16

17 As the school media specialist to keep a list in a prominent place of what the most popular books are in your library or media center. Create buzz. So you get a waiting list. Hey, that s a goal! Wouldn't it be great if the public library sent out a list of high interest books that they have available to add to the school list? Consider making a PowerPoint DVD or flash drive that will highlight new titles available in your library or media center. We know we will never be able to place every appealing book face out on the shelves. Think of how cool it would be to sit down in front of a computer with a PowerPoint show, all books numbered to make requesting them easier, and note that the library has books on all sorts of intriguing topics. Make copies and give them to every classroom. This is a great volunteer project. Publishers do not at all object to our use of book covers in promotion. Better yet, use a digital picture frame at the checkout desk. And an important thing: if you are looking for fiction or nonfiction titles on a particular title and having trouble finding ones that might work, ask at your local school or public library. We librarians LOVE to help you find this kind of thing, and every question we are asked makes us feel more valuable in these endangered economic times! Nonfiction Booktalking Tips Approach your books with a supply of post-it notes or tape flags. Browse through the books on your shelf. Do any have topics that particularly appeal to you? Grab them! Look through the illustrations and photographs. Is there one that is absolutely irresistible? Read the caption and scan the accompanying information. Mark it. Keep browsing. Is there another great illustration or a fascinating fact guaranteed to secure the attention of your audience? Mark it. Browse the book just enough to get you a feel for what it is saying. Jot down notes to help you remember any key points, then stick your notes in the book. Or put a post it on the back of the book! Select books on a variety of topics. You are not attracted by absolutely every topic and neither is your audience. Keep your booktalk moving. This is not the age of rhetoric. I have seen librarians talk about one book for 15 minutes. It is beyond boring! Make it quick and snappy. No one has much of an attention span anymore! Be enthusiastic! Let your audience see your excitement about the book. Let the wild woman or wild guy inside out! Include a commercial for your library, media center or classroom collection. Make it easy for kids to get the book. Use PowerPoint whenever possible. It cuts down on heavy hauling and allows the books to be used by their audience. 17

18 A FEW QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT 1. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book that you regularly read aloud to children? 2. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book that you regularly recommend to children? 3. If you are a librarian, what do you do to promote nonfiction in the library? 4. Do you buy books that win awards for nonfiction? Do you ever read nonfiction books? 5. Librarians: How to you choose the materials for your collection? Do you use reviews? Salespeople? Recommendations from other librarians? 6. Are there any subjects on which we need more books? Or ANY books? 7. Were there any nonfiction books or series of books that you remember fondly from your own childhood? 8. What do you see as major trends happening in children s books right at the moment? How are they affecting you and the books you select? 9. Do you buy any graphic nonfiction? Do you read any yourself? 10. What trends do you see in nonfiction publishing? 11. Share a nonfiction book that is popular in your school. 12. What is the best book you have read lately? 13. Do you ever read nonfiction? Think of a nonfiction book you really enjoyed. 14. Did you see any book today that you would like to read yourself or share with young people? 15. Do you have any thoughts on good fiction books to pair these nonfiction books with? The article on the following pages was reprinted from Book Links: Literature-Based Resources for the Curriculum, September 2012 issue. This comes out four times a year, with your subscription for Booklist Magazine, and is published by and reprinted here with the permission of the American Library Association. Ask your school or public librarian if you might see their issues. 18

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