06.21.2019

Summer Reading Recommendations

These summer reading recommendations are by kids for kids! Add your own by visiting the library or emailing them to Dani at crickman@bostonathenaeum.org before the end of August.

My First Dinosaur Pop-Up by Owen Davey

(Children Picture Book DAVEY)

Vera recommends this book because… “Dinosaurs: Ornithomimus and T-rex.”

My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza

(Children Picture Book + KASZA)

Vera recommends this book because… “The piglet went to the fox’s house and the bear’s house.”

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

(Children Picture Book LIN)

Everett recommends this book because… “She climbs up and eats the moon.”

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder; illustrated by Emily Hughes

(Children Picture Book SNYDE)

Augusta recommends this book because… “It gives you the idea that if you are hungry before bed, you can have a bedtime banana.”

Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos (Children PN159 .G36 2017)

Kira recommends this book because… “It’s really helpful.”

Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb

(Children + PZ8.G52 Rap 2011)

This book was recommended because… “Magic hair.”

Creatures of the Desert World by Barbara Gibson

(Children QL116 .G53 2003)

Vera recommends this book because… “Skunk does a handstand. An owl lives in a cactus.”

06.06.2019

Staff Book Suggestions Summer 2019

Jacqueline Bateman

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval N. Harari

(Library of Congress CB113.H4 H3713 2015)

As the title suggests, this book chronicles the history of Homo Sapiens from the beginnings of the Agricultural Revolution through the technology boom. Harari touches on a large array of subjects, including religion, economics, colonialism, and scientific advancements. Although it is a large book, it really is ‘brief’ in how quickly it jumps from one subject to another. An enjoyable, easy read for anyone interested in a historic and philosophical look at what makes us human.

Maddie Mott

The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whitehead

(Library of Congress PZ4.W58863 Und 2016)

Last month, on Juneteenth, Ta-Nehisi Coates gave a testimony to the House in support of H.R. 40, a bill that would create the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans. It’s pretty easy to find his opening remarks if you want to read the full text, but here’s a quotation from Coates’s statement that stood out to me—”Yesterday, when asked about reparations, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a familiar reply: America should not be held liable for something that happened 150 years ago, since none of us currently alive are responsible.” If you, like Sen. McConnell, don’t agree with the need for reparations or are unsure about where you stand, I would recommend reading Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad and then thinking about this topic again. The book is both incredible and terrible. You follow the journey of Cora, a young, enslaved woman from a plantation in Georgia and her trips on the Underground Railroad. It’s an enthralling and accessible read, full of twists and turns that leave you on the edge of your seat. Throughout, Whitehead forces the reader to get uncomfortable and confront the horrors and sheer inhumanity of slavery in a way my history classes never made me do. It’s a powerful examination into the foundation of our country that needs to be required reading.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

(Library of Congress PZ4.J4884 Fi 2016)

I’ll own the shame and admit I’ve fallen off the reading train. I used to be a big reader as a kid, but as I enter my eighth year of higher education, reading is less and less fun for me. I vowed this year that I would venture back into reading fiction for fun and N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season reminded me how amazing it is to read. Fantasy fiction has always felt slightly out of reach for me, but Jemisin’s casual tone and knack for world-building makes it easy to understand the alternate reality you are in. You follow the story lines of Essun, Syenite, and Damaya, three women who live in the Stillness—an ironic name for a world plagued by earthquakes—and possess the gift/curse of orogeny, the power to stop the shaking. I think this book is a great starting point for those looking to get into fantasy/sci fi fiction and especially for those looking for character diversity that the genre seems to lack. 

Carolle Morini

American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes 

(Library of Congress PS3558.A8378 A6 2018)

Powerful, smart, honest, and stunning poems that reflect contemporary American life. 

Elizabeth O’Meara

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy; translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

(Library of Congress PZ3.T588 Wa 2007)

People probably don’t think of this book when thinking of a beach read, but I will always associate it with the 1962 James Stewart movie, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation. Jimmy Stewart as Mr. Hobbs brings War and Peace to read on the beach and in the process prompts another person on the beach to start reading it (a very dated scene).  But if you’re up for the read (on the beach or off), I highly recommend this translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky, a husband and wife team. She’s Russian and he’s a writer of poems and essays. The writing is beautiful, energetic and vivid, bringing to life Tolstoy’s masterpiece.

KL Pereira

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez

(Library of Congress PZ4.G2164 On 2003)

Every summer, I reread One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez. The Athenæum’s copy, like the first copy I owned, is covered in lush and verdant landscape art, and for me evokes Macondo, the jungle-town dreamworld in which the epic unfolds. While the plot follows generations of a family who create themselves, their world, and their downfall in the jungles of South America, the real magic of this novel is how it transports you to a place where love is inexorable, thriving beyond death, where every moment is saturated in the perfect alchemy of Márquez’s language, and ghosts live along with us and remind us who we are. And if I still need to convince you, here’s my favorite quotation from the novel: “Human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mother gives birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.

Arnold Serapilio

Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney

(Library of Congress PZ4.R77533 Co 2017)

I’m not sure the hype surrounding Sally Rooney’s debut novel does the author, the reader, or the actual text any favors, but then again when does hype ever serve us? Even Rooney herself is uneasy with the sudden surge of attention and praise, balking at claims that she is the definitive voice of the millenial generation. Take the book on its own merits. The territory might seem well-worn—young lady in college has affair with older married man—but in Rooney’s hands we get living, breathing characters with distinct differences and opinions on things other than the plot and interpersonal dynamics that are so realistic as to be unsettling, like she’s been in listening in on your own conversations with friends. By the end you may be surprised by the extent of the emotional impact. Is she the voice of a generation? Is it even possible for one voice to encapsulate something as vast and as nebulous as the idea of a “generation”? Who cares? This is a confident and satisfying debut from a serious talent. Keep her on your radar.

Mary Warnement

Turbulence by David Szalay

(Library of Congress PZ4 .S998 Tu 2018)

What could be more summery than a book about travelers by plane? I saw this book at some point this past winter and ordered it for the library. I thought maybe of buying it for myself while in London, in the British edition, and tempted, I handled it, in the London Review Bookshop, but I had to be disciplined about not overfilling my suitcase. I checked it out after seeing it on the new book shelves when—unusually caught without reading material—I was looking for something to distract me on the red line. I saw that the author had been praised as a “promising new artist” and that a previous work had been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and I hesitated. Those two accolades don’t guarantee I will like an author, but I enjoyed his premise very much. Szalay’s insights into the various characters, circling the globe, rang true. Only in the penultimate chapter did I see where the end would be. I will look for his other titles.

Summer puts me in touch with my younger self. If that holds true for you, then you may want to join me in reading children’s books, perhaps the two I mention below:

Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetri

(Children’s Library Children Picture Book TETRI)

I think Tetri the author identifies with Tiger the character whose picture appears on the inside back flap with the author info. Tiger has a friend, the monster under her bed, who helps stave off nightmares, until one night, a nightmare defeats poor monster. That battle, all told on a two-page spread of imagery without words, touched my heart, and the illustration of poor monster hiding under the bed on the next broke my heart. Tetri invested so much expression with so few strokes. Poor Tiger asleep at her desk at school, asleep at dinner at home. That touching “poke” by her mom. An instruction manual in friendship and how to be fierce.

Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators that Saved an Ecosystem by Patricia Newman

(Children’s Library QL737.C25 N49 2017)

I learned a lot about otters from this book. I had known they are fierce and respected them, but I also find them adorable, living their lives mostly floating on their backs. I not only learned about otter behavior but also about the relationship between the otters, their food source crabs, and the crabs’ food source. Makes me wish I had become a scientist. Perhaps a child—or you—reading will follow through on that. Beautiful photography and drawings illustrate the volume that is both a Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book and a Green Earth Book Award Winner.

05.14.2019

Staff Book Suggestions Spring 2019

Jacqueline Bateman

Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

(Library of Congress F128.4 .S56 2004)

This nonfiction work by Russell Shorto examines the cultural identity of the often forgotten Dutch Settlers in Manhattan and Rensselaer, before New York was New York. Shorto argues that the national identity of the United States has a great deal more in common with the socially mobile, and religiously tolerant Dutch merchants more so than the Monarchist and relatively more conservative English ideals of the Early Colonial Era. The bulk of the book follows the lives of two Dutchmen in New Amsterdam, Adrien Van Der Donck and Peter Stuyvesant, two well educated and prominent figures in the Colony, one whose legacy lives on, and one who time forgot. It also seeks to dispel myths about the Dutch Colony, such as the legend of Manhattan being sold by the Native Americans on the Island to the Dutch for 24 dollars, and it being a glorified fort until the British took over. A must read for anyone interested in Early Colonial America, or the history of New York State. 

Dani Crickman

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan

(Library of Congress PZ4 .P186 As 2018)

“My mother is a bird,” begins this gut punch of a book. Leigh’s mother has died of suicide. This tragedy takes Leigh to Taipei where she connects with a familial past that’s been kept hidden from her. Eerie coincidences and moments of incense-fueled transport into memory propel her toward discovering more about her mother, who appears to her, fleetingly, as a large red phoenix. I loved this surreal, evocative story for its fierce teen protagonist, rich sense of place, and sheer depth of feeling.

Carolle Morini

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen: The True Story Behind Degas’s Masterpiece by Camille Laurens

(Library of Congress CT1018.G64 L38 2018)

Enlightening and short read about this famous sculpture. You’ll never look at the Little Dancer the same after reading this book.

Kaelin Rasmussen

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

(Library of Congress PZ4. G1414 Go 2006)

Only a few weeks ago did I finally get around to reading this classic of fantasy literature (originally published 1990), and I loved it! It’s a great read for the slide into the summer months. There’s a new TV show out based on it (I haven’t seen that yet), and I’ve always been of the opinion that one should read the book first. The story features demons and angels in cahoots, witches ancient and modern, rare occult books, enterprising schoolchildren, and loyal furry friends, all careening toward an imminent, slightly off-kilter Apocalypse. Alternately suspenseful and hilarious, always intelligent and inventive, Good Omens reminds me of those long childhood summer days where wild flights of imagination ruled and anything seemed possible.

Mary Warnement

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter

(Library of Congress PZ4.P8471 Gr 2015)

Grief seems a strange topic for spring, but I have been attracted to writings about birds, and this novel is a poetic stream-of-conscious work of fiction that calls to mind new life. I was unfamiliar with Ted Hughes’s collection of poems Crow, but reading this gem of faceted phrases bouncing off each other, I quickly became aware that Porter was responding not only to mythical stories about crows but to a specific version of it—created by Hughes and inspired by Leonard Baskin’s art. My British edition from Faber has a cover by Eleanor Crow that better evokes Baskin than the American edition owned by the Athenæum. Can that possibly be the artist’s true name? Yes, it is and her website’s homepage features a drawing of JAS Smith and Sons Umbrellas, which catches my eye on New Oxford Street every time I visit London. Enough about the cover; what’s inside? No character is named: the characters are the Mum (missing, gone, dead), Dad, Crow, and Boys. The boys are grouped together although each speaks with a different voice. Could I distinguish one from the other? Not always at first. There were many in jokes. Parenthesis Press in Manchester. Parenthesis for Faber’s periodical. Hughes connection to Faber. I’m sure I’m missing many references and while I don’t care enough for Hughes to look them up, I don’t think that detracts from what this book gave me. Hughes was the protagonist’s obsession before his wife’s death replaced it with grief. When the crow left, then obsession left, if not the grief. “Grieving is something you’re still doing, and something you don’t need a crow for.” I read this before having an immediate reason to grieve, and even after recent events in my life put me in touch with that emotion, grief is not the one I associate with this volume. Do not let the title scare you off. It is a beautiful book.

Hannah Weisman

Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich by Norman Ohler (translated by Shaun Whiteside) 

(Library of Congress NEW HV5840.G3 O3513 2018)

Ohler digs deep into the Third Reich’s addiction to methamphetamines, opiates, and cocaine in their over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal forms. By examining Hitler and the Third Reich through the lens of drug use, Ohler encourages the reader to consider the motivations and means by which the Third Reich succeeded and failed in specific military campaigns, societal manipulation, and the entirety of World War II. Ohler’s writing reads like a novel, with only a few diversions to indulge his apparent nerdiness in chemistry.

Rachel Wentworth

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

(Library of Congress PZ4.D1853 Ho)

Pro tip: don’t try to read this one on the T. It will have you rotating, flipping, and pulling out mirrors to follow along. To put it as simply as possible, this is a faux academic publication by a man named Zampano on a non-existent documentary with references to works that also don’t exist, edited by Johnny Truant, a partying tattoo shop assistant who becomes more and more obsessed with (and haunted by) the book as he edits it. The subject of the book (within a book) is The Navidson Record, a documentary (or fictional short film, depending on who you believe) on a haunted-house-meets-labyrinth that seems to mirror the psyche of those who enter its bigger-on-the-inside walls. With a mix of narrative voices, genres, a complicated web of footnotes, and the most intriguing form I’ve seen in years, it’s a horror story that works on a number of levels. Even when you have no idea what’s happening, you can’t seem to stop turning the page. 

04.25.2019

Animals

Picture Books

Marta! Big and Small by Jen Arena with illustrations by Angela Dominguez

(Children Picture Book ARENA)

In this story that incorporates Spanish words, Marta explores the world of opposites and animals.

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

(Children Picture Book + BARNE)

The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages.

One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom with illustrations by Brendan Wenzel

(Children Picture Book BERNS)

Gobbled by a snake, a crafty boy finds a find a way out of his predicament by encouraging the snake to eat an increasing number of animals.

Turnip by Jan Brett

(Children Picture Book + BRETT)

Badger Girl is delighted to find the biggest turnip she has ever seen growing in her vegetable garden, but when the time comes to harvest the giant root, she is unable to pull it up without help from family and friends.

Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell

(Children Picture Book CAMPB)

“Adrian Simcox brags about owning a horse, and Chloe just knows he’s making stuff up … until she learns an important lesson in empathy.” —Provided by publisher

Surprising Sharks! By Nicola Davies

(Children Picture Book + DAVIE)

Introduces many different species of sharks, pointing out such characteristics as the small size of the dwarf lantern shark and the physical characteristics and behavior that makes sharks killing machines.

Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Dominguez

(Children Picture Book + DOMIN)

In this bilingual version of the classic rhyme, set in Peru, Maria takes her llama to school one day.

Ducks Away! by Mem Fox

(Children Picture Book FOX)

One by one five little ducklings tumble off the bridge into the river below—and mother duck follows them.

Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

(Children Picture Book Lg MCCLO)

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Garden with their eight offspring.

Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê

(Children Picture Book + LE)

“A young boy wants to read his favorite books without interruption, but the creatures around him keep spoiling the ending!” —Provided by publisher

Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel

(Children Picture Book WENZE)

In simple text, a set of animals, each one linked to the previous one by some trait of shape, color, or pattern, greet and interact with one another.

