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The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish and the Amazing-But-True Survival Story of Plymouth
Colony (The Cheryl Harness Histories). Written and illustrated by Cheryl Harness. National
Geographic Children’s Books. 144pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-7922-5918-3, $21.95; Library ISBN 978-07922-5919-0, $32.90. (I, M) This is a fascinating narrative describing the life of Mayflower
passenger Myles Standish and the early settlement of Plymouth Colony. Harness writes in a style
that makes Standish come alive.
Good Fortune: My Journey to Gold Mountain. Li Keng Wong. Illustrated with photographs.
Peachtree Publishers. 156pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-56145-367-2, $14.95. F (Peachtree). (I) A wellwritten autobiography tells one family’s story of immigration through Angel Island in the
1920s—they face quotas, experience discrimination and demonstrate a great will to survive
Gordon Parks: No Excuses. Ann Parr. Illustrated with photographs by Gordon Parks. Pelican
Publishing Company. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-58980411-1, $15.95; Library ISBN 978-158980411-1, $15.95. (I) Gordon Parks began life in poverty in a segregated society, but through
hard work and perseverance, he became the first African American photographer to work for
Life magazine
My Senator and Me: A Dog’s-Eye View of Washington, D.C. Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Illustrated by David Small. Scholastic Press. 56pp. Trade ISBN 0-439-65077-1, $16.99. (I) The role
of a senator is explained from a pet’s perspective. This simple story allows young people to
follow Senator Kennedy through a typical day on Capitol Hill.
Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People. Albert Marrin. Illustrated by C.B. Mordan. Dutton
Children’s Books/Penguin Young Readers Group. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-525-47762-4, $16.99.
(I) The complex interaction between rats and people throughout civilization is explored through
scientific.historical information and folklore. The book provides unique perspectives and
fascinating tidbits to illustrate how man, animal, and environment influence one another.
Mia’s Story: A Sketchbook of Hopes and Dreams. Written and illustrated by Michael Foreman.
Candlewick Press. 32pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-3063-8, $15.99. (I, P) Although Mia and her
family must harvest scrap from a city dump in Chile in order to survive, they have hopes and
dreams for a better future.
Pompeii: Lost and Found. Mary Pope Osborne. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen. Alfred A.
Knopf/Random House Children’s Books. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-375-82889-8, $16.95; Library
ISBN 978-0-375-92889-5, $18.99. (I) Osborne recreates life in the rich Roman city of Pompeii
before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in CE 79. Christensen’s dramatic frescoes offer a glimpse of
daily activities moments before the city was entombed in ash.
Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story. Louise Borden. Illustrated by Robert Andrew
Parker. Houghton Mifflin Company. 48pp. Trade ISBN 978-0618-33922-8, $17.00. (I) Gentle
prose and soft illustrations evoke the loss and sadness of war as a schoolgirl remembers a
young, handsome neighbor who failed to return from the Pacific Theater in World War II.
The American Story: 100 True Tales From American History. Jennifer Armstrong. Illustrated by
Roger Roth. Alfred A. Knopf/Random House Children’s Books. 368pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-37581256-9, $34.95; Library ISBN 978-0-375-91256-6, $39.99. (I) This captivating book includes 100
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easy-to-read short stories about the history of America. Stories cover individuals and events
from colonization to modern times (1565 to 2000)
Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art. Diane Siebert. Illustrated by Stephen T.
Johnson. Chronicle Books. 64pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-8118-5056-8, $17.95. (I) This unique book
pairs poetry and art to highlight images of America. The reader gains a unique perspective of
various American landscapes, buildings, events, and landmarks. Information is provided about
each site.
Desperate Journey. Jim Murphy. Scholastic Press. 256pp. Trade ISBN 978-043907806-1, $16.99.
(I, M) This story conveys the trials and tribulations of a 12-year-old girl, and her family’s day-today life, living and working on the Erie Canal in 1848.
Bushnell’s Submarine: The Best Kept Secret of the American Revolution. Arthur S. Lefkowitz.
Scholastic Nonfiction. 192pp. Trade ISBN 978-043974352-5, $16.99. (I) A fascinating story
incorporating primary documents that describes the first attempt of a submarine mission during
the American Revolution
Pop’s Bridge. Eve Bunting. Illustrated by C.F. Payne. Harcourt Children’s Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN
978-0-15-204773-3, $17.00. (I) Robert’s father is helping to build the Golden Gate Bridge, an
engineering marvel. But when 10 men die working on the bridge, Robert realizes that
completing such a project comes at a great cost.
Salaam: A Muslim American Boy’s Story. Tricia Brown. Photographs by Ken Cardwell. Henry Holt
Books for Young Readers. 40pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-80506538-1, $17.95. (I, P) Photographs and
simple text describe Imran’s life as a Muslim American child.
Saving the Buffalo. Albert Marrin. Illustrated with photographs and paintings. Scholastic
Nonfiction. 128pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-43971854-7, $18.99. (I, M) This nonfiction book details the
near extinction of the buffalo and the efforts of early conservationists to prevent the animal’s
demise. A fascinating look at life in the time of westward expansion.
Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa that Brought Them Together. Herb Shoveller. Kids Can
Press. 56pp. Trade ISBN 978-1-55337-967-6, $16.95. (I) This true story about service learning
describes how one child can make a difference. Jimmy learned in school about the lack of safe
drinking water in Uganda and became determined to do something about it.
Lugalbanda, The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale from Ancient Iraq. Kathy
Henderson. Illustrated by Jane Ray. Candlewick Press. 80pp. Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-2782-9,
$16.99. (I) In a beautifully illustrated tale from Ancient Sumer, Lugalbanda follows his brothers
into war, only to become sick and lose his way home. He pleads with the Anzu bird for return to
a peaceful home.
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World. Cynthia Chin-Lee. Illustrated by
Megan Halsey and Sean Addy. Charlesbridge Publishing. 32pp. Trade ISBN 1-57091-522-9,
$15.95. F (Charlesbridge). (I) This is a wonderful introduction to the range of contemporary
women’s struggles and accomplishments. An international woman is highlighted for each letter
of the alphabet
Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Voyage of John Quincy Adams. Stephen Krensky.
Illustrated by Greg Harlin. Dutton Children’s Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-525-46966-4, $16.99. (P,
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I) Based on the diary of John Adams, this lively account of a secret mission to France to gain
support for the Revolutionary War tells the heroic story of two future presidents.
Delivering Justice: W. W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights. Jim Haskins. Illustrated by Benny
Andrews. Candlewick Press. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-7636-2592-2, $16.99. (I, M) An inspirational
account about an ordinary mail carrier, W.W. Law, whose extraordinary conduct, vision, and
work with the NAACP during the 1960s civil rights movement helped desegregate Savannah,
Georgia, with little violence.
Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King. Kathleen Krull. Illustrated by Eric
Velasquez. Walker and Company. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-8027-8953-6, $16.95; Library ISBN 0-80278954-4, $17.85. (I) The reader is taken behind the scenes to learn about the boyhood of Harry
Houdini, and his emergence as a renowned performer, as well as how he carried out some of his
fascinating stunts.
Joe Louis: America’s Fighter. David A. Adler. Illustrated by Terry Widener. Gulliver
Books/Harcourt Children’s Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-15-216480-4, $16.00. (I) The story of the
“Brown Bomber,” as Joe Louis was known, describes the rise of one of the greatest heavyweight
champions. Louis’s life is presented with dramatic, colorful scenes that reveal the boxer’s
emotions, struggles, and determination.
Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes. J. Patrick Lewis. Illustrated by Jim
Cooke. Dial Books for Young Readers. 40pp. Trade ISBN 0-8037-2925-1, $16.99. (I) A collection of
poems depicting some of the most well known—as well as unknown—heroes in our lives.
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. Written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.
Harcourt Children’s Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-15-205445-6, $16.00. (I) This is a true story about
one woman’s love of books and literacy. Alia Muhammad Baker hides 30,000 books in
restaurants and private homes to save them from destruction during the Iraq War
Carl the Complainer (Social Studies Connects). Michelle Knudsen. Illustrated by Maryann CoccaLeffler. The Kane Press. 32pp. Paperback ISBN 1-57565-157-2, $4.99. (P, I) Carl learns how to
turn complaints into petitions and use personal involvement, action, and voice to become a
more effective citizen. Appropriate vocabulary for young children.
This is America: The American Spirit in Places and People. Don Robb. Illustrated by Christine Joy
Pratt. Charlesbridge Publishing. 32pp. Trade ISBN 1-57091-604-7, $16.95; Paperback ISBN 157091-605-5, $6.95. (I) This lively account of the people, places, and ideals that make up
America captures the true essence of the American spirit.
A Season for Mangoes. Regina Hanson. Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Clarion Books. 32pp. Trade
ISBN 0-618-15972-X, $15.00. (I) Young Sareen describes the Jamaican tradition of celebrating
the life of a lost loved one, telling the story of her dead Nana, and their search for the perfect
mango.
Going to School in India. Lisa Heydlauff. Illustrated with photographs by Nitin Upadhye and
graphic illustrations by B.M. Kamath. Charlesbridge Publishing. 98pp. Trade ISBN 1-57091-666-7,
$21.95. (I) Vibrant photographs, artwork, and stories capture the diversity of India and provide a
picture of the daily lives of children, along with the challenges many must overcome to attend
school.
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Tsunami: Helping Each Other. Ann Morris and Heidi Larson. Illustrated with photographs by
Heidi Larson and others. Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group. 48pp. Trade ISBN 0-76139501-6, $15.95. (I) Text and photographs describe the impact of the 2004 tsunami in Asia on the
lived of two young Thai brothers.
Abby Takes a Stand (Scraps of Time: 1960). Patricia C. McKissack. Illustrated by Gordon C. James.
Viking Children’s Books. 112pp. Trade ISBN 0-670-06011-9, $14.99 (Puffin) (I) Ten-year-old Abby
can sit up front in a public bus, but cannot have a milk shake at the lunch counter. Abby joins
brave protesters, helping to make changes through the civil rights movement.