Beginning Readers

Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetri

(Children Picture Book TETRI)

“Tiger is a very lucky kid: she has a monster living under her bed. Every night, Tiger and Monster play games until it’s time for lights out. Of course, Monster would never try to scare Tiger–that’s not what best friends do. But Monster needs to scare someone … it’s a monster, after all. So while Tiger sleeps, Monster scares all of her nightmares away. Thanks to her friend, Tiger has nothing but good dreams. But waiting in the darkness is a nightmare so big and mean that Monster can’t fight it alone. Only teamwork and a lot of bravery can chase this nightmare away.” —Provided by publisher

Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor

(Children Picture Book TABOR)

Fox decides to become a tiger because they are fast and sneaky, and soon, his other animal friends are joining in.

Days With Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

(Children’s Library PZ7.L7795 Day)

Frog and Toad spend their days together, but find sometimes it’s nice to be alone.

Chapter Books and Middle Grade

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

(Children’s Library PZ7.D5455 Ti 2001)

Rob, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo

(Children’s Library PZ7.D5455 Me 2005)

After Mercy the pig snuggles to sleep with the Watsons, all three awaken with the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole in the floor.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

(Children’s Library PZ10.3.G76 Wi 1954)

“Friendly Rat, mild-mannered Mole, wise Badger, and kind—but conceited—Toad all live on the banks of the Thames. While Mole and Rat are content to go out in a row boat or travel the roads in a caravan, Toad prefers the excitement of motor cars. He’s already wrecked seven! While his friends try to keep him out of trouble, his passion for cars eventually results in his being caught and kept prisoner in the remotest dungeon of the best-guarded castle in all the land. Somehow, he has to escape and get home but what will he find when he gets there?” —Provided by publisher

Hoot by Carl Hiassan

(Children’s Library PZ7.H52 Ho 2002)

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy’s attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

The Beasts of Clawstone Castle by Eva Ibbotson

(Children’s Library PZ7.I11555 Bea 2006)

While spending the summer with elderly relatives at Clawstone Castle in northern England, Madlyn and her brother Rollo, with the help of several ghosts, attempt to save the rare cattle that live on the castle grounds.

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones with illustrations by Katie Kath

(Children’s Library PZ7.J714 Unu 2015)

“Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown feels like a fish out of water when she and her parents move from Los Angeles to the farm they’ve inherited from a great-uncle. But farm life gets more interesting when a cranky chicken appears and Sophie discovers the hen can move objects with the power of her little chicken brain: jam jars, the latch to her henhouse, the entire henhouse…. And then more of her great-uncle’s unusual chickens come home to roost. Determined, resourceful Sophie learns to care for her flock, earning money for chicken feed, collecting eggs. But when a respected local farmer tries to steal them, Sophie must find a way to keep them (and their superpowers) safe. Told in letters to Sophie’s abuela, quizzes, a chicken-care correspondence course, to-do lists, and more, Unusual Chickens is a quirky, clucky classic in the making.” —Provided by publisher

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

(Children’s Library PZ7.M64 Win 1988)

The adventures of Christopher Robin and his friends, in which Pooh Bear uses a balloon to get honey, Piglet meets a Heffalump, and Eeyore has a birthday.

Dog Man by Dave Pilkey

(Children’s Library PZ7.P6314 Do 2016)

Dog Man, a crimefighter with the head of a police dog and the body of a policeman, faces off against his archnemesis Petey the Cat.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

(Children’s Library + PZ7.W58277 Ch 1999)

“Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.” —Provided by publisher

Stuart Little by E.B. White

(Children’s Library PZ10.3.W584 St)

“Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he’s shy and thoughtful, he’s also a true lover of adventure.” —Provided by publisher

Young Adult

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

(Young Adult PZ7.P968 Go 2006)

Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.

Informational Books

Bonkers About Beetles by Owen Davey

(+ Children Picture Book DAVEY)

Did you know that the horned dung beetle can pull over a thousand times its own weight? With over 400,000 known species of beetles on earth, there are endless curious crawling creatures to discover! Shares information on different types of beetles.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu with photographs by Peter Greste

(Children’s Library QL737.U57 H38 2006)

“This book has been adapted from the original e-book, Owen and Mzee, … which was first launched on the WNBC New York Five O’Clock News, April 29, 2005, as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.” —Provided by publisher

The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs by Kate Messner with illustrations by Matthew Forsythe

(Children Picture Book MESSN)

Looks at the life of the coral restoration pioneer Ken Nedimyer, from his early fascination with the ocean to his ongoing efforts to save and rebuild the world’s coral reefs.

Reptiles and Amphibians by Simon Mugford

(Children’s Library + QL644.2 .M84 2007)

Describes various reptiles and amphibians, with color photographs.

Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators that Saved an Ecosystem by Patricia Newman

(Children’s Library QL737.C25 N49 2017)

“Marine biologist Brent Hughes discovered a surprising connection between sea otters and sea grass at an estuary in northern California. Follow science in action as Hughes conducts the research that led to this major discovery.” —Provided by publisher

Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild by Catherine Thimmesh

(Children’s Library + QL737.C27 T477 2018)

From the Sibert medal winning author of Team Moon and the bestselling Girls Think of Everything comes a riveting, timely account of panda conservation efforts in China, perfect for budding environmentalists and activists.

03.29.2019

Poetry

April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate with these picture book poems and poetry collections.

Picture Books

Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks, illustrated by Faith Ringgold

(Children’s Library + PS3503.R7244 B76 2007)

A collection of poems that celebrate the joy, beauty, imagination, and freedom of childhood.

Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons by Joseph Burchac

(Children’s Library + PS3552.R794 T47 1992)
Celebrates the seasons of the year through poems from the legends of such Native American tribes as the Cherokee, Cree, and Sioux.

Soul Looks Back in Wonder illustrated by Tom Feelings, poems by Maya Angelou, et al.

(Children’s Library PS591.N4 S58 1994)

Artwork and poems by such writers as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Askia Toure portray the creativity, strength, and beauty of their African American heritage.

Lizards, Frogs, and Pollywogs: Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian

(Children’s Library + PS3556.L589 L59 2001)

A collection of humorous poems about such reptiles and amphibians as the glass frog, the gecko, and the rattlesnake.

Dear Hot Dog by Mordicai Gerstein

(Children’s Library PS3557.E733 D43 2011)

Collects poems celebrating everyday activities, including drifting off to sleep, lying in the warm sun, and eating spaghetti for dinner.

Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart selected by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Michael Emberley

(Children’s Library + PS586.3 .F675 2012)

“With personal introductions by former Children’s Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman—as well as her own time-tested tips and tools for memorization and recitation—and vivid illustrations by Michael Emberley featuring his trademark wit and lively characters, Forget-Me-Nots includes more than 120 works from both classic and contemporary poets, from childhood favorites to lesser-known treasures.” —Provided by publisher

Hoofbeats, Claws, & Rippled Fins: Creature Poems edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

(Children’s Library PS595.A5 H66 2002)

Inspired by Stephen Alcorn’s magnificent animal portraits, popular poet and noted anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins commissioned thirteen poets to craft verses to match the eloquence of this art. The resulting celebration of art and nature captures the subtle intensity and striking textures of a renowned artist’s relief-block prints in a unique homage to the power, mystery, and beauty of the natural world.

Are You An Echo?: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko by Misuzu Kaneko

(Children’s Library PL832.A598 A6 2016)

” Are You An Echo? resurrects the work of Misuzu Kaneko and brings the gentle grace of her poems to a new generation.” —Provided by publisher

Read, Read, Read! by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

(Children Picture Book +VANDE)

“Twenty-three poems capture the joys of reading from that thrilling moment when a child first learns to decipher words to the excitement that follows in reading everything from road signs to field guides to internet articles to stories. These poems also explore what reading does, lyrically celebrating how it opens minds, can make you kind, and allows you to explore the whole world.” —Provided by publisher

With My Hands: Poems About Making Things by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

(Children Picture Book +VANDE)

“The short and lively poems in this collection explore many different forms of creativity and the excitement and satisfaction that each one brings.” —Provided by publisher

Poetry Collections

Doodle Soup: Poems by John Ciardi

(Children’s Library PS3505.I27 D6 1985)

Thirty-eight poems, mostly humorous, by the well-known poet.

Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls by William Cole

(Children’s Library PN6110.C4 C618)

“A collection of humorous poetry about naughty, ill-mannered, even cruel, boys and girls.” —Provided by publisher

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzo by Margarita Engle

(Children’s Library PS3555.N4254 P64 2006)

Juan Francisco Manzano was born in 1797 into the household of wealthy slaveowners in Cuba. He spent his early years at the side of his owner’s wife, entertaining her friends. His poetry was his outlet, reflecting the beauty and cruelty of his world. Written in verse.

The Forgetful Wishing Well: Poems for Young People by X.J. Kennedy, illustrated by Monica Incisa

(Children’s Library PS3521.E563 F6 1985)

Seventy poems deal with the challenges of growing up, curious beasts and birds, city life, and other subjects both realistic and fanciful.

To The Moon and Back: A Collection of Poems by Nancy Larrick, illustrated by Catherine O’Neill

(Children’s Library PS586.3 .T6 1990)

Sixty-six poems by dozens of English and American authors are full of rhythm and movement and suitable for reading aloud.

A Wreath For Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

(Children’s Library PS3573.A4795 W73 2005)

“In a profound and chilling poem, award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson reminds us of the boy whose fate helped spark the civil rights movement. This martyr’s wreath, woven from a little known but sophisticated form of poetry, challenges us to speak out against modern-day injustices, to ‘speak what we see.’” —Provided by publisher

Salting the Ocean: 100 Poems by Young Poets selected by Naomi Nye, illustrated by Ashley Bryan

(Children’s Library PS591.S3 S19 2000)

“There are 100 poems in this book by 100 poets who wrote their poems when they were in grades one through twelve. These poets are not famous. You have not read their poems before. These poets live anywhere. They are now dentists and dancers and teachers and students and construction workers. They write with fire. They could be you.” —Provided by publisher

The New Kid On The Block by Jack Prelutsky

(Children’s Library PS3566.R36 N4 1984)

Humorous poems about such strange creatures and people as Baloney Belly Billy and the Gloopy Gloopers.

Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems by Rob Raczka

(Children’s Library PS3618.A346 A6 2016)
“Who says words need to be concrete? This collection shapes poems in surprising and delightful ways. Concrete poetry is a perennially popular poetic form because they are fun to look at. But by using the arrangement of the words on the page to convey the meaning of the poem, concrete or shape poems are also easy to write!” —Provided by publisher

Cornflakes: Poems by James Stevenson

(Children’s Library PS3569.T4557 C67 2000)

A collection of short poems with such titles as “I Can’t Move Mountains,” “Junkyard,” and “Greenhouse in March.”

02.28.2019

Travel Through History

Historical Fiction set in the U.S.

Picture Books

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, illus. by David Diaz

(Children + PZ7.B91527 Sl 1994)

When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the values of getting along with others no matter what their background or nationality.

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Lavine, illus. by Kadir Nelson

(Children Picture Book + LEVIN)

A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a Virginia slave, Henry “Box” Brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from Richmond to Philadelphia.

Mirandy and Brother Wind by Pat McKissack, illus. by Jerry Pinkney

(Children Picture Book + MCKIS)

To win first prize in the Junior Cakewalk, Mirandy tries to capture the wind for her partner.

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, illus. by Dom Lee

(Children PZ7.M71284 Bas 1993)

A Japanese American boy learns to play baseball when he and his family are forced to live in an internment camp during World War II, and his ability to play helps him after the war is over.

Jazz Day by Roxane Orgill

(Children + PS3615.R45 J39 2016)

“When Esquire magazine planned an issue to salute the American jazz scene in 1958, graphic designer Art Kane pitched a crazy idea: how about gathering a group of beloved jazz musicians and photographing them? He didn’t own a good camera, didn’t know if any musicians would show up, and insisted on setting up the shoot in front of a Harlem brownstone. Could he pull it off? In a captivating collection of poems, Roxane Orgill steps into the frame of Harlem 1958, bringing to life the musicians’ mischief and quirks, their memorable style, and the vivacious atmosphere of a Harlem block full of kids on a hot summer’s day. Francis Vallejo’s vibrant, detailed, and wonderfully expressive paintings do loving justice to the larger-than-life quality of jazz musicians of the era.” —Provided by publisher

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

(Children Picture Book + STEWA)

A series of letters relating what happens when, after her father loses his job, Lydia Grace goes to live with her Uncle Jim in the city but takes her love for gardening with her.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E.B. Lewis

(Children Picture Book + WOODS)

Two girls, one white and one black, gradually get to know each other as they sit on the fence that divides their town.

Chapter Books

Sophia’s War by Avi

(Children PZ7.A953 Sq 2012)

In 1776, after witnessing the execution of Nathan Hale in New York City, newly occupied by the British army, young Sophia Calderwood resolves to do all she can to help the American cause, including becoming a spy.

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

(Children PZ7.B3806 Se 2015)

“‘Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.’ Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate.There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is:a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity…before all of the children vanish one by one. Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.” —Provided by publisher

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

(Children PZ7 .B3978 Lu 2018)

In 1960s New York, fifth-grader Ruthie, a Cuban-Jewish immigrant, must rely on books, art, her family, and friends in her multicultural neighborhood when an accident puts her in a body cast.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham — 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

(Children PZ7.C94137 Wat 1995)

The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

(Children PZ7.D5455 Ra 2016)

“Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie’s picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship—and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.” —Provided by publisher

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

(Children PZ7.D78325 St 2015)

“When the Ku Klux Klan’s unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella’s segregated southern town, bravery battles prejudice in this New York Times bestselling Depression-era ‘novel that soars’ ( The New York Times Book Review) that School Library Journal called ‘storytelling at its finest’ in a starred review. Stella lives in the segregated South—in Bumblebee, North Carolina, to be exact about it. Some stores she can go into. Some stores she can’t. Some folks are right pleasant. Others are a lot less so. To Stella, it sort of evens out, and heck, the Klan hasn’t bothered them for years. But one late night, later than she should ever be up, much less wandering around outside, Stella and her little brother see something they’re never supposed to see, something that is the first flicker of change to come, unwelcome change by any stretch of the imagination. As Stella’s community—her world—is upended, she decides to fight fire with fire. And she learns that ashes don’t necessarily signify an end.” —Provided by publisher

It All Comes Down to This by Karen English

(Children PZ7.E699 It 2017)

“This middle grade coming-of-age novel set in Los Angeles in the summer of 1965 is narrated by Sophie, a precocious, sheltered twelve-year-old. But when her family becomes the first African Americans to move into their upper middle-class neighborhood and riots erupt in nearby Watts, she learns that life—and her own place in it—is a lot more complicated than it had seemed.” —Provided by publisher

Esperenza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

(Children PZ7.R9553 Es 2000)

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

(Children PZ7.S80857 Wh 2009)

As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, “The $20,000 Pyramid,” a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia

(Children PZ7.W6714 Ps 2013)

The Gaither sisters are back in Brooklyn, where changes large and small come to their household as they grow up during the turbulent 1960s.