Crooked River. Shelley Pearsall. Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s
Books. 256pp. Trade ISBN 0-375-82389-1, $15.95; Library ISBN 0-375-92389-6, $17.99. (I) It is
the early 1800s, and a Chippewa brave is accused of murdering a white trapper. While awaiting
trial, he is held shackled in the loft of a frontier cabin. Vengeance, prejudice, and fear combine
to create a powerful story.
Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa’: Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home. Evangeline Parsons Yazzie.
Illustrated by Irving Toddy. Salina Bookshelf. 32pp. Trade ISBN 1-893354-55-5, $17.95. (I) This is
an amazing story told from the view of a young Navajo girl who is abducted by soldiers, taken to
Fort Sumner, and forced to walk to Bosque Redondo, nearly 450 miles from her home.
Let It Begin Here! Lexington & Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution. Dennis Brindell
Fradin. Illustrated by Larry Day. Walker and Company. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-8027-8945-5, $16.95;
Library ISBN 0-8027-8946-3, $17.85. (I) The action, drama, and pathos in this re-telling of the
events at Lexington and Concord create a story rich in human interest and historical fact. A
“who’s who,” as well as a “what happened to the people,” provide rich contextual information.
Willow Run. Patricia Reilly Giff. Wendy Lamb Books/Random House Children’s Books. 160pp.
Trade ISBN 0-385-73067-5, $15.95; Library ISBN 0-385-90096-1, $17.99. (I, M) Through the eyes
of a young American girl, we see the effects of World War II on the home front. Realistic
character developments make the story believable and heart rending.
Worlds Apart. Kathleen Karr. Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books. 208pp. Trade ISBN 0-76145195-1, $15.95 (I,M) Fiftenn-year-old Christopher was among the first to arrive in the New
World of Carolina. He describes his friendship with a young Sewee brave named Asha-po. The
Sewee eventually become one of the “lost nations.”
Lunch Money. Andrew Clements. Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Simon and Schuster Books for
Young Readers. 224pp. Trade ISBN 0-689-86683-6, $15.95; Paperback ISBN 0-689-86685-2,
$4.99. (I) In a humorous story set in the sixth grade, Greg Kenton begins a comic book business
at school and learns about economic, friendship, and the meaning of “success.”
Many Ways: How Families Practice Their Beliefs and Religions. Shelley Rotner and Sheila M.
Kelly. Illustrated with photographs by Shelley Rotner. Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group.
32pp. Trade ISBN 0-7613-2873-4, $15.95; Library ISBN 0-7613-2873-4, $15.95. (P, I) Striking,
simplistic photos depict families from all parts of the world playing, working, and praying
together. A great introduction for young children to our diverse global society.
THE DARING NELLIE BLY: AMERICA’S STAR REPORTER. Bonnie Christensen. Illustrated by the
author. Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books. 32pp. Trade ISBN 0-
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375-81568-6, $16.95; Library ISBN 0-375-91568-0, $18.99. (I) Move over, Jules Verne; Nellie
Bly’s authentic voyage around the world provides young readers with a sense of adventure and
respect for diversity. Insightful vignettes help students develop an appreciation of the world
beyond our shores.
FIRST FLIGHT: THE STORY OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS (DK Readers series). Caryn Jenner.
Illustrated with prints and photographs. DK Publishing. 48pp. Trade ISBN 0-7894-9541-4, $12.99;
Paperback ISBN 0-7894-9291-1, $3.99. (I) This introductory level biography features sidebars
containing definitions and illustrations that guide the reader throughout the text. Other features
include primary documents and authentic photographs that document the Wright brothers’
progress towards creating a flying machine.
HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ. Kathleen Krull. Illustrated by Yuyi Morales.
Harcourt Children’s Books. 48pp. Trade ISBN 0-15-201437-3, $17.00. (P, I) This story about Cesar
Chavez traces his growth from a shy youngster to the man who inspired migrant farm workers to
take a stand against their deplorable working conditions. Vibrant illustrations add to this welltold biography.
PORTRAITS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEROES. Tonya Bolden. Illustrated by Ansel Pitcairn. Dutton
Children’s Books. 96pp. Trade ISBN 0-525-47043-3, $18.99. F (Puffin Books). (I, M) Biographies of
twenty notable African Americans are presented in a three-page text with portrait style. The
individuals range from historical to contemporary figures chosen to teach and inspire the
reader.
IQBAL. Francesco D’Adamo. Translated by Ann Leonori. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
128pp. Trade ISBN 0-689-85445-5, $15.95. (I, M) Thirteen-year-old Iqbal brings hope to Fatima
and the other children in a Pakistani carpet factory when he stands up to the owner. This docunovel highlights the horrible working conditions of millions of child laborers.
AMERICA’S MOUNTAINS. Frank Staub. Illustrated with photographs. Mondo Publishing. 48pp.
Trade ISBN 1-59034-870-2, $16.95. F (Mondo Publishing). (I) This exploration of America’s
mountain ranges explains what a mountain is and describes how different kinds of mountains
are formed. Striking photographs illustrate plants and animals found in the mountains and
climate is discussed.