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

(Children PZ7.W8339 Wo 2016)

“Twelve-year-old Annabelle must learn to stand up for what’s right in the face of a manipulative and violent new bully who targets people Annabelle cares about, including a homeless World War I veteran.”—Provided by publisher.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

(Children PZ7.Y21255 Fr 2018)

“Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?” —Provided by publisher.

Young Adult

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

(Young Adult PZ7.A54385 Ch 2008)

After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

(Young Adult PZ7.D7194 No 2003)

In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story.

New Boy by Julian Houston

(Young Adult PZ7.H823 Ne 2005)

As a new sophomore at an exclusive boarding school, a young black man is witness to the persecution of another student with bad acne.

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

(Young Adult PZ7.M5128 Bu 2016)

“Nora Lopez is seventeen during the infamous New York summer of 1977, when the city is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam who shoots young women on the streets. Nora’s family life isn’t going so well either: her bullying brother, Hector, is growing more threatening by the day, her mother is helpless and falling behind on the rent, and her father calls only on holidays. All Nora wants is to turn eighteen and be on her own. And while there is a cute new guy who started working with her at the deli, is dating even worth the risk when the killer likes picking off couples who stay out too late? Award-winning author Meg Medina transports us to a time when New York seemed balanced on a knife-edge, with tempers and temperatures running high, to share the story of a young woman who discovers that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit—and the hardest to accept.” —Provided by publisher

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schiltz

(Young Adult PZ7.S37535 Hi 2015)

“Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs, just like the heroines in her beloved novels, yearns for real life and true love. But what hope is there for adventure, beauty, or art on a hardscrabble farm in Pennsylvania where the work never ends? Over the summer of 1911, Joan pours her heart out into her diary as she seeks a new, better life for herself because maybe, just maybe, a hired girl cleaning and cooking for six dollars a week can become what a farm girl could only dream of—a woman with a future. Inspired by her grandmother’s journal, Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz relates Joan’s journey from the muck of the chicken coop to the comforts of a society household in Baltimore (Electricity! Carpet sweepers! Sending out the laundry!), taking readers on an exploration of feminism and housework, religion and literature, love and loyalty, cats, hats, bunions, and burn.s” —Provided by publisher

01.31.2019

Black History Is Now

Picture Books

Brothers of the Knight by Debbie Allen, illus. by Kadir Nelson

(Children Picture Book + ALLEN)

In this contemporary retelling of the fairy tale “Twelve Dancing Princesses” from the Brothers Grimm, an African-American reverend in Harlem endeavors to discover why the shoes of his twelve sons are worn to pieces every morning.

Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke, illus. by Angela Brooksbank

(Children Picture Book + ATINU)

Join Baby and his doting mama at a bustling southwest Nigerian marketplace for a bright, bouncy read-aloud offering a gentle introduction to numbers.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illus. by Christian Robinson

(Children Picture Book + DELAP)

A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.

When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Christian Robinson

(Children Picture Book +FOGLI)

Children excitedly discuss the details of their upcoming birthdays.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

(Children Picture Book + MORA)

When the aroma of Omu’s homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit.

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illus. by Ebony Glenn

(Chidlren Picture Book THOMP)

“A young Muslim girl puts on a head scarf and not only feels closer to her mother, she also imagines herself as a queen, the sun, a superhero, and more.”

Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by Sophie Blackall

(Children Picture Book WOODS)

When Mama’s pregnancy draws attention away from Gia, she worries that the special bond they share will disappear forever once the baby is born.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by Rafael Lopez

(Children Picture Book + WOODS)

Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.

Middle Grade

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

(Children’s Library PZ7.A3771 Cr 2014)

“In this middle grade novel in verse that’s Love That Dog meets The Watsons Go to Birmingham meets Slam, twelve-year-old twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health.”—Provided by publisher

Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender

(Children’s Library PZ7.C1333 Hu 2018)

Born on Water Island in the Virgin Islands during a hurricane, which is considered bad luck, twelve-year-old Caroline falls in love with another girl—and together they set out in a hurricane to find Caroline’s missing mother.

Mango Delight by Fracaswell Hyman

(Children’s Library PZ7.H98 Ma 2017)

“When seventh-grader Mango Delight Fuller accidentally breaks her BFF Brooklyn’s new cell phone, her life falls apart. She loses her friends and her spot on the track team, and even costs her father his job as a chef. But Brooklyn’s planned revengesneakily signing up Mango to audition for the school musical—backfires when Mango not only wins the lead role, but becomes a YouTube sensation and attracts the attention of the school’s queen bee, Hailey Jo. Hailey Jo is from a VERY wealthy family, and expects everyone to do her bidding. Soon Mango finds herself forced to make tough choices about the kind of friend she wants to have . . . and, just as important, the kind of friend she wants to be.” —Provided by publisher

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

(Children’s Library PZ7.J6355 Pa 2018)

Twelve-year-old Candice Miller is spending the summer in Lambert, South Carolina, in the old house that belonged to her grandmother, who died after being dismissed as city manager for having the city tennis courts dug up looking for buried treasure—but when she finds the letter that sent her grandmother on the treasure hunt, she finds herself caught up in the mystery and, with the help of her new friend and fellow book-worm, Brandon, she sets out to find the inheritance, exonerate her grandmother, and expose an injustice once committed against an African American family in Lambert.

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon

(Children’s Library PZ7.M2722 Se 2018)

“Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene have the whole summer for adventures in the woods behind their house in Sutton, Indiana. Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town, but his dad likes the family to stay close to home. Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. He’s been lots of different places. Styx promises Caleb and Bobby Gene that together, they can pull off the Great Escalator Trade—exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. It becomes clear that Styx has secrets—secrets so big they could ruin everything—and Caleb fears their whole plan might fall apart. In this madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure, friendships are forged, loyalties are tested … and miracles just might be possible.” —Provided by publisher

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

(Children’s Library PZ7.R333 As 2016)

“When two brothers decide to prove how brave they are, everything backfires—literally.” —Provided by publisher

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

(Children’s Library PZ7.R333 Gh 2016)

“Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves. Ghost has a crazy natural talent, but no formal training. If he can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons—it all starting with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems—and running away from them—until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who blew his own shot at success by using drugs, and who is determined to keep other kids from blowing their shots at life.” —Provided by publisher

Young Adult

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

(Young Adult PZ7.A3771 So 2017)

Seventeen-year-old Blade endeavors to resolve painful issues from his past and navigate the challenges of his former rockstar father’s addictions, scathing tabloid rumors, and a protected secret that threatens his own identity.

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

(Young Adult PZ7 .C672 Li 2018)

“When Suzette comes home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England, she isn’t sure if she’ll ever want to go back. L.A. is where her friends and family are (as well as her crush, Emil). And her stepbrother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, needs her emotional support. But as she settles into her old life, Suzette finds herself falling for someone new…the same girl her brother is in love with. When Lionel’s disorder spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help her brother before he hurts himself–or worse.” —Provided by publisher

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

(Young Adult PZ7 .R333 Lo 2017)

“An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds’s fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he’s going to murder the guy who killed his brother.” —Provided by publisher

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

(Young Adult PZ7.S8825 De 2017)

“Justyce McAllister is top of his class at Braselton Prep, captain of the debate team, and set for an Ivy League school next year- but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. He’s eventually released without charges (or an apology), but the incident rattles him. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood, he can’t seem to escape the scorn of his former peers or the attitude of his new classmates. The only exception: Sarah Jane, Justyce’s gorgeous -and white- debate partner he wishes he didn’t have a thing for. Justyce has studied the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do they hold up now? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up. Much to the fury of the white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly, Shots are fired. And Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.” —Provided by publisher

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

(Young Adult PZ7.T3666 Ha 2017)

“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.” —Provided by publisher

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

(Young Adult PZ7.W3235 Pi 2017)

“Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And Jade has: every day she rides the bus away from her friends and to the private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities. But some opportunities she doesn’t really welcome, like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Just because her mentor is black and graduated from the same high school doesn’t mean she understands where Jade is coming from. She’s tired of being singled out as someone who needs help, someone people want to fix. Jade wants to speak, to create, to express her joys and sorrows, her pain and her hope. Maybe there are some things she could show other women about understanding the world and finding ways to be real, to make a difference.” —Provided by publisher

Pride by Ibi Zaboi

(Young Adult PZ7.Z76 Pr 2018)

“Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable. When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding. But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all. In a timely update of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.” —Provided by publisher

12.20.2018

Read the Movie

Picture Books

Rapunzel by Alex Berenzy

(Children’s + PZ8.B4477 Rap 1995)

A retelling of the German folktale in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is kept imprisoned in a lonely tower by a witch.

Paddington by Michael Bond

(Children Picture Book +BONDM)

“Over fifty years ago, a small bear set out on the adventure of a lifetime. With nothing but a suitcase, several jars of marmalade, and a label around his neck that read, “Please look after this bear. Thank you,” he crossed the ocean heading for England. When he arrived at London’s busy Paddington Station, he was discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. As luck would have it, the Browns were just the sort of people to welcome a lost bear into their family—and their lives would never be the same.” —From publisher’s website.

Clifford Collection by Norman Bridwell

(Children Picture Book BRIDW)

This collection includes six classic stories that were originally published beginning in 1963. Also included is an original letter from Norman Bridwell to the reader, information about the creation of Clifford—including an image of Norman’s 1962 painting that inspired the Clifford series—and the story behind the real Emily Elizabeth.

The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

(Children’s + PZ10.3.P47 Co 1993)

A collection of four stories relating all the adventures of Peter Rabbit and his mischievous cousin, Benjamin Bunny.

Curious George by H.A. Rey

(Children Picture Book + REY)

The first adventure in this highly popular series tells how the little monkey Curious George, caught in the jungle and brought back to the city by a man in a yellow hat, can’t help being interested in all the new things around him. Though well meaning, George’s curiosity always gets him into trouble.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

(Children Picture Book SENDA)

A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

(Children Picture Book SEUSS)

Poor Sally and her brother. It’s cold and wet and they’re stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the place in the process!

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

(Children’s + PZ7.V266 Ju)

Left on their own for an afternoon, two bored and restless children find more excitement than they bargained for in a mysterious and mystical jungle adventure board game.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

(Children Picture Book VIORS)

Recounts the events of a day when everything goes wrong for Alexander.

Middle Grade

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

(Children PZ7.A3774 Bl 1999)

Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper of Prydain, faces even more dangers as he seeks the magical Black Cauldron, the chief implement of the evil powers of Arawn, lord of the Land of Death.

The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs

(Children PZ7.B413 Ho)

A boy goes to live with his magician uncle in a mansion that has a clock hidden in the walls which is ticking off the minutes until doomsday.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

(Children PZ7.D5455 Be 2000)

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

(Children PZ7.E66 Ne)

The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

(Children PZ7.F569 Ha 2014)

Eleven-year-old Harriet keeps notes on her classmates and neighbors in a secret notebook, but when some of the students read the notebook, they seek revenge.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

(Children PZ7.G125 Co 2002)

Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

(Children PZ7.N8248 Ba 1998)

Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

(Children PZ7.R465 Li 2006)

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

(Children PZ7.R7968 Har 2008)

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.

Holes by Louis Sachar

(Children PZ7.S1185 Ho 1998)

As further evidence of his family’s bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

(Children PZ7.S4654 Inv 2007)

When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

The Hundred and One Dalmations by Dodie Smith

(Children + PZ7.S6447 Hu 2017)

“Famously adapted by Walt Disney in 1961, Dodie Smith’s classic tale of a great dog robbery was inspired when a friend idly remarked that Smith’s own Dalmatian, also called Pongo, would make a lovely fur coat. While the film may have captured the spirit of the story, it lacks the style and moments of charm and humour that can only be found in Smith’s inventive novel: the vivacious antics of Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler, the reason why Cruella, as one feisty pup discovers, tastes of pepper, and the mystery behind the identity of the hundred and oneth Dalmatian.” —Provided by publisher.

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

(Children PZ7.S676 Ba 1999)

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune.

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

(Children PZ7.T689 Mar 1997)

An extraordinary English nanny blows in on the East Wind with her parrot-headed umbrella and magic carpetbag and introduces her charges, Jane and Michael, to some delightful people and experiences.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

(Children + PZ7.W58277 Ch 1999)

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.

Young Adult

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

(Young Adult PZ7.A334 Si 2015)

“Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity—and that of his pen pal—will be revealed.” —Provided by publisher.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

(Young Adult PZ7.B73759 Si 2001)

During their first summer apart, four teenage girls, best friends since earliest childhood, stay in touch through a shared pair of secondhand jeans that magically adapts to each of their figures and affects their attitudes to their different summer experiences.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(Young Adult PZ7.C697 Hu 2008)

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss’s skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister’s place.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

(Young Adult PZ7.D2136 Mi 2012)

In the early 1990s, when gay teenager Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family decides she needs to change her ways, she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

(Young Adult PZ7.G8233 Fau 2012)

Sixteen-year-old Hazel, a stage IV thyroid cancer patient, has accepted her terminal diagnosis until a chance meeting with a boy at cancer support group forces her to reexamine her perspective on love, loss, and life.

Every Day by David Levithan

(Young Adult PZ7.L5798 Ev 2012)

Every morning A wakes in a different person’s body, in a different person’s life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon.

Dumplin by Julie Murphy

(Young Adult PZ7.M95352 Du 2015)

“Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked… until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.” —Description from book jacket.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

(Young Adult PZ7.R7375 Di 2011)

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomoly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

(Young Adult PZ7.T3666 Ha 2017)

“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.” — Provided by publisher.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

(Young Adult PZ7.Z837 Boo 2006)

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel—a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

12.18.2018

Staff Book Suggestions Winter 2019

Zoë Burnett

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

(Library of Congress NEW PZ4 .N970 Fr 2018)

“Please say nothing bad happens to the dog.”

Sigrid Nunez’s The Friend is not about a dog. Neither sentimental nor tearjerking, her latest novel is affecting without the melodrama that tends to saturate memoirs centered on pets, often with good reason. Nunez’s dry, almost disaffected prose prohibits this, yet is not without empathy or compassion. The narrator focuses on how and why her longtime friend, and many other writers before him, are seemingly able to write their way into suicide. By no means a “light” read due to the heavy subject matter, her observations and reflections about the passage of time, the inevitable, and how some take the prerogative to cut that process short, are brief but not without impact. This makes the novel easy to pick up and put down at any time, and is the first in a long while to almost make me miss my T stop. Nunez’s absorptive style is nearly toneless, allowing the reader to imbue her words and phrases with their own meaning. Her arresting descriptions will keep the reader engaged, all the while urging them to keep in mind that there is, and must, be an end to everything.

Maria Daniels

The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone

(Library of Congress CT275 .F737 F33 2017)

This dramatic work of nonfiction, which came out in 2017, traces the origins of US government surveillance agencies through the life of an extraordinary woman. Starting with a handful of individuals who began decoding messages of the Central Powers in World War I, the effort was organized to disrupt criminal gangs during Prohibition, and eventually to grapple in World War II with the mind-bendingly complex Enigma and Purple cipher machines developed by the Germans and the Japanese. This absorbing, improbable account is told as the biography of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who began her career investigating the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays and became an indispensable (though unknown) factor in the US war effort. She developed her method of approaching puzzles methodically with pencil, paper, and patience, and married a like-minded man, William, who would become known as the father of American cryptology. Their relationship, at the heart of the story, touches on themes familiar to readers of spy novels: crushing responsibility, anonymous menace, corrosive secrecy, escalating paranoia, and brushes with madness. Elizebeth’s own prowess—in large part a driver of her husband’s—was kept under lock and key, literally, by J. Edgar Hoover, as the FBI claimed credit for her work. How fortunate readers are that writer Jason Fagone gained access to her declassified files and put together such a captivating narrative.

Daria Hafner

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

(Library of Congress PZ4 .M6793 Bo 2014)

This novel by David Mitchell has been on my to-read list for several years. This is a great book for cold winter days because it draws you in and captures your attention—perfect for curling up on snowy days. In The Bone Clocks, Mitchell covers a vast array of topics by piecing together the perspectives of different characters over several decades. Mitchell covers the geography of western Europe and the United States and the topics of climate change, technology, family dynamics, and supernatural powers. This novel is not for the faint of heart, and reading it felt like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle. The end result is well worth the intellectual effort, however, and it is one of the best books I have read in the last year. Mitchell grabs his readers with a sympathetic main character, and this is a book that I struggled to put down until the very end.

Carolle Morini

Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson

(Library of Congress CT788.C479 T46 2018)

Enjoyable and insightful biography on Chrisitie. The story of her life is told along side the stories and plays she wrote. Excellently paced book. 

Hannah Ovaska

Difficult Women by Roxane Gay

(Library of Congress PZ4.G2846 Di 2017)

Roxane Gay has done it again! Difficult Women is a collection of short stories about the complex experiences of women—especially unconventional women—in modern America. As in her other works, Gay has created a haunting experience for the reader as they travel through the unique (and not so unique) lives of diverse women. There is no shortage of beauty and shock, and I can assure you that some of these tales will stick in your memory after you finish the book.

Kaelin Rasmussen

The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson, with a preface by Rachel Reeves MP, and an introduction by Martin Edwards

(Library of Congress NEW PZ3 .W6579 Di 2018)

A classic British mystery novel is a great way to ward off winter blues! The premise: London, 1930s. A financier is found shot in the House of Commons. Suspecting foul play, a parliamentary private secretary takes on the role of amateur sleuth. Used to turning a blind eye to covert dealings, he must now uncover the shocking secret behind the man’s demise, amid distractions from the press and the dead man’s enigmatic daughter. Originally published in 1932, this is the only novel written by Ellen Wilkinson (1891–1947), one of the first women elected to Parliament, a member of the Labour Party, suffragist, and social justice activist. The Division Bell Mystery is an excellent mystery story, but I think what I enjoyed most was the insider perspective on the House of Commons and Wilkinson’s understated but razor-sharp satire, which is at its most cutting when directed at the attitude towards the women who tread the halls of that traditionally male institution.

Anthea Reilly

How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery

(Library of Congress  NEW QL85 .M65 2018​)

A charming memoir by author and naturalist Sy Montgomery, a fast read and delightful.

Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know by Colm Tóibín

(Library of Congress  NEW PR8727 .T65 2018​)

Essays by Colm Tóibín on the fathers of Wilde, Yeats and Joyce, evocative of a time in Irish history and written by an Irishman with passion for his subjects and a splendid voice.

City of Light: The Making of Modern Paris by Rupert Christiansen

(Library of Congress  NEW DC733 .C483 2018​)

Paris during the Second Empire, written with a definite feel for the city, its inhabitants and its history.

Mary Warnement

Heat Lightning by Helen Hull

(Library of Congress PZ3.H8783 He)

I had to travel to London to discover this author from my home state of Michigan. At first I thought Hull hailed from a city with a connection to my mom, but I confused Albion for Allegan. No matter, they are in the same region. The first paragraph mentioned the interurban bus (and trolley) system that used to connect southern Michigan and Indiana and that my mom recalled with fond reminiscing of her father. But none of that helps you know whether Hull’s writing is for you. Hull left Michigan for NY and spent most of her life teaching at Columbia and spending summers in Maine with her partner Mabel Louise Robinson. Hull belonged to a group of feminists called the Heterodoxy Club, about which I am eager to learn more. Heat Lightning was a book of the month club selection in 1932 when it appeared. It details a week-long visit home by Amy during the summer of 1930 when her own life is in as much turmoil as the stock market. Her interactions with her parents, siblings, and extended relatives rang true. (If you had enough of your own family over the holidays, this could help you gain perspective.) Amy may be the eyes through which we see all, but the personality of her grandmother is at the center of this world. Anyone who enjoys fiction about relationships will want to read this. I read an edition reprinted by Persephone (found in their charming, eccentric London shop which I also highly recommend) but the Athenæum has the 1932 edition as well as 15 other books by Hull.

Francis Wyman

Winter War by Eric Rauchway

(Library of Congress CALL NUMBER NOT ASSIGNED YET)

Every presidential inauguration has its iconic pictures that serve to validate our democratic process. Among the more memorable ones is the one of the dour, outgoing President Herbert Hoover, and the ebullient President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt riding together, down Pennsylvania Avenue, to the inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol. The uneasiness of the scene reflects more than Hoover’s defeat and Roosevelt’s triumph and their mutual dislike of each other but the solidifying of the conservative-liberal divide that has largely defined America politics ever since. That divide, the outlines of which were visible in the 1932 election campaign, sharpened in the four month interregnum, between the election in November 1932 and Roosevelt’s inauguration in March 1933. It is this unfamiliar political history that University of California Professor Eric Rauchway covers in his book, Winter War: Hoover, Roosevelt, and the First Clash Over the New Deal.

In late 1932 the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, the country’s worst economic downturn in its history. Millions of Americans were out of work, desperate and despairing at ever finding employment again; agricultural prices were plummeting, driving farms into foreclosure; and banks were collapsing in ever larger numbers. By early 1933, the economy was teetering on the brink of complete collapse. For Roosevelt, the path out the crisis, and the means to save capitalism, was a program that included public works, lower tariffs, federally-owned hydroelectric power plans, agricultural subsidies, reform of the banking system, a social insurance program, minimum wages, maximum hours, labor’s right to organize, and tight control of unnecessary government spending.

For Hoover, FDR’s New Deal, which involved the intervention of the federal government on a scale not seen before, was not just un-American but communistic. According to Hoover, the president-elect’s radical program emitted “fumes of witch’s caldron [sic] which boiled in Russia and in its attenuated flavor spread over the whole of Europe.” While outwardly accepting the results of the election, Hoover worked to nullify them by attempting to persuade FDR to abandon the New Deal and accept the policies his administration had been pursuing. 

Professor Rauschway’s Hoover is crafty, self-important, and at times petty. While he sought to get Roosevelt to renounce his program, he sought to turn the Republican Party into a bulwark against the New Deal. The outgoing president believed only he was capable of guiding the transformation. The party, with him at its helm, would be ready to govern again when Roosevelt’s program failed. 

Roosevelt was too seasoned a politician to be caught in Hoover’s scheme. He resisted the president’s pressure to renounce the New Deal and embrace his administration’s financial policies. According to Professor Rauchway, Roosevelt’s New Deal set the country on the road to economic recovery.

There is plenty to quibble with in this book. Hoover did not stand on the sidelines as the depression grew worse, although he could have done much more. Roosevelt’s grasp of economics may not have been as sure footed as Professor Rauchway argues. Still, the book is a worthwhile read for what it might tell us about the 2020 presidential campaign and possible presidential transition.

11.29.2018

Snow

Picture Books

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

(Children’s Library + PZ8 .A54 1993)

After the Snow Queen abducts her friend Kay, Gerda sets out on a perilous and magical journey to find him.

Big Snow by Jonathan Bean

(Children Picture Book + BEAN)

“An excited and frustrated boy watches hopefully as wintry weather develops slowly into a ‘big snow.'”—Provided by publisher.

The Hat by Jan Brett

(Children Picture Book BRETT)

When Lisa hangs her woolen clothes in the sun to air them out for winter, the hedgehog, to the amusement of the other animals, ends up wearing a stocking on his head.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

(Lg PZ7.B7646 Sn 1978)

When his snowman comes to life, a little boy invites him home and in return is taken on a flight high above the countryside.

Snow Is My Favorite And My Best by Lauren Child

(Children Picture Book + CHILD)

When the weatherman predicts snow, Lola absolutely cannot wait.

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

(Children Picture Book CORDE)

When a wolf cub and little girl are lost in a snowstorm they must find their way home.

Chirri and Chirra: The Snowy Day by Kaya Doi

(Children Picture Book DOI)

Sheltering in a cavern, Chirri and Chirra enjoy sweet treats, a game of marbles, soaking in a hot spring, and a comfortable rest in an igloo that is just the right size.

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

(Children Picture Book HENKE)

When Old Bear falls asleep for the winter, he has a dream that he is a cub again, enjoying each of the four seasons.

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time by James Howe

(Children Picture Book HOWE)

Houndsley loves the quiet of the first snow of winter, but Catina does not enjoy being snowed in. What about all her plans for the day? With pretending, books, games, creativity, and some time to dream, Houndsley helps Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the snowy day.

Sally’s Snow Adventure by Stephen Huneck

(Children Picture Book + HUNEC)

Sally, a black Labrador retriever, becomes lost in the woods while on a winter vacation.

Terrible Storm by Carol Otis Hurst, illustrated by S.D. Schindler

(Children Picture Book + HURST)

A child’s two grandfathers relate their boyhood experiences of the “terrible blizzard of 1888,” during which each was stuck for three days doing what he disliked the most.

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

(Children’s Library + QC858.B46 M37 1998)

A biography of a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of individual snowflakes in order to study their unique formations.

Red Sled by Lita Judge

(Children Picture Book + JUDGE)

At night, a host of woodland creatures plays with a child’s red sled.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

(Children Picture Book KEATS)

The adventures of Peter, a little boy in the city on a very snowy day. No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than this book. With its universal appeal, the story has become a favorite with millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. —Publisher description.

The Snow Ghosts by Leo Landry

(Children Picture Book LANDR)

Snow ghosts live in the far north, and they love to play and have fun

The Red Book by Barbara Lehman

(Children Picture Book LEHMA)

A book without words in which friends who have never met meet.

First Snow by Peter McCarty

(Children Picture Book + MCCAR)

When Pedro comes from far away to visit his cousins, who are eager to introduce him to snow, all Pedro can think about at first is how much he dislikes cold.

If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws! by Kim Norman

(Children Picture Book + NORMA)

Animals enjoy a variety of wintery activities in the snow.

Snow Globe Family by Jane O’Connor

(Children Picture Book OCONN)

Two families—a large one that lives in a house and the other a tiny one that lives in a snow globe, look forward to a big snowstorm.

Story of the Snow Children by Sibylle Olfers

(Children Picture Book OLFER)

“Poppy is gazing out of the window at the snow when suddenly she sees that the snowflakes are really Snow Children, dancing and whirling in the garden. Soon they whisk her away to the Snow Queen’s wintry kingdom.”—Back cover.

Snow Music by Lynne Rae Perkins

(Children Picture Book + PERKI)

When a dog gets loose from the house on a snowy day, his owner searches for him and experiences the sounds of various animals and things in the snow.

Blizzard by John Rocco

(Children Picture Book + ROCCO)

“After a massive blizzard, a boy becomes a hero when he manages to walk to the local store and bring supplies back to his neighborhood, which has been snowed in for days. Based on the author’s childhood experience.”—Provided by publisher.

Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann

(Children Picture Book + ROHMA)

As four kittens who have never seen winter watch the seasons pass, three of them declare the reasons they will dislike snow when it arrives, while the fourth cannot wait to experience it for himself.

Winter’s Tale by Robert Sabuda

(Children Picture Book SABUD)

Simple text describes the animals and landscapes encountered on a particular winter’s day, in a book with pop-up illustrations and twinkling lights.

Snow Day by Komako Sakai

(Children Picture Book SAKAI)

A little rabbit enjoys having a day off from kindergarten and spending time with his mother during a snowstorm, but his father’s flight home is cancelled until the snow stops falling.

Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes

(Children Picture Book + SIDMA)

Just this once, schedules are swept aside as a too-busy world suddenly revels in the freedom and peace of the snow. The joy and wonder of a snowy day is brought to new life in this destined-to-be-a-classic picture book from Newbery Honor author, Joyce Sidman, and Caldecott winning artist, Beth Krommes.

Snow by Manya Stojik

(Children Picture Book + STOJI)

As snow approaches and begins to fall, Moose, Bear, Fox, and other forest creatures prepare for winter.

Something Is Going to Happen by Charlotte Zolotow

(Children’s Library + PZ7.Z77 Sq 1988)

One by one the members of a family awake one cold November morning to discover that during the night there has been a beautiful snowfall.

Chapter Books

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

(Children’s Library PZ7.L58474 Ch 1988 bk.1)

Four English school children find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch who has cursed the land with eternal winter.

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

(Children’s Library PZ7.M59948 Gr 2014)

At Greenglass House, a smuggler’s inn, twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his winter holidays relaxing but soon guests are arriving with strange stories about the house, sending Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, on an adventure.

East by Edith Pattou

(Children’s Library PZ8.P2815 Ea 2003)

A young woman journeys to a distant castle on the back of a great white bear who is the victim of a cruel enchantment.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

(Children’s Library PZ7.U692 Br 2011)

“Hazel and Jack are best friends until an accident with a magical mirror and a run-in with a villainous queen find Hazel on her own, entering an enchanted wood in the hopes of saving Jack’s life.”—Provided by publisher.

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

(Children’s Library PZ7.W16892 Cr 2010)

In 1347, when fourteen-year-old orphan William Paynel, an impoverished servant at Crowfield Abbey, goes into the forest to gather wood and finds a magical creature caught in a trap, he discovers he has the ability to see fays and becomes embroiled in a strange mystery involving Old Magic, a bitter feud, and ancient secrets.

Young Adult Books

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

(Young Adult PZ7.P8865 Win 2006)

When witch-in-training Tiffany Aching accidentally interrupts the Dance of the Seasons and awakens the interest of the elemental spirit of Winter, she requires the help of the six-inch-high, sword-wielding, sheep-stealing Wee Free Men to put the seasons aright.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

(Young Adult PZ7.P968 Go 2006)

Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.